Effects of Soy-based allochthonous nutrient inputs on intensively cultured female Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) brooder’s growth performance and on the indwelling net microplanktonic populations

Portions of soybean meal autoclaved at 116°C and 1.2 kg/cm2 pressure for 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min were used to compound 4 experimental diets appropriately labeled SB10, SB15, SB20, SB25 and SB30 respectively. The experimental diets were fed to Clarias gariepinus female broodstocks intensively for 84 days. During the experimental period, the female fish broodstock growth performance as well as the water and the in-dwelling net microplanktonic quality were monitored. The feed inputs into the different culture media ranged between 13,759 g (SB15) and 15, 649 g (SB10). The highest weight gain was recorded in the female broodfish fed diet SB25. The assayed water quality parameters for the different treatment culture media were not statistically different from each other (P > 0.05). Four (4) phytoplanktonic phyla containing 7 orders with 30 species were recorded in the various media receiving the different feed inputs. The richest floristic composition with 21 species and a Margalef’s Richness Index (R1) of 1.66 was obtained in the culture medium that received SB25 feed input. Twenty (20) microinvertebrate species belonging to 2 phyla and 4 orders were recorded in the various media during the period of study. The rotifers (Order: Ploima) with 16 species dominated the microinvertebrate fauna. Results also showed that the culture medium which received SB25 diet had the highest  microinvertebrate fauna with 19 species.Key words: Soybean, feed input, Clarias gariepinus, water quality, microplankton

Impact of feeding diets containing Luffa cylindrica seedmeal on the variable cost of production of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822)

This study investigates the use of Luffa cylindrica seed meal as soybean replacer in the diet of Clarias gariepinus. Five isonitrogenous diets containing soybean meal which was replaced by Luffa cylindrica at a rate of 0, 15,30,45 and 60% were made. The diets without Luffa cylindrical seed meal served as the control. Experimental diets were assigned randomly to the tanks and each group of fish was fed 5% body weight in equal proportion per day. The fish fed diet 1 had the highest incidence of cost, while the fish fed diet 4 had the lowest incidence of cost. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the incidence of cost of producing 1kg fish with the different dietary treatments. The fish fed at diet 4 had the highest profit, while the fish fed at diet 1 had the lowest profit. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the profit margin of producing 1kg fish with the different dietary treatments. The incidence of cost showed that it was cheaper to produce 1kg of fish with Luffa cylindrical seed meal because feeding the fish with the diet (control and tests diets) left some profit margin

Moringa oleifera Ameliorates Age-Related Memory Decline and Increases Endogenous Antioxidant Response in Drosophila melanogaster Exposed to Stress

Age-related dementia has been estimated to double every 20 years. Despite the nutritional value of Moringa oleifera Lam., its effect on age-related memory decline and its anti-ageing bioactive fractions are yet to be fully elucidated. In the present study, the crude methanol leaves extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. (MEMO) and its different fractions were screened for anti-ageing bioactivity in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster w1118 whiteflies. A day-old virgin flies were reared in food supplemented with different concentrations of the methanol leaves extract of Moringa oleifera at 1, 2, and 5mg/ml respectively. A sequential bioassay-guided fractionation approach was subsequently adopted. Treated flies were subjected to lifespan, reproductive performance, climbing, memory and oxidative stress resistance assays according to established protocols. There was a dose-dependent effect of the leaves extract on lifespan, reproductive performance, climbing activity and oxidative stress resistance as age progressed (P < 0.05). Mean survival times of treated male and female flies increased by 12.3±1.2, 15.5±1.0 and 26.6±0.4%, and 12.0±1.1, 17.5±0.8 and 24.3±0.8% respectively, relative to the control. There was a significant increase in memory scores of the 50-day old aged flies in the 5mg/ml group P < 0.0001. The Moringa Ethyl acetate (EA) fraction F2 gave the highest anti-ageing bioactivity in the flies (P < 0.05). The leaves extract showed an ameliorative effect on age-related memory decline and an increase in oxidative stress resistance in Drosophila melanogaster w1118 white flies without the commonly found adverse effect in reproductive performance

Evaluation of choice between use of wooden pews and plastic chairs in selected churches in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

This study evaluated the choice between wooden pews and plastic chairs in selected Churches in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State. Five wards were randomly selected from the 17 Political Wards in the study area. Two major towns were purposely selected from the wards and 10 churches consisting of 5 Orthodox Churches and 5 Pentecostal Churches were randomly selected from each town. Data were collected through the administration of well-structured questionnaires, oral interview and market survey. Data collected were analyzed using simple frequencies and percentages. The results showed that, 43% of Orthodox Churches are making use of wooden pews while 46% of Pentecostal churches make use of plastic chairs. Results also revealed that there is significant difference between the cost of production of one pew and its equivalent number of chairs while there is no significant difference between cost of production of one wooden pew and its equivalent number of banquet chairs. Sixty-four percent (64%) of the churches have not had a change of seat type while the remaining 36% have had a change of seat type. The results also revealed that 96% of respondents were comfortable with their various seat types (wooden pews and plastic chairs) and just 2% of both Orthodox and Pentecostal Church members were not comfortable with their seat types. Though there is significant difference in the cost of production of one wooden pew and its equivalent number of chairs, plastic chairs will overshoot the price of pews over time. Subsequently, there would be need for replacement of plastic chairs in Churches. Wooden pews should be used as permanent seat type in Churches. This will prevent regular replacement of seats thereby saving cost.Keywords: Orthodox Churches, Pentecostal Churches, Wooden pews, Plastic chairs, Ergonomic

Reliability-Based Design of Solid and Nail-jointed I-Section of Nigerian-Grown African Birch (Anogeissus leiocarpus) Timber Column

The Nigerian-grown African birch timber was used to assemble I- section specimens which were tested in the laboratory for their compressive strengths. Solid square sections of the same specie were similarly tested for an apt comparison of results. A structural reliability analysis was carried out for these two sections to ascertain their performance as structural timber columns using statistical parameters that were determined for the deterministic design of the timber column. A FORTRAN-based program was also developed and used for the reliability analysis of the Nigerian-grown African birch columns designed to ascertain their level of safety using First-Order Reliability Method (FORM). The ‘I’- section was found unsafe to bear the design load unlike its corresponding solid section. An identified I- section of (100 x 400mm) was found adequate (with Pf =1.22 x 10-02) whose compressive resistance corresponds to (200 x 100mm) of the solid section (with Pf =7.76 x 10-02) which is practically half the dimension of the I-section. This shows that the solid section has a capacity twice that of the ‘I’- section of equal dimensions. However, considering the minimum dimension of the of the two sections capable of supporting the design load, the ‘I’- section is more economical than the solid section since it offers a less effective area of 11,200mm2 compared to the solid section with an effective area of 20,000mm2 . The ‘I’-section also showed a higher capacity to bear the Euler load with greater lengths than the solid section because of its greater radius of gyration and rigidity value and would be rather preferable for long columns than the solid section. Considering the limited availability of larger dimensions of solid sections, the built-up I- section would be more relevant where large sized sections are required.Keywords: Solid section, Compressive capacity, Built-up sections, Reliability, Probability of failure (Pf

Structural reliability-based assessment of Nigerian Anogeissus schimperi timber bridge beam in shear and bearing forces

This research investigates the reliability of Anogeissus schimperi timber specie grown in North Western Nigeria as a bridge beam in shear and bearing forces. Specimens for laboratory tests were prepared using the timber specie in accordance with BS 373 (1957). Tests were carried out to determine the physical and mechanical properties at 12% moisture content in line with BS 5268 (2002). Statistical analysis was carried out using strength properties obtained and the specie was classified to strength class D60, confirmed to be Hardwood. Anogeissus schimperi timber bridge beam was designed in accordance to BS5268 (2002), using deterministicapproach. While, reliability analysis to confirm the safety level of the timber bridge beam designed was carried out using constant failure rate model in accordance with Jimoh, (2018). Sensitivity analysis to ascertain the safety margin of a simply supported timber bridge beam subjected to Shear and bearing by varying the span, depth, width and live load was carried out. Results of reliability analysis showed that Anogeissus schimperi met the minimum reliability index of 0.5 under ultimate state of loading in Shear and bearing. Safety index was found to be directly proportional to the depth and width but inversely proportional to the span and live loadof the timber bridge beam during Sensitivity Analysis. The result confirmed that Anogeissus schimperi specie from north western Nigeria at 400mm depth, 150mm breadth and 5000mm span under ultimate limit state loading in Shear and bearing can be used as a reliable timber bridge beam material. Keywords: Bridge Beam, Nigerian Anogeissus schimperi Reliability, Structural Material, Timber, Ultimate Limit State

Reliability Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Beam with E mbedded PVC Pipes Below the Neutral A xis

T his research presents the reliability of reinforced concrete beam with embedded PVC pipes below the neutral axis. First Order Reliability Method (FORM) and the the ory of Statistics are reviewed and adopted for designing the beam to a pre - determined safety level using a FORTRAN subroutine created and linked with the reliability software (FORM5). Experimental investigation of beams without PVC pipe (RCBM) and beams wi th one (RCPVC1), two (RCPVC2) and three (RCPVC3) PVC pipes were carried out using ASTMC 293. Results indicate satisfactory performance of RCPVC1 and RCBM with similar ultimate failure load. Other beams have reduced failure load. Reliability analysis usi ng FORM5 revealed area of reinforcement 38.9% higher than deterministic design for RCBM and RCPVC1 beam with safety index, β=3 .3 - 4 .4 meeting the probabilistic code’s requirement and same area of reinforcement for RCPVC2 and RCPVC3 using deterministic desi gn . It is concluded that the method is suitable for application

The marketing and distribution of fish in New Bussa fish market area of Niger State

Fish marketing and distribution in New-Bussa market was studied weekly for three months (August -October, 2005). The result showed that the major fish species common in New-Bussa fish market are Clarias,Citharinus,Mormyrus,Bagrus,Alestes, Synondontis,Lates, Chrysicthyes, Tilapia, Hydrocynus and Clarotes. The business of catching, marketing and distribution of fish is controlled by young men and women of the age bracket of 14-40 years old. Over 15 different ethnic groups from 14 states in Nigeria and Ghana, Chad, Benin Republic, Mali are involved in fish marketing and distribution business in New-Bussa. The indigenous ethnic groups are Gungawa, Busawa, Kambari, and Nupe, they formed 65% of the ethnic groups found in New-Bussa. The remaining ethnic groups are migrants. Women dominated the trading and processing of fish

Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific mortality and life expectancy, 1950–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

BACKGROUND: Assessments of age-specific mortality and life expectancy have been done by the UN Population Division, Department of Economics and Social Affairs (UNPOP), the United States Census Bureau, WHO, and as part of previous iterations of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD). Previous iterations of the GBD used population estimates from UNPOP, which were not derived in a way that was internally consistent with the estimates of the numbers of deaths in the GBD. The present iteration of the GBD, GBD 2017, improves on previous assessments and provides timely estimates of the mortality experience of populations globally. METHODS: The GBD uses all available data to produce estimates of mortality rates between 1950 and 2017 for 23 age groups, both sexes, and 918 locations, including 195 countries and territories and subnational locations for 16 countries. Data used include vital registration systems, sample registration systems, household surveys (complete birth histories, summary birth histories, sibling histories), censuses (summary birth histories, household deaths), and Demographic Surveillance Sites. In total, this analysis used 8259 data sources. Estimates of the probability of death between birth and the age of 5 years and between ages 15 and 60 years are generated and then input into a model life table system to produce complete life tables for all locations and years. Fatal discontinuities and mortality due to HIV/AIDS are analysed separately and then incorporated into the estimation. We analyse the relationship between age-specific mortality and development status using the Socio-demographic Index, a composite measure based on fertility under the age of 25 years, education, and income. There are four main methodological improvements in GBD 2017 compared with GBD 2016: 622 additional data sources have been incorporated; new estimates of population, generated by the GBD study, are used; statistical methods used in different components of the analysis have been further standardised and improved; and the analysis has been extended backwards in time by two decades to start in 1950. FINDINGS: Globally, 18·7% (95% uncertainty interval 18·4–19·0) of deaths were registered in 1950 and that proportion has been steadily increasing since, with 58·8% (58·2–59·3) of all deaths being registered in 2015. At the global level, between 1950 and 2017, life expectancy increased from 48·1 years (46·5–49·6) to 70·5 years (70·1–70·8) for men and from 52·9 years (51·7–54·0) to 75·6 years (75·3–75·9) for women. Despite this overall progress, there remains substantial variation in life expectancy at birth in 2017, which ranges from 49·1 years (46·5–51·7) for men in the Central African Republic to 87·6 years (86·9–88·1) among women in Singapore. The greatest progress across age groups was for children younger than 5 years; under-5 mortality dropped from 216·0 deaths (196·3–238·1) per 1000 livebirths in 1950 to 38·9 deaths (35·6–42·83) per 1000 livebirths in 2017, with huge reductions across countries. Nevertheless, there were still 5·4 million (5·2–5·6) deaths among children younger than 5 years in the world in 2017. Progress has been less pronounced and more variable for adults, especially for adult males, who had stagnant or increasing mortality rates in several countries. The gap between male and female life expectancy between 1950 and 2017, while relatively stable at the global level, shows distinctive patterns across super-regions and has consistently been the largest in central Europe, eastern Europe, and central Asia, and smallest in south Asia. Performance was also variable across countries and time in observed mortality rates compared with those expected on the basis of development. INTERPRETATION: This analysis of age-sex-specific mortality shows that there are remarkably complex patterns in population mortality across countries. The findings of this study highlight global successes, such as the large decline in under-5 mortality, which reflects significant local, national, and global commitment and investment over several decades. However, they also bring attention to mortality patterns that are a cause for concern, particularly among adult men and, to a lesser extent, women, whose mortality rates have stagnated in many countries over the time period of this study, and in some cases are increasing

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4 (62.3 (55.1�70.8) million) to 6.4 (58.3 (47.6�70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization�s Global Nutrition Target of <5 in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2 (30 (22.8�38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0 (55.5 (44.8�67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic. © 2020, The Author(s)