Volume XII Issue II

This study aims to determine the effect and best dose of Ig-Y on WSSV in vannamei shrimp using the cohabitation method in the laboratory and in ponds. The method of this study was passively immunizing shrimp that had been infected with WSSV by immersing Ig-Y doses of 2% and 4% w/v. Statistical analysis using linear regression (T test and Determination Test). The results showed that the positive shrimp group had a mortality rate of 100% on the second day after the shrimp were infected with WSSV. The shrimp group treated with Ig-Y 4% had a mortality rate of 0%. While the shrimp group treated with Ig-Y 2% had a mortality rate of 0%, the morbidity rate reached 20% after contracting WSSV. The results of the T-test statistic test on giving Ig-Y 2% T-count value is greater than T-table (2.079 > 2.037 and Ig-Y 4% T-count value is greater than T-table (2.952 > 2.037) which means Ig -Y 2% and Ig-Y 4% had a positive effect on the healing of WSSV-infected shrimp, the results of the determination analysis of 2% Ig-Y and 4% Ig-Y were able to explain 58.4% of the variation in the shrimp recovery variable from WSSV infection, there was no significant difference between testing in the laboratory and in ponds. The conclusion of the WSSV challenge test with 2% Ig-Y and 4% Ig-Y using the cohabitation method on vannamei shrimp had a significant and positive effect on the recovery of vannamei shrimp.

The purpose of this research work is to model factors that contribute effectively to teacher’s effectiveness in communication skills to students’ excellence academic performance in Kogi State, Nigeria. The study revealed that gender, religion and ethnicity are non-statistically significant on students’ academic performance. This implies that they are not determinant predictors to student’s academic performance in this particular paper. Residence, as a factor was statistically significant but contributed negatively to students’ excellence academic performance. Factors that were statistically significant and also have positive contribution to students’ performance include; Age, Parent Education, School Facilities, Self-Confidence, Resources, Personal Attitude, types of schools and the use of textbooks. The Binary Logistic Regression Model Equation for this paper is given below;

High performance computing (HPC) is one of the most essential tools fueling the advancement of computational science. And the universe of scientific computing has expanded in all directions [11]. From weather forecasting and energy exploration, to computational fluid dynamics and life sciences, researchers are fusing traditional simulations with artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, big data analytics, and edge-computing to solve the mysteries of the world around us. In this paper I have discuss some of the modern tools and techniques for HPC and how it works with advantages it offers. This paper also provides useful information regarding types of tools for High Performance Computing.

The future of Indian agriculture has always been a major concern to all its stakeholders. This sector has a herculean task to provide sufficient food and nutrition to the growing population. New- Age Technology and innovation are playing the role of a lever that can catapult Indian agriculture to unbelievable heights. Aspiring entrepreneurs and numerous agritech startups are entering the space that have the potential to disrupt the traditional agricultural system with innovative ideas and inexpensive solutions without compromising on the man-machine linkages. However, Agricultural start-ups are still at an embryonic stage in India. Agritech Startups are providing relevant solutions to a number of challenges faced across the agricultural value chain and have the potential to critically address the inherent issues faced by this sector which include low landholding, minimal return on investments, high production costs, losses in the agri and food supply chain, economic affordability amongst the target groups, longer gestation periods, as well as knowledge and skill gaps amongst farmers. This study is descriptive in nature, and aims to draw attention towards the enormous efforts being made to revitalize the agricultural industry through the use of cutting-edge technology that are being thrusted by agricultural startups. The findings of the study will be useful for researchers, practitioners and policymakers engaged in the promotion of agribusiness, agri-startups as well as incubation centers. Agritech startups are leveraging technology in areas such as retail, B2B, B2C, marketplaces and digital agronomy platforms that are aimed to curb real time problems. Agritech startups have the potential to address a number of challenges faced by the sector and transform the agricultural practices as manifested by countries like the US, China and Israel. Nevertheless, the central and state governments have also stepped up to support agritech startups in order to give this sector a much needed boost. Transparency and operational efficiencies will help to transform this sector over time.

Countries of the world are facing increasing challenges in funding their national budgets, and this has placed much pressure on nations’ tax authorities to up their skills in expanding the tax net with special focus on underground economies. This study adopted a literature review approach on contemporary tax revenue mobilization approaches around the world. Data were collected from online sources using phrases such as tax collection from informal sectors; tax revenue collection from shadow economies; taxation of underground economies; methods of taxation on traditional economies. In line with reviewed literature as well as the collaborative synergy expected from governments, tax authorities, labour/employees associations, and informal sectors’ associations, the work adopted the stakeholder theoretical framework. The study identified the following as the mostly applicable international best practices in tax revenue mobilization from underground economies: indirect taxes (that is value added tax (VAT) and withholding tax (WHT)); presumptive tax; the formalization of informal sector; and collective tax collection regimes. It is the recommendation of the study that governments of the world (most especially those of emerging economies and third world countries) should improve their synergy with tax payers and associations in the informal sectors. This is because they form the largest population of qualified tax payers outside the tax dragnet.

Conservation and management of forest ecosystems are currently largely conflicting goals in the Forest biome. However, sustainable forest management systems can offer significant income opportunities for landholders, and thereby actively support the process of ecosystem rehabilitation and protection of the Forest. This research is intended to contribute to enhancing the development of environmentally sound forest management alternatives. Through a case study, the harvesting impact of a conventional harvesting method (CM) was evaluated and compared with an alternative and improved harvesting method (AM). Wheneverforest environment is inappropriately handled, several environmental issues arise. Biodiversity are often directly affected when a forest environment is abused. Globally, several nations with hitherto defined forest belts suffer greatly due to loss of biodiversity today. Three settlements were adopted for this study including Adumu, Etutekpe and Ulaja due to availability of some forest around them. Qualitative or descriptive statistical technique was adopted using tables and percentages for the three communities. Three hundred and eighty (380) structured questionnaires were administered while three hundred and sixty two (362) retrieved. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used to collect data for analysis. In the distribution of questionnaire simple random sampling technique was used. The study reviews that uncontrolled logging affects biodiversity negatively, lack of substitute for trees has increased pressure on the forest, diversion of agricultural loans affects proper forest management. It was recommended that both legal and political framework for forest conservation and management be enhanced and basic education on forestry and wild -life conservation be made compulsory and be adopted into school curricular at all levels.

A 56-day feeding trial was carried out to study the influence of palm kernel cake and cobalt mineral supplemenS on the feeding value of cassava peeling waste-based diet in young sheep. Sixteen weanlings. West African Dwarf sheep of average initial live weight of 2.59 + 012kg were divided into four roups. Each group was randomly assigned to one of four treatment diets in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. The animals were fed at 3% of their body weights. They were fed ad-libitum with clean drinking water and mineralized salt lick throughout the 56 daDietary treatments consisted of two inclusion levels (7.74 and 37.53%) of palm kernel cake; and two inclusion levels (0, and 1.0 ppm) of cobalt supplement. The diets were; A – Low dietary level of palm kernel cake and low cobalt mineral supplement B – Low dietary level of palm kernel cake and high cobalt mineral supplement C – High dietary level of palm kernel cake and low cobalt mineral supplement D – High dietary level of palm kernel cake and high cobalt mineral supplement The experiment lasted for 56 days involving sixteen (16) lambs in a factorial design used to evaluate the, average dry matter, nutrient intake, nutrients digestibility, body weight gain, nitrogen retention, urinary and serum thiocyanate levels, serum total protein and urea-nitrogen concentrations. All measurements are taken 56 days after the feeding trial. Body weight gains (g/day) in the sheep were measured as, 7.55, 5.09, 23.72, and 26.09 at the 56th day measurement for dietary treatments A, B, C, and D respectively. The body weight gain values obtained in sheep on dies C and D were higher (P<0.05) than for those on diets A and B at the 56th days measurements. However, the crude protein intake and crude Fibre intake values obtained in sheep on diet C and D were higher (P<0.05) than for those on diets A and B at the 56th days measurements. Similar trends were obtained for nitrogen retention in sheep. The sheep receiving dietary treatments C and D had higher (P< 0.5) serum thiocyanate level at the 56th day measurement when compared to those on dietary treatment A or B. Similar trends were obtained for urea- nitrogen. The effect of the treatments on serum total protein and urinary thiocyanate levels were not significant (P>0.05) among the four treatment groups. It was concluded that sheep consuming high levels of palm kernel cake in a cassava peeling waste-based diet, benefited from dietary cobalt supplements in terms of body weight gain and nitrogen retention.

A 56-day feeding trial was carried out to study the influence of cassava leaf meal and cobalt mineral supplement on the feeding value of cassava peeling waste-based diet in the sheep. Sixteen (16) weanling West African Dwarf sheep of average initial live weight; 9.27 + 2.94kg were divided into four groups. Each group was randomly assigned to one of four treatment diets in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. The animals were fed at 3% of their body weights. They had unrestricted access to clean drinking water and mineralized salt lick throughout the 56-day feeding trial. Dietary treatments consisted of two inclusion levels (7.74 and 37.53%) of cassava leaf meal; and two levels (0, and 1.0 ppm) of cobalt supplement. The diets were in four treatments; A (Low inclusion level of cassava leaf meal (7.74%) without cobalt supplement), B (Low inclusion level of cassava leaf meal (7.74%) with 1ppm cobalt supplement), C (High inclusion level of cassava leaf meal (37.53%) without cobalt supplement), and D (High inclusion level of cassava leaf meal (37.53%) with cobalt supplement) respectively. All measurements were taken at the 4th and 8th weeks of the feeding trial. Body weight gains in the sheep were; 19.21, 8.28, 23.75, and 34.46 g/day at the 28th day measurement and 8.93, 5.36, 24.82, and 26.34 g/day at the 56th day measurement for dietary treatments A, B, C, and D respectively. The body weight gain values obtained in sheep on diet D were higher (P<0.05) than for those on diets A and B at the 28th and 56th days measurements. Similar trends were obtained for nitrogen retention in the sheep. Sheep receiving dietary treatment D had higher (P<0.5) serum thiocyanate level at the 56th day measurement when compared to those on dietary treatment A or B. Similar trends were obtained for urea- nitrogen. Effect of the treatments on serum total protein and urinary thiocyanate levels were not significant (P>0.05) among the four treatment groups. It was concluded that sheep consuming high level of cassava leaf meal in cassava peeling waste-based diet, benefited from dietary cobalt supplement in terms of body weight gain and nitrogen retention

The need for entrepreneurship as a means to minimize unemployment and poverty cannot be overemphasized. However, emphasizing its importance is only a step forward in the right direction but more is required to change the mindset and disposition of youth towards entrepreneurship. This paper therefore analyzes students’ attitudes toward self-employment intentions. Students have different traits which perhaps are responsible for shaping their attitudes. The decision to become self-employed is dependent on so many factors. People become self-employed either because they want to explore an existing opportunity or because there are limited paid employment opportunities. High unemployment rate among graduates is one of the major problem facing government of Nigeria at present. The recent effort by the governments at different levels to encourage youth to become self-employed is an indication of the resolve to redirect students’ attitudes toward self-self-employment in the country. At this stage, it is important to ascertain what influences the attitude of students and how they vary in their intention toward self-employment. Survey design was conducted to collect data from Tertiary education students of Kogi State. Correlation analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted to examine the relationship among the selected variables and to know the difference among the students on their self-employment intentions using the Theory of Planned Behaviour. It was found that the relationship between self-employment intentions with the students’ self-efficacy, innovativeness, risk-taking propensity and students’ locus of control are positively significant with high correlations in all the variables used in this research work. The study also reveals that there is no significant difference among students on their self-employment intention variables.

Geographic information on flood vulnerability is essential for preparing for flood disasters. This study applies Geographical information System Techniques to produce flood vulnerability map of Lokoja and environs and its potential to cause devastating effect in the area. This study is aimed at mapping flood vulnerable areas within Lokoja, for an effective flood disaster management and proper planning. Satellites imageries MODIS of 2011and 2012, SPOT 5 of 2011, location map of Lokoja Metropolis, SRTM DEM, rainfall data, water discharge/gauge data, and GPS coordinates; acquired during field survey were integrated to map areas vulnerable to flooding. The study is limited to environmental factors such as hydrology, slope, soil type, drainage density, landform and land use/land cover. Different maps were generated; composite map of the study area, flood extent map, flood plain map, slope map, flow direction map, flow accumulation map, Triangular irregular network, flood vulnerability map and also pie chart showing percentage area impacted, histogram showing the pattern of rainfall within Lokoja metropolis was generated. The approach resulted in four classes of flood vulnerability ranging from not vulnerable, less vulnerable, more vulnerable and most vulnerable areas. The area not vulnerable accounted for 18.22%, less vulnerable area accounted for 35.15%, more vulnerable area accounted for 26.22%, and the most vulnerable area accounted for 20.41%. The study concludes by proffering a number of recommendations aimed at addressing the issue of flooding within Lokoja metropolis. The recommendations includes; construction of levee along areas that are vulnerable to flooding, widening and construction of standard drainages around Lokoja metropolis, dredging of surrounding water bodies to deepen their depth, among others.