Proximate analysis and total lycopene content of some tomato cultivars obtained from Kano State, Nigeria

Standard analytical techniques were employed to determine the proximate composition and lycopene content of three tomato cultivars namely: Roma VF, Ronita and UTC grown in six local government areas of Kano state, Nigeria. Results indicated mean values of 0.15±0.03, 0.16±0.01, 0.15±0.01% titratable acidity; 8.36±0.01, 8.14±0.02, 8.25±0.03% total soluble solids; 1.19±0.04, 1.25±0.03, 1.12±0.01% crude fiber; 2.26±0.05, 2.32±0.02, 2.60±0.02% crude protein; 0.18±0.01, 0.14±0.01, 0.14±0.02% ash content; 90.75±0.03, 88.43±0.04, 84.15±0.01% moisture content; 3.73±0.09, 4.59±0.09, 4.34±0.18 mg/100g vitamin C and 6.88±0.06, 6.88±0.02, 7.83±0.04 mg/100g lycopene content for Roma VF, Ronita and UTC respectively. The levels of the proximate parameters and lycopene contents have shown that the cultivars were of high nutritional quality and can be good sources of raw material for industrial use due to their high total soluble solids which are twice the minimum level recommended for tomato to be employed for industrial processing.Keywords: Antioxidant, lycopene content, proximate composition, tomato cultivar

Foreign Exchange Rate and Economic Growth Nexus: New Evidence from Nigeria (1981 to 2017)

The paper estimates the impact of foreign exchange rate on economic growth of Nigeria. The study makes used of Autoregressive Distributed Lag model (ARDL) on time series Data, for the period 1981-2017. The data set on real effective exchange rate, inflation rate, money supply, lending interest rate, real GDP and foreign direct investment, oil revenue and trade openness (% of GDP) were tested for stationary using ADF and PP tests and established stationarity at I (1) for five variables and I (0) for two variables. The correlation test result shows that the highest correlation is between money supply and oil revenue while the lowest correlation is between inflation rate and foreign direct investment. The ARDL Co-integration test revealed the existence of long-run relationship among the variables. ARDL test results reveal that real effective exchange rate is negatively and significant in explaining economic growth in Nigeria in the long-run. In the short-run, the lag value of real effective exchange rate is insignificant in explaining the changes in the current rate of economic growth. in the same period, the lag value of money supply is negative and significant in explaining GDP. But in the long run it is positive and significant in explaining economic growth in Nigeria. The rate of inflation both in the short run and long run is negatively and significant in explaining GDP. The Error Correction Term value of 20.7% shows the speed of adjustment toward long-run equilibrium The findings of the study imply that interest rate in Nigeria is inflationary. Meaning that increase in the rate of interest rate will lead to an increase inflation rate. Therefore, the research study concludes that the impact of foreign exchange rate on the economic growth of Nigeria is negative and significant and that the monetary authorities should adopt flexible exchange rate in Nigeria. Keywords: ARDL, foreign exchange rate, Economic growth, monetary authorities. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-18-18 Publication date:September 30th 2019

Twin pregnancies at federal medical centre Katsina: A 5 year review

Background: Multiple gestation is associated with higher risk of maternal complications in the antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods compared with singleton pregnancies, as well as higher risk for perinatal morbidity and mortality.Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and obstetric outcomes of twin deliveries in Federal Medical Centre Katsina.Methods: It is a retrospective study of twin deliveries over a 5‑year period from January 1st 2010 to December 31st 2014 conducted at the Federal Medical Centre Katsina (FMCK), Katsina state.Results: There were 172 cases of twin deliveries out of 9,947 deliveries giving an overall twinning rate of 17.3 per 1,000 deliveries. There were three cases of triplet delivery during this period. The most common complication was preterm delivery which occurred in 40.1% of cases. The mode of delivery was vaginal in 64.5% while 35.5% had caesarean section. Emergency caesarean section for delivery of both babies was carried out in 24.42% while elective caesarean section for both babies accounted for 8.72%. Combined vaginal and abdominal delivery occurred in 2.33% of deliveries. The stillbirth rate was 81.4 per 1,000 births. There were 11 (6.4%) and 17 (9.9%) stillbirths among the first and the second babies respectively. Babies that had normal birth weight constituted 42.2%. The male to  female ratio was 1:1.15.Conclusion: The rate of twin deliveries in our centre is high. There is also associated high rate of maternal complications and adverse perinatal outcomes.Keywords: Obstetric outcome; perinatal outcome; twin pregnanc

Design and control of laser micromachining workstation

The production process of miniature devices and microsystems requires the utilization of non-conventional micromachining techniques. In the past few decades laser micromachining has became micro-manufacturing technique of choice for many industrial and research applications. This paper discusses the design of motion control system for a laser micromachining workstation with particulars about automatic focusing and control of work platform used in the workstation. The automatic focusing is solved in a sliding mode optimization framework and preview controller is used to control the motion platform. Experimental results of both motion control and actual laser micromachining are presented

Effects of Tyre Derived Aggregate (TDA) as Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate in Concrete

The usage and reuse of waste tyre rubber in concrete production can cut down the use of raw materials which contributes to economic efficiency and sustainable development of the construction industry. This study is directed at assessing the effects of using the Tyre Derived Aggregate (TDA) as a substitute for coarse aggregate in concrete. A sum of eighty-six square cubes of 100 mm was cast and cured in fresh water for up to 28 days. Setting times, consistency and soundness tests were carried out on cement paste. However, slump, compressive strength and durability (i.e. water absorption) tests were carried out on the concrete. The results unveiled that the physical characteristics of cement considered fulfilled BS EN 196-3 (1995), and the slump of fresh concrete decreased as the percentage of TDA content stepped up. The water absorption raised, while the density of concrete made with TDA decreased as the percentage of TDA content stepped up. However, the strength of TDA-concrete increased as the curing age increased, and it decreased as the portion of TDA content raised. Nevertheless, the strength at 0%, 5% and 10% were 23, 21.67 and 18.33 N/mm2 respectively. However, the strength of TDA-concrete made with 0 % TDA and 5 % TDA subjected to different temperatures decreased as the temperature increased, however, even at 500C the strength of concrete made with 5% TDA was found to be 20.5 N/mm2 which is within the target compressive strength. It was concluded that the usage of TDA content in the production of concrete should not be greater than 5 % for better performance

Effect of an Arabic Program of Direct Instruction for Phonological Awareness on Phonological Awareness Abilities

Reading in Arabic is a vital skill for academic success and progress in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) elementary schools and beyond. However, there is substantial evidence to suggest that a significant number of UAE children in lower elementary grades experience difficulties in reading school-related materials. Research in reading has clearly documented that the lack of phonological awareness skills is a major contributor to reading difficulties. The aims of the present study were to (a) identify phonological awareness deficits among UAE’s struggling first-grade readers, (b) provide intervention in the area of phonological awareness deficits through direct training, (c) determine whether phonological awareness direct training significantly increases phonological awareness abilities, and (d) determine the effect of gender on the reading intervention. The results of this study indicate that a direct training intervention program in the UAE positively impacted struggling first-grade readers’ phonological awareness abilities

Comparison of Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug susceptibility using solid and liquid culture in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: This study compares Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture isolation and drug sensitivity testing (DST) using solid (LJ) and liquid (BACTEC-MGIT-960) media in Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross sectional survey of adults attending reference centres in Abuja, Ibadan and Nnewi with a new diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) or having failed the first-line TB treatment. Patients were requested to provide three sputum specimens for smear-microscopy and culture on LJ and BACTEC-MGIT-960. Positive cultures underwent DST for streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol. RESULTS: 527 specimens were cultured. 428 (81%) were positive with BACTEC-MGIT-960, 59 (11%) negative, 36 (7%) contaminated and 4 (1%) had non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM). 411 (78%) LJ cultures were positive, 89 (17%) negative, 22 (4%) contaminated and 5 (1%) had NTM. The mean (SD) detection time was 11 (6) and 30 (11) days for BACTEC-MGIT-960 and LJ. DST patterns were compared in the 389 concordant positive BACTEC-MGIT-960 and LJ cultures. Rifampicin and isoniazid DST patterns were similar. Streptomycin resistance was detected more frequently with LJ than BACTEC-MGIT-960 and ethambutol resistance was detected more frequently with BACTEC-MGIT-960 than LJ, but differences were not statistically significant. MDR-TB was detected in 27 cases by LJ and 25 by BACTEC-MGIT-960 and using both methods detected 29 cases. CONCLUSIONS: There was a substantial degree of agreement between the two methods. However using the two in tandem increased the number of culture-positive patients and those with MDR-TB. The choice of culture method should depend on local availability, cost and test performance characteristics

FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF FAMCICLOVIR ORALLY DISINTEGRATING TABLET

Orally disintegrating systems have an edge amongst the oral drug delivery systems due to the highest component of compliance they enjoy in patients especially the geriatrics and pediatrics. In addition, patients suffering from dysphagia, motion sickness, repeated emesis and mental disorders prefer these medications because they cannot swallow large quantity of water. Further, drugs exhibiting satisfactory absorption from the oral mucosa or intended for immediate pharmacological action can be advantageously formulated in these dosage forms. However, the requirements of formulating these dosage forms with mechanical strength sufficient to withstand the rigors of handling and capable of disintegrating within a few seconds on contact with saliva are inextricable. Therefore, research in developing orally disintegrating systems has been aimed at investigating different excipients as well as techniques to meet these challenges. Famciclovir is an antiviral drug used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV), mainly HSV-1 and HSV-2 and varicella zoster virus. It is a BCS class III drug. Hence an orally disintegrating tablet formulation of Famciclovir was prepared by wet granulation techniques after incorporating superdisintegrants sodium starch glycolate. Six formulations were prepared. The formulation (F3) showed excellent in vitro dispersion time and drug release as compared to other formulation. After study of formulations F3 showed short dispersion time with maximum drug release in 10 min. It is concluded that fast disintegrating famciclovir tablets could be prepared by wet granulation using superdisintegrants. Keywords: Famciclovir, ODT, Sodium starch glycolate (Primogel), Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel pH102)

Performance Evaluation of Tamarindus Indica Seeds Powder in the Treatment of Dye Wastewater

A large amount of dye wastewater is generated after the local dyeing process. It contains high concentrations of organic and inorganic contaminants. Furthermore, the composition of the wastewater varies according to the type and number of textiles and the water requirements of the process. Hence, its treatment before discharge is necessary to protect the environment. This study investigated the use and effectiveness of Tamarindus indica seeds powder from agricultural waste for removing some recalcitrant target compounds in the dye wastewater. A batch test was performed to examine the use of this adsorbent as a potential replacement for the advanced treatment methods. Varying adsorbent dosages determined the maximum adsorption capacity at 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 g and at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hr reaction times. The optimum dosage, reaction time and percentage removal of various parameters were found to be; Turbidity (no significant effect), TDS (40 g/l, 72 hrs, 54.42%), EC (35 g/l, 72 hrs, 4.46%), Phosphate (35 g/l, 24 hrs, 38.49 %), Total suspended solid (no significant effect), Nitrate (30 g/l, 96 hrs, 15.26%), COD (no considerable impact) and BOD (30 g/l, 48 hrs, 63.38%) respectively. The results showed that adsorption efficiency increased with decreased adsorbent dosage, even at different reaction times. Hence, low-cost adsorbents such as Tamarindus indica seeds can treat dye waste water to a certain level for safe disposal

Epithelioid Variant of Pleomorphic Liposarcoma: A Rare Challenging Diagnosis Causing Severe Medial Thigh Pain

We present the case of pleiomorphic liposarcoma in the medial compartment of the thigh of a 59-year-old female patient. The lump was noticed eight months prior to presentation and had gradually increased in size, leading to pressure symptoms in her thigh. Although painless initially, the lump eventually became tender prompting her to seek surgical attention. At the plastic surgery clinic, she was advised to get an MRI, which revealed an irregular but well-defined mass lesion measuring 8.2 x 6.6 x 4.3 cm. The mass did not have any manifestations in the surrounding structures. A wide excisional biopsy was then performed, and multiple sections were processed for histopathological analysis, confirming a diagnosis of epithelioid variant of pleomorphic liposarcoma