Adsorption of Aqueous Using Granular Adsorbents from Accanthospermum hispendum DC

Granular activated carbons have been important adsorbents for the decontamination of aqueous environmental contaminants. Acanthospermum hispidum weed represents a ready available source of low-cost adsorbents in sub-Saharan Africa that has barely been paid attention. The effects of pH, contact time, concentration, adsorbent dosage, particle size and temperature on the adsorptive removal of Pb (II) from aqueous solutions over activated carbon granules from the thorns of Accanthospermum hispindum (AC-T) were for the first time investigated and compared with those of the leaves (L), the sodium hydroxide modified thorns (NaOH-T) and regular thorns (T) of this plant. These adsorbents were characterised by the surface charge analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform infrared (ATR FTIR) spectroscopy. The SEM revealed a wafer-like appearance for the AC-T with a large distribution of open pores. The adsorption data of lead uptake onto the adsorbents were examined using two pseudo-order kinetic schemes and three isotherm models. To fully understand the adsorption capacities of the adsorbents, batch desorption recoveries were studied. The FTIR depicted the various functionalities responsible for the adsorption. Adsorption over AC-T was found to agree with pseudo second-order kinetic scheme, the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm. This material exhibited the highest adsorption capacity. The order of reusability of the adsorbents is T < AC-T < NaOH-T

Gender Differentials and Adoption of Drought Tolerant Maize Varieties among Farmers in Northern Nigeria

This study examined gender differences in farmer’s adoption of drought tolerant maize (DTM) varieties in Northern Nigeria. Specifically, it described the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers by gender; determined their rate of adoption of the DTM varieties; and analysed the factors affecting the rate of adoption of the varieties. The study was conducted in seven: Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, and Kwara states of Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 946 respondents, comprising 626 males and 320 females. Data were collected with the use of a survey questionnaire that contained questions on respondent’s socio- economic characteristics such as age, years of schooling, household size, farm size, access to credit, level of awareness and adoption of DTM varieties and extension contact, among others. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and probit regression model. The results for the entire respondents showed average values of 46 years for age, seven years for year of schooling, 11 for household size, 6.93 for farm size and 5.7 ha for land area allocated to maize, with a significant difference (p<0.05) between male and female farmers for each of the variables. The adoption rate of DTM was 56.3% on the average in the entire sample with a significant difference (p<0.05) between male (61.8%) and female farmers (53.5%). The determinants of adoption of DTM varieties for both male and female farmers were access to credit, participation in field days, household size, fertilizer application, source of seeds and level of awareness of the variety, specific to male farmers was land area allocated to maize and number of livestock while source of information about the DTM variety was specific to female famers. It was concluded that policy strategies aimed at improving the uptake of DTM varieties must consider equality in male and female farmers’ access to basic resources, such as credit, land, labour, and participation in different meetings. Keywords: Gender, Drought tolerant, Maize varieties, Adoption, Nigeria.

A novel mode of capping protein-regulation by Twinfilin

Cellular actin assembly is controlled at the barbed ends of actin filaments, where capping protein (CP) limits polymerization. Twinfilin is a conserved in vivo binding partner of CP, yet the significance of this interaction has remained a mystery. Here, we discover that the C-terminal tail of Twinfilin harbors a CP-interacting (CPI) motif, identifying it as a novel CPI-motif protein. Twinfilin and the CPI-motif protein CARMIL have overlapping binding sites on CP. Further, Twinfilin binds competitively with CARMIL to CP, protecting CP from barbed-end displacement by CARMIL. Twinfilin also accelerates dissociation of the CP inhibitor V-1, restoring CP to an active capping state. Knockdowns of Twinfilin and CP each cause similar defects in cell morphology, and elevated Twinfilin expression rescues defects caused by CARMIL hyperactivity. Together, these observations define Twinfilin as the first \u27pro-capping\u27 ligand of CP and lead us to propose important revisions to our understanding of the CP regulatory cycle

Determination of safety distance for installing GSM mast in residential areas in Nigeria

Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) technology is one of the fastest growing technologies and most demanding application all over the world. But the health implication of its equipment used or  installed in residential area has become subject debate among Nigerian. This work, made an attempt to determine the safety distance for installing GSM mast in residential area by measuring power density radiated from the foot of the GSM mast at different distances; 10m, 15m, 20m, 25m, 30m, 35m, 40m, 45m and 50m. Fuzzy logic technique was used to forecast power density measured from the GSM mast as 38.9μW/m2, 9.26μW/m2, 9.30μW/m2, 9.24μW/m2, 2.47μW/m2, 2.47μW/m2, 2.38μW/m2, 2.37μW/m2 and 2.36e-6μW/m2. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is computed as 1.09e-4W/Kg, 2.60e-5W/Kg, 2.61e-5W/Kg, 2.62e-5W/kg, 6.94e-6W/Kg, 6.69e-6W/Kg, 6.66e-6/Kg and 6.63e-6W/Kg from the forecasted power density respectively. The calculated SAR is compared with the standard SAR values, for localize and whole part of the body (0.08Kg/W and 2.00Kg/W) given by the International Commission on Non – Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and found to be far below recommended level. This work also, suggested that, 10m is a good distance for installing GSM mast away from residential areas.Keywords: Power Density, Fuzzy Logic, Risk, Distance, Specific Absorption Rate and Safet

El mito del bilingüismo y la colonización lingüística en Paraguay

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo desmitificar las narrativas nacionales acerca de la cuestión lingüística en Paraguay y descubrir las relaciones injustas de poder y dominación que estas esconden. La autora analiza el presunto bilingüismo paraguayo como un fenómeno sociocultural más que lingüístico e indica que es un mito y una creación discursiva nacionalista destinado a legitimar la colonización lingüística. Tras presentar la genealogía, las funciones y los objetivos del mito, se procede a su sucesiva desmitificación, tanto desde la perspectiva histórica, como también a partir de las actuales políticas lingüísticas en el país

Gender Differentials in the Adoption of Drought-Tolerant Maize Varieties among Farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana

This study examined gender differences in farmers’ adoption of drought-tolerant maize (DTM) varieties in northern region of Ghana. Specifically, it described the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers by gender; determined their rate of adoption of the DTM varieties; and analyzed the factors affecting the rate of adoption of the varieties. The study was conducted in the Northern region of Ghana. Simple random sampling technique was used to obtain data from 600 respondents, comprising 551 males and 49 females. Data were collected with the use of a survey questionnaire that contained questions on respondents’ socio-economic characteristics such as age, years of schooling, household size, farm size, access to credit, level of awareness and adoption of DTM varieties and extension contact, among others. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and probit regression model. The results for the entire respondents showed average values of 49.75 years for age, 10.8 for household size, with a significant difference (p<0.05) between male and female farmers for each of the variables. Average farm size of 3.38 ha, with a significant difference (p<0.01) between male and female farmers for the variables. The adoption rate of DTM was 13.3% in the entire sample with a significant difference (p<0.05) between male (13.4%) and female farmers (12.2%). The determinants of adoption of DTM varieties for both male and female farmers were age of the household head, education, source of seed, and level of awareness, specific to male farmers was educational status of the respondents while farm size was specific to female famers. It was concluded that policy strategies aimed at improving the uptake of DTM varieties must consider equality in male and female farmers’ access to resources such as credit, labour and land. Keywords: Gender, Drought-tolerant, Maize varieties, Adoption, Ghana. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-20-04 Publication date:October 31st 202

The distinct features of microbial 'dysbiosis' of Crohn's disease do not occur to the same extent in their unaffected, genetically linked kindred

Background/Aims: Studying the gut microbiota in unaffected relatives of people with Crohn’s disease (CD) may advance our understanding of the role of bacteria in disease aetiology. Methods: Faecal microbiota composition (16S rRNA gene sequencing), genetic functional capacity (shotgun metagenomics) and faecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were compared in unaffected adult relatives of CD children (CDR, n = 17) and adult healthy controls, unrelated to CD patients (HUC, n = 14). The microbiota characteristics of 19 CD children were used as a benchmark of CD ‘dysbiosis’. Results: The CDR microbiota was less diverse (p = 0.044) than that of the HUC group. Local contribution of β-diversity analysis showed no difference in community structure between the CDR and HUC groups. Twenty one of 1,243 (1.8%) operational taxonomic units discriminated CDR from HUC. The metagenomic functional capacity (p = 0.207) and SCFA concentration or pattern were similar between CDR and HUC (p>0.05 for all SCFA). None of the KEGG metabolic pathways were different between these two groups. Both of these groups (HUC and CDR) had a higher microbiota α-diversity (CDR, p = 0.026 and HUC, p<0.001) with a community structure (β-diversity) distinct from that of children with CD. Conclusions: While some alterations were observed, a distinct microbial ‘dysbiosis’, characteristic of CD patients, was not observed in their unaffected, genetically linked kindred

Adherence to Southern European Atlantic Diet and physical fitness on the atherogenic index of plasma in adolescents

We sought (i) to evaluate the associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular fitness (MF) and Southern European Atlantic Diet (SEADiet) with atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and (ii) to investigate de combined association of MF, CRF and SEADiet on AIP in adolescents. A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted on 493 adolescents (285 girls and 208 boys) aged 15-18 years, from the Portuguese Azorean Archipelago. CRF was measured by shuttle run test and MF by curl up and push up tests. Adherence to SEADiet was assessed with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The AIP was estimated as log (TG/HDL-C). Measures of pubertal stage and socioeconomic status were assessed. Linear regression showed a significant inverse association between MF (standardized β = -0.165; p \u3c 0.001), CRF (standardized β = -0.081; p \u3c 0.030) and SEADiet (standardized β = -0.081; p \u3c 0.045) with AIP, after adjustments for age, sex, pubertal stage and parental education. Furthermore, participants classified with an optimal as well as those with low adherence to a SEADiet but with LowMF/LowCRF had on average the highest AIP (F(7.482) = 3.270; p = 0.002). Moreover, optimal SEADiet with HighMF/HighCRF group showed the lowest AIP when compared with those with low adherence to a SEADiet with HighMF/HighCRF group (p = 0.03). AIP is inversely associated with MF, CRF and SEADiet. The low MF combined with a low CRF levels seems to overcome the potential healthy effect of having an optimal adherence to the SEADiet on AIP. However, an optimal adherence to SEADiet seems to improve the AIP in those adolescents with high fitness levels

Artificial intelligence surgery: how do we get to autonomous actions in surgery?

Most surgeons are skeptical as to the feasibility of autonomous actions in surgery. Interestingly, many examples of autonomous actions already exist and have been around for years. Since the beginning of this millennium, the field of artificial intelligence (AI) has grown exponentially with the development of machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), computer vision (CV) and natural language processing (NLP). All of these facets of AI will be fundamental to the development of more autonomous actions in surgery, unfortunately, only a limited number of surgeons have or seek expertise in this rapidly evolving field. As opposed to AI in medicine, AI surgery (AIS) involves autonomous movements. Fortuitously, as the field of robotics in surgery has improved, more surgeons are becoming interested in technology and the potential of autonomous actions in procedures such as interventional radiology, endoscopy and surgery. The lack of haptics, or the sensation of touch, has hindered the wider adoption of robotics by many surgeons; however, now that the true potential of robotics can be comprehended, the embracing of AI by the surgical community is more important than ever before. Although current complete surgical systems are mainly only examples of tele-manipulation, for surgeons to get to more autonomously functioning robots, haptics is perhaps not the most important aspect. If the goal is for robots to ultimately become more and more independent, perhaps research should not focus on the concept of haptics as it is perceived by humans, and the focus should be on haptics as it is perceived by robots/computers. This article will discuss aspects of ML, DL, CV and NLP as they pertain to the modern practice of surgery, with a focus on current AI issues and advances that will enable us to get to more autonomous actions in surgery. Ultimately, there may be a paradigm shift that needs to occur in the surgical community as more surgeons with expertise in AI may be needed to fully unlock the potential of AIS in a safe, efficacious and timely manner

Weed Persistence, Crop Resistance and Phytotonic Effects of Herbicides in Maize (Zea mays) Production Under Different Weed Control Method and Poultry Manure in Kano State Nigeria

The research is financed by centre for dry land Agriculture Bayero University Kano for providing financial support and the management of Agronomy Department Bayero University, for providing technical support throughout the duration of the study (Sponsoring information). Abstract Results of experiment conducted during rainy season of 2016 and 2017 at teaching and research farm of Bayero university Kano, Livestock development centre Dangora with two different pre-emergence herbicides and two post-emergence herbicides all applied at two different rates, (S-Metolachlor 290 g/l + Atrazine 370 g/l at 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1 followed by Nicosulfuron at 100 g a.i.ha-1, S-Metolachlor 290 g/l + Atrazine 370 g/l 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1 followed by Bentazone at 2.5 kg a.i. ha-1, Metolachlor 375 g/l + Terbuthylazine 125 g/l + Mesotrione 37.5 g/l at 2.5 kg a.i ha-1 followed by Nicosulfuron at 100 g a.i. ha-1, Metolachlor 375 g/l + Terbuthylazine 125 g/l + Mesotrione 37.5 g/l at 2.5 kg a.i ha-1 followed by Bentazone at 2.5 kg a.i. ha-1, Two hoe weeded at 3 and 6 WAS and weedy check) three levels of poultry manure (0, 4, and 8 t ha-1) and NPK at the rate of 120kg N, 60kg P and 60kg K ha-1 and three maize varieties (SAMMAZ 15, SAMMAZ 21 and SAMMAZ 35). The experiments was laid out in a split-split plot design with variety allocated to the main plot, poultry manure to the sub-plot and weed control method to the sub-sub plot, and was replicated three times. The result from the study showed that two hoe weeding at 3 and 6WAS and Application of 3Maizeforce at 2.5 kg a.i. ha-1 followed by Bentazone at 2.5 kg a.i. ha-1, significantly revealed higher crop resistance index with medium persistence index of the weeds indicating broad spectrum effect in controlling the weeds, the said treatments were best herbicides for maize production. Furthermore the said treatment is recommended for weed control that can improve maize grain yield. Keywords: Weed Occurrence level, Weed persistence index, Crop resistance index and Phytotonic effect. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-10-03 Publication date:May 31st 202