Effect of temperature on the postembryonic stages and adults of the blowfly, chrysomya chloropyga (diptera: calliphoridae)

Chrysomya chloropyga biology was studied under controlled temperature (15.6, 22.2, 28.8, 32.2, and 36.1 °C) for an incubation period of eight hours. Development and survival of incubated eggs, larval stages I, II and pupae to adult emergence were highest between 22.2 and 28.8 °C and resistant to temperatures below and above that range. Third larva stage showed a difference, with emergence higher at 15.6 than at 22.2 °C. No adult fly emerged at 36.1 °C. The male and female flies of ages 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days were divided into batches (n = 20). Batches of male and female flies was incubated separately for eight hours and further monitored for 72 hours in the laboratory for survival. Adult males and females survived within 15.6 – 28.8 °C than at higher temperatures irrespective of the ages; 36.1 °C had a lethal effect on the flies. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the survival of adult flies at incubation and after 72 hours of exposure. The results suggest that the effect of temperature depends upon the stage of development of Chrysomya chloropyga. Temperature is fundamental in the development of C. chloropyga and should be considered during PMI determination and in the formulation of control strategies

Mineral Profile of \u3ci\u3ePanicum maximum\u3c/i\u3e var. Ntchisi as Influenced by Organic Nitrogen Rate and Age at Harvest

The study was aimed at profiling the mineral contents of Panicum maximum var Ntchisi as influenced by organic (poultry) nitrogen rate and age at harvest. The study was carried out at the organic research farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria in 2016. The experiment was laid in a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement in a split plot design with four (4) organic nitrogen rate (0, 100, 200 and 300 kgNha-1) as the main plot and three (3) age at harvest (4, 8 and 12 weeks after cutback) as the subplot which amounts to twelve (12) treatment combinations with four replicates. The macro mineral contents were significantly (P\u3c 0.05) influenced by the nitrogen rate. The calcium (Ca) content was up to 4.35 gkg-1DM for the grass at 0 KgNha-1 which was the highest value. The magnesium (5.59 – 8.43 gkg-1DM) content had a linear increment with increased nitrogen rate. The potassium content ranged from 15.58 to 30.80 gkg-1 DM with the grass fertilized at 0 KgNha-1 having the highest K content. The phosphorus was linearly (P\u3c 0.05) influenced with the grass fertilized at 300 KgNha-1 with the highest (1.78 gkg-1DM) content. The micro mineral contents were significantly (P\u3c 0.05) influenced by the nitrogen rate though without a definite pattern. The macro and micro mineral contents were significantly (P\u3c 0.05) influenced by age at harvest except for the copper content. The macro mineral contents decreased with advancement in age at harvest. It was concluded that the grass harvested at younger age will make a good feed resource in terms of mineral requirement of ruminants in the tropics

Synthesis and Characterization of Graphene-Cu Composite Via Hydrothermal Method

In this paper, graphene-copper composite was synthesized via hydrothermal method using different compositions from 5 to 25%. The grain size and copper composition are observed to decrease proportionally to increase in band gap. The effect of composition fluctuate the peaks shift. The peak increased linearly with increasing temperature for each composition. The band gap reduces with increasing temperature for each composition. Short calcined duration on samples is observed to cause a little lower band gap value than that of longer duration. The thermal treatment of graphene oxide (GO) has been observed to cause changes in its quality, size and shape. &nbsp

FORAGE YIELD AND NUTRITIVE QUALITY OF TWO GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L) VARIETIES AS INFLUENCED BY FERTILIZER TYPES

This study was carried out to investigate the forage yield and nutritive quality of two groundnut (SAMNUT 22 and local) varieties as influenced by fertilizer type in the humid ecological zone of Nigeria. The study was a 3 x 2 factorial experiment in a split-plot design with the fertilizer type (poultry droppings, NPK and the control) as the main plot and variety (SAMNUT 22 and Local) as the sub-plot which amounts to six treatments with three replicates. The inorganic-fertilized SAMNUT 22 had the highest forage dry matter (DM) yield (10.23 t/ha). The inorganic-fertilized local variety had the highest DM (94.60 %) and the least DM value (93.68 %) recorded for inorganic-fertilized SAMNUT 22. The highest and least crude protein (21.71 % vs 18.28%) contents were recorded for inorganic-fertilized local and unfertilized SAMNUT 22 variety, respectively. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) that were recorded for the unfertilized SAMNUT 22 were the highest with values 58.13 %, 25.86 % and 3.35 %, respectively. The highest gas (57.75 ml/200mgDM) production, methane (13.50 ml/200mgDM) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (70.22 %) were recorded for unfertilized local variety, unfertilized SAMNUT 22 and organic-fertilized local variety, respectively. The unfertilized SAMNUT 22 had the highest tannin content of 6.43 mg/100g and saponin content of 9.29 mg/100g whereas the organically fertilized Local variety had the highest oxalate (140.65 mg/100g) content. In conclusion, the two varieties and especially SAMNUT 22 when inorganic fertilizer was applied have proved to be good feed resource with regards to high yield, CP and low anti-nutrient quality and are recommended as forage of high nutritive values for ruminant animal production. &nbsp

Postharvest Losses of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) in the Open Markets in Ibadan Metropolis

Postharvest losses of tomato pose serious threat on the economic viability of actors in the tomato production chain in Nigeria. Therefore, postharvest losses of tomato among marketers in Ibadan Metropolis of Oyo State Nigeria were investigated by the researchers. One hundred and twenty tomato marketers were chosen from the five food markets in Ibadan metropolis through a simple random sampling technique. The study adopted linear regression and descriptive statistics to analyze data. The outcomes of the investigation show that females were 92.5% and 88.3% were married. Capital is primarily raised through cooperative societies (57.5%). Postharvest losses of tomato accounted for 18.9% of purchase which represents ₦124,800/day. The major causes of PHLs are poor packaging (100%) and poor storage (100%) by the tomato marketers. Meanwhile, all the respondents (100%) adopted sorting to reduce PHLs of tomato. The regression analysis showed that education has a significant effect to reduce PHLs of tomato. The study concluded that huge postharvest and monetary losses of tomato are experienced by the tomato marketers. The study recommends provision of quality postharvest handling education to tomato marketers as a way of reducing PHLs of tomato in Ibadan

MODELING AND OPTIMIZATION OF SURFACE ROUGHNESS IN END MILLING OF ALUMINIUM USING LEAST SQUARE APPROXIMATION METHOD AND RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

In end milling, accurate setting of process parameters is extremely important to obtained enhanced surface roughness (SR). Due to a recent innovation in mechanization made it possible to produce high quality manufacturing products. The perceptions of quality in mechanical products are their physical look that is the surface roughness (SR). The aim of this research work is to develop mathematical expression (M.E) and mathematical model using least square approximation method and Response Surface Methodology (RMS) to predict the SR for end milling of Al 6061 alloy. The process parameters that were selected as predictors for the SR are Spindle speed (V), axial depth of cut (a), feed rate (f) and radial depth of cut (d). 30 samples of Al 6061 alloy were carried out using SIEG 3/10/0010 CNC machines and each of the experimental result was measured using Mitutoyo surface roughness tester and Presso-firm. The minimum SR of 0.5 μm were obtained at a spindle speed of 2034.608 rpm, feed rate of 100 mm/min, axial depth of cut of 20 mm, and radial depth of cut 1.5 mm. Analysis of variances shows that the most influential parameters was feed rate. After the predicted SR has been obtained by using the two methods, average percentage deviation was calculated, the result obtained using least square approximation method (that is the mathematical expression) show the accuracy of 99% and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) mathematical model shows accuracy of 99.6% which is viable and appropriate in prediction of SR. When either of these models are applied this will enhance the rate of production

Investigation of livestock for presence of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

The study investigated the presence of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in livestock to ascertain their reservoir role and also screened for other pathogenic trypanosomes of animals in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger state, Nigeria. A total of 460 livestock comprising (cattle, sheep, goats, and dogs) selected at random were bled, examined using the buffy coat and Giemsa stained thin film and packed cell volume estimated. Questionnaire was filled for each animal on demography, awareness and management practices. An overall prevalence of 2.17% with Trypanosoma brucei, T. congolense, T. vivax and a mixed infection of T. brucei and T. congolense observed microscopically awaiting characterization. Interviews revealed high awareness (82.8%) of tsetse and trypanosomiasis described as bush disease and abortion in four cows. The PCV values were within the normal range, however, a significant decrease (P<0.05) was observed in sheep aged 7months to 4years in two communities. Therefore, the study indicated the presence of T. brucei and other trypanosomes suggesting that animal trypanosomiasis is still a problem to animal health and wellbeing in the study area. The study recommends effective integrated chemotherapy and vector control including livestock rearing under intensive management system to boost livestock production and productivity

Natural radionuclide and radiological impact assessment of teak plantation, University of Ilorin, Kwara State

The amount of naturally occurring radionuclide in Teak plantation was measured using gamma ray spectrometer RS-125. This device gave an in-situ measurement of radioactivity concentration of 40K, 232Th, 238U and dose rate. The data was taken in 20 locations, the overall mean dose rate (DR) is 47.8150 Gyh-1. The overall mean activity concentrations for 40K, 232Th, 238U are 456.1975 BqKg-1, 29.0245 BqKg-1 and 26.2080 BqKg-1 respectively. It was also observed that only the estimated outdoor dose rate D of 40K at study location L1 exceeded the world limit of 57nGyh-1. This could be due to its closeness to the university main gate with lots of possible interfering human activities around the gate area. However, further study on detailed geochemical investigation is required to reach at some conclusion. By comparing the mean values of the activity concentrations and their radiological risks with the several world standards, it can be concluded that the Teak plantation is highly rich in Potassium

A new differential configuration suitable for realization of high CMRR, all-pass/notch filters

#yayıncısurumuyok# ; Tam metin hakemden geçmiş kopyadır.In this paper, a new configuration suitable for realization of differential input-differential output first order, second order all-pass and notch filters with high CMRR is given. The proposed configuration uses two negative type second-generation current conveyors (CCII-), and three admittances. Two first order and one second order all-pass filters and a notch filter (tunable if current controlled conveyor CCCII is used) are extracted from the proposed configuration. Tracking error, element mismatch, sensitivity analysis, simulation and experimental results are included