Femtocell Congestion Mitigation Technique using Poisson Point Process

The idea of femtocell technology came in order to boost the signal strength of indoor Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) users. The number of subscribers a femtocell device can accommodate is closed from the manufactures’ end in order to check the capacity limit. The challenge with this form of technology is that only registered subscribers are permitted to gain access. This study seeks to enable flexibility in the control of its capacity limit by employing Poisson Point Process as a congestion control tool. The outcome of the study showed that the spatial Poisson Point Process can effectively be used to control the capacity limit of femtocell device, using co-channel interference technique. This will enable the device to operate as an open system while controlling the capacity limit. Keywords: Femtocell, Poisson Point Process, Cellular Network, Home Node

Proposed Multi-Mode Home Node-B Air Interface Protocol Stack Architecture

A Multi-mode Home NodeB (MHNB) is a system that can offer cellular service(s) to more than one different generation technology. The Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) technology using NodeB as its transceiver station was developed to offer a high frequency range of 5MHz and because of this, the signal from the NodeB dilutes faster once reaching indoor. Studies showed that the idea of Home NodeB system by Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) came as a means to boost the diluted indoor signals. The challenge with this system is that it can only accommodate small number of subscribers as its Close Subscriber Group (CSG) without allowance for expansion. This study seeks to address the small capacity issue of the existing HNB by proposing a system that will accommodate wider capacity range and also, modify its operation from a single network mode to a Multi network mode technology. This will also offer great benefit to developing countries through extension of their GSM coverage and will also create a uniform platform for all cellular generation technologies. Keywords: Home NodeB, Multi-mode Home NodeB, Third Generation Partnership Project and Close Subscriber Group                                                                                                                        

Effect of Supplementation of Palm Kernel Meal with Yeast Culture Enzyme on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

This study was carried out to determine the effect of supplementation of palm kernel meal with yeast culture enzyme additive on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. The palm kernel meal supplemented with yeast culture enzyme was used to replace soyabean meal at various levels to determine the best replacement that would give optimal performance in broiler chickens diets. The proximate composition of palm kernel meal showed that it contained 91.05% dry matter, 8.9% moisture, 4.2% ash, 20.00% crude protein, 6.50% ether extract, 1.3% crude fibre, 66.07% nitrogen free extract (NFE) and 3481.81 Kcal/Kg metabolizable energy. In the starter feeding trial, the palm kernel meal supplemented yeast culture enzyme was used to replace soyabean meal at levels of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% each. Each starter diet was fed to a group of 30 broiler chicks for four weeks using completely randomized design. Each treatment was divided into three replicates of 10 broiler chicks each. Parameters determined include; initial body weight, final body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and cost of production. In the finisher feeding trial, the replacements were 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% PKM to replace soyabean meal in the control diet. Each finisher diet was fed to a group of 30 finisher broiler chickens for another four weeks using completely randomized design. The parameters determined include; initial body weight, final body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, cost of production and carcass characteristics. In the starter feeding trial, the starter broiler chicks fed 25% PKM supplemented with yeast culture enzyme compared favourably with those fed the control diet (P<0.05) in terms of feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio and hence recorded highest body weight gain. The cost of production of the starter broiler chicks was lowest for Treatment 5 (N361.47) (100% PKM supplemented with yeast culture enzyme) while the costliest was Treatment 1 (Control) N494.89. In the finisher feeding trial, the finisher broiler chickens fed 75% PKM supplemented with yeast culture enzyme compared favourably with those on the control diet in terms of body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. It was observed that the finisher broiler chickens could tolerate high palm kernel meal supplemented with yeast culture enzyme up to 75% inclusion in their diets. The cost of production of the finisher broiler chickens was lowest for Treatment 5(100% PKC supplemented with yeast culture enzyme) (N308.90) versus N354.74 for the control which was the costliest. The internal organs expressed as percent of the live-weight were not affected by the treatments. The results of the trials have shown that supplementation of palm kernel meal with yeast culture increased its digestibility and reduced high fibre level of palm kernel meal. Palm kernel meal supplemented with yeast culture enzyme could be used up to 25% in the diets of starter broiler chicks and up to 75% in the diets of finisher broiler chickens without affecting body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio negatively

KASPar SNP genetic map of cassava for QTL discovery of productivity traits in moderate drought stress environment in Africa

Open Access Journal; Published online: 28 May 2021Cassava is an important staple in Sub-Sahara Africa. While its production has rapidly expanded to the dry savannahs of the continent, productivity is low in this ecology due to drought by farmers, extending the growth cycle from 12 months to 18, and sometimes 24 months to ensure better harvests. Yield is a complex trait and often difficult to manipulate for genetic gain in conventional breeding. Unfortunately, the dearth of molecular tools for decades has hampered molecular breeding (MB) to improve cassava productivity. This study was conducted to explore KASpar SNPs to generate more molecular tools to enhance genetic dissection of elite African germplasm for improved cassava productivity in dry environments of Africa where molecular resources are highly limited for crop improvement. To aid molecular genetic analysis of traits, a linkage map covering 1582.8 cM with an average resolution of 3.69 cM was constructed using 505 polymorphic SNP markers distributed over 21 linkage groups. Composite interval mapping using 267 F1 progeny in initial QTL mapping identified 27 QTLs for productivity traits in the dry savannah of Nigeria. The availability of KASPar SNPs are anticipated to improve the implementation of MB for the development of high performing drought-tolerant cassava varieties in Africa

Cross-sectional study on COVID-19 prevention and vaccination status of veterinary colleges in Southeast Nigeria

COVID-19 vaccination and compliance with the established prevention protocols are integral to curbing the spread of the COVID-19 virus; however, there is a paucity of information on compliance with these measures among veterinary schools within southeast Nigeria. To fill this gap, we evaluated the vaccination status and individual’s perception of the preventive measures against COVID-19 infections. A cross-sectional study using a self-reported internet-based questionnaire was employed to obtain responses from students and staff of the veterinary colleges in southeast Nigeria. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant factors associated with vaccination status and compliance with the COVID-19 prevention protocols by the respondents. A total of 183 individuals participated in the online survey. Although 75% (138/183) of the respondents revealed a willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine, only 25.1% (46/183) of the respondents had received one or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. We observed that male respondents (28 ± 4.4% (95% CI 19–37)) had a higher percentage of vaccinated individuals than female respondents. Furthermore, the academic staff of the veterinary colleges were 39.70 (95% CI 2.50–630.65; ) times more likely to get vaccinated than undergraduate students. The educational status of the respondent greatly contributed to the willingness to get vaccinated, and individuals within the age bracket of 31 to 40 years were 10.2 ± 1.07 (95% CI 1.33–92.25; ) times less likely to comply with the COVID-19 prevention protocols. Although a high proportion of the respondents had a good perception of the COVID-19 prevention protocols, only 25.1% of the members of the veterinary colleges in southeast Nigeria had been vaccinated. Therefore, there is a need to create better awareness channels to improve the vaccination status of members of veterinary colleges in southeast Nigeria

Purification and some properties of a serine protease from sorghum malt variety ICSV400

A serine protease from sorghum malt variety ICSV400 was purified by a combination of sucrose fractionation, ionexchange chromatography on Q- and S-Sepharose (fast flow), gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-100 and hydrophobic interaction chromatography on Phenyl Sepharose CL-4B. The enzyme was purified 6.2-fold to give a 9.5% yield relative to the total activity in the crude extract and a final specific activity of 1667.5 U mg-1 protein. SDS-PAGE revealed two migrating protein bands corresponding to apparent relative molecular masses of 59 and 63 KDa, respectively. Using casein as substrate, the purified protease had optimal activity at 50°C and maximal temperature stability between 50°C and 60°C but retained over 50% of its original activity after incubation at 70°C for 30 min. Both pH optimum and maximum was 5.0 while 55% of the activity remained after 24 h between pH 4.0 and 8.0. The enzyme was highly significantly (p<0.001) inhibited by Ag+, Mn2+ and Pb2+, highly significantly (p<0.001) activated by Cu2+, Fe2+, Sr2+ and Zn2+ but unaffected by both Ca2+ and Co2+. The protease was equally highly significantly (p<0.001) inhibited by phenylmethylsulphonylfluoride (PMSF), unaffected by iodoacetic acid (IAA), p-chloromercuribenzoate (p-CMB) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) but highly significantly (P<0.001) stimulated by 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). The purified enzyme hydrolysed casein to give the following kinetic constants: Km = 0.56 mg.ml-1; Vmax = 0.111mmol. ml-1.min-1

Thermal comfort in sub-Saharan Africa: Field study report in Jos-Nigeria

There is much documented material concerning human thermal comfort from the physiological, adaptive and social convention paradigms. Most of these studies have been conducted on limited-occupancy buildings, such as offices and institutions of higher learning in the northern hemisphere and parts of the ASEAN region; the subjects generally being adults and assumed to be in good health. In contrast, limited work appears to have been carried out in regularly occupied buildings like homes and in tropical sub-Saharan Africa. This study seeks to fill this gap by providing empirical thermal comfort data from a city in the tropical savannah region of Africa. The data collected include temperature, humidity, CO2 level and lighting level, as well as results from questionnaires on the occupants' sensations of thermal comfort. The results show the range of conditions in which occupants in naturally ventilated buildings are comfortable. The preferred conditions suggested by the data are an operative temperature of just over 26 °C.Adaptive thermal comfort Sub-Saharan Africa Energy Buildings

Dietary evaluation of fermented cocoyam tuber meal (Xanthostoma sagitifolium) as energy source in place of maize in broiler chicken production

Considering the inherent attributes of cocoyam tuber meal (Xanthosoma sagitifolium) and its appropriate utilization in chicken diets may enhance performance of broiler chicken. This study was therefore carried out to determine the dietary evaluation of fermented cocoyam tuber meal as energy source in the diets of finisher broiler production. The objectives of the study were to determine the proximate composition of raw and fermented coco yam tuber meal and their anti-nutrient content (Tannin), cyanide, saponin, phytate and oxalate); to determine the effects of replacement value of maize with different levels of fermented coco yam tuber meal on the growth performance of broilers; to determine the economics of production of broilers using such diets. The fermented cocoyam was used to replace maize at various levels to determine the best level that would give optimal performance in broilers diets. One hundred and fifty (150) agrited finisher Anak broilers at 4 week were used for this experiment. The proximate composition of fermented cocoyammeal showed that it contained 19.15% moisture, 1.30% ash, 3.56% crude protein, 5.30% crude fiber, 1.90% ether extract and 25.48% NFE. In the finisher trial, the replacements were 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of FCYM for maize in the control diet. Each finisher diet was fed to a group of 30 finisher broilers at 4weeks using completely RamdomizedDesign (CRD). The parameters measured include: initial body weight, final body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, cost of production and carcass characteristics. In the finisher feeding trial, the broiler group on 25% FCYM recorded the highest body weight gain which was significantly different (P&lt;0.05) from those on the control diet and the rest of the treatment groups. The internal organs expressed as percent of the live weight were not affected by the treatments. The cost of production (N135.28) was lowest for diets 5 (100% FCYM) while the highest was the control treatment. The result of the trial have shown that 4 day fermentation of cocoyam tubers for processing broiler diets was quite an effective method of processing cocoyam tubers for use in broiler diets because fermentation reduced the anti-nutrient contents in cocoyam tubers. It was concluded that fermented cocoyam tuber meal could be used in the diet of finisher broilers up to 100% without affecting bodyweight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio as indicated in this study

Growth performance of starter broiler chickens fed processed African yam bean meal as protein source in place of soyabean meal

Protein source like soyabean meal is expensive and constitutes about 15-30% of poultry and pig diets. Thus, the study was carried out to determine the growth performance of starter broiler chickens fed processed African yam bean meal as protein source in place of soyabean meal in their diets. The processed African yam bean meal (AYBM) was used to replace soyabean meal at various levels to determine the best level that would give optimal performance in starter broilers. The African yam bean seeds were procured at Ndioro market in Abia state and were sorted to remove stones and dirt by sieving. The seeds were soaked in water for 24 hours in large vats and then, the water was removed and the seeds were air dried for 3 days. The seeds were then toasted for 35 minutes in a frying pan, milled using hammer mill to obtain processed African yam bean meal, and then stored in bags until used. The proximate composition of processed African yam bean meal showed that it contained 8.29% moisture, 91.71% dry matter, 3.40% ash, 21.12% crude protein, 5.0% ether extract, 5.73% crude fibre and 56.46% nitrogen free extract. In the starter feeding trial, the processed African yam bean was used to replace soyabean meal at levels of 0, 10, 15, 20 and 25% respectively in the control diet. Each starter diet was fed to a group of 30 broiler chicks for 4 weeks using completely randomized design. Each treatment was divided into 3 replicates of 10 broiler chicks each. The broiler chicks were kept in pens in deep litter and given feed and water ad libitum. Parameters measured include; initial body weight, final body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and cost of production. In the starter broiler feeding trial, the group on 10% processed AYBM compared favourably with the control (P&gt;0.05) in terms of feed intake, feed conversion ratio and body weight gain. Cost of production per kg (was lowest for diet 2 (N463.38) against N471.63 for those on control diet. The result of the trial has shown that processed African Yam bean meal can be used to replace soyabean meal in the diet at 10% for optimum performance of starter broilers without affecting the body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio

Nutrient intake and digestibility of West African dwarf lambs fed creep diets formulated from different nitrogen sources

A study was conducted to investigate the nutrient intake and digestibility of creep fed West African dwarf lambs maintained in a humid tropical environment. Nine lambs were completely randomized into three groups and each placed on different nutritional regimen from 6 to 16 weeks post-partum. Lambs in group 1 (control) ate forage sward suckled their dams (diet A). Groups 2 and 3 lambs, were in addition to suckling, given supplementary rations formulated to contain 10.0% Soya bean and groundnut cakes in concentrate mix, respectively. Feed intake and coefficients of digestibility for all nutrients evaluated were affected (P&lt;0.05) by dietary treatment. Dry matter (12.66), crude protein (50.63), nitrogen free extract (44.20) and energy (37.56) digestibility were significantly lower (P&lt;0.05) in T but similar (P&gt;0.05) in groups 2 (76.12, 85.94, 94.72 and 82.01) and 3 (74.89, 84.87, 94.45 and 80.42) while ether extract and crude fiber differed (P&lt;0.05) in treatment 1, 2 and 3. Creep supplemented groups generally recorded better nutrient intake and digestibility. This study showed that creep feeding leads to the production of well nourished lambs with animals in group 2 (fed creep containing10%Soya bean) showing better result in terms of parameters measured compared to those of group 3 (fed creep containing 10% groundnut cake). Thus, Soybean is a better nitrogen source for creep feeding lambs compared to groundnut cake