The influence of fillers on theophylline release from clay matrices

Abstract: The objectives of this study were to investigate the suitability of magnesium aluminium silicate (MAS) (Veegum®) to control drug release of a model drug, theophylline, from tablet matrices. To this end, the performance of three commonly used fillers namely: lactose, microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH102; MCC), and pre-gelatinized starch, Starch 1500 PGS), were evaluated against Veegum®. The physico-mechanical properties of the tablet matrices were studied along with dissolution studies to determine the effect of single or binary mixtures of the excipients on the drug release pattern. A DSC hydration methodology was also employed to characterize the states of water present in the tablet matrices and to determine any impact on drug release. Formulations containing MAS alone produced compacts with the lowest hardness (4.5 kp) whereas formulations containing MCC alone produced the hardest tablets (17.2 kp). Dissolution studies suggested that matrices containing MAS alone released the theophylline quickest as compared to lactose, MCC or PGS. It was difficult to establish a trend of the bound and free water states in the tablet matrices; however the formulation containing only MAS had the highest bound water at 29 %. The results therefore show that theophylline does not interact with MAS. As such the dominant factor in controlling drug release using MAS requires interaction or intercalation with a cationic drug. In the absence of this however, other excipients can play a role in controlling drug release. Keywords: Veegum, clay matrices, DSC hydration, Magnesium aluminium silicate, filler

Effects of cosmic rays on single event upsets

The efforts at establishing a research program in space radiation effects are discussed. The research program has served as the basis for training several graduate students in an area of research that is of importance to NASA. In addition, technical support was provided for the Single Event Facility Group at Brookhaven National Laboratory

Managing Local Content Policies in the Extractive Industries

Developing countries and National oil companies (NOCS) states with maturing mineral sectors, particularly extractive industries have placed a renewed emphasis on increased local content participation by international oil companies (IOCs) in recent years. Host nations and NOCs are emphasizing that the desire for an increased contribution to the local economy and society and a strategic intent to pursue local content go beyond philanthropy, and are beginning to expand their perspectives and mind-sets regarding how local content policy in the extractive industries can be managed. The paper begins with the introduction and review of literature, local content policy in Nigeria, local content policy objectives, local content Development model, challenges of managing local content policy in the extractive industries, managing local content policy impact in the extractive industry, outcome to be achieved through managing local content policy, government’s efforts and Recommendations were drown. Key words: Managing, Local Contents, Policies, Extractive, Industry

IMPROVEMENT OF TOMATO SEED LONGEVITY USING SOME DRY SEED PRE-STORAGE TREATMENTS

Pre-storage treatment to retard seed deterioration could either involve application of synthetic chemicals or plant/organic products. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of some organic dry seed treatments and inorganic chemical treatments on the viability of stored seeds of four tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) varieties. The study was a factorial experiment fixed in completely randomized design. It comprised of four tomato varieties (Roma, UC-82, 2-lobes and 3-lobes) and five dry seed treatment materials (neem leaves, scent leaves, red chili, bleaching and Apron plus powders) in three replicates. Seeds stored without any treatment were used as the control. The tomato seeds were stored for 240 days under ambient condition (average temperature 30ºC and 75% relative humidity). Half-life of the stored seeds ranged from 286 to 2105 days. Generally, organic treatment doubled the longevity when compared to the control treatment. Performance of seed treatments depended on tomato seed variety. Use of neem leaf and scent leaf powders had greater potentials to replace the commercial inorganic seed treatment materials for tomato seed preservation under the same environmental conditions.   &nbsp

Harmonics mitigation on industrial loads using series and parallel resonant filters

Most industrial loads are inductive in nature and therefore absorb Volts Ampere Reactance (VARs) leading to lagging power factor. Some inductive loads also produce current and voltage signals with frequencies in integer multiples of the 50 or 60 Hz fundamental frequencies called harmonics. Harmonics in power system causes several problems ranging from overheating, premature equipment failure, false tripping of protective relays resulting in unnecessary down time in industrial production. This work compared the use of series and parallel resonant harmonic filters in suppressing harmonics using Simulink model of the power system of NICHEMTEX, a Textile industry in Nigeria as a case study. Mathematical analysis representing current harmonics distributions on industrials loads with and without capacitor banks were presented. From the analysis, series resonant filter mitigated the total harmonic distortion from 30.080% to 3.460%. The installation of capacitor bank along with the series resonant filter in the industrial facility, further reduced the total harmonic distortion to 0.001% and power factor compensated from 0.860 to 0.894.However, the use of parallel resonant filter mitigated the harmonic distortion to 8.107% and a reduction in the power factor from 0.860 to 0.840. With the parallel resonant filter connection with the capacitor bank, harmonic distortion was mitigated to 0.140%, and the power factor reduced to 0.553, the value which is very low. Hence, it is observed that for this sample case, the use of series resonant filter mitigated the harmonics distortion and maintained power factors within the acceptable IEEE standard values.Keywords: Industrial inductive loads, Harmonics, Harmonic distortions, Power factor correction, Series resonant filter, Parallel resonant filte

Effect of contract farming on poultry farming households food security in Osun state, Nigeria

This study analyzed the effect of contract farming on food security of poultry households in Osun State, Nigeria. Primary data were used for the study and two stage sampling technique was used in selecting 180  households comprising of 90 contract and 90 non-contract farming  households. A structured questionnaire was used for the purpose of extracting needed information from the farmers. Data were analyzed using Food Security Index, Propensity Score Matching and Likert scale. The results showed that the contract farming households were more food secured (76.9%) than the non-contract farming households (46.8%). The effect of contract farming on the households that participated shows that the calorie intake increased (p < 0.05) on the average by 1047 kCal/AE/day. This shows that the program has positive impact on the Target Group. The constraints to contract farming in the study area includes: Deferred payment on the part of contract firm, no reimbursement in case of production failure, bridge of agreement, biased terms, cheating, high defaulting rate. The study therefore recommends that there should be interest payment for delay in payment to farmers as part of the agreement to curb the issue of intentional delay of payment by the contracting firms and that agreement on risk sharing in case of failures in production should be included in the agreements so as to protect the farmer from being too vulnerable.Key words: contract farming, poultry, food securit

Towards green computing for Internet of Things: energy oriented path and message scheduling approach

Recently, energy efficiency in sensor enabled wire-less network domain has witnessed significant attention from both academia and industries. It is an enabling technological advancement towards green computing in Internet of Things (IoT) eventually supporting sensor generated big data processing for smart cities. Related literature on energy efficiency in sensor enabled wireless network environments focuses on one aspects either energy oriented path selection or energy oriented message scheduling. The definition of path also varies in literature without considering links towards energy efficiency. In this context, this paper proposes an energy oriented path selection and message scheduling framework for sensor enabled wireless network environments. The technical novelty focuses on effective cooperation between path selection and message scheduling considering links on path, location of message sender, and number of processor in sensor towards energy efficiency. Specifically, a path selection strategy is developed based on shortest path and less number of links on path (SPLL). The location of message sender, and number of processor in specific sensor are utilized for developing a longer hops (LH) message scheduling approach. A system model is presented based on M/M/1 queuing analysis to showcase the effective cooperation of SPLL and LH towards energy efficiency. Simulation oriented comparative performance evaluation attest the energy efficiency of the proposed framework as compared to the state-of-the-art techniques considering number of energy oriented metrics

Determinant of farmers participation and repayment of Osun Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Program (OREAP) micro-credit loan scheme

This study examines the factors that affect farmer’s participation and loan repayment of Osun Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Program (OREAP) micro credit scheme introduced by the government in Osun State. Respondents were proportionately selected from the three (3) Agricultural Development Zones in Osun State. A three-stage sampling technique was used to proportionately draw 90 beneficiaries and 90 nonbeneficiaries from the three agro-ecological zones of the state. Logit regression and ordinary least square model were used to analyze the data. The results showed that Participation in OREAP is significantly affected by gender, marital status, household size, educational status, farm size, farm income, access to extension service and membership in cooperative society. The results also revealed that education, farm income, size of loan granted, and number of loan disbursement are significantly associated with the time it took the respondents to pay back the loan. The farmer’s inability to market their produce, risk and fluctuations in farm yield and uncooperative attitudes of other beneficiaries were the constraints faced by farmers as it affect their ability to repay the loan obtained through the program. The study concluded that the activities of OREAP had not been properly carried out in the study area as a result of the problems encountered by beneficiaries in obtaining and repayment of the loan. The research therefore, recommends that government and other agricultural agencies should encourage farmers to go into value additions of their produce as this will reduce gloat in the market and wastage of farm produce thereby enabling farmers to be able to repay the loan obtained for their agricultural activities.Keywords: factors, ‘OREAP’, credit, disbursement, defaul

Information Sources and Awareness of Climate Change by Citrus Farmers in Benue State, Nigeria

The need for information by farmers in this era of climate change is very crucial to their production. The study therefore examines the various sources of information available to farmers on climate change and their level of awareness. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to select 123 respondents out of the total number of 1230. Primary data were collected using interview schedule and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and pie charts; while inferential statistics used were Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMS) and chi-square. Results revealed that 64.2% of the respondents were between the ages of 35-45 years, 94.3% were married and 45.5% had 10 – 20 years of farming experience. Thirty-seven percent have been noticing change in climate for between the periods of 6-10 years; while 91.9% stated that they were aware of general decrease in yearly amount of rainfall. Their major information source is family member (91.9%), followed by radio (86.7%). Analysis of data from FGDs revealed that respondents were aware that there has been less rainfall in the past 2 years when compared to 3-5 years ago. P=0.05, age (χ2=0.000), education (χ2=0.005) and experience (χ2=0.001) were significantly related to information sources. In conclusion, the study has shown that majority of the respondents were aware of the change in climate and their major source of information was family members and radio and not through extension agents. Therefore there is the need for an urgent strengthening of extension arm in Nigeria