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Antibacterial potentials and DNA study of cobalt(II) complexes containing aminophenol Schiff base moiety
No full textThe present study was carried out to investigate the effect of substituent groups on the antibacterial activities of 2-aminophenol Schiff bases and their cobalt (II) complexes. Development of new compounds with potential effects against pathogenic organisms has become necessary due to the increase in microbial resistance reported for existing antiseptics and disinfectants. In line with this, new cobalt (II) complexes with Schiff bases derived from 2-aminophenol and p-substituted benzaldehydes were synthesized. The compounds were characterized using elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, 1H NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopy. Results indicate that all metal complexes had a 1:2 metal ligand ratio with magnetic moments characteristic of tetrahedral geometry around the metal ion. The Schiff bases and their metal complexes were screened for in-vitro antibacterial activities against 6 human pathogenic bacteria usually found around the hospitals and homes; Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 19582), Bacillus cereus (10702), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) and Kribsella pneumonia (ATCC 10031) with ampicillin used as the reference compound. DNA binding study using calf thymus DNA revealed intercalative mode of activity. The result showed that Schiff bases exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against the tested microorganisms while Schiff base metal complexes exhibited higher antibacterial activity when compared to ampicillin. Our results indicate that these complexes can be employed as active ingredients in development of broad-spectrum antibacterial agents
Pre-Foundation Investigation Using Electrical Resistivity Method: A Case Study of Proposed Phase II, Faculty of Law Building, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria
Get PDFThe proposed Phase II, Faculty of Law Building, was investigated to determine the competence of the sub-soil for building construction. The Electrical Resistivity method was employed for the geophysical investigation. The 2-D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) techniques were adopted using the dipole-dipole electrode and Schlumberger arrays respectively. Using an electrode spacing (a) of 5 m and expansion factor (n) varying from 1 – 5, electrical resistivity measurements were taken along two traverses having South – North (SN) and East – West (EW) orientations respectively. Thirteen VES stations were occupied within the study area with half-current electrode spacing (AB/2) ranging from 1 – 65 m. The interpretation of the geophysical data was carried out using DIPRO software. The 2D ERI showed that the sub-soil along traverse 1 and northern part of traverse 2 has high resistivity values (>900 Ωm) at 4.5 m depth. The geoelctric sections identified three geologic layers comprising topsoil, weathered layer and fresh basement. The electrical resistivity results revealed that the sub-soils on or within the proposed site are found to be fairly competent for engineering structure
APPLICATIONS OF NANOBREEDING FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF FOOD SECURITY
Get PDFAs the world population continues to expand and environmental challenges escalate, ensuring food security has become an urgent global concern. This paper explores the potential of nanotechnology in addressing these challenges, particularly in the field of crop improvement. Nanobreeding, which utilizes nanotechnological tools and techniques, presents a promising approach to enhance crop production and quality while minimizing environmental impact. Precision agriculture benefits greatly from nanosensors, which provide real-time data on soil moisture, nutrient levels, and pest infestations. Nanotechnology also offers innovative solutions in pest management through the development of nanopesticides. These nanopesticides enable targeted delivery of active ingredients to specific pests or plant structures, reducing off-target effects and environmental contamination. Addressing the challenges of low nutrient use efficiency and environmental pollution associated with conventional fertilizers, nano-fertilizers emerge as a viable solution. Nanotechnology in agriculture presents innovative solutions to enhance crop production, improve resource efficiency, and minimize environmental impact. By harnessing the potential of nanotechnology, these can contribute to global food security, meet the growing demand for food, and maintain sustainable living standards. Continuous research and development in this field are essential in securing our future food supply and building a resilient agricultural system
EXPLORING THE INAR MODEL ON HEAVY TAILED TIME SERIES DATA WITH OUTLIERS
Get PDFCount data are intrinsically measures of event frequency; it is clear that there is an intrinsic relationship with recurring time to event. Events are typically tallied within time intervals for practical and convenient reasons. The existence of outliers is one issue that prevents count data from being stationary in time series analysis; this has an impact on the effectiveness of fitting several common stationary models to the count data collected over time. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine how well the Integer Valued Autoregressive (INAR) model performed while modeling count data that included outliers. While this model has been studied for count time series data, it has not been studied for varying degrees of outliers. A monte-carlo simulation was carried out to select the best INAR(p), where p=1,2,3 and 4 on data with 10%, 20% and 30% outliers at different sample sizes. The INAR (4) has the best fit across the sample sizes at the larger percentages of outliers while INAR (3) at the lowest percentage with smallest information criteria of assessment and they are therefore recommended for such modeling.
USE OF CATHODE RAY TUBE (CRT) COMPOSITE WASTE GLASS FOR NUCLEAR SHIELD TILES
Get PDFThis research is aimed at producing radiation shield tiles from cathode ray tube waste glass, borosilicate waste glassand soda lime silicate waste glass. The waste glasses were sourced for and crushed to powder. The powder wassieved through a 0.25 mm sieved with mesh number 60 and analysed using XRF spectrometer to ascertain theirchemical constituents. Twenty-one samples were generated using a 21-point triaxial blend of the three wasteglasses. The various samples were poured into moulds, fired in an electric furnace at 1000oC and soaked for anhour. Radiation shielding test using a radioactive source (cobalt 60) was carried out. The radiation shielding testsshows that sample 1 which comprises of 100% CRT had the highest radiation shielding ability with 0.178 cm-1linear attenuation coefficient and sample 21 which is made up of 100% soda lime silicate glass had the leastradiation shielding ability with 0.109 cm-1 linear attenuation coefficient.According to the 49th NCRP report,conventional tiles HVL for 60-Co gamma is 6.2 cm; whereas HVL for the RST in this work ranges between 3.8-6.3cm which shows that the RST is within the range of offering a good radiation protection. The results obtained in thisstudy showed that the radiation shielding tiles developed can be used as wall tiles in nuclear power facilities andmedical X-ray systems
Alpha-Spin-Mediated Growth Factors Improvement for Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Varieties in Jauro Yinu, Ardo-Kola LGA, Taraba State
No full textThe study was conducted to investigate the improvement achieved through the treatment of two tomato varieties (ANSAL and Dan-Zaria) with Alpha-Spin® nanoparticles in a screenhouse at Jauro Yinu in Ardo-Kola LGA, Taraba State, Nigeria. Seeds were exposed to the Alpha-Spin® nanoparticles® for durations of 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes before planting, using a Randomized Complete Block Design with a control group. The results of data collected and analyzed using GENSTAT statistical software showed that Alpha-Spin® treatments did not affect germination time (which was 7 days after planting for ANSAL and 3 days for Dan-Zaria in all exposures) or plant height (Dan-Zaria: 148.33 cm). However, it significantly improved other growth parameters, including stem girth (Dan-Zaria: 19.33 mm), number of branches (Dan-Zaria: 11), flowering time (27 days after transplanting for Dan-Zaria and 31 days for ANSAL with 15 minutes exposure), and number of flower clusters (ANSAL: 37). Overall, Dan-Zaria exhibited better growth than ANSAL in most of the growth parameters. These results indicate that exposure to Alphaspin® nanoparticles enhanced the growth parameters like stem girth, number of branches per plant, and days to 50% growth) in tomato varieties, making it a recommended treatment for trait improvement in tomato breeding programs.
PHENOTYPIC DETECTION OF PLASMID FROM CIPROFLOXACIN RESISTANT SALMONELLA TYPHI ISOLATED FROM STOOL OF NSUK STUDENTS
Get PDFSalmonella typhi (S. typhi) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Studies onphenotypic detection of plasmid from ciprofloxacin resistant S. typhi isolated from stool of new students NasarawaState University, Keffi, was carried out. A total of 180 stool samples were collected from the new students. 30 stoolsamples were collected from each of the six respective Faculties. 29(16.1%) Salmonella isolates were recovered andidentified by standard Microbiological methods. 21(72.4%) of the isolates were Salmonella typhi and 8(27.6%)were Salmonella enteritidis. The prevalence of Salmonella typhi isolation with respect to Faculties was highest inthe Faculties of Art (ART) and Law (LAW) with 6(28.6%) isolates each. On the basis of gender, 15 samples eachwere collected from both male and female students respectively and the highest prevalence of isolation was 4(8.0%)amongst males in the Faculty of LAW and females in the Faculty of ART, while the least prevalence of isolationwas zero (0) amongst males in the Faculty of NAT. On the bases of age, the prevalence of isolation was highestamongst the age group 21-30, 19(10.5%), while age group 51-60 showed zero (0) prevalence of isolation.Antimicrobial Susceptibility was carried out using CLSI method; and 21(72.4%) Salmonella typhi isolates weresusceptible to Ciprofloxacin, while 8(27.6%) were resistant and the antimicrobial resistance phenotypic pattern ofthe isolates was also determined. The ciprofloxacin resistance isolates were subjected to “Curing Method” todetermine if the resistance was plasmid-mediated or not.
Prevalence of Malaria among Patients in Selected Health Centres in Otukpo, Benue State.
Get PDFMalaria remains a serious public health concern in many nations, including Nigeria. The present study is a hospital based cross-sectional study and was aimed at determining the prevalence of malaria among patients in selected health centres in Otukpo, Benue State. Two hundred (200) samples were examined. Three millilitres (3mL) of venous blood was collected aseptically from each respondent and dispensed into an EDTA bottle. smears of the blood were made on grease-free clean slides and stained subsequently. The smears were examined under the microscope using X40 and X100 objective lenses for morphological features of Plasmodium spp. Statistical analysis was done using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 26. Person’s chi-square was used to determine association between variables at 95% confidence level. A p value less than or equal to 0.05 (p≤0.05) was considered to be indicative of a statistically significant relationship. Findings of the present study revealed a prevalence of 76.5% (n=153, N=200) for malaria parasites in the studied area. The prevalence of malaria parasite revealed a statistically significant difference with respect to location; St. Veronica’s clinic had the highest isolation rate (91.2%, n=31, p<0.05). The prevalence of malaria parasite (77.5%, n=69; p>0.05) showed female preponderance over male subjects. Patients >59 years (old adults) had the highest prevalence of malaria (100%, n=2; p>0.05). There is no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of malaria parasite with respect to gender and age. The high prevalence of malaria parasite in the study calls for concern
Microscopy and Antigenic Detection of Trichomonas vaginalis Infections among Female Patients Attending the Gynecology Unit of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.
Get PDFTrichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection with a predilection for female urogenital tract and a causative agent for cervicitis, urethritis and vaginalis in women. Trichomonas vaginalis infection is of medical concern amongst women, which, if detected on time, can be treated. The presence and occurrence of Trichomonas vaginalis among female patients attending Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia, Nasarawa State was investigated in this study. Vaginal swab samples of 250 women were collected and examined using wet mount and Laboquick Trichomonas vaginalis antigen test kits. The overall prevalence rate of trichomoniasis was 3.2% among the studied population. The prevalence rate among age group 15-25 years was 5%, 3% in age group 26-35 and 0% among the age group 36-60. Symptomatic and asymptomatic patients exhibited a prevalence rate of 3.9% and 2.06% respectively. Others include; pregnant women with 5.7%, while non-pregnant women recorded 1.8%, students with 5.7%, housewives had 2.8%, traders had 2.5% and 0% prevalence rate was seen among civil servants and farmers respectively. Among the two diagnostic methods used; Laboquick Trichomonas vaginalis antigen test gave the highest prevalence rate of 3.2% compared to wet mount which showed a 1.2% prevalence rate. This demonstrates Laboquick T. vaginalis antigen test kits as a more sensitive and effective diagnostic method in comparison to wet mount. Findings from this study further reiterate the need for more research to enlighten the public on the health implications, control and eradication of this common infection