Screening of Microorganisms Isolated from Different Environmental Samples for Extracellular Lipase Production

Lipases are hydrolytic enzymes that hydrolyse triglycerides to free fatty acids and glycerol and those from microbes have occupied a prominent position as industrial biocatalysts. Microorganisms isolated from oil polluted environmental samples were screened for their lipase producing ability. A total of thirty seven bacteria and seventeen fungal strains belonging to the genera Trichoderma (16 spp.) and Aspergillus (1 sp.) were obtained from the samples. Acinetobacter sp. had the highest frequency of occurrence (37.8%). The lipolytic activity of the bacteria when screened on solid agar ranged within 3.0m - 15.5amm, 3.0n - 15.5amm and 3.0 - 16a mm at 24, 48 and 72 hours of incubation, respectively. Acinetobacter sp. (OG3) had the highest activity at different hours of incubation. Eight isolates did not show any activity throughout the incubation period. On submerged fermentation, the growth of the lipolytic bacteria ranged within 0.093 - 1.003 in which Acinetobacter sp. had the highest growth while Bifidobacterium sp. had the lowest. Lipase production ranged within 1.25 U/ml - 8.65 U/ml in which Acinetobacter sp. had the highest production. During submerged fermentation, the growth of the selected fungal isolate ranged within 0.00 - 0.200a , 0.00 - 0.25a and 0.00 - 0.3190a in which T. FISO1 had the highest at 3 and 7 days of incubation while T. virens FSU/AW3 had the highest at 14 days of incubation. There was a significant difference in lipase production by the fungi, it ranged within 0.70n - 12.35a U/ml, 1.8k - 19.15a U/ml and 2.50n - 19.8a U/ml in which Hypocrea patella FAD1, T. stromaticum FSUAW1 and T. virens FSU/AW3 had the highest at day 3, 7 and 14, respectively. The study has shown that the bacteria and Trichoderma strains isolated are potential lipase producers

Screening and production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by bacterial strains isolated from rhizosphere soil of groundnut plants

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) otherwise known as bioplastics are biodegradable materials that are accumulated in various microorganisms to serve as carbon and energy reservoirs and regarded as an attractive alternative to petroleum-derived plastics. Although research has been conducted on isolation of PHB-producing microorganisms from different ecological environments, few studies have been carried out on isolation of potential PHB-producing microorganisms from rhizosphere environment of groundnut plants, Arachis hypogaea which can be regarded as a good environment for the isolation of potential PHB-producing microorganisms. In the present study, a total of twenty-one (21) bacterial strains were primarily screened and isolated from rhizosphere soil of a groundnut plant. Four bacterial isolates with maximum PHB-producing potential upon screening using submerged fermentation were selected for further studies. The fermentation pattern of PHB production was studied using different nutrient sources. The influence of agitation on PHB production was also studied. Mannitol stimulated maximum (6.076a mg/mL) PHB production by Bacillus sp. 1; KNO3 used as a limiting nutrient induced best (5.728a mg/mL) PHB production by Citrobacter sp. and MgSO4.7H2O supported maximum (5.972a mg/mL) PHB production in Enterococcus sp. A low agitation speed of 150 rpm was found to support best (5.802a mg/mL) PHB production by Bacillus sp.1. Findings from this study indicated that the isolated bacterial strains have high PHB- producing potential. The need to explore other environment harbouring microbial strains with high PHB-producing potential is paramount to the discovery of bioplastics with improved properties for potential industrial applications

Influence of Cultivar and Sokoto Phosphate Rock Levels on the Yield and Yield Components of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Dry Sub-Humid Sokoto Area, Nigeria

Locally and easily available rock phosphate could be a sustainable source of phosphorus for legumes production in this region, where, phosphorus deficiency is one of the major problems to crop production. As such, field experiments were conducted during 2007 and 2008 rainy seasons at the Dry land Teaching and Research Farm of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto to study the effect of cultivar and Sokoto phosphate rock (SPR) on the performance of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the semi-arid zone of Nigeria. Treatments consisted of factorial combination of two groundnut cultivars (Ex-Dakar and RMP-12) and four levels of Sokoto phosphate rock (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1) laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Results revealed that pods per plant, pod yield, kernel yield, shelling percentage and harvest index were higher in Ex-Dakar. Also, results obtained revealed no significant effect of SRP on the performance of the parameters observed. Thus, from the findings of this research it could be concluded that Ex-Dakar cultivar could be planted for increased groundnut production in the area. Groundnut cultivars under study did not respond to Sokoto rock phosphate application in the semi-arid zone

HYBRID POSITION AND VIBRATION CONTROL OF NONLINEAR CRANE SYSTEM

This paper presents comparative assessments of input shaping techniques using two different approaches, for sway reduction of cranes system. First, the shaper was designed at maximum load hoisting length while the second was designed at average load hoisting length. These were accomplished using curve fitting toolbox in MATLAB. In both case; Zero Vibration (ZV), Zero Vibration Derivative (ZVD) and Zero Vibration Derivative Derivatives (ZVDD) were designed. Average hoisting length (AHL) shapers performed better than the Maximum hoisting length (MHL) shapers. Proportional integral derivative (PID) was incorporated for position control. After successful implementation, Simulation results show that a precise payload positioning was achieved. AHL-ZVDD has superior performances in sway reduction and robustness.

Application of Non-Model Dependent Hybrid Higher-Order Differential Feedback Controller on Crane System

Gantry Crane is a machine used for shipping of goods from one point to another. Speed, accuracy and safety are of paramount importance in gantry crane (GC) operation, but operating GC results in unwanted sway which degrades the accuracy and safety. In this paper, hybrid control schemes are proposed for precise trolley position control and sway suppression in GC systems. Output Based input shaping (OBIS) filter was designed using the output of the system for sway suppression and proportional integral derivative (PID), linear quadratic regulator (LQR), higher order differential feedback (HODF) controllers were incorporated separately for precise trolley position control. Based on Simulation studies and analysis, it was observed that LQR-OBIS controller shown more precise tracking and higher sway reduction control. But HODFC-OBIS is a model-free control schemes hence more robust

Effect of Osmopriming Duration on Germination, Emergence, and Early

Seed osmopriming could be a sustainable method to increase crop establishment, uniform emergence, and growth of plant on the field. Laboratory and field studies were carried out in 2010 cropping season at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, to study the effect of seed osmopriming duration on the germination, emergence, and growth of cowpea seeds. Treatments consisted of three osmopriming duration (soaking in 1% KNO 3 salt for 6, 8, and 10 hrs), one hydroprimed control (10 hr), and an unprimed control. These five treatments were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) replicated four times. The results showed that osmopriming with KNO 3 for different durations was at par but was superior to unprimed treatments in terms of seed germination, emergence, plant height, and dry matter accumulation at 3 weeks after sowing. From this study, it can therefore be concluded that seeds of cowpea could be primed (both hydro and osmopriming) for increased performance. However, osmopriming with KNO 3 salt (soaked in 1% KNO 3 salt solution and dried before sowing) for 6 hours could result in greater seed germination and seedling height than hydropriming

Prevalence of Trachoma in Katsina State, Nigeria: Results of 34 District-Level Surveys.

PURPOSE: To determine the local government area (LGA)-level prevalence of trachoma in all 34 LGAs of Katsina State. METHODS: A population-based prevalence survey was conducted in each LGA of Katsina State, using the Global Trachoma Mapping Project methodology. We used a 3-stage cluster random sampling strategy to select 25 households from each of 25 clusters. We examined all residents of selected households aged 1 year and older for the clinical signs of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF), trachomatous inflammation-intense and trichiasis, using the World Health Organization (WHO) simplified grading scheme. RESULTS: We examined 129,281 persons. Six LGAs had a TF prevalence ≥10%, and another six LGAs had a TF prevalence between 5% and 9.9%; all 12 require mass drug administration with azithromycin plus other interventions. The prevalence of trichiasis was ≥1.0% in 13 LGAs, and there is a need to perform trichiasis surgery in over 26,000 persons to reach targets set by the WHO for elimination of trichiasis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of TF is generally low in Katsina state, but urgent steps must be taken to implement the full SAFE strategy (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, environmental improvement) in at least 12 LGAs while also stepping up efforts to provide community-based trichiasis surgery throughout the whole state, in order to make trachoma elimination by 2020 a reality

Barriers and facilitators to a task-shifted stroke prevention program for children with sickle cell anemia in a community hospital: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are at high risk for stroke. Protocols for stroke prevention including blood transfusions, screening for abnormal non-imaging transcranial Doppler (TCD) measurements, and hydroxyurea therapy are difficult to implement in low-resource environments like Nigeria. This study aimed to examine the contextual factors around TCD screening in a community hospital in Nigeria using qualitative interviews and focus groups. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive qualitative study in a community hospital in Kaduna, Nigeria, using focus groups and interviews. Interview guides and analysis were informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) framework and the Theory of Planned Behavior. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using an iterative deductive (CFIR)/Inductive (transcribed quotes) qualitative methodology. RESULTS: We conducted two focus groups and five interviews with health care workers (nurses and doctors) and hospital administrators, respectively. Themes identified key elements of the inner setting (clinic characteristics, resource availability, implementation climate, and tension for change), characteristics of individuals (normative, control, and behavioral beliefs), and the implementation process (engage, implement, and adopt), as well as factors that were influenced by external context, caregiver needs, team function, and intervention characteristics. Task shifting, which is already being used, was viewed by providers and administrators as a necessary strategy to implement TCD screening in a clinic environment that is overstressed and under-resourced, a community stressed by poverty, and a nation with an underperforming health system. CONCLUSION: Task shifting provides a viable option to improve health care by making more efficient use of already available human resources while rapidly expanding the human resource pool and building capacity for TCD screening of children with SCD that is more sustainable. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05434000

Effect of Osmopriming Duration on Germination, Emergence, and Early Growth of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria

Seed osmopriming could be a sustainable method to increase crop establishment, uniform emergence, and growth of plant on the field. Laboratory and field studies were carried out in 2010 cropping season at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, to study the effect of seed osmopriming duration on the germination, emergence, and growth of cowpea seeds. Treatments consisted of three osmopriming duration (soaking in 1% KNO3 salt for 6, 8, and 10 hrs), one hydroprimed control (10 hr), and an unprimed control. These five treatments were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) replicated four times. The results showed that osmopriming with KNO3 for different durations was at par but was superior to unprimed treatments in terms of seed germination, emergence, plant height, and dry matter accumulation at 3 weeks after sowing. From this study, it can therefore be concluded that seeds of cowpea could be primed (both hydro and osmopriming) for increased performance. However, osmopriming with KNO3 salt (soaked in 1% KNO3 salt solution and dried before sowing) for 6 hours could result in greater seed germination and seedling height than hydropriming

Experiences with conducting the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) as a formative tool at the end of Paediatric Posting in a new Medical School in Nigeria

Background: Medical schools use different evaluation methods after students undergo a period of instruction for certification of acquisition of requisite skills and competencies required for registration. Despite a global trend towards adoption of OSCE format to test competencies, its adoption in medical schools in Nigeria has been relatively slow and local experiences with its use are limited. We describe the development and administration of OSCE for the formative assessment of undergraduate medical students of Kaduna state university at the end of paediatrics clinical rotation. Methodology: OSCE was developed and conducted to assess clinical skills of 20 undergraduate medical students at the end of clinical posting in paediatrics. Students rotated through a series of clinical encounters arranged in ten stations in a circuit, each for a short duration of five minutes. Clinical tasks were carefully chosen to reflect learning objectives of the posting using standardized patients while scoring was done using task-specific and validated checklists by the same assessors. Results: A range of clinical competencies in different clinical scenarios, including history taking, physical examination and basic clinical skills was examined using this format. The conduct was resource intensive with much time spent during the selection of the competencies and appropriate standardized patients to be tested, standardization of checklists, briefing assessors and choosing appropriate venue as well as preparation of stations. Unfamiliarity with OSCE by both some students and assessors was a major challenge. Conclusions: OSCE is a feasible way of assessing a wide range of clinical competencies of medical students during paediatric rotation in our setting