CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF SUGAR SYRUP ON COLONY SIZE OF HONEYBEES, Apis mellifera adansonii Latreille (1804) (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE) IN ARTIFICIAL BEEHIVES

Cumulative effect of sugar syrup (nectar supplement) on colony size of honeybees, Apis mellifera adansonii Latreille (1804) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), in the Biological Garden of University of Lagos, was studied. The population density (colony size) of honeybees in each hive was monitored monthly for two years. In one treatment of two replicates, 0.1g/ml of sugar syrup was introduced using 350ml jar with the aid of wooden tray feeders, while the second treatment of another two replicates lacked sugar syrup. Colony size was estimated in each of the replicate using gravimetric method. The pattern of colony population of the honeybees fed with sugar syrup was similar to those without sugar syrup initially but unequal during most of the period of observation. The population size of the colonies fed with sugar syrup remained significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those that were not fed with sugar syrup after the first six months of the commencement of the study despite their similar pattern of fluctuation. The practical implication of this study was that regular feeding of sugar syrup at appropriate time to honeybee colonies for long duration (2 years) helped to sustain bee colonies with optimum population for nectar and pollens gathering from the wild against active season, hence increasing colony productivity during nectar flow period

Molecular detection of two cassava Begomoviruses in some parts of Southern Nigeria

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD), caused by an array of is the most economically important viral disease of cassava in sub-Saharan Africa. The most frequently reported in West Africa are African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMCV). In this study, 42 cassava leaves and 30 symptomatic weeds belonging to the Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae and Leguminosae families were collected from backyard gardens in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, and Delta States in 2009. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracts from these leaves were tested for ACMV and EACMCV in a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The PCR primers used were designed to amplify the replicase regions of DNA-A components of both viruses. Most of the cassava plants within the survey area were either symptomless or showed mild symptoms. ACMV was detected in 16% of cassava leaves from Edo State but not in any of the cassava leaves from the other three states. One weed sample each from Edo State (5.56%) and Ondo State (10%) were also positive for ACMV. EACMCV was not detected in any of the samples tested. The low virus occurrence observed from PCR results and the observed low incidence of the CMD characteristic mosaic symptoms on cassava leaves in the states sampled may be attributed to the use of CMD resistant or tolerant cassava varieties, and may be a result of the massive distribution of virus resistant cassava cuttings to these States by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

Modeling The Nigerian Stock Exchange Data Characterized with Heteroscedasticity Disturbances Using Bayesian Approach

The stock exchange plays a crucial role in influencing the development of a country’s economy and growth.. This paper examines the Nigerian Stock Exchange data in the presence of heteroscedasticity disturbances parameters of Nigerian Stock Exchange using a wide range of variables. The results indicate that Bayesian estimation is reliable since the parameter estimates are consistent. Finally, Bayesian estimation when heteroscedasticity structure is present performs better than the homoscedasticity counterpart. Keywords: Bayesian estimation, heteroscedasticity, homoscedasticity, prior, posterior distribution

One Step Continuous Hybrid Block Method for the Solution of y'''=f(x,y,y',y'')

In this paper, we present a block method for the direct solution of third order initial value problems of ordinary differential equations. Collocation and interpolation approach was adopted to generate a continuous linear multistep method which was then solved for the independent solution to give a continuous block method. We evaluated the result at selected grid points to give a discrete block which eventually gave simultaneous solutions at both grid and off grid points.  The one-step block method is consistent and A -stable, with good region of absolute stability. Experimental results confirmed the superiority of the new scheme over an existing method. Keywords: consistent, convergent, collocation, hybrid points, independent solution, interpolation, zero stabl

Sugar syrup as substitute for nectar: Effect on production and density of the honey bee Apis mellifera Adansonii (Hymenoptera: Apiidae) in artificial beehive

The effect of sugar syrup on colonies of Apis mellifera Adansonii (Hymenoptera: Apidae), in an apiary at University of Lagos, was studied and the colonies were monitored between Nov. 2001 and Oct. 2003. During this period, sugar syrup was administered as nectar substitute to Colonies A and B colonies C and D which lacked sugar syrup served as controls. In the 1st dry season (Nov.2001 – Apr. 2002), the production of colonies A and B were 35.0 kg and 30.5 kg and their population densities were 24,610 and 22,727 respectively, while the production of colonies C and D were 37.0 kg and 40.5 kg and the population densities were 27,040 and 29,790 respectively. In the 1st wet season (May 2002–Oct. 2002), colonies A and B weighed 24.5 kg and 22.5 kg, respectively, while their population densities were 25,360 and 23,810 respectively, Colonies C and D weighed 22.5 kg and 24.0 kg and their population densities were 15,846 and 22,500, respectively. Colonies A and B weighed 42.5 kg and 39.0 kg and had population density of 34,770 and 33,240 respectively in the 2nd dry season (Nov. 2002) – Apr. 2003). Colonies C and D had comparatively lower production (29.5 kg and 35.5 kg) and population densities (25,592 and 31,634 respectively). This study showed that administration of sugar syrup to colonies of A. mellifera Adansonii in wet season sustained more population of bees for foraging activities in the 2nd dry season. This significantly increases population and production in colonies A and B in the 2nd dry season

Studies on the life cycle and morphometrics of honeybees, Apis Mellifera adansonii (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in a Mangrove Area of Lagos, Nigeria

The life cycle of the honeybee, Apis mellifera adansonii, was studied in mangrove area by monitoring the developmental stages and morphology of the castes. It was observed that the fate of the eggs were predetermined at the onset leading to drones, queens or workers. It was also established that the three different castes (drone, queen and worker) exhibit similar patterns of complete metamorphoses. The mean developmental period of the drone from egg to adult stage was the longest (24.97±1.77 days, n = 60) followed by that of worker (20.22 ± 2.20 days, n = 60) and the queen (15.5 ± 2.08 days, n = 60) in that order. The body length and head capsule width varied within the different castes. The general pattern of the studied life cycle of A.mellifera adansonii in Mangrove area of Lagos is similar to A. mellifera scutellata and Africanized A. mellifera studied in other regions. It was concluded that the knowledge of the life cycle of A. mellifera adansonii by bee farmers in their locality may enhance their apicultural practices for better productivity

Quality evaluation of some honey samples from Lagos Nigeria

The quality of five samples of honey obtained from research bee farm (University of Lagos) and Tejuoso market, Lagos, was evaluated. 80 % of the samples exhibited proper maturity based on the low moisture content (17.20 + 0.43 %). The ash contents were within the limit allowed for floral honey (0.6%) and indicating the cleanliness of honey samples. Low hydroxymethylfurfural content (8.49 + 2.67 mg kg-l) and high diastase activity (18.62 + 3.83Go) indicated high level of freshness. The total acidity which was below 40 meq kg-l indicated absence of undesirable fermentation, while the pH (3.87 + 0.20) was within the recommended value. The Glucose, fructose and sucrose contents were 26.80 + 3.96 %, 38.88 + 0.83% and 1.59 + 0.63% respectively

Optical Nanoantennas for Multiband Surface-Enhanced Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy

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<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#252525;mso-ansi-language:EN-IN;mso-fareast-language:EN-IN;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-IN">Influence of <span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#0F0F0F;mso-ansi-language:EN-IN;mso-fareast-language:EN-IN;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-IN">nutritional <span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#3B3B3B;mso-ansi-language:EN-IN;mso-fareast-language:EN-IN;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-IN">supp<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#0F0F0F;mso-ansi-language:EN-IN;mso-fareast-language:EN-IN;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-IN">lements <span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#252525;mso-ansi-language:EN-IN;mso-fareast-language:EN-IN;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-IN">on keratinolysis by <i>Am</i><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:#4C4C4C;mso-ansi-language:EN-IN;mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;mso-bidi-language:HI" lang="EN-IN">yc<span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#252525;mso-ansi-language:EN-IN;mso-fareast-language:EN-IN;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-IN">olatopsis keratinophila</span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span>

870-874Keratinolytic potential of A. keratinophila (DSM 44409T) , a newly described  Amycolatopsis sp. isolated from cultivated soil in Kuwait, was demonstrated using keratinazure as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen as estimated by gel diffusion assay . Effects of 12 various nutritional supplements on the keratinolytic and azocollytic activities were determined .NH4H2PO4 and KNO3 in the medium supported a significantly higher keratinolytic activity than other supplements. However, azocollytic activities in all the supplemented media and the control were same. Best combination of carbon and nitrogen supplements (galactose and NH4H2PO4 respectively) used to evaluate the dynamics of growth and enzymes (keratinase and protease) activities of the isolate revealed a luxuriant growth with optimal keratinolytic activity occurring during the log phase. Other parameters of the fermentation medium, including pH, biomass accumulation, total protein and free amino acid concentrations were also studied

Computation of Gamma Buildup Factors and Heavy Ions Penetrating Depths in Clay Composite Materials Using Phy-X/PSD, EXABCal and SRIM Codes

Most investigations of the gamma-shielding abilities of materials are often based on the Beer-Lambert law including recent studies on clay-polyethylene composites. The findings are usually silent on the secondary radiation effects that commonly occur due to photon buildup, known as Energy Absorption Buildup Factor (EABF) and Exposure Buildup Factor (EBF). In this work, the computation of EABF and EBF in the region of energy 0.015&ndash;15 MeV at different penetration depths or mean free paths up to 40 mfp&mdash;and simulation of 100 keV of Cs and Sr ion-penetration profiles of clay&ndash;polyethylene composites (A&ndash;G) containing 0&ndash;30 wt% low density polyethylene (LPDE)&mdash;was carried out. The buildup factors computation was performed using Phy-X/PSD and EXABCal codes, and the ion-penetrating profile was studied using a Monte Carlo simulation code called Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM). The EABF and EBF values are functions of the photon energy and the penetration depth. In the region of intermediate energy, the EABF and EBF values are higher for each of the samples. For a given mfp, the peak value of either EBF or EABF of each sample increases with LDPE wt% in the clay matrix. The projected range of both Cs and Sr ions in the samples decreased with increasing sample bulk densities, with Cs having a higher projected range than Sr in all the samples. The Cs and Sr ions have the lowest respective projected ranges in sample A (of bulk density 2.03 g&middot;cm&minus;3; 0 wt% of LDPE), while the highest projected ranges were recorded in sample G (of bulk density 1.34 g&middot;cm&minus;3; with 30 wt% of LDPE), respectively. This study reaffirmed the suitability of clay composite for gamma-ray shielding applications; however, it may not yet be ready to be used as a backfill material to mitigate the migration of fission products present in radioactive nuclear wastes