The Abundance and Diversity of Intestinal Trematodes Collected from Blue Winged Teal and Ring-Neck Ducks Inhabiting Lake Winnibigoshish, Minnesota

This study investigated the abundance and diversity of parasites residing in the digestive tracts of blue winged teal and ring-necked ducks collected at Lake Winnibigoshish, MN. The trematode parasites we focused on in this study were removed from the anterior-most, 15cm segment of the small intestine of 10 individuals of each bird species. The parasites were initially stored in 10% formalin and were subsequently stained with Schneider’s aceto carmine, then mounted on microscope slides for diagnostic purposes. A total of 1605 trematodes were recovered from the birds. We found that blue wing teal and ring-necked ducks tended to contain different species of parasites. Six of the 8 trematode “Types” we collected were identified to the species-level. Based on the identification of these parasites, we were able to determine that all of them are transmitted to their vertebrate hosts as metacercariae. This finding is consistent with our hypothesis that these birds are encountering different parasites based on differences in their feeding behaviors and diet preference

Evaluating the impacts of waterlogging stress on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) growth traits and physiological performance

The progressive increase in the global population and the rapidly changing climate have put unprecedented pressure on crop production. Cowpea is one of the world’s most important leguminous crops, contributing to food security and environmental sustainability. However, cowpea productivity is limited due to waterlogging stress. The main objective of this study was to explore physiological and biochemical mechanisms to understand how cowpea genotypes respond to waterlogging stress. Four studies were conducted in controlled and field conditions to achieve these objectives. Study 1 characterized the waterlogging tolerance of 30 cowpea genotypes in a controlled environment using 24 morphophysiological parameters with waterlogging tolerance coefficients and multivariate analysis methods. 10% of the genotypes exhibited high tolerance to waterlogging stress, and the genotypes UCR 369 and EpicSelect.4 were identified as the most and least waterlogging tolerant, respectively. Study 2 evaluated the key parameters influencing carbon fixation of UCR 369 and EpicSelect.4 at the reproductive stage. The less tolerant EpicSelect.4 experienced high downregulation of stomatal and non-stomatal limiting factors during waterlogging and recovery, resulting in decreased carbon assimilation rates. UCR 369 rapidly developed adventitious roots, maintained biomass, and restored pigments and metabolites to sustain photosynthesis. A two-year field experiment was conducted in study 3 to quantify the effects of waterlogging on the yields, physiology, and biochemistry of cowpeas at different growth stages. The most apparent impact of waterlogging stress occurred at the reproductive stage, followed by the vegetative and maturity growth stages. Studies suggest that diverse cowpea genotypes have distinct physiological and biochemical mechanisms in response to waterlogging stress. In addition, the tolerant genotypes and traits identified herein can be used in genetic engineering and cowpea breeding programs that integrate increased yield with waterlogging stress tolerance

Outcome of nurses’ training on treatment of selected diseases, utilising integrated management of childhood illness module inagege local governemnt, Lagos State

Background: In developing countries, parents seek health care for their sick children daily at available health centers, pharmacies, hospitals and traditional healing centers, but the care received are not always adequate, this invariably result in use of obsolete ideas and regimens in the care of sick children. However, it was observed that some nurses do not treat sick children according to IMCI module hence the objective of the study is to explore the outcome of nurses training in the treatment of selected childhood diseases utilizing IMCI.Methods: The study utilized one group pre-posttest quasi experimental research design. Total enumeration was used to enroll 150 participants. Two research instruments were used to collect data with reliability index of 0.803 and 0.617. Inferential statistics was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Data were collected over six weeks in three phases.Results: Results revealed significant differences between pre and post intervention mean scores of nurses knowledge in the treatment of malaria (t=22.626, p=0.00); pneumonia (t=19.760, p=0.00); and diarrhoea (t=19.608, p=0.00).Conclusions: The training package used in this study enhanced the knowledge in the treatment of selected childhood illness. It is therefore recommended that there is need to train all nurses working at the primary health centers on the use of integrated management of childhood illness module which will contribute to the reduction of infant morbidity and mortality rate in Ages local government area of Lagos State

Experimental Analysis of the Wear Properties of Carburized HSS (ASTM A600) Cutting Tool

Prediction and control of undesirable deterioration of cutting tools are the most essential challenges emanating in the design of tool which has to be checked. As a result of an increase in wear rate of HSS cutting tools, so has the need for wear resistant. The result has been a progression of carburizing the tools for better performance. Based on the theoretical analysis and study of tool wear and parameters that mitigates against wear resistance of cutting tools, this research work presents an experimental investigation and analysis of the wear properties of carburized HSS cutting tools. Twelve Samples under consideration were carburized HSS (ASTM A600) tools (0.65% C) treated at 800,850,900 and 950oC with holding time of 60, 90 and 120 minutes respectively. The wear properties of weight loss, wear volume, wear resistance and wear rate were carried out using Rotopol –V, impact tester, polisher, grinder and weight scale. It was found from the experiment carried out that cutting tool(sample 5) carburized at holding temperature and time of 800 oC and 90 minutes has the lowest cutting weight loss, volume and wear rate of 0.002 g, 0.00026 cm3 and 5.476 X10-10 cm2 with maximum wear resistance of 1.83X109 . This showed that sample 5 has the best wear properties which undermined the general believe that the sample with highest holding temperature and time should have the highest wear properties. This experiment has further established carburization as one of the heat treatment methods that involved carbon penetration to the depth that improved wear rate and resistance of a material

Surface composites and functionalisation : enhancement of aluminium alloy 7075-T651 via friction stir processing

Abstract: This research work is aimed at modifying and enhancing the properties of aluminium alloy 7075- T651 through the friction stir processing (FSP) technique, in order to improve the mechanical, electrochemical, structural, tribological as well as the metallurgical properties which include micro- and macro- structural analysis through XRD and Image processing of grain size and grain flow patterns determination, by reinforcing the parent metal. The surface modification of the parent metal has been made possible in the past via different techniques,such as laser surfacing, electronbeam welding and thermal spraying; but in recent years, the friction stir processing (FSP) technology has been adopted to cater for the complex methods of surface enhancement. FSP is well-renowned for its short route of fabrication, densification, grain refinement, homogenization of the precipitates of composite substances, nugget zone homogeneity. These have led to the efficient surface enhancement, significant and remarkable improvement in hardness, ductility, strength, increased fatigue life, as well as formability within which the bulk properties are still intact. The use of FSP in the fabrication of metal matrix composites (MMCs), especially aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) and aluminium hybrid composites (AHCs) were dealt with in this study...Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering

Islamic Perspectives of Family Planning: Implications for Population Control in African Context

Of the 7.7 billion current world population, the Muslims account for 1.8 billion representing 24.1 percent. According to Mickeal Lipka et al. Islam (2017) is the world’s fastest growing world religion. In his postulation, Muslims will grow more than twice as fast as the overall world population between 2015 and 2060 and in the second half of this century will likely surpass Christianity as the world’s largest religion. While the world’s population is projected to grow 32 percent in coming decades, the Muslim population is expected to increase by 70 percent from 1.8 billion in 2015 to nearly 3 billion in 2060, representing31.1 percent which will be 3 in 10 of the world’s population

Organisational Factors as Predictors of Female Professionals’ Job Performance in Electronic Media in South-West Nigeria

Female Media Professionals’ (FMPs) employment and involvement level in Electronic Media Houses (EMHs) have increased over the years. Despite this significant increase, the FMPs are still concentrated at the lower and middle employment stratum. This study, therefore, examined the influence of organisational and demographic factors on the employment status and job performance of female media professionals in electronic media houses in South West Nigeria.The descriptive survey research design was adopted. Total enumeration sampling technique was used to select 1,231 FMPs from 42 EMHs across the six states of south-west. The instruments used were FMPs Job Performance Scale (r=0.89), and Organisational Factor Scale (r=0.88). Two research hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analysed using Pearson’s product moment correlation, and multiple regression and content analysis.Organisational and demographic factors jointly predicted job performance (F(21228) = 65.28); accounting for 96% in the variance of job performance. The components of organisational factors positively correlated with job performance: supervisory support (r= 0.86), organisational culture (r=0.74), work environment (r=0.36), networking (r= 0.34), mentoring (r=0.11), training (r=0.67), and condition of service (r=0.65). In order to improve the female job performance, it was recommended among other things that Management should always ensure reward for hard work and sacrifices made, especially for female workers in electronic media in order to encourage them to do more. This will positively impact on their job performance and also improve their employment status. Keywords: Female media professionals, Job performance, Electronic media house

Valorization of figs (Ficus carica L.) for an extended shelf life

Fig fruit (Ficus carica L.) is an important food product of the Middle East, Mediterranean region and well appreciated by most elderly groups in Portugal, as the symbol of longevity. This study aims to develop two ways of adding value to highly perishable figs with no commercial acceptability, by accelerating fig drying with the use of a solar oven and producing a fig gum jelly which can be made available all year round with longer shelf life. A higher drying rate was observed with the blanched product in the solar oven dryer than in the direct solar drying. The optimization of the gum composition was carried out by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) along with a mixture design, while the independent variables are: % fig paste, x1; % k-Carrageenan, x2 and % honey, x3. The sensory panel composed of 10 elements of both sexes evaluated nine (9) responses Y1 - Brilliance, Y2 - Transparency, Y3 - Aroma, Y4 - Texture A, Y5 -Texture C, Y6 - Sweetness A, Y7 - Sweetness B, Y8 - Mouthfeel and Y9 - Overall Opinion, originating nine polynomial models. Numerical optimization achieved the best fig gum jelly composition with: 55 % fig paste, 15 % k-carrageenan and 30 % honey. The validation of optimum product was achieved by the same panel and the panelists preference of the optimum formulation for all responses with 0.3 desirability was stunning. The shelf life of twenty-one days was achieved for unrefrigerated products while the refrigerated ones twenty-five days through microbiological analysis. The physicochemical analysis showed that the fig gum jelly contained a minimum amount of protein and minerals with low ash content. Also, the moisture and water activity were found to be lower in the fig gum jelly than in the fresh fig.O Figo (Ficus carica L.), é um importante produto alimentar do Médio Oriente, região mediterrânica e bem apreciado pela maioria dos idosos em Portugal, como símbolo da longevidade. Este estudo visa desenvolver duas formas de acrescentar valor a figos que são muito perecíveis sem aceitabilidade comercial, acelerando a secagem dos mesmos através com a ajuda de um forno solar e produzindo uma goma gelificada de figo que pode ser disponibilizada durante todo o ano com prazo de validade mais longo. Observou-se uma maior velocidade de secagem para o produto branqueado quando utilizado o forno solar em relação á secagem solar direta. A otimização da composição das gomas gelificadas foi efetuada utilizando a Metodologia de Superfície de Resposta (RSM) e um design de mistura, tendo como variáveis independentes: % pasta de figo, x1; % k-carragenato, x2 e % mel, x3. O painel sensorial, composto por 10 elementos de ambos os sexos, avaliou nove respostas Y1 - Brilho, Y2 - Transparência, Y3 - Aroma, Y4 - Textura A, Y5 -Textura C, Y6 - Doçura A, Y7 - Doçura B, Y8 – Sensação na Boca e Y9 - Opinião Geral, originando nove modelos polinomiais. A otimização numérica alcançou a melhor composição de goma gelificada de figo com: 55 % pasta de figo, 15 % k-carragenato e 30 % de mel. A validação do produto ótimo foi conseguida pelo mesmo painel e a preferência dos provadores pela formulação ótima para todas as respostas com 0,3 de desejabilidade, foi impressionante. O prazo de validade de 21 dias foi alcançado para produtos não refrigerados, enquanto que para os refrigerados se obteve 25 dias através de análise microbiológica. A análise físico-química mostrou que a goma gelificada de figo continha um baixo teor em proteínas, minerais e cinzas. Além disso, verificou-se que a humidade e a atividade da água são mais baixas na goma gelificada de figo do que no figo fresco

Effects of Technology on English Language Studies for Overall Development

English Language is a global language based on its usage the world over. It is one of the major languages of the United Nations and indeed a working language. This paper examined the effects that technology, which include use of internet, computers, internet of things, artificial intelligence, advanced robotics and the rest, have on the learning of English Language In all of these, words are deployed for communication. This study examined the effects of technology on the learning of English Language and investigated the challenges confronting the use of technology in the learning of English Language among final year students of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto-Ijanikin, Lagos. It however included responses from learners on how technology had helped them to correct some anomalies that occurred in the course of interactions; and usage of the emerging technologies. It was evident that technology has shaped the learning of English Language in no small measure. There were situations in which Artificial Intelligence models helped in the correction of pronunciation, translation of words for better understanding and the explication of terms through one to one interactions with learners. It is also worthy of note that a sound knowledge of English got through the use of technology helps in navigating life matters, other subjects and disciplines. The use of internet, through major platforms both social and educational; like Facebook, Whatsapp, Zoom, Skype, You-tube, Google search, Chat GPT and the rest had supported both teachers and learners to improve upon their knowledge of the world through this major language, English. There is no doubt that technology had impacted a lot on English Language Studies which in turn helped in the overall development of the learners and teachers in no small way. Technology has helped human beings to make more sense of the world we live in and English Language is like a driver of the vehicle through which information is transported, gained and used in all its ramifications.&nbsp