Spectrophotometric determination of nitrate in vegetables using phenol

A rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of nitrate in vegetables is described. The method is based on the measurement of the absorbance of yellow sodium nitrophenoxide formed via the reaction of phenol with the vegetable-based nitrate in presence of sulphuric acid. The analytical concentration of the acid has marked effect on the nitrate determined. The colour development was rapid and remained stable overnight. Analysis of six vegetable samples containing nitrate gave satisfactory mean recoveries of 76 to 123% in 18 determinations. The proposed method is reproducible and sensitive to lower level concentrations. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 10(1) 2006: 79-8

Medium term load demand forecast of Kano zone using neural network algorithms

Electricity load forecasting refers to projection of future load requirements of an area or region or country through appropriate use of historical load data. One of several challenges faced by the Nigerian power distribution sectors is the overloaded power distribution network which leads to poor voltage distribution and frequent power outages. Accurate load demand forecasting is a key in addressing this challenge. This paper presents a comparison of generalized regression neural network (GRNN), feed-forward neural network (FFNN) and radial basis function neural network for medium term load demand estimation. Experimental data from Kano electricity distribution company (KEDCO) were used in validating the models. The simulation results indicated that the neural network models yielded promising results having achieved a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of less than 10% in all the considered scenarios. The generalization capability of FFNN is slightly better than that of RBFNN and GRNN model. The models could serve as a valuable and promising tool for the forecasting of the load demand

Gender Differentials and Adoption of Drought Tolerant Maize Varieties among Farmers in Northern Nigeria

This study examined gender differences in farmer’s adoption of drought tolerant maize (DTM) varieties in Northern Nigeria. Specifically, it described the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers by gender; determined their rate of adoption of the DTM varieties; and analysed the factors affecting the rate of adoption of the varieties. The study was conducted in seven: Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, and Kwara states of Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 946 respondents, comprising 626 males and 320 females. Data were collected with the use of a survey questionnaire that contained questions on respondent’s socio- economic characteristics such as age, years of schooling, household size, farm size, access to credit, level of awareness and adoption of DTM varieties and extension contact, among others. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and probit regression model. The results for the entire respondents showed average values of 46 years for age, seven years for year of schooling, 11 for household size, 6.93 for farm size and 5.7 ha for land area allocated to maize, with a significant difference (p<0.05) between male and female farmers for each of the variables. The adoption rate of DTM was 56.3% on the average in the entire sample with a significant difference (p<0.05) between male (61.8%) and female farmers (53.5%). The determinants of adoption of DTM varieties for both male and female farmers were access to credit, participation in field days, household size, fertilizer application, source of seeds and level of awareness of the variety, specific to male farmers was land area allocated to maize and number of livestock while source of information about the DTM variety was specific to female famers. It was concluded that policy strategies aimed at improving the uptake of DTM varieties must consider equality in male and female farmers’ access to basic resources, such as credit, land, labour, and participation in different meetings. Keywords: Gender, Drought tolerant, Maize varieties, Adoption, Nigeria.

Gender Differentials in the Adoption of Drought-Tolerant Maize Varieties among Farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana

This study examined gender differences in farmers’ adoption of drought-tolerant maize (DTM) varieties in northern region of Ghana. Specifically, it described the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers by gender; determined their rate of adoption of the DTM varieties; and analyzed the factors affecting the rate of adoption of the varieties. The study was conducted in the Northern region of Ghana. Simple random sampling technique was used to obtain data from 600 respondents, comprising 551 males and 49 females. Data were collected with the use of a survey questionnaire that contained questions on respondents’ socio-economic characteristics such as age, years of schooling, household size, farm size, access to credit, level of awareness and adoption of DTM varieties and extension contact, among others. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and probit regression model. The results for the entire respondents showed average values of 49.75 years for age, 10.8 for household size, with a significant difference (p<0.05) between male and female farmers for each of the variables. Average farm size of 3.38 ha, with a significant difference (p<0.01) between male and female farmers for the variables. The adoption rate of DTM was 13.3% in the entire sample with a significant difference (p<0.05) between male (13.4%) and female farmers (12.2%). The determinants of adoption of DTM varieties for both male and female farmers were age of the household head, education, source of seed, and level of awareness, specific to male farmers was educational status of the respondents while farm size was specific to female famers. It was concluded that policy strategies aimed at improving the uptake of DTM varieties must consider equality in male and female farmers’ access to resources such as credit, labour and land. Keywords: Gender, Drought-tolerant, Maize varieties, Adoption, Ghana. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-20-04 Publication date:October 31st 202

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): an updated systematic review of psychometric properties

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is an instrument used to screen for alcohol-related problems. It has been increasingly used in many different countries in both the original English-language version and its many translated versions. Because of the need for screening instruments of faster administration, shortened versions of the AUDIT have also been developed. This study was aimed at expanding the work by Berner and colleagues (2007) in an attempt to answer some remaining questions as well as to identify and evaluate studies on the validation of modified versions of the AUDIT, which have not been previously analyzed. In order to do so, we identified indexed articles published between 2002 and 2009 related to the psychometric qualities of the AUDIT by matching the keywords: alcohol, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and AUDIT. We found 47 articles that evaluated the AUDIT in different countries and in diverse health and community contexts, involving adolescent, adult, and elderly samples. The studies confirmed the validity and efficiency of the AUDIT in the identification of harmful use, abuse, and dependence of alcohol, both in the original version and in modified ones. The possibility of using brief and efficient versions is of great value, since certain health contexts demand faster assessment. The results also showed that the reduced versions have satisfactory psychometric qualities, sometimes with sensitivity values higher than those of the AUDIT itself. The studies analyzed confirm the efficiency of the AUDIT both in its original, reduced, and language-adapted versions in different contexts and cultures.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)(FAEPA) Universidade de São Paulo (USP) - Fundação de Apoio ao Ensino, Pesquisa e Assistência do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Pret

Ebola virus VP35 interaction with dynein LC8 regulates viral RNA synthesis

Ebola virus VP35 inhibits alpha/beta interferon production and functions as a viral polymerase cofactor. Previously, the 8-kDa cytoplasmic dynein light chain (LC8) was demonstrated to interact with VP35, but the functional consequences were unclear. Here we demonstrate that the interaction is direct and of high affinity and that binding stabilizes the VP35 N-terminal oligomerization domain and enhances viral RNA synthesis. Mutational analysis demonstrates that VP35 interaction is required for the functional effects of LC8

Ubiquitin variants potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 PLpro and viral replication via a novel site distal to the protease active site

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has made it clear that combating coronavirus outbreaks benefits from a combination of vaccines and therapeutics. A promising drug target common to all coronaviruses-including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2-is the papain-like protease (PLpro). PLpro cleaves part of the viral replicase polyproteins into non-structural protein subunits, which are essential to the viral replication cycle. Additionally, PLpro can cleave both ubiquitin and the ubiquitin-like protein ISG15 from host cell substrates as a mechanism to evade innate immune responses during infection. These roles make PLpro an attractive antiviral drug target. Here we demonstrate that ubiquitin variants (UbVs) can be selected from a phage-displayed library and used to specifically and potently block SARS-CoV-2 PLpro activity. A crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro in complex with a representative UbV reveals a dimeric UbV bound to PLpro at a site distal to the catalytic site. Yet, the UbV inhibits the essential cleavage activities of the protease in vitro and in cells, and it reduces viral replication in cell culture by almost five orders of magnitude

Weed Persistence, Crop Resistance and Phytotonic Effects of Herbicides in Maize (Zea mays) Production Under Different Weed Control Method and Poultry Manure in Kano State Nigeria

The research is financed by centre for dry land Agriculture Bayero University Kano for providing financial support and the management of Agronomy Department Bayero University, for providing technical support throughout the duration of the study (Sponsoring information). Abstract Results of experiment conducted during rainy season of 2016 and 2017 at teaching and research farm of Bayero university Kano, Livestock development centre Dangora with two different pre-emergence herbicides and two post-emergence herbicides all applied at two different rates, (S-Metolachlor 290 g/l + Atrazine 370 g/l at 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1 followed by Nicosulfuron at 100 g a.i.ha-1, S-Metolachlor 290 g/l + Atrazine 370 g/l 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1 followed by Bentazone at 2.5 kg a.i. ha-1, Metolachlor 375 g/l + Terbuthylazine 125 g/l + Mesotrione 37.5 g/l at 2.5 kg a.i ha-1 followed by Nicosulfuron at 100 g a.i. ha-1, Metolachlor 375 g/l + Terbuthylazine 125 g/l + Mesotrione 37.5 g/l at 2.5 kg a.i ha-1 followed by Bentazone at 2.5 kg a.i. ha-1, Two hoe weeded at 3 and 6 WAS and weedy check) three levels of poultry manure (0, 4, and 8 t ha-1) and NPK at the rate of 120kg N, 60kg P and 60kg K ha-1 and three maize varieties (SAMMAZ 15, SAMMAZ 21 and SAMMAZ 35). The experiments was laid out in a split-split plot design with variety allocated to the main plot, poultry manure to the sub-plot and weed control method to the sub-sub plot, and was replicated three times. The result from the study showed that two hoe weeding at 3 and 6WAS and Application of 3Maizeforce at 2.5 kg a.i. ha-1 followed by Bentazone at 2.5 kg a.i. ha-1, significantly revealed higher crop resistance index with medium persistence index of the weeds indicating broad spectrum effect in controlling the weeds, the said treatments were best herbicides for maize production. Furthermore the said treatment is recommended for weed control that can improve maize grain yield. Keywords: Weed Occurrence level, Weed persistence index, Crop resistance index and Phytotonic effect. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-10-03 Publication date:May 31st 202