A faunistical study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites of chickens in four areas of Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria, on 160 chickens raised under free-range system. Both the skin and plucked feathers were thoroughly searched for the presence of ectoparasites between July and December 2009. The results indicate that all the chickens (100%) harboured ectoparasites. Five lice, two mites, two tick and one flea species were identified with the following prevalences: the shaft louse, Menopon gallinae (8.1%), the chicken body louse, Menacanthus stramineus (6.9%), then the wing louse, Lipeurus caponis (5.0%), the body and feather louse, Gonoides gigas (4.4%) and finally the fluff louse Gonoicotes gallinae (3.1%). The two tick species were Argas persicus (8.8%) and Ixodid larvae (5.6%). The two mite species were Cnemidocoptes mutans (9.4%) and Cnemidocoptes gallinae (8.1%). The sticktight flea Echidnophaga gallinacea was the only flea species found (10.6%). No association was found between ectoparasitism and sex, breed and fur colour (P > 0.05), however a strong positive association was observed with fur texture (P < 0.05). This study has shown that ectoparasites are highly prevalent on traditionally managed chickens in the study areas. Further detailed study with particular reference to ectoparasitism and assessment of their impact is recommended.

Leptadenia hastata (Pers.) Decne. (Asclepiadaceae) is widely used as vegetable and traditionally in the management of diabetes mellitus and in the treatment of wounds and stomach ache. In this study, phytochemical screening, total phenolic contents and alpha-glucosidase activity of L. hastata leaf extracts were evaluated with the view to validating its antidiabetic potentials. Acetone, methanol and water extracts were screened for the polyphenolic contents while methanol and water extract were used for the evaluation of alpha-glucosidase activity. Phytochemical screening of L. hastata leaf indicated the presence of phenolic glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, alkaloids and saponins. The total phenolics, total flavonoids and proanthocyanidins contents were in the ranges of 17-38, 10-16 and 4-10 mg/g respectively depending on the extraction solvent. The methanol and water extracts had 69.81 and 37.02 % inhibitory effect on alpha-glucosidase activity respectively. The results indicated that L. hastata leaf is rich in polyphenols and possess significant alpha-glucosidase inhibition potential and may therefore be a source of lead compounds in the management of diabetes mellitus and/or other diseases that may be caused by oxidative stress.

Laptadenia hastata (Pers.) Decne. (Asclepiadaceae) is a widely distributed tropical African herb used as vegetable. It is also used traditionally in the management of diabetes mellitus and treatment of stomach ache. This study evaluated the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of water and methanol extracts of L. hastata in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats model. Oral administration of methanol and water extracts at 300 mg kg−1 body weight (bw) have significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the blood glucose and increased liver and muscle glycogen levels. Significant (p < 0.05) reduction of serum triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and an increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol level were observed. The results of the current study have demonstrated the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of L. hastata extracts and underscore its potentials in the management of diabetes mellitus.

The study of the acetone extract of the leaves of Olax mannii Oliv. led to the isolation of two triterpenoids; glutinol and rhoiptelenol. These compounds are reported for the first time in Olax mannii. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, IR and GC-MS.

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by increased levels of marker of oxidative stress which play a role in the development of diabetes complications. Antioxidants are thought to be beneficial in curtailing the lipid peroxidation. In the current work, antioxidant- rich nutriceutic was formulated from onions, garlic, lemon, palm oil and crayfish (in ratio 6:6:2:1:5 respectively), which are known sources of vitamins A, C and E and Cu, Cr, Mn and Zn. The nutriceutic was administered to alloxan-induced diabetic rats for 3 weeks and the effect of the supplementation on renal function profile was studied. The results shows that supplementation significantly (P<0.05) reduced blood glucose, urea, creatinine and potassium. It also not significantly (P>0.05) reduced serum sodium and bicarbonate. The findings suggest that supplementation with naturally occurring antioxidant nutriceutic may reduce the risk of oxidative stress and complications associated with diabetes mellitus and might be beneficial in the routine treatment of diabetes mellitus patients.

In literature, many product type estimators are available which have been shown to be more precise than the conventional estimator in fixed population approach. It is therefore; quite justified to study these modified product type estimators under model approach when there is some misspecification in the model so that a better strategy can be selected. In the present paper, the study of class of product type estimator, namely, factor type estimator has been studied using a special kind of superpopulation model termed as Polynomial Regression Model. The expressions for model dependent bias and mean squared error of the estimator have been derived. The robustness of the estimator, in order to observe the effect of misspecification of the model on the performance of the estimator, has also been discussed.

Five different vegetable samples were obtained from Yan-Kaba Market, Kano city, Nigeria, and were analyzed for the presence of Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo, and Fe using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometery. The results of the analysis showed that, on the average, highest concentration of Mg was recorded in the range of 0.964 to 1.393mg/g in all the samples analyzed, while Mo was found to be the least with concentration range of 0.014 to 0.031mg/g. Comparing the mineral contents obtained in this work with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) values, the results indicate that the vegetables could be good supplement for some of the elements analyzed.

Experiment was designed and conducted to determine the most appropriate concentration of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid suitable for callus induction in sugarcane. Explants were obtained from apical meristems of two sugarcane cultivars (SP726180 and CO- 001) and cultured in a modified MS medium supplemented with varying concentrations of 2,4-D. After sterilization, the explants were incubated in the growth chamber at 270C and monitored for callus induction for four Weeks. The resulting calli were sub cultured on a media with a reduced 2,4-D concentration to induce somatic embryogenesis. Percentages of callus formation, embryogenic callus as well as growth coefficient were the parameters monitored. Data generated were analyzed using Chi-square and showed a significant difference among the different 2,4-D concentrations (P≤0.05). Swelling of the explants was observed one week after inoculation while callus initiation begun after two weeks. The calli were found to be yellowish, compact and nodular. Callus induction was found to increase with increase in the concentration of 2,4-D

Fungi constitute a major problem in the storage of agricultural products especially cereals. In the present study, the effects of light, relative humidity and temperature on the growth of Aspergillus species (Aspergillus candidus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger and A. oryzae) associated with stored millet grains were investigated. Light stimulus had no significant effect on the mycelial growth of the fungi. Of the relative humidity regimes tested, 85% and 100% were the most favourable for the growth of Aspergillus species. Growth was generally poor at 32.5 and 50.5% relative humidities. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences in the growth of Aspergillus species with respect to temperature regimes. Generally, high growth was obtained under incubation temperatures of 30oC and 35oC. Cereals in general and millet grains in particular exposed to high humidity and temperature range of 30oC and 35oC may be susceptible to contamination by Aspergillus species.

Starch was isolated from seeds of Magnifera indica by hot water extraction method. The extracted starch was characterized by examining its composition and physicochemical properties. The results obtained from the analyses revealed that the % yield of starch was 70.1%, while moisture content, ash content, starch protein and starch lipid were 5.3%, 0.03%, 0.06% and 0.21%, respectively. The results also showed amylose content of 25.3%; swelling power of 29.2g/g, solubility of 3.2%, amylose leaching of 3.9% and gelatinization temperature of 68oC. From the results, the paper concludes that with minor modifications, the seeds can be used as alternative sources of starch for industrial products.

A total of 250 urine samples were collected from patients attending Ahmadu Bello University Health Service Clinic (Sick bay), Salama Hospital and Major Ibrahim Abdullahi Memorial Hospital (Kaduna State Ministry of Health). The samples were screened for UTI and forty-three (43) were positive for Klebsiella and Escherichia coli. Of all the isolates, 24 were K. species and 19 were Escherichia coli. Their susceptibilities to Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin were examined using the antibiotics disc and the commercially sold antibiotics. The susceptibility of K. species to Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin for the antibiotics disc was 16.7%, 62.5% and 41.7% respectively. For the commercially sold antibiotics its susceptibility was 0%, 8.3% and 50.0% to Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin respectively. The susceptibility of Escherichia coli to Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin for the antibiotics disc was 31.6%, 52.6% and 57.9% respectively. For the commercially sold antibiotics its susceptibility was 0%, 36.8% and 31.6% to Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin respectively. Our results showed that antibiotics disc was more effective than the commercially sold antibiotics and that both organisms were resistant to Ampicillin but susceptible to Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin.

The antibacterial potency of aqueous and methanol extracts of Ipomoea asarifolia leaves; a plant widely used by traditional medical practitioners in Nigeria was determined in vitro against three bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) by agar well diffusion method. The pattern of inhibition varied with the extracts and the organisms tested. Both the aqueous and methanol extracts were potent on E. coli and S. aureus with maximum zone of growth inhibition of 21mm and 20mm at 200mg/ml respectively Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to both extracts at all the concentrations tested. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against E. coli for aqueous extract were 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml respectively; and 100mg/ml and 200mg/ml for methanol extract respectively. Similarly, The MIC and MBC against S. aureus for aqueous extract were 100mg/ml and 200mg/ml; 200mg/ml for the methanol extract. Preliminary phytochemical screening reveal the presence of anthraquinones, saponins and tannins in both aqueous and methanol extracts; triterpenes, flavonoids and glycosides were found only in the aqueous extract while alkaloids were found only in the methanol extract. However, carbohydrate and steroids were absent in both extracts. The spectra of activities shown by the extracts could be attributed to the presence of these phytochemicals which signifies the potential of I. asarifolia as a source of therapeutic agents. These findings therefore, justify the traditional medicinal use of the plant.

Field experiments were conducted during the dry seasons of 2006/07 and 2007/08 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the College of Agriculture, Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria. The objective was to investigate the response of onion to irrigation interval and plant population density. The treatments consisted of factorial combination of four irrigation intervals (3, 6, 9 and 12 days) and five plant population densities (160,000, 200,000, 250,000, 350,000 and 500,000 plants/ha), corresponding to 25x25, 25x20, 20x20, 20x15 and 20x10 cm spacing respectively. The treatments were laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Irrigation interval was allocated to the main plots and population density to the sub plots. Results reveal that mean bulb diameter, mean cured bulb weight and onion yield in both trials and the combined analysis were significantly (p < 0.05) favoured by irrigation intervals at 3 and 6 days. Lower plant densities (160,000 and 200,000 plants/ha) increased both bulb diameter and cured bulb weight but decreased total yield. The result of the research concluded by recommending 6 days irrigation interval and plant population density of 500,000 plants/ha for maximum onion yield in the study area.

The paper investigated factors influencing beneficiary participation in Fadama II project in Niger State. Three LGAs out of eleven LGAs that benefited in Fadama II project were randomly selected for the study. To this end, one Fadama Community Association (FCA) and five Fadama User Groups (FUGs) were randomly selected from each LGA that benefited. Five beneficiaries were also randomly sampled from each FUG. Seventy five (75) beneficiaries were randomly sampled for the study. Descriptive statistics and logit regression model were used to analyze the data collected. However, large proportion of the beneficiaries participated in problem identification (69.3%) and project implementation (80%) in the stages of project development. Women participation in Fadama II project was identified to be low (28.0%). Meanwhile, educational level and membership of cooperative society significantly influenced participation (P < 0.01). Household size was a positive factor that significantly influenced participation (P < 0.05) in Fadama II project in the study area.

Field experiments were conducted during the dry seasons of 2006/07 and 2007/08 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the College of Agriculture, Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria. The objective was to investigate the response of onion to irrigation interval and plant population density. The treatments consisted of factorial combination of four irrigation intervals (3, 6, 9 and 12 days) and five plant population densities (160,000, 200,000, 250,000, 350,000 and 500,000 plants/ha), corresponding to 25x25, 25x20, 20x20, 20x15 and 20x10 cm spacing respectively. The treatments were laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Irrigation interval was allocated to the main plots and population density to the sub plots. Results reveal that mean bulb diameter, mean cured bulb weight and onion yield in both trials and the combined analysis were significantly (p < 0.05) favoured by irrigation intervals at 3 and 6 days. Lower plant densities (160,000 and 200,000 plants/ha) increased both bulb diameter and cured bulb weight but decreased total yield. The result of the research concluded by recommending 6 days irrigation interval and plant population density of 500,000 plants/ha for maximum onion yield in the study area.

Evaluation of a project at any stage of its life cycle, especially at its planning stage, is necessary for its successful execution and completion. The Logical Framework Analysis or the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) is an essential tool in designing such evaluation because it is a process that serves as a reference guide in carrying out the evaluation. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the process and the structure of the Logical Framework Matrix or Logframe, derivable from it, and its role in project evaluation. The paper is based mainly on review of relevant literature on this analytical tool. The literature search shows that the LFA enables the evaluator to thoroughly scrutinize and ensure that every key factor that is needed for the success of a project is clearly identified (as listed in the matrix cells – demonstrated in Figure 4) and thus must be provided for both in quantity and quality, and also at the appropriate time in implementing the project. It helps the evaluator to check for consistency of both vertical logic (project inputs  project outputs  project objectives or purpose  project goal) and horizontal logic (narrative summary  objectively verifiable indicators  means of verification) as well as the reasonableness of the underlying assumptions concerning the (proposed) project - all of which must be established for the success of the project to be ascertained.

Query expansion (QE) is the process of transforming a seed query to improve retrieval performance in information retrieval operations. It is often intended to overcome a vocabulary mismatch between the query and the document collection. Query expansion is known to improve retrieval effectiveness of some information retrieval systems, however, its effect in Textual Case-based reasoning (TCBR) which is closely related to the field of Information Retrieval has not been well studied. In this research, a TCBR System intended for storage and retrieval of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) named FAQCase was developed. Experiments were conducted to examine the effect of synonym-based query expansion on the system. The result has shown that there is significant retrieval improvement in FAQCase with query expansion over FAQCase without query expansion, in a situation where vocabulary mismatch between new questions and the stored FAQs is high.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding alkali- treated neem kernel cake (ATNKC) on haematological and biochemical parameters of Uda lambs. It was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto with 20 male Uda lambs. The experimental animals were allotted (n=5) to diets A, B, C, D and E with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% levels of inclusion of ATNKC, respectively. The experiment lasted for 84days. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment for analyses of haematological and biochemical parameters. Haematological and biochemical parameters of the experimental animals on control and test diets were normal. The mean values for per cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC) in treatments E, D, C and B were not significantly (P>0.05) different from treatment A which served as the control. However, the white blood cell value in treatment A (11.67x109l) was similar to the values in treatments E (9.70 x109l), B (9.67 x109l ) and C(9.53 x109l) but significantly (P<0.05) different that of treatment D(8.90 x109). The values for neutrophil, eosinophil and basophil in the control treatment were not significantly (P>0.05) different from the test treatment except lymphocytes and monocytes. For biochemical parameters, the values to total protein, albumin, globulin, SGPT, total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin in the control and test treatment did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference except in SGOT and unconjugated bilirubin. Urea nitrogen concentration, Creatinine and potassium values did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference between the control and test treatments. It was recommended in the study that alkali treated neem kernel cake can be safely included in feed of sheep up to 20% levels for lambs

The study was carried out to analyze the economics of beekeeping in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria. Data were obtained using structured questionnaire. Three (3) wards (extension blocks) were purposely selected out of the eleven (11) wards to reflect areas where beekeeping is predominantly found. A total of 100 respondents were randomly and proportionately selected from the three (3) wards and used for the study. Descriptive statistics, budgetary technique and multiple regression were used as analytical tools. The result indicates that majority (90%) were male, most of them (56%) had between 20 – 40 colonies, 44% had primary education and 40% had between 16 – 20 years beekeeping experience in the study area. The results of multiple regression analysis indicate that the coefficients of age, number of colony owned and gender were positive and significant at 5% and 10%, respectively. Costs and returns analysis indicates that gross revenue, total cost and net farm income were N14,234.17, N5,260.65 and N8,973.74 per colony, respectively. Inadequate credit, theft, bush burning, absconding of bees and inadequate improved technologies were some of the major problems militating against beekeeping in the study area. It was recommended that extension agents in the state should be property trained and provided with all the necessary technological packages required to teach and guide farmers on improved beekeeping to reduce cost of production, farmers engaged in beekeeping should form cooperative groups that will enable them obtain credit from government and financial institutions and non-governmental organisations in collaboration with farmers cooperative groups should provide improved beekeeping technologies at subsidized rate to the farmers.

The study determined the profitability of rice processing and marketing in Kano State. The objective of the study was to assess the profitability levels of rice processing and marketing, evaluate the value added to the commodity at each stage in the study area and determine the most efficient services produce. Primary data were collected from 120 randomly selected respondents comprising parboilers, millers, retailers and wholesalers using interview schedule. The findings indicated that Net Milling Income of millers was N3,378,855.08 per respondent per year; the value added was N5,736,658.82 and service efficiency was 243.3. This result, therefore, showed that the Net Milling Income, value added and service efficiency for millers were higher, followed by wholesalers (N2,239,086.63, N2,239,086.63 and 3.5 respectively) and retailers (N422,230.77, N422,230.77 and 5.65 respectively), with the parboilers having the least. The millers had a Net Present Value of N10, 555,709 at 22% and an Internal Rate of Return of 140 which shows that the business of milling can payback money loaned from bank at even 140% interest rate. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the parboilers should be paid for their services separately from costs of input for parboiling and the traders should enhance the existing co-operatives societies and encourage bulk purchase and transportation of the milled rice. This will reduce the high cost of milled rice as well as reduce the cost of transportation.

Length – weight relationship of Clarias anguillaris (Fam: Claridae) in Kontagora Reservoir, Niger State, Nigeria, was studied from January, 2007 - December, 2007. The fish species was obtained using a fleet of graded gill nets comprising of nine multi filament gill nets mesh sizes. The parameters a and b of the Length – weight relationship of the form W = aLb and Condition factor C.F. = W 100 / L3 are presented for the fish species. The mean monthly condition factor values were high during the rainy season than the dry season, and the b value obtained was 3.477. The b value indicates positive allometric relationship, with the weight of the fish increasing as the fish grow in length. The high mean monthly condition factor of the fish species indicating their well being, shows that Kontagora Reservoir has favourable environment for the survival and growth of the species.

The levels of the hazardous metals (Pb and Cd) in five different leafy vegetable plant samples ( viz: Hibiscus cannabinus, Cassia tora, Vernonia amygdalina, Corchorus olitorius, and Corchorus tridens) consumed by Kano inhabitants were investigated and found to be at concentration below the environmental lead action level set by US EPA/WHO. Cadmium was not detected in the samples. Low concentration of Pb and absence of Cd in all the plant samples analyzed are clear indication that these may not exhibit toxicity effects due to any of these metals. The consumers are therefore safe from their toxicity effect.

A retrospective study of the Infections Disease Hospital (IDH) records of Specialist Hospital, Sokoto was conducted from January to December, 2008 to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal tract infections (GIT). During the period under review about 2575 cases of GIT were recorded, out of which 1799 (69.8%) cases were of bacterial, 466 (18.1%) cases were of protozoas and 310 (12.0%) cases were helminths (GIT worms). The highest rates of infections were reported in April and December. Bacterial infection of the GIT was more prevalent than those of protozoas and helminths. Few cases of cholera were recorded during the study period.