X-RAY FLUORESCENCE AND STABLE ISOTOPES ANALYSES OF IKPESHI MARBLE, SOUTH SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Integration of X-ray fluor escence and stable isotope spectrometric techniques for quality assessment and provenance study of exposed marble deposit at Fakunle Quarry, Ikpeshi, South Western Nigeria constitute the fundamental aims of this research. Fourteen fresh (14) marble samples obtained at different localities within the quarry were subjected to geochemical and isotopic analyses to ascertain the quantitative abundance of major oxides and stable isotopes using X-Ray Fluorescence and Thermo Fisher mass spectrometer respectively. The major oxides revealed by XRF analysis of the marble samples are CaO, MgO, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and Na2O with percentage composition ranging between 11.66 – 13.25, 7.75 – 9.65, 41.36 – 47.55, 12.36 – 15.23, 7.79 – 10.55 and 1.44 – 1.75respectively. Na2O + K2O value ranges between 1.48 and 1.78.The classification of marble in relation to percentage of calcite-dolomite indicate a percentage range of -5 to 4% and 93-103% for Calcite and Dolomite respectively. Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) ranges from 45.16 to 51.59 % and Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW) ranges from 46.19 to 52.30 %. Stable isotope ( ? –180) of marble ranges from -10.50 to -7.00 with a corresponding value from 25.50 to 55.33.Interpretation of the overall results indicates an impure quartz-rich dolomitic marble; metamorphosed from a low carbonate sedimentary/meta sedimentary protolith which shallowly precipitated within a passive marginal marine environment under humid condition. The high silica impurity can however be attributed to the inordinate influx of terrigenous sediments during the precipitation process. Weathering effect is minimal on the marble deposit. Conclusively, strong correlation is apparent between the obtained geochemical result and the basement geology of the study area.

ANALYSIS OF SELECTED BOREHOLE FILTERED SAMPLES IN IJEBU-ODE, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

This study was carried out to investigate the microbial and physiochemical quality of common borehole water filter installations. Ten (10) borehole filter samples were collected from private homes in Ijebu-Ode, Southwestern Nigeria. These were analyzed using standard procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was determined using the standard disc diffusion method. The temperature o oand pH range of filter samples recorded was 27.6 – 28.9C and 6.09 – 6.90C respectively. Total dissolved solid, total suspended solid and total dissolved oxygen of filter samples recorded ranged 3 3between 10 - 55mg/L, 0.5 x10 - 17.14 x 10mg/L and 4.7 - 9.7mg/L respectively. Chemical oxygen demand ranged from 9.5 - 13.25mg/L while biochemical oxygen demand ranged from 4.5 - 8.5mg/L. Total heterotrophic count, Salmonella-Shigella count and Escherichia coli count ranged from 16 x 3 5 3 5 3 510 - 52 x10, 0 x 10 - 12 x 10 and 0 x 10 - 12 x10 CFU/mL respectively. Faecal coliform count 3 5ranged from 0 x 10 - 12 x10 CFU/mL. Nine bacteria isolated and identified includes: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus species, Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter species and Salmonella species. Escherichia coli was sensitive to all antibiotics, except augmentin. The highest level of resistance was exhibited by Enterobacter sp. This study revealed that the borehole water filter from Ijebu-Ode is of poor microbial and physiochemical quality. Further work needs to evaluate the filter composition and quality. Disinfection of water in storage tanks before distribution is strongly recommended as a short term solution.

EVALUATION OF PROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA (CHRISTM) SWINGLE PEEL EXTRACT IN ATTENUATING DOXORUBICIN-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN EXPERIMENTAL MODELS

Citrus aurantifolia is a very common, and widely cultivated and consumed for its antioxidant properties due to its robust flavonoids content. Doxorubicin (DOX) is an antibiotic broadly used in the treatment of different types of solid tumours, but its use also comes at a cost, organ toxicity. The curative and preventive properties of Citrus aurantifolia peel extract (CAPE) in doxorubicininduced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats were evaluated. Thirty female rats were divided into six groups of five (5) rats each in both curative and preventive studies. In curative study, five groups of rats (II – VI) received Doxorubicin (mixed with normal saline, 15 mg/kg body weight i.p) on day one, 24 hours after, graded doses of CAPE and alpha-lipoic acid (A.L.A.) were administered to groups II- V and VI respectively for 7 consecutive days. For the prophylactic study, groups II – V and VI received graded doses of CAPE and A.L.A. respectively, 24 hours after Doxorubicin was administered to groups II-VI. Groups treated with D.W. and A.L.A. were used as a negative and positive control, respectively Liver enzymes such as A.S.T., A.L.T. and A.L.P., including liver samples, were examined for histopathological changes. A significant reduction (p< 0.05) in serum A.S.T. and A.L.T. levels was observed in animals treated with CAPE 200 and 400mg/kg in the preventive study, while in curative, a significant reduction in an expected rise in serum A.S.T., A.L.T. and A.L.P. (p<0.05) was observed in animals treated with CAPE 400mg/kg when compared to the group treated with DOX + distilled water. Hepatocellular necrosis was observed in the histology of DOX- distilled water treated group. Besides, the hepatocytes of groups treated with CAPE (200 and 400mg/kg) in this study showed narrow foci of mild vacuolar change as compared with groups treated with the lowest dose of CAPE (100mg.kg) and distilled water, which revealed random foci of mild vacuolar change. This study has provided information that DOX damaged liver tissue due to an increase in liver enzymes and histopathological results showing tissue damaged in groups treated with lower doses of CAPE and distilled water. This study further demonstrates that groups treated with CAPE 200, 400 mg/kg and A.L.A. protect hepatic damage induced by DOX.

THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS' OF THE LEAVE ESSENTIAL OIL OF ALTERNANTHERA PUNGENS (KUNTH)

Alternanthera pungens Kunth commonly called khaki weed is from the family Amaranthaceae. It is a herbaceous perennial plant that has stems prostrate, rarely rising and about 10-50 cm long. The work was carried out due to the scarcity of information on the volatile constituents from the plant leaves despite works on the flower and other parts. The extraction of the essential oils from the dried leaves was carried out by the hydro distillation method using an all-glass Clevenger apparatus. The extracted oils were then analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of twelve constituents' representing 93.39% of A. Pungens oil with a yield of 0.4% (v/w) was obtained. The analysis of the GC-MS results of the leaf oil showed that it was dominated by â-ionone (42.18%) and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (15.53%), others in trace amounts include; methyl palmitate (6.13%), 1octadecyne (4.72%), undecane (3.73%), para-mentha-1, 3, 8-triene (3.65%), isophytol (3.21%), ?cadinene (3.06%), 1, 2-dimethyl cyclooctene (3.05%), para-cymene (2.96%), phytol (2.67%) and neophytadiene (2.50%). The common classes of compounds present in the leaves oil are aceto monocyclic monoterpenoid (42.18%), sesquiterpenoids (18.59%), hydrocarbons (11.50%), diterpenoids (8.38%), monoterpenes (6.61%) and fatty acids (6.13%).The constituents and the compositional pattern of essential oil identified from the leaves of Alternanthera pungens grown in Nigeria differ quantitatively and qualitatively from previously reported member of the genus and the presence of sesquiterpenoid as one of the major components of the oils justify the traditional use of the plants in treating pains, headaches and inflammations.

ON THE RESPONSE OF VIBRATION ANALYSIS OF BEAM SUBJECTED TO MOVING FORCE AND MOVING MASS

In this paper, vibration of beam subjected to moving force and moving mass is considered. Finite Fourier Sine transform with method of undetermined coefficient is used to solve the governing partial differential equation of order four. It was found that the response amplitude increases as the mass of the load increases for the case of moving mass while the response amplitude for the case of moving mass is not affected by increase in mass of the load. Also analysis shows that the response amplitude for the case of moving force is greater than that of moving mass.

FARM SIZE AND PRODUCTIVITY OF FOOD CROP FARMERS IN ABEOKUTA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined farm size and productivity of food crop farmers in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. The study was based on primary data obtained through the use of structured questionnaires. The survey involved a cross section random selection of 112 farming households from the study area. Data were obtained on the socio – economic characteristic of the farming members of the households, mode of land acquisition, parcels of land available for cultivation, total parcels of land cultivated, resources used, cost and outputs of food crops on parcels of land cultivated. The data was analyzed by both descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier model with the level of land fragmentation measured by Simpson index as well as the number of parcel cultivated. It was found that significant evidence exists to show that most farms cultivated in the study area are relatively fragmented which was caused by inheritance mode of land acquisition and this have effect on food crop production. The farm sizes cultivated by farming households have significance effect on output. Hired labour and cost of intermediate materials used have significant effect on the production efficiency of farmers. The finding revealed that most farming households in the study area were found operating relatively on scattered farm land. On the basis of the above findings, it was recommended that Farmers' accessibility to loans should be addressed by government and to establish farm estate, pattern of land holding and also acquisition of more farmland should be addressed for high production efficiency.

WOODLAND RESOURCE USE, ATTITUDES AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES: EVIDENCE FROM THREE COMMUNITIES IN BUSHBUCKRIDGE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

This study adopted a mixed-method approach to examine the uses, attitudes, and conservation perceptions of rural people from three communities in Bushbuck ridge, Mpumalanga Province South Africa. The study revealed that rural communities attached a high premium value on the forest as socially, economically, and culturally, both to the country and individuals. It also revealed that people rely heavily on woodland resources for cooking, building materials, food, and medicines. The results indicated that the overwhelming majority of respondents possessed positive attitudes and practices towards forest/woodlands conservation. However, their socio-demographic characteristics except, for the level of education does not influence people's attitudes and practice of forest/woodland conservation. The people are willing to participate in the conservation of forest resources through the adoption of alternative resources and strategies. It is, therefore, recommended that attitude and practice of conservation should be sustained and enhanced through community-based environmental education, which will continue to sensitise as well as encourage them on the importance of conservation.

ENTEROPATHOGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI STRAINSFROM DIARRHOEIC STOOLSAMPLES OF CHILDREN BELOW 5 YEARS OF AGE IN DAMATURU, YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is an important cause of deaths mostly in infants and young children with diarrhoea worldwide. This study investigated Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains in diarrhoeic stool samples of children below 5 years of age in Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria. Microscopy, culture and antibiotic susceptibility tests were carried out on stool specimens obtained from children with diarrhoea. All isolated Escherichia coli were investigated for virulence eae and eaf genes of EPEC strains using Polymerase Chain Reaction method. Information on risk factors of diarrhoea was obtained using the questionnaire. Out of 307 children, 154 (50.2%) were male and 153 (49.8%) female, majority 107 (34.9%) were 3 years old. A total of 175 (57.0%) Escherichia coli were isolated, 19 (10.9%) were identified to be enteropathogenic Escherichia coli of these, 17 (89.5%) were atypical (carries eae genes) while only 2 (10.5%) were typical (harbours eaf genes). Multidrug resistance was observed in some of the isolates, the EPEC were resistant to Reflacin (47.4%), Ciprofloxacin (36.8%), Augmentin (36.8%), Septrin (36.8%). The major factor that predispose children to diarrhoea are poor hygiene practices. Escherichia coli was the most prevalent bacterial causing diarrhoea and atypical EPEC is the predominant strain circulating among these children.

EVALUATION OF THE ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF THE ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF UVARIA AFZELLI Sc. Elliot (ANNONAECAE) IN MICE

Epilepsy is the fouth most common brain disorder in the world and about 65 million of the global population are victims. Sadly, the currently available conventional drugs are riddled with numerous side effects, expensive and have not demonstrated adequate capacity in managing this disorder. Hence, the need for safer, cheaper and more effective therapy. This study is aimed at investigating the anticonvulsant activity of the ethanol leaf extract of Uvaria afzelii. Twenty-five (25) mice were randomly allotted to five different groups of five mice each. The animals were treated orally with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract respectively and 10 ml/kg of distilled water. The standard group received diazepam (5 mg/kg, i.m). Both strychnine (4 mg/kg, i.p) and picrotoxin (5mg/kg, i.p.) were used to induce convulsion 30 minutes post administration of extract and distilled water, and 15 minutes for standard drug. The onset and duration of convulsion for each mouse were recorded. Mice that did not convulse within 30 min of strychnine and picrotoxin injection were considered protected. The extract (400 mg/kg) significantly (P<0.01) delayed the onset of convulsion with significant reduction (P<0.05) in the duration of seizures induced by picrotoxin with 20% mortality. In the strychnine-induced test, U. afzelii (200 & 400 mg/kg) significantly delayed (p<0.001, 0.0001) the onset of convulsion with mortality of about 40%. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and saponin. The findings in this study show that the ethanol leaf extract of Uvaria afzelii possesses anticonvulsant activity.