The Effects of External Toxicants on Competitive Environment: A Mathematical Modeling Approach

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2024, 11(4): 852-863 Authors: Obonin Samuel Sabastine*, Amadi Ugwulo Chinyere , Sylvanus Kupongoh Samaila Received: 19 July 2024/Accepted: 15 September 2024 The presence of microplastics in aquatic environments has become a critical global problem. These tiny particles called microplastics less than 5mm in size pose severe risks to ecosystems and human health via the food chain due to the presence of heat and sunlight acting on these disposed plastics into streams and rivers, then flow into the seas and oceans in particular. Sources of microplastic pollution include the disposal of plastics into aquatic environments daily, the constant radiation of sunlight acting on larger disposed plastics leads to the frequent emission of micrometers of plastic into the aquatic environment. Once in aquatic systems, microplastics are ingested by marine life, entering the food chain and causing significant health hazards. Assessing the ecological risks of microplastics is essential, but few works have been done on the effects of microplastics as an external toxicant. This dissertation modified and analyzed a nonlinear mathematical model to study the effects of toxicant concentration leaks from external sources on competing species environments. The system's stability is examined using the tools of the theory of differential equations and computer simulations. The analysis results indicated a sharp increase in species one concentration from the initial value of 0.1 to a maximum of 23.7789 within a month with the toxicant influx at, after that decreasing to a stable minimum of 23.7786, for the rest of the months. It is further observed that the increased toxicant flux reduces the concentration of species one. The more toxicant influx increases, the more the effects are felt by species one and two and the resource biomass over the investigated time intervals

Exploring the Thermoelectric Potential of Trigonal MgS2: A Computational Investigation Using DFT and Boltzmann Transport Theory

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2024, 11(2): 288-298 Authors: Oyebola Olusola Olurotimi, Belewu Fatai Damilola, Balogun Rilwan Oluwanishola, Adegboyega Anthony Babajide and Oyebode Daniel Oluwatimilehin Received: 18 January 2024/Accepted: 02 May 2024 There has been a shift toward the development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies, due to increased energy demand and attendant environmental degradations. Among these technologies, significant progress has been made in the field of thermoelectricity. Thermoelectric materials are recognized for their proficiency in converting waste heat energy into electricity, with their efficiency commonly assessed using the ZT (Fig. of merit) value.. This study investigates the thermoelectric properties of chalcogenide magnesium sulfide (MgS2), with trigonal lattice structure, using Density Functional Theory (DFT) in conjunction with the Boltzmann Transport Theory. The initial assessment of structural and thermoelectric properties employs the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) based on the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof approximation (GGA-PBE). The results indicate that the studied compounds exhibit characteristics of a p-type semiconductor. The structural confirmation of MgS2 reveals a trigonal configuration. The absolute value of the Seebeck coefficient demonstrates an increase with rising temperature across the measured range (100-400K). Simultaneously, the electrical conductivity exhibits a monotonically decreasing trend with increasing temperature, indicative of degenerating conduction behaviour. The power factor exhibits an upward trajectory with increasing temperature, consequently leading to an augmented dimensionless Fig. of merit ZT. The maximum ZT value observed for MgS2 is 0.057

Granulometric and Petrographic Assessment of the Textural, Minerological and Paleoenvironment of Deposition of Gulma Sandstone Member, Gwandu Formation, Sokoto Basin, Northwestern Nigeria

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2024, 11(3): 485-500 Authors: Ola-Buraimo A. Olatunji. and Musa Rukaya Received: 24 February 2024/Accepted: 21 May 2024 Granulometric analysis was carried out on sandstone samples collected from the Gulma Area, a suburb of Argungu town, Kebbi State, Nigeria. The sandstone facies were investigated to determine textural characteristics, transportation history, maturity, and paleoenvironment of deposition of the sediments. Heavy mineral analysis and mineral point count were carried out to determine the sandstone’s mineralogical and textural maturity. The standard sieve analysis method was employed by arranging sieves in order of size with the coarsest at the top and the finest size at the bottom with a basal attached pan. The sieve shaker was allowed to operate for fifteen minutes to allow separation of various grain sizes. Field observation revealed that the lithostratigraphic section is composed of nine repetitive layers. The main lithofacies are purplish, moderately bioturbated, liesegang ring structure sandstone, yellowish nodular claystone, and continental massive reddish claystone. The topmost beds are continental massive reddish mudstone and ferruginized granules stone as the capping facies which is different from the commonly oolitic ironstone that characterized the top of the Gwandu Formation. A characteristic liesegang ring structure is present in the Gulma Sandstone Member which is a unique appearance in Gwandu Formation. Cumulative frequencies were plotted whereby textural statistical parameters such as mean, standard deviation (sorting), skewness and kurtosis were calculated. The mean values of the samples vary from 2.2-2.26 with an average of 1.86, indicative of fine sand class. The sorting values range between 1.2-1.216 with an average value of 1.196, indicative of poorly sorted particles, characterized by tidal current deposits of high energy. The skewness values vary between -0.447 to -0.1 (ave. 0.198), which is negatively skewed. Kurtosis values range from 0.7-1.82, classified into very leptokurtic, platykurtic and leptokurtic classes. The paleoenvironment of deposition was deduced using multivariate values which range from -9.07 to -5.90; suggestive of marginal marine setting of a tidal and tidal shelf deposition. The Gulma Sandstone Member of the Gwandu Formation is a texturally and mineralogically submatured sediment

Phytochemical screening and wound healing studies of Chromolaena odorata

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2024, 11(2): 265-275 Authors: Nwoke Linda Chinyere*, Okenwa Uchenna Igwe, Onuchi Marygem Mac-Kalunta and Johnbull Onyekachi Echeme, Uyanwa Maryjane Nkeiruka Received: 12 July 2023/Accepted: 29 April 2024 Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed), traditionally used for wound healing, possesses a rich profile of bioactive compounds. In this study, Chloromolaena odorata  s investigated for its phytochemical and pharmacological properties. The  results arising from phytochemical screening of  the leaf extract  validated the presence of cardiac glycosides (2.63 mg/100 g), flavonoids (4.90 mg/100 g), terpenoids (5.44 mg/100 g), alkaloids (7.56 mg/100 g), tannins (9.20 mg/100 g), and saponins (11.8 mg/100 g).  Methanol crude extract of the phytochemicals obtained from the plant leaf was also used in running a column chromatography. Toxicity evaluation and dermal irritation of the methanol leaf extract of C. odorata verifies that it is non-toxic  upto  5000 mg/kg. Two purified fraction of the methanol crude obtained from column chromatography and the methanol crude extract were  applied for  conducting wound healing  tests and the  test results   gave a significant evidence that the extract has a wound healing property  through its activity to decrease both bleeding and clothing time, which could be as a result of the increased in platlet count.. The results suggest that Chromolaena odorata plant can be exploited in as a source of traditional medicine

Populations of Derived-parasitic Nematodes on Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) Cultivated Fields in Offa, Offa Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2024, 11(2): 178-187 Authors: Abiodun Rasheed Omokanye and Benefit Onu Received: 05 September 2023/Accepted: 28 March 2024 This study was aimed at ascertaining the soil medium and stems of the test plant to determine the populations of derived-parasitic nematodes associated with sweet potato in Offa, Kwara South, Kwara State. Three sweet potato fields monoculture designated sites-F1, F2 and F3 were randomly selected for the study. Soil was collected between 6-7:30 am each day once every seven days for four months. Twenty-five soil and Twenty-five stems samples were collected from each sweet potato field making a total of one hundred and fifty samples. The soil was collected using hand trowel while Cutlass was used in collecting stems. The sieve plates technique was employed for nematode extraction, and nematodes were identified by the use of a pictorial key. A total of 650 nematodes representing 11 genera were recovered from soil and stem samples. Root Knot/Meloidogyne species 73 (16.3%) had the highest prevalence followed by Cyst nematode/Heterodera species 65 (14.5%) while Stem Lesion/Aphelenchoides basseyi species 2 (0.4%) showed the least prevalence in soil. However, Stem Lesion/Pratylenchus species was reported more often than any other species in stems with a total affluence of 51 (25.2%) followed by Burrowing nematodes/ Radopholus similis species with 44 (21.8%) while Ditylenchus dipsaci species occurred less than all other species with 10 (5.0%); an observation which is ascribed to a nematodes survival strategy. The result shows that soil nematodes are an important pest of sweet potato in the Offa Local Government Area. Others may include, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, Rotylenchulus reniforms, Xiphinema index, Necobbus aberrans, Aphelenchoides basseyi and Globodera spp).  Hence, should be considered in pest control programs

Geology, Petrography and Geochemical Evaluation of Basement Rocks In Bakomba–Kabba Junction Area, Sheet 247 Lokoja SW, North Central, Nigeria

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2024, 11(1): 112-126 Authors: Yomi  Gideon and Felix Bamidele Fatoye Received: 20 December 2023/Accepted: 28 February 2024 Geologic mapping provides many types of imformation in the exploration for new mineral deposits, including the lithology, morphology, age relationships and structural information. Field geological mapping of basement rocks around the Bakomba-Kabba junction was carried out on a scale of 1:30,000 to establish the petrogenesis of rocks that underlain the area. The study area covers 30.80 km2 and falls at the eastern flank of the southwestern Basement Complex of Nigeria. Migmatite, banded gneiss, aplite and charnockite rock types were encountered during the mapping exercise. Predominant trends of joints, veins and lineation are indicative of imprints of the Pan-African thermotectonic Orogeny. Five different representative rock samples were subjected to both petrographic and geochemical analyses. Migmatite is composed of 62.12 % quartz, 24.50 % potash-feldspar, 6.60 % biotite, 5.82 % muscovite and 0.96 % opaque. The banded gneiss near Zariagi has 51.83 % quartz, 21.65 % potash-feldspar, 18.90 % biotite, 4.88 % muscovite and 2.74 % myrmekite minerals; whereas, the banded gneiss close to Oyi-Apataoworo has 58.63 % quartz, 21.58 % plagioclase, 6.47 % biotite, 7.19 % muscovite and 2.88 % opaque minerals. The aplite is dominated by 57.40 % potash-feldspar and 23.14 % quartz, 6.10 % biotite, 5.25 % perthite, 5.38 % muscovite, while the charnockite consists of 50.00 % quartz, 25.26% pyroxene, 12.89 % biotite, 8.76 % plagioclase and 3.09 % opaque minerals. The geochemical composition of these rocks indicate 69.90 % SiO­2, 12.71 % Al2O3, 4.50 % Fe2O3, 0.48 % MgO, 6.62 % K2O, 3.09 % CaO, 1.32 % Na2O, 0.96 % TiO2, 0.07 % MnO and 0.34 % SO3 on the average. Harker diagram indicated a high fractionation of mafic minerals in the rocks. Other discriminating diagrams revealed that all the rock types have igneous origin and crystallized from magmas that are strongly alkaline. However, the migmatite, aplite, and banded gneiss from Zariagi crystallized from the high-K alkaline magma series; the banded gneiss close to Oyi-Apataoworo originated from medium-K alkaline magma series; while the charnockite evolved from low-K alkaline series. This implied that rocks from the study area were derived from heterogeneous alkaline magma series. &nbsp

Micromorphological and Nutritional Attributes of two Varieties of Vernonia amagdalina Del. Domesticated in Delta State

Authors: Thelma Ewere Konyeme and Anthony Ossai Ukpene  Received : 12 May 2024/Accepted: 12 September 2024 This study examined the potential of two Vernonia amygdalina varieties (bitter and non-bitter) as sources of nutrients and medicinal compounds. Micromorphological analysis revealed variations in stomata size (bitter: 1.57±0.20 μm; non-bitter: 1.49±0.42 μm), index (bitter: 1.20±0.60%; non-bitter: 2.30±0.21%), and trichome index (bitter: 0.55±0.36%; non-bitter: 0.90±0.19%) between the varieties, while stomata type and anticlinal wall patterns were similar. Both varieties were rich in minerals, with bitter varieties containing higher levels of sodium (7.27±0.43 mg/g), potassium (17.07±0.45 mg/g), phosphorus (3.15±0.41 mg/g), iron (0.65±0.02 mg/g), zinc (0.15±0.03 mg/g), and copper (0.16±0.04 mg/g) compared to non-bitter varieties. Proximate composition analysis showed higher levels of crude fiber (1.76±0.50%), crude protein (21.07±0.30%), and carbohydrate (23.33±0.82%) in non-bitter varieties, while bitter varieties had higher levels of moisture (50.01±0.40%), crude ash (7.95±0.56%), and crude fat (2.15±0.20%). Phytochemical analysis revealed higher levels of tannin (0.13±0.85%), saponin (0.08±0.02%), and flavonoid (0.22±0.09%) in non-bitter varieties, while alkaloid levels (1.26±0.27%) were higher in bitter varieties. These findings suggest that both Vernonia amygdalina varieties are valuable sources of nutrients and phytochemicals, with potential applications in food and medicine

Assessment of Growth and Adaptation Rate of Mung Beans (vigna radiata) Planted in Different Planting Periods in Abagana, South Eastern Nigeria

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2024, 11(4): 757-766 Authors: Chukwura Nnabike Francis, Cletus Onyemeforo Ezidi, Abdullahi Mustapha, Ebelechukwu Christiana Mmuta, Chinyere Eucharia Umeocho and Rita Ogechukwu Ohakwe Received: 36 March 2024/Accepted: 30 July 2024 Research was conducted to compare the growth characteristics, adaptation rate and attributes of mung beans (Vigna radiata) planted in different planting periods in Abagana, South Eastern Nigeria. The experiment was carried out at Bioresources Development Centre, Abagana, Anambra State, between February to April, May to July and August to October all in 2021. Mung beans seeds were planted using a planting distance of 30cm by 60cm in each planting period. The mung beans cultivated matured from nine to ten weeks after planting in each planting period and data was collected weekly in some phenotypic characteristics of the crop from the first week to the tenth week after planting. The highest mean values per plant of some agronomic characters collected from the field such as plant height (cm), number of leaves, length of leaves (cm), width of leaves (cm) and number of pods were 17.2cm, 18, 6.0cm, 4.8cm and 20 for those grown between Februaryto April while those grown between  May to July were 35.4cm, 39, 14.6cm, 12.9cm and 37, and those of August to October were 34.6cm, 37, 13.8cm, 13.0cm and 35.There were no significant difference (P>0.05) between the mung beans planted from May to July and those planted from August to October with respect to the above agronomic characters. Significant difference (P<0.05) existed between the mung beans planted from February to April when compared with those of May to July and August to October with respect to the above-mentioned agronomic characters. The result of the data collected from the field which was used as the plant adaptation parameters suggested that the mung beans grown between May to July and August to October had a better adaptation to the planting periods when compared with those grown from February to April 2021

Resource Recovery from Maize Wastes; Synthesis and Characterization of Silicon Oxide Nanoparticles

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2024, 11(3): 576-588 Authors: Fabian James Umoren* and Mfon Clement Utin Received: 02 February 2024/Accepted: 30 June 2024 This study presents a preliminary evaluation of maize comb waste as a precursor for the synthesis of bio-silicon oxide nanoparticles (SiONPs). Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising field for various applications, and SiO₂ nanoparticles have garnered significant interest due to their unique properties. However, conventional synthesis methods often involve high energy consumption and the use of toxic chemicals, raising environmental concerns. In this context, exploring eco-friendly precursors is essential for sustainable nanoparticle synthesis. Maize comb waste, a readily available agricultural byproduct rich in silica, was investigated as a potential precursor for SiONP synthesis. The study aimed to assess the feasibility of utilizing this waste material to produce SiONPs in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. The synthesized SiONPs exhibited a wavelength of maximum absorption at 310 nm, indicating SiONPs in the ultraviolet range. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles, with an average crystallite size of 12.75 nm. The lattice microstrain ranged from 0.0018 to 0.0048, indicating slight variations across different crystallographic planes. Porosity analysis revealed an average porosity of 0.71%, indicating microporous characteristics suitable for various applications. Remarkably, the packing density of the synthesized SiONPs was found to be 1, suggesting a densely packed structure with minimal void space between nanoparticles. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis showed a surface area of 108.395 m²/g, pore volume of 569.30 m³, and pore size of 2.88 nm. The nanoparticle diameter calculated from BET parameters was 13.62 nm, indicating microporous characteristics. The results demonstrate the potential of maize comb waste as a sustainable precursor for SiONP synthesis, offering insights into green nanotechnology practices and the utilization of renewable resources for nanomaterial synthesi

Analyzing Market Price Equilibrium Dynamics with Differential Equations: Incorporating Government Intervention and Market Forces

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2024, 11(3): 607-627 Authors: Augustine Osondu Friday Ador, Isaac Mashingil Mankili, Franka Amaka Nwafor, Silas Abahia Ihedioha, Bright Okore Osu Received: 12 March 2024/Accepted : 15 July 2024 This study seeks to investigate price stability in a dynamic market, where prices are subject to sudden impacts akin to those observed during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, as well as other influences introduced naturally or by price regulatory agencies. By examining functions derived from price observations, changes in prices, and changes in the rate of price changes, the study analyzes their stability amidst various influences. These influences are incorporated by examining factors affecting supply and demand quantities, which are modelled using a second-order linear differential equation; . This study builds upon the research of Espinoza and Bob Foster, who analyzed a second-order differential equation with a constant inhomogeneity. It employs matrix methods to assess the stability of systems of differential equations. To analyze impulsive price changes modelled using the Dirac delta function and persistent price changes modelled with Heaviside's unit step function, the Laplace technique and its general inversion formula are applied. The study identifies conditions under which stability in the system can be maintained