KolaDaisi University Journal of Applied Sciences
KolaDaisi University Journal of Applied Sciences (KUJAS) is a multidisciplinary Science and peer-reviewed Journal by the Faculty of Applied Sciences, KolaDaisi University, Ibadan (KDU-I). The journal publishes only papers describing original findings and review articles in the field of pure and applied sciences, pharmaceutical science, technology, medicine, engineering and all scientific articles with an interdisciplinary focus. All manuscripts will be accepted for publication only after a rigorous review by independent experts of respective fields to ensure originality and validity. The journal seeks to publish TWO (2) issues annually.
Faculty Of Applied Sciences, Koladaisi University
Nutraceutical Potential and Toxicological Concerns of Citrus Fruit Phytoconstituents: A Review
Citrus refers to a genus of flowering shrubs and trees belonging to the Rutaceae family. Citrus fruits are among the most widely cultivated and consumed fruits globally, serving as important sources of nutrients and nutraceuticals. Major species include Citrus sinensis (sweet orange), Citrus limon (lemon), Citrus paradisi (grapefruit), Citrus medica (citron), Citrus aurantium (sour orange), Citrus maxima (pummelo), Citrus reticulata (tangerine), and Citrus clementina (clementine). These fruits are valued not only for their refreshing juices but also for their bioactive-rich by-products (peels, pulp, and seeds), which exhibit diverse pharmacological properties. This review was conducted through a structured literature search of major scientific databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, covering publications from 2000 to 2024. Keywords such as “citrus phytochemicals,” “citrus flavonoids,” “limonoids,” “citrus essential oils,” “bioactivity,” and “toxicity” were used. Peer-reviewed experimental, clinical, and review articles published in English were included, with emphasis on studies addressing both health benefits and toxicological outcomes of citrus-derived compounds. Reported biological activities include antidiabetic, anticancer, antihypertensive, antihypercholesterolemic, anti-obesity, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, anti- inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. These health-promoting properties are largely attributed to the diverse phytoconstituents present in citrus fruits, including flavonoids, limonoids, carotenoids, coumarins, and essential oils. However, despite these benefits, emerging evidence indicates that excessive intake or high concentrations of certain citrus phytochemicals may elicit toxic effects, highlighting important safety concerns. This review critically examines both the nutraceutical benefits and potential toxicities of citrus phytoconstituents, emphasizing their dual biological roles. Furthermore, it underscores the need for mechanistic and dose–response studies to better define toxicity pathways and establish safe consumption thresholds
Cinnamic Acid through Reduction of Oxidative Injury and Modulation of Nrf2 Pathway Ameliorates Bisphenol A-induced Nephrotoxicity in Male Wistar Rats
Bisphenol A is an environmental pollutant that induces oxidative stress in the kidney. Phytochemicals such as cinnamic acid have been demonstrated to possess antioxidative properties that could mitigate against oxidative stress. The current study investigates underlying pathways that may help elucidate the protective role of cinnamic acid (CA) against bisphenol A (BPA)-induced nephrotoxicity. Rats were divided randomly into five groups. Group 1 was the control. Group 2 took BPA only. Group 3 was given BPA combined with CA (50 mg/kg), while group 4 had BPA and cinnamic acid (100 mg/kg). Group 5 received cinnamic acid only (100 mg/kg). Antioxidant parameters and protein expression levels were evaluated. Bisphenol A at 100 mg/kg significantly increased urea concentration and lipid peroxidation. Glutathione (GSH) level decreased, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione-S- transferase (GST) presented lower activities than in the control (P>0.05). Cinnamic acid improved renal function by significantly reducing urea levels. Oxidative stress was reduced, as evidenced by lower malondialdehyde and higher antioxidant marker levels (GSH, SOD, catalase, and GST) compared with the BPA-administered group. qRT-PCR results showed a decline in Nrf2 expression in BPA-treated rats compared with the control (P<0.05). However, this decline was reversed upon CA treatment. Cinnamic acid at 100 mg/kg to rats treated with bisphenol A preserved the structural integrity of the kidney. The data obtained suggests that cinnamic acid’s protective effect against BPA- induced nephrotoxicity may be driven by its ability to decrease oxidative stress and reduce inflammation through regulation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Microbe-mediated Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles by Lactobacillus casei and Its Inhibitory Potentials
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely regarded as safe for use and have long been consumed in various fermented foods. Selenium offers substantial potential benefits, including immune system support, fertility enhancement, and antimicrobial and anticancer activity. This study investigated the inhibitory potential of biogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) prepared by using Lactobacillus casei supernatant. Selenium nanoparticles were biosynthesized using L. casei and subsequently characterized through visual observation, UV–visible spectrophotometry, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The antimicrobial potential of the Lactobacillus casei-mediated selenium nanoparticles (LC-SeNPs) was evaluated using the agar well diffusion technique. A noticeable colour transition from light yellow to ruby red was observed, indicating nanoparticle formation. The absorption spectrum of LC-SeNPs extended between 250 and 450 nm, with a prominent surface plasmon resonance peak recorded at 350 nm. The FTIR absorption peaks were from 3626.00 cm-1 to 460.73 cm-1 indicating hydroxyl, ester aldehyde, amine, phenol, and ether groups, were responsible for effective bio-reduction and stabilization of the nanoparticles. The SeNPs were observed to be spherical in shape and occurred in aggregated forms, with particle sizes ranging from 20 to 100 nm. XRD confirmed their crystallographic nature. E. coli (25 mm) and S. pneumoniae (17 mm) showed susceptibility, demonstrating LC-SeNPs' effective antimicrobial activity. These L. casei-synthesized SeNPs are eco-friendly, non-toxic and has significant medical application.
Investigating the Relationship between Pearson’s and Spearman Rank Correlation Mathematically and through Simulation
This research investigates how Pearson's product-moment correlation (r) and Spearman's rho rank-order correlation (ρ) compare across different data scenarios. Pearson's r measures linear relationships and performs best with normally distributed data, while Spearman's ρ provides a distribution- free method for monotonic relationships, where one variable consistently increases or decreases with another. Although both measures are commonly used, there is little clear guidance on when they yield similar versus different results, especially with messy real- world data that don't meet textbook assumptions. We combined mathematical analysis with computer simulations in R to test their performance. Running 5, 000 simulated trials for each scenario, we explored various sample sizes (20, 100, and 500 observations), relationship patterns (linear, curved, and U- shaped), and data quality issues (clean normal data versus data with extreme values). The mathematical analysis helped us understand why each measure behaves as it does. When data follow a normal distribution and show linear patterns, both measures produce nearly identical results, with their values differing by almost nothing (around 0. 0.00) and correlating above 0. 97. The picture changes significantly with problematic data. Spearman's ρ detects curved monotonic relationships 0. 15-0. 18 points better than Pearson's r and manages outliers 0. 19-0. 24 points more effectively. Neither measure captures U- shaped relationships well, as both hover near zero even when clear patterns exist. Larger samples improve precision equally for both in normal linear cases, with uncertainty ranges decreasing from roughly 0. 0.47-0. 0.51 at 10 observations to 0. 0.08 at 500 observations. Our findings suggest choosing between these measures based on careful data inspection rather than habit. Spearman's ρ handles various data issues more reliably, while matching Pearson's r under ideal conditions, making it the safer choice when you' re unsure about your data' s characteristics. This work offers practical guidelines for selecting correlation measures, helping researchers across fields make better analytical choices when studying variable relationships
Biochemical Integrity of Stored Blood: Preliminary Investigation into Protective Effects of Cinnamic Acid
Oxidative stress is a critical contributor to the development of blood lesions during blood storage. It damages lipids and proteins, including hemoglobin, and can impair the function and viability of blood both during and after transfusion. This research sought to evaluate the effect of cinnamic acid on oxidative stress induced in whole blood withdrawn from rats and stored for 28 days. Rats were divided into control and experimental groups. Blood was collected and preserved at 4 oC for 28 days. The control group was stored without any antioxidants. The experimental group was treated with cinnamic acid at concentrations of 50 μg and 100 μg. On days 0, 14, and 28, blood was collected for assessment of oxidative stress indicators, antioxidant enzymes, and protein oxidation byproducts. Results showed that blood storage for 28 days in the control group caused a decrease in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities (P>0.05) compared to day 0. There was a significant rise in lipid peroxidation (P<0.0001), and an elevation of protein sulfhydryl level (P<0.05) compared to day 0. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) were significantly lowered during the storage period when compared to day 0. However, the addition of cinnamic acid to the stored blood significantly increased the protein sulfhydryl level on the 14th day and slightly reduced it on the 28th day (P>0.05), in contrast to the control. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were increased, and the lipid peroxidation level was notably lower, especially on the 14th day, compared to the group without an antioxidant (P<0.05). In conclusion, cinnamic acid increased the antioxidant capacity of whole blood stored and protected against oxidative stress. Our data showed that cinnamic acid failed to inhibit the production of advanced oxidation protein products and did not protect against the formation of protein sulfhydryl groups
Development of a Machine Learning-Based Calorie Estimation Model for Uncooked Nigerian Foods
The assessment of food intake is an important aspect in the promotion of healthy living, particularly in Nigeria, where the challenges that exist in the estimation of the energy value of food consumed have led to the increase of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart-related problems. This research aimed at addressing the problem of food estimation through the creation of a machine learning model for the estimation of the calories contained in raw food consumed in Nigeria. The model was developed based on the use of a wide range of food items, 184, which exist in Nigeria. These food items were used, rotated, flipped, and zoomed to improve the accuracy of the model. The CNN algorithm was used for the classification. The accuracy of the model was tested using the Mean Absolute Error, Mean Square Error, and R-square value. The model achieved an R-square value of 0.99. The accuracy of the model was validated based on the existing studies that have been conducted on the estimation of calories through the use of images of food. The model developed can be used for the control of diet for patients on regulated nutrition
Regional Convolutional Neural Network (R-CNN
Antibiotic Resistance Pattern of Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Abattoir Wastewater, Amosun, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abattoirs generate enormous volume of wastewater, containing high level of pathogenic bacteria, antibiotics and organic matter. Discharge of untreated abattoir wastewater can cause surface and groundwater pollution and negatively affect aquatic ecosystem, thereby, posing risks to public health. This study is aimed at determining antibiotic resistance pattern of the Gram-negative bacteria isolated from abattoir wastewater in Amosun, Ibadan, Nigeria. Wastewater samples were aseptically collected from the abattoir in sterile bottles using standard method and was analyzed for their physicochemical properties. Standard pour plate method was used for bacterial enumeration and isolation using Nutrient agar and MacConkey Agar, respectively. Identification of the isolates was done using conventional methods. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed against 5 selected antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer’s disk diffusion technique according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The mean physicochemical parameters of the wastewater showed a pH of 6.33, turbidity of 250 NTU and a strong odour. The mean total heterotrophic bacteria count was 2.42 x 102 CFU/mL. A total of 30 Gram-negative bacteria including: Pseudomonas spp. (11), Enterobacter spp. (7), Klebsiella spp. (4), Aeromonas spp. (2), Providencia spp. (2), Escherichia coli (1), Proteus sp. (1), Serratia sp. (1), and Alcaligenes sp. (1) were isolated. The antibiotic susceptibility profile showed a total resistance to amoxicillin- clavulanic and high resistance rates: 96.6% to both ceftriaxone and ceftazidime, 73% to imipenem. The antibiotic resistance of diverse potential pathogens in abattoir wastewater suggests a critical need for sustainable wastewater treatment and regulate the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry.
Comparative Analysis of Mcnemar’s Test and Liddell’s Exact Test for Assessing Marginal Homogeneity
In this study, we aim to identify the preferred test for assessing marginal homogeneity, compare McNemar’s and Liddell's exact tests, and determine the conditions under which each test is most appropriate. A Monte Carlo simulation approach was employed to develop and analyze both tests. The power and Type I error rates were computed for various sample sizes, effect sizes, and significance levels (α). Random samples ranging from 20 to 1000 were analyzed over 500 iterations. Three different hypothetical scenarios were used to evaluate the performance of McNemar’s test and Liddell's exact test, considering different P12 and P21 values and using significance levels of 1% and 10%. The results indicate that Liddell's exact test is generally preferable, mainly when the effect sizes are moderate to large across nearly all sample sizes. McNemar’s test is not recommended for sample sizes of 20 or fewer. Liddell’s exact test is more advantageous when the proportions are small and close together, especially with larger sample sizes.
Effect of Cinnamic Acid on Memory Deficits and Oxidative Stress Induced by Bisphenol A in the Hippocampus of Albino Rats
Bisphenol A (BPA) is known for disrupting the endocrine system. It is used in manufacturing plastic bottles and beverage containers. It binds to hormone receptors and blocks them, leading to various health problems. Cinnamic acid naturally exists in plants and has neuroprotective properties. This investigation assesses cinnamic acid's capacity to enhance memory in BPA-induced neurotoxicity. Forty male rats were grouped as follows: Control as group 1, Group 2 was BPA orally, Group 3 was BPA and cinnamic acid (50 mg/kg), Group 4 was BPA along with cinnamic acid (100 mg/kg), and Group 5 received cinnamic acid alone (100 mg/kg). The treatment spanned 14 days. The behavioral recovery of rats in the groups receiving cinnamic acid and BPA was assessed with the open-field, Y-maze, and grip tests. The study demonstrated that BPA caused oxidative stress in the hippocampus by significantly enhancing lipid peroxidation and decreasing reduced glutathione levels. The antioxidant activities of catalase, glutathione-S- transferase, and superoxide dismutase declined in BPA-treated rats. Nitric oxide levels were significantly high, while acetylcholinesterase activity was non-significantly reduced than the control. Additionally, neurobehavioral deficits were observed in the grip test, with rats spending more time, exhibiting reduced rearing behavior, fewer line crossings, and increased grooming following BPA treatment. Administration of cinnamic acid improved memory by minimizing oxidative stress and inflammation, while enhancing antioxidant activity. This study suggests that cinnamic acid alleviates bisphenol A-induced memory deficits and neuroinflammation through its antioxidant properties.
Correlation between the Nature of the Coordinated Organic Ligand and the Entropies and Volumes of Activation for Pyridine Additions to [Fe(CO)3 (1-5-ɳ-dienyl)] BF4 (dienyl = C6H7 or C7H9)
Detailed kinetic Studies of the reversible additions of 2 – benzylpyridine and 3 – iodopyridine to the [Fe(CO)3 (1-5- ɳ -dienyl) BF4 complexes (1; dienyl = C6 H7 or C7 H9) have been made as a function of temperature and pressure in acetonitrile using stopped flow techniques. The reported activation parameters (∆H≠, ∆S≠ and ∆V≠] for both the forward addition and reverse dissociation reactions are consistent with the operation of the previously suggested Odiaka’s ordered transition state” Mechanism. The results allow some quantitative information on the relationship between the nature of the coordinated Organic ligand in (1) and the degree of ordering in the transition state of the reactions between amines and organometallics of type (1).
Insect Populations in Heavy Metal Polluted Environment in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Insects form a major part of the ecosystem and serve as tools for ecosystem management and conservation. Insect populations and fitness is however disturbed by environmental factors like heavy metal Pollution. Thus, the purpose of this research was to examine the populations of insects found in Ori-Ile village and its environs in Egbeda Local Government Area of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Ori-Ile village which was formally a battery waste dumpsite, has been ascertained from previous studies, to contained heavy metals in its soil. Insects were collected using sweep net and handpicking methods forth nightly every month from the study area (Oril-Ile, Majue 1, Majue 2 and Ogunbade- Egberi) for 18 months, between April 2016 to September 2017. Insect specimens collected were identified using comparative morphology with preserved insect specimens at the Departmental Museum, Zoology Department, University of Ibadan and at the insect museum in the Department of crop protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan. In all, 8,917 insects from 22 species and 6 orders were gathered from the study sites. The most prevalent category of insects, according to the results of the descriptive statistics used to analyse the data, were Hymenoptera (98.74%) > Lepidoptera (0.93%) > Orthoptera (0.18) > Odonata (0.07%) > Coleoptra (0.07) > Heteroptra (0.01). Majue 1 has the highest diversity index (Shanon's index (H) = 0.54) and richness index (Margalef's index (D) = 1.88). With an Evenness value (E = 0.13), Ogunbade-Egberi (the control site) had the highest evenness. According to the study, lepidopterans were the most varied and hymenopterans the most prevalent. In conclusion, this initial survey demonstrated that the research area has a high diversity and number of insects. Thus, this finding provides a basis for future investigation
Effect of Winkler Foundation on the Dynamic Analysis of Euler- Bernoulli Beam Resting on Elastic Foundation Using Integral Numerical Method
This study examined how a Winkler foundation influences the dynamic analysis of an Euler-Bernoulli beam placed on an elastic foundation by employing an Integral-Numerical method, which simplifies to an ordinary differential equation using a series representation of the Heaviside function. The dynamic responses of the beam, including normalized deflection and bending moment, were analyzed for various velocity ratios under conditions of moving loads and moving masses. In general, a closed-form solution for the generalized mathematical model of a prismatic beam was derived using a symbolic programming technique with MAPLE 18. The findings indicated that the inclusion of an elastic foundation along with adequate reinforcement in beams and beam-like structures decreases vibration intensity, ensures safe load passage, and extends the lifespan of the beam.
Analysis of Potentially Toxic Metals Contamination in Akinyele Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria using Ecological Risk Indices
Soil samples from tropical ecosystems in Akinyele Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria, were analyzed for potentially toxic metal concentration (Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Zn) using sequential extraction techniques to assess contamination levels and ecological risks. The concentration ranges were as follows: Cr (0.23–0.26 mg/kg), Cu (0.44– 2.42 mg/kg), Pb (0.56–1.15 mg/kg), Mn (5.01–6.16 mg/kg), and Zn (3.73–10.02 mg/kg) respectively. No significant seasonal variations in average metal levels were observed across the study sites, indicating persistent contamination throughout the year. Contamination Factor (CF) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) assessments identified considerable anthropogenic contamination (3 < CF < 6) and deteriorated soil quality (PLI > 1) at sites B, C, and D, likely linked to local industrial and agricultural activities. Ecological risk indices, including Hazard Quotient and Risk Quotient, corroborated pollution indices, revealing a moderate hazard sequence: Zn > Mn > Pb > Cu > Cr. The findings highlight the potential health risks to humans and adverse effects on soil ecosystems, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring and remediation efforts in the region
A Machine Learning-Based Framework for Early Detection of Trachoma in Resource-Limited Settings
Trachoma, a leading cause of infectious blindness, predominantly affects populations in resource-limited regions worldwide. Early detection and intervention are critical to preventing disease progression and subsequent blindness. This study explores the application of machine learning techniques, including Random Forest, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), for the identification of Trachoma from image datasets. The research methodology encompasses data collection, preprocessing, feature extraction using CNNs, and the training and evaluation of various models. Among these, the SVM model achieved the best performance with 70% accuracy, a precision of 0.68, a recall of 0.69, an F1-score of 0.68, and an ROC AUC of 0.72. These findings highlight the SVM model’s effectiveness and its promise as a tool for assisting healthcare professionals in making accurate and timely diagnoses of Trachoma.
Annona muricata Mitigates Kidney Damage in Rats following Chronic Exposure to Bromate
Kidney disease ranks among the leading causes of death globally, steering research towards finding safe, natural, and affordable regimens for its cure. Annona muricata leaves have been used in traditional medicine and contain a myriad of antioxidants, which contribute to their pharmacological properties. This study investigated the effect of Annona muricata methanol leaf extract on potassium bromate (KBrO3)-induced renal toxicity in male Wistar albino rats. Forty-two male albino rats, divided into seven groups of six rats each, were used. Group 1(Control) received normal saline, group 2 received only 125 mg/kg body wt. KBrO3, while groups 3 and 4 received 150 and 300 mg /kg body wt. extract only respectively. Groups 5, 6 and 7 received 150, 300, and 450 mg/kg wt. extract along with KBrO3, respectively. All treatments were administered orally for ninety days. Using standard methods, serum urea and creatinine, tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were assayed. Kidney histopathology and haematology analysis. The extract significantly (P<0.05) lowered urea, creatinine and MDA levels while GSH level, and activities of GPX, CAT, and SOD. Although there were no significant changes in white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets (PLTs), histopathological analysis revealed fairly normal glomeruli and tubules, with mild interstitial congestion. The results from this study suggest that Annona muricata methanol leaf extract effectively restored kidney function by improving antioxidant enzyme activity and can serve as a source of natural products for drug design.
Effect of Temperature and Pressure on the Addition of 4- Tertiarybutylpyridine to Tricarbonyl (1-5-n-Dienyl) Iron (II) Complexes (Dienyl = C6H7, 2-MeoC6H6 or C7H9)
A detailed kinetic study of the addition of 4-tertiarybutylpyridine to the coordinated dienyl ligand in tricarbonyl (1-5- ɳ-dienyl) iron (II) complexes (1; dienyl = C6H7, 2-MeoC6H6 and C7H9) has been made as a function of temperature and pressure in acetonitrile using stopped-flow techniques. The reactions proceed to completion under pseudo-first- order conditions, i.e. kobs = k1 [4-Me3CPy]. The observed rate sequence C6H7 > 2-Meo C6H6 > C7H9 (e.g. 18:3:1 at 20oC and 0.1 MPa) and the low △ H≠ and large negative △ S≠ and △ V≠ values support direct addition (k1) to the dienyl fragments of complexes (1). The results contrast sharply with the reversible additions of 4-Cyanopyridine, 4- formyldypridine, 2-benzylpyridine and 3-iodopyridine to complexes (1) where kobs was not influenced by pressure changes up to 150 MPa, indicating a zero, volume of activation and the consequent operation of the Odiaka’s “ordered transition state” mechanism.
Screening and Production of Xylanase by Thermophilic Microorganisms Isolated from Compost Using Sorghum Straw as Substrate Under Solid and Submerged Fermentation
The development of renewable energy from lignocelluloic biomass is an economical and eco-friendly approach to the global energy crisis. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the biomass leads to xylose, as one of the fermenting sugars for bioethanol production. However, selection of a suitable microorganism for enzyme (xylanase) production plays a significant role in biomass conversion. This, however, requires selection of efficient xylanolytic organisms. The current study focuses on producing xylanase from selected bacteria (Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, and Micrococcus sp.) and fungi species (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma viridae) and enhancing their production capacities on sorghum straw substrate through solid state and submerge fermentation. Ability to produce xylanase was established by hydrolysis zone produced on xylan-agar plate. Among the fungi isolates, hydrolytic capacity reached the highest (2.0 mm) for Aspergillus niger, while Bacillus subtilis produced the highest (1.6 mm) among the bacteria species. Aspergillus niger showed the highest xylanase production (62.42 ± 0.78 U/mL) after 96 h. As for the bacteria isolates, the maximum xylanase activity (29.84±0.06 U/mL) was obtained at 48 h by Bacillus subtilis. Xylanase activity was further enhanced by mixed culture of bacteria species. Mixed culture of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus improved xylanase activity to 33.58 U/mL. Xylanase production by the mixed culture grown on sorghum straw biomass resulted in a 1.7 – fold increase compared to commercial xylan. Findings suggest that sorghum straw has more economic advantage over xylan as a substrate for xylanase production by the test isolates.
Use of Cross-Sectional Variables to Complement the Prediction of Magnitude of Flood Along Foma River Areas
Flood hazards have been overwhelming in recent years. The hazard tends to impact on human lives and resulting to huge economic damage across the World. However, the prediction of the magnitude of flood has been faced with challenges such as inaccurate data, poor assessment of drainage basin, river pollution and encroachment, especially in Nigeria across the river areas. In this study, Geographical Information System (GIS) was used to derive cross-sectional variables in order to complement the prediction of magnitude of flood along Foma river areas. The Foma river was buffered 15 and 30 meters to expose 49 and 105 structures which were highly and fairly vulnerable to flood hazards respectively out of 530 structures captured. However, the remaining 376 structures were classified not vulnerable to flood hazard along Foma river areas. The accuracy of the ordered logit model was 81%, while the classification error due to the harmonization of the precision value (0.8026) and the recall value (0.6386) was put at 10%. In addition, the cross-sectional variables that were found to be significant at α = 0.005% are the river watersheds, the vulnerability status classification of structure across the river areas, the vulnerable structures identified, inadequate bridges and culverts along the river areas, inappropriate size of bridges and culverts, and extreme pollution along the river areas. This study is recommending the use of significant cross-sectional variables to complement the prediction of the magnitude of flood along the river areas.
Assessment of Soil Heavy Metal Concentration in Ori-Ile Village Battery Waste Dumpsite and its Environs, Ibadan, Southwest, Nigeria
Heavy metal polluted environments are threats to human health due to their bioaccumulation. Consequently, there is a need to constantly monitor and evaluate their concentrations in residential area soils. Ori-Ile village in Egbeda Local Government Area of Ibadan, which was formally a battery waste dumpsite, is currently a residential area. Soil samples from the battery waste dumpsite and its environs were analyzed for Lead, Cadmium, Manganese, Zinc and Copper concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results showed that the mean metal concentration values were Pb (15,701.05 mgkg-1 ), Cd (7.63 mgkg-1 ), Mn (405.68 mgkg-1 ), Zn (85.45 mgkg-1 ) and Cu (88.80 mgkg-1 ). Using Enrichment Factor, the soils were classified as deficient (1.0) to extremely highly enriched with Pb (3320.5), Cu (65.1) and Zn (37.7) while they were deficient to minimally enriched with Cd (1.9) and Mn (1.1). Calculated Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) showed the soil to be unpolluted (Igeo &lt; 0) to moderately polluted (1 ≤ Igeo &lt; 2) for the metals analyzed. The Contamination/Pollution Index (C/PI) placed the soil as slightly contaminated (0.1-0.3) to excessively polluted with Pb (733.6) and Cd (25.6); moderately contaminated to severely contaminated with Cu; and slightly contaminated to slightly polluted with Mn and Zn. To a large extent, the mean concentration value of Pb in Ori-Ile village was above the international guideline value for environmental quality criteria and hence, the soil should not be used for agricultural and residential purposes.
Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Properties of Leaf Extract of Brillantaisia patula on Uterus and Ovarian Function in Cyclophosphamide Model of Gonadal Toxicity in Rats
function indices of the uterus and ovary of cyclophosphamide-induced gonadal toxicity in female Wistar rats. A total of 36 female rats assigned randomly to six groups of six animals were treated for 21 days. Group 1 received only distilled water. Groups 2 – 6 were treated with a single dose (200 mgkg-1 body weight) of cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally and in addition, received the same volume (0.5 ml) of distilled water, 18, 36, 72 mgkg-1 body weight of the extract and 200 mgkg-1 body weight of vitamin C orally. Findings indicated that cyclophosphamide significantly (p < 0.05) increased the blood concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin but contrarily reduced ((p < 0.05) the concentration of estrogen and progesterone. In addition, the uterine and ovarian activities/levels of acid and alkaline phosphatases, 3- β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cholesterol, glucose; superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S- transferase were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by cyclophosphamide. Meanwhile, cyclophosphamide increased (p < 0.05) the activity of myeloperoxidase as well as the concentrations of TNF-α and interleukin 6. On the contrary, the extract reversed the action of cyclophosphamide to level that compared well with the control (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the treatment-related histoarchitectural changes in the ovary and uterus of the female rats caused by cyclophosphamide were reversed by the extract. Put together, leaf extract of B. patula demonstrated the ability to reverse damages to the ovaries and uterus and thus can be explored as a safe agent against toxic side effects of chemotherapy and fertility- related malady of the uterus and ovary.
Benchmarking Experimental Performance Analysis of Solar PV Cells Against OEM’s Performance Ratings
This study adopted an experimental approach to analyse the core parameters of different photovoltaic modules by applying Krebs’ correction to standard test conditions. Current-voltage and power-voltage curves for each PV module were obtained at different illumination levels, in addition to performance parameters ascertained from the fill factor and efficiency values of the PV modules. Ohmic losses present challenges in PV systems and could be addressed by recombination electrons made available by utilising the geometry and thickness to absorb the most wavelengths of incoming light. The parameters were subsequently compared with the manufacturer’s specifications, and the modules performance were discussed.
Risk Assessment of Selected Heavy Metals in Facial Make-up Cosmetics Commonly Used in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Facial make-up cosmetics have been reported to consist of some toxic metals. This study was carried out to determine the level of heavy metals in different facial make-up cosmetics such as powder, foundations, mascara, lipsticks and eyeshadow purchased from a local market in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria to estimate the potential risk associated with them. Samples were acid digested on a hotplate using a combination of acids (HNO3/H2SO4 /HClO4) in the ratio 1:1:1. Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn and Pb were analyzed using Buck Scientific Model 230 atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Generally, it was observed from the results that cadmium and nickel were below detectable limit in 100% of the cosmetics whereas copper, chromium and zinc were detected in most samples in the following range: 0.589-17.627 mg/kg, 0.157-0.270 mg/kg, 0.870-3.478 mg/kg, in foundation, 0.225-0.515 mg/kg, 0.147-0.254 mg/kg, 0.718-2.274 mg/kg, in powder; 0.688-16.503 mg/kg, 0.115-0.340 mg/kg ,0.816-9.932 mg/kg, in eyeshadow. However, lead (Pb) was found at very low concentrations in some samples of powder, lipstick and mascara as follows; 0.176 -0.216 mg/kg; 0.369-0.656 mg/kg and 0.367-0.680 mg/kg respectively when compared with permissible limits. The human health risk was estimated by employing the systemic exposure dosage and Margin of Safety as risk indicators. Cu and Pb in most cosmetic samples and Cr in powder confirmed MoS values below 100% bioaccessibility, an indication that they are not safe for use. The findings revealed that some of the cosmetics contain low concentrations of heavy metals which accumulate in biological systems over time with continuous usage of the products, hence, regulatory agencies in the country are urged to take proper action to monitor and regulate the levels of toxic metals in imported cosmetic products to ensure consumers’ safety and safeguard public health.
Post-Mortem Findings in Captive Wildlife in Two Private Zoological Gardens in Nigeria
The significance of pathoanatomical studies concerning diseases that impact wild animals cannot be overstated, as they serve as a fundamental pillar in facilitating the implementation of effective measures for the prevention and control of these afflictions. The challenges of cases of mortality in wildlife may be isolated cases from government-owned facilities and educational centers but it is important to put together some of these cases of wildlife mortality especially as it concerns private zoos. This case report aimed at presenting the post-mortem findings of four cases of mortality in two (2) private zoological gardens in Nigeria. The post-mortem findings showed evidence of sand colic in zebra, helminthosis in a hippopotamus, electric shock in a chimpanzee, and acute mortality syndrome in a giraffe. These findings underscore the need for holistic intervention and veterinary care in the management of zoological gardens especially in low-resource settings.
Bacteriological Assessment and Multidrug Resistance Profile of Bacteria Associated with Food from different Cafeterias in a Tertiary Institution within Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Food is an important commodity and is required for survival and healthy living in humans. However, poor hygiene and unsanitary practices by food handlers tend to expose the foods to microbial contamination thereby predisposing consumers to different diseases. This study aimed at determining the antibiogram and multidrug resistance profile of bacteria isolated from food samples purchased from two different cafeterias within a Tertiary Institution in Ibadan, Nigeria. Microorganisms were isolated from food samples using appropriate agar media following standard microbiological procedures. Pure cultures were obtained and identified using different morphological and biochemical tests and thereafter subjected to different antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin, Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim, Amoxicillin, Tigecycline and Imipinem. The total heterotrophic, coliform and Salmonella-Shigella counts ranged between 0.46 × 104 CFU/mL, 2.56 × 104 CFU/mL and 6.10 × 104 CFU/mL respectively, for both cafeterias. A total of 14 bacterial species were isolated and they belonged to the species E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus sp. and Klebsiella sp. The antibiotics susceptibility revealed that 7.1%, 21.4% and 71.4% of the isolates showed resistance to Imipenem, Ciprofloxacin and Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole respectively, while all of the isolates were resistant to Tigecycline and Amoxicillin. However, 78.6% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant. The result of this study has shown that the food samples were contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms which also exhibited antibiotic resistance to some antibiotics used in medicine and this could pose a serious health risk to humans when consumed.
Comparative Assessment of Heavy Metals in Some Selected Foreign and Locally Produced Spices Sold in Apete Market, Ibadan, Nigeria
Spices are being added to foods in Nigeria as ingredients often to improve the color, aroma and acceptability of food. The presence of heavy metals in spices could result in the accumulation of these metals in the body organs. Therefore, this research was carried out to assess the level of trace and heavy metals in frequently consumed spices sold in Apete market, Ibadan, Nigeria. Eight different spices (Garlic, Ginger, Pepper, Seasoning, Onion, Granulated Seasoning, Locust Beans and Karu Funa) were purchased directly at random from the local market in Apete area of Ibadan. After digestion, the determination of trace and heavy metals (Pb, As, Fe, Cu, Zn and Cd) concentration was done using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results showed that Zinc had the highest mean concentration (in mg kg-1 ) and ranged from 11.62±0.75 (in Seasoning) to 211.07±0.99 (in Locust beans); while Arsenic had the least mean concentration (in mg kg-1 ) and ranged from 0.02±0.01 (in Garlic and Onion) to 0.85±0.02 (in Seasoning). All metals analyzed except zinc, were found to be within the WHO Maximum Permissible Limit (MPL). Zinc was found to be above the MPL of 50 mg kg-1 in Garlic, Pepper, Onion, Granulated seasoning and Locust beans. High level of zinc may pose series of health threat to consumers, as it interferes with the metabolism and activities of other metals in the body. Therefore, routine check and regular monitoring of spices used in food preparation is required to avoid the health risk associated with heavy metals present in spices.
Prevention of Server Connection Timeout Errors and Downtime in WebApplication Using Service Workers Caching Technique
Web applications today, are widely used by businesses to reach global audience. Ecommerce and other commercial applications that leverage business performance need to be given highest priority since their performance leads success. Unplanned downtime and server connection timeout error are some of the most prominent forms of failures in web service experienced by the web users, which could be as a result of network disruption or congestion of loads on the web server. This work adopted Service Worker (SW) caching technique to create a fault-tolerant web application that maintained page uptime in the event of network failure and prevented server time-out error. Two demRecords:b Application modules of Electronic Health Records; SW1 module and SW2 module of the same quality and contents were acquired from CLINIC365 domain. The Service Worker caching technique was designed with the four stages of JavaScript procedures which include SW registration, SW installation, SW return request, and SW cache updates. The designed SW caching technique was implemented in SW1 module. The performance of the acquired SW1 and SW2 modules were evaluated and compared using uptime, response time, and throughput. Throughput and response time were collected using GTMETRIX web analytic software, degree of uptimes were collected by establishing a network test with Google console tool network throttle. The performance of fault tolerant SW1 yielded uptime, response time, and throughput of 4 points, 2.6 seconds, and 16.2 Mbps. respectively, while SW2 yielded 0 point, 4.3 seconds, and 12.6 Mbps. This study showed that there was throughput gain with SW1 module, and its uptime was maintained compared to SW2 module. In addition, response time in SW1 was faster compared to that of SW2 which is a great advantage in the prevention of server congestion, and connection time-out errors.
Biogenic Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles Using Beta vulgaris FruitExtract and Its Antimicrobial Potential
Generally biological synthesis of nanoparticles has a large number of biomedical applications because it is safe and eco-friendly in nature. Beta vulgaris (Beetroot) is a fruit, rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. This study demonstrated the phytochemical analysis, synthesis of selenium nanoparticles and the antimicrobial activity of aqueous fruit extract of B. vulgaris. Phytochemical studies were carried out using standard procedures. Biosynthesized SeNPs by B. vulgaris fruit extract were confirmed by visual detection, UV–Visible spectrophotometer and characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Energy dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy and X-ray diffractor was used to confirm the formation, nature, morphology, size and shape of the nanoparticles. Agar well diffusion method was used for the antimicrobial activity. Phytochemical analyses of B. vulgaris fruit extract revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenol which act as both reducing and potential stabilizing agents in the synthesis of SeNPs. UV-visible spectrophotometer revealed the surface plasmon resonance peak at 350 nm within a broad band range of 300 – 400 nm. The SeNPs are crystallographic, spherical and having size range from 20–100 nm. Esters, amino acids, hydroxyl, aldehyde, and carboxylic acid were present and responsible for the synthesis of SeNPs. The biosynthesized SeNPs showed activity against the test pathogens and the zone of inhibition ranged between 9 - 25 mm. In conclusion, B. vulgaris fruit extract can be used for the synthesis of SeNPs with potent antimicrobial activity on fungal and bacteria.
Weight-Length Relationship of the African Snakehead, Parachannaobscura (Gunther 1861) by Bayesian Inference
The Bayesian paradigm is increasingly being used to overcome the limitations of frequentist approaches in statistical inference. We specified a weakly informative prior to compute the coefficient of the linear models using the Bayesian statistical framework for the African obtuse snakehead, Parachanna obscura. Fish samples were collected monthly for six months from artisanal fishermen from Eleiyele Reservoir and measured for Total Length (L) to the nearest cm and weighed (W, wet weight) to the nearest g. A fitted Bayesian linear model (estimated using MCMC sampling with four chains of 2000 iterations and a warmup of 1000) indicates positive allometric growth (median b = 3.20, 95% Credible Interval (CI) [2.93, 3.49]) with substantial explanatory power (R2 = 0.91, 95% CI [0.87, 0.94] based on the posterior predictive model. The Scale Reduction Factor was less than 1, and the effective sample size was larger than 1000 for all parameters: reliable evidence of convergence and typically a sufficiently large effective sample size. The African obstuse snakehead, Parachanna obscura thrived in Eleiyele Reservoir because they were plump. Bayesian analysis could be a reliable alternative to the classical ordinary least square methods for linear regression models in fisheries.
Exploring the Health Implications of Nature Park Outdoor Recreation
The benefits of physical and outdoor recreation on human health and well-being cannot be overemphasized. Nature parks are places for people to recreate, connect with nature, have fun, and find mental, physical, and spiritual health and social well-being. The implication of outdoor recreation on human health was investigated in this study using Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) and Lekki Urban Forestry and Animal Shelter Initiative (LUFASI) in Lagos State, Nigeria. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to 200 respondents at both sites, and data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Chi-Square. Findings revealed thirteen (13) recreational resources in LCC and ten (10) were identified in LUFASI nature parks (categorized into both natural and non-natural attractions). Furthermore, a higher percentage of the study respondents were female (51%), singles (56%), and 65% were 18–45 years old. In addition, 51.5% have had between 6 and 10 years of outdoor experience, and most visitors travel with their families and friends. Observing nature, wildlife, forest, wildflower, and outdoor court games prompted their visit to outdoor recreation nature parks. Moreover, spending time with family and friends (4.47) was their major motivation for outdoor recreation participation. The most significant health benefit attained by visiting was social well-being (38%), followed by physical well-being (34.5%) and mental well-being (27.5%). Nature encourages more social interaction and brings people together had the highest mean value (4.32) for social health implication, physical health implication was “improved physical wellness” with a mean value of 3.78, and the mental health implication was that “activities in the natural environment improves mood” with the mean value of 3.89. Furthermore, 91% of the visitors to these nature parks were satisfied and pledged their loyalty to revisit and recommend the parks to others. A significant relationship exists between visitors’ motivation for nature park outdoor recreation and their age (χ 2=75.530, p=0.014) and education (χ 2=74.064, p=0.019). Hence conservation of more green areas is hereby encouraged to harness the health benefits these sites provide.
Undergraduate Result Prediction Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Poor academic performance has discouraged and made so many students drop out of university due to National University Commission (NUC) regulation of 1.5 probational level which consequently affects list of enrolment in higher institutions yearly. Numerous researchers have worked on this over the years in order to proffer solution to this but suffer a limitation of fewer accuracy level. Hence, this research was developed to proffer solution to the limitation by developing a result prediction system for undergraduates using data mining algorithms. In this research work, 448 instances of datasets were collected which consist of students Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results, student secondary school result in five major subjects, Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) score, and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) at their first year in the university. The machine learning algorithms employed in the research were K-Nearest Neighbor, Random Forest, J-48, and Naïve Bayes from WEKA (Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis). From experimental results obtained, the most valid data that affects the CGPA of an undergraduate student are the combination of JAMB result with other features such as Age and other SSCE result. The accuracy result of the developed system, using the selected algorithms are as follows: K-Nearest Neighbour (81.40%), RandomForest (85.26%), J-48 (79.65%), Naïve Bayes(76.14%). Therefore, based on the result of analysis, it was discovered that Random Forest outperformed all other machine learning algorithms. The results from this research can be employed by career advisors and Educationalists to advice students as appropriate. This research has been able to use real-world data to evaluate the success of students in tertiary institutions with the use of machine learning approach.