Federal University Dutse Research Articles

Species Diversity and Abundance of Starling Birds at Federal University Dutse, Nigeria

The biodiversity of an ecosystem can give information on the health of that ecosystem. This study examined starling bird species diversity and abundance, as well as the effects of vegetation and season of the year on starling birds at Federal University Dutse. Point count bird census technique was used to survey starling birds at sixteen (16), randomly selected points, within the study location, during the rainy and dry seasons of the year. Vegetation measurement was also taken. The number of trees were counted and percentage grass cover was estimated. Data analysis was carried out using the statistical software R version 3.3. A total of 607 individual birds of five (5) starling species; Chestnut-bellied starling, Greater blue-eared starling, Lesser blue-eared starling, Long-tailed glossy starling and Purple glossy starling were observed. There was a significant negative relationship between Starling species diversity and percentage grass cover (p < 0.001) as Starling species diversity decreased with increase in percentage grass cover. Starling species diversity also differed significantly by seasons of the year (p < 0.001), with higher diversity recorded during the dry season. Starling bird abundance on the other hand, also decreased marginally with increase in percentage grass cover (p = 0.06) and was higher during the dry season of the year (p = 0.01). The most abundant Starling bird species was the Chestnutbellied starling (p < 0.001).

Habitat Utilization and Niche Partitioning in Starling Birds at Federal University Dutse, Nigeria

The micro habitat or niche which a species occupies at a particular time in an ecosystem may give some clue to niche partitioning with regards to such species in that ecosystem. This study aimed to assess habitat utilization patterns as cue to niche partitioning in starling birds of Federal University Dutse. Point count bird census technique was used to survey starling bird at sixteen (16), randomly selected points, across various habitat types within the study location. All starling birds seen or heard were identified, counted and recorded. The habitat or niche where they were sited was also noted. The R Statistical software, version 3.3 was used for data analysis. The result showed that starling birds species diversity differed significantly by study area points (p < 0.001), habitat types (p < 0.05) and marginally by occurring niche (p = 0.06). Point 13 had the highest species diversity, habitat types consisting farmlands and buildings had the highest species diversity and the highest starling diversity was observed on trees. Starling bird abundance on the other hand, differed significantly across study points (p = 0.05) and marginally across occurring niches (p = 0.06). Starling bird abundance was highest at study area point 5 and on trees.

INFLUENCED OF SEED WEIGHT ON EARLY GROWTH OF Acacia senegal (Linn) Willd (Gum Arabic) SEEDLINGS

Seed weight has enormous influence on the germination rate and growth performance of many species which necessary is for productivity and sustainability. Study was carried out to examine the effects of seed weight on germination and early growth of Acacia senegal (Linn) Willd (Gum Arabic) seedlings. The work was conducted in the Forestry nursery of Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa state. Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was employed with three (3) treatments of twenty replications (20) making sixty samplings. The seed weights used were classified into three groups: Heavy seeds (1g and above), Medium seeds (0.5-0.9 g) and Light seeds (0.1- 0.4g). Germination counts and early growth parameters were assessed. Data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 probability level and descriptive statistics such as bar chart was used. It is interesting to note that the study found that heavy seeds (1g) had an earlier germination rate and better early growth performance compared to intermediate-weight (0.5 - 0.9g) and light-weight (0.4 - 0.1g) seeds. The heavy seeds showed the best overall performance, according to the results. Heavy seeds showed the best performance. Therefore, heavy weight seeds were recommended for planting, plantation establishment and nursery studies.

DETECTION OF BACTERIAL CONTAMINANTS IN READY-TO-DRINK BEVERAGE (ZOBO) SOLD ON FEDERAL UNIVERSITY DUTSE CAMPUS, NORTHWEST NIGERIA

Introduction: Consumption of ready-to-drink beverages is a norm in the world over. However, the presence of total coliform in any beverage renders it unfit for human consumption. Objectives: Due to non-existence of scientific data on the safety status of the ready-to-drink Zobo which is a popular local beverage, we did conduct this study to assess the bacteriological quality of the lots sold to consumers on the campus of Federal University Dutse (FUD), Nigeria. Methods: Purposive sampling was employed to sample nine (9) locally packaged Zobo in three (3) different outlets; FUD Bakery (BAK) where three (3) were assayed (BAKA, BAKB, and BAKC), FUD Backside (BS) where three (3) samples were assayed (BSA, BSB, and BSC), and Morocco Girls’ hostel (MGH) three (3) samples were assayed (MGHA, MGHB, and MGHC). Standard methods were used to assay the sampled Zobo. Results: Results obtained indicate that samples from MGH (8.0×10⁴ CFU/mL) had the lowest total viable count (TVC), while samples from BAK (2.8×10⁷ CFU/mL) recorded the highest TVC. However, samples assayed from MGH recorded no total coliform count. The number of bacterial colonies recorded in BAKA and BAKB was not significantly different from each other (p>0.05). However, the number of bacterial colonies recorded from MGHA was significantly different from those obtained in MGHB and MGHC (p<0.05). Conclusion: Due to the results obtained, we can conclude that Zobo samples assayed in the sampling points were not fit for human consumption during the conduct of our study.

Climate Change, Communication, and Education: Bridging Gaps for a Sustainable Future; Case Study of First-Year Social Science Students of Federal University Dutse.

‌This succinct abstract examines the complex interactions among education, communication, and climate change, acknowledging the need for all three to tackle the pressing global issue of the climate crisis. The target population of this study is social science students of federal university dutse, the sample size is 100 students where 100 questionnaires were distributed but only 80 were returned which is 80% of the distributed questionnaire. Descriptive analysis is used to analyze the data and the chi-square method is used to test the hypothesis. The study explores cutting-edge instructional strategies that provide students with climate literacy, seeing education as a catalyst for changing behavior and making well-informed decisions in addition to providing information. By combining these components, the study provides a thorough analysis of the relationships that exist between education, communication, and climate change among students of Federal University Dutse Jigawa State Nigeria. It urges researchers, teachers, and communicators to work together to create narratives and instructional frameworks that motivate people to commit to sustainability as a group. This study encourages interdisciplinary interaction in addressing the necessity of informed communication and transformative education as we face the difficulties of a changing climate.

Species Composition and Abundance of Indoor Adult Resting Mosquitoes in the Male Students' Hostel at Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria

The presence of mosquitoes in an academic environment is a great threat to both staff and students’ wellbeing due to the possibility of the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases if bitten by infected mosquitoes. Thus, this study surveyed mosquitoes in male students’ hostels in Federal University of Dutse Jigawa State. The study was carried out using the pyrethroid spray catch method from 0600 hours to 0900 hours. A total of nine hundred and eighty-nine mosquitoes were collected. The predominant specie was Culex quinquefasciatus (61.53%) had a mean value of 152.25±0.20 which was significantly higher (P˂0.05) than Culex papien 7.59%, Aedes aegypti (13.0%) and then Anopheles gambiae (s.l) (7.0%) while there was the least with Ae. albopictus with 0.7% value. Mosquitoes’ abundance significantly varied (P<0.05) with the altitude of building floors in favour of ground floor hostel rooms. Transmission indices revealed two (2) mosquitoes/room and as well as one (1) mosquito/student. Up to 50% of mosquitoes caught were from rooms where no insecticide aerosols were used. About 19% of mosquitoes were caught from such rooms where the use of insecticide-treated bed nets and aerosol insecticide were used. Owing to the results recorded in this study, male students living in the hostel should avoid human-vector contact through the informed use of insecticides and treated bed nets.

A Mathematical Model for Water Quality Assessment: Evidence-Based from Selected Boreholes in Federal University Dutse, Nigeria

The present study assessed the quality of water sampled from different boreholes on the campus of Federal University Dutse, Nigeria, using a mathematical modelling approach. A model for estimating water quality was developed based on physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, turbidity, and total hardness measured from each borehole. The correlation analysis of physicochemical data indicates a strong correlation of about 99% between the real-life data collected from six (6) different boreholes and the model’s predictions. From the results, the sensitivity analysis revealed that electrical conductivity plays the highest role in determining water quality, followed by total hardness, temperature has the third highest impact, followed by turbidity, the fourth, and pH has the least impact in determining water quality in the listed boreholes. Therefore, in any case of intervention, the water quality regulatory body should be sent regularly to the tertiary institutions in the state for routine check-ups.

Detection of environmental pollutants from cobwebs found in selected lecture rooms at the Faculty of Science, Federal University Dutse, Nigeria

The aim of this study was to assess the environmental pollutants present in the cobwebs found in selected lecture rooms; Mathematics lecture room (MTH), Chemistry lecture room (CHM), Biology lecture room (BIO) and Environmental Science lecture room (EMT) in the Faculty of Science, Federal University Dutse. Bacterial pollutants coupled with Arsenic (As) Lead (Pb) in the sampled cobwebs were isolated and identified using standard procedures. One-way Analysis of variance was used to determine the variation in the concentrations of Pb and As in the sampled cobwebs. Staphylococcus aureus (28.1%), Bacillus sp. (37.5%), Streptococcus sp. (18.8%), and Streptobacillus sp. (15.6%) were detected in all the cobwebs samples. MTH 4 had the highest Pb concentration (1.2800 mg/kg) while CHM 3 had the lowest (0.470 mg/kg) Pb concentration. CHM 3 and BIO 3 had very low concentrations of Pb, which were significantly different from each other (p˂0.05). This study has revealed that spider cobwebs can be an effective bio-indicator in determining indoor air quality. Keywords: Indoor air, Cobwebs, Lecture rooms, Bacterial contaminants, Lead, Arsenic

Effects of Selected Properties of Semi-Arid Soil of Dutse, Jigawa State on Adsorption of Pb and Cd Ions

This study determined the effects of some selected physical and chemical properties of semi-arid soil on heavy metal sorption. Soil samples were collected randomly from Federal University Dutse within Nigeria's Sudan Savannah agroecological zone. Nitrate salts were used to prepare three different concentrations (10, 20, 30 mg/kg) of CdCl2 and PbCl2. The equilibrium sorption of the study soil was determined. The equilibrium sorption data were fitted into Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model's r2 values (1) were at par. The boundary energy b (1 mg-1) from the Langmuir isotherm model was determined to be -110.0 and 47 for Pb and Cd, respectively. Freundlich isotherm sorption intensity (n) of 1.92 and 1.67 indicated a favorable sorption, revealing physical adsorption rather than chemical adsorption. Correlation analysis established the relationship between the heavy metal sorption capacity and soil properties. The R values of 0.92 and 0.72 showed a positive relationship between Pb and Cd adsorption with soil silt content. Positive relationships (R) were obtained from the organic matter (0.68), Total Nitrogen (0.99 and 0.60), as well as particle size on adsorption of both metals. Adsorption of heavy metals was positively affected by the physical and chemical properties of the semi-arid soil.

Impact assessment of abattoir wastewater on growth and yield of <i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> L (Tomato)

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of abattoir wastewater on the growth and yield of tomato plants. The Physicochemical properties of the wastewater such as colour, odour, PH, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), temperature, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and heavy metals were determined using standard analytical procedure. It was found that most of the physicochemical parameters were within the permissible limit stipulated by the World Health Organization (WHO, 1996). A pot experiment was conducted in the botanical garden of the Federal University Dutse. Tomato seeds obtained from JASCO were sown and transplanted into experimental pots with each of the pots watered with different concentrations of Dutse abattoir wastewater. The abattoir wastewater was prepared in the following concentrations (0ml of DAWW +23kg of soil =0%), (200ml of DAWW +23kg of soil =25%), (400ml of DAWW +23kg of soil =50%), (600ml of DAWW +23kg of soil =75%) and (800ml of DAWW +23kg of soil =100%) while distilled water was used as control, the experiment were carried out in complete randomized design with three replications. Statistical analysis using ANOVA revealed that the plant height, number of leaves, flowers and fruits differed significantly (p<0.05) compared to control. It was found that the growth and yield were concentrations dependent in all the weeks after transplanting. Highest growth and yield were observed in tomato plants treated with 800ml (100%) of abattoir wastewater. Abattoir wastewater from Dutse can be utilized for irrigation at best concentration of 100%.

Determination of Relationship of Birth Order Position and Intelligent Quotient among Students of College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Federal University Dutse

The present study is aimed at finding the relationship of birth order position and intelligence quotient among students of College of Medicine and Allied health sciences in Federal University Dutse, Jigawa state. A total number of 250 students which comprise 124 males and 126 females were assessed using questionnaires. Data was analyzed using “SPSS statistics version 20”. The variable measurements were presented as mean ± SD. The differences between the two groups that is males and females were compared by using “independent sample t-test”. The correlation between the variables were found using Pearson’s and Partial correlation. Values of p < 0.05 were deemed as level of significant. The present study shows negative or no relationship between birth order position and intelligent quotient in the population study. Independent sample t-test for sexual dimorphism of the variables shows that no significant difference. Keywords: relationship, birth order position, intelligent quotient, students

The Study of 2D:4D Ratio and Facial Asymmetry Using Eye-Mouth-Eye Angle among the Student of College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Federal University Dutse

Deviations of physical characteristics from bilateral symmetry, in otherwise symmetric individuals, are supposed to result from environmental perturbations during development. One cause of such perturbations may be sex steroids such as testosterone and oestrogen. The study examined the relationship between second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), a putative negative correlate with prenatal testosterone and a positive correlate with prenatal estrogen, and asymmetry. The hand of the participants was place on a flat surface with the palm facing upward fore arm in line with the middle finger. Finger should be extended maximally and dose to each other measurement technique was followed for measuring 2D:4D digit length which can be define as a distance between the proximal flexion crease of the digit length was measured in centimeters. Table 1 shows descriptive analysis of 2D and 4D right and left distance. The minimum and maximum ages are 18 and 35 years respectively. The mean of 2D:4D right length was 0.98 ± 0.015 and the mean of 2D:4D left length 0.97 ± 0.022 this shows there is higher mean value in right 2D:4D length. Our data show that both low 2D:4D (a marker of high prenatal testosterone) and high 2D:4D (a marker of high prenatal estrogen) are associated with elevated levels of asymmetry and this relationship applies particularly to finger asymmetry. Keywords: 2D:4D ratio, facial asymmetry, eye-mouth-eye angle, students

Effect of Soil Types and Sowing Methods on Growth and Yield of Some Varieties of Sesame (<i>sesamum indicum L.</i>) Grown in Dutse, Jigawa State

A field trial on the effect of soil types and sowing methods on growth and yield of some varieties of sesame ( sesamum indicum L.) was conducted at school farm Federal University Dutse Jigawa state (latitude 11.00̊ N to 13.00̊ N and longitude 8.00̊ E to 10.15̊ E) during the 2019 rainy season. The treatments used were three soil types (Clay, loam, sand) and two sowing methods (drilling and dibbling). Two varieties of sesame namely EX-Sudan and E8 were used. A split-split plot design was used. Result showed that the number of leaves, number of capsules per plant 1000 seed weight and seed yield per plant were significantly affected by sowing method with drilling method producing the highest seed yield per plant and variety had significant effect on number of leaves per plant, days to 50% flowering and maturity and seed yield per plant with EX-Sudan manifesting the highest yield per plant. The interaction between varieties were only significant on number of capsules/plant while between sowing method and variety was only significant on seed yield per plant. Interaction between variety and soil type showed that V1S1 (EX-Sudan and Loamy soil) had the highest influence on plant growth parameters while V2S2 (E8 and Sandy soil) had the lowest. The results indicated that drilling is the best sowing method, loamy soil is the best soil type for growing sesame while the variety EX-Sudan produced the highest seed yield and seed quality of sesame more than the E8 variety. Thus, farmers could be recommended to adopt these agronomic practices using EX-Sudan for increased sesame production in the Sudan savanna ecological zone of Nigeria.

Response of Soil Replenishment on Coppicing Ability and Economic Values of Moringa oleifera Lam Seedlings

The study aimed at the response of soil replenishment on the coppicing ability of Moringa oleifera plant and economic values of Moringa oleifera seedlings. This study was carried out in the forest nursery of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State. Purposive random sampling technique was used and one hundred and forty (140) structured questionnaires were administered to the respondents and retrieved. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) in seven treatments with five replicates and total of thirty-five samples were laid. The data obtained was subjected to descriptive statistics (percentage and frequency) and inferential statistics (Analysis of Variance). Moringa oleifera performed well under all the treatments but it performed exceptionally under the control (T7) with shoot height (17.46±0.70 cm), stem diameter (1.46±0.05 cm), number of leave (120.9±13.35) and number of branches (12.55±0.92). Furthermore, the results showed that food and medicinal use had highest percentage of 32.86% and 20.71% respectively; percentage responses to ailments of leave and stem diameter were 40% and 25% respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that the findings of this research be disseminated to growers as it could improve the vegetative growth of their Moringa crops, medicinal uses, and sustainability.

Machine Learning for Predicting Students’ Employability

Graduates' employability becomes one of the performance indicators for higher educational institutions (HEIs) because the number of graduates produced every year from higher educational institutions continues to grow and as competition to secure good jobs increases, it is significant for HEIs to understand the employability of graduates upon graduation and highlight the reasons. To predict students' employability before graduation, machine learning models were employed. These include logistic regression; decision tree, random forest, and an unsupervised clustering (K-Means) algorithm. This research, therefore, aims to predict the full-time employability of undergraduate students based on academic and experience employability attributes – including cumulative grade point average (CGPA), student industrial work experience scheme (SIWES), co-curricular activities, gender, and union groupings before graduation. Primary datasets of 218 graduate students in the last four academic calendar years (2016 – 2021) from the Computer Science Department of Federal University Dutse were rated. The results demonstrate that Random Forest Classifier predict students employability the best with an accuracy of 98% and f1-score of 0.99 compare to logistic regression and decision tree. Furthermore, using more students’ data with more attributes including academics and extracurricular activities can improve the models performance and predict students’ employability.

Detection of Bacterial Contaminants on Gate Passes Issued to Motorists in Federal University Dutse, Northwest Nigeria

The study was conducted to isolate and identify possible bacterial contaminants on the gate passes issued to motorists in the three (3) major gates leading to Federal University Dutse. Swab stick method was employed to sample possible bacterial contaminants from seventy (70) gate passes. Sampling was done at the end of the daily activities to maximize the chances of isolating bacteria that might be present thereon. The swab sticks labelled S1 to S70, were instantaneously taken to the Microbiology laboratory with a view to conducting bacteriological analysis by means of customary microbiological methods. Plate colony count method was adopted to compute the number of bacteria present on the sampled gate passes. 'Results generated on the total viable count show that S31 sampled from gate two had the highest load (1.68 × 10-2 CFU/mL) while S43 sampled from the same gate recorded the lowest load (0.34 × 10-3 CFU/mL). Four (4) bacteria; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella sp. and Salmonella sp. were detected on the sampled gate passes. All the gate passes issued to motorists coming in and out of the Federal University Dutse were contaminated with different bacteria most of which are known to be pathogenic. Due to the results derived from this study, it is therefore suggested that the University authority should make available hand antiseptics for motorists and security staff handling the gate passes in order to minimize and prevent the spread of pathogenic bacteria.

GIS-SUPPORTED CHARACTERIZATION AND GEOGRAPHICAL TARGETING INTERVENTIONS IN PROJECT DISPLACED COMMUNITIES IN DUTSE, NIGERIA

The establishment of Federal University Dutse led to the displacement of some villages in the project site. The post construction impacts on these communities require urgent directing of interventions. The study analyzed the social problems associated with Communities’ displacement and employed geospatial techniques in geographical targeting of interventions in Dutse Jigawa State Nigeria. Results of the analysis show that almost all communities are deprived of essential amenities including good roads, elementary schools, pipe borne water, primary health care, telecommunication and farmlands. Spatial analysis gave insight to the relative needs and level of poverty amongst the displaced rural communities in Dutse. The facilities and the most central locations for them namely: Gurungu, Maidobi and Hausawa were easily determined from the geospatial analysis. The study found GIS mapping very useful in revealing the relative magnitude of social challenges and the intervention needs among project affected communities.

Assessment of drinking water from storage tanks in Federal University Dutse Nigeria

The study assessed the quality of water obtainable in six (6) storage tanks present in the male and female hostels on the Federal University Dutse campus. Physicochemical analyses; temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, nitrate, and phosphate were conducted using standard methods. Presumptive, confirmed, and completed tests were employed to determine total and fecal coliforms from the water samples using the most probable number (MPN) technique. Generated results from the parameters were compared with the allowable standards of the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Results obtained on the physicochemical status of the water indicate that all measured parameters conformed to NSDWQ and WHO permissible standards. The results obtained in this study also show the presence of bacteria in the water present in the storage tanks which may constitute a health risk amongst students drinking it. It is therefore recommended that the water pumped and stored in these storage tanks should be adequately treated. Keywords: Coliforms; Fecal; storage tanks; quality; water.

The Relationships Between Family, Financial Reason, Self-Esteem, and Career Decision Making Among Undergraduates in Jigawa State, Nigeria

The study assesses the relationship between career decision-making and family, financial reasons, and self-esteem among undergraduates in Jigawa state, Nigeria using a quantitative correlational research design of the 1,200 undergraduates from Sule Lamido University and Federal University Dutse who made up the population of the study, 373 undergraduates were randomly sampled for the study. Instruments used are: Factors influencing undergraduate students' career decision-making questionnaire and a career decision-making self-efficacy short-form questionnaire. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) by using Smart Partial Least Squares (Smart-PLS3) was used to analyse the data in line with the hypotheses. The results show that family and financial reasons are positively significant in career decision making among undergraduates. Decisions about family and career (t = 4.300), (β= 0.225), and (P=0.000). With (t = 2.047), (β =0.102), and (P=0.041), the second most significant paths are financial reasons and career decision making. Thus, schools, government agencies, and non-profit organisations should provide scholarships to deserving students so that they can follow their chosen occupations. Students should be exposed to job information and coaching by the school administration in order to assist them in choosing good and realistic career choices. To help minimise the influence of stakeholders on students' career aspirations, school leaders should engage with the counselling unit in schools to provide career workshops for students and parents.

Antifungal activity of Moringa oleifera leaves crude extract against Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus stolonifer

Moringa oleifera leaves crude extract have been reported to have an invitro antifungal potential on various species of fungi. Therefore, this study was conducted in finding out the invitro effects of methanol and ethanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves on some fungal species (Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus stolonifer). The fungal species were isolated from contaminated bread on sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) using agar plate method and microscopic exanimation at Microbiology Laboratory, Federal University Dutse. Moringa oleifera leaves were collected from Federal University Dutse botanical garden, they were processed and extracted using Maceration method. The extracts were screened at varaying concentrations (25mg/ml, 50mg/ml, 100mg/ml, 150mg/ml and 200mg/ml) for their antifungal activity against the test organisms. Aspergillus flavus was more susceptible to the extracts with high mean zone of inhibition of 12.80 ± 0.20mm for methanolic extract and 11.40 ± 0.10mm for ethanolic extract compared to Rhizopus stolonifer with 9.66 ± 0.33mm for methanolic extract and 8.67 ± 0.10mm for ethanolic extract. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the extract were determined with varying effectiveness of 75mg/ml for Aspergillus flavus and 100mg/ml for Rhizopus stolonifer. This study showed credence to the traditional use of Moringa oleifera leaves in the treatment of diseases caused by Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus stolonifer.