The effects of Diethylsulphate on some quantitative traits of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)

Seeds of three varieties of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) T106, T244 and T420 obtained from the Institute for Agricultural Research, A.B.U Zaria, were treated with Diethylsulphate (DES) at concentrations of 10, 15 and 30 mM with the aim of determining the effective concentration of the mutagen capable of inducing beneficial mutants in tomato. Highly significant differences (

Morphogical effects of sodium azide on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)

Dry seeds of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentun Mill), varieties T106, T244 and T420 obtained from the Institute of Agriculture Research, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria were treated with sodium azide at concentrations of 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mM aimed at determining the effects of the mutagen on the morphological features of tomato. Highly significant differences (

Inducing phenotypic variants in sesame (Sesamunindicum L.) with fast neutron irradiation

The mutagenic efficiency and effectiveness of fast neutron irradiation on sesame was evaluated at M1 and M2 generations with the aim of deserning its abiity to induce beneficial mutants with improved agronomic traits that could facilitate selection within local genotypes. Five grames (5g) each of sesame seeds were exposed to four concentrations of sodium azide (0.5mM, 1.0mM, 1.5mM and 2.0mM).Untreated sesame seeds (5g) served as control. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Fast neutron significantly (p<0.05) induced benefitial variabilities on the agronomic traits evaluated. Mutation frequency, mutagenic efficiency and lethalithy induced by fast neutron were not dose dependent. However, the mutagenic effectiveness decreased with increasing dose. Seeds exposed to 0.16sv fast neutron dose showed taller seedling height (15.70cm), reduced days to flowering (45.00), best height at maturity (32.43cm), highest survival rate (35.43%), highest number of leaf per plants (12.50), highest internode length (16.50cm) and best dry weight (12.70g). However, sesame mutants had the best number of seeds per plant (4.60) and thousand seed weight (5.00g) at 0.32sv fast neutron dose. Broad sense heritability estimates for the agronomic traits ranged from 5.96% to 89.73%. Days to flowering recorded the highest heritability value of 89.73%. High heritabilities were also recorded for height at maturity (86.71%) and thousand seed weight (80.00%). Variability in phenotypic characters reflected the existence of genetic diversity among the genotypes.Keywords: Mutation, Irradiation, Sesame, Heritability, Trait

Assessment of heavy metals contamination in the sediment of Yardantsi reservoir, Gusau Nigeria

The magnitude and ecological relevance of metals pollution in the sediment of Yardantsi Reservoir, Gusau Nigeria, which serve as main source of water for irrigation and municipalities was assessed by applying sets of complementary sediment quality assessment methods; The contamination factor (Cf); and comparisons with concentration based sediment quality guidelines (CBSQGs) of target heavy metals. The sediment metals concentrations in the reservoir were investigated from May, 2015 to April, 2017. Sediment samples were collected from five sampling stations and analysed using Shimadzu AA6800 Atomic Absorbtion Spectrophotometry. The results showed that Cd has a mean concentration of (1.81cmol/kg). Cu (3.40cmol/kg), Cr (0.99cmol/kg), Fe (46.71cmol/kg), Ni (0.50cmol/kg), Pb (0.14cmol/kg), and Zn (13.87cmol/kg). Contamination factor (Cf) and CBSQGs suggested that cadmium concentration was slightly higher as Cf>6 and exceeded threshold effects concentrations (TECs). This may cause adverse biological effects and the reservoir was in potential risk with regards to Cd concentration, while the rest of the metals were found to be lower than the proposed TECs and has Cf<1 indicating that there are no harmful effects from these metals. It is suggested that the reservoir input should be monitored and the sediment sources be mitigated.Keywords: Assessment, contamination, heavy metals, reservoir, sedimen

Gross alpha and beta surveys of Lake Kainji water

A gross alpha and beta survey of the water of Kainji Lake was conducted using multi-channel analyzer, a proportional counter detector. This was done to estimate the gross radioactivity concentrations due to natural radionuclides in the lake water. Radioactivity, a phenomenon that leads to production of radiations, and radiation is known to trigger or induce cancer. The gross alpha and beta activity concentration analyzed in the water shows that the alpha activity ranges from 1.0 x 105 Bq/cm3 to 0.7Bq/cm3 with an average value indication of 0.0702Bq/cm3, whereas the beta activity concentration indicated BDL for all the sites with exception of upstream 01 location (9~' 51' 485' and 4~'35' 473'E) which has 0.0022Bq/cm3. This could be attributed to the continued flow of the lake water. Although radioactivity measured in lakes is usual higher than that of flowing waters, because a significant part of the radioactive substance brought in by other tributary rivers accumulates in it (Szaho et al.1998). That of Kainji Lake is entirely different

Построение и анализ модели воспроизведения каналов вещательного телевидения в Р2Р сети

In this paper, we introduce a closed queueing network model with a single customer to analyze the behavior of a peer in P2P streaming systems. Then we use the passage to the limit when the number of peers approaches infinity in a closed queueing network model with limited population to analytically study the performance of multi-channel P2P streaming systems with the isolated channel (ISO) streaming design. The product-form solution for steady state probabilities and the expressions for the probability of universal streaming for a channel were derived. Some calculations for both models (when the number of peers is limited and when the number of peers approaches infinity) were conducted.В статье построена вероятностная модель просмотра каналов вещательного телевидения пользователями одноранговой сети (от англ. peer-to-peer, P2P - равный к равному). Поведение отдельного пользователя представлено в терминах замкнутой экспоненциальной сети массового обслуживания. Стационарное распределение вероятностей состояний модели функционирования P2PTV-сети представлено в мультипликативном виде по числу телеканалов и числу пользователей системы. С учётом популярности телеканалов получены формулы для анализа основного показателя качества функционирования P2PTV-сети на уровне пользователя (QoE, Quality of Experience) - вероятности всеобщей передачи (от англ. universal streaming), т.е. качественного приёма видеопотока всеми пользователями

Effect of experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection on serum profiles of lipid and cholesterol in pack donkeys

The effect of experimental Trypanosoma congolense (T. congolense) infection on serum concentrations of lipids in donkeys was investigated. To establish the infection, four apparently healthy pack donkeys were, each, intravenously inoculated with blood (1 ml) from an infected donor donkey containing 1 x 106 T. congolense organisms. Following this, 5 ml of blood was collected from each of the experimental animals, starting from day zero and then every other day throughout the experimental period and used for haematological and serum biochemical analyses. Levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) in the serum were measured over a 28-day experimental period, using commercial test kits. The infection with T. congolense caused significant (P<0.05) decreases in serum concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in the experimental animals. Decreases were also observed in the serum concentrations of triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol but were not significant (P>0.05). With the indispensable roles of lipids as integral parts of cell membrane structures and in other metabolic processes in the mammalian hosts, it could be inferred that T. congolense infection-induced alterations in serum concentrations of lipids might be contributory pathophysiological mechanisms of some of the reported disorders in trypanosome-infected animals.Keywords: Donkey, Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterolTrypanosoma congolens

Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays on variability for yield attributing traits in Fonio (Digitaria exilis [Kippist] Stapf.)

A study was conducted to determine the mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of different doses of gamma rays in inducing variability that could be exploited in the genetic improvement of fonio. Seeds of five accessions of fonio were irradiated with five different doses of gamma rays (100 Gy, 200 Gy, 400 Gy, 500 Gy and 0 Gy as control). The seeds were sown in a plot in a completely randomized design with three replications to rise the M1 generation which was advanced to M2 generation. The result obtained from the M2 mutants revealed highly significant difference (P≤0.01) in the effects of different gamma rays doses on the growth and yield traits of fonio. This implies the presence of high genetic variability induced by the mutagen in fonio. The effect is concentration dependent, increase with decrease in irradiation dose. More so, the effectiveness of the mutagen decreases with increase in dose. Seven different chlorophyll deficient mutants were found in the form of: Albina, Chlorina, Lustescent, Striata, Viridis, Viriscent and Xantha, with Xantha, Chlorina and Albina as the most frequent chimeras, The result indicated that lower dose of gamma rays (100 Gy) is more effective and efficient as it induces favorable mutation that could be utilized in the genetic improvement of fonio. Accession Nkpowas was found to respond more to the mutagenic treatment. Keywords: Accessions, Fonio, Gamma Rays, Mutation

Aqueous Methanol Extracts of Cochlospermum tinctorium (A. Rich) Possess Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities

Cochlopermum tinctorium A. Rich. (Cochlospermaceae) is a commonly used medicinal plant in the West Africa sub-region for the management of various conditions including pain and inflammatory conditions. In the present study, we report the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous methanol leaf (20–80 mg/kg), root (7.5–30 mg/kg), and root bark (20–80 mg/kg) extracts of the plant. The analgesic potentials of the extracts were studied using acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate tests in mice while the anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.The extracts significantly and dose dependently inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. However, the highest protection against writhing was produced by aqueous methanol leaf extract at the dose of 80 mg/kg (96.65%) which even was greater than that of the standard agent, ketoprofen (82.30%). The extracts did not significantly increase mean latency of response in the hot plate test. However, aqueous methanol root bark extract at the dose of 20 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05) increased the mean latency of pain response. While the extracts of the root and root bark extracts of the plant afforded non dose-dependent protection against carrageenan-induced edema, the aqueous methanol leaf extract significantly and dose-dependently inhibited carrageenan-induced hind paw edema at the end of the third hour.The present study suggests that the aqueous methanol leaf, root, and root bark extracts of Cochlopermum tinctorium possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities which lend some credence to the ethnomedical claim of the use of the plant in the management of pain and inflammatory conditions

Global age-sex-specific fertility, mortality, healthy life expectancy (HALE), and population estimates in 204 countries and territories, 1950–2019: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Accurate and up-to-date assessment of demographic metrics is crucial for understanding a wide range of social, economic, and public health issues that affect populations worldwide. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 produced updated and comprehensive demographic assessments of the key indicators of fertility, mortality, migration, and population for 204 countries and territories and selected subnational locations from 1950 to 2019. Methods: 8078 country-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 938 surveys, 349 censuses, and 238 other sources were identified and used to estimate age-specific fertility. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate age-specific fertility rates for 5-year age groups between ages 15 and 49 years. With extensions to age groups 10–14 and 50–54 years, the total fertility rate (TFR) was then aggregated using the estimated age-specific fertility between ages 10 and 54 years. 7417 sources were used for under-5 mortality estimation and 7355 for adult mortality. ST-GPR was used to synthesise data sources after correction for known biases. Adult mortality was measured as the probability of death between ages 15 and 60 years based on vital registration, sample registration, and sibling histories, and was also estimated using ST-GPR. HIV-free life tables were then estimated using estimates of under-5 and adult mortality rates using a relational model life table system created for GBD, which closely tracks observed age-specific mortality rates from complete vital registration when available. Independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated by an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys and antenatal clinic serosurveillance and other sources were incorporated into the estimates in countries with large epidemics. Annual and single-year age estimates of net migration and population for each country and territory were generated using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model that analysed estimated age-specific fertility and mortality rates along with 1250 censuses and 747 population registry years. We classified location-years into seven categories on the basis of the natural rate of increase in population (calculated by subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate) and the net migration rate. We computed healthy life expectancy (HALE) using years lived with disability (YLDs) per capita, life tables, and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty was propagated throughout the demographic estimation process, including fertility, mortality, and population, with 1000 draw-level estimates produced for each metric. Findings: The global TFR decreased from 2•72 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 2•66–2•79) in 2000 to 2•31 (2•17–2•46) in 2019. Global annual livebirths increased from 134•5 million (131•5–137•8) in 2000 to a peak of 139•6 million (133•0–146•9) in 2016. Global livebirths then declined to 135•3 million (127•2–144•1) in 2019. Of the 204 countries and territories included in this study, in 2019, 102 had a TFR lower than 2•1, which is considered a good approximation of replacement-level fertility. All countries in sub-Saharan Africa had TFRs above replacement level in 2019 and accounted for 27•1% (95% UI 26•4–27•8) of global livebirths. Global life expectancy at birth increased from 67•2 years (95% UI 66•8–67•6) in 2000 to 73•5 years (72•8–74•3) in 2019. The total number of deaths increased from 50•7 million (49•5–51•9) in 2000 to 56•5 million (53•7–59•2) in 2019. Under-5 deaths declined from 9•6 million (9•1–10•3) in 2000 to 5•0 million (4•3–6•0) in 2019. Global population increased by 25•7%, from 6•2 billion (6•0–6•3) in 2000 to 7•7 billion (7•5–8•0) in 2019. In 2019, 34 countries had negative natural rates of increase; in 17 of these, the population declined because immigration was not sufficient to counteract the negative rate of decline. Globally, HALE increased from 58•6 years (56•1–60•8) in 2000 to 63•5 years (60•8–66•1) in 2019. HALE increased in 202 of 204 countries and territories between 2000 and 2019. Interpretation: Over the past 20 years, fertility rates have been dropping steadily and life expectancy has been increasing, with few exceptions. Much of this change follows historical patterns linking social and economic determinants, such as those captured by the GBD Socio-demographic Index, with demographic outcomes. More recently, several countries have experienced a combination of low fertility and stagnating improvement in mortality rates, pushing more populations into the late stages of the demographic transition. Tracking demographic change and the emergence of new patterns will be essential for global health monitoring. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licens