Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management

Phytochemical, Proximate, Anti-Oxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Aqueous and Methanol Extracts of Dried Shell of Cajanus cajan seed collected from a Rural Community in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

S. I. Orjiocha, M. U. Ibezim-Ezeani, F. C. Otuu, C. O. Ugorji — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Cajanus cajan, commonly known as pigeon pea, is widely cultivated by farmers in Nsukka and other parts of Enugu State, Nigeria. The seeds have a long history of usage in the traditional food combinations of many families and are reportedly very nutritious. Hence, the objective of this paper is to investigate the phytochemical, proximate, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of aqueous and methanol extracts of the dried shell of Cajanus cajan seed collected from a rural community in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. Data obtained show that some of the analytical constituents were flavonoids (2,226.50 ± 47.350, Phenolics (6,294.65±117.35), Alkaloids (175.09±3.34), moisture (13.762%), ash (4.183%), and protein (9.01%). Some of the anti-oxidant properties - DPPH IC₅₀ of 25.07 ± 0.09 µg/ml, nitric oxide scavenging activity equivalent to 20.0mM/g, and a Ferric Reduction Antioxidant Property (FRAP) value of 2.53 compared, favorably with ascorbic acid standard. The anti-inflammatory inhibition of the extracts was 44.1ug/mL as against standard diclofenac 37.62ug/mL. The extracts have promising properties as raw materials for developing anti-scaling agents for pipeline rust inhibition and nutriceuticals to manage oxidative stress-induced functional diseases.

Phytochemicals Screening in Four Solvent Extractions of Pulverized Witchweed (Striga asiatica)

G. F. Kontagora, N. M. Ibrahim — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Striga asiatica, commonly known as Witchweed, is a parasitic plant that significantly impacts cereal crops such as maize, sorghum, and millet, leading to severe agricultural losses. Besides its agricultural threat, S. asiatica has a rich history of use in traditional medicine for treating various ailments. This research focuses on analyzing the phytochemical composition of S. asiatica using four different solvent extracts: ethyl acetate, methanol, chloroform, and N-hexane from pulverized plant material. The goal is to identify the primary bioactive constituents and explore their potential medicinal properties. Standard analytical techniques were employed to evaluate the phytochemical profiles of the different solvent extracts. The study consistently identified alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, and triterpenes across all extracts. Flavonoids, saponins, and tannins were specifically present in the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts but were absent in chloroform and N-hexane extracts. Notably, anthraquinones and steroids were not detected in any of the solvent extracts, suggesting a unique phytochemical profile for S. asiatica. An important finding is the significant activity of the N-hexane extract against pathogenic organisms such as Culex quinquefasciatusaa, indicating potential antifungal and antihelminthic properties. These results underscore the diverse phytochemical profile of S. asiatica and its potential therapeutic applications. The study highlights the need for further research to fully understand the bioactive compounds and their mechanisms of action, which could lead to new applications in medicine and agriculture.

Evaluation of Residual Geo-mechanical Characteristics of Rocks from Akure, Ado-Ekiti and Ikare-Akoko Quarries in Southwest Nigeria

T. A. Oluwadero, O. W. Osisanya, F. Z. Ajibade — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the Residual Geo-mechanical Characteristics of Rocks from Akure, Ado-Ekiti and Ikare-Akoko Quarries in Southwest Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques.Data obtained show that residual ultimate compressive strength (UCS) values under in-situ circumstances were, in order, 70.56 MPa, 72.9 MPa, and 76.27 MPa. It was shown that when the concentrations of acid and base in the immersion solution increased, the samples' UCS decreased. Compared to samples with coarser grains, those with finer grains (as determined by the microstructure analysis) retained a comparatively higher UCS value even after being submerged in an acidic and alkaline medium. The samples that were soaked in 0.75M, 1.5M, and 3.0M of acid and base showed varying degrees of deterioration during the second wetting cycle in the water medium, despite not being detected to be damaged during the first cycle. However, the durability was found to decrease much more when the medium was turned acidic and alkaline.

Geographic Information Systems and MATLAB Simulation to Quantify and Analyze Traffic Congestion in Oja Oba Road, Arakale Road, and FUTA North Gate Road of Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

E. T. Idowu, O. J. Nnamani, O. O. Aderinlewo — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Urban traffic congestion presents persistent challenges to transportation efficiency, economic productivity, and environmental health, particularly in rapidly urbanizing cities. Hence, the objective of this paper is to quantify and analyze traffic congestion in Oja Oba Road, Arakale Road, and FUTA North Gate road of Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria using a combination of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and MATLAB simulation. In this study, data collected include vehicle speed, travel time, GPS tracking, and odometer markings. The Greenshields traffic model, applied within MATLAB, provided insights into speed-density and flow-density relationships. The result shows that Motorcycles are most prevalent on Arakale Road (8618 ± 3045), with extended travel periods (3153 ± 1153). Tricycles are common on Arakale and Oja-Oba, but their activity on North Gate is minimal. Cars exhibit the highest traffic on North Gate (7169 ± 1794) and Oja-Oba (11753 ± 894) while Buses are heavily concentrated on North Gate road (1696 ± 522). Vans and Trucks have limited traffic overall, with North Gate having the highest volumes, highlighting its importance for goods and freight transport. Travel Durations are longest on North Gate Road for all vehicle types, suggesting higher congestion compared to the other routes. Findings revealed peak congestion during evening hours and distinct congestion patterns across road types, with motorcycles and cars as the primary contributors to traffic volume. This GIS-MATLAB integration offers a robust tool for urban planners, allowing detailed congestion analysis and supporting data-driven strategies to enhance traffic management. The framework can be adapted for other urban centers facing similar congestion issues, facilitating more effective transport infrastructure planning.

Physicochemical Characteristics and Water Quality Indices to Assess the Suitability of Groundwater Resources in some Communities of Kogi State, Nigeria

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper aims to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and water quality indices (WQI) to assess the suitability of groundwater resources in some communities of Kogi State, Nigeria using appropriate standard procedures. Data obtained show that pH, EC, TDS, and TSS, ranges from 6.18-7.44 (mean – 6.68; std - ± 0.53), 85.26 – 90.23 μS/cm (mean - 88.32 μS/cm; std - ± 2.06 μS/cm), 162-194 mg/l (mean - 174.75 mg/l; std - ± 10.25 mg/l), 24-30 mg/l (27.75 mg/l; std - ± 2.25 mg/l), respectively. The physical parameter results all conformed to WHO standard for ingestible water except pH which presented mild acidity/alkalinity outside the recommended threshold. The chemical parameter results all suggest that the groundwater is not polluted and suitable for consumption. The heavy metals also, showed that the water is safe except aluminum (range – 0.7 – 1.2 mg/l; mean – 0.86; std - ± 0.15), that exceeded the 0.2 mg/l benchmark specified. The computed water quality index (WQI), and heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) revealed that the water is excellent and of low risk for consumption. The groundwater facies and water type indicated that the water is Ca – HCO_{3 type}with bicarbonate dominating the water chemistry. This study further revealed that the groundwater ionic constituent is defined by rock weathering/mineral dissolution and suggest almost zero influence from anthropogenic sources. The water is also found from this research to be fit for consumption and other uses.

Evaluation of Price Prediction of Houses in a Real Estate via Machine Learning

A. A. Ibrahim, O. A. Ayilara-Adewale, A. A. Alabi, D. A. Olusesi — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Traditional (manual) methods of determining real estate house prices are in some cases prone to mistakes which may be due to distractions, lack of attentiveness or vulnerability to real estate agent fraud. This work focuses on evaluation house price prediction in real estate using more recent methods. House pricing using such methods as House Pricing Index and Random Forest Machine Learning Technique has been discussed, a new approach is proposed as a model utilizing the Extra Tree regression because it introduces an additional level of randomness in the tree-building process. Kaggle Boston housing dataset with 506 entries and 14 features was employed to train and test the developed model whose efficiency was then determined via mean absolute error and mean squared error. Additionally, a comparison was made between a random forest regression model and the proposed prediction model which revealed that the new prediction model yielded better performance than the random forest regression.

Effect of Particle Sizes on Thermal Conductivity of Five Wood Species from the Family of Sterculiaceae, Moraceae, and Ulmaceae

T. M. Aramide, O. F. Famutimi — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this paper was to investigate effect of particle sizes on thermal conductivity of five wood species from the family of Sterculiaceae, Moraceae, and Ulmaceae using Differential Thermal Analyser after pulverizing and sieving wood materials into different maximum particle sizes of 106 μm, 300 μm, 425 μm, 850 μm and 1180 μm respectively with appropriate mesh. The result of the thermal conductivity ranged from 0.0100 to 0.0492 Wm^-1 K^-1. It was observed from the result that thermal conductivity of wood materials is dependent of particle sizes. This suggests that the performance of the material could be influenced by particle size. Builders are encouraged to work hand in hand with researchers so as to have a deep understanding of insulating material to be used in building constructions.

Causes and Impact of Port Accident on Operational Performance of Nigerian Seaport at Tin Can Island, Lagos Nigeria

A. R. Okpara, O. J. Anyanwu, A. I. Dirisu, O. C. Okorefe — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this paper is to identify the causes and impact of port/harbor accident on operational performance at Tin Can Island, Lagos, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods to obtain primary and secondary data from reliable sources by distributing 80 questionnaires. Data obtained show that the major causes of accident include; over capacity usage, failure to consider dangerous goods’ separation and coordination deficiency by management. The study's findings indicate that, based on the survey data that was collected and the testing of each listed hypotheses, all of the hypotheses were found to be significant, this relationship can be seen in the ANOVA table where the significance value of the F statistics is greater than 0.05 which means the variation explained by the model is due to chance. It was recommended that seaports should regulatory bodies and port operators should enforce safety regulations and provide adequate training and safety measures to prevent accidents and improve the safety and efficiency of port operations.

Evaluation of Current Households Management Practices of Solid Wastes from Pharmaceuticals in Soc Trang city, Vietnam

T. T. Tien, N. T. Giao — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Pharmaceutical wastes could pose serious health and environmental risk if inappropriately managed within the household. Hence, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the current households’ management practices of solid wastes from pharmaceuticals in Soc Trang city, Vietnam using semi-structured questionnaires. The results showed that more than 300 different pharmaceutical brand names belonging to 14 groups of pharmaceutical drugs have been used in which digestive, pain relievers, antipyretics, steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, gout, bone and joint diseases, cardiovascular, parasitic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal drugs were the commons. Thirty-seven actively harmful ingredients to the environment and organisms were identified in the study area. The management of pharmaceutical wastes has not been well practiced since the unused medicines and its packaging were discarded with domestic solid wastes, burying, burning and flushing into the toilet. The interviewees reported that the reasons they discharged medicines are health improvement, experiencing side effects or failure in the treatment process. The interviewees did not have much knowledge of the impact of potentially harmful chemicals containing in the discarded medicines on health and ecosystems. This could lead to increasingly released and accumulating pharmaceutical wastes in environments. Appropriate collection and awareness raising for local people in the management of pharmaceutical wastes in the study area are essential.

Economic Impact of IFAD-Value Chain Development Programme on Rice Farmers in North Central Zone, Nigeria

A. A. Iordekighir, C. K. Biam, G. A. Abu, J. A. C. Ezihe — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Raising agricultural productivity, reducing food insecurity and poverty levels of poor- resource farmers is an important policy goal for any concerned nation, particularly, in developing countries, Nigeria inclusive. The study assessed the economic impact of International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) on rice farmers in North Central Zone, Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques with a well structured questionnaire. Data obtained show a positive trend in net farm income per hectare, increasing from N390, 897.90 to N686, 652.91 before and after IFAD-VCDP intervention respectively. Before IFAD-VCDP intervention, 41.95% of the respondents were food-secured, improving to 61.43% after intervention. Poverty status of the respondents decreased from 50.5% before IFAD-VCDP to 43.8% after the programme intervention, with a reduced poverty depth and severity of 0.21 and 0.082 respectively. The study findings conclusively demonstrate that the IFAD-VCDP had a substantial and positive impact on livelihoods of the farmers as it led to significant improvements in the farmers’ income, resulting in notable rise in net farm income per hectare, accompanied by economic uplift in food security and a reduction in poverty level among the rural farmers in the study area. Hence, the findings of the study provide valuable insights for tailoring interventions to maximize the economic benefits for the rural farmers.

Evaluating the Efficiency and Reliability of Fertilizer Subsidy Systems: The Role of Blockchain in Driving Enhancements in Tanzania

O. D. Mbita, M. R. Nicholaus, R. K. Twahir — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper aims to evaluate the efficiency and reliability of fertilizer subsidy systems in the Mbeya Region of Tanzania, while exploring the role of blockchain technology in driving enhancements to these systems. The research presents a blockchain-based e-voucher system as the innovative solution to these challenges, providing a robust framework that incorporates architectural design and algorithmic solutions to enhance efficiency within the distribution process. The findings demonstrate significant improvements in addressing the identified challenges, including streamlined application processing, voucher issuance and redemption, reimbursement procedures, and increased transparency and traceability. The proposed hybrid architecture integrates well-structured algorithms to improve operational efficiency and ensure a more secure and fair distribution system. These findings underscore the urgent need for novel approaches to improve agricultural productivity and food security, advocating for the widespread adoption of blockchain technology within the agricultural sector.

Evaluation of Cadmium Contaminations in Soil and Plants, and Potential Ecological Risk at a Tertiary Institution Campus, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria

P. O. Ben-Uwabor, S. O. Olarinoye — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the cadmium contaminations in soil and plants, and potential ecological risk at a tertiary institution campus, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria using appropriate standard procedures. Data obtained indicates highest cadmium concentration in plants at the library (0.282±0.03 mg/kg), while the highest soil concentrations were observed at the School Park (0.316±0.04 mg/kg). The cadmium Contamination Factor (CF) and Bioaccumulation Coefficient (BAC) assessed the degree of pollution on the campus and the amount of Cd uptake by the plants, with moderate contamination across most sites, recording the Administrative Building area to display a notably higher Contamination Factor of 2 and cadmium Potential Ecological Risk index of 60, indicating a moderate ecological risk with Azadirachta indica and Delonix regia been hyperaccumulators of cadmium.These findings showed the need for cadmium monitoring and targeted friendly environmental management, particularly in areas with elevated cadmium levels. The study concludes that while cadmium contamination is a campus-wide issue, specific locations, such as the Library and Administrative Building, require urgent attention to mitigate potential environmental and public health risk.

Socio-Economic Importance of Adansonia digitata (Baobab) in New-Bussa and its Environs, Niger State, Nigeria

S. M. Ayeni, O. A. Akande, P. N. Meduna, A. A. Babatunde — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study accessed socio-economic importance of Adansonia digitata (Baobab) in New-Bussa and its environs, Niger State Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of pre-tested questionnaire. Purposive and accidental sampling techniques were used to select the community and the respondents. Data collected was subjected to descriptive analysis. The demographic characteristics of the respondents indicated that male had the highest percentage (65.0%) with 31-35 years recording highest (31.2%). Majority (40.0%) of the respondents are farmers. The finding further revealed that majority of the respondents (41.3%) had secondary education. Majority (53) of the respondent are involves in the collection of Adansonia digitata and the people involves in the processing and marketing of Adansonia digitata are mostly women. The frequently used parts of the plants are leaves and bark. The socio-economic importance of the plants is to generate income. Perception of respondents towards the status of Adansonia digitata showed that the plants are decreasing and the reasons for the changes in the study area are due to human exploitation and infrastructure development. The study concludes that Adansonia digitata tree contributed immensely to the economic development of study area through the provision of wild food, medicine and fuelwood.

Effects of Banditry and Illegal Logging on Conservation in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

S. M. Ayeni, P. N. Meduna, A. A. Babatunde — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of tis paper is to investigate the Effects of Banditry and Illegal Logging on Conservation in Kainji Lake National Park, North Central, Nigeria using standard procedures by distributing one hundred and ninety four (194) questionnaires, of which one hundred and thirteen (113) were completed and returned. The result of demographic characteristics of respondents indicates that the male respondents were dominant (75.7%). Furthermore, 51.4% of the sampled populations’ falls between age group 35-44 years, followed by 25-34 years with 30.8% and age group 45 and above were the least (17.8%). The finding further revealed that majority of the respondents was married (71.0%) and 59.8% of the respondents had tertiary education while 40.2% had secondary education. Also, majority of the respondents are Muslims (71.0%) while 29.0 are Christian. Majority of the respondents (52.3%) had worked between 11-20 years. The respondent’s monthly income of the majority (55.1%) respondents is between N50, 000-99,000. The species of tree and animals that are mostly affected by illegal logging includes; Adansoniadigitata, Afzelia africana, Milicia excels etc. The animal species includes Grim duiker, Guinea fowl, Bushbuck, Rabbit etc. The effects of banditry and illegal logging on wildlife conservation in Kainji Lake are destruction of habitat (45.1%) and decline in wildlife population (38.1%) recorded the highest percentages, followed by loss of biodiversity (11.5%) while climate change is the least with 4.4%. The management strategies to proffer solution to the menace in the study area in which adequate field equipment for staff recorded the highest with 31.9%, followed by adequate staff training with 30.1% while demarcation of Park boundary recorded the least with 15.0%. The study concludes that there are banditry and illegal logging activities in Kainji Lake National Park.

Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of Bacterial Isolates in Garlic, Ginger, Pepper, and Turmeric Commonly Traded Within Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

A. E. Ajiboye, M. O. Jimoh, B. A. Hammed, T. E. Adesokan — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Food condiments/spices consisting of leaves, flowers, seeds or stems of plants are food additives that add special aromas and flavors to food thereby increasing its taste but could harbor an array of microbes. Hence, the objective of this paper was to isolate, identify, and characterize the bacterial isolates in food condiments (Garlic, Ginger, Pepper, and Turmeric) commonly traded within Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria using various standard microbial techniques. The highest total heterotrophic count (THC) was 21.52 ± 5.31 Cfu/ml obtained from the samples at location A. The highest total coliform count (TCC) was found in garlic sample (6.67 ± 4.93 Cfu/ml) obtained from location B. The highest total Staphylococcus count (TSC) was found in garlic sample (4.00 ± 1.00 Cfu/ml) obtained from location C. The highest Total Salmonella-Shigella Count of (4.67 ± 3.06 Cfu/ml) was found in garlic sample obtained from location A. The highest total fungi count (TFC) was found in pepper sample (4.13 ± 2.06 Cfu/ml) obtained from location A. The presence of various pathogenic bacteria in the food condiments analyzed raises concern on their impact to the health of the consumers and these food spices could also serve as a vehicle for the transmission of disease causing bacteria.

Soil Stabilization Using Terrasil And Zycobond on Ijikoyejo Street Surulere Lagos State Nigeria

A. A. Duyile, O. O. Amu — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Deep excavation of unsuitable soil in road construction have resulted in escalation of the cost of soil exchange and total project sum of construction, one of the possible ways of cost reduction is to stabilized the existing subgrade material (sandy silty-clay) by using the mixture of terrasil, zycond and water. Consequently, the objective of this paper is to investigate the application of soil stabilization with Terrasil and Zycobond on Ijikoyejo Street Surulere Lagos State Nigeria using approproitae standard procedures including collecting Three samples marked Ch.0+100, Ch.0+300 and Ch.0+550. Data obtained in the Engineering test show that the mixture of Terrasil/Zycobond /Water is able to increase the CBR values. In sample A, 11.5 to 64.4% with ratio 1:2:50, 11.5 to 49.3% with ratio 1:2:100, 11.5 to 33.9% with ratio 1:2:150, from 11.5 to 22.8% with ratio 1:2:200. In sample B, 13.8 to 67.6% with ratio 1:2:50, 13.8 to 48.4% with ratio 1:2:100, 13.8 to 31.3% with ratio 1:2:150, 13.8 to 22.3% with ratio 1:2:200. Ins sample C, 11.8 to 68.4% with ratio 1:2:50, 11.8 to 45.5% with ratio 1:2:100, 11.8 to 31.3% with ratio 1:2:150, 11.8 to 23.7% with ratio 1:2:200. The compaction results also show that the optimum moisture content (OMC) reduced after the mixture of the additive and in most cases the maximum dry density (MDD) increases. The results of the analysis show that the soil samples with additive improved the Engineering properties of the soil compared to the soil without additive, the higher the concentration of the additive the better the results obtained. Investigation reveals that the mixture of the proportions to sandy silty-clay showed significant improvement on the compaction and CBR values of soil. Therefore, these researches provide a sound platform for the use of terrasil and zycobond as auxiliary additives and reveal their full potentials in soil stabilization.

Innovative Technologies for Improved Water Productivity and Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resilience: A Review

E. Oiganji, H. Igbadun, P. S. Amaza, R. Z. Lenka — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, poses severe challenges to agriculture, food security, and sustainable development, particularly in vulnerable regions. This study examines innovative technologies for improving water productivity and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Key technologies discussed include precision irrigation techniques such as micro-sprinklers and drip systems, smart water management solutions, and water recycling methods. These approaches enhance water efficiency, minimize waste, and strengthen resilience in agricultural systems. Case studies illustrate the successful adoption of these technologies, underscoring their role in addressing climate change impacts. Climate adaptation strategies, such as drought-resistant crop varieties, bio-based filtration systems, and low-energy desalination, are also explored. Despite their potential, barriers such as high implementation costs, limited technical expertise, and institutional inefficiencies constrain widespread adoption. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for increased investment in water-saving technologies, capacity building, public-private partnerships, and policy reforms to advance water security and climate resilience.

Investigating the Influence of Surface Runoff and Human Activities on the Seasonal Characterization of Physicochemical Properties of the upper segment of Qua Iboe River Water, Niger Delta, Nigeria

U. E. Jonah, I. I. Akpan, E. S. Umoh — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this paper was to investigate the influence of surface runoff and human activities on the seasonal characterization of physicochemical properties o of the upper segment of Qua Iboe River Water, Niger Delta, Nigeria, using the protocols described in standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. The values of physicochemical parameters assessed in water samples gave the following ranges: Water Temperature (22.0-31.6 ^oC), Dissolved Oxygen (1.5-7.42 mg/L), Total Dissolved Solids (48.6-130.6 mg/L), Electrical Conductivity (72.5-195.0 mg/L), Turbidity (5.14-48.0 NTU), Sulphate (42.8-158.3 mg/L), Nitrate (1.76-17.48 mg/L),Phosphate (1.85-17.95 mg/L), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (0.62-6.51 mg/L), Chloride (22.29-80.36 mg/L) and Total Suspended Solids (22.1-91.5 mg/L). The mean values of Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrate and Biochemical Oxygen Demand in wet season exceeded the standard limits while Turbidity, Phosphate and Total Suspended Solids in both seasons exceeded the standard limits. ANOVA at P < 0.05 reveals significant variation in some parameters between the seasons. The findings revealed that surface runoff and anthropogenic activities influence the concentrations of some parameters.

Seasonal Concentrations of Insecticide Residues, Ecological and Health Risks of Waters from Déganobo Lake System in San-Pedro, Cote D'Ivoire

K. F. A. Konan, M. K. Yao — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the seasonal concentrations of insecticide residues, ecological and health risks of waters from Déganobo Lake System in San-Pedro, Cote D' Ivoire using appropriate standard methods. For this study, waters samples from this aquatic ecosystem were collected over a year (from August 2022 to July 2023). The concentrations of these insecticide residues were obtained according to the MA. 403-Pest 3.1 standard (CEAEQ, 2011) with minor modifications. Generally, the seasonal concentrations of these residues were significant in these waters, especially those of methyl parathion, except for acetamiprid and deltamethrin, which were undetectable throughout the study period. This situation is related to their extensive use in agricultural practices in the watershed of this aquatic ecosystem. Most of these insecticide residues showed high concentrations in these waters during the small and great dry seasons, while their lowest concentrations were observed during the small rainy season. This high presence of insecticide residues in these waters presents significant ecological and health risks, particularly due to the residues of bifenthrin, chlorfenvinphos, ethyl parathion, methyl parathion, and vinclozolin. This study highlights the need to implement effective management practices to safeguard and protect this lake system to ensure its impressive biodiversity in the long term.

Comparative Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties of Surface Water Treated by Alum and Pawpaw Seed Powder

O. M. Ojo — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Surface water treatment is crucial for maintaining water quality and safeguarding public health. Traditional methods like alum treatment have been widely used, but they often come with high costs and environmental concerns. In contrast, natural alternatives such as pawpaw seed powder offer a potentially low-cost and eco-friendly solution. Hence, the objective of this paper is to comparatively evaluate the physicochemical properties of surface water treated by using alum and pawpaw seed powder using appropriate standard methods. Initial water quality parameters included turbidity of 27 NTU, pH of 7.9, total suspended solids (TSS) of 126.8 mg/L, total dissolved solids (TDS) of 267.2 mg/L, and hardness of 321 mg/L. Post-treatment with alum reduced these values to 9 NTU, pH 7.5, TSS 50 mg/L, TDS 135 mg/L, and hardness 95 mg/L. Pawpaw seed powder treatment resulted in reductions to 6 NTU, pH 7.6, TSS 60 mg/L, TDS 160 mg/L, and hardness 130 mg/L. The findings showed significant improvement in water clarity and quality for both treatments, with pawpaw seed powder demonstrating slightly superior turbidity reduction. Cost analysis revealed that alum treatment cost a total of 9000 NGN, whereas pawpaw seed powder treatment cost 5500 NGN, primarily due to lower procurement and transportation costs. The results suggest that pawpaw seed powder is a more cost-effective and sustainable alternative to alum since it was capable of achieving comparable water quality improvements.

Snakebite Envenomation in Benue State: A Study of Prevalence and Treatment Approach in Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Snakebite envenomation occurs frequently in the studied area, but the prevalence and management approach has not been verified. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the prevalence, and management of snakebite covering a period of ten years (January 2011 to December 2020). One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were administered to respondents and analysed using descriptive statistics. The result indicated 131(87.3%), of the snakebite victims, were males, while 19 (12.7%) were female. The incidence was highest among 30-39 years, while the least was among 60-69 years and above. In addition, farmers had the highest percentage of snakebite 140(93.3), followed by traders 6(4.0%), with the least being civil servants and other occupational 2(1.3%). More so, about 80(53.3%) of the victims had secondary education, followed by 54(36.0%) primary education, while 6(4.0%) of them obtained tertiary education and non-formal education 10(6.7%) respectively. Dendroaspis viridis 36(24%) with the highest number of victims, followed by Echis ocellatus 34(22.7%), Bitis ariatas,32(21.3), Naja negricollis 16(10.7%), Atractaspis species 4(2.7%), and unidentified species 28 (18.7%) respectively. Most of the snakebites occurred during the dry season with 87(58%), while 63(42%) occurred in the rainy season. About 145(96.7%) victims south for herbalists, while only 2(1.3%) for orthodox medicine and others. This result signified that victims strongly believe in the traditional way of snakebite treatment rather than orthodox medicine.

Effects of Cow Dung Ash on Chemical and Geotechnical Properties of Lateritic Soil for Road Construction collected Shao-Malete Road in Kwara State, Nigeria

A. G. Adelodun, O. O. Amu, K. J. Ayinde — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this paper was to investigate the effects of cow dung ash (CDA) on the chemical and geotechnical properties of lateritic soil for road construction collected Shao-Malete Road in Kwara State, Nigeria. Cow dung ash (CDA) was used in stabilizing lateritic soil at ratios 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% of disturbed soil sample (fine - grained i.e. silt-clay material). The soil samples were subjected to laboratory tests such as Specific gravity, particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, compaction, California bearing ratio, unconfined compressive strength, Triaxial shear strength in accordance with British Standards (BS 1377: 1990 and BS 1924: 1990). Optimum addition of cow dung ash was achieved at 6%. The investigation on the soil samples revealed an increased in strength tests performed on the selected soil samples and a gradual decrease in the results of optimum moisture content. Optimum of CDA was recorded at 6% which is best suitable for silt-clay soil. In conclusion, materials from selected locations meet the requirements for sub-base and base courses when stabilized with optimum cow dung ash. If the research work is utilized for road and building construction, it will surely cut down expenses and environmental risks brought about by agricultural waste.

Evaluation of Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of S. Maydis on Liver Cytoarchitecture of Wistar Rats Induced with Carbonated Herbal Alcoholic Beverages (Orijin Bitters)

A. Agbortai, G. I. Eze, S. B. Olukayode, S. O. Innih — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Alcoholic beverages are renowned as the most common types of alternative medicine, but the frequent over indulgence in the use of alcoholic beverages however, have been linked with a number of social and importantly health problems and death. Herbs, such as Stigma maydis, which have been used for centuries in treating various illnesses, play a major role in forming the basic platform of modern medicines. Consequently, this work evaluated the protective effects of aqueous extract of Stigma maydis (AESM) on the liver cytoarchitecture of carbonated herbal alcoholic beverage-induced Wistar rats using appropriate standard methods. A total of Thirty-six Wistar rats (180-190 g), were divided into groups (n=6). Group A: Control (untreated), Group B: Orijin bitters, Group C: Orijin bitters + AESM (200 mg/kg), Group D: Orijin bitters + AESM (600 mg/kg), Group E: AESM (200 mg/kg) and Group F: AESM (600 mg/kg). Oral administration lasted for 60 consecutive days. After sacrifice, the livers were harvested, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, and processed for histological assessment using haematoxylin and eosin staining. The results showed administration of orijin bitters caused significant alterations to the cytoarchitecture of the liver, characterized by severe vascular ulceration, mild to severe vascular congestion, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. However, treatment with graded doses of AESM effectively attenuated these histopathological features, with higher doses demonstrating more pronounced protective effects. In conclusion, these findings suggest that AESM possesses hepatoprotective activity against alcoholic beverage-induced liver damage, and it could be a potential therapeutic agent for mitigating liver injury.

Preparation and Assessment of Surface and Functional Properties of Protein Blends from Moringa oleifera and Monodora myristica Seeds

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Protein, an amphoteric macromolecule has proven to play important role in enhancing nutritive standard and product quality. Recently, research attention is been focused on the protein fraction implicit in underexploited biomass to address the increasing demand for this agro-based resource with exceptional attributes. Consequently, the objective of this paper was to prepare and assess the surface and functional properties of protein blends compounded from Moringa oleifera and Monodora myristica seeds using appropriate standard techniques. The protein blends showed thixotropic behavior at elevated concentration and presented 1MOI:1MMI blend with the highest values of 9.75%, 22.47%, 32.11%, 60.21% and 72.09% for polar, basic, acidic, hydrophilic and non-essential amino acid distributions respectively. In contrast, 1MOI:2MMI and 2MOI:1MMI blends showed higher essential, aliphatic, aromatic, hydrophobic and non-polar amino acid distributions albeit lower in the former. The surface tension for the protein blends is in inverse proportion with concentration, consistent with their refractive indices (1.42-1.51), η_sp (1.95-5.92 cP), η_int (128.14-257.81 cP) and E_Ƞ (5.51-14.40 KJmol^-1). The protein blends exhibited foaming and solubility properties which were dependent on pH, whereas their swelling characters were influenced by temperature. The 1MOI:1MMI and 2MOI:1MMI polypeptide blends showed better emulsifying properties and surface hydrophobicity respectively. Based on the surface and functional characteristics of these biopolymer blends, they could find application as suitable hydrocolloids for food, pharmaceutical and allied industrial products.

Assessment of Forestry Extension Service Delivery among Rural Farmers Living around Awi Forest Reserve in Cross River State, Nigeria

E. D. Udoh, B. I. Ogar, I. E. Ema, E. O. Samson — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study assessed forestry extension service delivery among rural farmers living around the Awi Forest Reserve in Cross River State, Nigeria. A total of 214 respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and a 5-point Likert scale. The results showed that the average age of respondents was 39 years, with 61% being male and 85% married. Most respondents (53%) had primary education, and 57% operated on small farm sizes of 1-2 hectares. Farmers expressed satisfaction with campaigns against forest fires (mean = 3.58), forest management practices (mean = 3.35), and information on forestry laws (mean = 3.34). However, dissatisfaction was recorded for training on agroforestry (mean = 2.77), seedling distribution (mean = 1.75), and budding and grafting (mean = 1.54). Major constraints to effective service delivery included inadequate extension agents (mean = 4.0), poor supervision (mean = 3.53), and insufficient funding (mean = 3.48). The findings highlight the urgent need to address these challenges to enhance sustainable forest management and conservation efforts in the study area.

Ethanol Production Yield from Cassava Mill Effluent using Starch Hydrolyzing Bacterium (Bacillus species) and Glucose Fermenting Yeast (Saccharomyces species)

L. P. Peekate, L. O. Amadi, E. Amos — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Ethanol yield (EY) from carbohydrate fermentation can be affected by microorganisms involved in the fermentation. Hence, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the ethanol production yield from cassava mill effluent (CME) using a starch hydrolyzing bacterium (Bacillus species) and a glucose fermenting yeast (Saccharomyces species) with high starch hydrolyzing and glucose fermenting potential using appropriate standard methods. The results obtained revealed that the bacterium with the highest zone of clearance on Starch-Nutrient Agar was Bacillus infantis, and the yeast with the highest glucose fermenting potential was Saccharomyces cerevisiae. About 50 % reduction in the population of Bacillus infantis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae occurred beyond 15 % and 25 % ethanol concentration respectively. The highest ethanol concentration (17.2±0.7 %) and yield (47.65±1.92 %) was in CME fermented with Bacillus-Saccharomyces inocula (BSI) ratio of 1:2. However, statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference (p = 0.135) in the results obtained with the different inocula ratios. There was pH reduction to slightly acidic after fermentation of the CME, and drastic reduction in cyanide concentration by about 99 %. It is concluded that appreciable EY can be obtained from fermentation of CME using Bacillus infantis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Public Perception and Adaptation to Climate Change in Moro Local Government, Kwara State, Nigeria

O. O. Salami, F. O. Rafiu, M. A. Akanbi-Gada, S. Walliyyulahi — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the public perception and adaptation to climate change in Moro Local Government, Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 60 questionnaires were administered across five settlements. Findings revealed that 45% of respondents had heard about climate change, though awareness levels varied, with Igbo Oreku showing the highest awareness (11.7%) and Okete the lowest (3.3%). About 90% of respondents acknowledged changes in rainfall patterns and temperature, which significantly had impact on their agricultural operations. Majority (75%) noted that the dry season had lengthened, and 78.3% observed a shift in planting times due to reduced rainfall. While only 40% acknowledged contributing to climate change through deforestation, 46.7% were willing to adopt adaptation strategies like reducing wood burning and participating in environmental campaigns. The study concludes that climate change adaptation must address local socioeconomic realities and be supported by targeted policies. Recommendations include increasing public awareness through local government-led education programs, promoting sustainable practices, and enhancing collaboration between local authorities, NGOs and communities.

Determinants of Performance of a Micro and Small Enterprises and their Role in Enhancing Local Economic Development: The Case Study Alibo Town, Oromia, Ethiopia

F. Shibeshi, F. Barasa — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this paper was to investigate the determinants of micro and small enterprises performance and their role in enhancing local economic development in Alibo Town, Oromia, Ethiopia using Primary data collected from 281 respondents from questionnaire and interview. Data obtained shows that the majority (25.45%, 16.25%,6.45,3.42 and 12.50) of the MSE respondents in manufacturing, construction, urban agriculture, service and trade sub-sectors respectively respond that their saving amount had increased. While 1.42%, 2.15%,2.40%,1.75% and 2.01% respondents in manufacturing, construction, urban agriculture, service and trade sub-sectors respectively disagree to the increase in saving amount. However 0.75%,1.25%,2.25%,0.45%and 0.25% respondents in manufacturing, construction, urban agriculture, service and trade sub-sectors respectively did not response to increase in saving amount. Hence, results indicate working in MSEs helps to save more and saving condition of the respondents also improved through time.

Analysis of Microbial load and Litter Characterisation of Araromi Beach Sand, Ondo State, Nigeria

O. S. Odewumi, M. M. Quist — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Increasing development of coastal areas and recreational use of beaches, has been linked with greater threats associated with public health hazards with respect to sediment and sand present in these coastal areas. This study assessed the microbial and litter characteristics of Araromi Beach Sand, Ondo State, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods. Data obtained show that Twenty-nine microbes comprising 17 bacterial species, seven fungal species and five yeast species were isolated. The microbial load ranged from 1.45 × 10^-4 CFU/g to 12.4 × 10^-4 CFU/g which were found to be within the permissible limit (8 CFU/g to 250 CFU/g) as stated by the WHO. However, Microbial load showed significant difference (t=0.011) between the areas of high tourist activities and low tourist activities. Also, the beach sand litters were categorized into seven groups. However, the most common type of litter were Organic wastes in the form of dried leaves and tree branches (59%), followed by Plastic/Polystyrene (32%). The average litter density ranged from 10.00 litter/m² in July to 21.57 litter/m² in December. There was no provision for waste disposal and toilet facilities. Araromi beach falls under the Moderately Dirty category with Clean Coast Index values of 8.52 and 6.81 in the dry and wet seasons respectively. Overall, the results of this study shows that Araromi beach is still in an underdeveloped state with the host community the key contributors to the amount of waste found on the beach. It is therefore recommended that to attract more visitors and improve the overall beach experience, the local community and government should invest in regular beach clean-ups and waste management programs to keep the beach in a pristine condition.

Performance Evaluation of Analytic Hierarchy Process Method in the Optimization of Welding Parameters

U. E. Affe, J. Ejonobo — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Obtaining an optimal weld with the required properties is important, as it impacts directly on the durability and lifespan of the product which are factors considered in accessing its quality. This study focuses on the evaluation of the performance of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method in the optimization of welding parameters. Three input parameters; weld current, arc voltage, and gas flow rate were selected for this study, together with the following responses; tensile strength, hardness, and yield strength. From the results of the analysis using AHP, the following were obtained; arc voltage 25volts, weld current 190 amp, and gas flow rate of 15lt/min, has the highest weight of 0.463 equivalent to 43%.

Catalysts for Transesterification of Vegetable Oils: A Review

C. U. Nwuche, R. U. Duru, O. Achugasim, O. J. Abayeh — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The transesterification of vegetable oils is a critical process in the production of biodiesel, a renewable and biodegradable alternative to fossil fuels. This process involves the substitution of alcohols for ester groups in triglycerides, facilitated by catalysts that significantly influence reaction efficiency and biodiesel quality. This review examines the roles, mechanisms, and performance of homogeneous, heterogeneous, enzymatic, and nano catalysts in biodiesel production. Homogeneous catalysts, including acidic and alkaline variants, provide high reaction rates but pose challenges in product separation and environmental sustainability. Heterogeneous catalysts offer improved reusability and separation but are limited by higher costs and lower reaction rates. Enzymatic catalysts address free fatty acid and water-related issues, producing high-purity biodiesel with reduced environmental impact, while nano-catalysts enhance reaction efficiency through high surface area and catalytic activity. Challenges such as catalyst separation, contamination, and industrial scalability are explored alongside future directions, including the development of green and biomass-derived catalysts. This study underscores the need for innovative catalytic systems to advance biodiesel production's economic viability and environmental sustainability.

Predicting Heart Diseases by Selective Machine Learning Algorithms

N. Umar, S. K. Hassan, A. Umar, S. S. Ahmed — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Heart disease is among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. As a result, it’s critical to diagnose patients appropriately and promptly. Consequently, the objective of this paper was to predict heart diseases using selective machine learning algorithms. The leverage technique was evaluated using the Cleveland heart disease dataset. In this study five classifiers were trained and tested with the unsmooth Cleveland dataset and the smooth Cleveland dataset. The results obtained showed all the classifiers performed better when tested with the smooth dataset with an accuracy of 98.11% than when tested with the unsmooth dataset with an accuracy of 89.71% The leverage technique performed better than works found in literature reviewed. These results show that feature engineering using data smoothing is effective for improved heart disease prediction.

Impact of Acid, Alkali and Microbial Hydrolysis on Bioethanol Yield from Peels of Cassava, Yam and Potato Sourced From Food Vendors in Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria

U. J. Ovueni, D. V. Adegunloye, A. K. Onifade — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study evaluated the impact of acid, alkali, and microbial hydrolysis on ethanol yield from cassava, yam, and potato peels. Samples were sourced locally in Etsako West (LGA), Edo State, Nigeria using appropriate standard procedures. The RSM revealed that ethanol yield decreased with rising fermentation temperature but increased with substrate concentration and fermentation time. Optimal conditions were 14% substrate concentration, 34°C, and 55 hours of fermentation. Acid hydrolysates yielded the highest ethanol (0.22–0.27 mL/g), followed by alkali (0.21–0.25 mL/g) and microbial hydrolysates (0.14–0.20 mL/g). CPP acid hydrolysate achieved the highest fermentation efficiency (59.11%), followed by alkali (48.19%) and microbial (41.84%). ANOVA confirmed significant differences between hydrolysis methods, with acid and alkali methods yielding comparable results. While some ethanol quality parameters aligned with commercial standards, others varied significantly. Acid hydrolysis proved most effective, highlighting its potential for optimizing ethanol production from agricultural waste.

Spatial Patterns of Travel Behavior in Rapidly Urbanizing Areas: A Case Study of Sango-Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

S. O. Gbadebo, A. B. Muili, E. M. Dairo — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Spatial interaction theory serves as a foundational framework for understanding the flow and patterns of transport movements within urban and rural areas. Hence, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the spatial patterns of travel behavior among residents in Sango-Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, by assessing the factors influencing mobility, including socio-economic characteristics, land use distribution, and population density using primary data collected via structured questionnaires administered to 357 households across different residential zones. Data obtained show that majority of trips (54.4%) are work – related, with average trip lengths between 5.1 and 10 km. A significant statistical variation exists in daily trip frequency among different spatial structures (F = 22.082, p = 0.000). Findings indicate that urbanization has led to increased travel demands and changing mobility patterns, necessitating targeted transportation policies. The study underscores the importance of integrating urban planning with transportation strategies to improve mobility in rapidly growing urban areas.

Physicochemical Characteristics and Levels of Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn and Zn in Sediments of Agbarho River, Delta State, Nigeria

O. O. Okome, D. Okoro — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sediment qualities assessment to ascertain the impact of anthropogenic activities such as dredging, waste disposal, and abattoir effluent on the sediments of a river is very vital. Hence, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the physicochemical Characteristics and Levels of Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, and Zn in the Sediments of Agbarho River, Delta State, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods. The ranges of results obtained were; pH = 4.0 – 5.3, EC = 10.00 – 246.00μS/cm, OC = 0.36 – 62.72 LOI, N = 0.006 – 0.590 %, Clay = 6 – 14 %, Sand = 76 – 92 %, Silt = 2 – 11 %, Cu = 2.33 – 5.19 mg/kg, Zn = 4.71 – 81.78 mg/kg, Fe = 57.18 – 385.45 mg/kg, Mn = 1.60 – 42.43 mg/kg, Pb = 0.19 – 0.63 mg/kg. Assessment of heavy metals pollution, using pollution indices revealed that the contamination factor was low compared to NUPRC and other standard guidelines/values. These results obtained showed that there was no contamination in the study area.

Factors Influencing Adoption of Improved Production Technologies among Irish Potato (Solanum Tuberosum) Farmers in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

E. D. Udoh, E. O. Samson, I. E. Ema, B. I. Ogar — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined factors influencing the adoption of improved production technologies among Irish potato farmers in Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. A total of 160 farmers were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Likert scales, and logit regression. The findings show that most farmers are relatively young, with 47% aged 31–40 years, 67% male, and 90% married. Additionally, 44% have completed secondary education, and 61% have 6–10 years of farming experience. Farmers demonstrated strong awareness of technologies for appropriate harvesting (mean = 3.44), timely weeding (mean = 3.41), and optimal planting dates (mean = 3.25). However, awareness was lower for seed treatment (mean = 1.99) and recommended plant spacing (mean = 2.08). Adoption rates reflected these trends, with high adoption for harvesting and weeding technologies but low utilization of seed treatment and proper spacing. Logit regression analysis identified age, educational status, annual income, farming experience, and extension contact as significant predictors of adoption. Major constraints included the high cost of technology (69%), inadequate extension contact (61%), and limited credit access (48%). The study recommends affordable credit options, enhanced extension services, simplified technologies, and improved access to address these constraints. These measures are expected to increase productivity and improve farmers' livelihoods.

Assessment Of Heavy Metals Concentration and Pollution Indices Of Surface Water In Enerhen River, Warri South LGA, Delta State, Nigeria

A. O. Egai, M. Paaru — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this paper is to assess heavy metal concentrations and pollution indices of surface water in Enerhen River, Warri South, Delta State, Nigeria using appropriate standard method. Data obtained show that the result indicated the concentration of Zinc 0.065mg/l - 0.190mg/l, Pb (0.003mg/l -0.142mg/l), Cu (0.081mg/l - 0.213mg/l), Cd (0.02mg/l - 0.282mg/l, Cr (0.041mg/l - 0.171mg/l), Fe (0.162mg/l - 0.278mg/l) and Ni (0.104mg/l - 0.762mg/l) comparison with WHO 2012 permissible limit the probed water sample falls within the allowable concentration of the standard except the concentration of lead (Pb) in SW1, SW2, SW4 and SW5 which is a concern because it exceeded the allowable limit, lead is considered toxic to human at higher concentrations . The computed indices for the maximum admissible concentration upper permissible values buttress as follows Zn 0.3MAC, Pb 0.01MAC, Cu 2MAC, Cd 0.01MAC, Cr 0.05MAC, Fe, 0.3MAC and Ni 0.02MAC. Also, the interpretation of the assessment of pollution indices with connotations as heavy metal pollution indices (HPI), Heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) and Degree of contamination as CD. The values from the analysed sample locations are as follows SS1 for HPI value gives (3869.928), HEI (103.0056) and CD ( 96.00583). For SS2 HPI value gives as (6157.674), HEI (100.4356) and CD (93.4353). SS3 HPI (5394.674), HEI (102.2192) and CD (95.21933), SS4 HPI (507.0053), HEI (20.39265), CD (13.39267) and SS5 HPI (568.5303), HEI (25.9153) and CD (18.9154) .The HPI indicated values >150 which expresses high concentration of heavy metal pollution. Similarly the HEI also indicated values > 20 which again buttress high heavy metal evaluation index and the degree of contamination also gives values > 3 which indicate a higher level of contamination in the samples. The River water is recommended for treatment before use due to the higher concentration of Nickel, Pb and Cadmium especially lead (Pb) which is deleterious to human health.

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Climatic and Non-Climatic Factors on Maize Yield over a 33 Year Period (1990–2022) in Nepal

O. Poudel, B. B. Khatri, P. Acharya, D. R. Sharma — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this paper was to investigate the short-term and long-term effects of climatic and non-climatic factors on maize yield over a 33 year period (1990–2022) in Nepal using an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The study examines the role of temperature, rainfall, pesticide use, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions (per capita and agricultural) in shaping maize productivity. The results show that temperature has an insignificant long-run influence on maize yield. Rainfall shows a significant negative effect in the short-term (-0.861224, p = 0.0424) but a positive but insignificant long-run effect (1.963022, p = 0.1792). Pesticide use significantly increases maize yield, both in the short run (2.093082, p = 0.0095) and the long run (14.35734, p = 0.0000). CO₂emissions per capita (CO₂PC) positively affect maize yield in the long run (18754.80, p = 0.0012), whereas agricultural CO₂ emissions (CO₂AG) exhibit a significant negative impact on maize yield (-22074.70, p = 0.0001). Granger causality tests indicate that rainfall, temperature, and CO₂ emissions Granger-cause maize yield, with the feedback effect from agricultural emissions and productivity. These findings emphasize the need for sustainable farming practices to manage both climate change and agricultural input use effectively.

Systematic Review of Remote Sensing Prediction Models and Tools for Estimating Surface Soil Moisture Content of an Area

P. Yamakili, M. R. Nicholaus, K. A. Greyson — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Soil Moisture is a critical parameter for water resource management, agriculture, and disaster prediction. Different methods are used to estimate Soil Moisture. Hence, the objective of this paper was to systematically review remote sensing (RS) prediction models and tools for estimating surface soil moisture (SM) content of an area using different scholar ‘s methodologies, and their performance. Survey of previous studies have highlighted some general areas and explored RS methods for soil moisture estimation, focusing on both active and passive sensors. Studies have also discussed the principles, strengths, and limitations of different techniques. However, there are some key areas that were less covered and need attention. As a result, this systematic review paper presents a wide range of comparative assessments of RS SM estimation models and tools by assessing their technique and methods, their performance Evaluation level (Coefficient of Determination R), the environment where the model could suitably perform better and the essential parameters considered for improving the known Machine Learning models for SM prediction further attention as discussed under this paper.

Comparative analysis of Proximate and Anti-fungal Activities on Palm Oil Treated Ash Extracts of Musa sapientum and Musa paradisiaca Peels collected from Local Market in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria

I. D. Uffia, O. E. Udofia, M. E. Bassey, R. O. Esen, E. J. Egong, O. D. Akan — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Extracts from banana and plantain parts (flowers, bracts, ripe, unripe fruits, leaves, and stems) have bioactive constituents used as therapies for different human ailments. Although similar in growing on large herbs, elongated leaves, and producing edible fruits, they differ in taste and need for processing. This study used standard methods to evaluate differences due to palm oil treatment on the proximate and anti-fungal activities of ash extract of Musa sapientum and Musa paradisiaca peels collected from local market in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria. Results show that the moisture content of banana (M. sapientum) peel ash extract was 1.68 ±0.001 and 1.34 ±0.002 % with and without palm oil treatment, respectively. Also, the moisture content of plantain (Musa paradisiaca) was 1.29 ±0.002 and 1.17 ±0.003 % with and without palm oil treatment, respectively. However, the crude fibre, ash, and protein contents of ash extracts (M. paradisiaca and M. sapientum) decreased (p <0.05) with a palm oil treatment. Conversely, palm oil amendment increased the ash extracts' lipid, carbohydrate, and energy values. Ash extracts (M, paradisiaca, and M. sapientum) increasingly inhibited the growth of typical palm oil fungal species in a concentration-dependent manner. Their anti-fungal activities show they could be used as natural food preservatives or therapeutic agents in fungal disease conditions.