Faculty of Natural Sciences

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    Immune status of HIV/AIDS patients with hepatitis B virus in Benue State, Nigeria
    (Advances in Applied Science Research, 2012) Yako AB; Lar P; Ishaleku D; Yako JB; Makpo JK; Auta KI; Moses OS; Nweze NO
    The CD4 counts of HIV positive individuals with hepatitis B surface antigen was a factor used to determine the immune status among infected individuals in Benue State. Of 966 males infected with HIV, 15(1.55%) were positive for HBsAg+ with CD4 counts <335 cell/μl and in the female category, 10(0.95%) of 1042 were positive for HBsAg+ with the CD4+ counts <420 at the initial CD4 cells counts. According to age, individuals aged between 30 and 39 years were positive for HBsAg+ with their CD4 counts ≤335 cell/μl. The least in terms of HBsAg+ carriage (0.34%) were those 50 years and above whose CD4 read <224 cell/μl. After an interval of 6 months, the CD4 level declined to <100 cell/μl. However, there was a significant relationship in the degree of infection among sexes (Z=0.40<±1.96). HBsAg+ carriage rate was dependent on age (x²=7.82<0.05).
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    Prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium among residents of Gwong and Kabong in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria
    (Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci, 2012-07) A. DAWET; D.P. YAKUBU; R. LONGMUT; .B. BENJAMIN 1,; Y.H. DABURUM; N. NANNIM
    Schistosomiasis is a disease of great pathological effects in human especially during teenage years. The disease is a major public health problem with deepen economic consequences particularly in endemic areas. This study was conducted to determine the level of Schistosoma haematobium infection among the residence of Gwong and Kabong areas of Plateau State, Nigeria. Consent was obtained from the traditional heads and the subjects in the study areas. Ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical committee of Our Lady of Apostle (OLA) hospital Jos and Primary Health Care (PHC) clinics Nabor. A total of two hundred and forty two urine samples were collected and prepared using the sedimentation method. Slides were examined for S. haematobium ova under the microscope. Of all the samples examined, five (2.07%) all from Gwong area were infected. Male had a higher prevalence (3.85%) and mean intensity (32 ± 7.23) of ova compared with female. Infection was observed only in age groups 10-14 and 35-39 years. The prevalence was highest among those that obtained water from rivers/stream than those who used well water, while there was no infection among those that obtained water from borehole. The study showed that there was no significant difference (P> 0.05) between infection and the study area, sex, age and occupation. However, there was a significant (P< 0.05) relationship between the infection and their source of water. Though there was low to none prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium in Gwong and Kabong respectively, there is need to intensify integrated control measures to reduce or completely eradicate the disease. © 2012 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.
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    Preliminary Assessment of the Trace Element Composition of Dust from Two Granite Quarries from Jos Plateau and Their Possible Health Implications.
    (Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 2018) Daspan, R.I.; Obadiah, E.G.; Lekmang, I.C.; Dibal, H.U.; Chup,A.S.; Daku,S.; Wazoh,H.; Diyelmak,V.B.; Azi,B
    Quarrying of rocks has contributed to the development of many developed and developing nations. However, the entire process generates particulate pollution in the environment. The high level of particulates generated at the drilling and crushing areas depicts them as hazard zones. Moreover, quarry workers and communities living in proximity to these hazard zones are exposed to various health risks. In view of this fact, this research was carried out to determine the trace element concentration in the dust from Ric Rock and Satzen quarries, to establish their extent of contamination and deduce their possible human health implications. The results of As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Mo were interpreted based on their Pollution index (anthropogenic factor), enrichment index and index of geo-accumulation. The interpretation revealed that the Rick Rock dust is practically unpolluted with As, Cr, Co Cu, and Ni with deficiency to minimal enrichment, unpolluted to moderately polluted and enriched with Zn. The dust is also extremely polluted and severely enriched by Mo. On the other hand, Satzen dust is practically unpolluted by As, Cd Cr, Co, Cu , Ni, Pb and Zn with deficiency to minimal enrichment. It is practically unpolluted to moderately polluted and enriched by Mo. With respect to the selected elements and their contamination status, Rick rock dust has been contaminated with Cd, Pb, Mo, and Zn and Satzen dust has been contaminated with Mo. The elemental enrichment in the dust samples collected from Rick Rock quarry is higher than those from Satzen quarry and can be attributed to oil spillage and emission from trucks and diesel powered generator which is the only source of power supply to the quarry and work throughout the period of quarry operations. This enriched the elemental concentration in the dust. Satzen quarry, on the other hand, uses electricity from Power Generation Company which eliminated such enrichment contribution in the dust. However the enrichment of Mo in the dust may be attributed to oil spillage and combustion of fossil fuel from heavy duty trucks used for the quarry operation. Geochemical analysis of quarry dust from Ric Rock and Satzen quarries showed that the concentration of trace elements in the dust exceeds the permissible limit set by WHO. Some of which are very harmful to human health even at very low concentration exposure. It is certain that long exposure of quarry workers and those living in close proximity via Inhalation, ingestion and percutaneous absorption can result to various health challenges. The release of these trace elements in high concentration by quarry companies enriching their concentration in the environment, polluting air, soil and both surface and ground water which variably affects human, animal and plants through the chain causes diseases and eventual death of man.
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    Survey of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Non-Human Primates in Jos Zoological Garden
    (Dawet A, 2013) Dawet A; Yakubu DP; Butu HM
    Abstract Non-human primates (NHP) serve as important reservoirs of parasites that cause diseases to man as close interactions between humans and NHP create pathways for the transmission of zoonotic diseases. The aim of this study was to carry out a survey of the intestinal parasites of NHP in Jos Zoological garden. Stool samples were collected from thirty one (31) NHP and examined using direct wet mount, floatation and sedimentation methods. Of this, helminths and protozoa were recorded. Trichuris trichiura recorded the highest (58.06%) prevalence of the helminths, followed by hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides which recorded prevalences of 38.71% and 19.35 % respectively. For the protozoan parasites recovered, Entamoeba coli was the most prevalent (93.55%) followed by Entamoeba histolytica/nuttali (74.19%), while Cyclospora spp recorded the least prevalence (12.90%). Among the NHP observed, baboons, chimpanzees and patas monkeys were infected at different levels with all the three helminths recorded while Mona and tantalus monkeys were only infected with T. trichiura and hookworm. The entire protozoans recorded were found in baboon and Tantalus monkeys while chimpanzees, mona and patas monkeys were infected with E. coli and E. histolytica/nuttali. Regular parasitological examination and treatment of NHP should be carried out to prevent zoonotic infection of zoo keepers and park visitors
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    C++ Codes for the Implementation of Determining and Controllability Matrices, Cardinality and Controllability Rank Conditions for A Class of Double - Delay Control Systems
    (International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing, 2016-06) Ukwu Chukwunenye; Obiorah Mmachi
    As dictated by practical exigencies, this research article designed and developed extensive C++ codes for the implementation of determining matrices, controllability matrices, cardinality and controllability rank conditions, for a class of double - delay control systems, thereby averting the prohibitive manual computations associated with such mathematical objects. With these results, the interrogation of the controllability disposition of this class of functional differential control systems can be accomplished with astounding swiftness, in turn, providing the much desired implementation paradigm shift.
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    Antiplasmodial Efficacy of Stem Bark Extracts of Pseudocedrela kotschyi in Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei
    (British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2014-01-12) Dawet, A.; Yakubu, D. P.
    Aims: To evaluate the antiplasmodial efficacy of stem bark extracts of P. kotschyi against P. berghei berghei in mice. Study Design: Extraction and administration of plant extracts and evaluation of daily parasitaemia of infected mice. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacognosy; Animal House. Department of Pharmacology and Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria, between June, 2008 and November, 2011. Methodology: Dry zone cedar (Pseudocedrela kotschyi) Family: Meliaceae, stem bark powder was successively extracted using ethyl acetate, ethanol and aqueous solvents. A total of one hundred and twenty mice for each extract (ethanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous) were divided into three groups of forty mice per each test (suppressive, curative and prophylactic). They were inoculated with drug sensitive NK 65 Plasmodium berghei berghei. In each test animals were divided into five groups, each consisted of eight animals and treated separately with one of the following: 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg extracts, chloroquine / pyrimethamine and normal saline. Blood films were prepared and examined, and the changes in percentage parasitaemia were evaluated. Results: The ethanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous crude extracts of P. kotschyi at 200 mg/kg significantly (P=.05) inhibited the parasitaemia by 39.43%, 26.99% and 28.36% respectively in the suppressive test. Ethanol and ethyl acetate crude extracts also showedsignificant (p=.05) cure rate of 29.17 % and 20.28 % respectively. However there was no significant (p>.05) reduction in parasitaemia load in the prophylactic tests. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that P. kotschyi stem bark indeed has antiplasmodial property
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    A Study of Species Diversity and Distribution of Soil Macroarthropod Fauna In Irrigated Vegetable Plots in Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria.
    (International Journal of Applied Research and Technology. Esxon Publishers, 2012-08-30) Mwansat, G. S; Njila, H. L; Levi, R. Y
    A study on the species diversity and distribution of soil macroarthropod fauna in irrigated vegetable plots in Jos was carried out. Five sampling sites were selected based on the mass cultivation of four staple food crops: cabbage, maize, potatoes and carrots. A total of 981 soil macroarthropod were collected. Out of which 539(54.94%) were collected by pitfall traps and 442 (45.60%) were collected by hand capture technique 953 (97.12%) were adults while 28(2.85%) were juveniles. 11 orders and 19 families were identified. Unidentified families were termed, “others”. The Hymenoptera (37.3%), Coleoptera (24.5%) and Diplopoda (8.8%) were the dominant macroarthropod group, but the least dominant groups are Hemiptera (1.0%) and Chilopoda (2.0%). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between macroarthropod collected by pitfall trap and those collected by hand capture technique. A significant difference (P<0.05) was observed between the juvenile and adult populations collected. Factors such as pH, soil temperature, fertilizer application, crop type, control methods influence the abundance and distribution of soil acroarthropod fauna. Data across sites showed that maize had highest abundance of 408 macroarthropod at 26.5OC while there was decline in cabbage with 183 at 27OC. However, a decrease to 187 at 26.7OC for carrot and increase to 203 macroarthropod at soil temperature of 27.8OC for potatoes was noted.
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    ENHANCING THE TEACHER PROFESSION: KEY TO REVAMPING THE EDUCATION SECTOR IN NIGERIA
    (Academic Research International, 2013) N. M. Kamoh1 , L. S. Ughili2 , A. A. Abada
    Education is a living concept that continues to grow and develop on daily basis. The paper looked at necessary steps needed to enhance the teaching profession. Questionnaire was administered to 1000 males and females respondents. The data was analyzed using standard deviation method, the results (tables I & II) indicated high standard deviations (σ) of 38.16 and 107.83 respectively, revealing that, the factors are independent of one another. A number of challenges were identified and discussed. The research concluded with a number of far-fetched recommendations. Improved remunerations; regular payment of salaries and improved fringe benefits, among others can greatly motivate and enhance the teaching profession.
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    IDENTIFYING RECOVERY PATTERNS FROM RESOURCE USAGE DATA OF CLUSTER SYSTEMS
    (Science World Journal, 2018) Nentawe Gurumdimma 1 , Gideon Dadik Bibu2 , Desmond Bala Bisandu3 , Mammuan Titus Alams
    Failure of Cluster Systems has proven to be of adverse effect and it can be costly. System administrators have employed divide and conquer approach to diagnosing the root-cause of such failure in order to take corrective or preventive measures. Most times, event logs are the source of the information about the failures. Events that characterized failures are then noted and categorized as causes of failure. However, not all the ’causative’ events lead to eventual failure, as some faults sequence experience recovery. Such sequences or patterns constitute challenge to system administrators and failure prediction tools as they add to false positives. Their presence are always predicted as “failure causing“, while in reality, they will not. In order to detect such recovery patterns of events from failure patterns, we proposed a novel approach that utilizes resource usage data of cluster systems to identify recovery and failure sequences. We further propose an online detection approach to the same problem. We experiment our approach on data from Ranger Supercomputer System and the results are positive.
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    An Adaptive Method using the L-Weno Reconstruction
    (International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology, 2021-10) Mrumun C. Soomiyol; Terhemen Aboiyar; Nathaniel M Kamoh
    In this work, an adaptive formulation of the Legendre - Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (L-WENO) method is used to solve some problems of two-dimensional linear conservation laws on unstructured triangular mesh. The mesh adaptivity is used to improve the performance of the method. Although the results with the L-WENO method gets better as the mesh is refined, the mesh adaptation algorithm was able to improve the quality of the numerical approximation and reduce computational cost by refining and coarsening the computational mesh based on some specified criteria.