New Horizons of Science, Technology and Culture Vol. 6

A Bench Mark Survey for Unravelling Circumstances Facing Agricultural Extension in Three Districts of Limpopo Province, South Africa

E.M. Zwane — 2025-11-28

There is a general concern that agricultural extension in Africa is not working as well as it should. Extension services are one of the policy instruments which can be used to solve the food insecurity challenges. This understanding has led to a team of extension experts in agricultural extension to organise themselves under the name of Extension Africa. The team saw a need to conduct a benchmark study with the aim of unravelling circumstances facing agricultural extension in selected African countries such as Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana and South Africa. The members of Extension Africa were drawn from these countries. This study presents the situation of three districts in Limpopo Province of South Africa in which thirty extension officers were interviewed using a questionnaire. Collected data were captured into the SPSS Version 23 IBM programme and analysed using the cross-tabulation statistical technique. The findings suggest that there are gaps in the critical areas such as educational levels, job satisfaction, extension methods, communication, extension goal and training needs. It was further revealed that the female extension to male ratio is skewed, although they are showing a reasonable level of marital status. The level of in-service training needs was also found to be inadequate. Therefore, the following areas of extension need attention to improve extension delivery: in-service training and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). As far as job satisfaction is concerned, the main challenge is linked to salary. The study concludes with a recommendation targeting both the extension managers and policy makers, who are encouraged to develop strategies to address the gaps identified by the study.

The study has provided guidance in resolving the developmental challenges faced by extension practitioners, which, if resolved, will contribute to resolving challenges of small holder farmers in Limpopo.

Neurosecurity and Brain-Computer Interfaces

Alex Mathew — 2025-11-28

The paper has thoroughly discussed the threats that affect brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Some of the threats include denial-of-service attacks, neural spoofing, and eavesdropping. The paper used a systematic review to identify scholarly articles that discuss the BCI treatment, defence mechanisms, and implications. The research has used the CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability) triad framework to classify BCI threats. Firms that utilise BCI components can enhance their network security by integrating biometric systems and data encryption techniques. They should also integrate machine learning models that will regularly analyse BCI networks to identify and mitigate threats. Medical personnel should ensure that patients have given them informed consent before implanting BCI components into their brains; this protects a patient’s cognitive liberty. This strategy reduces the lawsuits that medical personnel and hospitals face when using BCI tools to treat patients.

Development of a Predictive Model Using Response Surface Methodology for the Parametric Standardisation of Methanol Recovery from Transesterified Oil

Sanjay K. Choudhary — 2025-11-28

The biodiesel production process is carried out worldwide by using methanol and a suitable catalyst. Methanol is highly toxic and hazardous to nature; hence, it is beneficial if methanol is removed from Biodiesel before its use. The traditional method of removing the excess methanol from biodiesel is through the use of wash water, which is not only economically beneficial. The present study on the Development of a Predictive Model for Parametric standardisation of Methanol Recovery from Transesterified Oil was carried out with major emphasis on maximum recovery of methanol from biodiesel before separation of glycerol. A predictive model using response surface methodology (RSM) was developed to optimise the operating conditions for distillation. Confirmatory experiments on standardised parametric conditions were also carried out to validate the model for the condition of maximising methanol recovery by comparing the predicted value with the actual amount of methanol recovered. The standardised parametric conditions for the highest recovery of methanol as predicted by the model are a temperature of distillation of 90 ⁰C, a vacuum pressure of 121.5 mm of Hg, time of distillation of 27.8 min. and circulating water temperature through the condenser as 10 ⁰C. The model predicted 28.7 g methanol recovery at the above condition. The predicted value of methanol recovery was found close to the actual amount of methanol recovered (28.8 g) at the optimised parametric conditions, indicating high accuracy of the developed model. The recovery of methanol has been found to be significantly affected by distillation temperature, vacuum pressure and time of distillation.

Drying Kinetics and Fungal Infection in Red and Yellow Onions (Allium cepa): A Simulation Approach

Lola Domnina Pestaño — 2025-11-28

In the Philippines, red and yellow onions are frequently cultivated. The country’s advantageous climate and soil traits create an optimal setting for growing these onion types. The elevated moisture levels in onions render them vulnerable to fungal growth, especially Aspergillus niger, leading to spoilage and economic losses in agriculture. Drying is a method used to prolong the shelf life of onions by decreasing moisture content and water activity. Dehydrating onions to a moisture content (MC) of 5% prevents the proliferation of microorganisms and ultimately extends their shelf life. This study aims to determine the ideal drying temperature and minimum duration for onions to reach 5% moisture content by assessing the least energy usage. Three mathematical models—Laplace Transform Model, Page Model, and Non-linear Decomposition Model—were analysed to characterise the drying behaviour of thinly cut red and yellow onions at temperatures of 50, 60, and 70°C, utilising a tray dryer with 20% relative humidity and an air velocity of 2 m/s. The Page model provided the optimal fit for red and yellow onions with the smallest overall error. The optimum drying temperature was observed at 70°C for both red and yellow onions, which was efficient in producing quality onions without any fungal growth at the shortest drying time of 25.6 and 24.74 minutes, respectively. The power requirement calculated at 70°C was 154.18 W for red onions and 148.07 W for yellow onions. These results may serve as a basis for developing efficient drying protocols in red and yellow onion processing industries.

Comparative Analysis of Deforestation Using NDVI and SAVI

Ayuba Abubakar Fusami — 2025-11-28

Deforestation is seen as the conversion of forest land into farms, ranches, or urban use; described as an illegal way of cutting down forest trees for human utilisation. Developing alternatives to deforestation by adopting sustainable farming practices can restore the lost forest, through replanting trees in cleared areas or by simply allowing the ecosystem to regenerate forest over time. The major aim of forest restoration is to return it to its original state before it was cleared. The surface reflectance indicated by vegetation obtained through remote sensing is distinct compared to other surface bodies over a given scene. Utilising this distinct capability allows the detection of the presence of vegetation. Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) compares the total amount of visible red light absorbed with the amount of reflected near-infrared light by a surface. Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) is somewhat similar to NDVI but adjusted by a factor ‘L’ to correct for soil noise effects, which impact the results. Therefore, this study aimed to compare deforestation using NDVI and SAVI. The study was conducted at Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria. Satellite imageries from Landsat data were used to determine the deforestation areas, and the results were compared to ascertain the discrepancies produced by the two methods. Spectral information contained in each of the bands defined by a band in the electromagnetic energy of interest was used for the energy level required in the combination. Forest changes show effectively that there exists similarity in their patterns of change measured with both techniques, but when the need to obtain actual areas of change arises, one has to select the most appropriate technique. The result of the comparison of forested area by the two methods shows similar pattern and behavior, the net vegetation difference ranges from +9.906% to +18.705%, and the forested area from +14.466% to 0.000% while the open land, built-up and bare soil index cover shows a decrease over the years ranging from -13.343% in 1990 to - 2.321% in 2013 respectively. However, NDVI shows a lower area covered by vegetation and forest compared to SAVI, meaning that the total area affected by forest changes by the two methods is not in any way the same. The study recommended that good policies, along with alternative energy sources to bio-fuel consumption, replacement of felled trees, and improved agricultural practices, can help in the recovery of lost forested areas.

Monitoring Physicochemical Parameters During Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils in Brazzaville, Congo

Kiele Molingo Mbemba — 2025-11-28

The biodegradation of hydrocarbons by bacteria is undeniably one of the most successful processes in the elimination of hydrocarbon pollutants. Several bacteria have already been used in numerous applications in the bioremediation of environments polluted by hydrocarbons. However, few bioremediation studies have been carried out with indigenous Bacillus genus strains obtained in Congo-Brazzaville. This study aimed to treat soils polluted by hydrocarbons using the bioremediation technique. Soil samples were taken from four (04) garages chosen in some districts of Brazzaville, namely Ouenzé, Mfilou, Djiri and Talangai. Four treatments were carried out for bioremediation treatment while monitoring physicochemical parameters by bioaugmentation, biostimulation and a mixture of bioaugmentation and biostimulation. Several physicochemical parameters were monitored during the different treatments to understand the factors that could influence microbial metabolism during the degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil. The total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) were extracted by Soxhlet during the treatments. The results obtained showed that the physicochemical parameters are optimal during organic degradation processes. The ranges of physicochemical parameters values are respectively between 23.3 and 28.4°C for temperature, between 38.6 and 5266.01µS/cm for conductivity, between 6.01 and 7.5 for pH, between 0 and 70% for the maximum water retention capacity, between 1 and 10% for humidity, between 0 and 88 mg/Kg for nitrogen and between 0 and 298.93 mg/Kg for potassium. The Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) concentrations in polluted soils decreased significantly throughout the treatments, with a drop between 25% and 85%. The greatest drop (75%-85%) in hydrocarbon concentrations is observed for Bioaugmentation (Bacteria) and Biostimulation+Bioaugmentation (NPK+Bacteria) combination treatments. Thus, bioremediation by adding Bacillus genus bacteria would be an alternative way for the depollution of soils polluted by hydrocarbons. Future research should focus on optimising the bioremediation process by investigating a wider diversity of indigenous microbial strains from different ecological niches in Congo-Brazzaville with a focus on enhancing hydrocarbon degradation efficiency.

Recession Behaviour of Oxides under High Velocity Steam Jet

Shunkichi Ueno — 2025-11-28

This review summarises the results of a collaborative research project between the Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute (AIST) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) from 2002 to 2005, conducted as part of the “US-Japan High-Level Consultation on Climate Change Science and Technology Working Group.” The focus was on water vapour as a corrosion species. The oxide was exposed to the same temperature and high-velocity steam jet conditions as those in gas turbines, and its corrosion behaviour was evaluated. The investigation targeted oxides with good corrosion resistance in preliminary tests and low coefficients of thermal expansion. Specifically, rare earth silicates, eutectic materials, and zircon were examined. The polycrystalline rare earth silicate phase developed a porous surface due to selective corrosion of the intergranular glass phase. The crystalline phase is also partially decomposed, resulting in a silica-deficient phase. In the corrosion of rare earth silicate phases, the presence of grain boundary glass phases significantly affected the stability of the crystalline phase itself. The Lu₂Si₂O₇/Al₆Si₂O₁₃ eutectic material, prepared through solidification, lacked glass phases at the grain boundaries, which prevented the formation of porous structures due to corrosion. The Al₆Si₂O₁₃ phase was fully corroded. Tests on the zircon phase showed that the silica component leached from the crystalline structure. Generally, when double oxides containing silica are exposed to gas turbine conditions, phase decomposition occurs, leading to corrosion of the silica components. This results in the formation of a silica-deficient phase at the bulk surface. For many oxides, exposure tests conducted under gas turbine conditions have demonstrated that Lu₂Si₂O₇ exhibits the highest corrosion resistance. Therefore, controlling the microstructure of the EBC layer containing this phase or the overall structure of the coating is significant for further enhancing corrosion resistance.

Machining Properties of Neem and Cassia Wood: Comparative Analysis of Sapwood and Heartwood

John Lawer Narh — 2025-11-28

Wood machining is a procedure employed to evaluate the performance of various wood species following planning, shaping, turning, boring, mortising, and sanding. Inadequate wood machining produces excessive waste, resulting in diminished recovery in wood processing. Consequently, the accessibility of suitable wood machining processes can enhance the efficient use. Azadirachta indica A. Juss and Senna siamea have not been widely advocated for use in the wood industry in Ghana due to a lack of technical information on their machining properties, categorising them as lesser-used timber species. This study investigated the planning and turning properties of Neem (A. indica A. Juss) and Cassia (S. siamea), two wood species from Ghana. The trees were selected based on the straightness of their trunks to ensure their suitability for construction purposes. Sample preparation was performed according to the American Society for Testing and Materials International D1666-87-2004 method for evaluating machining qualities of wood. Six planning operations were conducted, producing 100 test specimens per operation and rated according to ASTM D 1666-87. The grading of the planned samples was conducted via visual inspection, and the samples were assessed and categorised into four quality grades, based on the severity of the identified defects. The turning test was performed via a single-point lathe, with the turning shapes adhering to the ASTM D 1666-87 criteria. The results showed that Cassia heartwood, with an average of 76.3%, outperformed Neem heartwood, which averaged 70.1%, in the planning process. Optimal surface quality was achieved with a 15° rake angle and a feed speed of 9 m/min for both sapwood and heartwood of the species. The intensity of chipped or torn grain defects decreased with reduced rake angles of 15° at a feed speed of 9 m/min during planning. A rotation speed of 2000 rpm produced favourable turning outcomes for both Neem and Cassia, suggesting it as a suitable speed for machining these woods. The planning and turning properties of Neem and Cassia are comparable to those of Oak, Poplar, and Pine. Therefore, these two species could be utilised in the timber sector to alleviate pressure on declining primary timbers, reduce the destruction of vital timber species, sustain the timber industry, support sustainable forest management strategies, and enhance revenue generation in Ghana. The study recommends further research on the natural durability, preservative treatability, and broader working properties of these species to facilitate their full integration into the wood industry.

Reproductive and Pregnancy Dynamics in Pigs: Physiology, Biochemistry, Endocrinology and Immunity

Rajashree Dutta Purkayastha — 2025-11-28

Reproduction and pregnancy in pigs involve complex coordination of body temperature, metabolism, hormones, and immune tolerance. Understanding these changes is crucial for reproductive efficiency, maternal health, and fetal survival. This chapter summarises variations in key physiological parameters (rectal temperature, respiratory and pulse rates) across reproductive stages, outlines serum biochemical shifts during gestation, and highlights the roles of hormones like progesterone and oestrogen in supporting pregnancy. It also discusses the immunological environment, shaped by cytokines such as IL-10, IFN-γ, and IFN-β, which maintain uterine immune balance and allow fetal development. These interlinked systems work together to ensure reproductive success. The establishment of pregnancy is further secured by maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP), involving the integrated actions of reproductive hormones and immune mediators that maintain corpus luteum function and promote a favourable uterine environment.