Plateau States Research Articles

Canted 2:1:1 Magnetic Supersolid Phase in a Frustrated Magnet MgCr2O4 as a Small Limit of the Biquadratic Spin Interaction

Ultra-high magnetic field investigation of magnetic phases of MgCr2O4, by means of magneto-optical methods, showed a distinct similarity to that in ZnCr2O4, with clear observation of a canted 2:1:1 phase prior to a half-magnetization plateau, in spite of a difference in the tetragonal lattice symmetry in antiferromagnetic phases. The appearance of the canted 2:1:1 phase regarded as the magnetic supersolid state, sandwiched between the antiferromagnetic (superfluid) and the half-magnetization plateau (solid) states, is revealed by this study as an intrinsic and a universal phenomenon in case of the infinitesimal spin–lattice coupling limit in the three-dimensional geometrically frustrated magnet system comprised of chromium spinel oxides (ACr2O4 with A = Mg, Zn, Cd, Hg).

Malaria prevalence, anemia and baseline intervention coverage prior to mass net distributions in Abia and Plateau States, Nigeria

BackgroundNigeria suffers the world’s largest malaria burden, with approximately 51 million cases and 207,000 deaths annually. As part of the country’s aim to reduce by 50% malaria-related morbidity and mortality by 2013, it embarked on mass distribution of free long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs).MethodsPrior to net distribution campaigns in Abia and Plateau States, Nigeria, a modified malaria indicator survey was conducted in September 2010 to determine baseline state-level estimates of Plasmodium prevalence, childhood anemia, indoor residual spraying (IRS) coverage and bednet ownership and utilization.ResultsOverall age-adjusted prevalence of Plasmodium infection by microscopy was similar between Abia (36.1%, 95% CI: 32.3%–40.1%; n = 2,936) and Plateau (36.6%, 95% CI: 31.3%–42.3%; n = 4,209), with prevalence highest among children 5-9 years. P. malariae accounted for 32.0% of infections in Abia, but only 1.4% of infections in Plateau. More than half of children ≤10 years were anemic, with anemia significantly higher in Abia (76.9%, 95% CI: 72.1%–81.0%) versus Plateau (57.1%, 95% CI: 50.6%–63.4%). Less than 1% of households in Abia (n = 1,305) or Plateau (n = 1,335) received IRS in the 12 months prior to survey. Household ownership of at least one bednet of any type was 10.1% (95% CI: 7.5%–13.4%) in Abia and 35.1% (95% CI: 29.2%-41.5%) in Plateau. Ownership of two or more bednets was 2.1% (95% CI: 1.2%–3.7%) in Abia and 14.5% (95% CI: 10.2%–20.3%) in Plateau. Overall reported net use the night before the survey among all individuals, children <5 years, and pregnant women was 3.4%, 6.0% and 5.7%, respectively in Abia and 14.7%, 19.1% and 21.0%, respectively in Plateau. Among households owning nets, 34.4% of children <5 years and 31.6% of pregnant women in Abia used a net, compared to 52.6% of children and 62.7% of pregnant women in Plateau.ConclusionsThese results reveal high Plasmodium prevalence and childhood anemia in both states, low baseline coverage of IRS and LLINs, and sub-optimal net use—especially among age groups with highest observed malaria burden.

Nutritional and antinutritional analysis of Chrysanthellum indicum leaves

Nutrients are required to drive the basic physiological activities that sustain life, and an imbalance in such nutrients which may be caused by either deficiencies or excess of one or more nutrient may lead to the initiation and/or exacerbation of virtually all diseases. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with healthy diet. Chrysanthedum indicum leaves is widely consumed as food in the North central part of Nigeria including Kaduna, Nassarawa and Plateau States and other neighbouring states. The proximate constituent of the air dried vegetable leaves were determined by various methods; the various antinutritional Factors such as phytic acid, oxalic acid, and tannin were also determined using different methods. The study on proximate composition showed that the vegetable Chrysanthellemindicum has high crude protein (24.63%) compared to those of other Conventional Nigerian vegetables: Curcubita pepo (20.80%) and Gnetum africana (19.67%). The vegetable has 23.16% crude fibres, and 2.76% crude fat. It also contains about 29.38% potasium, 29.96% calcium. It also contains oxalate, tannins and phytic acid as anti nutrients. The study showed that the leaves of Chrysanthellum indicum contain substantial levels of nutrient which could be useful in human diet, with considerably low levels of anti nutritional content which is below established toxic level.

Numerical study of magnetization plateaus in the spin-12kagome Heisenberg antiferromagnet

We clarify the existence of several magnetization plateaux for the kagome $S=1/2$ antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model in a magnetic field. Using approximate or exact localized magnon eigenstates, we are able to describe in a similar manner the plateau states that occur for magnetization per site $m=1/3$, $5/9$, and $7/9$ of the saturation value. These results are confirmed using large-scale Exact Diagonalization on lattices up to 63 sites.

Spin-singlet recombination responsible for the magnetization plateau in a tetrameric ladder-like system

The magnetic properties and quantum phase transitions (QPTs) of an anisotropic tetrameric ladder-like model compound Cu2CdB2O6, which is constructed by dimers embedded into two-leg ladder with weak coupling inside the leg, are investigated using Green's function theory. It is shown that for weak dimer-chain (J2) coupling, the ground state lies in a gapless phase with a 1/2 magnetization plateau appearing in a magnetic field, which was observed in experiment. However, with J2 coupling ascending, the ground state goes into a gapped phase with an additional zero plateau emerging. It is found that the magnetization plateau states originate from the intra-dimer and dimer-chain singlet recombination, which are explicitly evidenced by the sublattice magnetization and two-site entanglement entropy, whose behaviors signal the QPTs clearly.

Enhancing Social Network Status and Empowerment of Rural Nigerian Women through Non-Formal Education

The study examined the extent participation in non-formal education programmes improved social networking and empowerment of rural women in Nigeria. One research question and one hypothesis guided the study. Survey research design employing stratified random sampling was used to sample 1668 rural women from Enugu and Plateau States who participated in the Women for Women International’s Non-formal Education programme, out of which 1558 responded to the study. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire was face validated by experts in the field of education, a reliability co-efficient of 0.76 was obtained using cronbach alfa method of determining internal consistency of instrument. The research question was answered using mean and grandmean while the hypothesis was analysed using t-test statistics. The result revealed that participation in non-formal education programmes improved social network status and empowered rural women in Nigeria. Significant differences existed in the mean response of rural women in Enugu and Plateau states on the extent participation in non-formal education programme improved their social network status. It was recommended among other things that Renewing Women’s Lifeskill education prorgamme should be inculcated into women education programme of the National Policy on Women Education in Nigeria. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n5p35

Response to “Comment on ‘Undamped electrostatic plasma waves’” [Phys. Plasmas 20, 034701 (2013)

Numerical and experimental evidence is given for the occurrence of the plateau states and concomitant corner modes proposed in Valentini et al. [Phys. Plasmas 19, 092103 (2012)]. It is argued that these states provide a better description of reality for small amplitude off-dispersion disturbances than the conventional Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal or cnoidal states such as those proposed in Schamel [Phys. Plasmas 20, 034701 (2013)].

Serosurvey of antibody to highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in pigs, north central Nigeria

Avian influenza is a disease of economic and public health importance that has been described in most domestic animals and humans. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 epidemic in Nigeria was observed in agro-ecological zones where pigs and chickens are raised in shared environment with chances of interspecies transmission. We investigate the likelihood of transmission of the disease to pigs in North Central Nigeria where there were several cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in both commercial and free range poultry. Two hundred and twenty swine sera collected in Kaduna and Plateau states were screened for influenza A/H5N1 antibody by haemagglutination inhibition test according to standard protocol. All the sera tested were negative for influenza A/H5 antibody (HA titre < 2 2 ). Our inability to detect appreciable antibody level to avian influenza A/H5N1 therefore may be due to lack of infection because of low susceptibility of pigs to Influenza A/H5N1. We recommend wider serological and virological studies to identify other circulating influenza virus in pigs in different agro-ecological zones to provide useful epidemiological data on evolving influenza virus.

Genetic diversity assessment of Phaseolus vulgaris L. landraces in Nigeria’s mid-altitude agroecological zone

Phaseolus vulgaris L. is a valuable and highly nutritious food legume. In Nigeria, it is highly underutilized, being consumed in few parts of Plateau and Taraba States within the mid-altitude agroecological zone. In order to provide information on breeding and improvement for better acceptability, genetic diversity among eleven landraces grown within this zone, belonging to six phenotypic classes based on seed colour, was assessed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and soduim dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of total seed proteins. RAPD-PCR amplified products ranged from 4 to 9 bands. Number of alleles observed and mean gene diversity within the different phenotypic classes ranged from 1.0 ± 0 to 1.63 ± 0.49 and from 0.13 ± 0.19 to 0.26 ± 0.21, respectively. The highest genetic distance was between white and canberry seeded varieties (81.09%) while the least was between red and pinto accessions (9.22%). However, the highest number of polymorphic loci (40), percentage polymorphism (63.49%), Nei’s gene diversity (0.26 ± 0.21) and number of alleles (1.63 ± 0.49) was found within pinto varieties. Nei’s genetic similarity between landraces from the two states was 91.72% indicating a profound founder effect which could be facilitated by high germplasm exchange between these states. Jaccards similarity coefficient between the landraces based on total seed proteins bands was 1.00. However, genetic relationships and clusters drawn from RAPD and SDS-PAGE data differed, with most of the landraces belonging to separate clusters in the dendrograms obtained from both methods. High polymorphism suggests a broad genetic base among the landraces. The study of more specific seed proteins such as phaseolin as biochemical markers might better elucidate diversity present within the landraces.

Evidence for Stopping Mass Drug Administration for Lymphatic Filariasis in Some, But Not All Local Government Areas of Plateau and Nasarawa States, Nigeria

An average of six annual rounds of ivermectin and albendazole were distributed in Plateau and Nasarawa States, Nigeria, to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. From 2007 to 2008, population-based surveys were implemented in all 30 local government areas (LGAs) of the two states to determine the prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti antigenemia to assess which LGA mass drug administration (MDA) could be halted. In total, 36,681 persons from 7,819 households were examined for filarial antigen as determined by immunochromatographic card tests. Overall antigen prevalence was 3.05% (exact upper 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.41%) with an upper 95% CI range by LGA of 0.50-19.3%. Among 3,233 children 6-7 years of age, overall antigen prevalence was 1.71% (exact upper 95% CI = 2.19%), too high to recommend generally halting MDA in the two-state area. However, based on criteria of < 2% antigenemia among persons > 2 years of age, stopping MDA was recommended for 10 LGAs.

Molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens in Nigerian ticks

A molecular epidemiology investigation was undertaken in two Nigerian states (Plateau and Nassarawa) to determine the prevalence of pathogens of veterinary and public health importance associated with ticks collected from cattle and dogs using PCR, cloning and sequencing or reverse line blot techniques. A total of 218 tick samples, Amblyomma variegatum (N=153), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus (N=45), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (N=20) were sampled. Pathogens identified in ticks included piroplasmids (Babesia spp., Babesia bigemina and Babesia divergens), Anaplasma marginale and Rickettsia africae. Piroplasmids were identified in A. variegatum, A. marginale was found in R. decoloratus, while R. africae was detected in all tick species examined. Ehrlichia spp. and Theileria spp. were not identified in any of the ticks examined. Of the 218 ticks examined, 33 (15.1%) contained pathogen DNA, with the presence of B. divergens and R. africae that are zoonotic pathogens of public health and veterinary importance. The variety of tick-borne pathogens identified in this study suggests a risk for the emergence of tick-borne diseases in domestic animals and humans, especially amongst the Fulani pastoralists in Plateau and Nassarawa states of Nigeria.

Epidemiological and Entomological Evaluations after Six Years or More of Mass Drug Administration for Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination in Nigeria

The current strategy for interrupting transmission of lymphatic filariasis (LF) is annual mass drug administration (MDA), at good coverage, for 6 or more years. We describe our programmatic experience delivering the MDA combination of ivermectin and albendazole in Plateau and Nasarawa states in central Nigeria, where LF is caused by anopheline transmitted Wuchereria bancrofti. Baseline LF mapping using rapid blood antigen detection tests showed mean local government area (LGA) prevalence of 23% (range 4–62%). MDA was launched in 2000 and by 2003 had been scaled up to full geographic coverage in all 30 LGAs in the two states; over 26 million cumulative directly observed treatments were provided by community drug distributors over the intervention period. Reported treatment coverage for each round was ≥85% of the treatment eligible population of 3.7 million, although a population-based coverage survey in 2003 showed lower coverage (72.2%; 95% CI 65.5–79.0%). To determine impact on transmission, we monitored three LF infection parameters (microfilaremia, antigenemia, and mosquito infection) in 10 sentinel villages (SVs) serially. The last monitoring was done in 2009, when SVs had been treated for 7–10 years. Microfilaremia in 2009 decreased by 83% from baseline (from 4.9% to 0.8%); antigenemia by 67% (from 21.6% to 7.2%); mosquito infection rate (all larval stages) by 86% (from 3.1% to 0.4%); and mosquito infectivity rate (L3 stages) by 76% (from 1.3% to 0.3%). All changes were statistically significant. Results suggest that LF transmission has been interrupted in 5 of the 10 SVs, based on 2009 finding of microfilaremia ≥1% and/or L3 stages in mosquitoes. Four of the five SVs where transmission persists had baseline antigenemia prevalence of >25%. Longer or additional interventions (e.g., more frequent MDA treatments, insecticidal bed nets) should be considered for ‘hot spots’ where transmission is ongoing.

Prevalence of snakebites in Taraba and Plateau States of Nigeria

Snakebite is a public health problem that plagues many rural communities in Nigeria. The full extent is hardly known due to outright unavailability of adequate medical records to indicate the incidence, mortality and morbidityin any state in Nigeria. This study was undertaken to outline the epidemiological profile of snakebites in the middle belt region of Nigeria, using Plateau and Taraba States as a case study. Records of 917 cases of snakebites from eight secondary health facilities, spread across the two states were collected retrospectively, covering January 1999 to December 2003. The data (age, sex and occupation of victims, monthly variation in incidence and prevalence) were extracted. This was analyzed using chi-square test and simple percentages. The results showed that the average male to female preponderance ratio was 2.1:1. Adults between the ages of 15 and 44 years accounted for 62.9% (n=592) of all cases. 41.1% (n=340) of victims were farmers. The average case fatality rate was 13.7% (n=126); with 19.1% (n=64) for Plateau State. The highest incidence of 40.4 bites per 100000 per year occurred in Taraba State. Polyvalent antisnake venom (ASV) was given to all the patients managed. Snake bite is endemic in these areas and accounts for significant morbidity and mortality among the indigenous population.

Methods used by pre-service Nigeria Certificate in Education teachers in solving quantitative problems in chemistry

This paper reports part of the results of research on chemical problem solving behavior of pre-service teachers in Plateau and Northeastern states of Nigeria. Specifically, it examines and describes the methods used by 204 pre-service teachers in solving quantitative problems from four topics in chemistry. Namely, gas laws; electrolysis; stoichiometry and composition of substances. The pre-service teachers involved were 200 and 300 level Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) chemistry majors and non-majors. Data were collected from their written responses to four items of a chemistry problem solving Test (CPST) and retrospective interview. The frameworks adopted for analysing the methods used in solving the CPST items were those documented in the chemical education literature (Garafalo F. and Toomey R., (2002), www.inform.umd.edu/EdRes/Topic/Chemistry/ChemConference/Chem Con/Paper2.htm; Chemtutor, (2001), www.chemtutor.com/numbr.htm; Danjuma I. M. and Akpan E. U. U., (2000), Niger. J. Curric. Stud., 7(2), 129–135). These are plug and chug; ratio and proportion; dimensional analysis; reaction chemical equivalence and simple algebra. The results of the data analysis revealed that most of the pre-service teachers have used the appropriate methods to solve the CPST items, except that, only a few got the correct answers. Most of them indicated that their main reason for using the method of choice was the nature of the problems. Also, most of them indicated that they were not aware of other methods of solving the problems.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic study of peste des petits ruminants viruses from North central States of Nigeria

BackgroundPeste des petits ruminants is an endemic disease of sheep and goats in Nigeria and vaccination has been the method of control but sporadic outbreaks have been reported. This study was carried out to characterize PPR viruses from outbreaks in 2007 and 2009 from Kaduna and Plateau States.ResultsOf the 33 clinical samples analysed, 51.52% (n = 17) were positive for F protein gene primers (F1/F2). All the samples had a sequence similarity of 98-100% among them and 92-97% with the reference vaccine (Nig 75/1) strain. The deduced amino acid homology ranges between 96.3-99.7%. Phylogenetically all the Nigerian sequences cluster with Nig 75/1 and Nig 76/1 in lineage 1.ConclusionsPPR is still a problem in Kaduna and Plateau States of Nigeria. The strains involved were genetically closely related to the vaccine strain (Nig 75/1) used in the country. Based on this study, the continued outbreaks in the Country is not due to the efficacy of the vaccine. Therefore, to achieve effective control and possibly eradication of PPR in Nigeria, the current control strategies should be revisited.

Ostrich Management practices in three states of Northern Nigeria

The study was conducted to identify management practices associated with ostrich farming in Kano, Kaduna and Plateau States of Nigeria. Seven farms were purposively selected as units of analysis. Primary data were generated by means of a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire, administered to the sampled respondents. A simple inductive statistics was applied to the primary data. The result reveals a commercial production of ostrich by 86 % with all the farms engaged in production of other livestock species. Similarly, all the farms had shelter for chicks and breeders which were all erected using wire mesh and poles at above 5 feet fencing level. More over, 100 % of the farms were densely stocked (below 500 m2 for a pair of ostrich) with facilities below recommended levels. The result also showed that 100 % of the farms compound feed locally using premix without no providing grit and low (14 %) usage of succulent feed. About 29 % of the farms use endoparasitic and anthelminthic drugs as health management practices. On the reproductive practices, only trio (29 %) and colony (71 %) configurations were practiced. The prominent biosecurity measures include division of farm into disease control unit (100 %) and employee enlightenment (86 %).

Steady jets from radiatively efficient hard states in GRS 1915+105

Recent studies of different X-ray binaries (XRBs) have shown a clear correlation between the radio and X-ray emission. We present evidence of a close relationship found between the radio and X-ray emission at different epochs for GRS1915+105, using observations from the Ryle Telescope and Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer satellite. The strongest correlation was found during the hard state (also known as the `plateau' state), where a steady AU-scale jet is known to exist. Both the radio and X-ray emission were found to decay from the start of most plateau states, with the radio emission decaying faster. An empirical relationship of $S_{\rm{radio}}\propto S_{\rm{X-ray}}^{\xi}$ was then fitted to data taken only during the plateau state, resulting in a power-law index of $\xi\sim1.7\pm0.3$, which is significantly higher than in other black hole XRBs in a similar state. An advection-flow model was then fitted to this relationship and compared to the universal XRB relationship as described by Gallo et al. (2003). We conclude that either (I) the accretion disk in this source is radiatively efficient, even during the continuous outflow of a compact jet, which could also suggest a universal turn-over from radiatively inefficient to efficient for all stellar-mass black holes at a critical mass accretion rate ($\dot{m}_{\rm{c}}\approx10^{18.5}$ g/s); or (II) the X-rays in the plateau state are dominated by emission from the base of the jet and not the accretion disk (e.g. via inverse Compton scattering from the outflow).

Is the plateau state in GRS 1915+105 equivalent to canonical hard states?

GRS1915+105 is a very peculiar black hole binary that exhibits accretion-related states that are not observed in any other stellar-mass black hole system. One of these states, however -- referred to as the plateau state -- may be related to the canonical hard state of black hole X-ray binaries. Both the plateau and hard state are associated with steady, relatively lower X-ray emission and flat/inverted radio emission, that is sometimes resolved into compact, self-absorbed jets. However, while generally black hole binaries quench their jets when the luminosity becomes too high, GRS1915+105 seems to sustain them despite the fact that it accretes at near- or super-Eddington rates. In order to investigate the relationship between the plateau and the hard state, we fit two multi-wavelength observations using a steady-state outflow-dominated model, developed for hard state black hole binaries. The data sets consist of quasi-simultaneous observations in radio, near-infrared and X-ray bands. Interestingly, we find both significant differences between the two plateau states, as well as between the best-fit model parameters and those representative of the hard state. We discuss our interpretation of these results, and the possible implications for GRS 1915+105's relationship to canonical black hole candidates.

GRS1915+105: a comparison of the plateau state to the canonical hard state

AbstractGRS 1915+105 is a very peculiar black hole binary that exhibits accretion-related states that are not observed in any other stellar-mass black hole system. One of these states, however – referred to as the plateau state – may be related to the canonical hard state of black hole X-ray binaries. Both the plateau and hard state are associated with steady, relatively lower X-ray emission and flat/inverted radio emission, that is sometimes resolved into compact, self-absorbed jets. To investigate the relationship between the plateau and the hard state, we fit two multi-wavelength observations using a steady-state outflow-dominated model, developed for hard state black hole binaries. The data sets consist of quasi-simultaneous observations in radio, near-infrared and X-ray bands. Interestingly, we find both significant differences between the two plateau states, as well as between the best-fit model parameters and those representative of the hard state. We discuss our interpretation of these results, and the possible implications for GRS 1915+105's relationship to canonical black hole candidates.

Survey of production, utilization and proximate composition of some minor rootand tuber crops in Nigeria

A survey was conducted between 2004 and 2005 to explore and collect germplasms of minor root and tuber crops grown in Nigeria. Information collected include, local names, locations, production/agronomic practices, utilization and marketing among others. Samples of materials collected were analyzed for their proximate compositions. A total of 76 turmeric, 19 Hausa potato, 13 Livingstone potato and 21 Polynesian arrowroot accessions were collected. Turmeric is cultivated and utilized in 19 states, Hausa potato 6 states, Livingstone potato two states while Polynesian arrowroot was collected from 10 states but utilized as food only in five states. The highest number of turmeric collection was obtained in Ekiti state (15.8%). While the highest collection of Hausa potato (36.8%) and Livingstone potato (69.2%) were obtained respectively from Kaduna and Plateau states, 19% of Polynesian arrowroot collections were each obtained in Plateau and Oyo states. Most of the crops are produced in smallholdings of less than 0.1 ha. Cultivation was mostly by old women except Polynesian arrowroot that was collected in the wild. The carbohydrate content (NFE) of the crops ranges between 60.23-80.40 g/100g, crude protein (7.58-14.00g/100g), total ash (3.01-6.97g/100g), calcium (0.27-0.45g/100g) and phosphorus (0.27- 0.59g/100g) all on dry weight basis. These crops play key roles in the food supply system, income generation, improved health and preservation of cultural heritage of the rural household. To fully harness their potentials, the need for more research efforts in the areas of crop improvement, agronomic practices, pests and disease control, nutritional studies, post-production handling and processing was suggested.Keywords: Potato tumeric, production, utilization, nutrient