On the fuzzy nature of constructed algebraic structure

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Effect of neem fertilizer rates and weed control methods on the growth and yield of soybeans (Glycine max (L.) merrill) in north Central Nigeria

Two field experiments were conducted at the Research Farm of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State during the 2018 and 2019 rainy seasons to determine the effect of neem fertilizer rates and weed control methods on the growth and yields of soybeans. The experimental treatments were made up of four neem fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1) and six weed control methods (pendimethalin at 1.5 kg a.i ha-1 followed by one hoe weeding, pendimethalin at 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1 followed by diuron at 1.5 kg a.i ha-1, weeding once at 3 WAS, weeding twice at 3 and 6 WAS, weed free and weedy check. The experiment was a 3 × 3 factorial experiment laid out in a Randomize complete block design replicated three times. TGX 1448 – 2E variety of soybean was used for the study. Result showed that weed control efficiency was better with the use of 150 kg ha-1 of neem fertilizer, while decrease in weed dry matter was obtained at 50 kg ha-1. Increase in number of leaves and leaf area were encouraged with 150 kg ha-1 of neem fertilizer. Weed free treatments recorded the highest grain yield and 100 seed weight of soybean. Pendimethalin at 1.5 or 2.0 kg a.i ha-1 supplemented with one hoe weeding or diuron at 1.5 kg a.i ha-1 respectively can be an alternative for better control of weeds to obtain greater yield of soybean in the study area

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

A review of tannery effluent treatment. International Journal of Applied Science and Mathematical Theory.

In the recent time, there have been several new improvements in the tannery effluents treatment. The pressure from environmental bodies to adopt cleaner technologies of tannery effluents treatments and hazardous nature of the effluents has become imperative. These effluents normally contained components such as organic, inorganic, (i.e. nitrogenous compounds, sulphide, and chromium), large quantities of solid waste, dissolve solid, and suspended solid. Discoveries of advanced methods of the effluent treatments have become an area of concern worldwide as individuals, communities, industries and nations are trying to find most viable and economical treatment/methods available and appropriate to be used. This paper reviews the development of trends of treatment methods and technological advancement for pollution control from effluents discharge from tannery. Thus; the paper covers various advanced methods of effluent treatments from physical, chemical, to biological or combination of these methods. From this review it shows that the combination methods give satisfactory results compared to other types of effluent treatment processes

Ascent on Non-Deranged Permutation Group

Some further theoretic properties of the scheme called  non-deranged permutation Group, especially in relation to Ascent were identified and studied in this paper. This was done by first computations on this scheme using prime numbers. A recursion formula for generating the Ascent number, union of Ascent set, Ascent bottom sum and Ascent top sum was developed and used, these numbers were used to identify theoretic consequences

Influence of Metronidazole on the Pharmacokinetics of Metformin in Type II Diabetic Patients

Infection is common in diabetes and metronidazole is often co-administered with metformin. This study is therefore to examine the influence of concomitant administration 400 mg dose metronidazole tablet with (2x500mg) metformin on pharmacokinetic parameters of metformin in type II diabetic Patients. The approval for the research was granted by the Ethical Committee of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria. Six Type II diabetic patients with age ranging from 25-55 years, weight from 50-70 kg took part in the study. Each of the six patients received the following treatment at two weeks intervals; Metformin tablet (1gm alone and concomitantly with 400 mg metronidazole tablets. Blood samples were collected at interval of 0 to 8 hours and stored at -40C before analysis. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was adopted, modified and validated to measure the plasma levels of metformin in the samples. Samples were chromatographed on Agilent Technologies 1120 Compact LG model of HPLC, on column Eclipse x BD C-8,4.6 x 150 nm for metformin with mobile phase acetonitrile: potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (79:21) with flow rate of 1.50 mL/min, using UV detector. The results obtained altered the pharmacokinetic parameters of metformin significantly. The highest plasma concentration increased from 1140.43±0.52 to 1326.67±0.4 ng/ml at Tmax 3.0 hours, with increase in area under the plasma concentration – time curve from 4388.81±0.52 to 5361.84±0.80 ng/ml/h. Significant decrease in volume of distribution from 333852.19±0.87  to 313, 061.43 ± 0.02ml was also observed. The results showed that metronidazole has potentiation effect on the disposition of metformin when concomitant administered to type II diabetic patients. Diabetic patients who require metronidazole needs adjustment of dosage regimen to avoid the risk of toxicity

Influence of ampicllin/cloxacilin combination on pharmacokinetics of metformin in type II diabetic patients

Infection is common in diabetes and ampicillin/cloxacillin combination (Ampiclox®) is often coadministered with metformin. The study examined the influence of concomitant administration of a single dose of (2 x 500 mg) capsules of Ampiclox with (2 x 500 mg) metformin on the pharmacokinetics of the latter in Type II diabetic patients. The approval for the research was granted by the Ethical Committee of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria. Six Type II diabetic patients with ages ranging from 25 - 55 years, weight from 50-70 kg took part in the study. Each of the six patients received the following treatments at two weeks intervals: 1 gm of metformin tablets alone and concomitantly with Ampiclox capsules. Blood samples were collected at intervals of 0 to 8 h and stored at -40C before analysis. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was adopted, modified and validated to measure the plasma levels of metformin in the samples. Samples were chromatographed on Agilent Technologies 1120 Compact LG model of HPLC, on column Eclipse x BD C-8,4.6 x 150 nm for metformin with mobile phase acetonitrile: potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (79:21), using UV detector. The results obtained from the study indicated a statistically significant (P < 0.5) increase in the plasma concentration (Cmax) of metformin from 1140.43±0.52 to 1,379.55±0.4 ng/ml at Tmax 3.0 h, AUC0- 8hrs from 4388.81±0.52 to 5179.71±0.80 ng/ml/hr and elimination half-life t1/2β from 3.8 to 5.1 hr-1. Statistically significant decrease in volume of distribution from 333,852.19.28 ± 0.27 to 283,061 ± 0.02 ml was also recorded. Ampiclox must have inhibited the renal secretion of metformin resulting in higher circulating plasma concentrations. Patients on metformin who require Ampiclox , need therefore to be monitored to avoid therapeutic failure.Keywords: Ampiclox®, Diabetes, HPLC, Metformin, Pharmacokinetic

Symmetries of rhotrix using Aunu permutation pattern

This study deals with connection between rhotrices and Aunu permutation patterns. The features of rhotrices and Aunu permutations patterns are observed. A relationship between Aunu permutation patterns and rhotrices is established for a case where n is a prime number equal to 5. It is also observed that the heart of the rhotrix is necessarily 1 everywhere. The derivation of the Aunu permutation pattern from the rhotrix starts from the heart of the rhotrix to the upward direction; from upward direction to the left and to the right of the heart, and finally to the buttom of the heart. When the rhotrix is rotated at right angle, a semigroup is obtained. Embedding an identity element into the semigroup again produces a Carley group. Keywords: Rhotrices, Aunu permutation patterns, semigroup, carley group, derivation of Aunu permutation patterns

Assessment of the impact of crop management strategies on the yield of early-maturing maize varieties in the drylands of Niger Republic: Application of the DSSAT-CERES-Maize model

Maize is increasingly becoming important in Niger for use as food and feed. Production is however, faced with several abiotic and biotic constraints. Researchers have developed early-maturing maize varieties that are tolerant to drought, the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica and diseases that fit into the short growing production environment. The evaluation and deployment of these varieties would, however, involve costly and time-consuming field trials across the maize production zones of the country. The CERES-Maize model was applied to assess the performance of two early-maturing maize varieties under varying planting windows and nitrogen application in three agroecological zones of the country. The model was calibrated with datasets collected from field trials conducted under optimal conditions (supplementary irrigation and full nutrient supply) at three locations in northern Nigeria. The model was validated with independent data set obtained from field trials conducted in 2020 and 2021 at 4 locations in the Republic of Niger under rainfed conditions. For each variety the treatments were five nitrogen (N) rates (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha−1). The results from model calibration and validation revealed that the model accurately reproduced the observed value for days to flowering, physiological maturity, aboveground dry biomass and grain yield with low nRMSE (0.4–12.7%) and high d-index (0.70–0.99) for both varieties. The long-term simulation results (1985–2020) showed that the maize performance was dependent on location, planting window and nitrogen rates. The variety 2014 TZE-Y yielded higher than Brico in all locations for all treatments because it takes longer to mature and accumulate higher dry matter and have higher number of kernels. Simulated yields were generally higher in the Sudan savanna agroecological zone than in the other zones because of higher rainfall and higher clay content of the soil in this zone. The response to N application was influenced by planting window in each agroecological zone. With the exception of two sites, grain yield declined with planting beyond July 14 (PW3) and response to N was not significant beyond this date in the Sudan savanna agroecological zone. Grain yield declined with planting beyond July 7 in the Sahel and Sudan Sahel agroecological zones. There was no further response to N beyond 30 and 60 kg N ha−1 when planting is delayed beyond July 7 in the Sahel and Sahel-Sudan agroecological zones, respectively