Comunicación corta. Cultivares de algodón con resistencia moderada a African cotton mosaic virus

A 3 year screening of 25 long staple cotton cultivars for resistance to African cotton mosaic virus (ACMoV) conducted in northern Nigeria during the 1999-2001 wet seasons indicated that no cultivar was immune or resistant. Two cultivars, Pima S1 and Pima S4 were moderately resistant (16% infection), four cultivars Pima S2, Pima S3, Giza 45 and Giza 69 were moderately susceptible (31% infection), while the remaining 19 cultivars were highly susceptible. The moderately resistant cultivars are high yielding, have high quality lint characteristics such as crin percentage, bundle strength, and micronaire fineness. They can be used to reduce the menace caused by ACMoV on cotton in Nigeria.Se llevó a cabo durante tres años, durante las estaciones húmedas de los años 1999-2001, en el norte de Nigeria, una búsqueda de resistencia al African cotton mosaic virus (ACMoV) entre 25 cultivares de algodón de fibra larga. Ningún cultivar fue inmune o resistente. Dos cultivares (Pima S1 y Pima S4) fueron moderadamente resistentes (16% de infección), cuatro cultivares (Pima S2, Pima S3, Giza 45 y Giza 69) fueron moderadamente susceptibles (31% de infección) y los 19 cultivares restantes fueron altamente susceptibles. Los cultivares moderadamente resistentes dieron una producción alta y tienen una hiladura de alta calidad. Estos cultivares pueden ser utilizados para reducir la amenaza producida por ACMoV en algodón en Nigeria

Kinetics of the reduction of μ–oxo–tetrakis(1, 10–phenanthroline) diiron (iii) complex by thiourea in aqueous phenanthrolinium buffer

The homovalent oxo-bridged binuclear iron(III) complex ion [Fe2O(phen)4Cl2]4+ (phen = 1, 10–phenanthroline) aquates to [Fe2O(phen)4(H2O)2]4+ in aqueous phenanthrolinium buffer solution (pH 3.25–4.50). The reaction of [Fe2O2(phen)4(H2O)2]4+ with thiourea in this buffer solution to give [Fe(phen)3]2+, sulphite ion and urea was studied spectrophotometrically at 510 nm and found to be first order in [Fe2O2(phen)4(H2O)2]4+ and of mixed zero and first order in thiourea, i.e. reaction order with respect to thiourea varies from one to zero on increasing the thiourea concentration from 1.0–7.0 × 10-2 mol dm-3. The reaction is characterized by adduct formation. Changes in pH from 3.25 to 4.50 and ionic strength from 0.10 moldm-3 to 0.60 moldm-3 of the reaction solution were found to have no effect on the reaction rate. Catalysis and retardation were observed with the addition of Mg2+ and CH3COO- ions respectively. A plausible mechanism consistent with the results obtained is proposed.Keywords: kinetics, mechanism, oxo-bridged, phenanthrolinium buffer, thioure

Chemical kinetics: A discipline and a mechanistic tool

The purpose of this review is to introduce young researchers, advance undergraduate and graduate students of inorganic chemistry to the field of chemical kinetics both as a discipline and as a tool in mechanistic diagnosis of inorganic chemical reactions. Inorganic reaction mechanism is an important aspect of inorganic chemistry that deals with the study of the detailed step by step processes through which reactants in chemical reactions are converted to products. The overall equation of a reaction tell us what happens in a chemical reaction, whereas the mechanism explains how it happens –the steps involved and the effect of reaction conditions and catalyst, if employed. The review will deal with concepts and well established principles within the broad fields of chemical kinetics, which can be employed in determining the stoichiometry, kinetics and ultimately the mechanisms of chemical reactions

Morphometric Observations of the tongue of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica).

A Biometric study was conducted on the tongue of twenty-five (25) adult domestic duck collected from the Sokoto metropolitan poultry and fish modern market, over a period of seven days . A pair of scissors, a scalpel and a blade was used to incise, excise, separate or debride various parts of the oral cavity to expose the organ for research. Results showed that the tongue is characterized by an elongated triangular format. At a point, approximately 2/3 the length of the lingual corpus there is a distinct depression, separating the caudal one-third of the lingual corpus from its rostral two-third. On the dorsal surface of the apex and body of the tongue, a median groove is found. A unique feature of the tongue in domestic Duck is the presence of many fine overlapping needle-shaped processes at both lateral sides of the caudal lingual apex. A single row of large conical papillae is observed symmetrically in the marginal region between the body and root of the tongue. Biometrically the mean dimensio

PPLICATION OF TRICKLING FILTER WITH HYBRID BIOFILM SUPPORT MEDIA IN THE TREATMENT OF PETROLEUM EFFLUENT

The use of biological trickling filter (TF) system in the treatment of petroleum effluent using Luffa cylindrica-polystyrene hybrid as biofilm support medium for microbiological growth was evaluated. The efficiency of the treatment process was measured in terms of turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD5). The TF was set up with Luffa cylindrica-polystyrene hybrid biofilm support. The pilot scale trickling system was performed at an ambient temperature and the effluent from the system was measured for turbidity, COD and BOD5. The result showed that the turbidity of the effluent was reduced to 94 % at a hydraulic retention time of 6 hrs. The COD was also reduced from 327-26 mg/l at 6 hrs. representing 92 % reduction in the COD value. The results obtained also showed that the TF achieved 78 % reduction in BOD5.Therefore, the biological trickling filter treatment process appears to be a promising wastewater treatment method for petroleum effluent with respect to the turbidity, COD and BOD5 remova

Assessment of Micro Flora, Deoxynivalenol (Don) and Fumonisin Contamination of Grains sold in Local Markets, Nigeria

Fusarium the major deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisin producing species of fungi grow as a corn endophyte often without causing disease symptoms in plant. Climate changes resulting in appropriate weather conditions helps in Fusarium growth causing seedling blight, stalk rot and ear rot. Thus most grain contamination of Fusarium comes from the farm. This study was carried out to assess the micro flora and level of DON and fumonisin contamination in Zea mays, Sorghum bicolor, Triticum aestivum and Pennisetum americanum sold in Ota. Forty samples comprising ten of each grain type was analyzed, Fumonisin at concentration ≥4.0 mg/kg (ppm) was detected in eight samples of Zea mays and two samples of Triticum aestivum while DON at concentrations ≥1.25mg/kg (ppm) was detected in all the wheat samples using the Rida® Quick Fumonisin and DON test kits. The total aerobic plate count for the samples ranged from 2.0×104 to 8.4×106 cfu/g, fungal count ranged from 1.0×104 to 6.0×106 cfu/g while coliform count ranged from < 10 to 2.0×103 cfu/g. The predominant microbial isolates from the grains included species of Fusarium, Aspergillus, Mucor, Penicillium, Bacillus, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas. Infection of grains by fungal species and contamination with mycotoxins can generally be influenced by favourable weather conditions. Measures to address climate changes, effective hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) and good storage system are advocated to prevent mould contamination and deleterious mycotoxin production in grains

Possible Antidiabetic Mechanism of Action of Ex-maradi Okra Fruit Variety (Abelmoscus esculentus) on Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Increasing evidences suggest that postprandial hyperglycemia plays an important role in the development of diabetes complications. Therefore, therapeutic approaches that act via lowering of postprandial glucose leading to reduce insulin requirement are currently very attractive. The present study investigated some possible mechanisms of hypoglycemic action of different parts (Whole Okra „WO‟; Okra Peel „OP‟ and Okra Seed „OS‟) of Ex-maradi Okra fruit variety in the management of diabetes mellitus in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Standard analytical procedures were employed in the study. The results indicated that various parts of Okra fruit have ability to stimulate glycogen synthesis in the liver and delay intestinal absorption of glucose with very significant glucose dialysis retardation index (GDRI) and high glucose adsorption capacity (GAC). Histological examination of the pancreatic tissue after administration of Okra fruit revealed evidence of pancreatic islets cells regeneration. These results suggest that the possible mechanisms of antidiabetic effect of Okra fruit are multidimensional and might involve increased glycogenesis, delay glucose absorption and pancreatic islets regeneration leading to increased insulin secretion. These might help control postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus.Keywords: Diabetes, Glycogen, Glucose, Hyperglycemia, Okr

Evaluation of different packaging types for adoption in safe handling and transportation of fresh tomato fruits in Nigeria

ABSTRACTThis work evaluated plastic, wooden and carton crates and compared the best of them to traditional basket for possible adoption in safe handling and transportation of fresh tomato fruits in Nigeria. This was achieved through laboratory experiments and analysis involving static tests, simulating storage conditions (at average temperature and humidity of 28.920C and 62.08% respectively) and dynamic tests, simulating handling and transportation conditions involving dropping from different heights and vibration at different amplitudes and frequency. Based on experimental results and economic considerations, carton crate was adjudged the best and a new modified design of it was developed. The performance of the designed crate and the traditional basket presently in use in Nigeria was compared. Results of comparative predictive analysis between the carton and the traditional basket revealed that losses that can be incurred using traditional basket while on transit is about 6.25-7.08%; which can be reduced to an average of 5.71% when carton crates are used. In case of accident, the traditional method can incur an average loss of 51.59%, which can be reduced to an average of 37.88% when carton crates are used. In case of delay in travel (2-3weeks), the traditional method may lose an average of 23.81-88.10%, but this can be reduced to 14-67% when carton crates are used

Anthropometric studies for designing to fit gari-frying workers

 Work system and product design require anthropometric data of the user population relevant to the facility in order to have safe operation in service as well as increase user satisfaction and efficiency. Designing to fit gari-frying workers in each of the southwestern states in Nigeria is geared towards this end. The age, weight and twenty-five body dimensions of 120 gari-frying workers in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti, selected by random sampling, were measured. The body dimensions include stature, shoulder height, sitting height, eye height, forward grip reach, buttock-popliteal height, buttock-knee length, knee height, thigh clearance, forearm-to-forearm breadth, waist depth, elbow rest height, knuckle height, elbow grip length, hip breadth, hand length, hand breadth, hand thickness, grip span and lumbar height. SPSS 20 software was used to perform statistical analysis to determine the mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, 2nd, 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th percentiles for each state. Ogun state was used as a control, against which means of body dimension data, collected from other states, were compared using paired sample t-test. The results revealed that some of the body dimensions showed significant difference across the states at P≤0.05 with Oyo having more anthropometric parameters that differ from that of Ogun and Ondo having the least. Between 11.42% and 24.25% difference in the mean age, weight and lumbar height was observed in all the states. Osun state has the highest mean BMI and BSA values of 32.38 kg/m2 and 1.82 m2, respectively. These results are the required data for the design of facility and products for gari-frying workers as well as in similar women workspaces, especially in processing centres

Memorandum of understanding between the United Nations Human settlements programme and the Barcelona City Council

Aprovat per l’Ajuntament de Barcelona i l'associació ONU-Habitat el 30-04-201