Relative Effectiveness of Water Hyacinth, Bacteria and Fungi in Purifying Sewage

The relative effectiveness of water hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) (phytoremedian), bacteria and fungi (bioremedians) used for the purification of domestic sewage was carried out using Completely Randomised Design (CRD) replicated three times. Treatments imposed include: no treatment (control), 1kg and 2kg water hyacinth, bacteria and fungi cultures. Physical, bacteriological and chemical properties of domestic sewage were investigated before and after purification. The results show that for suspended solids, cultured tanks treated with 2kg water hyacinth reduced the sewage concentration from 73mg/l to 37.5mg/l, dissolved solids was reduced from 312mg/l to 266mg/l, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) was reduced from 11.2mg/l to 4.37mg/l, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) was reduced from 7.6mg/l to 2.7mg/l. Dissolved Oxygen increased from 6.8mg/l to 7.17mg/l for 2kg hyacinth treatment due to photosynthesis but reduced to 3.7 for fungi. The cultured tanks treated with bacteria performed best in reducing turbidity and bacteriological properties of sewage. Turbidity was reduced from 5.8NTU to 1.2NTU for tanks cultured with bacteria. During the first three weeks, the hyacinth's growth was very rapid. It effectively depleted the nutrients present in the sewage, by the 4th week, gradual wilting of water hyacinth was noticed and by the end of the 5th week, serious wilting occurred due to deficiency in essential nutrients. The 2kg water hyacinth tanks wilted permanently due to total consumption of sewage. The results show that purification potential of water hyacinth is related to plants population with the 2kg hyacinth's tanks purifying better than the 1kg hyacinth density and also that bacteria purifies sewage better than fungi. Generally the 2kg water hyacinth was best in reducing the physio-chemical properties of the sewage better than the other treatments applied while the tanks treated with bacteria performed best in reducing bacteriological properties of sewage. Keywords:-Purification, sewage, phytoremediation, water hyacinth, bioremediation, bacteria and fungi.

Land Use/land cover change analysis using Markov-Based model for Eleyele Reservoir

Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) are important components of the environmental system and changes in it mirror the impacts of human activities on the environment. These impacts needed to be determined in order to get a clear picture of the extent at which different land use practices affect hydrologic regime and water quality. Therefore, this study analyzed the effects of LULC on Eleyele reservoir for a period of 32 years. Landsat images of 1984, 2000 and 2016 covered by path 191 and rows 55 were acquired, a modified version of Aderson scheme of LULC classification was used to stratify the images, while the LULC map was analyzed and projected until year 2032 using IDRISI Selva 17.0 and ERDAS 2013 softwares respectively. Changes that have occurred within the study area were determined using LULC MARKOV. Land Use Land Cover built up area increased from 688.30 ha to 952.68 ha and from 952.68 ha to 2164.5 ha between years 1984 to 2000, and 2000 to 2016 respectively. LULC maps of 2000 and 2016 showed the open water also reduced from 101.6 ha in year 2000 to 61.74 ha in 2016. DEM showed that 8.5%, and 1.9% transitioned to vegetation cover and built up area in 1984 and 2000 respectively. Land Use Land Cover MARKOV chain analysis shows that by projection, the reservoir area will reduce further to 39.08 ha by the year 2032. The study has established that reserved forest zone suffered degradation with a noticeable increase in encroachment on the reservoir. LULC approach can be used to predict the effect of land use on reservoirs.Keywords: land use; land cover; analysis; model; Eleyele; reservoi

Drought Occurrence Pattern in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Drought is characterized using parameters including duration, severity, intensity and spatial coverage. Drought frequency and trend can also be used as additional parameters to further characterize drought occurrences. In this study, drought occurrence was examined using Standard Precipitation and Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) as an assessment tool. Based on the SPEI results, spatial and temporal patterns were inspected both at district and regional levels. In doing so, monthly climate data collected on selected stations, from the Dutch national weather service known as the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), was used to assess the drought trends and characterize the study area in terms of drought duration, severity, intensity, frequency, spatial extent as well as drought trend. The analysis results indicated that most districts in the southern and eastern zones experienced more intense droughts than the rest of the study area. It was also found that the average drought return period in the study area ranged between 2.02 at 3-month, 6-month and 24-month time scales to 2.13 years at 12-month time scale. A statistically significant increasing drought trend was also revealed at all-time scales. Generally, the study has revealed an increasing trend of drought occurrence and spatially variable drought duration, severity, intensity and frequency in the study area. The short return period and increasing drought trends indicate the need for urgent drought management intervention.Keywords: Drought characterization, Drought Intensity, Trend, Spatial Distribution

Isolation and Identification of Bacteria Associated with Pre and Post Processing of Groundnut Cake in Sokoto State, North-Western Nigeria

This study was conducted to assess the bacterial contamination between the groundnut cakes and paste obtained from Rural areas (Bodinga, kware) and that obtained within the metropolis at Urban areas (Arkilla and ‘Yargoriba) of Sokoto metropolis. A total of 8 samples of ready to eat groundnut cake and pastes were purchased, 4 of which were cake packaged in polythene and 4 paste packaged in plastic rubbers. The samples were analyzed microbiologically using standard procedures. Bacteria species associated with the samples collected from the rural areas were identified as Bacillus lentus, B. megaterium, B. licheniformis, Listeria monocytogene, Staphylococcus aureus while those associated with samples collected from the urban areas were identified as Bacillus lentus, B. megaterium, B. licheniformis, Listeria monocytogene, Staphylococcus aureus and S. hominis. There was higher bacteria count on samples from rural areas compared to those from urban areas. This might be as a result of unhygienic practices during the processing of the product which may range from methods of obtaining and quality of raw materials including sources of water, packaging, handling and distribution of the finished product to the final consumers. Based on these, it is recommended that Producers of groundnut cake should use good hygienic places, raw material and equipment to reduce the risk of microbial contamination. Keywords: Isolation, Identification, Bacteria, Processing, Groundnut DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-12-03 Publication date:June 30th 202

Assessment of Entrance Skin Dose and Effective Dose of common diagnostic X-ray examinations in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, North-Eastern Nigeria

Recently, there has been a wide application of radiation in medicine. This may have adverse effect of radiation protection regulations if not properly observed. A balance must be struck between the benefits of improving human health, and the risks associated with ionizing radiation exposure by radiation workers, patients and the general public. This study evaluated the entrance skin dose (ESD) and patient effective dose (ED) during X-ray diagnostic examinations at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, North-eastern, Nigeria. Twenty (20) patient's data were collected for this study. Five (05) most common performed X-ray diagnostic examinations are Anterior Posterior AP (chest), Posterior Anterior (PA) chest, Anterior Posterior (AP) Abdomen, Posterior Anterior (PA) Skull and Lateral (LAT) Skull. The ESD was determined indirectly through measurement of tube potential (kVp), exposure setting or current (mAs) and Film Focus Distance (FSD) which were then used to analyze the ESD while the effective dose (ED) was obtained by addition of the weighing factor multiplied by the equivalent dose. The mean of entrance skin dose and the effectual dose of chest (PA, AP), abdomen (AP) and skull (AP, LATERAL) were found to be 0.466 mGy , 0.509 mGy, 1.027 mGy, 0.810 mGy, 0.928 mGy and 0.040 mSv, 0.030 mSv, 0.006 mSv, 0.001 mSv  and 0.001 mSv  respectively. The entrance skin dose and effective dose values obtained in this study showed that X-ray diagnostic examinations carried out at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe were lower compared to reference dose values reported in most literatures. The value of patients absorbed dose undergoing X-ray diagnostic examination at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe is in agreement with ALARA concepts

Growth and yield components of some groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars infected with blackeye cowpea mosaic virus

Blackeye cowpea mosaic virus (BlCMV) is a major virus, infecting legumes with attendant huge losses. Cultivation of resistant varieties is the most effective and sustainable control strategy. Therefore, some groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) cultivars were evaluated against BlCMV in Minna, Southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Technology, Minna. It was arranged as infected and uninfected using Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Groundnut seeds were sowed in the second week of August, 2015. Seedlings were inoculated by sap transmission at 10 days after sowing. Disease incidence, severity, growth and yield attributes were recorded. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separated at p≤0.05 probability level. Disease incidence varied significantly p<0.05 from 28.3 to 60.3 % at one week after inoculation (WAI) and 44.7 to 100 % at 2 WAI. ICGV 91317 which expressed mild infection (symptom score = 2) at 9 WAI also exhibited the lowest leaf diameter reduction (3.6 %) at that growth stage. FDRF7-82 which had the lowest reduction in number of leaves per plant at 3 and 6WAI (10.7 and 9.6 %, respectively) also exhibited the lowest reduction in fresh haulm weight per plant (42.2 %). None of the cultivars exhibited consistent reactions, FDRF7-82 and ICGV 91317 had an appreciable combination of growth and yield attributes under BlCMV infection. However, these cultivars could be improved upon either through conventional or molecular breeding by coding with desirable genes. The cultivars which were adversely affected by BlCMV disease could so be improved genetically through appropriate gene introgression from the resistant cultivars.Keywords: Blackeye cowpea mosaic virus; disease incidence and severity; growth and yield; groundnu

Preliminary Investigation of Trace Elements Concentration in Dust from Tin Processing Mills in Jos - Bukuru Area, Northcentral Nigeria

The Jos – Bukuru Biotite Granite is the largest of the biotite granite belonging to the Younger Granite province of Nigeria. The rock hosts the tin and columbite mineral which on weathering released them forming the alluvial deposits mostly along stream channels. These minerals were extensively mined in the early 19th century and remained active until late 1970s. Mining and processing of these minerals is still ongoing but on smaller scales around the Jos – Bukuru area. The aim of this work was to determine the concentration of trace element in dust generated during milling and processing of Tin and associated minerals. Fifteen dust samples were collected during the air floating and after floatation operations in nine different processing sites by placing filter papers at designated locations. Dust samples were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. Generally, in all the processing mills Pb, Zn, Th, U are quite high. Pb ranges from 204.5 – 1177, Zn, 67.0 – 1,272, Th > 200 in all samples, U, 186.5 – 1623, As, 0.3 – 233.7 ppm respectively. Anthropogenic factor and index of geo-accumulation calculated for some of the trace elements indicate that the contamination level of trace elements ranges from uncontaminated (Ni), Uncontaminated to moderately contaminated (V, Co, Fe, Cr, Ti), contaminated to highly contaminated (Cu Se, Pb, U, Th, Zn, As and Mo). The use of mask to cover the nose and other protective clothing for other parts of the body during floating operations is not practiced, hence inhalation of this dust by workers posses a great risk to health. Keywords: Younger Granites, Columbite, Tin, Dust, Anthropogenic, Geo-accumulation, contaminate

Seasonal Variations in the Composition and Distribution of Planktonic Fauna in the Eastern Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria

The composition and distribution of planktonic fauna (adult form of zooplankton and planktonic juvenile forms of higher animals) within the eastern part of the Lagos Lagoon were investigated in July, 2008 and March, 2009 representing rainy and dry season respectively. Samples of water and planktonic fauna were collected from twelve stations within the eastern axis of the Lagoon and analyzed using standard methods. The study area had brackish water characteristics with fresh water condition (0\u2030 salinity across the 12 stations) in the rainy season whereas the salinity ranged from 11.4\u2030 to 30.5\u2030 in the dry season. The adult forms zooplankton recorded in the rainy season were mainly Crustaceans, Chaetognathans and Rotifers while those collected during dry season belonged to Crustacean, Cnidaria and Chordata. Crustaceans dominate both adult zooplankton and planktonic juvenile fauna in the two seasons. The rainy season adult zooplankton count (515) was lower than that of dry season (580) but the reverse was the case for the juvenile stages count (520 and 325 in rainy and dry season respectively). Higher species abundance was recorded for both adult zooplankton (20) and juvenile stages (10) in rainy than dry season when 14 and 8 were recorded for the two groups respectively. Higher values were also of community structure indices (Margalef species richness and Shannon-Wiener species diversity) were recorded in the rainy than dry season for the two groups of planktonic fauna. The findings show the influence of salinity gradients on distribution of planktonic fauna of the Lagos Lagoon

Efficacy of the Vaccine Candidate Based on the P0 Peptide against Dermacentor nitens and Ixodes ricinus Ticks

(This article belongs to the Collection Advances in Tick Research)The control of ticks through vaccination offers a sustainable alternative to the use of chemicals that cause contamination and the selection of resistant tick strains. However, only a limited number of anti-tick vaccines have reached commercial realization. In this sense, an antigen effective against different tick species is a desirable target for developing such vaccines. A peptide derived from the tick P0 protein (pP0) conjugated to a carrier protein has been demonstrated to be effective against the Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Amblyomma mixtum tick species. The aim of this work was to assess the efficacy of this peptide when conjugated to the Bm86 protein against Dermacentor nitens and Ixodes ricinus ticks. An RNAi experiment using P0 dsRNA from I. ricinus showed a dramatic reduction in the feeding of injected female ticks on guinea pigs. In the follow-up vaccination experiments, rabbits were immunized with the pP0-Bm86 conjugate and challenged simultaneously with larvae, nymphs, and the adults of I. ricinus ticks. In the same way, horses were immunized with the pP0-Bm86 conjugate and challenged with D. nitens larva. The pP0-Bm86 conjugate showed efficacies of 63% and 55% against I. ricinus and D. nitens ticks, respectively. These results, combined with previous reports of efficacy for this conjugate, show the promising potential for its development as a broad-spectrum anti-tick vaccine.This research was funded by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba, the Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal, and the Czech Science Foundation grant no. 20-05736S. Mobility was supported by the CYTED Network INCOGARR 110RT0541.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

<i>Gaia</i> Data Release 1. Summary of the astrometric, photometric, and survey properties

Context. At about 1000 days after the launch of Gaia we present the first Gaia data release, Gaia DR1, consisting of astrometry and photometry for over 1 billion sources brighter than magnitude 20.7. Aims. A summary of Gaia DR1 is presented along with illustrations of the scientific quality of the data, followed by a discussion of the limitations due to the preliminary nature of this release. Methods. The raw data collected by Gaia during the first 14 months of the mission have been processed by the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC) and turned into an astrometric and photometric catalogue. Results. Gaia DR1 consists of three components: a primary astrometric data set which contains the positions, parallaxes, and mean proper motions for about 2 million of the brightest stars in common with the HIPPARCOS and Tycho-2 catalogues – a realisation of the Tycho-Gaia Astrometric Solution (TGAS) – and a secondary astrometric data set containing the positions for an additional 1.1 billion sources. The second component is the photometric data set, consisting of mean G-band magnitudes for all sources. The G-band light curves and the characteristics of ∼3000 Cepheid and RR-Lyrae stars, observed at high cadence around the south ecliptic pole, form the third component. For the primary astrometric data set the typical uncertainty is about 0.3 mas for the positions and parallaxes, and about 1 mas yr−1 for the proper motions. A systematic component of ∼0.3 mas should be added to the parallax uncertainties. For the subset of ∼94 000 HIPPARCOS stars in the primary data set, the proper motions are much more precise at about 0.06 mas yr−1. For the secondary astrometric data set, the typical uncertainty of the positions is ∼10 mas. The median uncertainties on the mean G-band magnitudes range from the mmag level to ∼0.03 mag over the magnitude range 5 to 20.7. Conclusions. Gaia DR1 is an important milestone ahead of the next Gaia data release, which will feature five-parameter astrometry for all sources. Extensive validation shows that Gaia DR1 represents a major advance in the mapping of the heavens and the availability of basic stellar data that underpin observational astrophysics. Nevertheless, the very preliminary nature of this first Gaia data release does lead to a number of important limitations to the data quality which should be carefully considered before drawing conclusions from the data