Analysis of Some Mineral Elements in Selected Sorghum Cultivars

Ten sorghum samples were used for this study. Six samples(local) from Kibiya, Tsakuwa, Burum-Burum in Kano State,two samples from each of the sampling areas and four improved samples from Institute of Agricultural Reasearch, Zaria.The varieties are White Kibiya (WK), Yellow Kibiya (YK), White Tsakuwa (WT), Yellow Tsakuwa (YT), White Burum-Burum (WB) and Yellow Buru-Burum (YB) were the local samples. Samsorg 14 (S14), Samsorg 17 (S17), Samsorg 40 (S40) and Samsorg 41 (S41) were the improved samples.The mineral composition of the sample studied shows highest distrbution pattern of Fe (YK,31.95 &#956gg -1), Cu (YT,7.27 &#956gg-1), Zn (S40 59.81 &#956gg-1), Mg (YK.110.74 &#956gg -1) Ca (YT,40.85 &#956gg -1), Cu (S17,.8.0 &#956gg -1), Cd (S14,0.99 &#956gg -1), and Pb was only detected in white Burum –Burum variety (0,.64 &#956gg-1). Keywords: Minerals, Sorghum, Cultivars, Nutrient

Some Nutrient Elements in Agricultural Soils from Selected Farms in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nigeria

The total levels of the nutrient metal elements: magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in agricultural soils from selected farms in Kwali, Gwagwalada and Kuje area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were determined by energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy. The levels of Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and Znwere 119.23 + 0.45, 119.93 + 0.44, 27.67 + 0.27, 168.28 + 0.17, 9.93 + 0.10 and 11.83 + 0.11 ìg/g respectively and were within the normal range for optimal plant growth.Key words: Nutrient elements, energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence

Soil Fertility Assessment of The Lugu Main Canal Of Wurno Irrigation Project, Sokoto State, Nigeria, Five Years After Rehabilitation.

A study was conducted during the 2000/2001 irrigation season to assess the soil fertility and the pattern of its variation with depth in the Lugu main canal of Wurno Irrigation Project. Soil samples were collected from four randomly chosen transects across the field at two sampling spots in each transect. The samples were taken at 0 - 15, 15 - 30 and 30 - 45 cm depths from each spot. Soil chemical properties such as pH, total N, available P, CEC and exchangeable bases were determined. The soils had average pH of 7.09, 6.92 and 6.87 at the 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm depths, respectively. The CEC, available P, and total N were very low at all depths. CEC and total N decreased with depth. Ca and K were also very low while Mg was moderate at all depths. Na on the other hand, was high at the surface and moderate at lower depths. The % base saturation was high at all depths. The soils were low in fertility and need the adoption of proper management in terms of organic and inorganic fertilizer application and quality irrigation practices to resuscitate and sustain the soil fertility

Assessment of toxic elements in selected Nigeria broiler feeds using neutron activation analysis (NAA)

In this study, Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) was used to determine the concentrations of some toxic elements Mn, Cr, Zn, Fe, Co, Sr, La, Sm, Th and Se in some selected Nigeria broiler feed samples. Each sample (A, B, C, and D) represents certain brand of the feeds. The work was carried using the Nigeria Research Reactor – 1(NIRR -1) at the Center for Energy Research and Training Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria by short and long irradiation protocols, using thermal flux of 5.0×1012 n cm-2 s-1. Quality Control and Quality Assurance of the method was tested by analyzing Standard Reference Materials (NIST 1515 apple leaves,). However, the results shows the Fe concentration in sample B and Zn concentration in sample C and D were found to exceed the maximum acceptable limit with the exception of sample A. This makes the feeds contaminated with Fe and Zn not safe for broilers consumption since toxic elements are bio-accumulative and have the tendency to be transferred to human after consumption.Key words: Broiler feed, NAA, MNSR, NIRR-

In vitro effect of Aqueouscalotropis procera root extract on ammonium sulphate precipitated liver marker enzymes of albino rats

The in vitro effect of aqueous root extract of C. procera on liver marker enzymes; alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of albino rats was evaluated. ALT was precipitated at 40% ammonium sulphate saturation whilst AST and ALP were precipitated at 35 % saturation from rat liver homogenate. The   enzymes were assayed at varying concentrations (mg/ml) of the extract (0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45. 0.50) at 37oC. At 0.00µmg/ml extract; ALT, AST and ALP activities of 5.91 ~ 10-4, 2.70 ~ 10-4 and 3. 74 ~ 10-5 µmol/min respectively. Upon incubation with  extract, the enzymes had respective mean activities of 6.38 } 0.35 ~ 10-4, 4.07 } 0.62 ~ 10-4and 2.80 } 0.44 ~ 10-5µmol/min. The activities of ALT and AST were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in presence of C. procera extract with significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the activity of ALP. It  indicates that the aqueous root extract of C. procera activated ALT and AST and inhibited ALP in vitro.Keywords: in vitro, C. procera,liver marker enzymes, ammonium sulphat

Factors influencing utilisation of family planning services among female of reproductive age (15-45 years) in Bauchi local government area, Bauchi state

Background: Family Planning services are preventive health services that provide quality, low cost and easily accessible reproductive health care to women and men during their reproductive years. Family planning is often limited to the use of contraception. However, family planning provides a holistic service that aims to promote a positive view of sexuality and enable people to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health and well-being. It also ensures that resources are available for raising a child in significant amount, which include time, finance and social environment at intervals mutually determined by both partners to have their desired number of children. Studies indicates that the utilisation of family planning services in Nigeria is low when compared to high population growth rate in Africa, high fertility that translates into high population growth. Many scholars reported that it is likely that the utilisation of family planning services can alter the population growth rate. Studies have also shown that contraceptive knowledge, and usage is very low in Nigeria, hence the reason for the high fertility and increase population. Aim: There for the study aimed at determining factors influencing the utilisation of family planning services among female of reproductive age (15-45 years) in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Hundred questionnaires were distributed to 100 women of reproductive age of which 96 of them were retrieved. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics was used to summarise and organise the data. Pearson’s Chisquare test was used to test for association between variables and level of significant was set at 5% (0.05). Findings: Results from this study show that (84.4%) respondent’s utilisation of family planning services depends on husband’s acceptance of the family planning method. The study also found that cultural acceptance, access to family planning services, schedule of family planning clinic, effectiveness of family planning method and awareness; 75%, 75%, 62.5%, 79.2% and 63.5% respectively all influence utilisation of family planning. Academic attainment and knowledge of family planning methods were significant and influence family planning use. Conclusion: The study showed that family planning used depends on husband’s acceptance of the family planning method. This study also recommends for spouses to be continuously involved in family planning education as their approval influences family planning. It is hoped that the knowledge of this research will help health care givers to provide adequate health education to clients and family in the community to expand their knowledge of family planning services to ensure adequate child spacing and reproductive health. Thus, preventing unintended pregnancies, reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality rate

Knowledge and current practices of physiotherapists on the physical activity and exercise in the rehabilitation of children with epileptic seizures

Background: Physiotherapists play a key role in the rehabilitation of children with epileptic seizures. Regular physical exercise generates psychological and physiological benefits for people with epilepsy. Design: This study was a cross-sectional design. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and current practices of Physiotherapists on the physical activity and exercise in the rehabilitation of children with epileptic seizures in Nigeria. Methods: Physiotherapists with minimum Bachelor’s degrees were invited to participate in the study using an electronic questionnaire. The subjects (N=117) answered a questionnaire comprising 33 simple closed-ended questions with three domain personal information, knowledge, and current practices. Results; Out of the 117 physiotherapists, 77.7% (n=91) had postgraduate degrees, 16.2% (n=19) had bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy, and only 5.9% (n=7) had doctor’s degree in physiotherapy (DPT). The results also indicated that 79.5% (n=93) of physiotherapists had sufficient knowledge about epilepsy, and 86.3% (n=101) of physiotherapists were using current skills/physical activity to rehabilitate children with epileptic seizures. Conclusions; It was concluded that physiotherapists had sufficient knowledge about epilepsy and were using current skills/physical activity in the rehabilitation of children with epileptic seizures. Keywords; Physiotherapists knowledge; Exercises; Physical activity; Epileptic seizure; Childre

SPARC 2018 Internationalisation and collaboration : Salford postgraduate annual research conference book of abstracts

Welcome to the Book of Abstracts for the 2018 SPARC conference. This year we not only celebrate the work of our PGRs but also the launch of our Doctoral School, which makes this year’s conference extra special. Once again we have received a tremendous contribution from our postgraduate research community; with over 100 presenters, the conference truly showcases a vibrant PGR community at Salford. These abstracts provide a taster of the research strengths of their works, and provide delegates with a reference point for networking and initiating critical debate. With such wide-ranging topics being showcased, we encourage you to take up this great opportunity to engage with researchers working in different subject areas from your own. To meet global challenges, high impact research inevitably requires interdisciplinary collaboration. This is recognised by all major research funders. Therefore engaging with the work of others and forging collaborations across subject areas is an essential skill for the next generation of researchers