This study explores the pediculicidal of Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) leaf extracts against head lice. Two types of extracts were prepared: ethanolic, using a 95% ethanol maceration technique, and aqueous, through decoction. Adult head lice were collected with ethical approval and exposed to these solutions. Lice mortality was tracked at intervals up to 24 hours, while repellency was evaluated using a filter paper choice method. Results showed the ethanolic extract achieved complete mortality within 180 minutes, equaling permethrin, the standard control. It also induced 80% repellency, strongly discouraging lice from treated zones. The aqueous extract performed modestly, with a 60% mortality rate after 24 hours and 30% repellency. The markedly greater effectiveness of the ethanolic extract is attributed to its enhanced ability to solubilize active phytochemicals such as phenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Findings support previous research suggesting superior bioactivity in ethanolic herbal extracts and reinforce the traditional use of U. dioica as a medicinal plant. In summary, ethanolic U. dioica extract acts as a promising natural alternative for lice control. Validation in humans and further formulation studies are warranted to establish efficacy and safety.

The yoke plays a crucial role in the construction industry, as it provides essential support and alignment in formwork systems, ensuring structural accuracy and safety during concrete works. The study aimed to develop and fabricate an adjustable formwork yoke, determine its acceptability in terms of design, efficiency, functionality, and features, and test its strength in terms of tensile, shearing, and bending. The study used the developmental-descriptive method of research. A researcher-made instrument was formulated and administered to twenty-five (25) DTI-accredited builders and contractors to evaluate the technology acceptability of the developed adjustable formwork yoke across the identified criteria. The results of the study revealed that the adjustable formwork yoke achieved very high ratings in all areas. The item with the highest mean score was design, followed by features, functionality, and lastly, efficiency. Furthermore, laboratory tests showed that the yoke’s material is highly suitable for various construction activities, as it demonstrated superior strength in tensile, shearing, and bending tests. It is recommended that the area of efficiency be further examined, since it received the lowest mean score among the criteria, by adding mechanisms to make the device more secure and sturdy. Additionally, exploring other locking mechanisms to further increase the holding power of the formwork yoke and incorporating attachments such as shoring and bracing should be undertaken to improve the device further.

A 70-day study was carried out to assess the effects of sandbox (Hura crepitans) seed meal-based diets on haematology and egg production parameters of Japanese quail birds. A total of 200 seven weeks old female Japanese quails were selected from growing phase and randomly distributed to five dietary treatments with four replicates of 10 birds each in a completely randomized design. The diets were formulated to contain 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of sandbox seed meal (SBSM) at the expense of soybean meal to represent treatment diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Fresh drinking water was provided ad libitum throughout the laying phase. Blood samples were collected from two birds in each replicate at the end of the study for haematological studies. The results showed that hen day production, peak production, age at peak production and feed cost per dozen (N) were significantly (p<0.05) affected. Hen day production decreased at 100% sandbox seed meal replacement in the diets while, peak production decreased at 75 and 100% replacement level. Egg quality parameters were not significantly affected by treatment diets except the egg weight and yolk weight which had increased values with dietary increase in sandbox seed meal. Apart from packed cell volume and haemoglobin which showed significant (p<0.05) differences, only at T5 (100%SBSM), other blood parameters indicated no significant (p>0.05) differences across the treatment means. It could be concluded that sandbox seed meal can replace up to 75% of soya bean meal in Japanese laying quails without sacrificing egg quality, quantity indices and the health status of the birds.

The establishment of agro-plantations in different parts of the world has been greeted as one of activities towards socio-economic development. Whilst this has been received with fanfare by the private and public sector, the dynamics of agro-plantations should not be underestimated. This study aims to investigate the spatio-temporal dynamics of small scale coffee and oil palm plantations in the Menchum South. The study stems from the fact that coffee and oil palm present differential dynamics in terms of spatial growth and surface area occupied over time. In essence, the spatio-temporal dynamism of small scale coffee and oil palm plantations is controlled by certain parameters. This study employed a survey research design that was corroborated with the use of primary and secondary sources of data collection techniques. Through primary sources of data collection, a systematic field observation and administration of 142 copies of questionnaires were used in the 8 sampled villages within the Menchum South. The copies of questionnaire were distributed specifically to coffee and oil palm plantation owners using a purposive sampling technique. Findings revealed a significant change in the spatio-temporal dynamics of small scale coffee and oil palm plantations in the Menchum South. The results of map to map analysis indicate 11.57km2 declined in the surface area under coffee plantation between 1994 and 2024 while oil palm plantation experienced an increase of 22.23km2 between 1994 and 2024. The results further revealed that the search for suitable climatic conditions (6.3%), the availability of cheap labour (12.0%) and access to financial credibility (9.9%), influence of topography and soil (19.7%) and the desire to invest (25.4%) accounted for the dynamic parameters of the plantations. The study recommends a shift from small to large scale plantations, adequate funding and provision of resources to plantationists by government agencies and NGOs and modernization of agro-plantation activities to ensure sustainable oil palm productivity.