Developmental changes in the concentration of elements present in breast milk during lactation period: A case study of some selected sites within Kano State, Nigeria

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Microscopic, Physicochemical and Phytochemical Evaluation of Stem bark of Aubrevillea kerstingii (Harms) Pellegr. (Mimosaceae)

Microscopic, physicochemical and phytochemical evaluation gives detailed valuable information that is useful in determination of the identity, quality and purity of medicinal plants, crude drugs and herbal products. The research was carried out in order to determine the microscopic, physicochemical and phytochemical parameters of stem bark extract of Aubrevillea kerstingii. The macroscopic, microscopic, chemo-microscopic and physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical screening parameters were determined according to standard methods.The microscopic features revealed the presence of thin walled, radially arranged cork cells, well developed cortex, bundles of sclerenchymatous cells and numerous prismatic calcium oxalate crystals The chemo-microscopy of the powdered stem bark revealed the presence of some cell wall materials and cell inclusions. Physicochemical parameters determined in this study showed moisture content to be 8.2 ± 0.07, total ash value 9.23 ± 0.56, acid insoluble ash 1.49 ± 0.12, water soluble ash 5.52 ± 0.10, alcohol extractive value 26.50 ± 0.61 and water extractive value 33.4 ± 0.36. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, triterpenes, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and carbohydrate. The parameters of stem bark of Aubrevillea kerstingii determined in this study will help in establishing the quality and purity of the plant. Keywords: Aubrevillea kerstingii, Fabaceae, Physicochemical, Phytochemica

Levels of Heavy Metals in Soil, Water and Vegetables around Industrial area in Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria

This study examined the levels of heavy metals in soil, water, and vegetables (amaranthus, hibiscussabdariffa, and allium cepa leaves) around the industrial area Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria. The composite samples of soil, water, and vegetables were collected and determine the level of heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, and As) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The level of the heavy metals decreased in the order of Mn > Zn > Pb > Cd, Pb > Zn > Mn > Cd, and Mn > Zn > Mn > Cd in the soil, water, and vegetables respectively. Among the vegetables, amaranthus had the highest heavy metals level followed by allium cepa leaves and hibiscus sabdariffa. The levels of heavy metals obtained were below the tolerance level recommended by the world health organization (WHO). The bio-concentration factors of the heavy metals for the studied samples were below one except Zn in amaranthus. The daily intake of metals for Mn was found to be the highest in amaranthus for children and estimated to be 1.149 mg/person/day. Health risk index of Zn for amaranthus and allium cepa leaves for children and Pb for amaranthus, hibiscus sabdariffa and allium cepa leaves for both children and adults were above 1, except in hibiscus sabdariffa for adults, signifying provable of health risks for the consumption of the vegetables in the study area. Therefore, the consumption of these vegetables as food could pose a health hazard, and regular monitoring is recommended to prevent metal accumulation with their associated health implications in the consuming public

Profitability of Striga tolerant maize variety (Sammaz 17) amongst smallholder farmers in Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria

The study was conducted in Lapai, Niger State, North central Nigeria to determine the profitability of improved maize variety (SAMMAZ 17) in cooperative farmer’s fields. Demonstration plots were cited in three cooperative farms where the improved variety and a local variety were planted. All agronomic practices were carried out uniformly and simultaneously on the plots. In addition, structured questionnaires were administered to 20 members of each of the cooperative farms. Participants were selected by means of simple random sampling techniques to solicit information on the performance of SAMMAZ 17 maize variety on their farms. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, while gross margin analysis was used to compare the profitability of maize varieties. The results revealed that maize farmers were mostly male and small-scale in operations. The local maize variety supported high Striga infestation with low yield of 1.7 t/ha, while SAMMAZ 17 yield was 4.4 t/ha under less Striga infestation. The gross margin production of SAMMAZ 17 maize variety was  ₦ 254,127.40, while the gross margin for the production of farmer’s maize variety was  ₦ 102,517.90. Based on these findings, SAMMAZ 17 was found to be profitable and is therefore recommended for planting in Striga endemic fields in North Central Nigeria.Keywords: Maize, Striga tolerant, cooperative farm, action research, farmer’s variety, gross margin, profitability, extension implicatio

Effect of the Generalized Uncertainty Principle on Post-Inflation Preheating

We examine effects of the Generalized Uncertainty Principle, predicted by various theories of quantum gravity to replace the Heisenberg's uncertainty principle near the Planck scale, on post inflation preheating in cosmology, and show that it can predict either an increase or a decrease in parametric resonance and a corresponding change in particle production. Possible implications are considered.Comment: v1: 9 pages, revtex4, no figures, accepted for publication in JCAP; v2: one reference added and various cosmetic (but no physics) changes to match published versio

The impact of adding fetal MRI to sonographically diagnosed intrauterine ventriculomegaly: a prospective cohort study

Objective: Intrauterine fetal ventriculomegaly (IVM) is one of the most commonly detected fetal anomalies. Prenatal diagnosis in IVM is considered a challenge with a significant impact on management. The current study aims to evaluate the added value of performing fetal MRI to sonographically diagnosed IVM. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary University Hospital in the period between January 2017 and March 2019. We included pregnant women with a single fetus sonographically diagnosed IVM (symmetrical or asymmetrical). First, a basic obstetric sonographic examination was done, followed by a detailed (2D/3D) fetal CNS anomaly scan for the detection of other associated anomalies. A fetal MRI brain scan was performed for all cases. Results: Sixty women were included in the study. Of the 60 fetuses with IVM, additional findings were seen on MRI in 14 cases (23%), and most of these findings were identified in fetuses with severe IVM (about 50%). No additional abnormalities were identified in fetuses of less than 24 weeks gestation. Callosal and septum pellucidum lesions (29%), along with posterior fossa abnormalities (28%) and cortical malformations (21%) accounted for the most common additional significant fetal MRI findings. Fetal MRI sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values in correlation with those of prenatal ultrasound turned out to be notably higher, approaching nearly 100 %. Conclusions: Fetal MRI for sonographically diagnosed moderate or severe IVM is recommended to guide clinical management

RESPONSE OF STRAWBERRY PLANTS TO SHORTENING DAY LENGTH , SHADING AND COLD STORAGE UNDER EGYPTIAN CONDITIONS

This experiment was performed in 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 seasons at El-Bosaly Protected Cultivation Experimental Site, of the Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate (CLAC), 15 Km west of Rosetta. The current study was conducted in open field to investigate the growth and productivity of strawberry plants under the shading and cold storage methods. Two strawberry cultivars were used, i.e., Camarosa (cv.) and Yael (cv.). Transplants were set up on 15 of March to 15 of September in both two seasons of 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, respectively under El-Bosaly conditions. Seven treatments were used i.e., short day, 40% shading, 73% shading, three periods cold storage at 5Co, i.e., (24h, 48h and 73h) and control. Results indicated that the application of 73% shading treatment was the most effective in reducing maximum and minimum of air temperature and radiation, followed by 40% shading, whereas, the highest value of maximum and minimum air temperature, radiation were observed in control treatment throughout the two growing seasons. In addition, 73% shading treatment produced the tallest plants and the highest number of leaves per plant and leaf area per plant. Moreover, flowering and chlorophyll in leaves were increased by application of short day treatment. Also, fruit characters such as average weight and number of fruits per plant were the highest values with 40% shading. Chemical components of fruits, i.e., T.S.S were increased with 73% shading treatment. When plants were grown under 40% shading treatment, followed by 73% shading, while cold storage for 72 h treatment gave the lowest values. Neither cultivars nor the interaction between cultivars and tested factors had any significant effects on many studied characters

J/psi couplings to charmed resonances and to pi

We present an evaluation of the strong couplings JD^(*)D^(*) and JD^(*)D^(*)pi by an effective field theory of quarks and mesons. These couplings are necessary to calculate pi+J/psi --> D^(*)+barD^(*) cross sections, an important background to the J/psi suppression signal in the quark-gluon plasma. We write down the general effective lagrangian and compute the relevant couplings in the soft pion limit and beyond.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, 2 reference added and minor comments, style changed to RevTe