Male Involvement in Family Planning: A Qualitative Survey of the Barriers and Facilitators amongst Married Men in Sokoto metropolis

Background: Although large families are desired in Nigeria, women tend to want fewer children than men but are often unable to limit or space childbirth due to gender dynamics within relationships. Studies have identified men as a significant barrier to the use of  contraceptives by their wives. The study explored married men’s knowledge and perception on family planning (FP), involvement in FP, barriers and facilitators of male involvement (MI) in FP in Sokoto Metropolis.Methods: A qualitative study was done among married men in Sokoto Metropolis in November 2017. Four focus group discussions were conducted among thirty-two men grouped based on educational status and age. Data was transcribed verbatim and a content analysis on emerging themes was done.Results: All the participants were aware of FP and most of them said that it is beneficial to everyone in the community. Most of the  participants perceived that FP is an issue for both men and women. All the participants said that men should be involved in FP. The barriers to MI in FP mentioned were lack of knowledge on FP and poverty while increasing awareness on FP, religious leaders and traditional rulers championing FP, and making FP free were the facilitators suggested.Conclusion: The participants said that FP is beneficial to everyone in the community and men should be involved in FP. Traditional and religious leaders should be made the champions of FP in their various communities to improve acceptance and utilisation

Comparative yield and characterization of flavonoids from the stem back and root of Blighia sapida

Flavonoids represent a wide spread group of water soluble phenolic derivatives, known for their medicinal effect. This paper is focused on identifying the functional groups present in flavonoids of Blighia sapida stem bark and root sample. The percentage yield was higher with methanol extract of the stem bark compared to the root. The GC-MS of methanol extract shows carboxylic acid which might be attributed to presence of lipids. The isolation of flavonoids by TLC and the FITR revealed the functional group –OH, C=O,CH which are majorly responsible for the medicinal effect.Keywords: Blighia sapida, characterization, comparative yield, Flavonoids, methanol extrac

Studies on the Moisture Dependent Physical Properties of Cowpea

Cowpea is a very important legume in Nigeria that is being utilized to Substitute high-cost animal protein for low-income people. The knowledge of some physical properties of various moisture contents is of utmost importance in the design of its handling and processing equipment and machinery, which is the aim of this work, which studied the physical properties of IT99K-573-1-1 (SAMPEA14) variety of Cowpea within 8.77 to 21.58 % db moisture content. The properties studied include Major, Intermediate, and Minor diameters, Sphericity, Surface area, Specific gravity, Volume, Bulk density, 50-tap density, 100-tap density, 1250-tap density, seed mass, Angle of repose, Geometric mean diameter, and Arithmetic mean diameter. The obtained results indicate that the Size, Sphericity, Geometric, Arithmetic diameter, Surface area, and seed mass increase linearly with an increase in moisture content by 13.8%, 27.4%, and 16.1% for the size, respectively. While sphericity rises by 7.5% and geometric mean diameter, arithmetic mean diameter, surface area, and grain mass increase by 22.2%, 20.7%, 24.9%, and 16.11%, respectively. Specific gravity, density, and repose angle were inversely linearly related to moisture content. Regression equations for each of the properties related to the grains' moisture content were developed

Production and Economics Evaluation of Pilot Scale Essential Oil Extract from Eucalyptus Citriodora Leaves

In this study, essential oil was extracted from eucalyptus citriodora leaves plant species (lemon-scented gum) in a pilot plant using steam distillation technology. The extraction pattern of the oil was monitored over time and economic analysis of the production was carried out.  Five batches were carried out in a day and the results revealed that the daily production of the oil was 0.579 liters in a loading capacity of 100kg of leaves. It was also observed that the total production cycle per batch was 1.96 hours out of which 80 minutes were the actual extraction time with lag period of 37 minutes. The results further revealed that 66.7% of the oil was extracted in 40 minutes while 95.6% in 80 minutes. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was used as source of energy with daily consumption of 7.5 kg at a cost of N2,400.00K. The economic analysis on annual basis revealed that the operating cost was N1,742,400.00K. The production output of the oil was estimated at 138.96 litres with expected selling price of N4,863,600.00K at the rate of N35,000.00K per litre and expected profit after tax of N2,115,871.00K. From this economic analysis carried out based on the practical data generated in the pilot plant, this project is highly profitable and is strongly recommended to potential investors and entrepreneurs. This will help in providing jobs for our teaming unemployed youths mostly in rural areas where these raw materials are in abundant thereby increasing nation’s foreign earning due to its export potential

Nutrient intake, digestibility and growth performance of yankasa sheep fed varying proportions of ficus polita and Pennisetum pedicellatum supplemented with wheat-offal

The nutrient intake, digestibility and growth performance of Yankasa sheep was evaluated on 16 Yankasa rams of approximately 1 - 11/2 years old with average initial weight of 25kg. Ficus polita was fed with Pennisetum pedicellatum at different proportions of 100:0 (F. polita: P. pedicellatum) 0:100, 60: 40, and 40:60 constituting diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Each animal was supplemented with wheat offal at the rate of 1% body weight per head per day. The total basal feed intake (DM basis) was highly significant (P <0.01) which increased with decrease in the inclusion levels of Ficus polita in the diets. Animals fed diet 1 (100% FP) recorded the least total basal feed intake of 676.76g/day, while those on the 100% PP diet obtained the highest value of 1280.94g/day. Daily dry matter intake (DDMI) values of 959.95, 1564.14, 114.28 and 1307.58g/day were obtained for animals fed diets 1,2,3, and 4 respectively, indicating that the DDMI also followed similar trend as the total basal feed intake. Other nutrients intake including crude protein intake (89.42-129.06g/day), crude fibre (209.78-391.46g/day) and nitrogen free extract (5 11.91-743.16g/day) followed similar pattern as DDMI. However, the intake of ether extract was highest (P<0.01) for animals on treatment 4 (40% FP/60%PP) (40.7g/day) and lowest for those on treatment 1 (100% FP) (25.99g/day). Water intake was not significant (P>0.05) across the treatments. The result of the daily weight gain showed significantly (P<0.05) higher values (47.57g/day) for animals fed diet 4 (40% FP/60% PP), while those on diet 1 (100% FF) recorded the least (26.14g/day). Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) result showed significant difference (P< 0.05) across the treatments, with animals in treatment 4 (40% FP/60%PP) having best FCR (27.48) while those fed diet 2 had the lowest (38.69), indicating that animals on diet 4 utilized their diets more efficiently compared to others. The result of nutrients digestibility showed that Crude Protein Digestibility (CPD) showed significant difference (P< 0.05), with animals on diet 1 (100% FP) having the least (44.29%) and highest for those on the other treatments. Feed cost per kg gain was least for animals fed diet 4 (N17.66), and high for animals on diet 1 (N32.13). It was concluded that feeding various levels of Ficus polita and Pennisetum pedicellatum supplemented with wheat offal to Yankasa sheep improved total dry matter intake which gave rise to daily weight gain of the animals and reduced feed cost per kg gain especially for animals feed diet 4 (40%FPL/60% PPG).Key words: Digestibility, Ficus polita, growth, nutrient intake, Pennisetum pedicellatum, wheat-offal, Yankasa shee

ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK PREDICTION OF PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOFUEL PRODUCED FROM SWEET POTATOE (IPOMOEA BATATA)

Fossil fuel depletion and the harm it causes to the environment has led to the development of alternative fuels. In this research, biofuel (ethanol) was produced and characterized from sweat potatoes. Blends of premium motor spirit with 0% (E0), 2% (E2), 4% (E4), and 10% (E10) of the produced biofuel at various percentages were separately used to power a four-stroke, single-cylinder SI engine on an engine test bed, and data of the engine performance - brake power, brake torque, brake mean effective pressure (BMEP), and the exhaust gas temperature reported in each test. The results of the physicochemical analysis revealed that the physical state of the biofuel is colorless, the viscosity at 300C, density, calorific value, and pH level are 0.9834 mPa.s, 0.85 g/cm3,19 kJ/kg, and 1.82, respectively. It was observed that an increase in ethanol in the blend increases the performance of the engine, although the BMEP at E0 gave the highest value of 0.3 bar compared to other blends.  An artificial neural network (ANN) model for predicting engine performance characteristics was developed, trained, validated, and tested using the reported data. The result of the ANN model revealed that the Levenberg-Marquardt training algorithm (LMTA) with 10 hidden layer neurons offers the best fit for the features for both training, validation, testing, and overall. With the R for training equal 1, validation equal to  0.99468, testing equal to 0.90103, and overall R equal to  0.93842 as compared to the rest in terms of the number of neurons and training algorithms.

Mentorship in Radiography: an Indispensable Tool for Sustainable Healthcare Transformation

  Background: The concept of mentorship has gained widespread popularity in literature across different walks of life owing to the significant benefits attached to it. Purpose: This paper intends to discuss the need for mentorship in radiography, as an indispensable tool for a sustainable healthcare transformation, taking clues from other health science disciplines and medicine. Method: Authors reviewed relevant literature on the subject to have an in-depth and updated knowledge both in the health sciences as well as in other disciplines. Search engines such as Google Scholar, My Websearch, and data base such as Science Direct, Hinari, Taylor and Francis and Medknow were consulted. Several articles that discussed mentorship across various disciplines were reviewed. Those with ideas and concepts that fit into the purpose of the study were included. Results: Several definitions and types of mentorship exist across different walks of life based on literature. However, we decided to adopt the definition of mentorship and types of mentorship by Feldman, who defined mentorship as a dynamic, reciprocal relationship in a work environment between an advanced career incumbent and a beginner, aimed at promoting the development of both. The uniform agreement across various disciplines is that mentoring is a crucial component of success. However, its application in radiography is inadequate. Conclusion: In view of the apparent benefits accruable to mentorship globally, stakeholders in radiography should make mentorship a priority, if we must maintain our role in a sustainable healthcare transformation.             &nbsp

Effect of Food Quality on Customer Perceived Satisfaction Level and Mediating Effect of Food Safety on Them

Purpose:We done a study to knownnbsp impact of food safety on food quality and customerrsquos satisfaction and the purpose of our study to know how much people are concerned about safety of food what they eat in their routine life. We used questionnaire to get results and our target group is students of UET. Findings:We got to know that food safety has mediating effect on food quality and customerrsquos satisfaction and people are concerned about what they eat is either safe or not and pay attention to what adds up in their food and what they engulf in eating. Food producers and restaurants must pay attention to their food processing procedures and home cooking persons should make sure about healthy food items. Limitations:All respondents are belong to one institution. Other researcher can add respondents of many demographics.nbsp nbs

Tuberculin screening of some selected Fulani lactating cows in north-central Nigeria

The prevalence of mycobacterial infection among lactating Fulani cows was investigated in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Kaduna State of Nigeria. Tuberculin testing using single comparative intradermal tuberculin test showed a 14.6 % positive, 4 % doubtful, and 81.4 % negative reactors. Mycobacterial infection was found to be present in the nomadic (constantly moving) and seminomadic (limited movement) management systems studied but management showed no significant effect on the prevalence of the disease. However, the prevalence was significantly higher in older age groups than the younger ones (P < 0.05).Peer reviewedSubmitted Versio

A Review on Required Catalysts Composition and its Effective Preparation Method for Hydrodeoxygenation of Bio-oil

The hydrodeoxygenation of bio-oil performance is dependent on the efficiency and effectiveness of the applied catalyst. The effectiveness of a catalyst in hydrodeoxygenation reaction heavily depends on its composition. In this review, an overview of hydrodeoxygenation catalyst composition and its effective preparation methods are highlighted and discussed. Various catalyst compositions such active metals,&nbsp; promoters, and catalyst supports used for hydrodeoxygenation of bio-oil to saturated hydrocarbon fuels are discussed. Furthermore,&nbsp; effective synthesis methods for nickel-based catalysts as well as factors that can enhance better distribution and dispersion of active nickel species over catalyst support at various developmental stages, i.e. during deposition, drying and activation (which involve calcination and reduction of catalysts synthesis) are discussed