Matrix-Norm Approach of Computing Levenberg-Marquardt Reg- ularization Parameter for Nonlinear Equations

In this paper, we present Levenberg-Marquardt method for solving nonlinear systems of  equations. Here, both the objective function and the symmetric Jacobian matrix are assumed to be Lipchitz continuous. The regularization parameter is derived using Matrix-Norm approach. Numerical performance on some benchmark problems that demonstrates the effectiveness and efficiency of our approach are reported and have shown that the proposed algorithm is very promising.Mathematics Subject Classification: 65H10, 65K05, 65F22, 65F35.keywords: Nonlinear system of equations. Levenberg-Marquardt method. Regularization. Matrix-norm. Global convergence

Microbial quality of meat floss ‘dambun nama’ processed from broiler chickens fed graded levels of ‘sabara’(Guiera senegalensis) leaf meal

This study evaluated the microbial quality of meat floss processed from broiler chickens fed graded levels of Guiera senegalensis leaf meal (GSL) at 0.0% (GSL1), 7.0% (GSL2), 14.0% (GSL3) and 21.0% (GSL4). These were packaged and stored into four (4) different packaging media; Foil Paper Pack (FPP), Wrapped Newspaper Pack (WNP), Plastic Container Pack (PCP) and Disposable Container Pack (DCP). These products were stored and monitored for contaminations at 0, 4, 8 and 12 week intervals. Means were analysed and compared with passable and safe limits of 107cfu/g. The results showed that at 1st day of storage, there were no fungal counts in GSL3 and GSL4 was having the least count of 2.0 x 105. The control (GSL1) had the highest total bacterial count of 24.0 x 105cfu/g. At 12th week of storage, the results showed that the total fungal counts were 0.00, 0.00, 0.00, and 2.0 x 105cfu/g for GSL2, GSL3, GSL4 and GSL1, respectively. The overall effects showed that the total microbial load of meat floss decreased as the concentrations were increased. The results showed that GSL2 (2.0 x 105cfu/g) and GSL3 (3.0 x 105cfu/g) had lower total bacterial counts than GSL1 (24.0 x 105cfu/g) and GSL4 (8.0 x 105cfu/g) across the packaging media at first week (0 week) of storage. WNP had the least bacterial counts (1.0 x 105cfu/g). Conversely, DCP had the highest counts (21.0 x 105cfu/g) across the treatment groups and packaging media. At higher week of storage (12th week), GSL2 (15.0 x 105cfu/g) and GSL3 (18.0 x 105cfu/g) were lower than GSL1 (20.0 x 105cfu/g) and GSL4 (26.0 x 105cfu/g) for bacterial counts. WNP (10.0 x 105cfu/g) had the least counts across the treatments. Storage at higher weeks (8th and 12th) reduced fungal growth in most of the packaging media. This study concludes that the packaging method had suppressive effects against microbial growth. It is suggested that meat floss processed from broiler chickens fed graded levels of GSL should be evaluated for storage above the 12-week period

Economic Diversification and the Urban Image; Changing the Narrative on Street Vending

Street vending is a dynamic phenomenon of network of events, socio-economic and cultural factors while remaining a narration of place. At the metropolitan level, the narrative is negatively skewed towards street vending and its aesthetic reality, contemporaneously exploring hostile environmental interventions within the informal sector. This paper attempted to explore a counter-narrative asking; based on aesthetic experience, can the “desired” urban image be achieved by allowing street vendors proliferate in public spaces? This question was asked within the scope of the political-economy of diversification in Nigeria. Mapping over google satellite images over critical periods leading to demolitions and/or developments, this paper documented the spatial distribution of vendors to determine the urban centres that are hostile to vending activities and those that were not. The paper argued that, around public spaces such as parks and sidewalks, the precarious nature of vending activities lead to their diffidence in upgrades to stalls, tables and kiosks. With pictures from spaces that appear to approve of street vending tacitly, a pattern of upgrades in vending apparatus and kiosks were established. This paper proposes an integrative model of passive, active and tacit support that is required to influence the discourse of vending activities within the context of urban images produced in Nigerian. In conclusion and using sing Gouverneur (2014) concepts of receptors and transformers, this paper revealed that potential existing parks within a dense urban area could serve as transformers, creating an urban image that defies that “out of place” narrative associated with vendors

EFFECTS OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL FACTORS ON SEASONAL DYNAMICS OF THE PHYTOPLANKTON IN NGURU LAKE, NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA.

Studies were conducted in Nguru Lake between May 2006 and April 2008 to map temporal changes in phytoplankton composition and attempt to relate these changes to physico-chemical parameters in the ecosystem. Temperature, conductivity and alkalinity showed significant spatial variation. Nutrients showed significant seasonal variation. Twenty five phytoplankton genera were recorded. Green algae (Chlorophyta) were the most dominant contributing 46% of the total biomass followed by blue green algae-Cyanophyta(29%), Bacillariophyta(22%) and Dinophyta(2%). Seasonal changes were observed for the three major plant nutrients total phosphorus (PO­4-P) ranged from 5.2 -9.6mg/l. Total nitrogen (NO3-N) ranged from 2.4-12.8mg/l and sulphates ranged from 1.0-10.1mg/l. wide variations in environmental variables were observed in the lake. Results obtained in this study showed that the lake was undergoing gradual eutrophication resulting in deterioration of water quality, decreased fish yield and subsequent reduced income to the local communities. The eutrophication was further aggravated by increasing human and livestock population. Key Words: Biomass, Nguru Lake, Nutrients, Phytoplankton, Water quality

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

Tillaberi Slaughterhouse Discharges And Their Impact On The Niger River: A Physicochemical And Microbiological Analysis

The main objective of this work was to study the solid and liquid waste discharges of the slaughterhouse of the city of Tillabéri, and their impacts on the Niger River. To do so, the identification and quantification of the solid waste of the slaughterhouse were carried out in the first step, then the physical, chemical, and microbiological characterization of the liquid discharges of the slaughterhouse and of the river water in the second step. The results obtained showed that the slaughterhouse in the urban commune of Tillabéri produced an average of 156.1 ± 41.1 kg of solid waste per day, divided into four groups: 133 kg of stercoral, 19.7 kg of seized organs, 1.9 kg of plastic and 1.4 kg of skin pieces. The average values obtained after physic-chemical and microbiological characterization of the liquid waste are as follows pH (7.08 ± 0.15), Temperature (28.6 ± 0.49), Electrical conductivity (985 ±184.1 µS/cm), COD (12860 ± 3831.8mg/l), BOD (5338 ± 1572.05mg/l), Suspended Solid (835 ± 258.7mg/l) Cl- (81.5 ± 1.3 mg/l), NO3- (0.66 ± 0.97mg/l). The BOD5/COD ratio is about 0.41. After microbiological characterization of these liquid discharges, (3.1.104 cfu) of E. coli, (3.104 cfu) of fecal coliforms, and (6.1.108 cfu) of total coliforms were found. The physicochemical and microbiological characterization of the river water showed that most of the physicochemical parameters comply with the WHO limits, except for BOD5 and COD, which have fairly high average values of (62.5 ± 47.06mg/l) and (200 ± 110.1mg/l) respectively. The E. coli found are of the order of 5.6.104 cfu, however, there are no fecal coliforms in these waters. All these values indicate that the river water is polluted. This pollution would come from the discharges of the slaughterhouse

Evaluation of moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal for broiler chicken performance and meat quality

The study evaluated dietary inclusion (0, 7, 14, and 21%) levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOL) on growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens. A total of 240 broiler chicks (Chikun) were divided into four treatments with three replicates each (20 chicks per replicate) in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. The results showed that live weight, dressed weight, dressing percentage, heart and liver weights differed (P˂0.05) significantly across the four treatment groups. All other parameters did not differ significantly among the treatment groups. Growth traits of broiler chickens fed dietary inclusion levels of MOL revealed that only feed conversion ratio and mortality rates were significantly (P ˂ 0.05) different across the treatments. Other traits such as final weight, weight gain, feed intake, average daily feed intake and average daily weight did not differ significantly among the treatment groups. Chemical compositional parameters of fresh broiler chicken meat revealed that per cent moisture, lipid, crude protein, ash and carbohydrate were significantly (P ˂ 0.05) different across the treatments. However, chemical composition of meat floss ‘‘dambun nama’’from broiler chickens fed dietary inclusion levels of MOL showed that per cent moisture, lipid, crude protein, crude fibre and carbohydrate differed significantly (P˂0.05) across the treatments. Furthermore, sensory attributes of meat floss from broiler chickens fed dietary inclusion levels of MOL showed that only juiciness differed significantly among the treatments. This study concludes that incorporation of MOL in the diet of broiler chickens at the inclusion levels of 0, 7, 14 and 21% had no deleterious effects on carcass and organ characteristics, chemical composition of both fresh meat and meat floss ‘‘dambun nama’’of broiler chickens. The processed meat floss was well-cherished by the sensory panelists and rated the product high for quality. It is suggested that other inclusion levels of MOL should be investigated in further studies using broiler chickens for growth and carcass performance re-evaluation for meat quality and its overall acceptance. &nbsp

The Potential of Amaranthus caudatus as a Phytoremediating Agent for Lead

The potential of Amaranthus caudatus as a phytoremediating agent was studied, using lead spiked soil to grow the plants. The effect of the concentration of lead on plant growth was studied. The main aim of the study was to assess the accumulation of lead (Pb) in different compartments of the plant. The plants were grown in soils treated with solutions corresponding to 25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm of Pb. The plants were than separated into roots, stems and leaves and dried at 600C in a convection oven for 48 hours.The metals from the plant were extracted using wet digestion process. Pearson’s coefficient correlation analysis was used to measure the relationship between Pb concentration in the soil and in plant tissues. The highest concentration was recorded in the roots of plants at 50 ppm concentration. A. Caudatus plants exposed to 25 ppm of Pb showed highest increase in root and stem growth. The lowest root growth was observed in plants exposed to 100 ppm of Pb. There is a negative relationship between the concentration of Pb in the soil and that in the above ground plant tissues. Key Words: Accumulation, Amaranthus, Lead, Phytoremediation

Mentoring New Faculty: An Appreciative Approach

During this period of dramatic social and institutional change in higher education, positive induction and ongoing support for early-career and faculty members new to the campus community is essential. Disparities remain in the recruitment, development, retention, and promotion of diverse faculty, in large part because of the lack of mentoring. The purpose of this article is to enhance approaches for supporting early-career and otherwise new faculty members. Based upon the principles and processes of Appreciative Inquiry, the Appreciative Mentoring Model is presented. Each of the Appreciative Inquiry “D-phases” is described in detail together with research-based best practices that can be employed in mentoring. Prompts, questions, and specific examples designed to support the growing need for a more collaborative, fluid, dynamic, and transformative approach to mentoring are provided.