INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES AND RELATIONAL MAINTENANCE AMONG UNMARRIED POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS OF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE, NIGERIA

The study ascertained the level of relational maintenance among unmarried postgraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and as well as the relationship between interpersonal communication and relational maintenance among the postgraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife. Finally, it also examined the relationship between demographic variables and relational maintenance among the postgraduate students. These were with a view to providing useful information on relational maintenance among the unmarried postgraduate students. The study adopted survey design. The sample size comprised 600 postgraduate students selected from six selected faculties out of the thirteen Faculties in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, using multistage sampling technique. Thereafter, a total of 100 students were selected in each faculty using purposive sampling technique for those that were into dating relationship. One adapted and one self-constructed instruments were used to elicit information from the respondents. The adapted instrument was Relational Maintenance Scale (RMS) while Interpersonal Communication Inventory (ICI) was self-constructed. Percentages, frequency counts Pearson correlation and Chi-square were employed to analyze the data. The results showed that 24.8%, 52.5% and 22.7% of postgraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo Universities Ile-Ife demonstrated low, moderate and high levels of relational maintenance respectively. The study also indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between interpersonal communication and relational maintenance (r = 0.676, p > 0.05). Furthermore, the results showed significant relationship between sex of the students and relational maintenance (x2 =24.271; df = 564, p > 0.05). Finally, the results showed significant relationship between age of the students and relational maintenance (x2 = 47.837a; df = 564, p > 0.05). It was concluded that irrespective of the age of the students, most unmarried postgraduate students in the study area had moderate level of relational maintenance

Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of a Portable Motorized Pineapple Juice Extractor

A motorized Juice extractor was designed, fabricated and its Performance Evaluation was carried out to determine the best extracting operating factors for the prototype. The two operating factors used for evaluating this machine are extraction speed (S) at three levels (i.e. S1=565 rpm, S2=478 rpm and S3=380 rpm) and Feed rate (F) at three levels (i.e. F1=0.5kg/min, F2=1.0kg/min and F3=1.5kg/min). Each of these factors was replicated thrice, which resulted into 3X3X3 factorial experimental design. In addition, the performance parameters used for evaluating this prototype are the Extraction efficiency 14 ?f"> (%), Extraction losses 14?l"> (%) and Extraction capacity 14C?x"> (lit/hr). The performance evaluation results obtained from this experimental design shows an optimum Juice Extraction Efficiency, 14?f"> =87.50%, Juice Extraction Capacity 14C?x"> =26.70lit/hr with Juice Extraction Losses, 14?l"> =12.50% at S3F2 operating factors (i.e. S3=380 rpm and F2=1.0kg/min). The optimum output of this prototype was compared with that of manual extraction method which was evaluated to have manual Juice Extraction Efficiency, 14?fm"> =97.00%, manual Juice Extraction Capacity 14 C?xm"> =5.25lit/hr and manual Juice Extraction Losses 14 ?lm"> =3.08%. Hence, this prototype was rated to be five times faster than human method of extracting juice from fruits. Although, the extraction losses of this prototype was observed to be slightly higher than that of manual extraction method. This suggests there is need to further improve on this prototype for higher extraction efficiency, 14?f"> (%) close to that of human beings. Keywords: Feed rate, Extraction losses, Extraction Efficiency, manual extraction efficiency, performance parameters, Operating factors, proto-type and fruit pulp

Cyclical Changes in Prolactin Levels among Infertile Women Attending University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Study was carried out to determine the effect of cyclical changes of prolactin concentrations on infertility in 3 groups of infertile subjects attending university of Port Harcourt teaching hospital for infertility treatments. Prolactin samples of the subjects were determined at follicular (day3), Midcycle (day14) and luteal phase (day21) using enzyme immune assay method (EIA). Prolactin was significantly increased in infertile subjects compared with the controls (Apparently fertile) suggesting an increase in prolactin concentration in infertile subjects. There was also cyclical changes observed in prolactin secretion with midcycle (day14) being the peak. Cyclical changes were also observed in prolactin concentration in both fertile and infertile subjects which peaked at midcycle (day14) suggesting that cycle of subjects should be taken into consideration in estimation, interpretation and investigation of infertility while the elevation of prolactin in the 3 study groups might be responsible for the infertility observed. @JASEMKeyword: Prolactin, immuno assay, follicular phase, midcycle, luteal phasesJ. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. Sept, 2011, Vol. 15 (3) 425 - 43

QUALITY BASED ASSESSMENT FOR CONTEMPORARY LEADERSHIP – THE CASE OF STEVE JOBS

In this paper, the authors discuss different reasons for the choice of Steve Jobs as a leader. It summarizes several primary concepts that shape matter about who is a leader? In addition, it attempts to provide collaborative evidence into argument about Leadership. Overall, it is about an exhibition of leadership. The methodology is to present, evaluate and analyze several qualities of a Leader that have been identified by some scholars. Conclusively, it asserts that it is expedient to concentrate on lessons learnt from various leaders and apply such lessons in a subsequent engagement with the subject of leadership

Evaluation of the Push-pull Model on the Effect of COVID-19 on the Employment Stability in the Private and Informal Sector in parts of Lagos State, Nigeria

This study tends to examine the push-pull model on the effect of covid-19 on the employment stability in the private and informal sector in parts of Lagos state, Nigeria. Survey method was adopted and population was drawn from employees across the low income private and informal sector in some of the LGA of Lagos state, Nigeria. Questionnaire was sent through the Google form via e-mails and WhatsApp to about 245 target respondents and 229 was returned completed. A Push-Pull model was developed using stochastic statistical model to obtain the transition probabilities and the stationary distribution. The results revealed that 132, with transitional probability of 0.5788, of low-income private sector employees remain on the job and are willing to pull back to work while 92 individuals with transitional probability of 0.4057 wish to explore other industries and only 5 employees with transitional probability of 0.0165 were ready to defect to other industry

PLASMA LIPID PROFILE AND SOME BIOCHEMICAL INDICES IN DOMESTICATED GREATER CANE RAT (Thryonomys swinderianus temminck)

Some serum biochemical parameters and lipid profile indices were determined in eight male adult greater cane rats Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck, raised under intensive management system. Activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in plasma were assayed spectrophotometrically, following venopuncture-blood collection and subsequent separation of plasma. Glucose, total protein, albumin and bilirubin as well as lipid profile indices such as total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids concentration were also determined. In comparison with data from previous studies on wild and captive cane rats, our results indicate lower lipid profile indices and total protein. Activities of hepatic enzymes (AST and ALT) were also lower, while plasma glucose concentration was higher in this third generation greater cane rats. It is concluded that certain aspects of management system in domestication may have a profound influence on biochemical parameters most especially the lower LDL-cholesterol that reduces the risk of atherosclerosis (cardiac disease). This study, therefore offers baseline data for third generation intensively raised greater cane rats.Â

Geochemical Appraisal of Termite-Reworked Clay Soils from Basement Complex Terrain: Implications as Landfill Liners

The geochemical and mineralogical assessment was prompted by the considerable presence of Termitaria overburden on the Basement Complex outcrops in southwest Nigeria with the goal of determining their suitability as landfill liners. The X-Ray Fluorescene (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction techniques were used to examine ten soil samples. Major oxides and mineralogical values were analysed to determine the effectiveness of soil engineering. Weathering indices and silica/sesquioxide ratios were also measured. The results of the mineralogical investigation showed that kaolinite clay mineral predominated, which is indicative of non-swelling qualities. The outcomes demonstrated that the soil is a true laterite as well as a lateritic soil. Fair carrying capacity was shown by the stability and shear resistance values of 47.15% and 48.11%, respectively. The weathering indices show severe weathering, high clay fraction, strong plasticity, and low hydraulic conductivity with an average of 95% and 0.59 weight percent, respectively. Additionally, the repackaging of the clay soils by termite activity produced greater interlocking and water film resistance. These characteristics make soils an excellent material for landfill liners due to their improved density and bearing capacity, resilience to chemical attack, and reconstructed structure. Keywords: Landfill liners. Termitaria, Kaolinite, Mineralogy and Geochemical Properties DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-8-03 Publication date:October 31st 202

Effect of Climate Change on Groundwater Resources in South West, Nigeria

This study examined the impact of climate change on groundwater resources of the south-western region of Nigeria. First, chronological climate (meteorological) and geological and hydrogeological data of Ondo State the various catchment areas within the region which spanned over a period of 30 years (1982 – 2012) were analyzed with a  view to determine whether there has been any climate change in the study area. The Meteorological data such as rainfall and temperature were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency located in Lagos, while the hydrogeological data such as borehole yield were collected from Benin-Owena river basin in Ondo state. For each location, the graphs of Rainfall versus Month and Maximum Temperature (Tmax), Minimum Temperature (Tmin) versus Month were plotted as a means of obviating the probable change in climate. It was discovered that there was a slight increase in both rainfall and the mean temperature 2% - 8% and 0.10 c – 0.70 c respectively. Thus climate change was observed as a result of increase in the average yearly rainfall and mean temperature. The effect was concluded as not pronounced or significant on the groundwater after all the analyses and studies. Keywords: groundwater, climate change, temperature, rainfall, south-western, Nigeria

DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF COMBINED ELECTROMAGNETIC AND MAGNETIC DRUM-BELT CONVEYOR SEPARATOR

Mineral processing operations are faced with many challenges which include effective separation of unwanted materials generated through the extraction process from the bulk material. Magnetic device is a machine used for separating magnetic materials from non-magnetic materials by inducing the magnetic flux. Magnetic and electromagnetic separators are widely used as primary separation equipment. This work was centred on the design and construction of a laboratory-sized dual purpose magnetic and electromagnetic separator for separating the magnetic particles from the rest of the bulk mineral or ferrous materials from foundry sand in a single system. The main components of the equipment include: the hopper, conveyor belt rotating drums, pulley and belt, electromagnet. The approaches to achieving the result reported include the design conceptualization, design calculation, design drawing using the AutoCAD and Inventor software, fabrication and assembly of components. The evaluation showed that electromagnetic separation is more efficient than magnetic separation. The equipment was fabricated at an average cost of 224,000:00 naira

In-silico and in-vivo comparative evaluation of the cardioprotective potential of Yellow turmeric and White turmeric in Mn-induced cardiac oxidative stress

Introduction The effect of the ethanol extracts of Curcuma longa Linn (yellow turmeric) and Curcuma zedoaria Rosc (white turmeric) on cardiac oxidative stress in rats exposed to manganese was evaluated in this study. Methods We divided 60 Wistar rats into 12 groups (n = 5) with some administered different concentrations of yellow or white turmeric extract. The animals except the control groups were exposed to manganese on days 1,3, and 7. All the animals were sacrificed on the 8th day and the hearts were harvested for biochemical assays. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the levels of cardiac superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, and lipid peroxidation in rats were determined. Additionally, in silico studies were performed to further compare the cardioprotective potential of the two species of turmeric. Results The results showed that rats treated with manganese alone had decreased levels of FRAP, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione but increased levels of nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation were observed. The Mn-induced oxidative stress was ameliorated in animals co-treated with yellow or white turmeric. The yellow turmeric showed better activity than white turmeric. In the in-silico evaluation, phytocompounds from yellow turmeric had higher binding energy against Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) protein than the ones from white turmeric. Bioactive compounds from white turmeric did not violate any of Lipinski's rules of five or three, despite having lower binding energy. Conclusion These findings suggest that ethanol extract of yellow and white turmeric may have the potential to ameliorate manganese-induced cardiac oxidative stress