The relationship between canopy width, height and trunk size in some tree species growing in the Savana zone of Nigeria

In this study, the relationships between canopy – width, height and trunk size of the following tree species growing in Kano (12oN, 8.5 – 8.7oE), a town located in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Northern Nigeria were examined: Parkia biglobosa, (Jacq-Benth), Khaya senegalensis (A. Juss), Eucalyptus species, Adansonia digitata (Linn). Cassia siamea (Lam), Azadirachta indica (A. Juss), Delonix regia (Boj, ex Hook) and Acacia nilotica (Linn). Twenty trees of each species ensured to be free from obvious ecological disturbances were selected for the study. Analyses of the data obtained indicate that, with the exception of Eucalyptus sp. and A. digitata, the relationship between height and trunk size is linear. A linear relationship between canopy width and trunk size was also observed in the eight tree species studied, except A. digitata. The canopy width/height study showed a linear relationship in all the tree species. The results are discussed in the context of their adaptive significance and use in determining suitability of the trees for afforestation, forest regeneration and establishment of shelter belts to arrest desertification

State of sorghum downy mildew in maize in the Sudan and sahel savanna agro-ecological zones of Nigeria

The incidence, distribution and prevalence of downy mildew in maize were investigated during the 2008 growing season following a planned–two time survey across the Sudan and the Sahel savanna agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. The occurrence of the disease was investigated in 102 and 120 farmers’ fields in 34 and 40 locations in the first and second surveys respectively. Average incidence (%) of the disease was obtained from a sample of 100 plants each from three farms per stop; each farm representing a replicate. Simple random sampling technique was employed in the selection of plants. Results of the survey have revealed that 20 out of the 34 locations visited during the first survey had maize with early symptoms of the disease while only 4 out of the 40 locations visited in the second survey was having the symptoms of the disease. The incidence of the disease was 8.20% and 1.12%, in the first and second survey respectively and therefore significantly different (p>0.05) indicating that the disease was more prevalent at seedling than at grain filling stage which is an indication of the absence of certified, sorghum downy mildew (SDM) free seeds in most of the regions surveyed. The incidence was also higher in the Sudan than in the Sahel savanna (16.28% and 3.28% first and second visits respectively). This might be probably because of differences in climate of the two zones and the fact that maize was grown more in the Sudan than in the Sahel savanna zone. Although the incidence was generally low, proper measures should be taken to avoid unexpected epidemic of the disease in the future

Development of a Pseudo-Closed Loop Solar Collector Sun Tracking System with Optimized Set-Point Paths for Flat Plate Payload

This paper provides the theoretical framework for the development of a pseudo-closed loop solar tracking system incorporating a microcontroller for a flat payload, where the outputs of the system (the slope and the azimuth angles of the payload) are observed and the set-points for the system are to be optimally computed by the microcontroller. It also presents, from literature, the equations and models solar angles and incident angles for the development of the optimum set point path for the tracking, and gives the outline of the signal flow plan, as well as the corresponding flowchart, for the tracking system’s components interaction. The concept would provide a cheaper and simpler alternative to dual axis solar tracking incorporating solar sensors. The models presented here are adaptable to any geographical location in Nigeria and globally

Offshore Topside Rotating Packed Bed as Process Intensified Alternative for Natural Gas Sweetening and Dehydration

This work is aimed at investigating the benefits of replacing conventional process unit operations with process intensified ones in offshore applications. This ensures that better use is made of raw materials, lower energy consumption and a reduced plant volume was achieved. Specifically, a rotating packed bed technology has been used for gas dehydration and sweetening. To achieve the aim of this study, a process intensification approach is used to redesign mature absorption processes to more compact and efficient one. Process simulation using Aspen Hysys was carried out for Triethylene glycol dehydration and monoethanolamine sweetening. More than 36-fold absorption unit size reduction was achieved thereby effecting large decrease in capital and operating costs compared to the conventional packed columns currently utilized in the offshore oil and gas industry. The process intensified technologies therefore can be deployed for offshore applications where space and size considerations are of utmost importance

New-onset diabetes after renal transplantation: A case series as seen in a Nigerian kidney transplant population

New-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) is an important metabolic complication of transplantation because of its associated morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for NODAT include those known to cause diabetes mellitus in non-transplant patients as well as transplant-specific factors. This study was aimed at illustrating the presentationand management of NODAT in three kidney transplant recipients in our center and reviewing the literature. To our knowledge, this is the first report from Nigeria. Two of the patients were males of ages 60 and 36 years, respectively, while the third was a female aged 25 years. They were all receiving prednisolone, two were on tacrolimus, and one was on cyclosporine as part of their immunosuppressive regimens. They developed NODAT at varying times post transplant, ranging from 3 months to 6 years. Two patients were managed with oral hypoglycemic agents and one with insulin. One patient died of hemorrhagic stroke. We conclude that NODAT occurred in our kidney transplant recipients and recommend that physicians should have a high index of suspicion in order to make an early diagnosis and institute appropriate management to reduce morbidity and mortality.Key words: New-onset diabetes, Nigerians, renal transplan

Influence of Periodic Administration of Garlic Extract on Blood Parameters of Grazing Lambs

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of periodic  administration of garlic extract drench on haematology and serum biochemistry of grazing lambs. Twelve West African dwarf sheep with an average weight of 12.00 ±0.77 kg were allotted to 3 treatment groups with 4 animals per group in a completely randomized design which lasted for 10 weeks. Treatment 1 (T1) served as control with no garlic extract, Treatment (T2) were given 5ml garlic extract weekly and Treatment T3 received 5ml garlic extract every 2 weeks. Results of haematological analysis showed that PCV significantly (P<0.05) differs among treatment groups while RBC, MCV, WBC, LYM and GRA all show no significant (P>0.05) difference. The lowest PCV of 19.68% was observed in T1 while T2 recorded the highest PCV of 29.68%. The results from serum biochemical indices shows that cholesterol and ALT differ significantly (P<0.05) among treatment groups while total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, urea and AST all show no significant (P>0.05) difference among treatment means. The lowest serum cholesterol value of 0.78 was observed in T2 while the control group  recorded the highest value of 1.30. The study suggests that garlic extract could be used to reduce the level of serum cholesterol in grazing lamb thereby improving meat quality.Keywords: Garlic Extract, West African Dwarf Sheep, Haematology, Biochemistry

Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica among patients with gastroenteritis attending some selected hospitals in Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State

Background: Amoebiasis is a cosmopolitan infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica and ranks third among parasitic infections that lead to death especially in children. Clinical features of amoebiasis range from asymptomatic colonization of amoebic colitis (dysentery or diarrhoea) and invasive extra intestinal amoebiasis, which is manifested most commonly in the form of liver abscesses. Aim: The prevalence of E. histolytica infection in patients having gastroenteritis attending three selected hospitals in Zaria, Kaduna state was studied using direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration method. The hospitals were Hajiya Gambo Sawaba General Hospital Kofan Gayan (Gambo Sawaba), Major Ibrahim B. Abdullahi Memorial Hospital Sabon Gari, Zaria (Limi hospital) and University Health Services ABU Zaria (Sick Bay). Methods: One hundred and forty stool samples from gastroenteritis patients of all ages attending the selected hospitals were examined for E. histolytica trophozoites/cysts via direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration method. Results: Eight samples were positive giving an overall prevalence of 5.71%. Highest prevalence (10.4%) was obtained from patients attending Gambo Sawaba Hospital. The prevalence of 2.4% and 4.0% were recorded among gastroenteritis patients attending Limi Hospital and University (A.B.U, Zaria) health service respectively. With respect to age, the prevalence (11.4%) was highest in the age group 11-15 (years) followed by 6-10 years with prevalence of 6.38%. However, none of the socio-demographic factors examined showed significant statistical association (P>0.05)

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Fourier Transformed Infra-Red analysis of Senna occidentalis root

Senna occidentalis Linn is a member of the Fabaceae family (Leguminosae family). Different parts of the plant have been used in Hausa traditional medicine to treat various ailments ranging from microbial infections, jaundice and body weakness to fevers. The roots, leaves, flowers and seeds have been employed in herbal medicine around the world in various treatments. Senna occidentalis root was extracted using distilled water and methanol and was used to carry out phytochemical screening which revealed the presence of carbohydrates, monosaccharides, reducing sugars, combined reducing sugars, tannins, free anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, glycosides, terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids. Fractionation of the methanol extract was done with four different solvents. The ethyl acetate fraction was further used for thin layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography (CC) and the sub-fractions obtained were coded ARE-GRE. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was performed on ARE sub-fraction where fifteen different phytochemical compounds were identified. Fourier Transformed-Infra Red (FT-IR) analysis also showed sixteen peaks of different shapes and wavelengths. The presence of these phytochemicals in the roots of the plant could justify its use in traditional medicine to treat antimicrobial infections and other diseases

Karyomorphotypic variation in Eriospermum abyssinicum Baker

The karyomorphology of the cotton seed lily, Eriospermum abyssinicum Baker (family Eriospermaceae) was investigated through mitotic and meiotic studies. The chromosome complement was karyotypically analysed based on chromosome arm ratio and centromeric indices. The somatic chromosome complement of 2n = 24 recorded at metaphase I and the 12 bivalents at prophase I of meiosis suggested x = 6 basic chromosome number and paleopolyploidization process in the evolution of this species. There was no evidence of B chromosome or nucleolar-organizer in the complements. Variation in position of centromere ranged from the median to sub-median and sub-terminal. We found slight variation between some homologues in terms of lengths which suggest hybrid origin (allopolyploidy) of the genome. The microspore mother cell had normal meiosis with subsequent formation of 4 daughter nuclei and normal spores suggesting that the changes in chromosome behaviour occurred at very low frequency and these changes were transient with no evidence of phenotypic and genomic instability (aneuploidy) consequences. It was therefore inferred that the population of E. abyssinicum studied might have evolved through changes in chromosome structure or through natural hybridisation between closely related populations.Key words: Eriospermum abyssinicum, lily, chromosome, karyotype