Molecular variation in population structure of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv manihotis in the south eastern Nigeria

Xanthomonas axonopodis  pv manihotis (Xam) is the causal agent of cassava bacterial blight (CBB) in all cassava growing areas of the world. To develop an efficient disease management strategy, the genetic diversity of the pathogens population ought to be known. Information is scarce on the genetic diversity of Xam population in Nigeria. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to characterize Xam isolates from the southeastern parts of Nigeria. Seventeen Xam strains and two reference strains were analyzed with four RAPD primers. RAPD fragment data showed five major clusters at 80% similarity coefficient level. Four strains were not clustered by this analysis (Del5A, Imo38B, Ebon28A and Ebon27A) and were not grouped with the others in the dendrogram. Principal component analysis (PCA) assembly grouped the bacterial strains into three. One of the strains that was separated in the dendrogram was also clustered separately from the others in the major cluster in the PCA. The results showed a high level of genetic diversity in the pathogen

Computational Study of Ring-Cusp Magnet Configurations that Provide Maximum Electron Confinement

Enhancing the confinement of primary electrons within the plasma in a discharge chamber of an ion thruster improves plasma ionization and consequently the thruster\u27s performance. This work computationally calculates the location, position, and orientation of the permanent magnets that provide a ring-cusp magnetic field that maximizes electron confinement in an axi-symmetric cylindrical aluminum-wall discharge chamber. Small samarium cobalt magnets are circumferentially arranged in a ring around the front, side, or back wall of the chamber. The generated ring-cusp magnetic field for any specified magnet configuration is calculated using MAXWELL2D, a two dimensional electromagnetic field simulation computer code. For various magnet configurations, PRIMA, a particle-in-cell computer code modified by Mahalingam and Menart, is used to model the trajectory of the primary electrons in the magnetic field. The confinement length, the length of time an electron is retained within the chamber, is output by PRIMA, and it is the parameter used to determine the performance of the magnet configurations surveyed. The performance of various magnet ring pairs are studied and guidelines on the location, position, and orientation of the magnet rings are obtained. These guidelines are then combined to give complex ring-cusp magnet ring arrangements on a fixed size discharge chamber. For three complex arrangements having three magnet rings, a decrease in the chambers confinement ability is seen when the applied guidelines are slightly violated. This observed decrease validates the guidelines deduced in this work

The Effects of Electricity Consumption on Industrial Growth in Nigeria

The study analyzed the relationship between electricity consumption and industrial growth in Nigeria. The study make up time series data covering the period between 1980 and 2012 and the data collected were analyzed using co-integration and error correction techniques to estimate the short-run and long-run dynamics of the research models respectively. The result established that in the long-run, there is a significant positive relationship between industrial growth and electricity consumption, electricity generation, labour employment and foreign exchange rate while it showed a negative relationship between industrial growth and capital input (proxied by gross capital formation). The study therefore recommends that government should undertake cogent approach towards reforming the electricity supply in such a way to increase industrial production and to monitor the privatization policy of the electricity sub-sector to provide employment to reduce high rate of unemployment in Nigeria. Keywords – Industrial growth, economic development, energy, electricity consumption, production

a legal analysis

Thesis(Master) -- KDI School: Master of Public Policy, 2020With the slowing economic growth after the 2008 global recession, countries are struggling to energize their respective economies to boost growth and create more employment opportunities for their Citizens. As such, countries are taking a second look at various industrial policies to help restructure their respective economies. Belize, a small developing country in Central America with economic and political ties to the Caribbean, must expand its supply capacity to sustain its economy. Achieving this requires a robust institutional response through an industrial strategy aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Belize’s economy. In this paper, we examine Belize’s existing industrial policies by conducting a legal analysis of its three investment incentive programs in relation to its WTO commitment. We identified the inconsistency in the three programmes with the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM), and observed the corrective measure undertaken by the government. Further, we identified possible flexibilities that Belize could take advantage of, while also suggesting a long-term industrial strategy that ensures an economy-wide competitiveness.Section 1: Introduction Section 2: Literature Review Section 3: History of industrial development in the Caribbean and Belize Section 4: Industrial Policies in Belize Section 5: Existing industrial policies in the context of Belize''s WTO ASCM commitments Section 6: Conclusion and Recommendation Section 7: ReferencesmasterpublishedOlabanji Samuel OGUNJOB

Hydrocarbon degradation potentials of bacteria isolated from spent lubricating oil contaminated soil

This study investigates the hydrocarbon degradation potentials of some bacteria isolated from spent lubrication oil on contaminated soil. Cleaning up petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites has been a major challenge. This has led to the exploration of many approaches to affect the cleanup of the polluted soils. A total of sixteen hydrocarbon degrading bacteria species were isolated from spent lubricating oil contaminated soil. The predominant species belonged to the genera Pseudomonas and Enterobacter. Three strains namely Nocardia sp., Pseudomonas sp and Bacillus sp showed the highest potential for hydrocarbon utilization. Their ability to degrade both the aliphatic (n-alkanes) and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) components of the spent lubricating oil in MSM was investigated after 21days of biodegradation studies using gas chromatographic (GC) techniques. Over 98% of the n-alkane and PAHs fraction of the spent lubricating oil supplied at 1.0%vv-1 concentration were degraded by the three strains. Nocardia sp showed the highest percentage of degradation of about 99%. This study has shown that resident bacteria strains in lubricating oil contaminated soils have potential application in the bioremediation of oil polluted sites and enhance the possibility of developing models and strategies for removing hydrocarbon pollutants from the environment.Keywords: Biodegradation, hydrocarbon, spent lubricating oil, gas chromatograph

Assessment of Variation in the Fibre Characteristics of the Wood of Vitex doniana Sweet and Its Suitability for Paper Production

The study investigated the fibre characteristics and chemical composition of Vitex doniana towards determining its potentials for pulp and paper. Fibre dimensions are of great importance because of the strong correlation between it and the strength properties of wood and paper. Axial and radial examinations of fibre characteristics of naturally grown wood of Vitex doniana were investigated to determine its suitability for paper production. Wood slivers were prepared from slices, introduced into wash bottles containing equal volume (1:1) of glacial acetic acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide and investigated on a Rheichert Visopam microscope. Variations existed in the axial and radial direction of the wood. The mean values of fibre characteristics are: fibre length (1.48mm), fibre diameter (21.9μm), fibre lumen width (12.7μm) and fibre wall thickness of Vitex doniana was 4.9μ. The mean lignin, cellulose and extractive contents were 28.1%, 41.2% and 3.5% respectively. Based on the derived values: Slenderness ratio, flexibility coefficient and Runkel ratio, species of Vitex doniana were considered to be good paper making materials.Key Words: Fibre dimensions, axial variation, radial variation, Vitex doniana, lesser known wood specie

Transformation of Agricultural Education in Nigeria: Implication for Food Security

The paper examines the transformation of agricultural education and the implication for food security in Nigeria. The paper argues that the level of hunger in Nigeria was minimal at independence because majority of the people engaged in agriculture. However, the discovery of crude oil in the 1970s and subsequently exportation contributed over 90% to government revenue. This enables government to embark on massive projects which injected much money into the economy. This led to abandonment of agriculture to the rural poor who continue to use crude implements. The result is food insecurity and hunger resulting in mal-nutrition and disease in many homes. The paper further argues that one sure way to transform the agricultural sector and ensure food security is adequate education of the populace on the use and application of agricultural tools and implements. Consequently, the way forward for agricultural transformation in Nigeria is suggested in the paper. Keywords: Agriculture, Education, Food Security, Transformation, Institutio

Combustion Properties of Briquettes Produced from Maize Cob of Different Particle Sizes

Maize cobs sieved into three different mesh sizes of 2.36mm, 4.75mm, and 6.36mm were densified into briquettes using starch as binder. Combustion related properties namely percentage volatile matter, percentage ash content, percentage fixed carbon and calorific or heating value of the briquettes were determined. Results showed that different mesh sizes produced briquettes of different properties. Densities of the briquette produced ranged from 0.15-0.27g/cm3 with particle size 2.36mm having a percentage volatile matter of 57.82%, 4.75mm had 59.37% respectively while 6.30mm had the highest volatile matter of 62.90. The higher the particle size the higher the heating values which ranged from 20.93 to 24.97kj/kg. There is significant difference (P<0.05) in the heating values of the briquette produced from the three particle sizes. Assessment of the burning characteristics showed that briquette produced with particle size 6.30mm gave the highest energy value (24.97) and percentage volatile (62.91%) matter with moderate ash content.Keywords: Briquette, maize cob, combustion properties, mesh sizes, binding agen

Sustainable sanitation promotion in Nigeria: a mix of approaches.

UNICEF is in partnership with the government of Nigeria through a program titled “FGN/UNICEF Water and sanitation program” which supports government and civil society partners at the National, State, LGA and Community levels to “contribute to the achievement of MDGs related to W&S (halving by 2015 the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation-MDG 7; Target 10)” At the National level, the program supports activities in policy and systems development while intervening in thirty six states and the Federal Capital, Abuja. It aims at improving the quality of life through provision of water and sanitation services