Seroprevalence of ruminant brucellosis in three selected local government areas of Taraba state

A serological survey of brucellosis was carried out in three selected local government areas of Taraba state to determine the current status of the disease in the field, especially in the nomadic Fulani breeding herds. A test using the Brucella abortus Rose Bengal Plate Test antigen to test the sera of bovine, ovine and caprine for presence of Brucella abortus antibodies and Milk Ring Test antigen was also carried out to determine the presence of Brucella abortus antibodies in milk of lactating cows. A total of 555 samples, comprising 330 sera samples and 225 milk samples were examined. 50 sera samples of bovine and 30 sera samples each of ovine and caprine, making 110 samples and 10 millitre of milk samples from 75 lactating cows were examined from each of the selected local government areas of Jalingo, Zing and Ardo-kola in Taraba state. Overall prevalence of brucellosis from the sera and milk samples were 60(18.2%) and 17(7.65%) respectively. There was a statistically significant association between the serological tests (P<0.05). Sera samples examined showed that 32(21.3%) bovine, 10(11.1%) ovine and 18(20%) caprine were positive using Rose Bengal Plate Test(RBPT) in the three local government areas, with Jalingo recording 22(20%), Zing 21(19.1%) and Ardo-kola 17(15.5%). Whereas milk samples examined using Milk Ring Test (MRT) showed that Zing recorded 9(12%), Ardo-kola 6(8%) and Jalingo 2(3%) positive results. This result showed that Jalingo recorded the highest sero-prevalence rate of 20%, while Zing recorded the highest prevalence of 22% in milk of lactating cows. There was no significant statistical association between location, age and sex (P>0.05). There is need to carry out more studies to determine the current status of the disease in the remaining local government areas and in humans.Keywords: Brucellosis, MRT, RBPT, Seroprevalence, Taraba stat

First assessment of the plant phenology index (PPI) for estimating gross primary productivity in African semi-arid ecosystems

The importance of semi-arid ecosystems in the global carbon cycle as sinks for CO2 emissions has recently been highlighted. Africa is a carbon sink and nearly half its area comprises arid and semi-arid ecosystems. However, there are uncertainties regarding CO2 fluxes for semi-arid ecosystems in Africa, particularly savannas and dry tropical woodlands. In order to improve on existing remote-sensing based methods for estimating carbon uptake across semi-arid Africa we applied and tested the recently developed plant phenology index (PPI). We developed a PPI-based model estimating gross primary productivity (GPP) that accounts for canopy water stress, and compared it against three other Earth observation-based GPP models: the temperature and greenness model, the greenness and radiation model and a light use efficiency model. The models were evaluated against in situ data from four semi-arid sites in Africa with varying tree canopy cover (3 to 65 percent). Evaluation results from the four GPP models showed reasonable agreement with in situ GPP measured from eddy covariance flux towers (EC GPP) based on coefficient of variation, root-mean-square error, and Bayesian information criterion. The PPI-based GPP model was able to capture the magnitude of EC GPP better than the other tested models. The results of this study show that a PPI-based GPP model is a promising tool for the estimation of GPP in the semi-arid ecosystems of Africa.Comment: Accepted manuscript; 12 pages, 4 tables, 9 figure

Workflow for building and calibrating 3D pre-injection and 4D geomechanics modelling to assess caprock and fault integrity for geologic CO2 storage

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has been established as a viable technology for the mitigation of climate change caused mainly by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Ever since the publication of the special report on CCS by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2005, there has been an increased research and development in all areas of CCS. Some of these research involves use of numerical methods and models for optimizing storage and ensuring effective long term containment. In this paper, we propose a workflow for building and calibrating 3D preinjection and 4D geomechanics modelling to assess caprock and fault integrity for geologic carbon dioxide storage. The workflow presented here describes a seamless end -to-end process which combines a transparent flow of data with an easy-to-use graphical user interface. The workflow can conduct 3D static and 4D flow-, pressure-, and temperature-coupled calculations for rock deformations, failure and stresses. In highly heterogeneous and complex models, the workflow is capable of modelling multiple hundred faults, and multiple thousand discrete fractures. It allows the geological model, despite its high degree of complexity to be maintained throughout the geomechanical analyses process

Rancang Bangun Aplikasi Pembelajaran dengan Metode Drill And Ppractice Berbasis Android di SMA AL-FALAH Ketintang

This research is motivated by the problems of the activities of intensive exercises that applied to students of class XII, considering the student will face national exam (UNAS). This activity is done manually using paper, and made within the last 3 months XII class teaching and learning process. In the course of intensive exercises having some problems such as: the lack of time the application of intensive activity exercises, the use of the manual system causes the resulting information is still static and not give actual information, and lack the information needed to monitor the development activities of teacher-intensive exercises. To overcome some of these obstacles, constructed a plan to build learning applications with drill and practice-based methods android, or the so-called D-SMART. D-SMART has a function Deliver exercises, Notification of new matter. In addition to overcoming determine the achievement of performance is D-SMART method produces an output in the form of graphs and details. D-SMART can help the implementation of intensive exercises which have reduced hours class XII student learning. Time intensive exercises with drill and practice methods are becoming increasingly enhanced, the start of class X in order to get the best value when students face national exam (UNAS

Phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity of stem bark extracts of Detarium microcarpum against bacteria causing gastrointestinal tract infections in humans

Detarium microcarpum is used by different ethnic groups for treatment of various diseases in Nigeria and several parts of West African. The      phytochemical constituents of the stembark extract of D.microcarpum were analyzed using qualitative methods. The antibacterial activity of the stembark extracts against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were tested using the agar well diffusion method. The phytochemical investigation revealed that presence of tannins, saponin, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols and terpenoids. The plant extracts exhibited anti bacterial potential against the tested organisms at different concentrations 100 mg/mL , 50mg/mL 25 mg/mL and 12.5 mg/mL )), with S. aureus having the highest zone of inhibition of 21 mm at 100 mg/mL with ethanolic extract. Therefore, this study suggests that D. microcarpum stembark has phytochemical constituents. The antibacterial activity exhibited by the extracts could be as a result of the phytochemicals presents

Nutritional evaluation of cassava root meal fortified with roselle seed meal as a replacement for maize on growth response and blood profile of broiler chicks

A major challenge diminishing the profitability and sustainability of the poultry industry is the astronomic increase in price of feed ingredient such as maize which is progressively eroding off the expected profit margin of poultry farmers. A total of two hundred and forty (240), day-old broiler chicks were used in four weeks feeding trial to investigate the effect of fermented cassava root fortified with roselle seed meal as a replacement for maize on growth performance and blood profiles of broiler chicks. Maize is the main energy source for the control diet (T1) while the other five diets (T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 were partially replaced with varying levels of cassava root meal – roselle seed meal (CRM-RSM) mixture at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% inclusion rates respectively. The broiler chicks were weighed and allotted to six dietary treatments of 40 birds each. The groups were replicated four times in a completely randomized design of 10 birds per replicate. Parameters measured for growth response include: Initial weight, final weight, total weight gain, daily weight gain, total feed intake, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Dietary treatments evoked significant (P < 0.05) effect on final weight, total weight gain and daily weight gain. Higher statistical (P < 0.05) values of 1153.33g and 1193.33g were recorded for final weight in the birds fed 0% and 10% CRM-RSM. Birds fed diets with 20% and 30% CRM-RSM, inclusion revealed similar statistical values 1133.33g and 1116.67g for final weight. With the exemption of neutrophil, graded level of CRM-RSM showed significant (P<0.05) influence on haematological parameters determined. Values recorded for packed cell volume PCV ranged between 38.50 – 45.00% and did not follow any specific trend. In conclusion, inclusion of cassava – roselle seed mixture up to 30% replacement level for maize improved growth performance without hazardous effect on starter broiler chicks

Antioxidant Activity of Apis Mellifera SP. Propolis Extract From Java (Indonesia)

Propolis was one of natural antioxidant source in the flavonoid and phenolic acid form. The propolis antioxidant potential was influenced by the plant factors that grow in geographic area wherein the bees alive. The propolis biological effect was known and have been used since antiquity. This research was intended to investigate the propolis antioxidant potential originating from Java (Indonesia). The method that was used to test its antioxidant character with the total of flavonoid activity test and the total of phenol. The strength for its antioxidant was measured by DPPH IC50 test. The result was obtained that propolis antioxidant potential from Java has a very strong potency with DPPH 35,6 µg/ml. The conclusion was Apis Mellifera sp propolis from Java has a high potential to be developed. The high drug activity and propolis therapeutic effectiveness were expected to giving a positive value and contribution to dentistry practice

Experimental demonstrations of spontaneous, solar-driven photoelectrochemical water splitting

Laboratory demonstrations of spontaneous photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar water splitting cells are reviewed. Reported solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiencies range from 10% STH efficiency using potentially less costly materials have been reported. Device stability is a major challenge for the field, as evidenced by lifetimes of less than 24 hours in all but a few reports. No globally accepted protocol for evaluating and certifying STH efficiencies and lifetimes exists. It is our recommendation that a protocol similar to that used by the photovoltaic community be adopted so that future demonstrations of solar PEC water splitting can be compared on equal grounds

Bayesian Semi-Parametric Modeling of Infertility in Nigeria

Infertility in Nigeria is a neglected reproductive health issue despite its negative impact. Majority of infertility-related research has focused on treating the consequences of infertility rather than investigating the determinantsto explain the spatial and spline effect of infertility in the country. This work is aimed at investigating spatial variation of determinants of infertility among female in Nigeria. The finding reveals that women at reproductive age have a high probability of infertility in some southern part of Nigeria astheir ages are steadily increasing. Also, change in the characteristics of place of residence and source of water increase the chance of woman being infertile. Policy makers on health sectors should make effort to address problems of climatic and atmospheric change in the identified social and demographic risk factors

Enhanced Stability and Efficiency for Photoelectrochemical Iodide Oxidation by Methyl Termination and Electrochemical Pt Deposition of n-Si Microwire Arrays

Arrays of Si microwires doped n-type (n-Si) and surface-functionalized with methyl groups have been used, with or without deposition of Pt electrocatalysts, to photoelectrochemically oxidize I–(aq) to I_3–(aq) in 7.6 M HI(aq). Under conditions of iodide oxidation, methyl-terminated n-Si microwire arrays exhibited stable short-circuit photocurrents over a time scale of days, albeit with low energy-conversion efficiencies. In contrast, electrochemical deposition of Pt onto methyl-terminated n-Si microwire arrays consistently yielded energy-conversion efficiencies of ∼2% for iodide oxidation, with an open-circuit photovoltage of ∼400 mV and a short-circuit photocurrent density of ∼10 mA cm^(–2) under 100 mW cm^(–2) of simulated air mass 1.5G solar illumination. Platinized electrodes were stable for >200 h of continuous operation, with no discernible loss of Si or Pt. Pt deposited using electron-beam evaporation also resulted in stable photoanodic operation of the methyl-terminated n-Si microwire arrays but yielded substantially lower photovoltages than when Pt was deposited electrochemically