Ahmadu Bello University Research Articles

Depth estimation of buried targets using integrated geophysical methods: comparative studies at Ahmadu bello university geophysics test site

Accurate prediction of depth and position of underground structures is a critical step in structural foundation surveys such as civil engineering excavations to adequately maintain the existing underground utilities. The study presents the results of comparative studies conducted to evaluate the performance of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) alongside the VLF-EM method regarding depth estimation and location of buried targets of known materials, properties and dimensions. A laboratory test was carried out on the buried targets to determine the electrical properties of the buried targets before burial. The pre-burial geophysical investigation indicates no major anomaly within the site that could influence the geophysical response of the buried objects significantly. The results of the post-burial geophysical investigation indicate high variations in electrical resistivity values varying from 47 Ωm – 1081 Ωm (before) and 0.113 Ωm – 19,879 Ωm (after) the buried targets, while the VLF-EM data indicates that the current density values within the site were significantly influenced due to the presence of buried materials, confirming major influence or distortion of geophysical signature of the site. In post-burial ERT investigation, the Wenner and dipole-dipole (DD) arrays registered 67 % and 80 % degrees of alignment with the actual depth of the buried targets, respectively. Both Wenner and DD arrays show strength in depth estimation. However, the DD array indicates higher strength in terms of depth estimation and it is potentially suitable for near-surface utilities investigation due to its high precision in depth estimation. In comparison, VLF-EM captured six (6) out of eight (8) buried targets with a 47 % degree of alignment with the actual depth of the buried targets, which is far lower than the ER method, and may not be considered the most preferable method for geophysical prospecting where depth estimation of targets is of prime interest. However, the depth of targets varies from one method to another and one array to another.

Genetic Variability and Correlation for Traits Related to Drought Tolerance in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Different Water Regimes

The understanding of the variability existing in a population base of crop is pivotal to crop improvement. This study examined the variance components, heritability estimates and correlations between some morphological and physiological traits related to drought tolerance in groundnuts under two water regimes, to speed up the selection and breeding of groundnut genotypes tolerant to drought. The experiment was carried at the Research Farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University. Data collected for performance evaluation were number of days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of pods/plant, seed weight/plant and pod yield/plant. Physiological traits related to drought tolerance measured included, Harvest Index (HI), SPAD Chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) at 40, 60 and 80 Days after showing (DAS). Variance components, Genetic Coefficient of Variation (GCV), Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) and broad-sense heritability were calculated for all the traits recorded. Results showed that number of pods/plant, seed weight/plant, SCMR at 60 DAS and HI showed a strong positive and highly significant (P<0.01) with pod yield/plant in all watering conditions. Heritability of the traits ranged from 8.16%- 60.00% with pod yield/plant having the highest value and days to 50% flowering having the lowest values in non-stress (NS), while under water stress condition, heritability was low to moderate from 0.53-53.33%. The SCMR at 60 DAS, number of pods/plant and HI had moderate heritability and significant correlation with pod yield/plant under water stress condition, these traits could be useful criteria in drought tolerance selection.

Contamination of Keys with Parasite Eggs/Cysts within Ahmadu Bello University (Samaru Campus), Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Infections caused by intestinal parasites are widespread causing significant problems in individuals and have become a public health menace. The prevailing environmental factors alongside contamination of various objects with different stages of parasites aids the fast distribution and infection of various species of parasites. The prevalence of parasitic eggs, cysts, and oocysts on keys used for door locks and other similar locks was investigated within the Samaru Campus of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. One hundred and four (104) key sets were collected and examined, one set at a time using the formol-saline sedimentation technique. Seven parasites comprising of Coccidian oocysts 11(10.6%), Cryptosporadium spp 3(2.9%), Ascaris lumbricoides 1(1.0%), Toxocara spp 1(1.0%), Strongyloides spp 2(1.9%), Schistosoma mansoni 1(1.0%), Mites 2(1.9%) and a mixed contamination of A. lumbricoides and Toxocara spp 1(1.0%) were identified. Chi-square was used to analyze data and among the risk factors tested, keys that are few in a bunch are seen to have the highest prevalence of contamination with parasitic eggs, cysts, and oocysts, which were also statistically significant (P=0.03346). The findings of this study show that different parasites of public health occur on keys, therefore, it can be concluded that the keys can serve as channels through which parasitic eggs, cysts, and oocysts can be disseminated; and should be disinfected appropriately and often.

Cassia tora (L.) Seeds, An Alternative Host to Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic.) Infestation: A Preliminary Research Note

An investigation was carried out in the laboratory of the Department of Microbiology, Federal University Dutsin-Ma to identify and evaluate the effect of an insect pest attack on the proximate composition of Cassia tora L. in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria. A laboratory culture of naturally infested seeds of C. tora was kept at 20-25°C ± 2°C and 70 % relative humidity in a plastic cup measuring 8.80 cm (outside lid diameter) cut at the centre (5.80 cm inner diameter) to complete metamorphosis. The emerged adult was taken to Insect Museum, Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for identification at the. The result of the identification revealed it as Callosobruchus subinnotatus Pic. [Coleoptera: Bruchidae]. The insect is widely known to be a primary pest of Bambara nut, Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdcourt. The insect is reported in this research as an alternative host in periods when Bambara nut is not available. Therefore, farmers in the area should observe adequate farm sanitation by keeping their farms devoid of Cassia tora weeds to eliminate likely hibernation sites.

Phytochemical Evaluation and Lethal Concentration of Aqueous Extract of Adansonia digitata Fruit Pulp in Clarias gariepinus

The study was aimed at assessing the lethal concentration 50 (LC50) of aqueous extract of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp (AEADFP) in Clarias gariepinus. Adansonia digitata fruit pulp was obtained at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U), Zaria, Nigeria. Proximate nutrient composition was determined according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemist. Maceration method was employed for Adansonia digitata fruit pulp extraction using distilled water, and thereafter, screened for phytochemical constituents. A total of 200 African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) weighing between 185 ± 5 g (27-36 cm) were used for determination of LC50 of AEADFP using standard procedure at the aquaculture animal house Unite of Department of Veterinary Pathology, A.B.U., Zaria. Twenty (20) fish were used for range finding test, while 180 fish for LC50 evaluation. The experimental fish were observed for clinical signs of toxicity and mortality. The result of proximate nutrient composition of Adansonia digitata fruit revealed the presence of carbohydrate, lipid, protein, ash, moisture, and crude fiber. Qualitative phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenol, terpenoid, glycosides, saponins, anthraquinone, steroids, reducing sugar and alkaloids, while quantitative phytochemical assay showed that total Phenol and alkaloid had highest and lowest concentration, respectively. There was neither mortality nor any clinical sign of toxicity observed for the 96 hours post-administration to AEADFP up to 5000 mg/L. Conclusively, AEADFP had nutritional and bioactive compounds that are important in biological processes. The lethal concentration of AEADFP is above 5000 mg/L; hence, relatively safer for use in medicinal purposes.

Abstract 2158: Emerging epidemiological cancer trends among West African adults in Zaria, Nigeria (1972 to 2022)

Abstract Cancer incidence and mortality rates in Africa are increasing, with sub-Saharan Africa reporting 2.7-fold higher fatality than global averages. The incidence of cancer in Africa in 2020 was about 1.1 million new cases, with 711,000 deaths, indicating a mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) of 0.64. These cancer challenges in Africa necessitate a concerted approach towards effective cancer control and management. Here, we present an extensive report of emerging epidemiological cancer trends among West African adults seen between 1972-2022 in Zaria, Nigeria. We used the Zaria cancer registry of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria, Nigeria to obtain information on histologically diagnosed cancers from January 1st, 1972 to December 31, 2022. Records in the Zaria registry are indexed into a register paper-based and 2008 and transferred by CanReg4 software on the computer. We used WHO classification of tumors (WHO Blue Book) 5th edition to classify all the abstracted cancers for the purpose of this study. Time-trend analyses were performed by utilizing linear regression models. In the analysis of the Zaria cancer registry, 12,114 adults (42.2% male, 57.8% female) were diagnosed with histologically confirmed cancer between 1972 - 2022. The most common diagnosis among male cancer patients was prostate cancer, comprising a quarter of all cases. The median age of diagnosis for prostate cancer was 65 years, with an interquartile range (IQR) of 60 and 70. Among female cancer patients, the most common diagnoses were cervical cancer and breast cancer, together comprising 68.2% of all cases. Median age at diagnosis were 45 (IQR, 40-56) and 42 (IQR, 35-50), respectively. In time-trend analyses, the total number of new cancer cases diagnosed at ABUTH from 1972 to 2022 increased over time (p<0.001). In the analyses of individual cancers, those in which the number of new cases increased over time were neoplasms of the bones and joints, breast, cervix, prostate, colorectum and stomach, head and neck (p<0.001); esophagus (p=0.006); eye and orbit and soft tissue (p=0.002); and ovary (p=0.005). Cancers in which the number of new cases decreased over time were Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma of the skin, and non-melanoma cancer of the skin (p<0.001). The number of new adult cancer diagnoses recorded in the Zaria cancer registry have increased over time from 1972 to 2022. Prostate cancer accounted for a quarter of all cancer cases among males, whereas cervical cancer and breast cancer accounted for nearly 70% of all cases among females. Westernization with associated change in dietary habits, physical inactivity, obesity and reproductive behaviors and changes in the population size and life expectancy may be attributable factors to change in cancer in Zaria. Better understanding of these factors will inform cancer prevention and control strategies. Citation Format: Faruk Mohammed, David J. Lee, Katy Graef, Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, Sani Ibrahim, Sirajo Mohammed Aminu, Ahmed Adamu, Adamu Abdullahi, Aishatu Maude Suleiman, Abdullahi Mohammed, John Idoko, Abdulkadir Lawal Rafindadi, Danladi Amodu Ameh, Bello Ahmad Kumo, Ahmad Bello, Abdullahi Jubril Randawa, Oguntayo Olanrewaju Adekunle, Usman Mohammed Aminu, Muhammad Manko, Olasinde Tajudeen Tajudeen, Lazarus M. Yusufu, Mohammed Dauda Maigatari, Lawal Khalid, Dahiru Ismail, Aliyu Ahmed Babadoko, Ahmed Tijjani Lawal, Abdullahi Alfa Mohammed, Yahaya Ukwenya, Ahmed Mai, Maitama Yusuf Hussaini, Anisah Yahaya, Caitlin Bishop, Jennifer Dent, Timothy R. Rebbeck, Yawale Iliyasu. Emerging epidemiological cancer trends among West African adults in Zaria, Nigeria (1972 to 2022) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2158.

Gross Alpha and Gross Beta Activity Concentrations in Living Stone Potato in the Mining and Non-Mining Areas of Barkin-Ladi, Plateau State

The gross alpha and gross beta activity concentration in Living-stone Potato (Plectranthus esculentus), obtained in selected mining and non-mining areas of Barkin-Ladi, Plateau state have been determined. Sample tubers of Living-stone Potato were collected from mining and non-mining areas using a random sampling approach. The samples were taken directly from the farm and examined at Ahmadu Bello University's Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) in Zaria using a gas-filled proportional counter (MPC 2000 dual phosphor detector) with alpha and beta background of 0.5 cpm and 0.73 cpm, respectively. The results show that alpha activity in sample areas ranged from 0.005306 ± 0.00793 Bq/g to 0.03535 ± 0.00142 Bq/g with an average value of 0.03255 ± 0.00701 Bq/g. The gross alpha activity concentration was determined to be higher in the mining locations. The beta activity concentration ranges from 0.00349 ±0.0198 to 0.01397 ± 0.0198 Bq/g, with an average value of 0.03622 ± 0.00196 Bq/g. The greatest value of 0.01397 ± 0.0198 Bq/g was reported in the mining area. The lowest value was recorded below the detection limit of the machine utilized. Interestingly, all of the activities examined (alpha and beta) were found to be below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended consumption values of 0.1 Bq/g and 1.0 Bq/g for alpha and beta, respectively. The rise in alpha and beta activity that has been observed in mining areas may be associated with the quality of irrigation water, local human activities like mining around farms, and fertilizer use in farming. The public consuming these products, however, may not be adversely affected by the outcomes in a significant way.

Molecular characterization of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors in coagulase – negative staphylococci nasal isolates among adult patients in a tertiary hospital in North-Western Nigeria

Coagulase-negative staphylococci are harmless microorganisms that can become pathogenic when the host resistance is impaired. Their ability to exhibit multidrug-resistance and form biofilm limit treatment options and contributes to the health and financial burden on health care systems worldwide. This study aimed to provide data on the acquisition and expression of genetic elements associated with resistance and virulence in the organisms from nasal colonization of adults admitted to a University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. One hundred and twenty-three presumptive staphylococci isolates were obtained from the medical microbiology laboratory of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. The isolates were characterized, and the antibiotics susceptibility pattern assessed. Biofilm formation was evaluated by the micro-titre plate method, and polymerase chain reaction was used to detect resistance genes (mecA and ermB), virulence gene (psm-mec) and adhesin genes, (icaAB, icaC and icaD) in the isolates. Out of the 60 coagulase-negative staphylococci isolates, 50 (83.3%) were strong biofilm formers, 5 (8.3%) were moderate biofilm formers and 5 (8.3%) were weak biofilm formers. For the 14 isolates that were characterized by PCR, mecA and ermB resistance genes were detected in 78% and 71% of the isolates respectively. Twenty-one percent had psm-mec virulence gene while biofilm adhesin genes, icaAB and icaD were detected in 36% and 57% respectively, icaC gene was not detected. This study confirmed formation of biofilm, carriage of resistance and virulence genes which have been shown to play a role in pathogenesis. This study shows the necessity of the periodical monitoring of the drug resistance pattern and virulence factors of coagulase-negative staphylococci.

The Studying of Magnetic Anomalies Due to Shallow Underground Targets and the Environmental Applications.

The magnetic method of investigation is a well-known and dependable technique for detecting underground ferro-materials. However, the application of the magnetic method to identify the exact position of underground targets such as buried explosive devices (BED), illegally buried waste (IBW), metallic storage tanks, utility pipes, and communication cables is quite challenging in both civil and environmental engineering. This article presents the results of the investigation performed at a 55m by 55m area within the Ahmadu Bello University Geophysical Test Site (ABUGTS) to study the signals generated by similar buried targets to simulate situations encountered in environmental engineering. The total magnetic intensity (TMI) of the site without buried targets was obtained to identify the possible existing underground materials or faults that could generate false geophysical data. The magnetic susceptibility of the buried targets was determined in the laboratory before the burial to validate the field results. The influence of the buried materials over the magnetic signature of the site was examined, showing the TMI values vary between 34966 nT and 44510 nT before burial and 351607 nT to 49795 nT after burial. The Euler deconvolution (ED) and residual maps alongside the signal enhancement maps like analytical signal and first vertical derivative (FVD) were employed to study the magnetic anomalies due to buried targets. The results of the data interpretation confirmed the existence of cluster anomaly source bodies due to buried targets. The ED delineates the depth of the buried targets varying between 0.7m – 3.3m corresponding with the actual depth of burial. The analytical signal map produced a perfect behaviour of the magnetic anomalies to buried targets, capturing all the buried targets buried at the site. However, the shape of the anomaly signal is almost independent of the buried target orientation with a spherical pattern of anomalies. However, the exact size and shape of the buried targets were not achieved. Nevertheless, the FVD and analytical signal maps perform better than the residual and TMI maps due to the substantially smaller magnetic anomalies of the buried targets similar to expected. In addition, stronger magnetic anomaly signals occur maximally around buried larger ferro-materials with precise prediction of the buried target position. The magnetic method is a very powerful, convenient, cheap, and time-saving geophysical tool for investigating underground targets, which is highly applicable in engineering and environmental contexts.

The Use of Online English Language Learning Platforms by Undergraduate Students of Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau

The status of the English language in Nigeria has made it the most widely used language. People of various backgrounds aspire to speak the language and become competent in it. With technological advancement, which led to the social media invention, various means of teaching the English language are made available on different platforms. Therefore, this paper aims to find out the online English language learning platforms by undergraduate students of Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau. Three objectives were formulated to guide this study. These are, to find out the students’ awareness of the vast online platforms for learning the English Language, to find out the aspect of the English language the students have an interest in studying and to determine the benefit of engagement in the chosen aspect. Rogers’ (2003) Diffusion of Innovation theory was adopted as the theoretical framework- The population of the study consists of 1,417 Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-affiliated undergraduate students of various fields of study. Purposive sampling was used to select level two English language students. Focus group discussion was used for data collection and thematic analysis of the data was conducted. The finding is by Roger's (2003) Diffusion of Innovation theory which emphasises that “getting a new idea adopted, even when it has obvious advantages, is difficult” Hence, the availability of more user satisfaction, compatibility, simplicity, triability, and observability make the Innovation-Diffusion process faster. Therefore, the present study concludes that the use of these vast materials by the students is very low. However, the participants who employ its use agreed on its enormous benefits and have tagged it as a priority.

Radiological Safety Assessment of Tailings Extracted from Kaolin Mining Sites in Katsina State

This research was carried out to sufficiently justify the recent increased awareness and concern for the potential hazards associated NORMs in the environment of the research around Kankara and Dutsin-ma Kaolin mining sites Katsina State; Nine (09) Kaolin samples were collected randomly from the mining sites for the study. The radioactivity analysis was done experimentally using NaI(TI) gamma spectrometer at Center for energy research and training, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. The health hazards were evaluated using numerous radiological, Statistical and USEPA models. The overall hazard index (HI) was found to be 1.496609 for children found in third sampling point of Yar-goje are; it is the only possibility of a children to be affected while 0.799486 for adults, this value was below the USEPA threshold limit for non-carcinogenic risks of 1.0 indicating that the exposed population ages are unlikely to experience any adverse non-carcinogenic risks. The radiological parameters obtained are 226Ra (238U), 232Th and 40K of a NORMs with activity concentration of is 100.889, 0.129 and 224.040 (Bqkg-1) in the soil samples, at the studied area. Absorbed frequency in air measured in nGy/h by one-meter directly above the crushed, was considered, since the forbidding radioactivity concentrations is obtained as 77.575 while the total annual effective dose (AED) in mSv/y had average value of 0.099 in soil. The values obtained for external and internal radiological hazard indices Hext and Hint are 0.471 and 0.741 in soil; which were lower than the UNSCEAR suggested boundary limit of unity. Lastly, the overall excess lifetime cancer menace owed to NORMs, stood as 5.63E-06 and 4.15E-06 for whole populations indicating that (a maximum of 6 people/1 million may be affected) for adults while (a maximum of 4 people /1 million may be affected) for children. These values were within the USEPA threshold of 1E-04.

Discrimination and social identity: interrogating the impact of local lingua francas on inclusion politics in public institutions in Nigeria

AbstractThis study is concerned with addressing discrimination in public spaces and interrogates the extent to which the social identity function of a local lingua franca impacted inclusion politics in leadership selections for public institutions in Africa. Guided by social identity and ethnolinguistic identity theories, selecting Ahmadu Bello University in Northern Nigeria as a case study, and using the qualitative research technique, this study found a three-level ethno-religious discriminatory categorization – Core Northerners, Peripheral Northerners and Non-Northerners – accommodated within the institution’s power hierarchy. Fluency in Hausa, the local lingua franca in Northern Nigeria, was the common factor. Although the language was not a requirement for appointment, it turned out to be the marker of social identity that positively impacted inclusion politics. With extensive linguistic acculturation, African nation states are better off investing in the propagation of the local lingua franca to address negative discrimination in public spaces.

Musculoskeletal disorders and their associated factors among individuals with diabetes mellitus in northwest Nigeria.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing public health problem causing a significant amount of disability and mortality in Nigeria. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common complications associated with DM. However, studies on the prevalence of MSDs and their associated factors are limited in Nigeria, particularly in the northwest region. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of MSDs and their associated factors among individuals with DM in northwest, Nigeria. A retrospective cross-sectional survey of medical case records of all consecutive patients with DM attending a diabetic clinic in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria was conducted between February 2015 and September 2021. Data on sociodemographic and clinical variables was collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. Four hundred eighty-nine cases (170 men [34.8%], 319 females [65.2%]; mean age: 51.4 ±12.3 years) were analysed. The majority of the participants had type 2 DM (96.7%), with a mean DM duration of 7.02 ±5.05 years. The overall prevalence of MSDs was 32.7%, with the highest prevalence found for lumbosacral spondylosis (11%) followed by knee osteoarthritis (8.4%). Among the different potential predictors examined, only duration of DM was significantly associated with overall MSDs (AOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.04-2.98; p = 0.035) whereas both duration of DM (AOR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.19-5.89; p = 0.018) and body mass index (AOR: 7.461, 95% CI: 1.33-43.8; p = 0.023) were significantly associated with lumbosacral spondylosis. Approximately one-third of the study participants had MSDs, with lumbosacral spondylosis being the most frequently occurring disorder. Being obese and having a longer duration of DM were associated with MSDs. Clinicians in Nigeria need to pay attention to MSDs and related factors in DM patients by conducting routine assessments and implementing early treatment.

Impact of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on nutrient uptake and the growth of <i>C. retusa<?i> and <i>S. occidentalis<?i> under phosphorus stress

This study investigates the influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on the growth of Crotallaria retusa and Senna occidentalis under three phosphorus levels (low, medium, and high). Conducted in the experimental garden of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, the soil samples were collected from a degraded site at the Institute of Agricultural Research, sieved, and sterilized. Perforated buckets were filled with sterilized soil, and the trench method was employed for AMF application. Three phosphorus levels were tested, and seeds of C. retusa and S. occidentalis were planted in individual buckets. Daily watering and observations were carried out for twelve weeks, measuring seedling height, leaf length, width, and number of leaves. The results indicate that high phosphorus concentration (12g/bucket) constrains the growth of C. retusa, while medium concentration (6g/bucket) enhances shoot length, branches, and leaves. AMF inoculation significantly improves growth attributes, but reduced growth in C. retusa under high phosphorus suggests potential incompatibility between phosphorus and AMF. At week 6, medium phosphorus (6g/bucket) resulted in more leaves (122.17±37.61) than low and high levels. Lowest growth occurred at low phosphorus (0g/bucket). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improved overall growth, but high phosphorus hindered C. retusa growth due to potential incompatibility with AMF. Overall, the study highlights the complex interplay between AMF, phosphorus levels, and plant growth, offering insights into optimizing conditions for the cultivation of C. retusa and S. occidentalis.

Factors Facilitating the Perpetration of Medical Identity Theft: A Case of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria

Medical Identity Theft is a pressing concern in healthcare systems, influenced by intricate motivations and vulnerabilities. This study investigates facilitating factorsbehind MIT, uncovers internal vulnerabilities, and proposes mitigation strategies. This study contributes to patient well-being and trust by fostering a secure healthcareenvironment through holistic MIT prevention strategies. A mixed-methods approach was employed, encompassing quantitative and qualitative aspects to explore the perpetration of MIT, Zaria, a significant healthcare institution. The diverse sample of 388 participants, including patients, healthcare providers, and stakeholders, was obtained through stratified random sampling. Structured interviews and questionnaires gathered primary data.Findings showcase a diverse workforce with a mid-career presence and gender distribution in technical roles. Significant facilitating factors for MIT encompassfinancial gain, fraudulent service access, and expense avoidance, necessitating robust patient identification procedures and comprehensive strategies. Internal vulnerabilitiesand inadequate data security underscore the need for enhanced measures, updated systems, and education. Respondents endorse a multifaceted approach, advocatingbiometric identification, authentication, patient photograph display, unique identifiers, access controls, staff training, real-time data verification, audit trails, data encryption,and patient education. Collaboration, awareness, and technology emerge as key elements in safeguarding patient data, ethical healthcare standards, and integrity. Findings advocate a comprehensive approach, emphasizing collaboration, awareness, and technology in addressing MIT

Triaxial Testing of Okpella Granite with Kaolinite Material to Achieve Workable Ceramic Refractory

The use of locally sourced materials towards meeting our local needs is inevitable in this era of recession, especially in Nigeria. There is the urgent need to discourage the extreme and awkward dependence of local potters and ceramists on imported materials and ceramic items so as to profound substitute-able solutions to the challenges facing the country’s ceramic production. Local alternative to the sustenance and survival of the ceramic industry is paramount especially to the developmental and technological growth of our economy. It is this quest that necessitated the need for a research development and documentation of locally sourced refractory materials using three materials namely Granite, Ball Clay and Kaolin. These were compounded to derive working formula for a workable refractory in ceramic production, after a series of tests on different formulae. The result analyses from the Centre for Energy Research and Training, (CERT) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in Nigeria shows a relatively high percentage of refractoriness as found in Silicon Dioxide which in Granite was 50.7 percent, Ball Clay 61.2 percent and Kaolin 42.4 percent.

Investigation into the Optimization Process of Adsorbent Dosage on Heavy Metal Removal

Heavy metals represent pervasive environmental hazards, posing significant threats to human health and ecological balance owing to their enduring presence and toxic nature. Addressing the removal of heavy metals from Ahmadu Bello University’s wastewater stabilization pond (WSP) which was designed to handle the organic pollutants and heavy metals found in the university's generated wastewater, stands as a critical imperative in curtailing these deleterious impacts. Employing adsorption techniques with appropriate adsorbents emerges as a promising avenue for achieving efficient heavy metal removal. This study delves into the optimization of adsorbent dosage using pH of 7.0 condition to study the efficiency of cadmium removal as the selected response, whose optimum variables were used to investigate the effect of pH variation and time for the removal efficacy of other heavy metals, specifically chromium, lead, and copper from WSP. Leveraging a design of experiments approach, the corn cob adsorbent dosage (ranging from 10 to 20 g) and concentrations of cadmium heavy metal solutions (ranging from 20 to 100 g) were varied, utilizing Design Expert software, aimed at pinpointing the optimal dosage and assessing adsorption capacities. The experimental findings underscore the pivotal role of optimized adsorbent dosage and pH conditions in enhancing the efficiency of heavy metal removal from the WSP. The optimum corn cob adsorbent dosage of 15 g exhibited commendable cadmium heavy metal removal efficiency which was selected for optimization study among the other identified heavy metals present in the WSP used, reaching 94.8 % at the end of 98th days. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that peak adsorption efficiencies at the end of study period of 98th days for chromium, lead, and copper were attained at a neutral pH of 7.0, yielding removal percentages of 94.5 %, 93.6 %, and 93.6 %, respectively. In conclusion, these insights emphasize the critical importance of systematically fine-tuning adsorbent dosage and pH conditions to maximize heavy metal removal efficacy.

Evaluation of land use impact on soil quality in Samaru College of Agriculture, Northern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria

Abstract Land use changes influence soil quality, which is of fundamental importance in sustainable crop production and environmental management. This study evaluated land use impact on soil quality at Samaru College of Agriculture farm, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. The land use types were Tomato/Pepper, Grapevine/Fluted pumpkin, Mango/Orange, and Guava/Mango. A profile pit was dug in each land unit. Soil samples were collected from genetic horizons, prepared, and analysed in the laboratory using standard methods. Sand, silt, and clay differed significantly (p < 0.05) among the land uses. The soil texture varied from clay loam to clay. Bulk density (BD) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher under Mango/Orange and Guava/Mango than other land use types. The soil reaction (pH) ranged from 5.0 to 5.8 and was strongly to moderately acidic. Soil organic carbon was low (< 10 g/kg), total nitrogen values of 0.19 – 0.24 g/kg were low, and available phosphorus values of 1.8 – 27.4 mg/kg were rated low to high across the land use types. Soils under the Grapevine/Fluted pumpkin land use type were significantly higher in organic carbon, exchangeable potassium, sodium, and effective cation exchange capacity than the other land use types. Soil quality under Grapevine/Fluted pumpkin was rated best (80 %), whereas soil quality under Tomato/Pepper land use type was the worst (40 %). The soils were low-to-high in quality and had a higher potential to support crop production if management practices that encourage the build-up of nutrients in the soil system were adopted. The application of manure, liming materials, and phosphorus-based fertilisers is advocated.

Assessment of Potential of Sugarcane Bagasse as Substrate in the Growth of Selected Fungal Species

The cost of culture media is continuously rising at a very fast rate, thus, there is need to devise means by which low-cost media of comparative performance could be produced. This study was aimed at assessing the potential of sugarcane bagasse (one of the major waste biomasses in Northern Nigeria) to directly support fungal growth, as it contains a considerable amount of nutrients for growth. Isolates of Aspergillus flavus and Trichophyton species obtained from the Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria were used for this study. The sugarcane bagasse was dried, cut into smaller pieces then ground into finer particles (1-2mm diameter) using a milling machine and sterilized in Petridishes by autoclaving. The fungal isolates Aspergillus flavus and Trichophyton species were resuscitated and authenticated using standard procedures, and then inoculated aseptically onto duplicate plates of the sugarcane bagasse and other minerals, and incubated at a temperature of 25oC for 7days. It was observed that the sugarcane bagasse supported a luxuriant and rapid growth of both fungi without any visible form of contamination. It was also observed that A. flavus grew more luxuriantly, consuming about 52.5% of the original amount of the bagasse than Trichophyton species, which consumed 32.5%. Sugarcane bagasse as a growth medium does not essentially meet the needs for growth of every microbe, most especially bacteria, and therefore, it can be used effectively to minimize contamination by microorganisms other than fungi. It can therefore be used as a good alternative and cheaper medium for the detection of fungi in the laboratory. This could also be an easier and cost-effective means by which wastes such as sugarcane bagasse could be removed from the environment, as opposed to using hazardous methods like burning, which could cause air pollution.

WASTE LEMON PEEL AS A CIRCULAR SOLUTION FOR THE REMEDIATION OF LEAD-CONTAMINATED SLUDGE FOR LAND APPLICATION

Lead-contaminated sludge is a major environmental concern, as land application of this material can contaminate surfaces with toxic heavy metals. To address this, a novel approach to utilizing waste lemon peel (WLP) for the remediation of lead-contaminated sludge for land application with the circular economy in perspective is presented. The WLP was collected from local producers and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to determine the functional groups present. The hydroxyl, carboxyl, ether, and amide groups are the main functional groups in the sample and they have been identified as potential sites responsible for binding heavy metal ions to the biomass.
 The sludge samples were collected from the Ahmadu Bello University Water treatment plant and analyzed for contamination. The effects of WLP on the lead sorption were investigated using batch experiments. The results indicated that lead sorption onto the WLP was significantly as high as 90.5%. The WLP was found to effectively reduce the lead from the contaminated sludge. This study aimed to identify the capability of WLP as a low-cost and sustainable material for the remediation of lead-contaminated sludge for land application, indicating the potential for waste materials to be utilized in the circular economy. The Material Circularity Indicator of 0.835 indicated a highly circular system.