A Comparison of the Semi Analytical and Numerical Method in Solving the Problem of Magnetohydrodynamics Flow of a Third Grade Fluid between Two Parallel Plates

The main purpose of this study is to compare a semi-analytical method and numerical method namely the homotopy perturbation method (HPM) and finite difference method (FDM) respectively. These methods were employed for solving the nonlinear problem of the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) couette flow of third-grade fluid between the two parallel plates. The comparison was made between a solution of HPM and FDM against a solution obtained from regular perturbation and the results are tabulated. From a computational viewpoint, it is revealed that the HPM is more reliable and efficient than FDM. Also, the results show that the FDM requires slightly more computational effort than the HPM, although the HPM yields more accurate results than the FDM. &nbsp

Viscous Dissipation Effect On The MHD Flow Of A Third Grade Fluid Down: an Inclined Plane With Ohmic Heating

The thin film flow and heat transfer problem of a third grade fluid down an inclined plane is investigated. The fluid is incompressible and electrically conducting in the presence of a uniform magnetic field. The non-linear equation governing the flow and heat transfer are solved for the velocity and temperature profile by employing the regular perturbation technique as well as homotopy perturbation method and the results are presented graphically. The effect of magnetic parameter and Brinkman number are analyzed for velocity and temperature profile. It is noticed that increase in magnetic parameter reduced the velocity of the fluid and increases the temperature profile. Also, increase in Brinkman number increases the temperature profile. Keywords: Third grade fluid, Brinkman number, Perturbation method, Homotopy perturbation method, Magnetohydrodynamics

MHD Flow of A Third Grade Fluid with Heat Transfer And Slip Boundary Condition Down An Inclined Plane

In this work, we consider the combine effects of slip boundary ohmic heating on MHD flow of a third grade fluid down an inclined plane. The couple non-linear ordinary differential equations arising from the model were solved using both the regular and homotopy perturbation. Effects of the various thermo physical parameters are studied and depicted graphically. Keywords: Slip boundary, MHD, Third grade fluid, Ohmic heating, inclined plane

Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes of amino acid derived Schiff base ligand: Synthesis, characterization and in-vitro antibacterial investigations

Four complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) with Schiff base ligand (H3L) derived from 2-amino-3-methylbutanoic acid and acetylacetonate were synthesized. All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and electronic spectroscopy. The results confirmed the coordination of the ligand to metals in tridentate fashion via the hydroxyl oxygen, the azomethine nitrogen and the enolic acetylacetonate oxygen. Antimicrobial activities were established for all complexes, free ligand and ciprofloxacin for comparison. Both the ligand and its metal complexes were active against Gram-positive and negative bacterial strains. The Cu(II) complex, showed highest antibacterial activity among the complexes screened. Other complexes displayed considerable antibacterial activity. Octahedral geometry was proposed for the metal(II) complexes with the Schiff base.                     KEY WORDS: Schiff base, Amino acid, Metal Complexes, Antibacterial agents   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(1), 97-106. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i1.

Toxicity of powder and extracts of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Lam (Rutaceae) root bark from Nigeria to three storage beetles

The root of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Lam is used as antibacterial toothbrush in southwestern Nigeria. The root bark was therefore screened as powder, aqueous and ethanolic extracts for toxicity to adult Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and the effects of the test extracts on oviposition and progeny development of C. maculatus in laboratory tests. A small scale field trial was also carried out to test the efficacy of test powder as a protectant of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walpers and maize, Zea mays L. grains against insect infestation. Results of the acute toxicity tests showed that all the formulations were toxic to the insects. The 48 h median lethal concentration (LC50) values obtained for the test powder against C. maculatus, S. zeamais and T. castaneum are 0.05 g kg-1, 0.01g kg-1 and 0.04 g kg-1, respectively. For the aqueous extracts the LC50 values are 0.83 g L-1, 0.34 g L-1 and 0.38 g L-1 against C. maculatus, S. zeamais and T. castaneum, respectively while the values are 0.02 g L-1, 0.04 g L-1 and 0.09 g L-1, respectively for ethanolic extract, indicating higher toxicity against the test insects relative to the water-based extract. The ethanolic extract demonstrated residual property, the toxicity to C. maculatus remaining fairly constant over a total post-treatment time of 336 h. Cowpea grain treatment with test plant ethanolic extract resulted in reduction of the number of eggs laid from 93.30 ± 3.46 in the control to 21.00 ± 4.57 in grain treated with 0.10 g L-1 extract without significant difference in the number of adult emergence from the treated grains. Field trials showed that cowpea and maize grains treated with test plant powder respectively were protected from insect infestation for 180 d. These results demonstrate the potentials of Z. zanthoxyloides for protecting cowpea and maize grains against storage insects.Keywords: Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, Callosobruchus maculatus, Sitophilus zeamais, Tribolium castaneum, Toxicit

Sonographic diagnosis of pregnancy and study of gestational changes in rabbit-does

This study was carried out to evaluate early pregnancy diagnosis using ultrasound and baseline information on the sonographic features of the reproductive cycle of  rabbit-doe. Eight adult does, that had kittened at least once and an Ultrasound machine (Medison S600V®) with a 6.5 MHz transcutaneous curve-linear probe, were used for the study. Rabbit-does were mated naturally by the introduction of a doe to a buck. Abdominal regions were shaved liberally from the level of xyphoid cartilage to the pelvic area and aquasonic gel applied. The uterus was scanned on day 5 post-coitus and  thereafter on days 7, 12, 15, 20, 25, 27 and 29, using the bladder as a land mark. Embryonic vesicles, visualized as small anechoic (darkened) structures were first seen on day 7 of gestation. Hypoechoic structures within vesicles corresponding to embryo and placenta were seen on day 12 with an increase in size at day 15 of gestation. Bony formation, bi-parietal diameter, vertebrae column, fetal heart and fetal heart rate were visible with progressive gestational age. This study demonstrated that ultrasound can be used effectively to diagnose pregnancy in rabbit-doe as early as day 7 of gestation. Also there is a correlation between the sonographic observable changes with gestational age.Key words: Ultrasonography, Rabbit, Pregnancy Diagnosis, Gestation

Description and Composition of Tree Species in a Tertiary Institution Agricultural Faculty Arboretum, Ibadan, South-West Nigeria

The Arboretum of the Agricultural Faculty of a tertiary institution in Ibadan is known for its rich diversity of trees. Therefore, the study investigates the tree growth variables in the arboretum such as diameter at breast height (dbh), diameter at the base, middle and top of the bole, total height, merchantable height and crown diameter. The basal area and volume were then calculated per species and per family. Several models were fitted for the height – diameter relationship and crown diameter – diameter relationship and crown diameter – dbh relationship. Positive linear relationships were observed among the growth variables. The fitted models showed that cubic models exhibit a more reliable function than quadratic and linear models for crown diameter – dbh predictions as it has R2 above 0.75. Endangered species were observed too and this was indicated through the diversity index obtained. The highest basal area encounter belongs to myrtaceae family (9.61m2) while the lowest belongs to pinaceae family (0.24m2). The total basal area obtained at (31.72m2) from the faculty trees indicates that they are exhibiting better growth and yield

Effect of NPK Fertilizer and Transplant Age On Growth, Fruit Yield And Nutritional Content Of Solanum Melongena South Western Nigeria

Good and sustainable agronomic practices are needed in vegetable production to maintain high crop yield.  As part of efforts to achieve this, two field experiments were carried out between 2008 and 2010 to evaluate the combined effects of age of transplant and NPK fertilizer on the growth, fruit yield and quality of Solanum melongena var.’ long purple’. Four levels of NPK fertilizer (0, 200, 300 and 400 kg NPK/ha) and three ages of transplanting (5, 6 and 7 weeks after sowing) in 12 factorial combinations were the treatments. These were laid out in randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and significant means compared using least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. All the growth parameters and fruit attributes assessed increased with increasing levels of NPK. Application of 300 kg NPK/ha produced the best growth while plants that received 200 kg NPK /ha and non-fertilized plants had least performance. The fruit and seed attributes such as fruit length and girth, number of fruits/plant,  number of seeds/fruits, seed weight, and fruit yield were all significantly influenced by the fertilizer levels. The number of fruits/plant ranges from 4.3 in non- fertilized plants to 8.2 in 300kg NPK /ha treatment. There was no significant difference in fruit yield produced by 300 (26.88 t /ha) and 400 kg (28.78 t /ha) NPK /ha treatments. Transplanting of seedling at 6 weeks after sowing (WAS) produced significantly better plant growth, fruit attributes and fruit yield compared to plants transplanted at 5 and 7 WAS. It can be concluded that application of 300 kg NPK /ha in combination with transplanting of seedlings at 6 weeks are good agronomic practices that could ensure optimum performance of Solanum melongena. Key words: Solanum melongena, NPK fertilizer, age of transplant, growth, fruit yield                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Small Ruminant Farmers' Perception of Climate Change in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria

This study examined the small ruminant farmers’ perception of climate change in Moro Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State, Nigeria. About 120 small ruminant farmers were selected for the study. Analyticall tools such as descriptive (frequency count, percentage, mean score) and inferential [Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC)] statistics were used to analyse the data. The result revealed that about 57.5% of the respondents were male, average age of 38.3years, income of N56633.33, and household size of about 5 persons. The average number of goat and sheep was 10 and 5 respectively. About 52% of the respondents utilized extensive system of rearing and 60.8% had access to extension services. About 77.5% of the respondents indicated Ministry of Agriculture as their main source of information on small ruminant production. The result revealed that planting of trees/erecting cover to serve as shades to reduce heat stress (90.8%) was the most frequently used adaptation strategies to climate change. About 59.2% of the respondents have high level/status of use of adaptation strategies. The highest ranked perception statement was increase in temperature (4.48), while disease outbreak and high mortality (2.78) ranked highest as factor affecting small ruminant production. It is therefore recommended that there should be provision of information on the adaptation strategies as climate change is now a reality that is not going away and provision of veterinary services to reduce disease outbreak

Radionuclide Imaging of Invasive Fungal Disease in Immunocompromised Hosts

Invasive fungal disease (IFD) leads to increased mortality, morbidity, and costs of treatment in patients with immunosuppressive conditions. The definitive diagnosis of IFD relies on the isolation of the causative fungal agents through microscopy, culture, or nucleic acid testing in tissue samples obtained from the sites of the disease. Biopsy is not always feasible or safe to be undertaken in immunocompromised hosts at risk of IFD. Noninvasive diagnostic techniques are, therefore, needed for the diagnosis and treatment response assessment of IFD. The available techniques that identify fungal-specific antigens in biological samples for diagnosing IFD have variable sensitivity and specificity. They also have limited utility in response assessment. Imaging has, therefore, been applied for the noninvasive detection of IFD. Morphologic imaging with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most applied technique. These techniques are neither sufficiently sensitive nor specific for the early diagnosis of IFD. Morphologic changes evaluated by CT and MRI occur later in the disease course and during recovery after successful treatment. These modalities may, therefore, not be ideal for early diagnosis and early response to therapy determination. Radionuclide imaging allows for targeting the host response to pathogenic fungi or specific structures of the pathogen itself. This makes radionuclide imaging techniques suitable for the early diagnosis and treatment response assessment of IFD. In this review, we aimed to discuss the interplay of host immunity, immunosuppression, and the occurrence of IFD. We also discuss the currently available radionuclide probes that have been evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies for their ability to detect IFD.</p