Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

About: Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is a education organization based out in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 2786 authors who have published 3066 publications receiving 36850 citations. The organization is also known as: Oyo State University of Technology & LAUTECH.

Accounting skill as a performance factor for small businesses in Nigeria

Abstract: Poverty reduction in Nigeria is seen as the most important of the Millennium Development Goals as adopted by the United Nations Millennium Summit of 2000. Studies have also shown small businesses as vehicles for growth and development of a nation thus requiring much attention. Further evidences showed that small businesses are affected by several many factors with major emphasis on funding. Despite the increased number of small businesses in Nigeria, the rate of business failure is alarming. It is expected that small businesses entrepreneurs possess distinct skills found to have greater effect on their performances for their development. The study thus attempted to investigate the effect of accounting skill on entrepreneur performance for the success of small businesses in Nigeria. Accounting skill was found to be contributory to entrepreneurial performance and as such, owner entrepreneurs are advised to embark on capacity building in accounting skill in the area of financial management and record keeping while the government make preparation of financial statement for performance monitoring mandatory for small business owners.

Extensive diversity in the allelic frequency of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface proteins and glutamate-rich protein in rural and urban settings of southwestern Nigeria.

Abstract: Nigeria carries a high burden of malaria which makes continuous surveillance for current information on genetic diversity imperative. In this study, the merozoite surface proteins (msp-1, msp-2) and glutamate-rich protein (glurp) of Plasmodium falciparum collected from two communities representing rural and urban settings in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria were analysed. A total of 511 febrile children, aged 3–59 months, whose parents/guardians provided informed consent, were recruited into the study. Capillary blood was obtained for malaria rapid diagnostic test, thick blood smears for parasite count and blood spots on filter paper for molecular analysis. Three-hundred and nine samples were successfully genotyped for msp-1, msp-2 and glurp genes. The allelic distribution of the three genes was not significantly different in the rural and urban communities. R033 and 3D7 were the most prevalent alleles in both rural and urban communities for msp-1 and msp-2, respectively. Eleven of glurp RII region genotypes, coded I–XII, with sizes ranging from 500 to 1100 base pairs were detected in the rural setting. Genotype XI (1000–1050 bp) had the highest prevalence of 41.5 and 38.5% in rural and urban settings, respectively. Overall, 82.1 and 70.0% of samples had multiclonal infection with msp-1 gene resulting in a mean multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 2.8 and 2.6 for rural and urban samples, respectively. Msp-1 and msp-2 genes displayed higher levels of diversity and higher MOI rates than the glurp gene. Significant genetic diversity was observed between rural and urban parasite populations in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. The results of this study show that malaria transmission intensity in these regions is still high. No significant difference was observed between rural and urban settings, except for a completely different msp-1 allele, compared to previous reports, thereby confirming the changing face of malaria transmission in these communities. This study provides important baseline information required for monitoring the impact of malaria elimination efforts in this region and data points useful in revising current protocols.

Enterococcus species for the one-pot biofabrication of gold nanoparticles: Characterization and nanobiotechnological applications

Abstract: In the current work, cell-free extracts of four strains of non-pathogenic Enterococcus species of food origin, were studied for the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and characterized by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) The AuNPs were evaluated for their Anopheles gambiae larvicidal, dye degradation, antioxidant and thrombolytic activities The blue-black colloidal AuNPs which absorbed maximally at 549-552nm were nearly spherical in shape, and crystalline in nature with size of 8-50nm The EDX spectra showed formation of AuNPs to the tune of 89-94% The prominent FTIR peaks obtained at 3251-3410, 2088 and 1641-1643cm-1 alluded to the fact that proteins were involved in the biofabrication and capping of AuNPs AuNPs degraded methylene blue and malachite green by 243-576%, and 8885-9736% respectively in 24h, whereas at 12h, larvicidal activities with LC50 of 2128-4233μg/ml were obtained DPPH scavenging activities of 3324-5147% were obtained for the biosynthesized AuNPs The AuNPs prevented coagulation of blood and also achieved 94-946% lysis of blood clot showing potential nanomedical applications This study has presented an eco-friendly and economical synthesis of AuNPs by non-pathogenic strains of Enterococcus species for various nanobiotechnological applications

Source Evaluation and Trace Metal Contamination in Benthic Sediments from Equatorial Ecosystems Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques.

Abstract: Trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb) concentrations in benthic sediments were analyzed through multi-step fractionation scheme to assess the levels and sources of contamination in estuarine, riverine and freshwater ecosystems in Niger Delta (Nigeria). The degree of contamination was assessed using the individual contamination factors (ICF) and global contamination factor (GCF). Multivariate statistical approaches including principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis and correlation test were employed to evaluate the interrelationships and associated sources of contamination. The spatial distribution of metal concentrations followed the pattern Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd>Ni. Ecological risk index by ICF showed significant potential mobility and bioavailability for Cu, Cu and Ni. The ICF contamination trend in the benthic sediments at all studied sites was Cu>Cr>Ni>Cd>Pb. The principal component and agglomerative clustering analyses indicate that trace metals contamination in the ecosystems was influenced by multiple pollution sources.