Technoscience Journal for Community Development in Africa
Technoscience Journal for Community Development in Africa is a peer-reviewed, biannual journal jointly published by the Faculties of Agriculture, Engineering and Technology, Pure and Applied Sciences, and Information and Communication Technology at Kwara State University. The journal publishes original and scientific problem-oriented collaborative research in Science and Engineering aimed towards community development in any part of Africa. ISSN 2659-0573
Copyright (c) 2025 Technoscience Journal for Community Development in Africa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Building a Yoruba text-to-speech engine for automatic reading machines: A concatenative approach
This research develops a concatenative Text-to-Speech (TTS) system for automatic reading machines (ARMs). TTS system is a major component of an ARM that converts written text to synthetic speech. Corpus concatenation has been the most effective and widely used TTS approach as it is the most efficient in the production of natural and intelligible speech for application in reading aids for the visually impaired, persons with dyslexia, and language learning tools. The abysmal performance of existing TTS in the Yoruba language has resulted in challenges Yoruba speakers face in accessing digital content. This study developed a comprehensive Yoruba speech corpus and implement a concatenative text-to-speech framework, incorporating a Yoruba optical character recognition (YOCR) system, Unicode mapping, syllable segmentation, and speech quality optimization using windowing and pre-emphasis filtering. The developed system achieved Mean Opinion Scores (MOS) of 4.86 for two syllable words, 4.67 for five-syllable words and at least 4.37 for sentences. The Mel Cepstral Distortion (MCD) metrics showed a maximum mean of 1.58 for concatenated words. The system evaluation using MOS and MCD metrics demonstrates its potential for integration into ARMs and improving digital content accessibility for Yoruba speakers.
Deformation and material removal mechanisms of nanometric cutting of silicon at different depths of cuts using molecular dynamics simulation
ABSTRACT The diamond tool with a rake angle of zero has been rarely studied, and the cutting mechanism in ultraprecision machining of brittle materials, such as silicon, is not well understood due to the varying cutting parameters involved. The use of this tool was investigated through molecular dynamics simulation to examine the material removal mechanisms in silicon nanometric cutting at different depths of cut. Simulations were performed using the large-scale atomic/molecular massively parallel simulator with the Tersoff potential function Mechanisms of chip formation and material removal were analysed at three different depths of cut (2 nm, 3 nm, and 4 nm). The study reveals that the structural and phase transformations in silicon are caused by high-pressure phase changes and dislocation activity leading to chip formation and material removal. Machining at a lower depth of cut results in a machined surface with less subsurface damage. For all depths of cut, the material removal mechanisms operate in a ductile mode, except at 4 nm, where a combination of ductile and brittle (cleavage) modes is observed on the machined surface. To ensure a ductile machining mode with this tool geometry, the depth of cut should be significantly smaller than the cutting-edge radius of the diamond tool to achieve a high-quality surface finish.
Fracture toughness, flexural, and compressive properties of Delonix regia pod-eggshell particle reinforced virgin low-density polyethylene nanocomposites
The valorisation of environmental and agricultural wastes for the development of smart and hygienic cities has attracted increasing research attention. This study investigated the production of biocomposites using virgin low-density polyethylene as a matrix reinforced with eggshell, Delonix regia pod and their hybrid particles. The developed composites were evaluated structurally and mechanically. Results obtained reveal an interaction between the low-density polyethylene molecules and reinforcement particles causing formation of new compounds as confirmed by the X-ray diffraction analysis. Enhancements in the fracture toughness, flexural and compressive properties are attributed to the detected new compounds that improve the load bearing capacity of the composites. However, maximum fracture toughness and flexural strength were noted at 4% eggshell particle additions to the low-density polyethylene while the maximum compressive strength was affirmed at 2% eggshell particle addition. The developed materials have a potential application in engineering structures and biomedicine for bone replacement when the obtained properties are compared with properties of materials currently used in the identified areas.
Review of the use of clay-based composites for water filtration application in rural areas
A safe water source is one that is available, accessible, and provides water of acceptable quality, free from microbial and chemical contaminations. However, millions living in rural areas have no access to safe water. About 60 percent of Nigerians live in rural areas and have a larger share of inadequate supply of safe drinking water. Consumption of contaminated water leads to highly contagious disease infections and can lead to loss of lives or reduction in life expectancy. Clay-based Composite Water Filter (CCWF) treats water and makes it safe for consumption. They are made from a mixture of clay and carbonaceous material. The principle underlying this water treatment method is that the carbonaceous material is burned off during firing, leaving pores that are large enough to allow water to pass through but small enough to trap bacteria and other water contaminants, such as dissolved solids, and in some cases virus. This review summarizes published works on the parameters (filter materials, firing temperature, shape of the filter, etc.) that influence the performance of CCWF and the corresponding results of these parameters. This is to enable producers of CCWF make informed decisions.
Effect of hot water treatment on some post-harvest qualities of stored sweet potato tuber
Postharvest losses constitute a major problem for sweet potato tuber production worldwide. The losses are often initiated by pathogen infection causing sprouting and rotting during storage. Sweet potato tuber sprouting and rotting causes loss of weight, firmness and undesirable appearance, affecting market value. Hot water treatment (HWT) can potentially preserve sweet potato tuber. The current study investigated the effect of hot water treatment on some post harvest quality of stored sweet potato tuber. The qualities studied included weight loss, thickness, firmness and appearance using standard methods. All samples were treated in HWT (50oC) for 10-, 15- and 20-minutes’immersion, and stored at a room temperature of 27 ± 2oC for 4 weeks. The results showed that all the treatment times (10, 15 and 20 minutes) had significant effects (p < 0.05) on the quality of stored sweet potato tubers. Application of HWT for 10 minutes maintained tuber qualities- weight loss, thickness and firmness (p < 0.05), and resulted in the best appearance. It is showed that HWT at 500C for 10 minutes’ had great potential in extending the shelf-life and preserving the post harvest qualities of sweet potato tuber
Survey of medicinal plants used for treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and boils in Moro local government area of Kwara State
Inflammation is one of the common symptoms associated with many diseases affecting people worldwide. Plants remain important sources of first-aids and herbal treatments for disease management, particularly among rural population. This study aimed to document medicinal plants used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatism, arthritis and boils, in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State. A survey was conducted among residents of six villages: Oloru, Elemere, Gbugudu, Asomu, Malete and Oloko Tuntun to identify the medicinal used for these conditions. Semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information from respondents. Data were obtained from sixty-six (66) respondents. Thirty-eight (38) recipes were documented for rheumatism, twenty-four (24) for arthritis and four (4) for boils, involving a total of fifty-nine (59) plants species belonging to forty (40) families. The Fabaceae, Anacardiaceae and Apocynaceae families were the most represented, while the most frequently utilized plant parts were leaves, followed by roots and stem barks. This survey serves as a compendium of medicinal plants used in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and boils in the six villages of Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Amylase production by solid-state fermentation of corn (Zea mays) stem using fusarium and mucor
The study aimed at producing amylase from corn stem using Mucor and Fusarium in solid-state fermentation. The fungi used in this study was isolated from the rhizosphere of the corn plant. A solid-state technique was adopted for the fermentation process using spore suspension as inoculum. Various fermentation parameters, such as incubation days, addition of salt supplement, substrate concentration, mycelia suspension and temperature were optimized during fermentation with these organisms. Results show that both organisms produced the highest amount of amylase on day 3 at 28 ± 2°C. Mucor has the highest amylase activity of 12.54 μmol/mg/min when 25g of substrate was used while Fusarium has the highest amylase activity of 13.86 μmol/mg/min when 5g of substrate was used. The optimum temperature for amylase production was observed to be 40°C at pH 8.12 for Mucor, while Fusarium exhibited optimum activity at 20°C and pH 8.34. The study concluded that corn stems are a viable substrate for amylase production using rhizosphere-derived organisms under solid-state fermentation.
The critical role of hyperparameter tuning in machine learning: Implications for reproducibility and model comparison
Despite being a fundamental aspect of machine learning model development, hyperparameter tuning remains underreported in the literature. This article highlights the importance of hyperparameter optimisation, outlines common hyperparameters across various algorithms, and discusses the consequences of inadequate hyperparameter documentation. We argue that the lack of transparency in hyperparameter settings impedes reproducibility, hinders fair model comparisons, and contributes to the hyperparameter deception. The importance of hyperparameter tuning in machine learning was demonstrated by comparing the performance of the decision tree, support vector machine and random forest models on Iris, Digits and Breast Cancer datasets using default and tuned hyperparameters. This further justifies the need to document and report the process and values of the hyperparameter settings used in the models. To facilitate this, an architecture that encourages the documentation of the hyperparameters has been proposed. By emphasising the need for comprehensive reporting, this study aims to raise awareness and encourage best practices in machine learning research.
Soil characterization and land suitability evaluation of Kwara state university teaching and research farm, Malete
Characterisation, classification, and land suitability analysis are fundamental to land potentials for agricultural purposes and management decisions, planning, and utilisation, providing a link between resource assessment and the decision-making process. This study was conducted to characterise and evaluate the land suitability for maize and soybean cultivation. Two soil profiles were dug based on topographical variations, and soil characterisation followed FAO guidelines. Soil samples were collected from genetic horizons for laboratory analyses. Surface samples (0–25 cm) were also collected across the sites. Morphological, physical and chemical properties were assessed using appropriate methods. The results revealed a textural variation from loam to sandy clay loam in Pedon 1, and sand to sandy clay loam in Pedon 2. Surface soil pH values ranged from 6.25 to 6.75, indicating a moderately acidic condition, favourable to most crops and soil microorganisms. However, the soils exhibited low levels of available phosphorus, exchangeable bases, and cation exchange capacity (CEC), while climatic factors such as rainfall, temperature and humidity were not limiting. Also, no land unit was classified as highly suitable (S1) for maize or soybean. Most areas were rated as marginally suitable (S3) due to fertility constraints and topography. In order to improve land productivity, soil fertility-enhancing practices are recommended.
Analyzing the effects of ICT infrastructure adoption on agricultural output in Nigeria: An error correction model approach
This study examined the effect of adoption of ICT infrastructure on agricultural output in Nigeria. Annual data on fixed telephone subscriptions, mobile phone subscriptions, internet usage, ICT goods import and some essential production variables spanning from 1994 to 2023 were used for the study. The unit root test of stationarity of each variable was obtained using the Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) while the existence of long - run and short-run relationship among the variables was established using the Engle and Granger 2-step approach. Based on the ADF results, all the variables were integrated of order one, I(1) and the error term of the long-run regression was stationary at level. Then, we implemented error correction model(ECM) to examine the short-run relationship between agricultural output and the ICT variables under consideration. The overall estimated result showed a significant long-run relationship between agricultural output and mobile phone subscriptions, internet usage, ICT goods import, and short-run significant relationship with only ICT goods import and mobile phone subscriptions. Fixed telephone did not have significant influence on agricultural output both in the short-term and long-term. The study suggests implementation of policies that will improve the existing level of ICT facilities for enhancement of more agricultural output.
Design, fabrication, and performance analysis of a locally sourced hot-air balloon for high-temperature environments
ABSTRACT This research focuses on addressing the difficulty of manufacturing low-cost aerial platforms in developing regions by fabricating a functional hot-air balloon in Ilorin, Nigeria, with the exclusive use of indigenous materials. The methodology involved the use of polyester and Teru fabrics, developed from a novel Acrylic- Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) sealing method and a locally sourced borax-boric acid fire retardant. Quantitative analysis of the components shows that the treated fabric attained an 80-85% air permeability reduction rate while the burner system achieved a 62% heat target output. The analysis also indicated an underestimated significant buoyancy penalty of over 12% resulting from high ambient temperatures (35°C). In conclusion, this study successfully shows the viability of utilizing local materials for functional aerospace vehicle components, developing a vital methodological framework. Hence, it provides needed performance data for future low-cost designs in high-temperature environments.
Selected soil properties as influenced by cropping system and sampling depths in Igboora, Nigeria
ABSTRACT The influence of cropping systems on some selected soil properties was studied at Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria. The cropping systems evaluated included monocropping, intercropping, and uncultivated land as control. Soil samples were collected from each of these cropping systems at two depths (0-20 cm and 20-40 cm) with four replications. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means separated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5% level of probability. The physico-chemical characteristics of the soil considered were significantly different among various cropping systems and soil sampling depth. The sand fraction of the soils decreased with soil depth while silt and clay fraction increased with soil depth. Except N, all other chemical characteristics of the soil (pH, OC and K) were highest in uncultivated cropping land. The values were 6.51, 1.7 % and 0.33 cmol kg-1 for pH, OC and K, respectively. However, available P was highest (4.93 mg kg-1) in monocropping. In addition, all chemical characteristics (OC, pH, N, P and K) were observed to decrease with soil sampling depth. This study concluded that both cropping systems and sampling depth affects the soil properties in the area.
Comparative effects of poultry manure and NPK top dress with urea on growth and yield of maize
ABSTRACT The study aimed at determining the effects of poultry manure and NPK top dress with urea on the growth and yield of maize. The experiment was conducted using soil collected from a home soil and the Teaching and Research Farm of Kwara State University. The treatments included a Control, NPK, NPK 15-15 -15 RD (100% top dressed N with prilled urea), NPK 15-15 -15 RD (100% top dressed N with granular urea), NPK 15-15 -15 RD (100% top dressed N with neem- coated urea) and Poultry manure 10 t/ha. Treatments were laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications. Results show that application of different fertilizers improved soil chemical properties and maize growth and yield in both experimental soils; however, urea fertilizer top- dressed with NPK showed better maize growth than poultry manure. The study demonstrates that application of NPK top-dressed with granular urea and neem-coated urea significantly improved maize growth and kernel weight. This is attributed to the steady release of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, which supports cell division and growth. The effect of NPK top-dressed with nitrogen sources on soil fertility was positive, as it increased soil N, exchangeable K, organic carbon, and clay content after harvest. Keywords: Maize, NPK fertilizer, Poultry manure, Urea
Iron ore prospecting using remote sensing and aeromagnetic data in parts of sheet 224 (Osi), Nigeria
In recent years, the solid mineral sector has emerged as a central focus of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda, attracting heightened attention from both policymakers and researchers. Iron ore, in particular, is of global economic significance, and its sustainable development has the potential to make substantial contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This research applies an integrated exploration strategy that combines remote sensing with aeromagnetic techniques to investigate iron ore mineralisation in parts of Sheet 224 (Osi), located in southwestern Nigeria. Structural analysis reveals that the most prominent lineament orientations trend NNE–SSW (18.52%), NE–SW (17.28%), and ENE–WSW to NW (16.05%). Aeromagnetic data analysis shows prospective mineralisation zones concentrated in the central and northeastern sectors, while enhanced analytical signal values (0.200–0.398) delineate additional target zones primarily situated in the eastern portion of the study area. Spectral depth estimates distinguish two levels of anomalies: shallow sources ranging from 0.06 m to 0.82 m, and deeper sources between 0.40 m and 1.50 m. These results demonstrate that the integration of aeromagnetic datasets with remote sensing imagery provides a reliable framework for identifying subsurface structures and assessing the distribution of iron ore mineralisation.
Combined effect of biochar and castor cake on soil properties and yield of Amaranthus caudatus
ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of combined applications of biochar and castor cake on soil chemical properties, growth, and yield of Amaranthus caudatus. Screenhouse and field experiments were conducted at Kwara State University, Malete, and the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Idofian, Kwara State. Screenhouse experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design, while the field trial followed a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Treatments included different ratios of castor cake and biochar applied at 10 t/ha (30+70%, 40+60%, 50+50%, 60+40%, and 70+30%), NPK fertilizer at 100 kg N/ha, and a control. Results from the screenhouse study showed that combined applications of biochar and castor cake significantly enhanced growth and dry matter yield of amaranths. In the field experiment, the treatment comprising 60% castor cake + 40% biochar increased yield by 79.5% over NPK and 88.8% over the control after the first cropping. Its residual yield (12,094.3 kg/ha) was also significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of NPK. The 70% castor cake + 30% biochar treatment significantly improved soil organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Overall, application of 60% castor cake + 40% biochar at 10 t/ha is recommended for improving soil fertility and amaranth production.
A comparative machine learning framework for breast cancer diagnosis: Benchmarking algorithms and emphasizing model interpretability
This study evaluated the performance of four machine learning models regularized logistic regression (GLMNET), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), and support vector machine (SVM) for the binary classification of breast cancer cases using a dataset comprising 357 benign (62.7%) and 212 malignant (37.3%) samples. Model training and evaluation were performed using repeated cross-validation, with performance assessed through ROC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Among the models, GLMNET achieved the best performance, with the highest cross-validation ROC (0.992) and a strong balance between sensitivity (0.982) and specificity (0.935). On the independent test set, GLMNET demonstrated excellent discrimination (AUC = 0.998), high accuracy (98.2%, 95% CI: 93.8–99.8), sensitivity (98.6%), and specificity (97.6%), with a Kappa of 0.962 indicating near-perfect agreement. Feature importance analysis revealed PC02, PC01, and PC04 as the most influential predictors. These results suggest that GLMNET provides robust and highly accurate classification performance, making it a suitable model for breast cancer prediction in this dataset.
Assessing the impact of Sternochetus mangiferae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) infestation on morphometrics and nutritional composition of mango
Sternochetus mangiferae (mango seed weevil) is a major pest affecting mango production, leading to significant economic and nutritional losses. This study evaluated the impact of S. mangiferae infestation on the morphometric, nutritional, and anti-nutritional properties of three mango varieties (Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Palaba) collected from different locations in Ibadan, Nigeria. Infested and non-infested mango fruits were analyzed for their physical attributes, nutritional composition, and anti-nutritional factors. Results showed significant reductions (p < 0.05) in fruit weight, seed length, and seed width in infested samples across all varieties. Adult infestation led to decreased crude protein, ash, and ether extract contents, with notable declines in calcium, magnesium, and iron levels. Anti-nutritional factors such as saponin, tannin, and flavonoid also showed reductions in infested samples. The percentage of infestation varied across locations, with the highest infestation rate recorded at Omi Adio (50%) and the lowest at Ojoo (26.67%). Among mango varieties, Palaba exhibited the highest infestation (48.33%), while Oyo had the least infestation (30%). These findings highlighted the detrimental effects of S. mangiferae infestation on mango fruit quality, emphasizing the need for effective pest management strategies to mitigate post-harvest losses and preserve nutritional integrity
Evaluation of rhizobia inoculants and fungicides in the management of fusarium wilt disease of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) walp)
ABSTRACT The antifungal potential of Rhizobia inoculant (Ri) and its compatibility with fungicides in controlling Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tracheiphilum (FO) in cowpea was investigated. Fifty cowpea nodules were collected from fields in Kano and Ibadan, isolation, authentication and identification of Rhizobia were carried out. Antagonistic potential of best two strains (R2 and R3) were tested in-vitro on FO with USDA 2677 (R1) as reference. Fungicides and Rhizobium compatibilities were carried out on seeds dressed with the four fungicides. Seeds were thereafter coated with R1, R2 and R3 and rhizobium strains. Seven local strains (Ibadan1, 2 and 16, Kano18, 19, 42 and 49) were identified as Bradyrhizobia spp. In terms of number of nodules, Ibadan 16 (9) and Kano 19 (7) performed better, compared with Reference Rhizobium (11). Ibadan16, Kano19 and R3 significantly inhibited mycelia growth of FO. The TMD (6.33E +08), IMC (6.25E+08) enhanced growth than MC (4.30E+08) while CM (0.00) inhibited growth of all Rhizobium strains, with control having highest (3.89E+10) CFU/mL. Thiamethoxam + metalaxyl-M + Difenoconazole and Imidacloprid + Metalaxyl + Cabendazim were compatible with Ibadan 16 and Kano 19. Indigenous Rhizobium competed well with exotic strains (USDA 2677) and are recommended for use in cowpea inoculant production.
Adefoyeke Olufunmilayo Aduramigba-Modupe
Comparative effect of sucrose, fructose and glucose concentrations on the survival rate of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum l.) in tissue culture
Tomato remains a globally essential horticultural crop, whose efficient micro propagation is critical for sustainable production, especially in tropical regions facing biotic and abiotic challenges. This study investigated the influence of three exogenous sugars; sucrose, glucose and fructose applied at varying concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 g/L) on the survival and developmental performances of two tomato varieties (Rio Grande and UC-82B) under in vitro concentrations. Seeds were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with each sugar type and data on seedling survival, shoot number, shoot length, leaf count, node formation and root development were recorded after 40 - 60 days. Result indicated that low concentrations (0-10`g/L) of sucrose and glucose significantly improved survival and shoot proliferation, with Rio Grande exhibiting superior performance across all sugar treatments. However, high concentrations (> or = 30g/L) significantly reduced survival rates and morphological vigor, suggesting the onset of osmotic or metabolic stress. Fructose treated seedlings consistently showed the lowest survival responses in all concentrations. Overall, sucrose at low concentration was the most effective carbon source, particularly for the Rio Grande variety, emphasizing its potential for nursery applications and commercial propagation strategies. These findings contribute to refining tomato micro propagation protocols and provide a foundation for advancing crop regeneration technologies in Africa.
Performance, prime cut, abdominal fat and meat quality of broiler chickens on diets supplemented with dried powdered spices and tomato fruit
Improving broiler growth and meat quality remains an important focus in poultry production. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of dried powdered spices and tomato fruit on growth performance, carcass yield and meat quality of broiler chickens. A total of 225 one-day-old Ross chicks were assigned to five dietary treatments: T1, basal diet (BD); T2, BD + black pepper powder (BPP); T3, BD + tomato fruit powder (TFP); T4, BD + ginger powder (GNP); and T5, BD + chili pepper powder (CPP) and fed for six weeks using a completely randomised design experiment. Birds on BD treatment had higher (P<0.05) final body weight, greater weight gain and more efficient feed conversion than those on other treatments. Breast meat yield was higher (P<0.05) in BD and BPP than in other treatments. BD birds also had higher pH, while waterholding capacity was greater in TFP and CPP than in other treatments. Overall, birds on BPP treatment had superior sensory attributes compared with . In conclusion, supplementing broiler diet with dried powdered spices and tomato fruits significantly enhanced growth performance and meat quality, highlighting the potential of these additives for optimizing poultry nutrition and product quality
Lead Paint Hazards in Nigeria: Public Health and Environmental Impacts
Lead-containing paints present an ongoing, severe threat to human and environmental health in Nigeria. This review synthesizes available evidence on the toxicity of lead-based paints for both people and the wider environment, reviews regulatory progress, and identifies research and policy gaps. Lead paint exposures, especially among children, result in irreversible neurological and developmental harms, with wider systemic and cardiovascular consequences for all ages. Studies have consistently found lead content in Nigerian paints far exceeding global safety standards. Environmental impacts include persistent contamination of soils, water, air, and biota. Despite steps by regulatory agencies such as the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, weak enforcement and incomplete elimination persist. This review utilizes a PRISMA flow diagram to depict the evidence selection and review process, underscores current knowledge gaps, and offers evidence-based recommendations for Nigerian policymakers and stakeholders.
Oviposition site preferences of fall armyworm moth, Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on selected crops under a no-choice scenario
ABSTRACT The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a destructive invasive pest threatening food security across Sub-Saharan Africa, especially maize-based systems. This study assessed the oviposition preferences of female fall armyworm moths on maize, cowpea, and okra – crops commonly intercropped by Nigerian smallholder farmers – under no-choice laboratory conditions. Two-week-old seedlings of each crop were individually exposed to mated female moths in sleeve cages for 72 hours, and egg masses were examined for quantity, position on plant, and distribution across leaf surfaces and regions (distal-, mid- and proximal- portions of the leaf). Results showed maize and cowpea were significantly more preferred than okra, with maize receiving the highest total number of egg masses and eggs. Interestingly, cowpea had the highest number of eggs per mass, suggesting its potential as a viable secondary host. Okra received the fewest eggs and was associated with a high proportion of off-plant oviposition. Across all crop types, females consistently preferred to lay eggs on the abaxial and distal portions of leaves rather than stems or adaxial surfaces. These findings highlight that while female fall armyworm moths may not strictly follow the preference–performance hypothesis at the plant species level, they exhibit marked discrimination at the microhabitat scale.
A lightweight deep learning model for intrusion detection in Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices using weight pruning technique
The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) has transformed modern healthcare by enabling seamless data collection and monitoring through connected medical devices. However, the growing interconnectivity of these devices exposes them to serious cyber security threats, such as unauthorized access, data tampering, and denial-of-service attacks. These risks are heightened by the limited computing and memory resources of IoMT devices, which make traditional intrusion detection systems unsuitable. This study proposes a lightweight deep neural network model optimized for resource-constrained IoMT environments. The model integrates Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction and weight pruning techniques to minimize model complexity while maintaining high detection performance. Experimental results demonstrate a significant reduction in model size to 84 KB with 98% detection accuracy, outperforming state-of-the-art methods. This research provides an efficient and deployable security solution that strengthens the resilience of IoMT devices without overwhelming their limited computational capacity
Meat quality of West African Dwarf goat fed with cultivated African herbs
This study investigated the effects of feeding West African Dwarf goats with selected herbs (Scent leaf, Indian gooseberry and Wild lettuce). Twenty goats in five treatments of four each were fed hygienically at approved experimental site. The goat meat samples obtained were labeled thus: T1 (no herbs included in feed), T2 (goat fed with scent leaf), T3 (goat fed with Indian gooseberry), T4 (goat fed with wild lettuce) and T5 (goat fed with combination of scent leaf, Indian gooseberry and wild lettuce). The samples were evaluated for texture profiling, total protein, Malondialdehyde (MDA), colour profile characteristics and sensory properties. The sensory properties result of the samples indicated commendable ratings for all the evaluated properties. Also, T2, T4 and T5 were tender than other goat meat samples, with total protein (TP) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) of the goat meat samples increasing with longer storage periods. Furthermore, T2 and T3 had the best lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness intensity (b*) while T5 had the best overall sensory ratings. In conclusion, West African Dwarf goat fed with combination of Scent leaf, Indian gooseberry and Wild lettuce (sample T5) was the best in terms of textural and sensory properties.
Copyright (c) 2024 Technoscience Journal for Community Development in Africa
Detection of Methicilin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in open displayed Ready-to-eat fish in some markets in Ilorin
Consumption of the open displayed ready-to-eat (RTE) fish is associated with health risks. This study investigated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) contamination of open displayed RTE fish samples in Oja Tuntun and Mandate markets in Ilorin Kwara State, Nigeria. Dried, smoked and fried fish samples obtained from the markets were subjected to bacteriological analysis to isolate and identify methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus using standard methods. Samples obtained from Oja Tuntun market had a higher count than those obtained from Mandate market. The mean MRSA count ranged from 18.00 ± 1.00 × 108 cfu/mg to 206.33 ± 1.53 × 108 cfu/mg. Dried fish samples obtained from Oja Tuntun had the highest mean count of MRSA. While the lowest mean count was found in fried fish sample from Mandate market. In summary, the RTE fish samples examined were contaminated with MRSA, and this portends tendency of RTE foodborne spread of MRSA
Sentinel prevalence study of zoonotic parasites of domestic dogs in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State
Dogs are pets and they play a significant role as hosts and reservoirs of different pathogens shared with humans and wildlife. Close association between humans and dogs carries the risk of human exposure to parasites. In this study, we examine the prevalence and management of zoonotic parasitic infections in domestic dogs in Moro Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State, North-Central, Nigeria. One hundred and seventy-four (174) dog faecal samples collected from selected communities in the LGA were examined for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites. Formol ether concentration technique was used for the identification of the parasites. In the dog faecal samples examined, 53.7% (93/173) were infected, out of which 45.7% (48/105) and 65.2% (45/69) were from males and females, respectively. The parasites occurrence varies with sex, age, and breed, but the highest infection occurred in dogs aged ≥ 12 months old. The parasites found in the faecal samples and their order of occurrence include: Dipylidium caninum > Strongyloides stercoralis > Ancylostoma spp. > Ascaris lumbricoides > Toxocara canis > Taenia spp. > Balantidium coli. Tick (31) was the only ectoparasite found on the dogs. These dogs pose a threat to the health of both people and animals by contaminating the environment with endoparasites and ectoparasites. To reduce the potential health risks to the human and animal populations, methods for controlling the dog's faecal samples in the environment should be developed by public health workers.
Assessment of intestinal parasites of fruits and vegetables sold in selected markets in Ilorin, Nigeria
Fresh fruits and vegetables form an integral part of a healthy and nutritious diet. They are also potential conduits of transmission of gastrointestinal pathogens to hosts. This study aims to evaluate the level of parasitic contamination of selected fruits and vegetables across peri-urban markets in Ilorin metropolis. Fruits and vegetable samples were washed in normal saline solutions. Parasites in the wash solutions were concentrated by sedimentation method. Parasite detection was carried out using a binocular microscope and identification by comparison with the key from atlas of parasitology. The relationship between variables at 5% level of significance was determined by Pearson's chi-square analysis. Two hundred and thirteen (213) fruit and vegetable samples were assessed for parasitic contamination. Thirteen (13) parasites (5 protozoans and 8 helminths), namely: Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba coli, Balantidium coli, Isospora coli, Schistosoma spp., Ascaris lumbricoides, Taenia spp., Trichuris trichura, Strongyloides stercoralis, Fasciola spp., Toxocara spp., and Ancylostoma duodenale, were detected and evaluated. Cabbage and lettuce were the most contaminated at 38.5% prevalence each. This is followed by Fluted pumpkin, Tomatoes, Carrot, Cucumber, Spinach and green pepper with 32.4%, 26.9%, 23.0%, 22.2%, 18.8%, and 7.5%, prevalence. The obtained order of prevalence of intestinal parasites was: G. lamblia > S. stercoralis/Taenia spp. > E. histolytica > A. lumbricoides/A. duodenale > B. coli/E. coli.