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Entomological Collections and Identifications of Mosquito Faunas in Selected Area Councils of Nigeria Federal Capital Territory
Get PDFMosquito survey and identification are foundational elements of an effective vector management plan. The present study therefore aimed to collect and identify various mosquito species in some selected Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. Larval of various species of mosquitoes were collected and identified in difference breeding sites across selected Area councils in the FCT. The collected larvae were raised to adult stage and were further identified using morphological key. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 27.0 and p-value was set at 95%. Samples were collected from Abuja Municipal, Gwagwalada and Bwari area councils. The study identified Anopheles funestus, 150(9.8%), as the least mosquito species collected and Culex quinquefasciatus, 307 (20.1) was the most abundance species in the study areas. Mosquito species co-exist in various breeding sites with Anopheles species mostly associated with temporary breeding. The study provides a baseline data concerning mosquito vector population and composition in the FCT. This information thus informs the public and vector management officials about the risks and the need to scale-up preventive measures against human-vector contact
EFFICACY OF SHRIMP SHELL SYNTHESIZED CHITOSAN AGAINSTPOST-HARVEST SPOILAGE FUNGI OF Sesamum indicum
Get PDFContamination of Agricultural commodities by moulds poses significant challenges due to conducive climatic conditions. Mycotoxins produced by moulds like Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium present health risks and economic losses. Traditional control measures such as the use of fungicides have drawbacks, necessitating the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives. One such alternatives is the use of Chitosan, a biopolymer derived from chitin found in crustacean exoskeletons. This study evaluated the efficacy of chitosan synthesized from shrimp shells in inhibiting the growth of Aspergillus niger, a common food borne mould of oil seeds such as Sesame. Synthesized Chitosan was characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and the degree of deacetylation was determined. FTIR analysis showed characteristic absorption peaks ranging from 3911.77 cm-1 to 794.70 cm-1, with higher wave numbers corresponding to stretching vibrations of the C-H, O-H, and N-H bonds functional groups. UV-visible spectroscopy displayed an absorbance peak at 232 nm with an absorbance value of 2.15. The degree of deacetylation of synthesized chitosan was determined to be 98.99%. In vitro experiments showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of A. niger growth by shrimp shell synthesized chitosan. The highest level of inhibition was seen at day 3 with 0.75mg/ml (50%) and 1.0mg/ml (52.1%), meaning the higher the concentration of shrimp shell synthesized chitosan the higher the inhibition. Results suggest chitosan as a potential anti-fungal agent for food preservation and agricultural protection against mould contamination and mitigate post harvest losses and ensure food safety
Comparative Study of Privacy-Preserving Measures in Nigerian E-Commerce Platforms
Get PDFMost Nigerian e-commerce today are faced with numerous challenges, primarily due to the pressure that exist between providing e-commerce services and protecting users personalized information. Users’ details provided on these platforms are most times shared with third-party advertisers and analytics companies without users’ consent. Hackers and internet fraudsters take advantage of the weakness of these platforms to obtain account details of users. An assessment of privacy-preserving strategies in Nigerian e-commerce platforms is therefore crucial in the present digital era, when online transactions and data interchange have become indispensable to the corporate environment. Because of the increased attention that privacy problems in e-commerce platforms have received, users of these platforms need to be more aware of how their personal information is treated. This article investigates privacy-preserving methods used by popular e-commerce platforms in Nigeria. The goal of the study is to present a thorough assessment of the level of privacy protection in most commonly used Nigerian e-commerce platforms. The study\u27s recommendations are intended to direct customers, e-commerce companies, and policymakers toward a safer and more secure online buying environment in Nigeria
Estimation of Reference Evapotranspiration Using Penman-Monteith Equation and Time Series Model in some Selected States in Northern Nigeria
Get PDFBased on the problem of climate change which greatly affect agriculture and water management in Northern Nigeria, this study estimated reference evapotranspiration using Penman-Monteith equation and time series models in some selected states in Northern Nigeria. The study covered 16 states in Northern Nigeria which were selected using purposive sampling techniques. The materials used for the study consist of secondary data of daily mean records of air temperature, wind speed, solar radiation, and relative humidity from 1st January 1984 to December 2022. From the data, the daily reference Evapotranspiration were computed using Penman-Monteith equation. Based on this, daily and mean annual reference evapotranspiration was obtained. From the result obtained on the daily and annual mean reference evapotranspiration, the time series models were plotted. The time series models plotted consist of daily reference evapotranspiration against time and mean annual reference evapotranspiration against time. The time series plots provided random, nonlinear trend plot which is aperiodic. The plot of the mean and variance of reference evapotranspiration of states against latitudinal trend showed that R2 >0.60, which indicated that the mean and variance of reference evapotranspiration has a strong relationship with latitudinal trend of the states and thus can be used for predictive purpose. This latitudinal trend behavior of the mean and variance of reference evapotranspiration is further supported using spatial distribution map of Northern Nigeria which showed that the lowest mean reference evapotranspiration is location within FCT-Abuja and Jos while the highest mean reference evapotranspiration is located within Sokoto, Kebbi and Gusau
Visual and Performing Arts for National Development
Get PDFThe paper "Visual and Performing Arts for National Development" examines the pivotal role of visual and performing arts in fostering national development. Drawing on existing literature and empirical evidence, this paper explores how the arts contribute to cultural preservation, economic growth, social cohesion, and individual empowerment within the context of national development strategies. Through a comprehensive analysis of the theoretical frameworks and practical implications, this paper underscores the importance of integrating visual and performing arts into broader development agendas. By leveraging the creative potential of artists and cultural practitioners, governments and policymakers can harness the transformative power of the arts to drive sustainable socio-economic progress and enrich the cultural fabric of society
Dynamical System Analysis of Reference Evapotranspiration using Chaos Models in Some Selected States in Northern Nigeria
Get PDFThis study analyzed the dynamical system of reference evapotranspiration using chaos and maximum entropy models in some selected states in Northern Nigeria. The study covered 16 states in Northern Nigeria which were selected using purposive sampling techniques. The materials used for the study consist of secondary data of daily mean records of air temperature, wind speed, solar radiation and relative humidity from 1st January 1984 to December 2022. From the data, the daily reference Evapotranspiration were computed using Penman-Monteith equation. The reference evapotranspiration obtained was further analyzed using Phase portrait, recurrent plot and Lyapunov exponent to characterize the dynamical system. The results showed that the dynamical system has a random and nonlinear trend which is aperiodic. The phase portrait exhibits sponge-like structures having distinct curves which indicates a low degree deterministic chaos. Also, the recurrent plots in 16 states had a dark short diagonal line diagonals and white ribbons which indicates seasonal variations. The largest Lyapunov exponents of the 16 states are all positive and range between 0.001983/day – 0.004419/day. This positive result indicated that the dynamical system is deterministic and chaotic in behavior
Use of Geoelectric Method for Groundwater Assessment in Awe Brine Area, Awe Nasarawa Nigeria
Get PDFA total of Forty-five vertical electrical soundings (VES) were conducted using Schlumberger electrode configuration to map the groundwater condition in the Awe Brine Field, Nasarawa, Nigeria. The result of the study exhibited significant variations in resistivity across the area, which allowed the generation of iso-resistivity contour maps for four distinct geoelectric layers. The first layer, consisting of a thin top layer of unconsolidated material, displayed resistivity values ranging from 85 Ωm to 2437.8 Ωm. The second layer, composed of shale-sandstone, has a resistivity between 1.2 Ωm to 785 Ωm. The third layer showed resistivity ranging from 1.2 Ωm to 430.5 Ωm. it was observed that a thick layer of sandy clay contained fresh water, with resistivity levels ranging from 27 Ωm to 1825.9 Ωm. The Dar Zarrouk parameters were calculated to evaluate the protective attributes of the aquifers. The analysis revealed that the longitudinal conductance (Sc) ranged from 0.06 to 3.86 S, the longitudinal resistivity (ρL)) ranged from 71.66 to 3830.4 Ωm, and the transverse resistance (TR) ranged between 2.55 and 1102.18 Ω. Based on the resistivity values and thickness of the geoelectric layers, the researchers identified four distinct aquifer zones labelled A, B, C, and D. Notably, the third layer, referred to as the C horizon, displayed significantly lower resistivity and higher salinity compared to the other layers. This layer corresponds to the Awe Formation, renowned for its brine deposits. Consequently, the study suggests that exploring freshwater resources near New Awe is more promising than the Old Awe are
Assessment of Waste Management Practices among Residents of Benue South
Get PDFThis study aims to assess waste management practices among residents of Benue South employing a descriptive cross-sectional approach. This involves investigating the sources and types of waste generated, the disposal methods used, residents’ perceptions of current waste management practices, and the problems associated with these practices. Through a multi-stage sampling technique, a total of 440 residents were randomly selected and assessed using self and interviewer-administered questionnaires. The major types of household waste generated included food residues, agricultural waste, vegetables, ash, plastics, papers, and urine/excreta. Poor waste management practices were prevalent; 87% of residents engaging in open dumping and 88.6% resorting to burning. The primary challenges identified were lack of waste collection services, lack of funding, lack of environmental awareness, and ineffective enforcement of waste management regulations. The study revealed that the current waste management practices were not satisfactory, as majority of respondents reported encountering environmental problems, such as odors and leachate pollution. The study identified gender-specific differences in awareness, knowledge, and attitude towards waste management practices. Education, income, and age were found to significantly impact awareness, knowledge, and attitude in waste management. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended that the local government should provide more adequate waste collection services, create awareness campaigns to educate the public on the importance of proper waste management, and strengthen the enforcement of existing waste management regulations. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the waste management practices in Benue South
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) Levels in Treated Spent Engine Oil Contaminated Soil from Automechanic Workshop Site in Wukari, Nigeria
Get PDFSpent engine oil contaminated soil samples were collected and divided into three portions along with uncontaminated soil sample collected 10 meters away from the contaminated site. Two of the contaminated soil samples were treated with 0.5M NaOH and heat at 2500C respectively. All the samples were extracted with appropriate solvents using sonication, cleaned up and then analyzed with gas chromatograph coupled to flame ionization detector. The results show that total PAHs concentration of contaminated soil sample was 333.6820 mg/kg, contaminated soil sample treated with 0.5M NaOH, 104.8540 mg/kg, contaminated soil sample treated with heat at 2500C was 180.0905 mg/kg and the uncontaminated soil sample, 0.7084 mg/kg. The results showed that Wukari mechanic village is contaminated with PAHs through indiscriminate disposal of spent engine oil. Furthermore, treatment with 0.5M NaOH was a more effective means of remediation relative to treatment with heat at 250oC for two hours. The study will be an appropriate guide for the artisans following enlightenment about the possible threat that contact with PAH contaminated soils could have on their health.
Comparative Studies on Nutritive and Antinutritive Values of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) and Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Get PDFThe study was carried out on proximate, mineral and antinutritional compositions of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) in order to compare the nutritional and antinutritional composition of these two important food crops. The standard analytical techniques were used for all the determinations and analyses. The calculated parameters were metabolized energy, mineral safety index (MSI), mineral ratios of some minerals. The results of the proximate composition (%) revealed that crude fat (2.46 ± 0.07), moisture (5.85 ± 0.03) and total energy (1539.25 kj/100g) contents were higher for rice than cowpea (1.61 ± 0.06, 4.58 ± 0.10 and 1489.27 kj/100g), respectively while cowpea had higher level of crude protein (10.10 ± 0.14) and crude fiber (4.67 ± 0.17) than the crude protein (9.10±0.13) and crude fibre (2.37±0.08) of rice. No mineral had a deleterious value in the MSI because they had their table value (TV) > calculated value (CV). The phytate, tannin and oxalate concentrations were higher in rice (90.08±0.52 %, 6.01±0.01 mg/100g and 5.05±0.18 %) compared with that of the cowpea (40.45±2.68 %, 3.11±0.08 mg/100g and 4.37±0.09 %) while cowpea had higher concentrations in total phenol (24.79±2.55 %) and flavonoids (4.55±0.07 %) than rice. Antinutritional analysis showed that rice had higher levels of phytic acid and tannins, which can reduce the bioavailability of minerals, while flavonoids were higher in cowpea. This study concludes that both rice and cowpea are important sources of nutrients and should be consumed in combination to ensure a balanced diet.