Production and Sensory Evaluation of Pito, Burukutu, Kunuzaki as Beverage Drinks

This study examined the use of guinea corn and millet locally for producing Pito, Burukutu and Kunuzaki as contemporary beverage drinks in the modern day Nigeria where foreign beverages dominate the food and beverage” Many of the foreign beverages are highly flavoured with heavy contents of additives and artificial colorings. Thus raising many questions on their health implications and a constant worry to National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NA FDA C) organization In Nigeria. The raw materials were processed adopting the local methods of preparation and were served to 20 panelists for sensory evaluations. The evaluations were based on ranking 1-10 for odour, colour, taste aroma and overall acceptability. The results of the rating indicated the following: Kunu Zaki, on odour 5.5, colour 6.0, taste 5.4, aroma 6.6. Burukutu on odour 4.3, colour 3.9, taste 3.7, aroma 4.4. Pito, odour 4.5, colour 6.0, taste 4.3, aroma 2.7. The ratings and scores showed that Kuruzaki was most favoured by the panelists followed by Pito and Burukutu was the last favoured in terms of odour colour, taste and aroma. Keywords: Production, sensory Evolution, Pito, Burukutu and kunuzaki

A Study of Nikāh Al-Mutcah and its Implications for Feminine Dignity

A unique contradistinction between the Sunni school of thought and the Shicah school of thought is the concept of temporary marriage, simply put as nikāh al-mutcah. While the Sunnis strongly opposed the practice, it is an approved system of marriage among the Shicah. Although, the two schools of thought unanimously agree that it was a practice initially approved by Islam, the Sunnis believed that the Qur’ānic verse which initially approved it was later abrogated and the practice was banned. A display of intellectual discourse was therefore embarked upon by both groups. That not-withstanding, this paper is out to assess the implications of the legality of the practice of mutcah for feminine dignity in the contemporary period. Historical and Descriptive research methods were used in this exercise. The paper concluded that the dignity of women which Islam is meant to protect would be jeopardised if Nikāh al-Mutcah was legalised, as this type of marriage was a clever way of legalising adultery, fornication and prostitution.Keywords: Nikāh, Mut'ah, Feminine, Sunni, Shicah, Dignity

Effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum G. on biochemical and haematological parameters of albino Wistar rats

The effect of oral administration of the leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum G. on biochemical and haematological parameters were investigated in albino rats for 16 days. The extract did not show any significant effect (p > 0.05) on the plasma concentrations of total bilirubin, albumin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), reticulocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH). The concentration of the platelets was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) at 1000 mg/kg body weight, while white blood cell (WBC) was significantly increased at 500 mg/kg body weight. The doses significantly reduced (p < 0.05) plasma levels of AST, ALT, total protein, glucose and creatinine while urea was significantly increased. While the extract significantly increased the lung, brain and liver-body weights, the kidney, heart, testis, spleen and epididymis-body weights were not significantly affected. The result suggests that the leaf extract of C. albidum contains antiplatelet and hypoglycemic properties and exhibited selective organ toxicity to the rats

Synthesis, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of manganese, nickel and iron octakis-(2-diethylaminoethanethiol)-phthalocyanine

The syntheses, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of manganese (3), nickel (4) and iron (5) phthalocyanine complexes, octa-substituted at the peripheral positions with diethlyaminoethanethiol substituent, are reported. The electrochemistry of these complexes and the corresponding cobalt complex (6) are reported. Complex 3 showed two reversible reduction couples attributed to the MnIIIPc−2/MnIIPc−2 (E½ = −0.12 V versus Ag|AgCl) and MnIIPc−2/MnIIPc−3 (E½ = −0.82 V versus Ag|AgCl) species. Two ring-based reduction couples were also observed for complex 4. Two reduction couples, assigned to the FeIIPc−2/FeIPc−2 (E½ = −0.35 V versus Ag|AgCl) and FeIPc−2/FeIPc−3 (E½ = −0.96 V versus Ag|AgCl) species, and an oxidation couple, attributed to FeIIIPc−2/FeIIPc−2 (E½ = 0.26 V versus Ag|AgCl) species, were observed. For complex 6, two reductions and one oxidation were also observed with the potential range of 1.2 to −1.8 V versus Ag|AgCl Spectroelectrochemical studies were used to confirm some of the assigned processes

DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A 2kVA FUELLESS GENERATOR

Electricity supply has been unreliable for a long period in Nigeria. The energy generating capacity has the potential to generate 12,522 MW of electric power from existing plant, however, approximately 4650 MW is daily generated. Consequently, most homes and industries use internal combustion engine generating sets as an alternative to power grid failure. This does not only contribute to the amount of CO2 that people inhale in the atmosphere but also contributes to ozone layer depletion and climate change. The need for new energy generating sources with no negative impact on our environment had led to several alternatives cleaner source of power that is environmentally friendly and affordable for the masses. In response to this, a fuelless generator was developed using local materials to serve as a standby generator against the incessant power outage. The generator was developed by using a D.C battery, D.C motor, alternator, connecting shaft, charging panel (transformer, diode and capacitor), and a frame. A 12V, 100Ah battery was used to drive a 12V DC motor which in turn spun the alternator to optimal speed to generate electrical power. The output voltage was used to power varying loads of 0W to 2KW, with efficiency reducing with load increase. This paper presents the design and construction procedures, as well as the performance evaluation of the generated result

The Effects of Soret and Dufour on a Steady MHDFree Convection Flow over an Inclined Porous Plate with Viscous Dissipation

This paper deals with the effects of Soretand Dufouron a steady MHD free convection flow over an inclined porous plate with viscous dissipation. The models were non-dimensionalisedand the following parameters arise in the flow: Soret number Sr, Dufour number Du, Prandtl number Pr, magnetic parameter M, Schmidtl number Sc, radiation parameter R, permeability of porous medium K, thermal Grashof number Gr, solutalGrashof number Gm, Eckert number Ec and inclination angle . The influences of these parameters which control the flow were analysedand given a place in this work. The dimensionless governing equations of flow field are solved numerically by collocation weighted residual method. The effects of various parameters on the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are discussed and displayed graphicall

Occurrence of selected endocrine disrupting compounds in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa:

Endocrine-disrupting compounds are attracting attention worldwide because of their effects on living things in the environment. Ten endocrine disrupting compounds: 4-nonylphenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, estrone, 17β-estradiol, bisphenol A, 4-tertoctylphenol, triclosan, atrazine, imidazole and 1,2,4-triazole were investigated in four rivers and wastewater treatment plants in this study. Rivers were sampled at upstream, midstream and downstream reaches, while the influent and effluent samples of wastewater were collected from treatment plants near the receiving rivers. Sample waters were freeze-dried followed by extraction of the organic content and purification by solid-phase extraction. Concentrations of the compounds in the samples were determined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The instrument was operated in the positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mode

Perceived extension needs of rubber production among farmers in Delta State, Nigeria

The need to develop a sustainable exploitation system for the Nigerian rubber farmers requires that extension services should be available to assist the farmers in specific areas that can help them function effectively and improve productivity. The study investigated the perceived extension needs of rubber production farmers in Delta state Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to determine sources of information on rubber production, varieties of rubber clones cultivated by the respondents, perceived extension needs of rubber farmers, and constraints to rubber production. A multi stage sampling technique was used to select 120 rubber farmers as respondents for the study. Data were analysed using frequency, percentages, means and Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis. Results showed that majority of the respondents (85.5%) were male, married (83.3%) and had average farming experience of 14 years. The NIG801 and NIG800 varieties were the local clones majorly cultivated and the GT1 and PB217 varieties were the exotic clones majorly cultivated. Findings also showed that respondents need production information on use of formic acid for latex coagulation (66.7%), use of ammonia for latex preservation (73.3%) and marketing information (60.8%). The constraintsindicated by the respondents were problem of land tenure (81.7%), lack of adequate credit facilities (70%), fire outbreaks (72.5%) among others. The result of the hypothesis showed that age (r = 0.199) had a positive significant relationship with farmers’ extension needs. It was recommended that extension personnel should be trained on techniques of rubber production in order to deliver effectively to the farmers. Key words: extension needs, rubber, farmers, Delta, Nigeri

Firm’s Competitiveness through Supply Chain Responsiveness and Supply Chain Management Practices in Nigeria

Supply Chain Management (SCM) is management of material, money, men, and information within and across the supply chain to maximize customer satisfaction and to enhance competitive advantage. However, the characterization of the current business practices by variation in demands and differences in customer requirements has motivated many firms to be responsive. In the light of this, the paper examines how these firms respond to these changes so as sustain and further create competitive advantages. One hundred and fifteen (115) manufacturing companies, basically medium/large companies formed the sample of the study and data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The result revealed positive association between Supply Chain Responsiveness (SCR), SCM practices and Competitive Advantage. Finally, the study provides suitable recommendation on the scope for improvement based on current levels of various predominant SCM practices and SCR criteria that directly impact competitive advantage of a firm, so as to make the organizations more competitive. Key words: Supply Chain Practices, Responsiveness, Competitive Advantage, Information Sharing.

Factors that affect the uptake of community-based health insurance in low-income and middle-income countries : a systematic protocol

Many people residing in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) are regularly exposed to catastrophic healthcare expenditure. It is therefore pertinent that LMICs should finance their health systems in ways that ensure that their citizens can use needed healthcare services and are protected from potential impoverishment arising from having to pay for services. Ways of financing health systems include government funding, health insurance schemes and out-of-pocket payment. A health insurance scheme refers to pooling of prepaid funds in a way that allows for risks to be shared. The health insurance scheme particularly suitable for the rural poor and the informal sector in LMICs is community-based health insurance (CBHI), that is, insurance schemes operated by organisations other than governments or private for-profit companies. We plan to search for and summarise currently available evidence on factors associated with the uptake of CBHI, as we are not aware of previous systematic reviews that have looked at this important topic