Asian Journal of Advances in Research
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Heavy Metal Uptake and Associated Ecological Hazards in Parapenaeopsis atlantica from a Nigerian Estuarine Ecosystem
No full textA year-long investigation (September 2022 to August, 2023) was carried out to evaluate the bioaccumulation levels and ecological risks of selected heavy metals in Parapenaeopsis atlantica harvested from Iko River Estuary, Nigeria. The primary objective was to assess the potential health risks associated with consuming this shrimp species from the estuary. A total of 40 shrimp samples were collected monthly from artisanal fishers operating in the estuary. Upon collection, samples were rinse with seawater, packaged in labelled cellophane bags, and preserved in ice-cooled containers before been transported to the laboratory for analysis. In the laboratory standardized procedures were employed for sample preparation and heavy metal analysis, using a Perkin-Elmer Analyst 800 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The heavy metals examined included cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Concentrations of these metals in shrimp tissues showed no statistically significant seasonal variation, with the exception of copper (Cu). Notably, iron and zinc recorded the highest concentrations across all sampling periods, a pattern attributed to their natural abundance in the environment. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations among several metal pairs, while hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the metals based on their concentration levels and likely source of origin. Overall, the concentration of heavy metals detected in P. atlntica remained within the safety threshold established by WHO/FAO guidelines for human consumption. Nonetheless, the observed bioaccumulation trends underscore the need for regular environmental monitoring to mitigate long-term health risks to consumers of seafood from the estuary
The Ripple Effect of COVID-19: Analyzing Challenges Faced by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
Full text linkContext: As an important subsector of agriculture, livestock sector significantly contributes to the national economy of Bangladesh. This subsector contributes 1.85% of national gross domestic product (GDP) whereas it shares 16.52% in agricultural GDP and provides 20% employment directly and 50% indirectly for the country population. Moreover, COVID-19 created a serious negative impact in all sectors worldwide. Around 0.3 million dairy farms suffered the bad luck that came with this circumstance in our country.
Aims: The study aimed to show the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on smallholder dairy farmers, estimate the comparative profitability of dairy farm owners before and during the pandemic along with identify the problems faced by dairy farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
Methods: On the basis of available information, a total of 31 dairy farms were selected following convenient sampling technique from Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ukhia, Ramu and Moheshkhali upazila under Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh through a pre-designed questionnaire. Descriptive, statistical and econometric analysis were carried out to achieve the objectives.
Results: This study identified a remarkable change in the selected farms' net return, gross margin, and BCR (Benefit Cost Ratio). The net return of the farms decreased from BDT (Bangladeshi taka) 27,796.36 to BDT 8,512.39, whereas the gross margin reduced from BDT 16,531.04 to BDT 4,463.76 as the post-COVID-19 impact. This result also revealed that the average difference in feed cost during and before the COVID-19 period was BDT 1,531.08, and the average reduction in monthly farm income due to COVID-19 was BDT 74,429.03 (P<.0001). This study also identified 12 major problems faced by the farmers due to COVID-19, which were ranked according to problem indices. Fall in milk price, constraints on dairy milk marketing, and high cost of concentrate feed were highlighted among the problems faced by the farmers. These changes had a direct health impact on farmers since disruptions in income and food supply chains resulted in decreased access to nutritious food, affecting farmers' physical health.
Conclusion: We recommend that the Government and other agencies should focus on multipurpose cash support to pandemic affected vulnerable dairy farmers to minimize their losses in future
An Examination of the Relationship Between Recruitment Freezes and the Workload of Academic Staff in Selected Federal Universities in the South-South Region of Nigeria
No full textBackground: Recruitment covers the entire process from identifying a staffing requirement to filling it. Extreme understaffing is a common issue in Nigerian public and private institutions. The lack of employees has led to unfavourable and unhealthy working conditions.
Aim: The study aims to examine the relationship between recruitment freezes and the workload of academic staff in Federal Universities in the South-South region of Nigeria.
Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional survey research which utilised purposive sampling technique to select three universities (University of Benin, University of Port Harcourt and Federal University Otuoke) out of the eight federal universities in the study area. The sample size consists of 400 lecturers. Questionnaire was utilised in gathering data. Quantitative method of data analysis was adopted. For descriptive statistics, percentage and frequencies were used while chi square and Spearman’s correlation were used for hypothesis testing.
Result: Spearman’s correlation revealed no statistically significant relationship between recruitment freezes and teaching workload (r = 0.018, p = 0.752). The study found that recruitment freeze does not significantly impact academic staff's teaching workload. This finding points to the ability of lecturers in the study area to accommodate a heavy workload regardless of inconsistent recruitment and recommends continious investment in the support and well-being of academic staff
Materialism and Cyber Fraud: An Exploration of Transactional Gospel Teachings in Nigeria
No full textThis study examines materialism and cyber fraud: an exploration of transactional gospel teachings in Nigeria. The rise of materialism in Nigerian churches is rooted in the teachings of the transactional gospel, a religious paradigm where material wealth is perceived as a sign of divine favour and God’s acceptance. The research objectives are ‘investigate the impact of transactional gospel teaching on youth involvement in cyber fraud and examine the impact of materialistic adorations on youth involvement in cyber fraud’. The work was anchored on the Calvinist model, a derivation of Weber's ‘Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism’. Warri Metropolis is the study scope because of the prevalence of what the study seeks to achieve. The study was both qualitative and quantitative in the sense that it explored the views of stakeholders (religious leaders and youths) using interviews; also, copies of questionnaires were distributed to 400 youths within the age frame of 15–35 years. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the respondent’s social demographic characteristics, and the inferential statistics (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) were adopted to analyse the hypothesis of the study. The SPSS version 23 was used in analysing the data. The study concluded that there is a significant relationship between transactional gospel teaching and youth involvement in internet fraud, and also there is a relationship between church materialistic adorations and youth involvement in internet fraud in the city of Warri. The study thus recommended that religious leaders should teach more on salvation and morality rather than prosperity. Again, there is a need for urgent public awareness in collaboration with NGOs, CAN, religious leaders and governments where church leaders and stakeholders can be educated on the danger of teaching the transactional gospel of materialism and the negative consequential effects on the youths in particular and society in general
Financial Profitability Analysis of Naga Chilli Production in Sylhet District of Bangladesh
No full textThe study was conducted in three Naga chilli growing upazila namely Jaintapur, Gowainghat, and Fenchuganj under Sylhet district during 2022-2023. The study aimed to evaluate the economic profitability of Naga chilli at the farm level, explore the challenges faced by farmers. The crop has recently gained popularity due to its extreme pungency, market demand, and export potential. Despite growing interest among farmers, there is limited empirical data assessing the economic viability of its production. Using primary data collected from 45 Naga chilli farmers through structured interviews, this research analyzes key financial indicators, including total production cost, gross return, net return, and benefit-cost ratio (BCR). The results derived from descriptive statistics and farmer feedback. On a per-hectare basis findings include that the total cost (TC) of production is Tk. 504,004, while the gross return (GR) is Tk. 1,727,400. This results in a gross margin (GM) of Tk. 1,324,906 and a net return (NR) of Tk. 1,223,396. The Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) is calculated at 3.43, indicating that Naga chilli production is highly profitable for farmers. However, challenges such as access to quality seedlings, limited technical knowledge, and price fluctuations affect overall profitability. The study recommends improving seedling distribution through agencies like DAE, BARI and BADC, along with regular farmer training on improved cultivation practices. These interventions can enhance the financial sustainability of Naga chilli farming and promote its expansion in other suitable regions of Bangladesh
Phytochemical Screening and Anti-Ulcerogenic Properties of n-Hexane, Ethyl-Acetate and Aqueous-Methanol Fractions on Indomethacin and Aspirin Induced Ulcer in Rats: A Comparative Study
No full textHarungana madagascariensis is a plant abundant in several phytochemicals that can be extracted, purified, and packaged for the aim of promoting optimum health of humans. The extraction processes were carried out following standard extraction methods. The fresh leaves of H. madagascariensis were air-dried, milled into coarse powder and macerated in a mixture of methanol and chloroform (2:1) for 48 hours. The solution was filtered and partitioned with distilled water (20%) of the total volume of the filtrate. The upper layer was designated aqueous-methanol extract and the lower layer designated chloroform extract. The aqueous-methanol extract was further fractionated into n-hexane, ethyl-acetate and aqueous-methanol fractions by solvent partitioning using standard protocol. Preliminary phytochemical analyses were conducted which revealed the presence of diverse secondary metabolites including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, saponins and terpenoids, steroids in varying concentrations. With the highest concentration of the phytochemical recorded in the aqueous-methanol fraction. The acute toxicity test carried out showed no lethality or behavioural change at 5000mg/kg. The ethyl acetate and aqueous-methanol fractions exhibited better anti-ulcerogenic effect against both indomethacin and aspirin induced gastric ulcer than that obtained for the n-hexane fraction. Comparatively, the aqueous-methanol fraction had the strongest anti-ulcerogenic activity than ethyl-acetate and n-hexane fractions. The results showed that the various fractions had significant anti-ulcer activity and could be used for the effective treatment of ulcer and inflammatory related diseases which could be due to their abundant phytochemical constituents, although the strongest activity was recorded with aqueous-methanol fraction associated with polarity of the solvent
First Report of Spinitectus carolini Infection in Bullet Tuna (Auxis rochei) in Syrian Waters
No full textFish parasitology is a leading field in aquatic biology. It is of great importance in uncovering the effects of pollution on fish health and is receiving increasing attention in marine biology. The current research aimed to investigate the infection with internal and external parasites in the bullet tuna fish, Auxis rochei. Fish samples were collected from different fishing sites on the shore of Lattakia (Ras Al-Basit), during the period extending from September 15\9\2024, to February 24\2\2025. The total number of caught individuals was 12. The length, weight were determined, and then external and internal examinations were conducted for all caught individuals. The internal organs were examined to detect infection with internal parasites.
During current research, the species Spinitectus carolini, Holl, 1928, was the first record from the fish Auxis rochei in the marine water of Lattakia Governorate, Syria. The parasitic species Spinitectus carolini, belonging to the Class Nematoda, was isolated from the digestive system, specifically in the Stomach.
During current research, this parasitic species was isolated for the first time from the fish Auxis rochei in Syrian marine waters
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Local Adaptation Strategies for Housing Resilience in Ayetoro Coastal Community, Nigeria
No full textBackground: Coastal communities across Nigeria, including Ayetoro in Ondo State, are increasingly confronted with climate-induced hazards such as flooding, sea incursion, and erosion that threaten housing security. Residents have developed local strategies to protect their homes, yet the effectiveness of these measures remains inadequately evaluated. Without empirical assessment, vulnerable households risk investing in ineffective solutions, worsening long-term vulnerability in communities like Ayetoro, where recurrent housing damage occurred between 2012 and 2022.
Study Purpose: This research evaluates the empirical effectiveness of Ayetoro's housing adaptation strategies through three objectives: quantifying performance consistency using descriptive statistics (mean ± standard deviation) with median-based cut-off criteria, identifying socioeconomic and institutional barriers limiting success, and providing evidence-based recommendations to enhance climate resilience through contextually appropriate interventions.
Methodology: This research employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Data were collected from 379 residents, yielding 352 valid responses and a high response rate of 92.9%. The quantitative data were analysed using SPSS and Excel, focusing on descriptive statistics such as counts, means, and visual aids like bar, pie, and funnel charts. The effectiveness of housing adaptation strategies was assessed by comparing mean scores to a median cut-off. For inferential analysis, Haldane-Anscombe-adjusted Chi-square tests examined the relationships between building characteristics and climate impacts, while independent t-tests and ANOVA assessed variations in hazard effects across housing types. The Product-Moment Correlation was used to explore the relationship between material choices and building conditions, and Relative Risk (RR) was calculated with Haldane-Anscombe correction to quantify damage reduction probabilities. Qualitative data from Focus Group Discussions were thematically and visually analysed to contextualise the statistical findings. This comprehensive approach provided a deeper understanding of the issues, blending numerical data with the community's lived experiences.
Results: The analysis found that placing valuables higher (2.20 ± 0.55) and raised floors (2.14 ± 0.50) as the most effective strategies, demonstrating high consistency (SD≤0.55). Temporary relocation (2.07 ± 0.58) and house fortification (2.07 ± 0.45) demonstrated moderate effectiveness. Permanent relocation (1.77±0.52), drain clearance (1.77±0.42), and drain construction (1.84±0.36) were performed below the median cut-off. Financial constraints, technical gaps, and institutional failures (e.g., derelict Owena Dam) were critical barriers
The Effect of Spraying the Mothers of the Strawberry Festival with Cycocel, Bud Location, and Cooling, and Their Interactions on Growth and Productivity
No full textA three-factor factorial experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Scientific Research Center (Citrus Department in Tartous, Syria) during 2023-2024 seasons. Among the strawberry cultivars, the Festival cultiva, the most widespread in the coastal regions of Syria, was used in a complete randomized block design according to the split-plot arrangement. The primary factor was Cycocel concentration (0, 250, 500, 750ppm), the first split factor was the bud Bud Location on the stump (no degree, 0, first degree, second degree), and the second factor was the cooling period (0, one week, two weeks, three weeks). Each treatment contained three replicates, each containing 15 plants spaced (25 x 40) cm apart, with a distance between furrows of 60 cm. The ptimary objective of this research aim was to determine the optimal concentration of Cycocel to be applied.
The results revealed significant differences in the effects of each of the Cycocel hormone spray concentrations, the number of weeks of exposure to Cooling, and the Bud Location (first and second). For the early flowering and ripening traits of the Festival cultivar, second-order budding, no Cooling, and concentration (without spraying) were superior individually. Meanwhile, the triple interaction of C3 (750 ppm), first-order budding (N1), and Cooling for 3 weeks was superior. For most of the studied traits, first-order budding, Cooling for 3 weeks, and C2 (500 ppm) were superior individually and when combined with the studied factors, on the traits of fruit weight, length of production period, and plant productivity. Early flowering, ripening, and increased productivity in strawberry cultivars can be achieved with foliar, spray with C2 and C3 (500-750 ppm), a cooling period for three weeks, and by ensuring first-degree budding
The Effects of Pumpkin Seed Oil Extract on Trichloroacetic Acid-Induced Skin Wounds and Associated Immune Markers were Evaluated Using ELISA
No full textBackground: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by immune dysregulation and epidermal barrier disruption. Conventional treatments, while effective, are often associated with side effects, prompting interest in botanical alternatives. Pumpkin seed oil (PSO), derived from Cucurbita pepo, is rich in bioactive compounds with reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of PSO extract on trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-induced skin lesions in rats and to assess its impact on systemic immune markers—specifically IL-13, IL-33, TNF-α, and adiponectin—using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Methods: Forty-nine adult male Albino rats were divided into seven groups: negative control, positive control (TCA only), corn oil, Mebo® cream, and three PSO treatment groups (25%, 50%, and 100% concentrations). Dermatitis was induced by topical application of 40% TCA for five consecutive days. Treatments were applied daily, and serum levels of IL-13, IL-33, TNF-α, and adiponectin were measured post-treatment. Gross wound observations and histopathological analysis were also conducted.
Results: The 100% PSO-treated group showed significant reductions in IL-13, IL-33, TNF-α, and adiponectin levels, comparable to those in the Mebo® group and the negative control. Lower concentrations (25% and 50%) exhibited only partial cytokine suppression. Histological evaluation confirmed dose-dependent tissue regeneration and reduced inflammatory infiltration in high-dose PSO-treated groups.
Conclusion: Pumpkin seed oil extract demonstrated potent dose-dependent anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties in a TCA-induced dermatitis model. Its ability to modulate key immune mediators supports its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for managing inflammatory skin conditions. Further research is recommended to explore its clinical applicability