The termicidal effect of some plant material on some selected wood species

The resistance of some wood species treated with plant extracts against termite attack was  investigated in this study. Three wood species were used for the study (Ceiba petandra (Araba), Gmelina arborea and Triplochiton scleroxylon (obeche)) they were treated with five different plant extract (Allium sativum extract, Datura stamonium extract, Jatropha curcus oil, Musa acuminata sucker extracts and the Chrysophyllum albidum extract). The treated wood samples were exposed to termite infestation for a period of 12 weeks at the timber grave yard. Before exposure, the wood samples were oven dried for 24 hours at 105 °C, cold soaked for 24 hours and condition for 72 hours. The visual observations of the wood were recorded bi-weekly for 12 weeks. All the plant extracts were in 100% concentration except D. stramonium which had a concentration of 0.058%. The result showed that C. petandra had the highest mean percentage absorption for D. stramonium water extracts with 89.06% follow by M. acuminata extract with 58%, while C. albidum extracts had the least absorption. The weight loss was significantly lower in G. arborea wood. It was observed that D. stramonium water extracts and J. curcas were found effective for wood preservation in other to elongate the life span of wood material.Keywords: Allium sativum, Datura stamonium, Jatropha curcus, infestation, extracts

Effects of controlled fire on the abundance and diversity of arthropods at Obanla natural forest and teak plantation, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of controlled fire on the abundance and diversity of arthropods. The controlled fire used was  categorized into; Free range burning, Slash and burn, and Teak litter burning. The Free range burning, and Slash and burn were carried out at the Natural forest while the Teak litter burning in the Tectonia grandis (Teak) Plantation. Land areas of 100 m × 100 m were marked out in all the study area (Free range and Slash area of natural forest and Teak plantation). Soil samples were obtained prior to burning, immediately after burning progressively once per month for a period of four months after the burning were carried out. It was observed that Arthropod abundance of the soil was suppressed after burning in the study area. The result for soil mesofauna abundance shows that there was no significant (p≥0.05) difference between the burning treatments; while the collection period was significantly higher (p≤0.05) before burning and significantly (p≤0.05) lower immediately after burning. Arthropod diversity began to significantly (p≤0.05) increase from three months after burning with migration of new arthropod species into the burnt area. Total recovery of soil mesofauna was not attained during the period of this research. Key words: Arthropod, controlled fire, slash and burn, soil, recovery

Evaluation of chemical and antinutritional characteristics of obeche (Triplochition scleroxylon) and some mulberry (Morus alba) leaves

The chemical composition and antinutritional contents of some selected varieties of white mulberry leaves and obeche leaves were investigated. Three varieties of mulberry leaves (S36, S54 and K2) were harvestedfrom Ondo State sericulture centre while obeche leaves were harvested from Aponmu Forest Reserve located in Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria, for analysis. Proximate composition, minerals and antinutritionalcontents were determined on dry matter basis for the samples. The percentage of crude protein in all the samples were significantly high (P≤0.05) with 34.31, 21.66%, 21.55% and 21.24% in obeche, S36, S54 and K2 respectively. Similarly, crude fibre follow the same trend with 20.73%, 13.70, 10.81%, 13.70% and 8.74% respectively, while the percentage water content were 73.70% 79.35%, 72.16% and 76.00%, in obeche, S36, S54 and K2 respectively. The results further show that the samples contain zinc in the range of 34.4 - 57.5 mg/kg, sodium 1069 – 1526 mg/kg, manganese 14.83 – 24.37 mg/kg, calcium 944 – 1467 mg/kg, potassium 1684 – 2170 mg/kg, iron 129.70 – 238.00 mg/kg, and magnesium 1450 – 2196 mg/kg. Phytate is significantly higher(P≤0.05) in obeche than other treatments. Likewise, cyanide and tannin were significantly higher (P≤0.05) in S36 than other treatments (obeche, K2 and S34). However, these antinutrients (phytate, cyanide and tannin) were much lower than the permitted values in fruits and any other food items. The result of the chemical analysis showed that all the selected mulberry varieties and obeche leaves contained adequate level of food nutrients required for normal body functioning.Keywords: mulberry leaves, nutritional characteristics, obeche leaves, Proximate composition

Assessment of Gmelina, Danta Solid Wood and Plywood Hive Types for Beekeeping

The study was carried out to compare the performance of wood hive types and plywood hive types in three different vegetation types between June 2018 and May 2020 in Akure South local Government of Ondo State, Nigeria. A total of eighteen (18) Kenyan Top Bar hives made from Danta, Gmelina and plywood were constructed at six (6) each per wood types. Two (2) each of Danta, Gmelina and Plywood hives were installed in three locations: Natural Forest, Plantation forest and cocoa farmland. The rate of colonization of each hive was evaluated at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after installation in the field. The results revealed that plywood hive type was not colonized in the natural forest throughout the period of study while Danta and Gmelina each recorded 50% colonization at the end of the experiment. In plantation forest, each of the Plywood and Gmelina hives recorded 50% colonization at 24 months after installation while bees in Danta hives absconded before 24th months after installation. In cocoa farmland, Gmelina recorded 100% colonization at 24 months, Danta recorded 50% colonization at 24 months and plywood accounted for 100% colonization at 24 months after installation. An improvement was recorded in the colonization performance at 12,18, 24 month after installation of hives. Plywood hives installed in the cocoa farmland and plantation accounted for higher colonization percentage than natural forest

Cheques or dating scams? Online fraud themes in hip-hop songs across popular music apps

How do hip-hop songs produced from 2017 to 2023 depict and rationalize online fraud? This study examines the depiction of online fraudsters in thirty-three Nigerian hip-hop songs on nine popular streaming platforms such as Spotify, Deezer, iTunes, SoundCloud, Apple Music, and YouTube. Using a directed approach to qualitative content analysis, we coded lyrics based on the moral disengagement mechanism and core themes derived from existing literature. Our findings shed light on how songs (a) justify the fraudulent actions of online fraudsters, (b) blame and dehumanize victims of online romance fraud, (c) glamorize online fraud, and (d) provide insights into prevailing attitudes, indigenous linguistics, and worldviews regarding cybercrime victimization. Specifically, our analysis shows the presence of moral disengagement mechanisms, including "dehumanization," “minimizing own agency,” and "displacement of responsibility." Moreover, we identify core contextual themes pertinent to online fraud in the Nigerian context: (a) "cyber spiritualism" and (b) "the North-South divide." This research underscores the global influence of musicians whose songs are easily accessible on diverse music platforms in trivializing the plight of online fraud victims. We argue that these artists' persuasive messages not only downplay but also satirize the victims' predicaments, thus contributing to the cultural worldviews and dimensions of online fraud. We conclude by underscoring these songs' capacity to actualize, reshape, and actively engage with the narratives of glamorization, justification, spiritualism, colonial legacies, gender dynamics, and societal implications. We recommend that future research endeavors explore non-conventional data sources adept at capturing the intricate fabric of cultural attitudes and dynamics

Strengthening retinopathy of prematurity screening and treatment services in Nigeria: a case study of activities, challenges and outcomes 2017-2020.

OBJECTIVES: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) will become a major cause of blindness in Nigerian children unless screening and treatment services expand. This article aims to describe the collaborative activities undertaken to improve services for ROP between 2017 and 2020 as well as the outcome of these activities in Nigeria. DESIGN: Descriptive case study. SETTING: Neonatal intensive care units in Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: Staff providing services for ROP, and 723 preterm infants screened for ROP who fulfilled screening criteria (gestational age <34 weeks or birth weight ≤2000 g, or sickness criteria). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A WhatsApp group was initiated for Nigerian ophthalmologists and neonatologists in 2018. Members participated in a range of capacity-building, national and international collaborative activities between 2017 and 2018. A national protocol for ROP was developed for Nigeria and adopted in 2018; 1 year screening outcome data were collected and analysed. In 2019, an esurvey was used to collect service data from WhatsApp group members for 2017-2018 and to assess challenges in service provision. RESULTS: In 2017 only six of the 84 public neonatal units in Nigeria provided ROP services; this number had increased to 20 by 2018. Of the 723 babies screened in 10 units over a year, 127 (17.6%) developed any ROP; and 29 (22.8%) developed type 1 ROP. Only 13 (44.8%) babies were treated, most by intravitreal bevacizumab. The screening criteria were revised in 2020. Challenges included lack of equipment to regulate oxygen and to document and treat ROP, and lack of data systems. CONCLUSION: ROP screening coverage and quality improved after national and international collaborative efforts. To scale up and improve services, equipment for neonatal care and ROP treatment is urgently needed, as well as systems to monitor data. Ongoing advocacy is also essential