The morphology and morphometry of the epididymis in the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus Temmincks)

The structure and morphometry of the epididymis in the greater cane rat were studied in this work. In assessing the morphology and characterising the morphometric values, a total of 15 adult male greater cane rats, bred and raised in captivity, were used. All the animals had brownish perineal staining, which was taken as index of sexual maturity in male cane rats, and they were maintained on elephant grass stems with water given ad libitum. From this work, the epididymis of the greater cane rat was observed to have a mean weight of 0.0365 ± 0.091 g, forming about 0.016% of the total body weight and an average volume of 0.36 ± 0.08 mL. There was a positive correlation between the epididymal weights, testicular weight, and the body weight in this animal. However, the gross divisions of the epididymis into head, body, and tail were not conspicuous in the cane rat; instead it had two divisions — the cranial and the caudal divisions. In addition, based on the histological and histomorphometric analyses, five zones were observed in the epididymal epithelium of this animal. This preliminary information on the epididymis will serve as a basis for further research on the epididymis of the greater cane rat and will contribute to the knowledge of the its reproductive biology, which will subsequently aid in the captive rearing and domestication of this animal. (Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 4: 246-252

Most frequently selected shade for advance restoration delivered in a tertiary hospital facility in south western Nigeria

Background: Bulk purchase of Porcelain materials with some in less use and expiring before being exhausted has resulted in colossal economic loss in the past and present in our environment. Having knowledge of prevalent shade in this environment will minimize this loss. Objectives: The study aimed at auditing the shade selection and identifying the most frequently selected shade for advanced restoration in the Conservative Dentistry Clinic as well as assessing the influence of gender and age on choice of shade selected. Methods: This is a retrospective study of shade selection for advanced restorations fabricated over a period of seven years in the University CollegeHospital Dental Clinic spanning January 2009 to December 2016. Data collected which was analyzed using the SPSS Version 22, includes: Socio demographic data, oral hygiene status and social habits, designation of the doctors that took the shade, types of advanced restorations, tooth/teeth restored, shades selected and types of shade guides used if indicated. Results: The outcome of the study showed that ‘A’ group shades were more chosen for advance restorations (50.6%). However, Vita shade A3 was  the most selected of all the shades, while shade C4 was the least selected. Lighter shades of ‘A’ were more frequently selected in female patients  (57%) while shade ‘D’ were chosen in the greater percentage of male patients (60%). Younger age groups less than 45years old tend to have lighter shade selected for their restorations. (Fig. 2). Conclusion: Vita shade A3 (3M3) was the most frequently selected shade for aesthetic advanced restoration. Lighter shades are generally selected more in the female patients and younger age group. Keywords: Shade selection, Shade guide, Advance restoratio

Investigation of pumpkin pod extract as corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in HCl Solution

This work focused on the use of natural, and eco-friendly waste material as an inhibitor for inhibiting carbon steel corrosion. In order to obtain minimum rate of corrosion on carbon steel, optimization of the process factors that affect carbon steel corrosion was undertaken using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Three parameters were fluctuated viz; temperature, pumpkin pod extract concentration and time of exposure and their corresponding effects on rate of corrosion of carbon steel were ascertained. The data obtained was fitted to a model that is quadratic which was subsequently validated. The predicted lowest rate of corrosion by the model is 2.5427mm/yr with optimal conditions of 178.07ppm of pumpkin extract concentration, exposure time of 2.26hrs, and 35.28oC of temperature. The conditions were validated in three replicates and corrosion rate of 2.75mm/yr was obtained. Keywords: corrosion, optimization, pumpkin pod, response surface methodology

Testicular histo-morphometry and semen parameters of West African Dwarf bucks

This study evaluates the gross and histo-morphometry of the testes as well as the semen parameters of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats bred and raised in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Five apparently healthy WAD bucks were used for this study were electro-ejaculated once weekly for two weeks. Testicular weight, gonadosomatic index, seminiferous tubular diameter and seminiferous epithelial height were measured using standard techniques. Semen parameters which included volume, colour, motility and concentration as well as scrotal circumference were also determined using standard procedures. All data were recorded as mean ± standard deviation, subjected to descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis at p < 0.05. Our findings revealed that the testicular gross morphometric values significantly correlate with the histometric values with normal testicular histo-architecture suggestive of typical spermatogenesis. Furthermore, the scrotal circumference showed positive relationship with both the gross and histometric parameters of the testis. However, there was no significant correlation between scrotal circumference and semen parameters. This information could improve understanding of reproduction in the WAD buck.Keywords: Semen evaluation, Spermatogenesis, Testicular morphometry, Reproduction, WAD goa

The Economic Impact of Tourism Development in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

This study examined the effects of tourism development on the economy of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.  Economic contribution of tourism gives the tourism industry great respect among other industries in Ile-Ife community, as well as concern before business men and women, tourists, government officials, and the general public. Data for this study were collected from personal survey and the random administration of questionnaires on respondents in the four Local Government Areas in Ile-Ife. Results from this study showed that tourists very frequently, visit Ile-Ife, due to large number of tourists’ attraction sites in the area. This study recommended that, there is need for improvement of tourists’ attraction sites in the study area. This study will be of great help to tourists, environmentalists’, researchers, planners and policy makers in the tourism industry. Keywords: Economy, Development, and Touris

The comparative histological studies of the testis in the wild and cultured African catfish species (Clarias gariepinus)

The comparative study of the structure of testes of both the cultured and wild Male Clarias species was carried out with the aim of highlighting the possible differences in the testicular structure between them. The data were analysed based on the Regression and Correlation Analysis to examine the relationship between and within the data using Microsoft Excel data analysis tool. The Samples of the testes were fixed in Bouin's fluid for 72 hours. The tissue samples were passed through graded concentrations of alcohol at 50%, 70%, 90%, and absolute alcohol (100%) in order to achieve dehydration. The tissues were cleared in two jars of xylene for one hour and then embedded after passing through the four changes of paraffin wax at 60~'C. Paraffin sections of 5. Micron thick were obtained on a microtome. These were mounted on clear albuminized slides after floating on a warm water bath and then dried in an oven and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H & E). At the same time, some of the cut sections of the testes were stained with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) reagents. All the slides were examined under the light microscope. On the slides stained with H&E and PAS, the histological features of the testis were evaluated and the histomorphometry of the testes determined. The findings of this work showed that there was no histological difference in the testicular structure of both domestically reared and wild strains of Clarias gariepinus species. At the end of the experiment, this work showed that testicular structure of Clarias gariepinus in the cultured and the wild are histologically similar

Physical and combustible properties of briquettes produced from a combination of groundnut shell, rice husk, sawdust and wastepaper using starch as a binder

This study investigated the use of agro-wastes for the production of briquettes. Briquettes were produced from a combination of groundnut shell, rice husk, sawdust and wastepaper using the 20:70:10, 30:60:10, 40:50:10, 50:40:10, 60:30:10 and 70:20:10 ratio. The feedstock of each blend was fed into a square mould [60mm] and screw-pressed at 20 MPa in a dwelling time of 60 seconds. Moisture content, density and combustion characteristics (ignition time and calorific value) of the briquettes were determined. Data obtained were analysed using appropriate statistical tools. The moisture content of all the briquettes ranged between 8 to 15%. The briquettes density was in the range of 800 to 900 kg.m−3, while the calorific value ranged from 0.03 to 0.19 and 0.02 to 0.27 MJkg−1 for Saw dust-rice husk- paper (SRP) and groundnut shell-saw dust-paper (GSP) briquettes. The quality of the briquettes in terms of density and burning time showed that 20% sawdust: 70% rice husk: 10% paper combination had a higher relaxed density of 387.4kg/m3, while on the basis of moisture content and ignition time, 70% sawdust: 20% rice husk: 10% paper combination had the least moisture content and ignition time of 16.7% and 18seconds, respectively. RSP had higher calorific value, lower ignition time, but less durability than GSP. However, the compressed and relaxed densities of SRP and GSP briquettes were significantly difference (p<0.05). The durability of the briquettes improved with increased starch proportion. It can be concluded that production of SRP and GSP briquettes is an effective and efficient agricultural waste disposal technique.Keywords: Agro-residues, briquettes, physical, mechanical, biomass, wast

SHORT COMMUNICATION: Determination of the minor and trace elements in Biriniwa's tin pyrite and ornamental lead/zinc ore using neutron activation analysis

Preliminary results of analysis of two common decorative/ornamental minerals analysed for minor and trace elements with the neutron activation analysis technique are discussed. The samples of interest were the Biriniwa tin pyrite, which the local indigenous used to paint their huts and the ornamental lead which women use to adorn their eyelashes nation-wide. These samples were irradiated along the certified reference sample, CANMET-BLI, with thermal neutron at the Julich Reactor Centre, Julich, Germany. The prominent elements determined in the ornamental lead included zinc (35.8%), iron (6.15%), Na, Sb, Cd, Hg, Ag and Co at trace level (g g-1). Tin pyrite sample was found to contain traces of Na, K, As, Br, Sb, Fe, La, Nd, Sm and Ce as the prominent impurities. Lead and tin, the major elements, respectively, of the lead/zinc ore and tin pyrite samples were determined by classical methods. (Received November 28, 2001; revised August 19, 2002) (Bulletin of The Chemical Society of Ethiopia: 2002 16 (2): 207-212

Leaching kinetics of lead from galena with acidified hydrogen peroxide and sodium chloride solution

Staff PublicationThe leaching of lead from galena in acidic hydrogen peroxide in presence of sodium chloride solution has been investigated with respect to the effects of hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations, by changing the stirring speed, leaching temperature and the particle size. It was observed that leaching rate increases with increasing hydrochloric acid concentration, hydrogen peroxide concentration and the temperature. However, it decreases with increase in the particle size. The kinetic study showed that the leaching process is represented by shrinking core model with mixed kinetic. The activation energy (Ea) for the leaching reaction was calculated as 14·60 kJ mol−1, which is suggestive of the mixed controlled kinetics for the leaching reactio

Prediction of Density and Viscosity of Biodiesel Fuel from Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) Composition

Viscosity and density are important properties that qualify biodiesel fuel to serve as an alternative fuel because all other properties directly or indirectly depend on them. The processes involved in determining the viscosity and density of biodiesel are relatively simple and costly and there are discrepancies in the results obtained due to the differences in the oil composition of the feed-stocks used as against the reported cause of experimental errors. This work aimed at theoretically determining and developing relationship between the density and viscosity of different feed-stocks and the fatty acid methyl ester composition at different temperatures.In the study, density and viscosity data of biodiesel fuels and the composition of FAME were collected from literatures.  A linear regression analysis was carried out for density and viscosity on the average values of viscosity and density data obtained at different temperatures range (10°C-40°C) of FAME composition. Equations relating density and viscosity with the percentage composition by weight of FAME of biodiesel fuel were developed. Predicted mean values for kinematic viscosity and density were respectively between 4.31 - 5.64 mm2/s and 861.67 – 885.66 kg/m3. The developed equations were able to predict with up to 97.1% accuracy for viscosity and 98.5% accuracy for density. The developed equations could effectively predict the quality of biodiesel (viscosity and density) from various feedstocks based on FAME compositions