Assessment of extension agents’ use of communication methods and its impact on aquaculture linkage activities in Lagos state, Nigeria

The need to improve aquaculture production through enhanced technology transfer necessitated this study to assess extension agents’ use of communication methods and its impact on linkage. A structured questionnaire was administered to 44 extension agents who were randomly selected from Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority. Descriptive and correlation analysis were used for data analysis. The results showed that extension agents are involved in various communication methods between institutes, within institutes and researchers; also, prominent linkage activities, such as joint priority setting and planning (95.5%), research-extension training (81.8%), evaluation reports (72%) and joint programming (65.9%) exist among the extension agents. Findings from correlation analysis revealed that there was significant relationship between linkage and communication methods between institute (r =-0.377), linkage and communication methods among extension agents (r =0.379). However, the relationship between communication within and between institute was highly significant (r =0.693), within institute and extension agents (r = 0.458) and within institute and interaction with other scientists (r =0.577) at 0.05 level. The study recommended that extension agents should be provided with all necessary materials that would facilitate effective communication for improvement in service delivery to the fish farmers that are the end users.Keywords: Assessment; communication methods; extension agents; linkage activities; impac

The Effect of a Wake-Mounted Splitter Plate on the Flow around a Surface-Mounted Finite-Height Square Prism.

The flow around a finite square prism has not been studied extensively when compared with an “infinite” (or two-dimensional) square prism. In the present study, the effect of a wake-mounted splitter plate on the flow around a surface-mounted square prism of finite height was investigated experimentally using a low-speed wind tunnel. Of specific interest were the combined effects of the splitter plate length and the prism’s aspect ratio on the vortex shedding, mean drag force coefficient, and the mean wake. Four square prisms of aspect ratios AR = 9, 7, 5 and 3 were tested at a Reynolds number of Re = 7.4×104 and a boundary layer thickness of /D = 1.5. Splitter plate lengths of L/D = 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 5, and 7, were tested, with all plates having the same height as the prism. Measurements of the mean drag force were obtained with a force balance, and measurements of the vortex shedding frequency were obtained with a single-component hot-wire probe. A seven-hole pressure probe was used to measure the time-averaged wake velocity at a Reynolds number of Re = 3.7×104 for AR = 9 and 5 with splitter plates of lengths L/D = 1, 3, 5, and 7. These measurements were carried out to allow for a better understanding of how the splitter plate affects the mean wake of the finite prism. The results show that the splitter plate is a less effective drag-reduction, but more effective vortex-shedding-suppression, device for finite square prisms than it is for infinite square prisms. Significant reduction in the mean drag coefficient was realized only for short prisms (of AR ≤ 5) when long splitter plates (of L/D ≥ 5) were used. A splitter plate of length L/D = 3 was able to suppress vortex shedding for all aspect ratios tested. However, for square prisms of aspect ratios AR ≤ 7, the splitter plate is a less effective vortex-shedding-suppression device when compared to its use with finite circular cylinders, i.e. longer splitter plates are needed for vortex shedding suppression with square prisms. Wake measurements showed distinct wake velocity fields for the two prisms tested. For the prism of AR = 9, a strong downwash flow in the upper part of the wake became weaker towards the ground plane. For the prism of AR = 5, the downwash remained strong close to the ground plane. With splitter plates installed, the downwash became weaker for both prisms. The splitter plate was found to narrow the wake width, especially close to the ground plane, and led to the stretching of the streamwise vortex structures in the vertical direction, and increased entrainment towards the wake centreline in the cross-stream direction

Teletraffic Modeling of Cdma Systems

This paper presents teletraffic modeling of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems that enabled the analysis of such systems capacity. Analytical tools aided by software model that assisted in analysis of the system performance, capacity estimation, dimensioning and design of CDMA networks were achieved. This work, therefore, focused on modeling telephone traffic for analysis of CDMA cellular network capacity. We developed an analytical expression for blocking probability and consequently that for the determination and analysis of the capacity of CDMA networks. The analyses of obtained results showed how interference determined the capacity of CDMA networks and therefore proved that the capacity was not hard limited, but depended on predetermined quality of service for the network. Also, the result showed how the capacity of the network, in terms of number of subscribers, can be estimated for CDMA networks. Graphical results generated from the blocking model showed the effect of variations in interference parameters on CDMA capacity. The Erlang capacity from the model was adapted into Erlang B formula to estimate capacity in terms of channels, and the number of subscribers a typical CDMA sector could accommodate

Urinary Schistosomiasis Among School Children in Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in school children in Aramoko-Ekiti was investigated. Terminal urine samples were collected between the 9:00-12:00 hours, into wide mouthed, sterile sampling bottles containing few drops of physiological saline (as preservative), tightly covered and transported to the laboratory for examination. The urine samples were examined to detect the presence of eggs using sedimentation technique as described by (Cheesbrough, 2002). Structured questionnaire was also administered to 2000 primary school children to obtain relevant information. Overall prevalence of 68% was observed in this study. The males were observed to have higher prevalence of 72.5% than their female counterparts who had the prevalence of 62.7%. The highest prevalence of 71.75% was found in Glory Nursery and Primary School. The age group between 6-10 years had the highest prevalence of 89.5%. Children who were exposed to river as a source of water supply had the highest prevalence of 73.3%, while those exposed to tap water where found to be free from the infection. The results showed that there is high prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in the study area. Keywords: Schistosomiasis, Schistosoma haematobium, prevalence, endemic, sedimentation techniques, school childre

Applications of synchrotron-based analysis in soils and crops research

Non-Peer Reviewe

Human Enteric Parasitic Pathogens in Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Consumed in Ile-Ife, Osun State

The degree of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables consumed in Ile-Ife was assessed and poly parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables was identified. This was with the view to providing information on contamination of fruits and vegetables consumed in the study area. A total of 350 samples of fruits and vegetables were bought from five markets in Ile-Ife between November 2015 and January 2016. The samples were analyzed using sedimentation and floatation technique for detection of parasites. A total of 244 (69.7%) of the fruits and vegetables sampled were positive for eggs, cysts or oocysts of parasites. Among the fruits, tomatoes had the highest number 18 (50%) of parasites while the lowest 8 (25%) was on apples. Four of the vegetables (water leaf, spinach, white jute and African spinach) showed equal degree of parasitic contamination which was 100% while cabbage had the lowest 22 (64.7%). The overall prevalence of isolated parasites from 350 samples of fruits and vegetables investigated in this study was: ova of E. vermicularis 64 (18.29%); ova of A. lumbricoides 31 (8.86%); cysts of E. histolytica 18 (5.14%); cysts of G. lambila 19 (5.42%); ova of hookworms 8 (2.29%); cysts of E. coli 27 (7.71%); oocysts of C. cayetenensis 17 (4.86%); cysts of B. coli 29 (8.29%); ova of Teaniaspp 15 (4.29%). All fruits and vegetables sampled from various markets showed the presence of more than one parasite on them. The leafy vegetables showed higher poly-parasitic contamination than the fruits. Majority of vendors (92%) displayed produce on the table uncovered. There was a positive correlation between the number of fruits and vegetables sampled and the number of parasites retrieved (r = 0.358, P= 0.016). This study concluded that fruits and vegetables sold in the study area were contaminated with parasites that can cause food borne illnesses in consumers, which is of public health importance. Keywords: Fruits and Vegetables, Parasitic contamination, Sedimentation technique, Floatation technique, Poly parasitic, Public healt

Nigeria and the Sustainable Development Goals: Why the Indigenous Languages Count

Language as a tool for logical thinking and planning is unavoidable in every developmental effort. Nigeria is among the countries that were not able to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Among the reasons given for Nigeria’s low performance level was communication barrier. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the government has planned a transition strategy and hopes that it would be people-centred. Hence, she hopes to leave no Nigerian behind. As a multilingual nation, many Nigerians cannot function in English language but rely only on their various indigenous languages. Accommodating them in the SDG plans would require communicating with them in the languages that they understand. This could enhance collaboration and minimise a repeat of the previous failure. Unfortunately, there is no language plan in the government’s transition strategy. If development is about helping people to help themselves, then there must be collaboration among the planners of the SDGs and those for whom it is planned. But collaboration is only possible where there is a free flow of information. This paper is an attempt to reposition the indigenous languages at the hearts of all effort to achieve the 2030 agenda in Nigeria

X-ray absorption spectroscopic analysis of raw and processed hog manure

Non-Peer ReviewedAnaerobic digestion technology is a process that allows livestock producers to generate electricity and heat by digesting manure. Clear-Green Environmental Inc. uses this process to make biogas from hog manure. Raw manure is pumped into a digester where it is digested anaerobically by mesophyllic bacteria. The digested manure is transferred to a dual purpose tank (DPT) which serves as a secondary digester from which the biogas is collected. Carbon is the only nutrient consumed in the digester and the by-product of this process is used in fertilizers. It has not been shown if there is a change in speciation of key elements like nitrogen and phosphorus upon digestion. X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure spectroscopy (XANES) was used to characterize the nitrogen, phosphorous and iron found in raw and digested hog manure. Two detection modes, Total Electron Yield (TEY) and Fluorescence Yield (FY) were used for data collection. Raw hog manure contained organic nitrogen, phosphates and ferrous iron. Digested hog manure contained organic and inorganic nitrogen, phosphates as well as a mix of ferrous and ferric iron

Guide to Large Scale Production of Moringa oleifera (Lam.) for Sustainable Aquaculture Development in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges.

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food production sectors to every household in Nigeria. Products from aquaculture such as fish food supply protein to household protein. However, biosafety of food products from aquaculture is now considered as public health concern in Nigeria. This is due to the nature and component of materials used as rearing facilities on the fish farm. Elimination of unwanted fishes and other predators is a common practice among fish farmers in Nigeria prior to stocking of desirable fish fingerlings. The use of synthetic pesticides to eliminate unwanted fishes and other predators in pond is persistent and could get into the food chain. Thus, the use of environmentally safe natural pesticides as an alternative is being embraced in aquaculture because they have a short time of toxicity disappearance and biodegradable. This will enhance the principles of sustainable aquaculture production and its management in Nigeria. In Southwestern Nigeria, there is little or no information on commercial production of Moringa oleifera for aquaculture purpose. There is the need for future development on Moringa production on commercial scale in Southwestern Nigeria and elsewhere in the tropics for sustainable aquaculture development. The paper therefore reviewed possible guide to Moringa oleifera production, methodology for its potential application in sustainable aquaculture development in Southwestern Nigeria. Possible prospects and challenges to encounter during commercial production were discussed.Keywords: Moringa oleifera, commercial, Sustainable aquaculture, Southwestern Nigeri

Subunit Composition of the Human Medicator Complex in Neuronal Cell Lines

The human mediator complex is a 26 to 30 subunit complex that exists in various forms in cells. This multi subunit complex regulates all protein-coding genes and the expression of such genes. Though the mediator complex plays an important role in transcription, not much is known about it. In the quest to discover the structural composition, function and mechanism through which the mediator complex operates, most scientists and researchers have done extensive analysis of the mediator complex in He La cell lines and not so much in alternate cell lines. Analyzing two neuronal cell lines, LN-18, a malignant human glioma cell line, and SK-N-AS, a human neuroblastoma cell line, we hypothesize that the subunit composition of the mediator complex in these two neuronal cell lines might be different from that of HeLa cells due to the high specialization of the central nervous system. Employing the use of immunoprecipitation, gel electrophoresis, silver staining and ultimately mass spectrometry, we expect to observe “neuron specific” mediator complex. This research will open the door for further research on neuronal cell lines