• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2019

Background: Despite growing concern over occupational exposure to particulate matter (PM) such as grain dust and diesel exhaust, information about the exposure level and health implications among workers in small-scale milling enterprises in developing countries like Nigeria has not been adequately documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust and effect on lung function among grain millers in food markets in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Methods: The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional design with a comparative approach. Sixteen grain milling shops each were randomly selected from two major food markets in Ibadan metropolis for indoor $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ monitoring. Seventy-two respondents each were proportionately selected from grain millers and shop owners for forced expiratory volume in one second and peak expiratory flow rate tests. Results: The $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations for both market locations ranged between 1,269.3 and $651.7{\mu}g/m^3$, while $PM_{10}$ concentrations were between 1,048.2 and $818.1{\mu}g/m^3$. The recorded concentrations exceeded the World Health Organization guideline limit of $50{\mu}g/m^3$ and $25{\mu}g/m^3$ for $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$, respectively. As compared with control group (2.1 L), significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second value (1.61 L) was observed among the exposed group (p < 0.05). Likewise, significantly lower peak expiratory flow rate value (186.7 L/min) was recorded among the exposed group than the control group (269.51 L/min) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust accentuated respiratory disorders with declines in lung functions amongst grain millers. Improved milling practices and engaging cleaner milling facilities should be adopted to minimize exposure and related hazards.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.91-94
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• 2013

Recently Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria has been facing severe water shortage due to the increase of population, social and economic activities. In order to meet the shortfall, attempts to utilize rainwater harvesting (RWH) have been made to provide an alternative source of water supply. A desk study was conducted to review various RWH technologies locally, regionally and globally. A hydrological analysis was also carried out using rainfall data for 30 years from two meteorological stations, with the aim of providing a more sustainable RWH system for water supply to private individuals, organizations, and government agencies. RWH is found to be technically feasible based on the prevailing rainfall pattern with over 90% of households having a rooftop constructed from technically appropriate materials. Results of the study indicate that an average roof of $80m^2$ will collect 82,835 L/yr (45 L/person/day) for a family of five people which is about the required water demand for drinking and cooking purposes. Hence, the capacity of storage tanks and the catchment area required for an all-purpose water supply system based on RWH are quite large. These can be reduced to affordable sizes, by collecting and storing water for cooking and drinking only while non-potable uses are supplemented by water from other sources. However, it must be highlighted that due to the type of roofing material, rainwater should go through proper treatment in order to be used for potable purposes. This study clearly shows that Ibadan city has a good rainwater harvesting potential.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.147-156
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• 2013

Multiple use forestry is capable of generating income for forest based communities through Non-Timber forest products (NTFPs) which provide food, medicine, materials for domestic use and cash income for communities adjoining forest areas in developing countries. This study evaluates the economics of producing ginger rhizomes under teak canopy in a multiple land use system during 2007 and 2008 in even aged teak plantations in Ibadan and Ife, Nigeria. Twelve $6m^2$ sample plots were randomly selected in Completely Randomized Block Design within and outside the plantation. Average ginger rhizome of (50-60 g) were planted on the slightly tilled soil. NPK 15:15:15 was applied at 180 kg/ha on a split unit dose. ANOVA, Profitability, Benefit-Cost (B/C) ratio were used to analyze data. Results showed no significant differences between sites in ginger rhizome yield, (0.089 and 0.718, ${\rho}{\leq}0.05$) in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Average yield were higher outside teak canopy in both sites and treatments, (Ibadan -40.05 g>32.9 g, Ife -67.6 g>25.2 g and Ibadan -41.3 g>31.5 g, Ife -66.8 g>25.0 g) with and without NPK respectively. NPK had no effect on yields within teak plantation, (Ibadan -31.5<32.9 g, Ife -25 g<25.2 g). Ginger rhizome production was viable financially without inorganic fertilizer during second cropping season within and outside plantation (B/C=1.02, 1.09) respectively. Ginger could be raised profitably under teak canopy, however, studies on insolation requirement of ginger under teak canopy and other tree plantations are recommended.

• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.27-41
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• 2023

The outbreak of the corona virus diseases (COVID-19) in the late 2019 has affected all facets of educational system including library and information services. Reference services, an important aspect of library services are not exempted from this impact. This study therefore, investigated the impact of COVI\D-19 pandemic on the use of reference services and sources by postgraduate students using Kenneth Dike Library (KDL), University of Ibadan, as a case study. Using descriptive survey of correlational type, the study adopted the use of structured questionnaire to randomly select three hundred (300) postgraduate users of reference sources and services in KDL using online survey monkey. Of the three hundred (300) copies, two hundred and twenty three (223) copies, repre- senting 74.3% were retrieved and used for analysis. Findings revealed that, in spite of COVID-19 pandemic, most postgraduate students used Current Awareness Services (203, 91.0%, mean = 3.19), Reference Sources (202, 90.5%, mean = 3.18) and On-line Public Access Catalogue (195, 87.4%, mean = 3.13); low frequency of bibliotherapy (mean=2.22), Reader's Advisory services (mean=2.30) and inter-library loan (mean=2.13) and that COVID-19 pandemic had high impact on post- graduate students' use of reference services in Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan. Based on the findings, recommendations were made that library management should consider the adoption of virtual reference services (VRS) in addition to the conventional mode of refer- ence services to enhance patronage in the COVID-19 era. The library users should also be trained on how to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to learn new skills in the digital space that will eventually optimize the usage of the library remotely.

• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.39-57
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• 2024

Plagiarism detection software is beneficial in detecting plagiarism in research works of postgraduate students. Despite the benefits of using plagiarism detection software, studies have revealed that most students, including postgraduates, do not use plagiarism detection software as expected. This could depend on the provision of facilitating conditions like internet connectivity, training opportunities and electricity. Thus, this study examined facilitating conditions and the use of plagiarism detection software among postgraduates of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design of the correlational type was used for this study, with a population of 2143 postgraduates. The multi-stage random sampling technique was used to determine the sample size of 242. The questionnaire was the research instrument, and data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that most postgraduates agreed that the university provided facilitating conditions like internet connectivity. The majority of the respondents noted that they used Turnitin monthly. Most of the respondents noted that they used plagiarism detection software to paraphrase their work and check the correctness of the grammar in their documents. The most prominent challenges confronting plagiarism detection software use by most respondents were their inability to afford subscription payment to use the plagiarism detection software and slow internet connectivity. There was a significant positive relationship between facilitating conditions and the use of plagiarism detection software by the postgraduates of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Some of the recommendations for the institution's management include leveraging the vast network of alumni willing to give back to the institution and intervening in the provision of internet connectivity and electricity.

• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.49-65
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• 2022

This study examined e-resources usage among polytechnic students in Southwest Nigeria. A descriptive research design was adopted for this study and the population consisted of polytechnic students from The Polytechnic, Ibadan and Federal Polytechnic, Ede. There were 9671 students from both polytechnics. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed with a sample fraction of 5% was drawn from the total number of students in each faculty amounting to 381. A structured questionnaire was the major instrument used for data collection and the questionnaire was pre-tested using Cronbach-alpha to determine the reliability co-efficient. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS. The study found that the students from both polytechnics are aware of the e-resources and that the e-resources were mainly used for research, class assignment and to update knowledge. The problem such as epileptic power supply, poor internet connection and so on was identified. The study concluded that polytechnic students could benefit immensely from the enormous usage of e-resources particularly for teaching, learning and research. Based on the findings, recommendations were made.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.12
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• pp.25.1-25.7
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• 2017

Background: Rabbit breeding with high performance imported ones would be of benefit for genetic diversity and improvement of performance in domestic rabbit breeds. The rearing of more productive rabbit breeds could be pathway to improve the productivity and reduce the production cost. Maternal nutritional status exert a great influence on reproductive functions of does, which may expand from conception, through gestation and parturition and development of kits to puberty. Methods: Four breeds of rabbit were evaluated for their parturition, weaning and pubertal differences among the rabbit population in Ibadan, Nigeria. The breed consist of Fauve De Bourgogne (FDB), Chinchilla (CHA), British Spot (BS) and New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. A total of 60 bucks and 360 does consisting of 15 bucks and 90 does per breed were mated in 6 mating cycles, three each of natural mating and artificial insemination. All does were synchronized for estrus with 20 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin 48 h prior to mating. The does after parturition were assessed for milk yield (g) and kit survival rate (%) till weaning, weight changes of kits from birth to puberty. At puberty, the pubertal age (days) and weight (g) of the offspring were assessed. Result: Results obtained reveals that British Spot doe had highest milk yield among the breeds which significantly increased growth of kit and weight at weaning in British Spot rabbits. Survival rates of Chinchilla kits were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than Fauve de Bourgogne, British Spot and New Zealand White kits. Puberty attainment of the rabbits indicates that British spot does and Fauve de Bourgogne bucks are early maturing. Conclusion: Chinchilla shows high kit survivability and British spot has highest milk yield among the four breeds of rabbit.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.375-388
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• 2021

Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) is the most harmful virus that affects irrigated and lowland rice in Africa. The RBe24 isolate of the virus is the most pathogenic strain in Benin. A total of 79 genotypes including susceptible IR64 (Oryza sativa) and the resistant TOG5681 (O. glaberrima) as checks were screened for their reactions to RBe24 isolate of RYMV and the effects of silicon on the response of host plants to the virus investigated. The experiment was a three-factor factorial consisting of genotypes, inoculation level (inoculated vs. non-inoculated), and silicon dose (0, 5, and 10 g/plant) applied as CaSiO₃ with two replications and carried out twice in the screen house. Significant differences were observed among the rice genotypes. Fifteen highly resistant and eight resistant genotypes were identified, and these were mainly O. glaberrima. Silicon application did not affect disease incidence and severity at 21 and 42 days after inoculation (DAI); it, however, significantly increased plant height of inoculated (3.6% for 5 g CaSiO₃/plant and 6.3% for 10 g CaSiO₃/plant) and non-inoculated (1.9% for 5 g CaSiO₃/plant and 4.9% for 10 g CaSiO₃/plant) plants at 42 DAI, with a reduction in the number of tillers (12.3% for both 5 and 10 g CaSiO₃/plant) and leaves (26.8% for 5 g CaSiO₃/plant and 28% for 10 g CaSiO₃/plant) under both inoculation treatments. Our results confirm O. glaberrima germplasm as an important source of resistance to RYMV, and critical in developing a comprehensive strategy for the control of RYMV in West Africa.

• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.51-69
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• 2017

Availability, awareness and use of electronic resources provide access to authoritative, reliable, accurate and timely access to information. The use of electronic information resources (EIRs) can enable innovation in teaching and increase timeliness in research of postgraduate students which will eventual result into encouragement of the expected research-led enquiry in this digital age. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. Samples of 300 of postgraduate students within seven out 13 Faculties were randomly selected. Data were collected using questionnaire designed to elicit response from respondents and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics methods percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Results indicated that internet was ranked most available and used in the university. Low level of usage of electronic resources, in particular, full texts data bases is linked to a number of constraints: Interrupted power supply was ranked highest among other factors as speed and capacity of computers, retrieval of records with high recall and low precision, retrieving records relevant to information need, lack of knowledge of search techniques to retrieve information effectively, non possession of requisite IT skills and problems accessing the internet. The study recommended that usage of electronic resources be made compulsory, intensifying awareness campaigns concerning the availability, training on use of electronic resources and the problem of power outage be addressed.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.12.1-12.15
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• 2018

A preliminary investigation of length-weight relationship, condition factor and reproductive ecology of African pike fish, Hepsetus odoe, was conducted between June to August 2010 in Lake Eleiyele. A total of 90 samples of the fish species were caught by fishermen using gill nets. The results obtained showed that fish species had isometric growth pattern (contrary to negative allometry expected) with the growth exponent, b value of 2.64, that is not statistically different from 3 and with high statistical power of 0.866 when tested. The mean condition factor, K, was found to be 2.6, indicating that the fish species were in good condition in the study area. For reproductive biology, mean fecundity and gonadosomatic index were found to be 1349 eggs and 3.53% respectively. This study was necessary to fill the knowledge gap and provide information for management and conservation of the investigated species in the lake system. This study recommended that further research needs to be conducted because the sampling was carried out in the rainy season period and within a quarter of a year.