Structural and Optical Characterization of Chemically Synthesized Nanostructured Zinc Oxide Thin Film

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) thin film has been synthesized using the chemical spray pyrolysis technique and ethylene glycol has been used as solvent during the synthesis. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show cubic and tetragonal phases of ZnO and the grain size was calculated to be 2.57nm. Optical characterization reveals very high transmittance within the visible-ultraviolet region and a bandgap of 3.49 eV was obtained for ZnO thin film. Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) analysis showed a void-free non-homogenous surface.

Comparative Study of Genetic and Antibacterial Profiles of Nigerian Indigenous and Exotic Varieties of Garlic (Allium sativum)

Extracts and isolated compounds of Allium sativum (garlic) have been found to be of health benefit. The study was aimed at assessing the effects of crude garlic extracts on urinopathogens of pregnant women, as well as to compare the antibacterial and genetic profiles of Nigerian indigenous and exotic varieties of garlic. Biodata and urine samples were collected from two hundred (200) healthy pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. The urine samples were subjected to urinalysis and bacteriological investigations. The subjects were 20 - 43 (31.03 ± 1.46) years old, with modal age 25-30 years. Urinalysis of subjects’ urine samples showed no nitrituria, haematuria and bilirubinuria. However, glucosuria (1.5%), ketonuria (3%), leukocyturia (15%) and proteinuria (24%) were detected. Bacterial loads of the urine samples range from 0 to 1100 (with mean value of 315.72) cfU/mL, an indication of non-urinary tract infection bacteriuria. Bacteria isolated from the urine samples were: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella variicola, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, citrobacter freundii, corynebacterium accolens, Actinomyces urogenitalis, Luteococcus sanguinis and Bacillus cereus among others. The bacterial isolates showed high prevalence of multidrug resistant bacteria, with resistance to 2-8 drugs. The filtrates of crushed and centrifuged bulbs of both the indigenous and exotic varieties of garlic produced high antibacterial activities, while both ethanolic and methanolic extracts of garlic did not produce antibacterial activity. The indigenous variety showed higher antibacterial activities and protein qualities than the exotic variety, with both varieties showing genetic diversity. In conclusion, the Nigerian indigenous garlic was found to be of high antibacterial and protein qualities; and for maximal health benefit garlic needs to be chewed or crushed and consumed directly.

Gender Analysis of Decision Making on Maternal Health Care among Rural Farmers in Southwestern Nigeria: Implications for Food Security

Safe childbirth is crucial to farmers’ productivity and food security as farm labour plays a pivotal role for farming in most rural communities. Analysing gender roles on maternal health care (MHC) decision is of major concern in ensuring safe motherhood and poverty reduction in rural homes. Therefore, this study analysed gender concerns of MHC among rural farmers. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 124 respondents for the study; data were collected using structured interview schedule, Focus Group Discussion, descriptive and inferential statistics. Respondents (χ = 29 years) were in their youthful and procreating stage with average family size of 4 members. Husbands (64.5%) mainly decided the MHC utilised for childbirth. More females (54.8%) belonged to cooperative society. About (56.5%) of males and females (53.2%), respectively were crop producers having average monthly earning of #19,000. Most predicating factors to MHC decision were family tradition ( χ= 2.21) and social capital (χ = 2.18). Males (61.3%) had high level of MHC decision unlike the females (54.8%) with low contribution to MHC decision. Monthly income (r=0.521), responsibility for decision making (r=0.668) were significantly related to respondents decision on MHC. There was a significant difference in the level of decision making between males and females (t=5.28, df =31). Hence, it is recommended that non-governmental organisation should collaborate with the government to aggressively sensitise rural communities on safe motherhood and men should sufficiently empower women to contribute and participate actively in decisions on maternal health care in rural families for sustainable food production and supply.

Gravimetric Profile of Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacterial and Fungal Isolates from Contaminated Soil Samples in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

One of the biological compounds limiting soil water retention capacity is oil when present due to its hydro-nature. However, some microorganisms exhibit the capacity to degrade oil as a source of carbon, whereby the soil quality is retained and enhanced. Hence, the gravimetric profile of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria and fungi isolated from oil contaminated soil samples was investigated. Soil samples were collected from surface and 10m depth from six different mechanic workshops and generator sites. The pour plate technique was used to isolate the microorganisms. All pure isolates were sub-cultured using Bushnell Haas agar and the isolated bacteria were identified by their morphological and biochemical characteristics. The soil samples pH range was 4.3 - 6.4. Bacteria isolated included Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp., Microccocus spp., Acinetobacter spp., and Bacillus spp. The fungi isolated included Aspergillus spp., Rhizopus spp., Candida spp., Trichoderma spp. and Penicillium spp. Degradation of kerosene, diesel, crude oil, engine oil, and spent engine oil was allowed using Acinetobacter baumanni, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, and S. aureus. Gravimetric analyses were used to determine the percentage of petroleum hydrocarbon degraded by bacterial isolates. The highest percentage of degradation was between P. aeruginosa and B. subtilis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa degraded 97.4% diesel, 88.2% kerosene, 71.3% crude oil, 80.7% engine oil and 78.2% spent engine oil; while Bacillus subtilis degraded 71% diesel, 97% kerosene, 89.6% crude oil, 87% engine oil and 72.6% spent engine oil. This study revealed that bacterial and fungal isolates from oil contaminated soils exhibited the potentials to degrade oil and bioremediation using these microorganisms was possible.

Effects of Variations in Sodium Chloride Concentrations on the Biodegradation of Heptane by Alcaligenes species

Conventional mineral salts medium (MSM) had been used for many years. A modification of the concentration of sodium chloride was attempted in this work to observe the effect or otherwise on microbial activities in reaction tubes. This study was undertaken to assess the biodegradation potentials of Alcaligenes species on heptane. Results showed the hydrocarbon degrading ability of Alcaligenes sp. under varying concentrations of sodium chloride salt for a period of sixteen (16) days at two to four days interval. Due to its rapid rate of multiplication, a steady increase in bacterial growth was observed during the experiment. Alcaligenes sp. showed appreciable growth on heptane with a reading of 6.5x108cfu/ml on Day 16. Also, the regeneration rate of Alcaligenes sp. was found to be rapid on heptane in the presence of 4M concentration of NaCl with a reading of 1.18x109cfu/ ml on Day 16. This study shows that increased sodium chloride concentration aids the utilization of heptane by Alcaligenes sp. Hence, Alcaligenes sp. is a promising isolate that can be used for the bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated sites in saline environment.

Effects of Road Infrastructure on Plantain Production among Farmers in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Road infrastructure is crucial to farmers’ productivity, transportation, marketing of food produce and food security. Therefore, this study examined the effects of road infrastructure to plantain production among farmers in Ekiti South Local Government Area. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 103 respondents for the study; data were collected using structured interview schedule. Data on respondents’ personal characteristics, perceived contribution of road infrastructure to plantain enterprise and constraints to plantain production and marketing were analysed with descriptive statistics, Chisquare and Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistical tools. Majority (75.7%) of the respondents were males, large percent (70.8%) were ageing (50-70years), 71.8% cultivated 4-6 acres with a majority (79.6%) having more than 20years of farming and marketing experience. Almost half (47.6%) of the respondents earned between #31,000-#40,000 monthly and majority (78.6%) indicated that their farms to the market were far and not motorable. About (65%) indicated that poor road infrastructure had negative implication on production and marketing of plantain. Educational level (χ2=14.13), farm size (χ2=0.932), monthly income (χ2=7.938), farming experience (χ2=11.831), marketing experience (χ2=10.609), farmers age (r = -0.375) and constraints to production and marketing (r = 0.261) were significantly related to effects of road infrastructure on plantain production. Hence, it is recommended that government should ensure quality rural feeder roads linking urban areas for sustainable farming practices, reduction of postharvest losses and efficient plantain marketing.

Benford’s model as a Tool for analysing students performance pattern and anomaly

Studies on existing methods of analyses are still insufficient due to the lack of investigation of students’ performance pattern. Prior studies found that there is a limit in the existing systems that can be used to make a comparative analysis and monitoring of the student academic performance. To look into this problem, this study explores the possibility of analysing students’ performance pattern in higher institutions. A system based on Benford’s law was designed to analyse students’ performance pattern and the system was tested with students Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Python programming language, Malplot library, wxpython graphical user interface and Atom text and source code editor were used for developing and testing the application. After a couple of error debugging and fixes, a well-functioning application that met the requirements of the system was achieved. This study also features a spiral model which was adopted as the methodological approach in the development of the Benford’s Analysis system. The interaction between users and the Benford’s Analysis system was described. Furthermore, a brief description of Benford’s law, pattern recognition, students’ performance and stochastic modeling was given.