Researcher
Volume 2 - Issue 2 (Cumulated No. 8), February 16, 2010, ISSN 1553-9865
Cover Page, Introduction, Contents, Call for Papers, All papers in one file
Welcome to send your manuscript(s) to: editor@sciencepub.net
CONTENTS
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1
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Prevalence of Rabies Virus Antigens in Apparently
Healthy Dogs in Yola, Nigeria
Aliyu, T. B1. , *De, N1.
, Yenda, E.N2 And Lynn, .M1
1.
Department of
Microbiology, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal
University of Technology, P. M. B.2076, Yola, Nigeria. Phone:
+2348053518540,
2. Health Services Management
Board, P.M.B. 1082, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria
e-mail: ebeny@justice.com
Abstract: Fifty dog heads were collected from
apparently healthy dogs slaughtered in Jambutu, Army Barracks,
Borronji and Mbamba wards of Adamawa State, Nigeria. These were
subjected to Microscopic examination of Negri bodies (M.E.N.)
and Fluorescent Antibody Test (F.A.T) for the examination of
rabies virus antigen. Investigations were done on the following
parameters: age, type of tissues, sex, location and nature of
management to see the relationship with rabies antigen presence
in apparently healthy dogs slaughtered in the different
locations. Out of 50 samples, 22 (44%) of them using F.A.T and
13 (26%) of them using M.E.N were found to be positive for rabies
antigen. The findings for this work revealed that there is no
significant statistical difference in age, sex, nature of
management, types of tissues and locations in respect to the
positivity or presence of rabies virus antigen at p0.05. The
results of this work has now provided a basis for the
reassessment of dog bite cases for the institution of proper
prophylactic cover for human and dog populations. [Researcher.
2010;2(2):1-14]. (ISSN: 1553-9865).
doi:10.7537/marsrsj020210.01
Keywords: Prevalence;
Rabies Virus; Antigens
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2
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Study of Physical-Chemical Variables and Primary
Productivity in Bacanga River Estuary Dam, Sao Luis, Maranhao,
Brazil
Ana Paula P.
Carvalho1*, Tang Zhonghua1, Maria
Marlucia F. Correia2 & Jose Policarpo C. Neto2
1 China University of Geosciences, 388 LuMo road, Wuhan,
Hubei, P.R. China. Zip code 430074
2Federal University of Maranhao,
Labohidro, Campus do Bacanga S/N, Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.
*app_carvalho@yahoo.com.br
Abstract: The study of the biological variables
and the physical-chemical characterization of the aquatic
ecosystems it is an important tool as subsidy not only in the characterization
of the environment, but also in the capacity of recharge and
sustainable use of the livings resources. The present work approaches
the study of the primary productivity related with the physical
and chemical variables of the Bacanga river estuary dam (BRED).
To study the variables in the water column, samples were taken
from four depths according to the light penetration
(Subsurface, 50%, 25% and 1%) at a single sampling station
during the dry and rainy season. The following variable had been
analyzed: pH, salinity,
dissolved oxygen, water temperature, light attenuation
coefficient, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate, ammonium,
the phytoplankton community - qualitative and quantitative -
chlorophyll and primary productivity. The GPP of phytoplankton
ranged from 10.0mg.C.m-3.h-1to
752.5mg.C.m-3.h-1. The consumption showed
the highest value of 1556.7mg.O2.m-3.h-1
and lowest of 0.0mg.O2.m-3.h-1,
while NPP ranged from -369.3mg.O2.m-3.h-1
and 702.5mg.O2.m-3.h-1. A
total of 41 taxa were found, being primarily distributed in 7
groups of microalgae: Bacillariophyta,
Chlorophyta, Cryptophyta, Crysophyta, Cyanophyta, Euglenophyta and
Pyrrophyta. The
phytoplankton biomass of BRED ranged from 97.460cells/L (Oct/04
and May/05) to 43.359.370cells/L (Feb/05). The values for the
diversity index ranged from 1.06bit.ind-1 to
1.56bit.ind-1, richness from 1.07 to 2.08 and
equitability from 0.48 to 0.60. The highest value of diversity,
richness and equitability was recorded in February/05, while
May/05 and October/04 had the same value for the Diversity
Index. For BRED was possible to infer that the contribution of
nitrogen and phosphate compounds increased during the rainy
season, which could be explained by the increase of water in
the drainage system. The gotten results had been important to
evaluate the quality of the water of BRED. [Researcher.
2010;2(2):15-24]. (ISSN: 1553-9865).
doi:10.7537/marsrsj020210.02
Keywords: Bacanga River; phytoplankton; primary
productivity; physical-chemical variables
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3
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Model for Computational Analysis of the Concentration
of Sulphur Removed during Temperature Dependent Oxidation of
Iron Oxide Ore
Chukwuka I. Nwoye
Department of Materials and Metallurgical
Engineering,Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
chikeyn@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Model for computational analysis of the concentration of sulphur
removed during temperature dependent oxidation (by potassium
chlorate) of iron oxide ore has been derived. The model
was found
to predict the concentration
of sulphur removed, very close to the corresponding %S values
obtained from the actual experimental process. It was found that
the model is dependent on the values of the treatment
temperature used during the desulphurization process. The
validity of the model is believed to be rooted in the
expression [(T)β%S] = γ/kn
where both sides of the expression are approximately equal to
2. The positive or negative deviation of each of the
model-predicted values of %S from those of the corresponding
experimental values was found to be less than 21% which is
quite within the range of acceptable deviation limit of
experimental results, hence showing the validity and usefulness
of the model for computational and predictive
analysis.[Researcher. 2010;2(2):25-29]. (ISSN: 1553-9865).
doi:10.7537/marsrsj020210.03
Keywords: Model, Sulphur Removed, Iron Oxide
Ore, Oxidation, Potassium Chlorate
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4
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Model for Evaluation of Quantity of Heat Absorbed by
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution relative to Solution Temperature
during Leaching of Iron Oxide Ore
Chukwuka Ikechukwu Nwoye1* and Chinedu Chris Nwakwuo2
1Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering,
Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
2Department of Material Science, Oxford University,
United Kingdom
chikeyn@yahoo.com
Abstract: Model
for evaluating the quantity of heat absorbed by hydrogen
peroxide solution relative to solution temperature (during
leaching of iron oxide ore) has been derived and validated. The
values of the absorbed heat as predicted by the model: Q = e(0.195T) was found to agree with
those obtained from the experiment in showing that the leaching
process is endothermic in nature, culminating in the positive
values of the absorbed heat. It was found that the validity of
the model stems on the expression ln Q = NT where both sides of the
equation are approximately equal to 5. The maximum deviation of
the model-predicted quantities of absorbed heat from the
corresponding experimental values is less than 25% which is
quite within the acceptable range of deviation limit of
experimental results. [Researcher 2010:2(2):30-36] (ISSN:
1553-9865).
doi:10.7537/marsrsj020210.04
Keywords: Model, Heat absorbed, Hydrogen
peroxide, Leaching, Iron oxide ore, Solution temperature
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TREE/SHRUBS SPECIES DIVERSITY OF EHOR FOREST RESERVE IN
UHUNMWODE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE, NIGERIA
Jane Ihenyen, Mensah, J.K and
Okoegwale, E.E
Department of Botany, Ambrose Alli
University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. inejanet@yahoo.com
Abstract: Tropical forests are the richest and
the most diverse ecosystem on earth but are unsustainably over
exploited despite legislation to control their exploitation.
This study was therefore undertaken to assess the effects of
such uncontrolled exploitation on the tree/shrub diversity of
Ehor Forest Reserve. Five sample plots of 30 m x 30 m were laid
out in each of compartments 81, 95 and 112 of 160 hectres each.
Ninety-eight species of trees/shrub distributed in 87 genera
and 36 families were identified. Fifteen of these families were
monospecific while the others had two or more species. Fabaceae was the most
diverse with 18 species. Ninety-one percent of all the species
encountered were trees while the remaining nine percent were
shrubs. Compartment 81 had the highest number of species (61)
while compartment 95 had the least (54 species). Twenty-four
species were common to the three compartments. Celtis zenkeri was the
most abundant with 157 tree stands out of the 2064 stands
encountered. The inverse of Simpson’s diversity indices
calculated for compartments 81, 95 and 112 were 25.0, 31.3 and
21.7 indicating some measure of heterogeneity within the
compartments. The Sorensen’s similarity indices were 45.3%,
41.4% and 43.6% for paired compartments of 81 and 95, 95 and
112 and 81 and 112 respectively. These values indicated that
there is no much variability between the compartments of study.
The presence of monospecific families and the low density of
the species also showed that a number of these species are
under threat of extinction. So exploitation should be
drastically reduced to allow the Ehor Forest Reserve to
regenerate itself. [Researcher 2010:2(2):37-49] (ISSN:
1553-9865).
doi:10.7537/marsrsj020210.05
Keywords:
Diversity index, similarity index, monospecific,
exploitation, compartment
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Diversity and Present
Status of Medicinal Plants in and around Srinagar Hydroelectric
Power Project in Garhwal Himalaya, India: Needs for
Conservation
Jay Krishan Tiwari1, Radha
Ballabha1 and Prabhawati Tiwari1
1.
Department
of Botany, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal,
Uttarakhand- 246 174, India
Authors E-mail: jktiwari31@rediffmail.com, radhekuniyal.2007@rediffmail.com, ptiwari29@rediffmail.com
Abstract:
The present study has been carried out in
Alaknanda valley around Srinagar Hydroelectric Power Project in
Garhwal Himalaya, India, to document the medicinal uses of
plants and their status of availability in the area. A total of
102 species belonging to 92 genera and 54 families were
recorded from the study area. Out of the documented species 32
were herbs, 27 shrubs, 30 trees and the rest 13 were climbers.
Of all the recorded plant species, 26 were abundant, 57 common
and 19 uncommon to this area.
A list of plant species along with their local names,
plant part(s) used and mode of administration in different
ailments has been given which can be utilized in the future for
technological advancement, economic prosperity and providing
employment opportunity to the local people. A management plan
for conservation of medicinal plants in the hydroelectric power
project area is also suggested. [Researcher.
2010;2(2):50-60]. (ISSN: 1553-9865).
doi:10.7537/marsrsj020210.06
Keywords: Hydroelectric Power Project, Garhwal
Himalaya, plant diversity, ethno-medicine, distribution status,
conservation
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SusMiRTrain: ab initio SVM classifier
for porcine microRNA precursor prediction
Peng-Fang Zhou , Fei Zhang, Zhen-Hua
Zhao, Wen-Qian Zhang, Wen-Chao Lin, Yang Zhang, De-Li Zhang §
Investigation Group of Molecular
Virology, Immunology, Oncology & Systems Biology, Center
for Bioinformatics, and Research Laboratory of Virology,
Immunology & Bioinformatics, College of Veterinary
Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100,
Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, P.R.China
§Corresponding
author: zhangdeli@tsinghua.org.cn
Abstract: MicroRNA
(miRNA), which is short non-coding RNA, plays important roles
in almost all biological processes examined. Several
classifiers have been applied to predict humans, mice and rats precursor
miRNAs (pre-miRNAs), but no classifier is applied to classify
porcine pre-miRNAs only based on the porcine pre-miRNAs because
of the little known miRNA component in the porcine genome.
Here, we developed a novel classifier, called SusMiRTrain, to
predict porcine pre-miRNAs. Trained on 60 porcine pre-miRNAs
and 65 pseudo porcine hairpins, SusMiRTrain achieved 86.4%
(5-fold cross-validation accuracy) and 0.9144 (ROC score).
Tested on the remaining 14 porcine pre-miRNAs and 1000 pseudo
hairpins, it reported 100% (sensitivity), 87.3% (specificity)
and 87.5% (accuracy),respectively. Furthermore, a Java package,
called SusMiRPred, was developed to filter out the short
sequences which have not the pre-miRNAs structure features and
to extract features for porcine pre-miRNAs prediction.
[Researcher. 2010;2(2):61-63]. (ISSN: 1553-9865).
doi:10.7537/marsrsj020210.07
Key words: MicroRNA; Swine; SVM
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Application of GC/MS Quantitation in the
Adsorption of Herbicide by Sorbents from two Abundant Nut
Shells
Itodo A.U.1,
Abdulrahman F.W.2, Hassan L.G3, Maigandi
S.A.4, Itodo H.U5
1Department of Applied Chemistry, Kebbi State University
of Science and Technology, Aliero, Nigeria
2Department of Chemistry, University of Abuja, Nigeria
3Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Usmanu
Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
4Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University,
Sokoto, Nigeria
5Department of Chemistry, Benue State University, Makurdi,
Nigeria
itodoson2002@yahoo.com
Abstract: Economically
viable remediation technique based on adsorption by locally
made Groundnut shells (GS) and Sheanut shells (SS) biosorbents
was proposed to improve the ecological system. Samples were
employed to investigate the removal of organochlorine herbicide
(atrazine) from waste water as it was evidently proven. GC/MS
quantitation experiment based on external standard method was
performed and demonstrated over 95% atrazine removal. The
equilibrium study showed that SS/A/25 adsorbed up to 66.324%
Atrazine. The entire filters however shows a good competitive
adsorption (18.736-22.977gdm-3) but lower than the
commercially available M&B reference carbon, with uptake
of 23.731 out of
25.00gdm-3 . Adsorption of herbicide at different
level by the different sorbent was linked to their activating
agent and physicochemical parameters such as density
(0.125-0.496) and porosity (0.833-0.975) which were determined
based on swellings. Other parameter investigated include
sorption capacities (qe).The major results support
the conclusion that the sorted Agro-wastes has the potential to
serve as extractants adsorbents in remediation process.
[Researcher. 2010;2(2):64-73]. (ISSN: 1553-9865).
doi:10.7537/marsrsj020210.08
Keywords: GCMS, herbicide, activated carbon,
adsorption.nut shells
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Intraparticle
Diffusion and Intraparticulate
Diffusivities of Herbicide on Derived Activated Carbon
Itodo A.U.1,
Abdulrahman F.W.2, Hassan L.G3, Maigandi
S.A.4, Itodo H.U5
1Department of Applied Chemistry, Kebbi State University
of Science and Technology, Aliero, Nigeria
2Department of Chemistry, University of Abuja, Nigeria
3Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Usmanu
Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
4Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University,
Sokoto, Nigeria
5Department of Chemistry, Benue State University,
Makurdi, Nigeria
itodoson2002@yahoo.com
Abstract: Three
fundamental relationships were applied to study the mode of
transport of Atrazine sorption onto derived Poultry based
sorbent. Intraparticle diffusion rate constant via percentage
uptake method ( kid = 61.094 mgg-1 min -1(1/2)
) is closely related to that which was based on qt
and t1/2 (72.41 (mgg-1 min -1(1/2)). This supports an enhanced
rate of adsorption which is linked to improved bonding.
Deviation from validity test for sorption mechanism is an indication
that intraparticle transport is not the only rate limiting step
.For particulate diffusivity study, Fractional attainment of
equilibrium (αe) was utilized to investigate if
sorption equilibrium is either film-diffusion controlled or
particle-diffusion controlled. At equilibrium, the fraction of
sorbate (Atrazine) on the adsorbent include; 0.9335, 0.9740,
0.9819, 0.9922 and 1.00 at 60,120,180,240 and 300 minutes
respectively. It thus implies that equilibrium time for this
analysis is 300 minutes. The sorption is particle diffusion
controlled (transport of the sorbate through the sorbent-sample
interphase onto the pores of the sorbent) with rate coefficient
for particle diffusion controlled process (kp )
of 0.011.Hence, the
diffusivity of Atrazine
onto the adsorbent surface is independent of the extent of
sorption. [Researcher. 2010;2(2):74-86]. (ISSN: 1553-9865).
doi:10.7537/marsrsj020210.09
Key words: GCMS, Intraparticulate Diffusivities, Herbicide, Activated
Carbon, Atrazine
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THE
AGRICULTURAL CREDIT GUARANTEE SCHEME: ITS ROLES, PROBLEMS AND
PROSPECTS IN NIGERIA’S QUEST FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
NWOSU, F. O; N.N.O. OGUOMA; N.G.
BEN-CHENDO; A. HENRI-UKOHA
. Department of Agricultural
Economics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo state
ofnwosu@yahoo.com; nnooguoma@yahoo.com; gnbenchendo@yahoo.co.uk;
haukoha@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT: The
Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) is a policy
instrument of the Federal Government of Nigeria on Agricultural
Credit. The Scheme was established by Decree Number 20 of 1977
but started effectively in 1978. The Scheme was established to
provide guarantee on loans granted by banks to farmers for
agricultural production and agro-allied processing. This paper,
therefore, tried to review the scheme, its roles since
inception, problems and prospects in contributing towards the
nation’s agricultural development. It was concluded that
since credit is needed for enhanced productivity and
agricultural development, the three tiers of government in
Nigeria should give the scheme the necessary support and
publicity so that farmers ( particularly small farmers) can
benefit from its laudable objectives. This will go a long way
in ameliorating the seemingly dismal output of our farmers.
[Researcher.2009;2(2):87-90].(ISSN:1553-9865).
doi:10.7537/marsrsj020210.10
KEYWORDS: Agricultural Development;
Credit Guarantee; Farm Productivity, Food insecurity
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EFFECT OF ORGANIC, ORGANOMINERAL AND
NPK FERTILIZER ON NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF AMARANTHUS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
1Makinde, E.A. 2*Ayeni,
L. S and., 3Ojeniyi,
S.O1 4Odedina J.N.
1Department of Botany, Lagos State
University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria.
2University of Agriculture, Department of
Soil Science and Land Management, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
2Department of Crop Soil and Pest
Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure,
Nigeria.
4University of Agriculture, College of
Plant Science, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
2* Author for correspondence. leye_sam@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT: In Nigeria, organic fertilizers are
being developed from organic and farm wastes and these can be
fortified with inorganic. Therefore eight fertilizer treatments
namely: (1) control (no fertilizer), (2) Pacesetter Grade B
organic fertilizer (PGB) at 3t/ha 100%, (3) 300 kg/ha NPK
fertilizer, (4) PGB +
NPK fertilizer (75:25),
(5) PGB + NPK (50:50), (6) Kola pod husk (KPH) at 3t/ha 100%,
(7) KPH + NPK (75:25), and (8) KPH + NPK (50:50), were applied to amaranthus
(Amaranthus cruentus). Residual effect on second and third
crops was also studied. Proximate analysis was done to
determine crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), ash and ether
extract (EE). The PGB and KPH alone or combined with reduced
level of NPK generally increased CP, ash and EE significantly
on immediate and residual basis. The organic fertilizers had
more residual effect than NPK. Organic materials alone or
combined with NPK reduced CF especially on residual basis. Compared with organic
materials, NPK gave
least values of CP, ash, CF and EE. Application of KPH + NPK
(50:50), KPH and PGB gave highest values of CP and ash
respectively. Integrated application of organic fertilizers and
NPK gave highest values of EE in order PGB + NPK (50:50), KPH +
NPK (50:50), and PGB + NPK (75:25). Organic fertilizers and OMF
maintain adequate CP and EE in first and second crops whereas
NPK did not maintain adequate CP in second crop. [Researcher.
2010;2(2):91-96]. (ISSN: 1553-9865).
doi:10.7537/marsrsj020210.11
Key Words: Ash, crude
protein, fibre, residual effect, integration
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