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The health risk to the population from exposure to heavy metals in an area that have witnessed a surge in illegal mining activities, cattle rustling and banditry were evaluated in the current study. Moringa leaves sample from Jabiyawa village, Jibia local Government area, Katsina State, Nigeria was evaluated for the presence of heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The health risks of the evaluated heavy metals in the sample to the population were assessed using the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Health Risk Index (HRI)) to assess the possible non-carcinogenic effect and the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) for the cancer risks. The result of the mean concentration values of the evaluated heavy metals Fe, Cu and Pb from the sample falls above the Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) of heavy metals in leafy vegetables. The concentrations of the other metals including Zn, Ni, Mn and Cd evaluated in the sample were within the permissible values The results of the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) associated with the evaluated heavy metals exposure through consumption of the sample for adults and children were below 1, with exception of the THQ for the heavy metal Cu in the children population that was above 1. The combined health risks for all the metals in the sample for the adults and children population represented as the HRI were above 1. The result of the Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) for both the adults and children population shows that the heavy metal Ni is beyond the threshold of the safety limit for cancer risk. There is a health risk concern from consumption of the sample as the vegetable may contribute to the disease burden of the population.

The risk of exposure to the population from heavy metals in an area that have witnessed a surge in illegal mining activities, cattle rustling and banditry were evaluated in the current study. Lettuce leaves sample from Gadirge village, Jibia local Government area, Katsina State, Nigeria was evaluated for the presence of heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The health risks of the evaluated heavy metals in the sample to the population were assessed using the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Health Risk Index (HRI)) to assess the possible non-carcinogenic effect and the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) for the cancer risks. The result of the mean concentration values of the evaluated heavy metals Fe and Pb from the sample falls above the Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) of heavy metals in leafy vegetables. The concentrations of the other metals including Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn and Cd evaluated in the sample were within the permissible values. The result of the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) associated with the evaluated heavy metals exposure through consumption of the sample for adults and children were all lower than 1, with exception of the THQ for the heavy metals Fe and Mn in the adults and children population that was above 1. The combined health risks for all the metals in the sample for the adults and children population represented as the HRI were higher than 1, the result of the Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) for both the adult and children population has revealed that the heavy metal Ni was beyond the threshold of the safety limit for cancer risk. There is a health risk concern from consumption of the sample as the vegetable may contribute to the disease burden of the population.

The health risk to the population from exposure to heavy metals in an area that have witnessed a surge in illegal mining activities, cattle rustling and banditry were evaluated in the current study. Cabbage leaves sample from Makiya village, Jibia local Government area, Katsina State, Nigeria was evaluated for the presence of heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The health risks of the evaluated heavy metals in the sample to the population were assessed using the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Health Risk Index (HRI)) to assess the possible non-carcinogenic effect and the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) for the cancer risks. The result of the mean concentration value of the evaluated heavy metal Pb from the sample falls above the Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) of heavy metals in leafy vegetables. The concentrations of the other metals including Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn and Cd evaluated in the sample were within the permissible values The result of the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) associated with the evaluated heavy metals exposure through consumption of the sample for adults and children were all below 1. The combined health risks for all the metals in the sample for the adults and children population represented as the HRI were below 1, the result of the Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) for both the adults and children population shows that all the heavy metals have ILCR that falls within the safety limit for cancer risk. Because of the above permissible Pb concentration in the analysed cabbage leaves sample, it can be deduced that the vegetable is not safe for consumption.

Background and objectives: The plant kingdom has proven to be the most useful in the treatment of diseases and they provide an important source of all the world’s pharmaceuticals. Balanites aegyptiaca is an evergreen plant containing large varieties of chemical substances which possess important therapeutic properties and can be utilized as food supplement. The aim of the study was to carry out proximate, phytochemicals and identification of chemical compounds using aqueous fruit extract of Balanites aegyptiaca. Methods: The proximate and phytochemicals analysis were carried out by standard protocols of AOAC, While The phyto-constitutes of Balanites aegyptiaca aqueous fruit extract were determined by Gas Chromatography (Agilent 6890 series) coupled with HP-5MS column mass spectrometer. The helium was used as carrier gas at a flow of 1.0ml/min. The identification of the constituents of aqueous fruit extract was performed by matching their mass spectra and retention indices with those obtained from authentic samples and/or NSIT/Wiley spectra libraries, using different types of search (PBM/NIST/AMDIS) and available literature data. Results: The phytochemical analysis reveals that the aqueous fruit extract of Balanites aegyptiaca contained flavonoids (288.33+3.01 mg/100g), tannins (20.50+0.4mg/100g) saponin (320.90+10.28mg/100g), Glycoside (163.92+0.33), steroids (36.40+0.80mg/100g), alkaloids (78.67+1.03mg/100g) and phenols (227.43+1.01mg/100g) while Terpenoids and Anthraquinones, Anthocyanines were found to be absent. The proximate analysis of the fruits of Balanites aegyptiaca; revealed that the moisture content was 2.3±0.2%, crude protein 3.2±0.08%, crude fibre 16.4±0.5%, lipid content 3.1±0.7, carbohydrates 72.6±1.6% and ash content 2.4±0.2%. The GC-MS Analysis shows the presents of many important organic compounds in which three were reported to have biological activity this includes Benzene, [(methoxymethoxy)m ethyl]-, Undecanoic acid Hexadecanoic acid, ....

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a severe health concern that is usually linked to a person's lifestyle and genetic variables. Its frequency of occurrence is alarming. Anti- diabetics drugs are costly and come with adverse effects. This study aims to evaluate the phytochemical, toxicity profile, antidiabetic and antihyperlipedemic effects of ethanolic fruit peel extract of Carica papaya in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The qualitative phytochemicals and acute toxicity (LD50, oral, rats) were evaluated. Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg) while fasting. The rats were divided into 6 groups of 6 albino rats. Group 1 as normal control, group 2 as test control, and group 3 as standard (administrated with 0.1 mg/kg/day of glibenclamide). The ethanolic fruit peel extract of Carica papaya was administered to groups 4-6 at doses of 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg. 2-6 were induced with diabetes. Blood glucose levels were measured at 0, 3, 6, and 9 hrs, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, and the serum lipid profile was evaluated at the last 28 days. Results: The ethanolic fruit peel extract of Carica papaya shows the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, and anthraquinones. The acute toxicity indicated that the fruit peel of Carica papaya is practically non-toxic to the experimental rats and its LD50 was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. There was a significant reduction in body weight from day 3 to day 28. The decreases in body weight were found in group 5 .The extract of Carica papaya showed a significant (p

There are different approaches used in automating course timetabling problem in tertiary institution. This paper present a combination of genetic algorithm (GA) and simulated annealing (SA) to have a heuristic approach (HA) for solving course timetabling problem in Federal University Wukari (FUW). The heuristic approach was implemented considering the soft and hard constraints and the survival for the fittest. The period and space complexity was observed. This helps in matching the number of rooms with the number of courses. Keywords: Heuristic approach (HA), Genetic algorithm (GA), Course Timetabling, Space Complexity.

The study investigated economic analysis of NERICA and non-NERICA rice producers in Kaduna State of Nigeria. Data for 2010 production season for NERICA and non-NERICA rice producers was collected from the two groups of farmers. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and Z – test. The mean rice farming experience was 25 years for both the participants and non - participants. The average household size was 6 persons for participants and 8 persons for non – participants. Most of the respondents however, (73% of participants and 82% of non – participants) acquired their land holdings through inheritance. The mean farm sizes for participants and non – participants were 1.9ha and 1.1ha respectively. The mean credit used by participants and non – participants were ₦25, 500 and ₦15, 200 respectively. The mean frequency of Extension Agents’ visit was 35 times for participants and 32 times for non-participants. The mean gross margin for NERICA and non – NERICA rice production is ₦145, 090.35 and ₦73, 325.40 per ha while return per Naira invested in NERICA rice and non - NERICA producers were 2.13 and 1.57, suggesting that NERICA rice production was more profitable. The one tailed test at 5% level of probability revealed that the difference in profitability between NERICA and non – NERICA was significant. The study recommends that the NERICA rice farmers to increase their land holdings for higher output, profit and benefit as well as return per Naira investment; and also to join the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme for support to production in large scale for commercial purposes.Keywords: Participants, Non-Participants, Gross margin, Investment return and NERICA

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by raised levels of blood glucose, which over time leads to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. α-amylase Plays a major role in the digestion of starch and glycogen. Thus, inhibitors of this enzyme delay the breakdown of carbohydrates in the small intestine, thereby diminishing postprandial blood glucose in the diabetic patient. In this study, a DPPH radical scavenging activity and computational approaches were employed to uncover the potential of Aframomum Melegueta phytochemicals against type two diabetes mellitus mainly by molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation, MMPBSA and ADMET analysis. The results show that it has high antioxidant properties. Molecular docking indicates that laurifolin, genkwanin and gulunalactone have good binding scores of -9.9 kcal/mol, -8.9 kcal/mol and -8.2 kcal/mol, respectively. And have interacted with at least two of the catalytic triads of α-amylase; Asp 300, Glu 233 and Asp 197. Molecular dynamic simulation results show that all the compounds are stable at the active site of the enzyme. Furthermore, MMPBSA analysis revealed they bind strongly with the binding energy of -21.77± 1.03 Kcal/mol, -17.82 ± 0.84 Kcal/mol and 15.07± 0.26 Kcal/mol for laurifolin, genkwanin and galanolactone. ADMET analysis indicated that all the ligands are water-soluble, drug-like and safe. This study shows that A. Melegueta extract has antioxidant properties and possess phytochemicals that can be exploited for further anti-diabetic drug development.

Animal can be very important for carrying domestic water and fuel, reducing drudgery (particularly for women) and reducing time that can be used in other productive or socially important tasks. Foods production, distribution and rural trade are also assisted through animal-powered transport (on-farm, marketing, riding, pack transport. Animal power can also be used for water-lifting, milling, logging and land excavation and road construction Animal power requires little or no foreign exchange. Money invested in animal power circulates within rural areas, helping to revitalize rural economies. While motorized power also brings many benefits, animal power is normally more available and affordable to people in rural areas and fragile environments. The use of farm animal traction is actually on the increased in many countries, it should be included in educational curricula in secondary schools, polytechnics and universities in Nigeria. Government agricultural activities mostly focused on tractor power. There is no need for increased effort towards animal traction since it is a more affordable farm power. The paper aimed at drawing the attention of Extension agents, researchers, decision-makers and teachers on the need to bring animal power topics to focus. &nbsp

Animal can be very important for carrying domestic water and fuel, reducing drudgery (particularly for women) and reducing time that can be used in other productive or socially important tasks. Foods production, distribution and rural trade are also assisted through animal-powered transport (on-farm, marketing, riding, pack transport. Animal power can also be used for water-lifting, milling, logging and land excavation and road construction Animal power requires little or no foreign exchange. Money invested in animal power circulates within rural areas, helping to revitalize rural economies. While motorized power also brings many benefits, animal power is normally more available and affordable to people in rural areas and fragile environments. The use of farm animal traction is actually on the increased in many countries, it should be included in educational curricula in secondary schools, polytechnics and universities in Nigeria. Government agricultural activities mostly focused on tractor power. There is no need for increased effort towards animal traction since it is a more affordable farm power. The paper aimed at drawing the attention of Extension agents, researchers, decision-makers and teachers on the need to bring animal power topics to focus.

This study analyzed fish demand in Sokoto metropolis. Primary data were collected from a total of 180 fish consumers using simple random sampling. Data were collected on household consumption activities between October and December 2007. The Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The results of the multiple regression analysis revealed a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.699 and F-value of 27.406 which was statistically significant at P< 0.01. It was evident from the study that the higher the income level of the Respondents, the higher the expenditure on fish and fish demand also increases as household size and level of education increases. It was also revealed that disposable income, price of substitutes, level of education and household size positively influenced fish demand while price of fish influenced fish demand negatively. Major constraints to fish demand in the study area include insufficient number of fish markets, low level of consumer’s income and small number of fish farmers among others.