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Aim: The study aimed at investigating the occupational hazards among abattoir workers in selected abattoirs in Port Harcourt. Study Design: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in order to determine and evaluate the prevalent occupational hazards that abattoir workers were exposed to using a well-structured questionnaire. Three abattoirs were randomly selected for the study which involved abattoir workers, randomly picked from three different abattoirs in Port Harcourt. The study was conducted using a well-structured questionnaire and 140 respondents participated in the study. Methodology: Five categories of occupational hazards namely physical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial and chemical hazards were investigated. Z-test analysis was carried out to determine if there existed any significant impact posed by these hazards and the results of the analysis showed that the hazards were significant among abattoir workers. In addition, the data obtained was also analyzed using the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) in order to rank the prevalence of these hazards posed to abattoir workers. Results: Biological hazard was ranked as a Class 1 hazard with a 71.53% percentage occurrence. This was closely followed by ergonomic and physical hazards ranked as Class 2 hazards with percentage occurrences of 64.29% and 54.28% respectively. Psychosocial hazard was ranked as Class 3 hazards having a percentage occurrence of 60.95% while chemical hazard was ranked as Class 4 hazards with a percentage occurrence of 35.24%. Conclusion: This study thus confirmed the presence of the aforementioned hazards as critical in influencing abattoir workers. It was therefore recommended that abattoir workers be trained to increase their level of awareness and knowledge of these occupational hazards in order to protect their health and safety at work.

Awareness on family planning (FP) among women stimulates acceptance and intention to use which gives the opportunity of choice in their reproductive activities. This study examines these relationships in Kaduna metropolis among women attending antenatal care (ANC) services. The study used multi-stage sampling technique to administer research instrument to the 386 respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive and Chi-Square. The results show that about 90% of women in the study were aware of FP and majority know it through health workers in hospitals. About 59% of the respondents reported to have previously used FP while 74% still had the intention to use FP in the future. Pills and implant are the major methods used with 29% and 21% respectively. There is a significant relationship between awareness on FP and intention to use (p= < .01). The study concluded that as awareness of FP increase, more women will continue to use FP services. It is thus recommended that FP awareness campaign should be intensified.

Response of Amaranthus cruenthus to varying aeration methods (aeration of irrigation water (A1), air injection to crop root zone in soil before irrigation (A2), air injection to crop root zone in soil after irrigation (A3), and non aeration treatment (A0)) and irrigation levels (100% field capacity (FC) (W0), 75% FC (W1), 65% FC (W2) and 55 % FC (W3) were investigated. The results showed that varying irrigation as well as aeration levels had significant effects on the height of A. cruenthus while no significant difference was obtained in number of leaves across the field capacities during the growing period. The findings of this work showed that A. cruenthus was not sensitive to air treatment as expected. This is because lower number of leaves were obtained when air was either injected into the soil before or after irrigation as well as when air was injected into irrigation water at 4 and 7 weeks after planting. Plant height was maximum when no air was introduced to the plant at 4 Weeks After Planting. However, the number of leaves were highest at 65% FC throughout the growing period. The shoot, root and whole plant fresh weight were all significantly influenced by the aeration treatments but not FC except the root fresh weight. The edible yield (shoot fresh weight) was highest (48.55g) at 100% FC (W0). Also, when the irrigation water was injected with air (A1), the highest edible yield of 57.33 g was obtained. The highest Water Use Efficiency was exhibited at 100% FC (W0) while aeration of irrigation water (A1) gave the highest (26.06) Air Use E. 65% field capacity is best for planting A. cruenthus without negatively affecting the yield.

This study was conducted to investigate the bioactive and chemical components, ethnobotany and pharmacological activities of Calotropis procera leaves and fruits with a focus on its antimicrobial effect on isolated bacteria. To prepare the plant extract, methanol was used as the solvent, for evaluation of the bioactive compounds and their concentration in the plant extracts hence, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis was conducted respectively. The GCMS analysis was conducted for further determination of the chemical composition of the plant parts. The antimicrobial impacts of the plant leaves and fruits methanolic extracts were carried out against assay organisms which were bacterial group and they include Standard and clinical strains of Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Bacillus subtilis clinical, Staphylococcus aureus β-haemolytic strain and clinical, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi clinical, Klebsiella pneumonia clinical, Escherichia coli and Proteus sp. Clinical strain. This study showed the presences of some phytochemical compounds such as tannin, alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid etc. in C. procera leaves and fruits at varying concentration. The GCMS analysis revealed that Pentadecanoic acid and n-Hexadecanoic acid were detected in both leaves and fruits of C. procera extracts. Furthermore, methanolic extract of the plant leaves had antibacterial effect potency towards Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, while the fruit extract had no antibacterial effect against the assay organism.

Problems of kidney, liver, hypertension and cancer diseases are common this day in some parts of Nigeria among adults which could be due to prolong drinking of water containing high concentrations of heavy metals such as Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, and Manganese. There is a need for creating awareness in the country about the health implications of prolong drinking of water with high concentrations of heavy metals which could cause some severe diseases to man. This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of some selected heavy metals in the borehole water of Shao in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected in March, 2020 from 6 borehole locations at Shao and physic-chemical properties were analyzed using standard methods. The samples were collected in March during dry season to get the actual contribution of the geological nature of the area for the heavy metals. In March, there is little or no underground water pollution from agricultural wastes, pesticides, industrial wastes and percolation of contaminated runoff. The concentrations of Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Manganese and Zinc in the samples were 0.003-0.016 (Standard Organisation of Nigeria – SON limit: 0.003), 0.012-0.012 (SON: 0.050), 0.005-0.030 (SON: 1.000), 0.058-0.058 (SON: 0.010), 0.002-0.024 (SON: 0.200), 0.013-0.098 mg/L (SON: 3.000mg/L), respectively. Concentrations of Arsenic and Mercury were not detected in all the 6 boreholes. The concentrations of Cadmium which is toxic to kidney were above the permissible limits of SON in 5 boreholes and Lead that could cause cancer and mental disorder among children were above the permissible limits of SON in one borehole. Borehole water with high concentration of heavy metals should be treated before consumption to prevent some deadly diseases that could affect man.

Normal River sand is one of the major components of concrete, generally termed fine aggregate. A large volume of sand is needed annually for construction work globally. Mining or extraction of sand from the river bed, ocean beds, beaches, and inland dunes is accompanied by several problems such as; lowering of the water table, sinking of bridge piers and erosion of river bed and instability of river bed on the environment, etc. To decrease these environmental impacts and the cost of conventional fine aggregates, alternative materials like mining waste have been studied by several researchers to replace partially fine aggregates in concrete production. Iron ore tailings (IOT) are one of the mining wastes obtained from the beneficiation process of iron ore concentrates. This paper presents an overview of the work carried out on the use of IOT as a partial replacement of fine aggregate in concrete and its effects on the workability, mechanical, and durability properties of concrete.

This investigation was carried out to isolate, identify and screen for lipase producing fungal species present in the soil environment of Ilorin metropolis. Soil samples of approximately 200g each were collected randomly from eight different locations within the Ilorin metropolis for the investigation. Potato Dextrose Agar was used for the isolation of the fungal species by pour plate method. Six fungal species, Penicillium spp, Acremoniumspp, Mucors pp, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus nigerand Aspergillus flavuswere isolated and screened for their ability to produce lipases on tween-20 and phenol red agar. The results obtained for lipase production on tween-80 and phenol red after 5 days of incubation showed that four isolates were positive for lipase production which was indicated by diameter zone of clearance and visible precipitate of calcium monolaurate due to the deposition of calcium crystal. The result further revealed that Aspergillus niger had the highest lipase producing ability (having a diameter zone of clearance of 14 ± 0.05 mm), followed by Rhizopus stolonifer (having 10 ± 0.05 mm). Aspergillus flavus and Mucor sp had 6 ± 0.03 mm, 6± 0.01 mm respectively. Acremonium sp. and Penicillium sp. had no zone of clearance. These results demonstrate the presence of lipase producing fungi in the soil environment of Ilorin metropolis,Kwara State, and these can be harnessed locally for large scale production of the enzyme which is of value commercially in the production of leather, detergent,textiles and also as constituents of some special diets and pharmaceuticals.

Concerns about first generation bioethanol's impact on the food chain and biodiversity have shifted research to second generation (2G) bioethanol technologies. The 2G-bioethanol is made from lignocellulosic biomass, which is more sustainable and does not harm food security or the environment. This production process uses non-food crops, food crop residues, wood or food wastes, such as wood chips, skins, or pulp from fruit pressing. The present study examines the bioethanol production potential of three lignocellulosic biomass residues: corn cob, corn husk, and corn stem, as well as their physiochemical and mineral composition before and after fermentation. Before fermentation, the corn waste samples were hydrolyzed into sugar monomer and the hydrolysate was fermented separately to produce bioethanol for five days at 282oC using two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains: typed yeast ATCC 3585 and Baker's yeast ATCC 204508/S288c. At one-day intervals, the pH, simple sugar and ethanol production were measured. ANOVA was used to find significant differences between the investigated organisms. The results showed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 35858 produces more ethanol than the other strain (20.25±0.63). Corn cob also produced more ethanol than stem and husk. During fermentation, the typed yeasts outperformed the Baker's yeast in pH, reducing sugar, and specific gravity. Average dry yeast cell mass (ADM) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 35858 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 204508/S288c were 1.82±0.07 and 1.98±0.03, respectively. According to proximate composition, fermentation lost over 50% of the corn waste's nutrients (ash), while recovering over 50% of the minerals (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). The ability of the two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains to produce bioethanol was not significantly different at p value ≤ 0.05.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) leaves and peels are recognized as locally available feed resource with a high edible biomass yield for sheep and goat production in Nigeria. They have been successfully used as an alternative feed to overcome the dry season challenge posed by seasonal fluctuations. The nutritional value and potential productivity of cassava leaves and peels as feedstuff for West African dwarf (WAD) sheep and goat production systems were examined and reviewed. Results from literature showed cassava leaves and peels combine a great number of qualities and benefits in terms of nutrient supply and supplementation which supported growth and performance, thereby serving as a promising feedstuff and a source of high-quality feed for West African dwarf sheep and goat production. The crude protein content (%) of cassava leaves and peels ranged from 16.01 - 39.90and 3.45 – 6.50, respectively while tannin content was more concentrated in leaves (1.17 – 21.60%) compared to peels (0.12 - 0.31%).Average weight gain (g/day) of sheep and goats fed cassava leaves as sole and supplementary feed across literature varied from 30.36 - 48.33 and 23.21-26.25, respectively while sheep and goats fed cassava peels varied from 20.30 - 38.00g/day and 6.55 - 31.90g/day, respectively. Tannin in cassava leaves were found to possess an anthelmintic effect against nematode parasites, reducing gastro-intestinal nematode egg counts to about 52.94 to 78.48%. Haematological and serum biochemical parameters reviewed were within the range for clinically healthy sheep and goats while dressing percentage ranged from 32.57 - 61.00 %.It was therefore concluded that cassava leaves and peels can be used successfully as an adequate source of much needed protein and energy especially when fed as a supplement to other feed materials to improve productivity of WAD sheep and goats. Les feuilles et les pelures de manioc (Manihot esculenta crantz) sont reconnues comme une ressource alimentaire disponible localement avec un rendement élevé en biomasse comestible pour la production ovine et caprine au Nigeria. Ils ont été utilisés avec succès comme aliment alternatif pour surmonter le défi de la saison sèche posé par les fluctuations saisonnières. La valeur nutritionnelle et la productivité potentielle des feuilles et des pelures de manioc comme aliment pour les systèmes de production de moutons et de chèvres nains d'Afrique de l'Ouest (NAO) ont été examinées et passées en revue. Les résultats de la littérature ont montré que les feuilles et les pelures de manioc combinent un grand nombre de qualités et d'avantages en termes d'apport de nutriments et de supplémentation qui soutiennent la croissance et la performance, servant ainsi d'aliment prometteur et de source d'alimentation de haute qualité pour la production des ovins et caprins nains d'Afrique de l'Ouest. La teneur en protéines brutes (%) des feuilles et des pelures de manioc variait de 16,01 à 39,90 et de 3,45 à 6,50, respectivement, tandis que la teneur en tanin était plus concentrée dans les feuilles (1,17 à 21,60 %) que dans les pelures (0,12 à 0,31 %). Le gain de poids moyen (g/jour) des ovins et des caprins nourris avec des feuilles de manioc comme aliment unique et complémentaire dans la littérature variait de 30,36 à 48,33 et de 23,21 à 26,25, respectivement, tandis que les ovins et les caprins nourris avec des pelures de manioc variaient de 20,30 à 38,00 g/jour et 6,55. - 31,90 g/jour, respectivement. On a découvert que le tanin des feuilles de manioc possédait un effet vermifuge contre les parasites nématodes, réduisant le nombre d'œufs de nématodes gastro-intestinaux d'environ 52,94 à 78,48 %. Les paramètres hématologiques et biochimiques sériques examinés se situaient dans la fourchette des ovins et caprins cliniquement sains, tandis que le pourcentage d'habillage variait de 32,57 à 61,00 %. Il a donc été conclu que les feuilles et les pelures de manioc peuvent être utilisées avec succès comme source adéquate de protéines et d'énergie indispensables, en particulier lorsqu'elles sont administrées en complément d'autres matières premières pour améliorer la productivité des moutons et des chèvres.

The study was designed to assess the tasks, activities and workings materials in the non-formal training of craft man in solar and satellite systems installation in Niger State of Nigeria. Descriptive survey research method was adopted. The population for the study comprised of 243 trainees and 99 master trainers. For this study, the entire population of the trainee and the master trainers was used; hence, sampling was not carried out. The research instrument used in this study was a structured questionnaire, and it involved the use of a Likert scale. The instrument was validated by experts in the Department of Industrial and Technology Education, Federal University of Technology, Minna. Cronbach Alpha co-efficient was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument and it yielded reliability coefficient of 0.99. Data were collected through questionnaire with the help of six research assistants. SPSS was used to perform analysis of the data. Mean and standard deviation was used to evaluate research questions, while z test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings from the hypothesis of the study revealed that that there is no significant difference between the mean responses of trainers and trainee on tasks in non- formal training of solar system installation with a the mean and standard deviation of trainer are 3.55 and 0.70 while the mean and standard deviation of trainee are 3.39 and 0.73 respectively, since the p-value (0.52) is greater than 0.05. The study concluded that the need for training of trainee in the working environment and the participation of master trainers in the structuring of the apprenticeship learning to learn comprehensively. The study recommends that master trainers should be appropriate in planning tasks in non-formal training of trainees in solar system installation. The government should provide working materials for trainers and trainee in non-formal training of solar and satellite system installation.

The problem of soil erosion and sedimentation of watercourses is becoming widespread due to increasing unwholesome land-use practices and population pressure on the limited landscapes. To ascertain the response of the Kubanni drainage basin to natural and anthropogenic forcing, this study adopted SCS-CN and geospatial technology to estimate the runoff of the Kubanni drainage basin. Some of the unique contributions of this study include the determination of the HSG and SCS-CN for the Kubanni drainage basin as a precondition to estimating runoff in a GIS environment. Satellite images of Landsat OLI for December 2014 and 2018, rainfall data from 2014 to 2018, soil data and DEM of 30-meter resolution were utilized for the study. A maximum likelihood supervised classification method was adopted in processing the satellite images to determine the LULC classes for the Kubanni drainage basin landscape. The LULC classes for the study area include built-up area, water, vegetation, farmland and bare land. The SCS-CN values for the sub-basins of Goruba, Maigamo, Tukurwa and Malmo were discovered to be 79.724, 76.506, 71.470 and 66.004 respectively, while the average SCS-CN value was found to be 73.426. The volume of runoff for the year 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 were discovered to be 1,435,722.7m3, 1,651,498.6m3, 1,281,367.5m3, 1,051,406.9m3 and 1,592,346.9m3 respectively, while the average runoff was found to be 1,402,406.52m3 year-1. The model of this study is empirically viable and demonstrates its applicability in investigating watershed runoff due to anthropogenic and climatic forcing. Le problème de l’érosion des sols et de la sédimentation des cours d’eau se généralise en raison de l’augmentation des pratiques malsaines d’utilisation des terres et de la pression démographique sur un paysage limité. Pour déterminer la réponse du bassin versant du Kubanni au forçage naturel et anthropique, cette étude a adopté la technologie SCS-CN et géospatiale pour estimer le ruissellement du bassin versant du Kubanni. Parmi les contributions uniques de cette étude, mentionnons la détermination du HSG et du SCS-CN pour le bassin versant de Kubanni comme condition préalable à l’estimation du ruissellement dans un environnement SIG. Des images satellites de Landsat OLI pour décembre 2014 et 2018, des données pluviométriques de 2014 à 2018, des données sur le sol et un DEM d’une résolution de 30 mètres ont été utilisés pour l’étude. Une méthode de classification supervisée de probabilité maximale a été adoptée lors du traitement des images satellites afin de déterminer les classes LULC pour le paysage du bassin versant de Kubanni. Les classes LULC pour la zone d’étude comprennent la zone bâtie, l’eau, la végétation, les terres agricoles et les terres nues. Les valeurs SCS-CN pour les sous-bassins de Goruba, Maigamo, Tukurwa et Malmö se sont révélées être de 79,724, 76,506, 71,470 et 66,004 respectivement, tandis que la valeur moyenne SCS-CN s’est avérée être de 73,426. Le volume de ruissellement pour les années 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 et 2018 s’est avéré être de 1 435 722,7m3, 1 651 498,6m3, 1 281 367,5m3, 1 051 406,9m3 et 1 592 346,9m3 respectivement, tandis que le ruissellement moyen a été constaté à 1,402,406.52m3 year-1. Le modèle de cette étude est empiriquement viable et démontre son applicabilité dans l’étude du ruissellement des bassins versants dû au forçage anthropique et climatique.

The application of short-term packaging plastics that are biodegradable and possess the same or even greater mechanical properties as regular synthetic plastics is on the rise. These plastics, when disposed, are acted upon by microorganisms that are present naturally in soil and primarily release water and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In this study bioplastics was created using banana peel starch and LDPE coupled with plasticizers such as palm oil and glycerol, mechanical properties of the newly created bioplastic were studied. Furthermore, the characterization of the starch particles derived from renewable source were carried out using EDX and SEM. The biodegradation studies using glycerol as a plasticizer showed that 95%-LDPE breakdown occurred by 4.27% after 7 days, 17.7% after 14 days, and finally 25.77% after 28 days. However, when Palm Oil was used as a plasticizer, 95% -LDPE degradation occurred at 1.16% after 7 days, 2.57% after 14 days, and 5.15% after 28 days. This indicated that glycerol-plasticized LDPE-Starch sheets degraded at a quicker pace than palm oil-plasticized LDPE-Starch sheets. Finally, this study revealed that glycerol-plasticized LDPE-Starch sheets have better physiochemical properties (compressive and tensile stress) than palm oil-plasticized LDPE-Starch sheets. Keywords: Biodegradable; Plastic Sheet; Polyethylene (LDPE); Banana; Starch

This study investigated the technical efficiencies of poultry feed firms in Kaduna and Plateau States, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire from a sample of 51 poultry feed firms, analyzed using descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier technical efficiency function. The findings indicate that poultry feed firms have an average production capacity of 4.2 tonnes per day, operating on an average of 5 days per week using not more than 1 shift per day. The feed mills were found to be technically inefficient with mean technical efficiency of 0.67. The determinants of technical efficiency were found to be operating capacity, distance to major market, number of employees, and availability of ingredients in required quantity as well as ownership type. The high cost and adulteration of ingredients, low patronage, and high competition from larger firms amongst others were factors identified as constraints to efficient poultry feed production. The study recommends that the firms should improve on the deployment of labour as well as improved wages, outsource for cheaper inputs or buy input in group to derive economies of scale and also increase their production in other to potentially maximize output.

This study aims to evaluate the phytotoxicity effect in Erythrophleum suaveolens leaves extracts on germination and growth of Oba 98, Oba super 6, Samaz 52 and Sanaz 37 maize seeds varieties obtained from Abuja, Nigeria. The maize seeds were subjected to treatment with exposure to methanol and water extract of E. suaveolens in different concentrations of 100, 10 and 1% respectively. A control group was set up without treatment. Both treated and untreated seeds were planted in petri-dish in the laboratory and their germination and growth were monitored for 8 days. Germination was only experienced with the 1% methanol of the E. Suaveolens with a mean germination percentage of 33.33±28.87, mean radical length (mm) of 24.67±24.03 and mean plumule length (mm) of 13.33±12.22 treated Oba98 seeds. All other maize seeds germination was inhibited by the extracts used for the treatment. The control group germination and growth were not inhibited. The extract treatment shows a significant relationship with the three (3) parameters; germination percentage, radical and plumule length with F(6, 84) =7.833, 9.688 and 8.567 respectively at p

This study is an observational assessment of open defecation practices carried out from “Mile 2” in Amuwo Odofin local government area to Okokomaiko in Ojo local government area along Badagry express way in Lagos west senatorial district of Lagos State, Nigeria. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to 250 respondents to obtain the data used in this study. Male respondents were 57.2% while 42.8% were female. The respondents’ educational background shows that 46% finished from secondary school while 16.4% did not attend school. The educational status of the respondents and the usage of modern toilets rather than open defecation was found to be significant atχ2 (5, N = 250) = 11.221, p=0.047. A significant difference was observed between the respondents attitudes towards open defecation and their gender, for Male (M=7.27, SD=2.220) and Female (M=7.85, SD=1.500);t(248) = -2.138, p = 0.034. The relationship between accessibility to a hygienic toilet and ending of open defecation among respondents was also significant at χ2 (1, N = 250) = 20.489, p

The need for clean and safe consumable water is of vital importance to any society since water is an essential substance for the sustenance of life. Mogadishu is one of the rapidly growing cities in the world with a high population, resulting in poor levels of sanitation and an inadequate clean water supply system. A total of 6 water samples were analyzed from the Mogadishu region in seven sites namely, Rer M.Shiekh, Gorgor, Umu batula, Cisse qodax, Soonikia (digfer), and Tarabuuna (umu caisha) respectively to assess the levels of heavy metals. The levels of selected heavy metals analyzed were Cd, Zn, and Pb, the analysis was done by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and other parameters analyzed were the level of pH, fluoride, chloride, nitrate, water hardness, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids (TDS), and the status of water borehole quality in the Southern Mogadishu region, Somalia. The results were compared with World Health Organization (WHO). pH values ranged (8.1-8.9) which were below WHO standard limits except for Cisse qodax borehole (8.9) which was higher than WHO standard limits. Other value for parameters were fluoride (0.28-0.596 mg/L); chloride (279.57-888.92 mg/L); nitrate (4.27-146.6 mg/L); electrical conductivity (1.428-3.280 mS /cm); hardness (229.32-501.76 mg/L); total dissolved solids (1340-3428 mg/L); cadmium (0.03-0.07 mg/L). Lead and zinc were not detected. Hardness, chloride, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), cadmium values were higher than WHO standard limits. Nitrate values were below WHO standard limits except for Umu batula borehole (60.92 mg/L) and Rer M.shiekh borehole (146.6 mg/L) which are values higher than WHO standard limits. All boreholes had low fluoride content. However high cadmium concentration is of much concern health-wise. The presence of heavy metals in the water borehole is of concern since they could impact negatively on human health even at low levels due to their accumulation. This study is of significance in providing information on the heavy metals content of the selected water boreholes in Mogadishu, information that is currently lacking considering the management issues in the Country. Further, it could help in mapping out the boreholes based on their water quality.

The study examined the impact of FSAs’ credit scheme on beneficiary farmer’s income in Katsina State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from two categories of farmers; beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of Financial Service Associations’ (FSAs) credit scheme with the aid of structured questionnaire and interview method. A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted and slovin’s formula to obtained the sample size from the four Local Government Areas (LGAs): Bakori, Danja, Funtua and Malumfashi. The data were analyzed using Descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequency etc. and inferential statistics such as Propensity Score Matching (PSM) model. The results from PSM estimator revealed that FSAs’ credit scheme had a positive and statistically significant impact on the income of beneficiary farmers. The Radius matching (0.50) shows that an increase of N21, 158.360 and Kernel Matching shows an increase of N11, 977.580 on average was achieved, by beneficiary farmers who benefited from the scheme. The study revealed that there is a positive and significant impact of the loan scheme on the income of the beneficiaries in the study area at one percent level. There is a need to linking FSAs with formal financial institutions, the provision of adequate amount of loan and timely disbursement of funds to improve loan utilization by the beneficiary farmers. There is also the need to improve the administrative and management processes of the associations. The loan should be monitored by relevant bodies for effective utilization in agricultural production and other economic activities to a

In this paper, we study the concept of chains soft sets and set-valued function of chains soft sets. The definitions of chains soft sets or linear order or total order soft set are given. The notions of binary relation of comparability of the elements of set-valued functions are also discussed. Linearization’s of a partial order soft set are also defined. The definition and some algebraic structure of soft semilattice are also given.

This study investigated the physiological and stress indices of scavenging chickens in LAFARGE and Dangote cement factories located at Ewekoro and Ibese, respectively and respective adjourning communities of Ogun State, Nigeria. One hundred adult scavenging chickens comprising of 25 from each location were used. The birds were caught at night on their perch and kept in furnished cages till the next morning. Data were collected on their rectal temperature, pulse rate, and respiratory rate . Also 5 mL blood was collected through the wing vein of each chicken. Highest (p 0.05) pulse rate (215.64 beat/minute) and respiratory rate (19.90 breath/minute) were recorded among the chickens at LAFARGE area. Highest (p 0.05) packed cell volume (28.06%), hemoglobin (4.01 g/dL), monocyte (4.28%) and glucose (256.53 g/dL) were recorded among ones at Ibese (Dangote). White blood cell (6488.89 × 10

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Exposure to heavy metals (HMs) in indoor dusts is a serious public concern that is linked to a myriad of deleterious health outcomes. The objectives of this study are to estimate the contamination levels of HMs in indoor dusts of different residential areas in Ilorin, Nigeria; identify HMs sources in different residential areas; and evaluate human health risks of HMs in selected residential areas. METHODS: Indoor dust sampling was conducted in ten randomly selected from low, medium and high population density residential areas of Ilorin, Nigeria. Ten HMs concentration levels, their health risk implication and the associated potential ecological risks were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean concentration levels measured for Fe, Pb, Zn, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Cd, Mn and Ni were 38.99, 5.74, 3.99, 0.08, 2.82, 2.13, 0.47, 0.60, 6.45 and 1.09 mg/kg, respectively. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model was applied to ascertain sources of HMs in sampled indoor dust. Percentage contribution from oil-based cooking (29.82%) and transportation (29.77%) represented the highest source to HM concentrations among the six factors identified. The results of the various pollution indices employed showed that Pb, Zn, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn and Ni contributed moderately to HMs concentration levels in the sampled dusts. Cd had highest potential ecological risk factor [Formula: see text] of between 160 and 320. The average values of Enrichment Factors (EFs) obtained aside from Fe used as the reference metal, ranged between 8.46 (As) and 2521.61(Cd). Health risk assessment results revealed that children are the most susceptible to the risks associated with HMs bound indoor dust than the adults. The percentage risk contributions of Hazard Quotient via ingestion route (HQ(ing)) in Hazard Index (HI) for non-cancer risk of indoor HMs were 93.17% and 69.87% in children and adults, respectively. Likewise, the percentage cancer risks contribution through ingestion pathway (CR(ing)) were higher than cancer risks through inhalation and dermal pathways (CR(inh) and CR(dermal)), accounting for 99.84% and 97.04% of lifetime cancer risk in children and adults, respectively. The contamination level of Cd recorded is of great concern and signifies very strong contribution from anthropogenic sources. CONCLUSION: This study has further revealed the levels of HMs in typical African residential settings that could be used by relevant stakeholders and policy makers in developing lasting control measures. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40201-021-00778-8.

The production of Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles was made from the aloe vera plant which served as the reductant and this was mixed with mineral oil to decrease compressor effort in order to raise the efficiency of a domestic vapour compression refrigeration system. The nanoparticles were dissolved in mineral oil at different proportions of 1.50 grams, 1.25 grams, 1.00 grams, 0.75 grams as well as 0.5 grams each in 250 ml. The system was monitored for about three hours forty-five minutes (225 minutes) per sample, and the parameters for comparison are the discharge temperatures, pull-down time, and net refrigeration effect. The results indicate a reduction in discharge temperature by 4-10% from 0.2 wt. %, 0.5 wt. %, and 0.6 wt. %, and a lower pull downtime of 40% from 0.2 wt. % concentration as compared to the values from the control specimen, which contained pure mineral oil.

Tool development and prime mover selection for optimum tillage operation require both the knowledge of soil and tillage tool interaction dynamics which is a function of some system parameters. The actual value of these parameters can only be determined either from field or soil bin experiment via appropriate instrumentation systems. Several published works have been reported on development of soil bin instrumentation system. However, development of a system that can measure and log all the required parameters simultaneously in real time remains an active area of research. The distance moved and the forces acting on the tool were sensed using potentiometer and load cells, respectively. The sensed parameters and the calculated tool linear velocity were processed in parallel using microcontroller with optimised code to ensure real-time and simultaneous logging. The developed system was used for measuring and logging the distance moved by the tool, its velocity as well as the x-, y-, and z- components of force acting on the tool. The values of the distance, velocity and force were determined any time from the start of tillage operation are available on the chats of distance/velocity/force against time obtained from this work. 10 seconds from the start of tillage operation, the distance moved by the tool, tool velocity, , , and are 2.56 m, 0.27 m/s, 147.00 N, 5.00 N, and 15.00 N, respectively.

Background As a national effort to better understand the current pandemic, three cohorts collect sociodemographic and clinical data from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients from different target populations within the German National Pandemic Cohort Network (NAPKON). Furthermore, the German Corona Consensus Dataset (GECCO) was introduced as a harmonized basic information model for COVID-19 patients in clinical routine. To compare the cohort data with other GECCO-based studies, data items are mapped to GECCO. As mapping from one information model to another is complex, an additional consistency evaluation of the mapped items is recommended to detect possible mapping issues or source data inconsistencies. Objectives The goal of this work is to assure high consistency of research data mapped to the GECCO data model. In particular, it aims at identifying contradictions within interdependent GECCO data items of the German national COVID-19 cohorts to allow investigation of possible reasons for identified contradictions. We furthermore aim at enabling other researchers to easily perform data quality evaluation on GECCO-based datasets and adapt to similar data models. Methods All suitable data items from each of the three NAPKON cohorts are mapped to the GECCO items. A consistency assessment tool (dqGecco) is implemented, following the design of an existing quality assessment framework, retaining their-defined consistency taxonomies, including logical and empirical contradictions. Results of the assessment are verified independently on the primary data source. Results Our consistency assessment tool helped in correcting the mapping procedure and reveals remaining contradictory value combinations within COVID-19 symptoms, vital signs, and COVID-19 severity. Consistency rates differ between the different indicators and cohorts ranging from 95.84% up to 100%. Conclusion An efficient and portable tool capable of discovering inconsistencies in the COVID-19 domain has been developed and applied to three different cohorts. As the GECCO dataset is employed in different platforms and studies, the tool can be directly applied there or adapted to similar information models.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine ten valent (PCV 10) was introduced into Nigeria in three phases. Phase 3 introduction started in August 2016. However, its impact on pneumonia admissions and mortality among vaccinated Nigerian children has not been determined. Data in the period before PCV-10 introduction (3 August 2013–2 August 2016), and after (3 August 2017–2 August 2020) were retrospectively extracted from the medical charts of eligible patients aged 3–24 months with hospitalized radiological pneumonia at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan; National Hospital (NH), Abuja; and Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe, allowing for an intervening period of 1 year. Proportions of the patients with hospitalized pneumonia and case fatality rates were determined during both periods. The results were compared using z-test, multiple logistic regression analysis and p < .05 was considered significant. Adjusted pneumonia hospitalization rates between the two periods increased at the NH Abuja (10.7% vs 14.6%); decreased at the UCH, Ibadan (8.7% vs 6.9%); and decreased at the FTH, Gombe (28.5% vs 18.9%). Case fatality rates decreased across all the sites during the post-PCV introduction period: NH Abuja, from 6.6% to 4.4% (p = .106); FTH, Gombe, 11.7% to 7.7% (p = .477); and UCH, Ibadan, 2.0% to 0% (p = .045); but only significant at Ibadan. Overall, proportion of hospitalized pneumonia cases decreased after 3 years of PCV 10 introduction into the National Immunization Programme in Nigeria. The case fatality rate during post-PCV 10 introduction decreased at all the three sites, but this difference was significant at the UCH, Ibadan. Pneumonia is the commonest killer of Nigerian children aged less than 5 years. Pneumonia vaccine (PCV 10) was introduced into Nigeria Vaccination Program between 2014 and 2016, but up till now the value has not been confirmed. We conducted a retrospective study in which data before and after PCV 10 introduction were compared. The study sites were the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan; National Hospital (NH), Abuja; and Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe. The data were extracted from the medical charts of eligible patients aged 3–24 months who were admitted for severe pneumonia with evidences on lung radiographs. We found that the proportion of hospitalized pneumonia cases decreased after 3 years of PCV 10 introduction into the National Immunization Program in Nigeria. The death rate during post-PCV 10 introduction decreased at all the three sites, but was only significantly decreased at the UCH, Ibadan.

Power consumption is a significant issue in developing countries, and the refrigerator is one of the largest consumers of electricity. Nanoparticles functioning as additives to refrigerants or lubricating oils help reduce compressor work and reduce the power consumption of refrigerators. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were developed using Aloe Vera leaves and dispersed in mineral oil to reduce the compressor work and increase the performance of a domestic vapour compression refrigeration system. After the successful synthesis of the nanoparticles, spectroscopical investigations using EDS revealed the nanoparticles to have 73.31% zinc, 20.19% oxygen and 6.40% carbon indicating a significant phase of zinc oxide. Microstructural studies on the nanoparticles revealed an average nanoparticle size of 4.68 nm within the nanometric range. The nanoparticles were dispersed in mineral oil in concentrations of 0.5 g/250 ml, 0.75 g/250 ml, 1 g/250 ml, 1.25 g/250 ml and 1.5 g/250 ml of the oil and fed into the compressor to check the effect of each concentration on the performance of the refrigerator. The control sample contained pure mineral oil. The system was monitored for 225 minutes per sample, and coefficient of performance was determined. The results indicate an increase in COP by 14-15% from 0.4 wt% and 0.6 wt% respectively.

Background Decision making process for Official Development Assistance (ODA) for healthcare sector in low-income and middle-income countries involves multiple agencies, each with their unique power, priorities and funding mechanisms. This process at country level has not been well studied. Methods This paper developed and applied a new framework to analyze decision-making process for priority setting in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania, and collected primary data to validate and refine the model. The framework was developed following a scoping review of published literature. Interviews were then conducted using a pre-determined interview guide developed by the research team. Transcripts were reviewed and coded based on the framework to identify what principles, players, processes, and products were considered during priority setting. Those elements were further used to identify where the potential capacity of local decision-makers could be harnessed. Results A framework was developed based on 40 articles selected from 6860 distinct search records. Twenty-one interviews were conducted in three case countries from 12 institutions. Transcripts or meeting notes were analyzed to identify common practices and specific challenges faced by each country. We found that multiple stakeholders working around one national plan was the preferred approach used for priority setting in the countries studied. Conclusions Priority setting process can be further strengthened through better use of analytical tools, such as the one described in our study, to enhance local ownership of priority setting for ODA and improve aid effectiveness.

Various levels of substitution of nano-dicalcium phosphate (nCaHPO4) for the calcium and phosphorus supplied by limestone and monocalcium phosphate were evaluated, based on weight change, serum constituents, immune response and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. The birds were assigned to five dietary treatments containing 0% (control), 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% substitution levels of nCaHPO4 from days 0 to 42. Data were collected for blood measurement and intestinal morphology and analysed with one-way analysis of variance. Feeds substituted with 40% nCaHPO4 showed a higher mean value of final weight and better feed conversion. The results revealed similar haematological parameters across the treatment groups. At the same time, nCaHPO4 influenced most of the serum biochemical constituents, such as calcium, phosphorus, glucose, albumin, and total protein. High concentrations of total protein were observed for birds fed 60% nCaHPO4 compared with other treatments. The highest comparable means for albumin were observed in birds fed 40% and 60% nCaHPO4. Cholesterol levels were increased when birds were fed 0% and 40% of diets. Elevated serum phosphorus concentration was observed when 0%, 40%, 60% and 100% substitution levels were fed, whereas 80% presented the least mean value. The results also showed that birds fed 40% nano-dicalcium phosphate had the highest villi length, which signified improved absorption of minerals. In conclusion, 40% and 60% levels of nCaHPO4 could be used to boost immune response and functional intestinal morphology of broiler chicken with no negative effect on haematological parameters.