MACBenAbim: A Multi-platform Mobile Application for searching keyterms in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

Computational biology and bioinformatics are gradually gaining grounds in Africa and other developing nations of the world. However, in these countries, some of the challenges of computational biology and bioinformatics education are inadequate infrastructures, and lack of readily-available complementary and motivational tools to support learning as well as research. This has lowered the morale of many promising undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers from aspiring to undertake future study in these fields. In this paper, we developed and described MACBenAbim (Multi-platform Mobile Application for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics), a flexible user-friendly tool to search for, define and describe the meanings of keyterms in computational biology and bioinformatics, thus expanding the frontiers of knowledge of the users. This tool also has the capability of achieving visualization of results on a mobile multi-platform context

A novel zerovalent manganese for removal of copper ions: synthesis, characterization and adsorption studies

Synthesis of nanoscale zerovalent manganese (nZVMn) by chemical reduction was carried out in a single pot system under inert environment. nZVMn was characterized using a combination of analytical techniques: Ultraviolet–Visible Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray, BET surface area and Point of Zero Charge. The adsorption physicochemical factors: pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, agitation speed, initial copper ion concentration and temperature were optimized. The kinetic data fitted better to Pseudo second-order, Elovich, fractional power and intraparticle diffusion models and their validity was tested by three statistical models: sum of square error, Chi-square (v2) and normalized standard deviation (Dq). Seven of the two-parameter isotherm models [Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin, Dubinin–Kaganer–Raduskevich (DKR), Halsey, Harkin–Jura and Flory–Huggins] were used to analyse the equilibrium adsorption data. The Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity (Qmax = 181.818 mg/g) obtained is greater than other those of nano-adsorbents utilized in adsorption of copper ions. The equilibrium adsorption data were better described by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, DKR and Halsey isotherm models considering their coefficient of regression (R2[0.90). The values of the thermodynamic parameters: standard enthalpy change DH_ (?50.27848 kJ mol-1), standard entropy change DS_ (203.5724 J mol-1 K-1) and the Gibbs free energy change DG_ revealed that the adsorption process was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic in nature. The performance of this novel nanoscale zerovalent manganese (nZVMn) suggested that it has a great potential for effective removal of copper ions from aqueous solution

A Review of Models for Evaluating Quality in Open Source Software

Open source products/projects targeting the same or similar applications are common nowadays. This makes choosing a tricky task. Quality is one factor that can be considered when choosing among similar open source solutions. In order to measure quality in software, quality models can be used. Open source quality models emerged due to the inability of traditional quality models to measure unique features (such as community) of open source software. The aim of the paper therefore is to examine the characteristic features, unique strengths, and limitations of existing open source quality models. In addition, we compare the models based on some selected attributes

RELATIONSHIP OF DAM MILK OFFTAKE AND LAMB’S STRONGYLE EGG COUNT, HAEMATOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF AND YANKASA SHEEP

Milk offtake of dam, strongyle egg count, haematological, biochemical and physiological parameters of lambs were examined in West African Dwarf and Yankasa sheep. Rectal temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate were also determined.  The West African Dwarf (WAD) lambs had higher haemoglobin concentration (9.12g/dl), lymphocytes (54.93%), glucose content (48.80mg/l), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (65.97ul/L), pulse rate (65.90beats/minute) and rectal temperature (38.340C) while the Yankasa lambs had higher packed cell volume (28.93%), white blood cell (15540Cumm3), red blood cell (10.03x106mm), total protein (69.96g/l), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (18.12ul/L) and  respiratory rate (38.90breath/minute). The West African Dwarf Dams had higher value of milk offtake and their lambs had lower percentage of strongyle egg count. Milk offtake  was significantly correlated with lamb’s white blood cells (r=0.84) and lymphocytes (r=0.55) in WAD sheep while it was significantly correlated with red blood cells (r=0.65) and neutrophils (-0.61) in Yankasa sheep.  There was a significant but negative correlation between milk offtake of dams and strongyle egg count (r= -0.48) in Yankasa sheep. White blood cell was superior to other blood parameters in estimating milk offtake in WAD sheep. Therefore, the West African Dwarf dams and lambs could be selected for milk production and better future performance because of the lower strongyle burden. High milk producing Yankasa ewes tends to confer immunity against strongyle burden in their lambs.Â