Occurrence of Similar Periods in Geomagnetic Field Variations and Solar Activity

The periodicities associated with some geomagnetic field parameters under quiet and disturbed solar conditions have been examined using a set of data spanning through five years obtained courtesy of INTERMAGNET network. Hourly values of the Horizontal component of the geomagnetic field simultaneously obtained at seven INTERMAGNET stations were engaged in the study. The stations were well distributed across the latitudes, viz: Bangui, 4.4°N; Kourou, 5.1°N; Alibag, 18.6°N; San Juan18.1°N; Crozet, 46.4°S; Barrow, 71.3°N; Scott  Base, 77.9°S). Solar quiet daily variation Sq, Superposed Magnetic field SPMF and Solar disturbance daily variation SD in the horizontal magnetic field component were evaluated and studied for their spectral characteristics. The spectral analysis revealed the periods of 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 16 months in the geomagnetic field variations. The observed periodicities were explained in terms of associated solar terrestrial processes. This clearly shows the influence of an extra terrestrial source (the Sun) on terrestrial processes. Sun is the undisputable driver of space weathe

Structural And Phytochemical Characterization of Bioactive Components of the Endophytic Fungi (Trichoderma harzianum) Extracts

This research aims to investigate the antioxidant activity of the crude extract of endophytic fungi (T. harzianum) and to test for the presence of phytochemicals. Fungi isolated from the leaf and stem of endemic medicinal plant were extracted with ethyl acetate. The fungi extract was then investigated for its phytochemicals, antioxidants and active compounds through LC-MS. Some of the phytochemicals present in abundance include saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and steroids, with tanins and cardiac glycosides also present in reasonable amounts. Those compounds identified by LC-MS with antioxidant properties include inosine diphosphate, vigabatrin, isoamylnitrite, proline, trihexyphenidyl-N-oxide, N-methyl gabapentin, penbutolol, dextromoramide M2, solanidine, aceclidine, desethyleneciproflaxin, sapropterin and kinetin

Effects of Deep-Fat Frying using Canola Oil, Soya Oil and Vegetable Oil on the Proximate, Vitamins and Mineral Contents of Unripe Plantain (Musa x paradisiaca)

Musa x paradisiaca (plantain) isamong the major tropical staple foods. This study was designed to determine the proximate, mineral and fat soluble vitamins constituents of unripe plantain fried with three different oils (canola oil, soya oil and vegetable oil) and unripe plantain oven dried sample was used as the control. The vitamins were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The result of the proximate analysis showed that the dried samples had higher levels of protein (25.2%), carbohydrate (50.1%), moisture content (13.3%), ash content (2.02%), crude fibre (7.73%) but low level of crude fat in comparison with the fried samples. Plantain fried with vegetable oil had the lowest levels of protein (20.84%), carbohydrate (26.93%), moisture content (13.1%), ash content (1.72%) and crude fibre (6.57%) but the highest level of crude fat (30.84%). Plantain fried with vegetable oil had the highest level of calcium (211.80±0.1 mg gG1) while the dried plantain samples had high level of sodium (233.80±0.07 mg gG1). Lead (Pb) was absent in the dried plantain samples. Dried plantain samples gave a higher value of vitamins A (0.08±0.01 mg gG1), D (0.02±0.01 mg gG1), E (0.01±0.00 mg gG1), K (0.05±0.00 mg gG1) compared to plantain sample fried with canola oil which gave low level of vitamin D (0.03±0.00 mg gG1), E (0.25±0.00 mg gG1) and K (0.03±0.00 mg gG1). However, there was a very high level in vitamin A (0.72±0.02 mg gG1). The result showed that drying in oven retains the nutritional contents of plantain compared to deep-fat frying. Canola oil is recommended for frying although soya oil is also good

Perineal hernia as a sequela of anal reconstruction surgeries in perianal Crohn\u27s disease

Perineal hernia is a rare complication of pelvic surgeries that can occur in patients with perianal Crohn\u27s disease (pCD) as a long-term outcome of surgeries for complex fistula treatment. We present a case of a symptomatic pCD male patient with multiple perianal surgeries who presents with anal pain, diarrhea, and discharge. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a perineal hernia in the ischioanal fossa violating the convergence of the left external sphincter complex. The hernia was treated with an open primary hernia repair via the perineal approach. It recurred after 3 months, and the patient underwent secondary hernia repair with gracilis muscle interposition and mesh placement. Unfortunately, this was complicated by superficial skin dehiscence and mesh extrusion, but the flap remained viable and the hernia repair was intact. Incidence, symptoms, risk factors, imaging findings, and management of perineal hernias are reviewed

Purification and Properties of Thermostable Fucoidanase Produced by Recently Isolated Terrestrial Aspergillus flavus FS018: Characteristics of fucoidanase extracted from Aspergillus flavus FS018

In this study fucoidanase produced by terrestrial Apsergillus flavus FS018 was purified and characterized. The pure fucoidanase enzyme was found to have an optimum activity of 20.8U/mL at 55 ºC and optimum activity of 17.2U/mL at pH 5.0. Furthermore, the fucoidanase retained 96% of its activity after 8 hours of incubation at 55 ºC. Metal ions such Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions were found to slightly enhance the activity of this enzyme while Na+, K+ had inhibitory effect on the activity. The enzyme was found to be active towards fucoidan consisting of α-1→4 and α-1→3 glycoside bonds in the main chains and also galactofucans group. Estimation of the kinetic parameters of the enzyme revealed that Km and Vmax to be 1.9 mM and 0.38 mg/min, respectively when fucoidan from Sargassum vulgare was used as substrate. SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified enzyme revealed that it’s a monomeric enzyme molecule with an estimated molecular weight of 70 kDa. HIGHLIGHTS Fucoidanase from Aspergillus flavus FS018 was purified and characterized. Molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 70kDa. Enzyme was active towards fucoidan consisting of α-1→4 and α-1→3 glycoside bonds in the main chains and also galactofucans group

Optimum Location Analysis for Wood Waste-to-Energy Plant in Ilorin, Nigeria

Availability of feedstock and suitability of location are major decision criteria in siting a waste-to-energy facility. In this study, the amount of wood waste available for energy generation in Ilorin, Nigeria was evaluated and an assessment was made on twenty potential energy facility sites. The Single Facility Location with Rectilinear-Distance Model was employed to determine an optimum location for the energy generating facility based on the impact of four major constraining factors; the net amount of waste available, transportation cost, social effect, and environmental effect. The study revealed that 61.25 % (73.92 tons per day) of the total wood waste generated is left unutilized and the optimum location for a waste-to-energy facility corresponded to (X, Y) coordinates (940.1253, 507.4959). This spatial position unfortunately coincided with an existing recreational facility, thus making it unsuitable. The most feasible location away from the optimum location was chosen through the construction of a contour map and it corresponds to coordinates (939.2536, 507.8525), which is within the Industrial zone of the City

Influence of substrates on the nutritional quality of Pleurotus pulmonarius and Pleurotus ostreatus

This investigation is aimed at determining the influence of agro-wastes as substrates on the nutritional quality of Pleurotus pulmonarius and Pleurotus ostreatus. Cassava peels, banana leaves and amended sawdust (sawdust mixed with rice bran in ratio 4:1) were used as growth substrates. Proximate and mineral analyses were carried out using DA 7250 NIR Analyzer and Atomic Absorption of Spectrophotometer machine (AA320N). Both species in amended sawdust had the highest stipe length and pileus diameter of the fruiting body. Starch was the most abundant proximate constituent in the two species. The starch was the most abundant proximate constituent in the two species but highest starch contents were observed in. P. pulmonarius grown in cassava peels substrate and P. ostreatus raised in banana leaves substrate. Fat appeared to be the lowest proximate constituent in the two species. Potassium was predominant among the minerals in both P. pulmonarius and P. ostreatus and the highest value (68.204 mg/L) was observed in P. ostreatus cultivated in amended sawdust. Other minerals varied considerably and as they were differential affected by the substrates. The mushrooms contained useful nutritional constituents however their quantities were influenced by the substrates used in raising them