Breeding records of hooded vultures Necrosyrtes monachus (Timminek, 1823) at Kpokap, Zango Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Nesting of vultures was studied alongside with their population and distribution. Vulture’s nest is usually occupied by male and female for successful incubation of egg(s) and rearing of the chick(s). Continuation and preservation of an organism is achieved through conducive breeding habitat; vultures inclusive. Two nests were found at Kpokap all on Giant cola tree (Cola gigantea). The nests were placed each at the fork of the tree trunk. Nest 1 was located at about 9.5m above the ground while nest 2 was located at about 8.5m above the ground. The monogamous vultures fly out from their nests but hoover around whenever they felt threatened. This study is aimed at preserving the breeding pairs of vultures found at the study areas as fast as possible

Breeding Record of the Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus (Timminek, 1823) at Emi Abumo Woro, Kogi State, Nigeria

The hooded vulture Necrosyrtes monachus is a critically endangered species and recently published evidence suggests that its population is experiencing an extremely rapid decline, owing to indiscriminate poisoning, trade for traditional medicine, hunting, persecution, electrocution, habitat loss and degradation. As a result of these threats, the species is gradually disappearing from its range and thus, the sighting of vultures or their nests is becoming very rare. This paper thus, presents a report on the sighting of the Hooded Vulture and its nest at Emi Abumo Woro Village, Kogi State, Nigeria. This is an evident and equally an indication that Emi Abumo Woro village harbours the remnant of this rare and critically endangered bird species. Materials and Methods: Two vultures and a nest were sighted on 3rd March, 2018, during a bird survey of the area. The nest was sighted on a Baobab tree Adansonia digitata, located in a fork on the main trunk, at a height above ground of 12.8 m. The nest was accessed using a ladder to determine its content. Results: The content of the nest were two eggs, which were photographed. On 17th March, 2018, when the nest was revisited, one of the eggs had disappeared and could not be accounted for. Fifteen other vultures were seen flying within the nest environment. The nest was revisited on 2nd April, 2018 and it was observed that the one remaining egg had been hatched and the vultures had disappeared to an unknown destination. The nest was a statant-cupped shaped nest of large size and the nest materials were mostly sticks and leaves of the nesting tree, which were used in lining the nest. Conclusion: This study reveals that the Hooded Vulture still exist in some parts of Nigeria and that Emi Abumo Woro village presents a good breeding site for this vulture. It is therefore very important to take some measures towards conserving the vulture and its breeding site

Effect of Weeding Regimes on Chemical Composition of Lablab Purpureus in Semi-Arid Sokoto, Nigeria

A Field experiment was conducted in 2010 and repeated in 2011 cropping seasons to determine effects of weeding regime on chemical composition of Lablab purpureus. It was planted and weeded at four weeding regimes (weedy check, weeding once, weeding twice and weed free) laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated thrice. Results revealed that weed free regime produced the highest crude protein (24.8%) while weedy check produced the highest carbohydrate content of 55.9% and the highest lipid content of 24.8%. For 2010 and 2011 seasons and the combined analysis, weeding regime did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05) in all parameters except in crude fibre and weed dry weight. Keywords: Weeding, Chemical Composition, Labla

Influence of Intra row spacing on growth and fodder yield of Lablab (Lablab purpureus [L]) in Semi – Arid Sokoto Nigeria

A Field experiment was conducted in 2010 and repeated in 2011 cropping seasons at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching and Research Farm, Dabagi to determine the effect of intra row spacing on growth and yield of Lablab purpureus. Treatments consisted three intra row spacings (20, 30 and 40cm) laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. The results of the trial showed that intra row spacing significantly (P < 0.05) affected stand establishment count with 20cm producing the highest (43.3)number of stands and plant height at week 3 after sowing in 2011 cropping season. Tallest plants (42.2 cm) were produced by 20cm intra row spacing. Leaf number was significant (P< 0.05) at 9 weeks after sowing in 2010 cropping season. Thirty (30) cm intra row spacing produced the highest no. of leaves (25). Leaf length was not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by intra row spacing. The longest leaf (9.9 cm) was produced by 30 cm intra row spacing. Leaf width was also not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by intra row spacing with 30 cm intra row spacing producing the widest leaf (8.9 cm). Dry matter yield was not affected (P > 0.05) by intra row spacing however, 30 cm intra row spacing produced the highest dry matter yield of 1707.7 kg/ha. It was concluded from this research that 30 cm intra row spacing produced the highest dry matter yield of Lablab purpureus (L) and is recommended for semi arid Sokoto environment.Keywords: Row spacing, Fodder yield, Lablab purpureu

Under-5 mortality and its associated factors in Northern Nigeria : evidence from 22,455 singleton live births (2013-2018)

The northern geopolitical zones (NGZs) continue to report the highest under-5 mortality rates (U5MRs) among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. This study was designed to identify factors related to under-5 mortality (U5M) in the NGZs. The NGZ populations extracted from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey were explored to assess the factors associated with U5M using logistic regression, generalised linear latent, and mixed models. Between 2013 and 2018, the northwest geopolitical zone reported the highest U5MR (179 deaths per 1000 live births; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 163–194). The adjusted model showed that geopolitical zone, poor household, paternal occupation, perceived children’s body size at birth, caesarean delivery, and mothers and fathers’ education were highly associated with increased odds of U5M. Other significant factors that influenced U5M included children of fourth or higher birth order with shorter interval ≤ 2 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.68; CI: 1.42–1.90) and mothers who did not use contraceptives (aOR = 1.41, CI: 1.13–1.70). Interventions are needed and should primarily spotlight children residing in low-socioeconomic households. Educating mothers on the benefits of contraceptive use, child spacing, timely and safe caesarean delivery and adequate care for small-sized babies may also reduce U5M in Nigeria, particularly in the NGZs

Trends and factors associated with under-5 mortality in Northwest Nigeria (2008–2018)

Background: The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) revealed that the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) in the northwest geopolitical zone (NWGZ), Nigeria, increased by 1.1% from 185 to 187 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2013 and 2018, indicating a setback to the previously reported modest improvement in U5MR. Objectives: This study sought to examine trends and factors related to under-5 mortality (U5M) in NWGZ from 2008 to 2018. Methods: A combined NWGZ dataset extracted from the 2008, 2013 and 2018 NDHSs, with a sample of 32,015 singleton live births, including 3,745 under-5 deaths, was used. The U5MRs for each survey year and potential independent factors were obtained using the STATA “syncrmrates” command, and then the trends were examined. A logistic regression generalised linear latent and mixed model was used to explore the potential factors associated with U5M in NWGZ. Findings: In NWGZ, the U5MR declined by only 8.2% (from 195 to 179 per 1,000 live births between 2008 and 2018, respectively), with a similar trend observed among its seven states. Multivariable analyses indicated that maternal education (no formal or primary education), maternal non-use of contraception, a mother’s perception of the baby being small or very small, birth order (second to fourth or higher) with a shorter birth interval (≤2 years), younger or older maternal age (<20 years or ≥40 years old) and rural residence were significantly associated with U5M in NWGZ. Conclusion: Interventional initiatives including educating mothers on the benefits of contraceptive use, child spacing, kangaroo mother care of small-sized babies and promoting regular check-ups for older mothers will substantially reduce U5M in NWGZ

Community-based Forest Resources Management in Nigeria: Case study of Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve, Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State, Nigeria

In Nigeria, human communities are found within or beside forest ecosystems, depending onthese ecosystems for survival. Their forest exploitation is considered a threat to conservation efforts,leading to constant conflicts between Government, law enforcement agencies and the communities. Thebest solution is a win-win system of participatory community-based forest resources management, inwhich the communities are regarded as stakeholders rather than as threats. This paper explains theadoption of this approach in Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve, Mambilla Plateau, where the communities weretrained in establishment and management of forest plantations with readily available market for theirtimber; employment for some of the community youths as well as community development projects.This paper calls for the adoption of this system in other protected areas in Nigeria, while theGovernment should provide basic amenities for the communities as alternatives to those forest products.Keywords: Community-based forest management, Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve, Protected areas, Nigeria

Overturning established chemoselectivities : selective reduction of arenes over malonates and cyanoacetates by photoactivated organic electron donors

The prevalence of metal-based reducing reagents, including metals, metal complexes, and metal salts, has produced an empirical order of reactivity that governs our approach to chemical synthesis. However, this reactivity may be influenced by stabilization of transition states, intermediates, and products through substrate-metal bonding. This article reports that in the absence of such stabilizing interactions, established chemoselectivities can be overthrown. Thus, photoactivation of the recently developed neutral organic superelectron donor 5 selectively reduces alkyl-substituted benzene rings in the presence of activated esters and nitriles, in direct contrast to metal-based reductions, opening a new perspective on reactivity. The altered outcomes arising from the organic electron donors are attributed to selective interactions between the neutral organic donors and the arene rings of the substrates

Integral development of jumping and of shot accuracy of young basketball players 12-13 years

Integral development of jumping and of shot accuracy of young basketball players 12-13 years / Mirosława Cieślicka, Zhanneta Kozina, Radosław Muszkieta, Vitalii Korobeinik, Danil Safronov, Nataliya Bugayets, Tatiana Shepelenko, Andrii Tanko // Journal of Physical Education and Sport – 2019. – № 19. – at. № 143. – Р. 992-1002. – DOI: https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2019.s3143Подано принципи комплексного розвитку швидкісно-силових якостей та стрибучості юних баскетболістів. Показано, що використання комплексної методики підготовки баскетболістів сприяло підвищенню рівня спеціальної фізичної підготовленості та ефективності кидка у стрибку. Розроблена методика позитивно впливає на взаємозв'язок показників стрибучості та точності кидків у баскетболі. Розроблена методика адекватна вирішенню завдань тренувального процесу баскетболістів і може бути рекомендована у широку практику підготовки дитячих баскетбольних команд.The principles of the integrated development of speed-power qualities and jumping ability of young basketball players are presented. It is shown that the use of an integrated methodology for preparing basketball players has contributed to an increase in the level of special physical fitness and effectiveness of a jump shot. The developed technique has a positive effect on the relationship between the indicators of jumping ability and shots accuracy in basketball. The developed technique is adequate for solving the tasks of the training process for basketball players and can be recommended to the wide practice of preparing children's basketball teamsПредставлены принципы комплексного развития скоростно-силовых качеств и прыгучести юных баскетболистов. Показано, что использование комплексной методики подготовки баскетболистов способствовало повышению уровня специальной физической подготовленности и эффективности броска в прыжке. Разработанная методика положительно влияет на взаимосвязь показателей прыгучести и точности бросков в баскетболе. Разработанная методика адекватна решению задач тренировочного процесса баскетболистов и может быть рекомендована в широкую практику подготовки детских баскетбольных коман