Archives-June... 

Disease causing pathogens have a strong relationship with the environment wherein the animal as well as the microorganisms lives. The present study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the meteorological data and the disease prevalence in cattle in Tamilnadu. The data revealed a closer relationship between the climatic factors (temperature, rainfall and relative humidity) and infectious diseases (Anthrax, Black Quarter, Hemorrhagic Septicemia and Foot and Mouth Disease). Hence, the incidence of infectious diseases were found to be significantly (P<0.05) associated with the season and microclimatic factors.

Frequent occurrence of recent earthquakes in South Asian region has inspired the civil engineers to become more concern about earthquake resistant building design. In order to construct a building in a high seismic zone, the flexural members like beams, must have adequate ductility along with enough strength. Ductility is a solid material's ability to deform under tensile stress. To evaluate the flexural ductility, it is necessary to conduct non-linear moment-curvature experiment or numerical analysis. Moment curvature is a method to determine the load-deflection behavior of a concrete section using nonlinear material stress-strain relationship. As experimental analysis is time consuming and costly, a quicker and cheaper approach numerical analysis can be performed. In this paper, results of a numerical program conducted on sectional ductility behavior of a rectangular concrete beam are presented. Eighteen cross sections, with three different reinforcement ratio (0.007, 0.010 and 0.013), two different yield strength of reinforcement (400MPa-nominal strength steel and 500MPa-high strength steel) and three different concrete compressive strengths (25MPa, 30MPa and 35MPa) have been built and analyzed. An effort is made to order the performance of the samples according to moment capacity and ductility. From the program it has been observed that, moment capacity is higher in highly reinforced section. But more ductility is obtained from a lower reinforced high strength steel beam. The use of higher strength steel helps to maintain minimum level of flexural ductility along with higher flexural strength. It also leads to reduce construction cost by reducing dimension of a concrete section and by reducing steel requirement.

Several substituted N-Phenyl maleimide were prepared and their mass spectra in EI mode were recorded. The effects of substituents on the mass spectral fragmentation of compounds under investigation are interpreted by correlating log Z/Z0 with simple and extended Hammett equations. The log Z/Z0 values in all the cases were subjected to multiple linear regression analysis using two sets of biparametric equations (Taft and Swain equations). The results of the multiple linear regression analysis are found to be good in the cases.

The rapid rate of uncontrolled urban development is becoming a major challenge facing policy makers in the urban areas. Increase in population demands has led to high demand for housing hence scramble for space. This paper gives an overview of the global and local situation in regard to the adverse effects of uncontrolled urban development on the basic amenities in sub-saharan Africa. The paper was based on Mann’s Urban Model which emphasizes the need for a systematic growth of urban centers in a more concentric and planned manner. It was based on a study undertaken in Eldoret town; Kenya strives to discuss uncontrolled urban development and its mitigations. It was a case study, focusing on two informal settlements: Langas and Munyaka selected purposely. The two settlements were selected for study due to; the high density and consolidation and they are settlements outlying on the urban periphery with lack of appropriate infrastructure, poor maintenance regimes, overcrowding, uncontrolled and conflicting land uses. Arising from the study is that lack of adequate professional planners private land owners are not exposed to proper professional advice resulting in land use plans which reflect the wishes of land owners. People find immediate, although substandard, solutions to their occupation problem which carries a negative impact for the overall urban structure. It limits the expansion of infrastructure, Illegal connection, Vandalism of water transmission lines, poses a serious health hazard of the town and pressures on service and utility systems, hence system overload. This study recommends that, the current cadastral system in the different counties should provide useful information for formulating development plans, which will form a basis of managing the expansion of medium sized towns.

Adolescent delinquency is a major health concern. BSFT is one of the many family therapies targeting the youth and their families as a system throughout the treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) in treating juvenile delinquents. The study was conducted at Shikusa Borstal institution, Kakamega County which was purposively chosen as one of the three Borstal institutions in the country. The study used a quasi-experimental study design with pre and post- test evaluations using both quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments. Purposive sampling was used to pick the 67 participants who were screened and scored positively both on CD and ADHD. Data was collected using socio-demographic and standardized tools. The standardized tools included Family Assessment Measure and Youth Self Report (YSR) for Ages 11-18. The Family Assessment Measure (FAM111) questionnaire was used at pre-test evaluation only while YSR was used at both pre- and post-test evaluations. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. The results showed proportionate morbidity rate of 61.2% of the 67 sampled delinquents having CD and 59.7% having ADHD while 22.4% had a comorbid of CD and ADHD. A t-test was used to determine the statistical significance in the paired mean difference scores between baseline and midline as well as endline. Results showed statistical significance for both CD and at ADHD (p<0.0001). Cohen’s d effect sizes for the ADHD and CD were calculated and showed statistically significant effect size for both ADHD and CD. Results indicated that BSFT was effective in reducing the symptoms of both CD and ADHD among the juvenile delinquents, consequently treating delinquency with a statistical significant significance of P<0.0001.

The purpose of contour farming is to reduce runoff and soil erosion on mild slopes. This practice can also increase crop yield through the soil moisture retention in arid and semi-arid regions. Results showed contour cultivation reduced the annual runoff as 10% in compared with cultivation perpendicular to the slope. Also cultivation and planting along contour lines in comparison with cultivation and planting downwards the slop reduced soil losses and water losses as 49.5 and 32%, respectively. Although contour farming reduces runoff and soil erosion largely, but when it's combined with other conservation tillage such as no-tillage or minimum tillage can be more effective. Contour farming on permanent raised beds combined with residue retained on the soil surface is suggested according the results of previous studies as the best practice on mild slopes.

The study on the effect of different weed management techniques on some chemical properties of soil was carried out on the university teaching and research farm in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State. This project was aimed at determining whether there will be a difference between soil chemical properties in areas treated with herbicide and those without herbicide treatment in the study area. The soil was examined in the field during the survey period after which eight profile pits were dug. Four of the pits were treated with herbicide, while four was not treated with herbicide. The soil samples were taken to the laboratory for analysis. The pH of the soil was found to range from moderately acidic to moderate alkaline with a mean pH values of 6.52 and 6.64 in herbicide and non herbicide use respectively. The electrical conductivity was found to be very low with mean values of herbicide and non-herbicides use of 0.02 and 0.25 respectively. Organic carbon of the soil was found to be moderate. And only organic compound was found to correlation with a significant difference. The exchangeable cations were generally found to be low and the total nitrogen was also found to be low. Generally, soils with chemical weed management practices were found to differ from those managed without chemicals. The major limitation of this project is that, other factor which may cause changes in the soul chemical properties were not considered in this study. I will recommend that further research be done to eliminate all other factors that can cause a change in soil chemical properties in other to determine more accurately the effect of herbicide on soils.

The ability to access, evaluate and use information is a prerequisite for lifelong learning, and a basic requirement for the information society.Information literacy (IL) program in academic libraries involves the process of imparting library users with the information skills that can help them identify their information needs, locate, retrieve, evaluate and effectively use that information for problem solving. This study investigatedthe effects information literacy programs in academic libraries.The specific objectives of the study were to: find out the levels of information literacy skills among students; identify the role of libraries in the integration of information literacy programs; establish the methods used in the provision of an information literacy programs; and to find out the students’ perceptions on information literacy programs. The study adopted the seven ways orfaces of information literacy model by Bruce (1997). This study employed the descriptive and explanatory research designs. The study employed both non probability and probability sampling techniques. The study sample was stratified according to the level of education of the respondents and convenience sampling was used in administering the questionnaires. The study sample comprised 335 users and 2 librarians who were selected using purposive sampling.Data was analyzed descriptively using SPSS 23 and presented in form of tables and figures. The findings of the study showed that the majority of the respondents understood the meaning of information literacy, they used the OPAC system and E-resources to locate, access, retrieve and effectively use the information acquired. The methods employed in the teaching information literacy skills included carrying out annual orientation programs for new students, organizing library workshops and demonstrations. However, it is evident that majority of library users lacked information searching and retrieval skills and this is due to the fact that they did not undergo a well-organized information literacy program, and that university students rely heavily on the internet for their academic work or research. The study concluded that although there have been efforts to ensure information literacy among university students, there is need to build on these efforts through collaborative efforts between librarians and faculty members particularly through joint curriculum design and implementation. There are some forms of information literacy training in the institution, however the training offered is not adequate to promote lifelong learning due to lack of standardized information literacy programs and lack of information literacy policies. The findings of the study will be significant to the policy makers by helping them to make sound policies that will enhance the development of information literacy skills among university students. Various methods should be used for teaching and assessing the information literacy skills of the students, which includes: one-on-one instruction, interactive classes, online tutorials, as well as building assignments around research situations.Lecturers should also be encouraged to use e-library resources and computers as well as the Internet and online searching skills as part of the students’ assignments.

The present paper addresses the differential effect on students’ general comprehension taught through modular and traditional teaching approaches at secondary school level. The study was conducted in one male and one female secondary school. Sample for conducting experiment was selected randomly from population of grade 9 students. Data was obtained through administration of general comprehension based teacher-made test. The data was analyzed by applying statistical package for social science through independent sample t test. Conclusions showed that there were significant differences between modular and traditional in general comprehension of students’. Findings depicted that students taught through modular approach gained higher mean score in teacher made general comprehension-based test than students taught through traditional approach. Findings reported significant gender difference in general comprehension of male and female students where male students performed significantly better than female students on general comprehension based test.

In this study, Piper longum (long pepper), Piper nigram (black pepper) and Zingiber officinale (dried zinger) were incorporated with artificial feeds formulated to understand their effects on survival, growth, activities of digestive enzymes and biochemical constituents in Macrobrachium rosenbergii post larvae (PL). These herbs were independently incorporated with basal ingredients at a concentration of 5% each, and fed to M. rosenbergii PL (1.56±0.08 cm; 0.074± 0.02 g) for a period of 60 days under laboratory condition with triplicates. A significant improvement (P<0.05) in survival and growth performance (weight gain, specific growth rate, food conversion ratio), elevation in activities of digestive enzymes (protease, amylase and lipase), increased concentrations of total protein, non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamins C and E), and mineral salts (sodium and potassium) were recorded in P. longum incorporated feed fed PL followed by P. nigram and Z. officinale when compared with control. Polypeptide bands of molecular weight between 116-14 kDa were resolved in the muscle of PL fed with control as well as herbs incorporated feeds. Generally, there were eleven Coomassie blue stained protein bands (116, 58, 51, 45, 38, 33, 25, 18, 17, 16 and 14kDa) were calculated in herbal incorporated test samples. The general comparison between control and experimental groups revealed that there was more number of bands resolved in herbals incorporated feeds fed PL. Therefore, it is suggested that these medicinal herbs have their own influence in protein synthesis. In this study, the overall results indicated the fact that these herbs have acted as appetizers and hence, enhanced the secretion of digestive enzymes, which facilitated efficient digestion, absorption of nutrients and favoured for general health, which in turn ultimately produced better survival and growth of M. rosenbergii PL. Therefore, these herbs can be taken as feed additives in sustainable development of freshwater prawn culture.