Isolation and characterization of nanocellulose from pineapple leaf fibres via chemo-mechanical method

In this study, the extraction, isolation and characterization of nanocellulose from pineapple leaf fibres (PALF) were carried out. The chemical pretreatment used include bleaching, and acid hydrolysis processes aimed at removing lignin, hemicellulose, and extractive substances. This was followed by sonication and milling to produce nanocellulose. Morphological changes to the PALF due to treatment were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the nanofibrils were produced and the micrographs showed PALF nanofibrils in the average range of 25–58 nm in diameters. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that there was no significant chemical / structural change after the phase changes. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) shows no significant elemental composition difference in the nano celluloses obtained. The results indicated that PALF waste could become a viable source of commercially valuable nanocellulose

Assessment of the Capacity and Availability of Post Abortion Care Resources in Secondary Healthcare Facility-Based Hospital in Kano State

Post-abortion care (PAC) is a global approach towards solving the problem of maternal mortality and morbidity arising from abortion and its related complications. It is designed to manage the complications of abortion and to improve women’s sexual and reproductive health. This study was therefore conducted to assess the capacity of secondary health care facilities within Kano metropolis towards the provision of PAC. An explorative research design was adopted for this study. Results show that; All the first four-components (71%) with an exception of community and service provider partnership were rendered as part of the PAC component and more than half (65%) of the required resources for the provision of PAC were available. It can be concluded that; The capacity toward post-abortion care provision was high and more than half of the required resources for delivering PAC were available. It is recommended that; more health personnel are recruited to enable the facility to incorporate the last component of the PAC, notably community and service provider partnership.&nbsp

Stability analysis of maize cultivars adapted to tropical environments using AMMI analysis

Genotype × environment interactions complicate selection of superior genotypes for narrow and wide adaptation. Eighteen tropically-adapted maize cultivars were evaluated at six locations in Nigeria for 2 yrs to (i) identify superior and stable cultivars across environments and (ii) assess relationships among test environments. Environment and genotype × environment interactions (GEI) were significant (P −1 for TZL COMP4 C3 DT C2 with an average of 2555 kg ha−1. Cultivar DT SYN2-Y had the least additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) stability value of 7.4 and hence the most stable but low-yielding across environments. AMMI biplot explained 90.5% and classified cultivars and environments into four groups each. IWD C3 SYN F3 was identified as the high-yielding and stable cultivar across environments. ZA15, ZA14, BK14, BK15 and IL15 had environment mean above the grand mean, while BG14, BG15, LE14, LE15, IL14, LA14 and LA15 had mean below the grand mean. ZA, BK, BG, LE and LA were found to be consistent in ranking the maize cultivars. However, Zaria, Birnin Kudu, and Ilorin were identified as the best test locations and could be used for selecting the superior maize cultivars. The identified high-yielding and stable cultivar could be further tested and promoted for adoption to contribute to food insecurity in Nigeria

Phytochemical and in vitro antiplasmodium activities of leaf extracts of Cassia nigricans Vahl. (Caesalpinaceae)

The study was aimed at evaluating the phytochemicals, acute toxicity and in vitro antiplasmodium activity of aqueous and chloroform leaf extracts of Cassia nigricans using the basic phytochemical screening, Lorke’s and Candle Jar methods. Steroid glycosides, reducing sugars and alkaloids were detected in both extracts, while saponins and flavonoids were only detected in the aqueous extract. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the aqueous leaf extractwas found to be 471.17mg/kg. The in vitro antiplasmodium screening showed that both extracts have antiplasmodium activity; with chloroform extract having the highest activity at the concentration of 2, 3 and 4 mg/ml which was statistically significant (P<0.05) in comparison with the positive control. The chloroform extract had the most potent half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50)value of 0.60 mg/ml. It can be concluded that C. Nigricans possess strong antiplasmodium activity and this may accounts for its use in traditional medicine in the management of malaria.Keywords: Acute toxicity, antiplasmodium, malaria, phytochemicals and traditional medicin

GC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate extract of Ficus sycomorus root Linn. (Moraceae

No Abstract

Maize research at IAR Samaru

Maize (Zea mays L) research at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Samaru was initiated in the 1950s with the goal of developing adapted high yielding varieties and hybrids. Germplasm materials were collected from local sources as well as from different countries, including Columbia, Kenya, Mexico and the US' By the 1960s. IAR Samaru was actively participating in the National cooperative Trials, the West African Maize Variety Trials of the OAU-STRC Joint Project as well as the East African Maize Variety Trial coordinated by the East African Agricultural and Forestry Research organization (EAAFRO). Kitale, Kenya. By 197 6,a total of nine new open- pollinated varieties had been developed and released to farmers' The new maize technology packages developed gave up to 98% higher grain yield than the farmers traditional methods of production. In the 1990s, collaborative research continued under the west and Central African Collaborative Maize Research Network (WECAMAN) and the sasakawa Global20006G-2000) which, in partnership with IAR, disseminated new maize technologies to Nigerian farmers. In 2001, three new varieties developed and tested in collaboration With IITA-WECAMAN were registered and released to Nigerian farmers. Recently, Quality Protein Maize (QPM) trials were initiated in collaboration with lITA-WECAMAN.SG-2000, and CIMMYT and promising results have been obtained. The Institute continues to collaborate with national and international research organizations in maize improvement. The five decades of collaborative maize research at Samaru have contributed to increased land area under maize, increased grain yield, and increased income to maize farmer.La recherche sur le mais i Samaru a ete initi€e dans les ann6es 50avec le proiet d'am6lioration varietale centre sur le d6veloppementd'hybrides et de vari6tes adapt€s b hauts rendements' Les ressourcesg6n6tiques comprenaient du matdriel de source locale ainsi que desintroductions de diff6rents pays incluant la Columbie, le Kenya, le Mexique et les USA. Dans les ann6es 60, l'lAR i samaru a participeaux essais nationaux de collaboration, au proiet corrioint OAU-STRCdes essais vari6taux en Afrique de l'ouest ainsi qu'aux essais vari6tauxde mais pour l'Afrique de l'est, coordonn6s par l'organisatiorr derecherche en Agriculture et en foresterie de l'Afrique de l'est bas6ei Kitaty, Kenya. En 1976, un total de neuf nouvelles vari6tes ipollinisation libre a ete d6veloppe et vulgarise auprds des agriculteurs.Pendant les ann6es 80, les variet6s lrybrides d6veloppees par l'llTA encollaboration avec des chercheurs nationaux ont 6t6 homologu6es etcommercialisees par des entreprises privees de semences. Les nouveauxpaquets technologiques d6velopp6s dorrnaient iusqu'i 98 pour centen rendement grain plus eleve que les m6thodes traditionnelles cleproduction des agriculteurs. Dans les ann€es 90, l'lAR i samaru enpartenariat avec le Reseau de recherche sur le mais pour l'Afrique del'ouest et du centre OVECAMAN) et avec Sasakawa Global 2000, ontcontinue la recherche collaborative avec la promotion de nouvellestechnologies maisicoles auprEs des agricr-rlteurs Nigerians. En 2001,trois nouvelles vari6t6s developpdes et test6es en collaborationavec |'TA-WECAMAN ont et6 honrologu6es et vulgarisdes auprdsdes agriculteurs Nig€rians. Recemment, des essais de mais richesen proteines de qualit6 ont 6t€ inities en collaboration avec l'llTA-WECAMAN, SG2000 et le CIMMYT et des resultats prometteursont et6 obtenus. L'institut continue ) cooperer avec les organisationsde recherche internationale et nationale pour l'amelioration vari€taledu mais. L'impact des cinq d6cennies de recherche collaborative hSamaru a induit l'accroissement des superficies emblavees en mais,l'augmentation des rendements grains et l'augmentation des revenusdes agriculteurs qui cultivent le mais

GIS-based modeling for the spatial measurement and evaluation of mixed land use development for a compact city

Compact cities are recognized as sustainable urban forms rather than sprawl developments. Such cities are characterized by high density, land use diversity, accessibility, and efficient public transportation. However, few studies investigate how and how much these parameters affect and relate to compact cities. For instance, although mixed land use is the main key planning principle of compact development, no standard method exists for quantifying, measuring, and evaluating this parameter. This study performs a compact development analysis of Kajang City (Malaysia) with emphasis on evaluating and discussing the importance of mixed land use development. First, the land use diversity of Kajang City was measured. Second, the probability map of mixed land use developments was predicted using a weights-of-evidence (WoE) model. Finally, the importance of mixed land use for compact cities was evaluated using multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA). The created mixed land use probability map was validated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) technique. In addition, the 75% similarity between mixed land use and compact development suitability maps highlighted the importance of mixed land use development for compact cities. Results can be used as preliminary guidelines for local governments and planners regarding compact development and management to achieve sustainable urban forms