YOUTHS, DIGITAL INCLUSION AND LIBRARIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract This paper examined youth inclusion in the digital space as anchored by libraries to bring about sustainable development in Nigeria. It also focused on the positive and negative uses of ICT and the potentials of the digital sector in contributing to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the empowerment of the youths. It concluded that digital inclusion of the youth will guarantee our future and the sustenance of the economy and made recommendations in that direction

Solid–gaseous phase transformation of elemental contaminants during the gasification of biomass

Disposal of plant biomass removed from heavy metal contaminated land via gasification achieves significant volume reduction and can recover energy. However, these biomass often contain high concentrations of heavy metals leading to hot-corrosion of gasification facilities and toxic gaseous emissions. Therefore, it is of significant interest to gain a further understanding of the solid–gas phase transition of metal(loid)s during gasification. Detailed elemental analyses (C, H, O, N and key metal/metalloid elements) were performed on five plant species collected from a contaminated site. Using multi-phase equilibria modelling software (MTDATA), the analytical data allows modelling of the solid/gas transformation of metal(loid)s during gasification. Thermodynamic modelling based on chemical equilibrium calculations was carried out in this study to predict the fate of metal(loid) elements during typical gasification conditions and to show how these are influenced by metal(loid) composition in the biomass and operational conditions. As, Cd, Zn and Pb tend to transform to their gaseous forms at relatively low temperatures ( 1200 °C). Simulation of pressurised gasification conditions shows that higher pressures increase the temperature at which solid-to-gaseous phase transformations takes place.The authors wish to thank the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for the financial support to carry out this work through grant number EP/K026216/1 (Cleaning Land for Wealth) and a SUPERGEN Bioenergy Hub Small Grant

Influence of Variation in the Composition of Fine Aggregate on the Properties of Sandcrete Blocks

Sandcrete block is predominantly used for the construction of walls.  Sandcrete block is made from a mixture of cement and fine aggregate (sharp sand). This study investigates the influence of variation in the composition of fine aggegate on the properties of sandcrete block. Laboratory experiments were conducted on the materials used as well as on the hollow sandcrete block samples. A total of 120 sandcrete block samples were produced using cement and sharp sand at different mix ratios of 1:6 or 1:8 mixes, as well as mixes containing partial replacement of sharp sand with fine sand or granite dust at 1:6:2, 1:5:3 and 1:4:4 by volume. Result revealed that the compressive strength at 21 and 28 days curing age for 1:6 mixes are 3.87 N/mm2 and 4.17 N/mm2 respectivelyand for the 1:8 mixes are 2.81 N/mm2 and 2.95 N/mm2 respectively. For cement, sharp sand and fine sand constituents of 1:6:2, 1:5:3 and 1:4:4; the compressive strength at 28 days curing is 2.24 N/mm2, 1.72 N/mm2 and 2.5 N/mm2 respectively. Similarly, for cement, sharp sand and granite dust constituents, 28 days compressive strength are 2.13 N/mm2, 1.61 N/mm2 and 1.42 N/mm2 respectively. The study recommends appropriate mix proportion for sandcrete block constituents to avoid huge lifecycle maintenance cost

Study on the phytochemical and invitro antibacterial activity of some spice extracts on some bacteria isolated from meat products

The invitro activity of ethanolic and water extracts of some spices on some bacteria isolated from kilishi (a traditional meat snack) was investigated by disc diffusion method. Disc concentrations of 10, 100, 1000, 2000 and 3000μg were used. The result showed that the ethanolic extract of ginger was active against Salmonella at disc concentrations of 100, 1000, 2000 and 3000μg, with zone diameters of 8, 19, 26 and 30mm respectively. The ethanolic extract of cloves was active against Salmonella spp at disc concentrations of 10, 100, 1000, 2000 and 3000μg, with zone diameters of 13, 24, 25, 26 and 26mm respectively. The ethanolic extract of West African Black pepper was active against Salmonella spp at disc concentrations of 10, 100, 1000, 2000 and 3000μg, with zone diameters of 12, 14, 20, 22 and 23mm respectively. The ethanolic extract of pepper was active against Staph aureus at disc concentrations of 10, 100, 1000, 2000 and 3000μg, with zone diameters of 11, 12, 16, 22 and 34mm respectively. The ethanolic extract of cloves was active against at Staph aureus at disc concentrations of 10, 100, 1000, 2000 and 3000μg, with zone diameters of 12, 13, 13, 17 and 22mm respectively. There was no activity on E. coli. The mixture of all the extracts however was not active on all the test organisms at the above mentioned disc concentrations. Each of the extracts contains atleast three of such secondary metabolites as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, reducing sugars and steroids. It could be recommended that bioactivity of spices should not be relied upon in the reduction of microbial populations of meat products. The ethanolic fractions of the spices should be put to further pharmacological in vivo tests to elucidate their potency, toxicity and efficacy. Key words: Phytochemical, bioactivity, spices, bacterial isolates, kilishi

REPOSITIONING LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA’S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM FOR GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS

ABSTRACT This paper gives national and international perspectives of librarianship and examined the repositioning of libraries in Nigeria’s educational system to make them competitive in line with global best practices. Library leadership, training and curriculum content for professionalism and funding were looked at as devices for competitiveness vis-à-vis international university standards. Recommendations were made for leadership training and review of library school curriculums to reflect new trends in librarianship as well as promotion of reading culture, among others, for global competitiveness

Antibacterial Activity and Identification of Bioactive Compounds in Extracts of Garlic cloves and Lemon juice by GC-MS Analysis

The search for alternative regimens to treatment of infectious diseases as well as the increase in antibiotic resistance by pathogens has prompted continuous efforts towards discovery of new drugs. In this study, crude aqueous and acetone extracts of garlic cloves and lemon juice were obtained. The extracts were tested against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial activity was determined by agar well diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton Agar plates. All extracts showed inhibitory action against the bacterium with acetone extracts having higher activity than the aqueous extracts. The acetone extracts were further fractionated using solvent – solvent extraction and retested on the bacterium. The bioactive compounds that lead to the antibacterial activity of the fractions of the extracts were identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis where 2,5-Furandione and dihydro-3-methylene were identified in garlic cloves fraction as main compounds with other 8 compounds in trace quantity while 11-Octadecenoic acid methyl ester, Oleic acid and n-Hexadecanoic acid were identified in lemon juice fraction as main compounds with 6 other compounds in trace quantity. These findings claim capacity and future use of these compounds for new drug development. The future work will be to determine toxicity, side effects and pharmaco-kinetic properties of the compounds. Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Garlic cloves, Lemon juice, GC-MS analysis, bioactive compounds

Screening and Improvement of Local Isolates of Aspergillus Niger for Citric Acid Production

The study involved the screening of fourteen isolates of Aspergillus niger for citric acid production from glucose. The study was aimed at screening and improving local strains of Aspergillus niger with potential for citric acid production. All the isolates screened produced varying amounts of citric acid, the highest was by the isolate designated CP3 which produced 12.81g/l and the least was B11 and O12 which produced 3.42g/l all after 6 days of submerged fermentation. The isolate CP3 was chosen for further studies. Strain improvement studies which was based on exposure of CP3 to ultraviolet irradiation for 10, 30 and 45 minutes increased citric acid yield to 22.20g/l (48.89% increase) by mutant M45 followed by a citric acid yield of 16.22g/l by the 30 minutes mutant (M30) and the least being M10 which produced 13.66g/l in all cases after 6 days of fermentation. The mutant (M45) also yielded higher amount of citric acid (19.64g/l) without methanol as additive compared to the parent strain (CP3) which gave a citric acid of 14.94g/l with the addition of methanol after six days (144h) of fermentation in both cases. Finding from this study showed that all the isolates have potential for citric acid production.Keywords: Isolation, Screening, Improvement, Aspergillus niger, Citric aci

The effect of the interaction of various spawn grains with different culture medium on carpophore dry weights and stipe and pileus diameters of Lentinus squarrosulus

Lentinus squarrosulus, an indigenous mushroom specie commonly found growing on dead logs in the Zaria environ of Kaduna State was cultured on six different medium which were inoculated separately with three different spawn grains and amended with six different oils at five different rates. The interaction of spawn grains x culture medium had a highly significant effect on carpophore dry weight and stipe and pileus diameters of L. squarrosulus. The results reveal that the interaction of millet spawn x animal bedding and rice medium induced the widest stipe diameter while the interaction of corn spawn x animal bedding and rice medium induced the heaviest carpophore dry weight as well as the widest pileus diameter. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (7), pp. 615-619, 200

Serological evaluation of protective immunity against tetanus in pregnant women attending some rural hospitals in Kano state, northern Nigeria

A study on serological evaluation of protective immunity in pregnant women against tetanus was conducted in two rural hospitals in Kano State, northern Nigeria using immuno-electrophoresis and indirect haemmagglutination techniques. A total of sixty (thirty from each hospital) pregnant women (aged 11-45 years) were used to assess their level of protection against tetanus. Details on client’s age, socio-economic status and number of tetanus toxoid injections received during antenatal visits were obtained using structured questionnaire method. Blood samples were collected and analysed for serum and anti-tetanus antibodies as well as the total protein content. The titre values obtained were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA to see the effects of age, socio-economic status and number of tetanus toxoid injections received on the mean percentage and concentration of albumin, Ig-A, Ig-G and the total proteins of the subjects. Results obtained showed that the highest percentage and concentration of serum albumin recorded throughout the study period were 73.05 ± 9.16% and 55.30 ± 4.97 g/dl at Tiga Dam and Gaya General Hospitals respectively. The highest levels of serum Ig-A were 18.50 ± 1.53% and 13.85 ± 1.21 g/dl both at Gaya. Similarly, the highest levels of serum Ig-G were 15.21 ± 25.81% and 11.55 ± 3.57 g/dl both at Gaya while the highest value of the total protein recorded was 80.23 ± 0.83 g/dl at Tiga. Results of the indirect haemmagglutination analysis indicated that the highest and lowest titre values were 1:922 and 1:13 HU/ml respectively. It was generally observed that age, socio-economic status and number of toxoid tetanus injections demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) influence on the levels of serum albumin, Ig-A, Ig-G and the total proteins. Similarly, clients with more than three injections of tetanus toxoid were observed to elicit higher (P < 0.05) antibody response as compared to those who did not receive any injection (P > 0.05)

Creating value for whom? Digitization and governance practices of nontraditional export firms in Africa

The nontraditional export (NTE) sector promises to be the antidote to Africa's economic woes in the face of dwindling traditional exports. Adopting Porter's Value Chain Framework and a case study design, we explore how alcoholic beverage companies in the African NTE sector could create value in their upstream, midstream, and downstream value chain activities through effective governance and digitization. In exploring these intricacies of governance and digitization within African global value chains (GVCs), we draw on two major case studies, Diageo South Africa and Kasapreko Ghana Limited. Our study shows that the NTE sector can contribute to both economic and social upgrading activities, contribute to industrialization and create international competitiveness for African firms. Second, GVC governance and digitization, even though still at its infant stages in Africa, has the potential to propel economic value through the NTE sector