The early detection of bolts and nuts’ loss on bridges has a huge tendency of averting bridge collapse. The aim of this research is to develop a novel framework for the detection of bolt–nut losses in steel bridges using deep learning techniques. The objectives include: to design a framework for the detection of nuts and bolts and nut holes using deep learning techniques, to implement the designed framework using Python programming, and to evaluate the performance of the designed framework. Convolutional neural network (CNN) and long- and short-term memory (LSTM) techniques were employed using 8 × 8 blocks of images of bridges as inputs. Based on the proposed models, which considered the CNN in its ordinary form, and combined with the LSTM and You Only Look Once (YOLOv4) algorithms, the CNN achieved average classification accuracy of 95.60% and the LSTM achieved an accuracy of 93.00% on the sampled images. The YOLOv4 algorithm, which is a modified version of the CNN with single forward propagation, was utilized, and the detection accuracy was 76.5%. The relatively high level of detection accuracy recorded by the CNN is attributed to its stepwise extraction by convolution and pooling processes. However, a statistical test of the hypothesis at the 5.0% level of significance revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between object detection and classifications among the models used in the built framework. Therefore, the use of the CNN model is recommended for the detection of nuts and bolts and nut holes on steel truss bridges for effective structural health monitoring (SHM) purposes based on its high level of detection accuracy and speed.

Uptake of vaccines is a long term preventive measures against any infectious disease, however it was observed that there was a low patronage of COVID-19 vaccines among the youth in Bauchi State. Therefore, the study assessed availability of Covid-19 vaccines and evaluates its accessibility as determinants of uptake among NCE Students in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Descriptive research design of survey type was used as research design, the population of the study comprised of 8,947 NCE students from the four public Colleges of Education in Bauchi State, Nigeria; the sample for the study was 650 NCE students selected through multi-stage sampling procedure of cluster sampling, simple random sampling, proportionate and convenience sampling techniques. The instrument used for data collection was a researcher developed questionnaire on 4points Likert scale, the instrument was validated by three experts in the field of Health Education for face and content validity; in the same vein, the reliability of the instrument was ascertained through a pilot study using test re-test method with 30 respondents, the result obtained was subjected to Pearson Product Moment Correlation, were a coefficient of .82 was obtained. Consent of the respondents was sought before the data collection; the data collected were analysed using one sample t-test. Findings of the study revealed that availability (p=.000) and accessibility (p=.000) were significant determinants of Covid-19 vaccine uptake among NCE students in Bauchi State. It was concluded that availability and accessibility to COVID-19 vaccines were very essential factors in determining the vaccine uptake. It was recommended that the vaccines should be made available in the College clinics of the State for easy access to students and other College community; this will go a long way in motivating them to patronise and use the vaccines.

This paper investigated used of dustbin collection method of solid waste management practice in public secondary schools in North Eastern States of Nigeria. One research question and one Hypothesis was formulated. A descriptive survey research design was used in this study. The population for the study comprised the entire public secondary schools in North Eastern States, Nigeria with a population of 18,595 (eighteen thousand, five hundred and ninety-five). The sample size used for this study was three hundred and seventy-seven (377) respondents. The researchers used simple random sampling technique to select three states in the North Eastern States, Nigeria. Six (6) public secondary schools were selected from the three (3) selected states. Data collection instrument was research developed questionnaire; duly validated by expert of Health Education and has a reliability index of 0.84. Out of three hundred and seventy-seven questionnaire copies that were administered, three hundred and forty-nine were duly completed and returned for analysis. Percentage/ frequency count was used to describe the demographic characteristics of the respondents; chi-square was used to test the Hypothesis at significant level of 0.05. The finding for this study revealed that, public secondary schools in North Eastern States, Nigeria significantly practiced the used of dustbin collection method of solid waste management practice in their schools. It was recommended among others that North Eastern State governments and pubic secondary school administrators should collaborate with NGOs and Ministry of Health to double their effort on creating awareness for the utilization of dustbin method practice to reduces the danger of hazards of solid waste.

known as bushmint (due to their aromatic nature of their leaves), they are widespread in tropical North and South America, as well as parts of West Africa. 4 However, studies have shown that the genus of this plant contain some major bioactive compounds among which are saponin glycosides, alkaloids and flavonoids. 5 Also, the antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Hyptis suoevulens was reported on S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli and P. multocida. 6 Crops are naturally infested with fungi during drying, processing, transportation and subsequent storage and it may be difficult to completely prevent mycotoxins formation in contaminated commodities, particularly those that are produced in tropical and subtropical climates, in countries where high temperature and humidity promote the growth and proliferation of fungi. 7 Thus, they are often colonized by fungi, including species from the genus Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium, which cause significant reductions in crop yield, quality and safety due to their ability to produce mycotoxins. 8 Chemical control of most of fungal diseases of plants may be available and could extensively reduce the impact of plant diseases, but field application of synthetic fungicides may not always be desirable. During the last decades, there has been a global awareness that excessive and improper use of chemical fungicides is hazardous to the health of humans and animals. Therefore, an extensive research for environmentally safe and easily biodegradable bio-fungicides is being carried out. Furthermore, these compounds are natural in origin, have minimum adverse effects on the physiological processes of plants and are easily converted into common eco-friendly organic materials. 9 Plant extracts, essential oils, gums, resins, etc. have been shown to exert biological activity against plant fungal pathogens in vitro and in

Control of plant fungal diseases using synthetic fungicides continue to cause major problems to human health and the entire ecosystem. The aim of this research was to investigate the phytochemical and antifungal properties of Hyptis spicigera methanol leaf extract and flavonoid fraction on Aspergillus and Fusarium species, with a view to uncovering effective bio-fungicides for development as substitutes to chemical fungicides. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of sterols and triterpenes, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids. The quantitative analysis showed that saponin (690 mg/g GAE), phenolics (220 mg/g GAE) and flavonoids (140 mg/g GAE) were found to be in high concentration. The antifungal effects of H. spicigera methanol extract on F. graminearum (21 mm) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the control fungicide (Mancozeb). Similarly, the flavonoid fraction was more effective on A. parasitic (18 mm) than the control fungicide used. The extract and fraction exhibited MIC with range 3.13-12.5 mg/mL and MFC 6.25-12.5 mg/mL, indicating promising antifungal efficacies against A. flavus and F. graminearum. Our findings have revealed that H. spicigera flavonoid rich fraction has potential for development as effective bio-fungicide to control plant fungal diseases of the Aspergillus and Fusarium species.