Style as the Woman: a Critical Analysis of Fatima Pam’s Once upon a Country

The dynamic nature of language usually brings about differences in its usage among different groups of people as well as individuals. It has been linguistically observed that no two individuals with a common language use it in exactly the same way. This is undoubtedly a question of style or “different strokes for different folks”. It is in the given context that this paper assesses the salient linguistic and literary peculiarities of Fatima Pam in Once upon a Country. The features which are arguably unusual or original to the author in this collection of stories include a concentrated use of compound and complex sentences, a generally simplified diction, a diversified register, an omniscient and condensed narrative style that incorporates social comments, a non-linear presentation of events, and the use of proverbs and poetry

Economic Analysis of Climate Change Effects on Arable Crop Production in Nigeria

The study was designed to evaluate the effects of climate change on arable crops’ productivity, in Nigeria. It estimated the influence of climate factors on farm productivity (net revenue variability) in the country. The study relied mainly on institutional (NIMET) and primary data for its analysis. Data were obtained using a set of structured questionnaire administered in a multi-stage, stratified random sampling manner on arable crop farmers producing maize, rice, cassava, yam and cowpeas. Sixty (60) farmers each were randomly selected from 5 states in each of the five agro-climatic zones in Nigeria giving a total sample size of 300.  Data collected were analyzed using Ricardian model. It was found that rainfall and temperature variations, planting materials costs, household size and labour cost exerted statistically significant effects on level of gross margins.  Their elasticities were 1.199 (p <0.01), 8.219 (p <0.01), 0.108 (p < 0.05), 0.097(p <0.01) and 0.124 (p <0.05) respectively. Keywords: Climate variability, climate change risks, arable crop productivity, Ricardian Mode

Determination of gross alpha and beta radioactivity concentration along Jakara waste water canal, Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria

This research undertook an assessment of the radioactivity level along the Jakara waste water canal. Six soil samples and five water samples were taken for gross alpha and beta activity concentration using the gas–flow–proportional counter (IN20). Results for gross alpha activity concentration for the soil samples range from 4.597E-03 Bq/g to 1.425E-02 Bq/g, while that of gross beta activity for soil has the range from 3.341E+01 Bq/g to 8.092E+01 Bq/g. In the same vein, results for gross alpha activity concentration for the water samples have the range from 6.035E-03 Bq/L to 1.433E+00 Bq/L while the value for the gross beta activity concentration ranges from 5.038E+00 Bq/L to 2.853E+01 Bq/L for the same water samples. These results show that the alpha and beta activity concentration in the analysed samples are higher than the minimum permissible concentration by World Health Organisation (WHO, 2003). This may pose health risk because the waste water is used by people to irrigate vegetables along the waste water canal. Keywords: Background Radiation, Activity Concentration, Gross Alpha, Gross Bet

Evaluation of IgG antibodies against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and associated risk factors for severe respiratory tract infections in pre- school children in North-central, Nigeria

Background: Childhood mortality and morbidity due to RSV is increasing. Our current study was aimed at determining the sero-prevalence rate of RSV IgG antibodies and investigates certain known risk factors for RSV  disease severity in infants and pre-school children presenting with various forms of respiratory tract infections in Ilorin, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: About 280, children and 30, aged matched controls were enrolled into the study at the specialist hospital Ilorin. Blood testing for anti RSV IgG was done using a commercial ELISA kit by IVD Research Inc® Carlsbad. California U.S.A. Information regarding Nutritional status, socio-economic status and other demographic variables were collected.Results: A prevalence rate of 85.7% was recorded among tested children and 23.3%, in controls, across age groups and gender. A statistically significant difference in age groups were recorded among patients with  LRTI, (p <0.05), age <1 41%, age 1 <5, 27.6%. This was also the case forchildren with SRTI (Pneumonia and Bronchiolitis), with age < 1yr, 9%, and 1 <5yr, 19.8%. Analysed risk factors for disease severity showed thatnutritional status of children were statistically significant for disease severity, p-value, 0.039 (Chi square test).Conclusions: We report a high level of exposure to RSV in infancy and early childhood among children from a representative population in a major central Nigerian City, further studies into neutralising antibody levels and subtype distribution of RSV are advocated.Key Words: RSV, Respiratory tract infection, Seroprevalence, Ilorin

Capacitance and Impedance Evaluations in Coconut Shells and Rice Husks Derived Activated Carbon Electrodes.

Solid polarisable activated carbon electrodes have been prepared from Coconut shells and Rice husks. The preparation process involved precursor pre-carbonizations and conversion to solid carbon discs, inert environment carbonization and C02 activation at 7500C. Electrochemical Impedance spectroscopy characterizations gave their Double layer Capacitances as 0.02Fg-1 and 0.17Fg-1 respectively. The electrodes developed polarization impedances were 627.9? for the coconut shells and 1316.5? for the rice husks units. Their XRD scans showed that the electrodes were principally carbon and silica. The low polarization impedance of the coconut shell electrode was attributed to the activated petroleum residue tar binding material. Keywords: Carbonization, Activation, Impedance spectroscopy, Polarization impedance, Double layer Capacitanc

Nano Pores Surface Area Evaluation In Palm Kernel Shells And Masonia Wood Derived Activated Carbons.

Biomass charcoal was obtained by pyrolysis from Palm kernel shells, Coconut shells and Masonia wood precursors as 33.2%, 30.6% and 24.7% respectively. The conversion of the charcoal to activated carbon was implemented with KOH activation. The active surface area measurement carried out with methylene blue adsorption and Brauner, Emmet and Teller (BET) surface adsorption theory gave values of 80.3m2g-1, 172.14m2g-1 and  140.08m2g-1 respectively. The developed pores were in the mesopores category of pores. Keywords: Charcoal, Pyrolysis, Activated Carbon, Mesopores, Specific Surface Area

Analysis of Market Participation by Rice Farmers in Southern Nigeria.

The study analyzed the factors affecting market participation by smallholder rice farmers in the study area. A random sampling procedure was employed in selecting the respondents. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and the probit regression model. The results showed the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the small holder rice farmers varied greatly. The probit regression result showed that the level of crop produced, total land size, use of improved seeds, group participation, market information and contractual agreement has positive and significant impact on the ability of household to participate in output market. Lack of timely market information, transport and restricted access to extension agents are some of the problems associated with smallholder farmers in the study area. Based on the findings of the study some policy implications are discussed. KEYWORDS:Market participation, Small holder rice farmers, Market information, Output marke

Synthesis, Characterization and Preliminary Microbial Studies of 4-{[(E)–1h–Indol–3h–Lmethylidene]Amino}–1,5-Dimethyl-2-Phenyl-1,2-Dihydro-3h-Pyrazol–3-One and Its Al(Iii), In(Iii) and Tl(I) Complexes

4-{[(E)–1H–indol–3H–ylmethylidene]amino}–1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol–3-one and its Al(III), In(III) and Tl(I) Complexes have been synthesized and characterized by physical methods and spectral studies. All the complexes were purified and their structures were elucidated using melting point, stoichiometry, molar conductivity, UV-visible, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and GCMS Spectral Studies The geometry around the metals were deduced based on the spectral information and were found to be five coordinate in all the complexes. The Schiff base ligand is coordinated to the metals through the participation of its imine nitrogen, indole-nitrogen and the oxygen of the antipyrine moiety. These complexes were also tested against different bacteria and fungi using Agar well diffusion method to determine their antimicrobial potency and they were found sensitive against Escherichia Coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Basillus subtilis and Candida albicans but none was found active against Staphylococcus aureus

Nano Pores Surface Area Evaluation in Palm Kernel Shells and Masonia Wood Derived Activated Carbons

Biomass charcoal was obtained by pyrolysis from Palm kernel shells, Coconut shells and Masonia wood precursors as 33.2%, 30.6% and 24.7% respectively. The conversion of the charcoal to activated carbon was implemented with KOH activation. The active surface area measurement carried out with methylene blue adsorption and Brauner, Emmet and Teller (BET) surface adsorption theory gave values of 431.42m2g-1, 623.60m2g-1 and 547.00m2g-1 respectively. Keywords: Charcoal, Pyrolysis, Activated Carbon, Specific Surface Area

Changing Ecotypes of Dengue Virus 2 Serotype in Nigeria and the Emergence of Cosmopolitan and Asian I Lineages, 1966–2019

Dengue virus (DENV) is a leading mosquito-borne virus with a wide geographical spread and a major public health concern. DENV serotype 1 (DENV-1) and serotype 2 (DENV-2) were first reported in Africa in 1964 in Ibadan, Nigeria. Although the burden of dengue is unknown in many African countries, DENV-2 is responsible for major epidemics. In this study, we investigated the activities of DENV-2 to determine the circulating strains and to appraise the changing dynamics in the epidemiology of the virus in Nigeria. Nineteen DENV-2 sequences from 1966–2019 in Nigeria were retrieved from the GenBank of the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI). A DENV genotyping tool was used to identify the specific genotypes. The evolutionary history procedure was performed on 54 DENV-2 sequences using MEGA 7. There is a deviation from Sylvatic DENV-2 to other genotypes in Nigeria. In 2019, the Asian I genotype of DENV-2 was predominant in southern Edo State, located in the tropical rainforest region, with the first report of the DENV-2 Cosmopolitan strain. We confirmed the circulation of other non-assigned genotypes of DENV-2 in Nigeria. Collectively, this shows that DENV-2 dynamics have changed from Sylvatic transmission reported in the 1960s with the identification of the Cosmopolitan strain and Asian lineages. Sustained surveillance, including vectorial studies, is required to fully establish the trend and determine the role of these vectors