Relatedness and diversity in Swedish local chicken breeds using mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences and SNP data

Genetic diversity is the variation in genetic information carried by individuals within a species or population. This variability plays a crucial role in enabling species to adapt and survive in changing environments and is essential for evolutionary processes. Additionally, genetic diversity might carry genetic variants that improve resistance to diseases. In this study, a genetic analysis was carried out to investigate the genetic diversity, evolutionary history, and inter-breed relationships of Swedish local chicken populations. The initial 533 base pairs in the hypervariable D-loop region of the mitochondrial DNA was sequenced from 64 individuals representing 13 different breeds, and autosomal SNP data generated from 83 individuals representing eight different breeds was used. The study found that a total of 16 polymorphic sites and 9 distinct genetic sequences (haplotypes) were identified among the 13 Swedish local chicken breeds using the mtDNA data. Clade nomenclature in this study was according to the nomenclature of clades reported in previous studies, where domestic chickens were categorized into nine distinct clades (A to I) based on their association with areas of domestication and geographical dispersal. The majority of the breeds were found to belong to Clade E, while others belong to clades A and B, which suggests that the Swedish local chickens have several maternal lineages that likely originated from the Indian subcontinent, Yunnan province, and the regions of China. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed a higher degree of genetic variation between different chicken populations than within the same population. The nucleotide diversity of the studied breeds was found to range from 0 to 0.0169. An analysis of the mitochondrial DNA D-loop data using a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree indicated that the Swedish indigenous chicken breeds share a closer evolutionary relationship with haplotypes present in European chicken breeds, rather than those found in Asian breeds. The principal component analysis of the SNP data revealed a closer genetic relationship among five of the Swedish local chicken breeds (Ölandshöna, Öländsk dvärghöna, Skånsk blommehöna, Äsbohöna, Kindahöna), while the other three breeds (Gotlandshöna, Hedemorahöna, and Svarthöna) were observed to be distinct. This research contributes to the understanding of genetic variation in the indigenous populations, and the findings may be applied to develop appropriate breeding and conservation strategies for the Swedish local chicken breeds. For a more comprehensive understanding of genetic diversity, origin, and relationships, it is recommended to perform analyses using both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA

The influence of drying on the physical properties of sweet potato slices

The effects of varying drying conditions on the physical properties of sweet potato slices were studied. Fresh tubers were peeled, washed and cut into two shapes (rectangular: 50 x 60 mm and cylindrical 60 mm diameter) of two thicknesses (4 and 6 mm) slices. Some slices were blanched in water at 90oC for 5 mins and some unblanched. Both were either sun dried or oven dried at various temperatures; 50 oC , 70 oC and 90 oC. The bulk density, dimensional changes and moisture loss were investigated. The results shown that, moisture loss and percent shrinkage increased with increased in temperature. Sweet potato of 4 mm thick samples lost more moisture with higher % shrinkage than 6 mm thick samples, although not significantly (P>0.05). Logarithmic equations gave best fit of moisture loss with time at the different temperatures. Generally, in all the samples, thickness had a greater influence on % shrinkage than shape. Blanching minimized %shrinkage although not significantly (P>0.05). Greater shrinkage took place in the sample thickness (up to 63%) than across product diameter or thickness (values up to 26.3%). % shrinkage can be predicted using either the linear or logarithmic equations. The bulk densities of dried sweet potato slices were not influenced by blanching

Modeling of thin layer drying characteristics of blanch-assisted water yam (Dioscorea alata) slices

The thin layer drying characteristics of blanch-assisted water yam slices were investigated with respect to its un-blanched water yam slices in a convective hot air oven. The yam slices (diameter 4 cm; thickness 0.8 cm) were dried at temperatures 50, 60 and 70 °C, respectively with a constant air velocity of 0.13 m/s. The drying data obtained were fitted into six existing drying models: Page, Newton, Midilli, Henderson and Pabis, Logarithmic and Diffusion model. Non-linear regression analysis was used to determine the model parameters; the coefficient of determination (R2) and standard error of estimates (SEE) in order to determine the model best fit. The study showed that the drying process occurred in the falling rate drying period. The blanch-assisted slices had a faster drying rate than the un-blanched yam slices. Among the models, the diffusion model gave the overall best fit for the drying data obtained. The effective moisture diffusivity ranged from 3.18×10-8 to 4.47×10-8 m2/s for the blanch-assisted slices and from 4.73×10-8 to 7.33×10-8 m2/s for the un-blanched slices. The activation energies of the blanch-assisted and un-blanched yam slices were 15.5 kJ/mol and 20.1 kJ/mol, respectively. These processing conditions obtained for water yam flour would be suitable for its process design and control thereby enhancing its utilization and overall acceptability

Analysis of Crop Production for Sustainable Food Security in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study examines the issue of food security and the trend analysis of agricultural productivity in Kwara State, Nigeria. Agricultural data on maize, sorghum, rice, millet, yam and cassava were collected from Kwara State Agricultural Development Project (KWADP), Ilorin for a period of twenty-two years (1992-2013). Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation were used in data analysis. A standardized Anomaly Index was used to analyze fluctuation in crop yields. The semi-average method was used in the trend analysis of crop yield. The result of the descriptive statistics shows that the production of sorghum was heterogeneous. The Standardized Anomaly Index (SAI) revealed that the crop yields fluctuated around the long-term mean. Annual sorghum and rice yields vary positively from 1999 to 2002 while maize and yam vary negatively from 1995 to 2002 and 1997 to 2000 respectively. About 59.1% of the cassava yields fall below the long-term means. The result of the semi-average method shows that all the identified crops exhibit an upward trend. This implies that the production of these crops will keep on increasing and thereby ensuring food security in the country. The study, therefore, suggests that both the State government and private organizations should encourage modern agricultural techniques like the application of fertilizer and pesticides to sustain the increasing pattern of crop productivity in the State

A Viable Entrepreneurship Education as an Antidote for Eradication of Poverty and Unemployment Among Youths in Nigeria

Nigeria is passing through a period of uncertainty and pervasive economic recession which has further aggravated the problem of poverty and unemployment among Nigerian youths. These jobless youths take solace in all form of atrocities and social vices that pose a serious threat to sustainable development of the nation. This research took a cursory look at the concepts of poverty, youth unemployment and viable entrepreneurship education. It highlighted the lofty objectives of viable entrepreneurship education in Nigeria. The various factors responsible for poverty and youth employment in Nigeria were identified. Attention was also directed to the role of viable entrepreneurship education in eradicating poverty and youth unemployment in Nigeria. Based on the findings, it was recommended, among others, that the curriculum of educational institutions in Nigeria should be more pragmatic and have built-in-job training programmes which would enable all students to acquire relevant entrepreneurial skills required for self-employment, job and wealth creation and poverty eradication

Financing Women Entrepreneurs and Employment Generation – a Case Study of Microfinance Banks

Women are becoming increasingly important in the socio-economic development of both developed and developing economies. This is because they account for a significant percentage of the operators of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in virtually all aspects of the globe.Despite these success stories emanating from these economies, the Nigerian case have not been encouraging. The Nigerian women have for decades engagedin survivalist activities due to little or no encouragement from the government and the organised private sectors.This study examined, among others, the impact of financing women entrepreneurs and employment generationamong these groups within the Nigerian state. The study reports that financing women entrepreneurs hasincremental effects on employment generations and their efforts also results in multiple employment generations through improvement in their business activities, thereby increasing the numbers of selfemployed individuals in the country. The study recommends governmental intervention through the enactment of adequate policies tailored toward the encouragement and empowerment of women entrepreneur

Health insurance coverage and modern contraceptive use among sexually active women in Nigeria: Further analysis of 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey.

Studies have shown that affordable health insurance can influence healthcare visits and increase the choice of medication uptake in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a need to document the influence of health insurance coverage and modern contraceptive use in order to encourage its uptake. Thus, this study examined the influence of health insurance coverage on modern contraceptive use among sexually active women in Nigeria. The secondary dataset utilised in this study were derived from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Data analyses were restricted to 24,280 women of reproductive age 15-49 years who were sexually active in the survey dataset. Weighted bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the influence of health insurance coverage on modern contraceptive use while controlling for possible confounders. A Significant level of alpha was determined at p < 0.05 using STATA 16.0. The prevalence of health insurance coverage and modern contraceptive use among sexually active women in Nigeria were 25.47% and 13.82%, respectively. About 1 out of every 4 sexually active women covered by health insurance were using a modern contraceptive, while 86.50% of the women not covered by health insurance were not using any modern contraceptive method. After adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, the odds of using any modern contraceptive were significantly higher for sexually active women who were covered by any health insurance [aOR = 1.28; 95% (CI = 1.01-1.62)] compared to sexually active women not covered by health insurance in Nigeria. The study demonstrated that health insurance coverage is a significant driver of health service utilization, including modern contraceptive use. Health insurance benefits are recommended to be expanded to cover a broader spectrum of family planning services in Nigeria. More research is required to understand the influence of different health insurance schemes and the use of modern family planning methods in Nigeria. [Abstract copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).

Isolation and characterization of β-sitosterol, oleanolic, 19- dehyroursolic and yarumic acids, from Plectranthus esculentus leaves and tubers

Plectranthus esculentus N.E.Br. (family Lamiaceae) also known as Livingstone potato (vat or rizga in Nigeria), is a dicotyledonous perennial shrub growing up to 2 m tall. While it is cultivated mainly for its edible tubers, the plant is potentially valuable as phytomedicine. Three varieties (vat-long’at, vat-riyom and vat-bebot) are well known among the Berom of Plateau State, Nigeria. The vat-bebot variety (which showed good promise in bioactivity studies) was used in this study. The leaves and tubers were extracted successively with hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Fractionation of the active ethyl acetate extracts was carried out using open column and preparative High Performance Liquid Chromatography (prep HPLC). This led to the isolation of β-sitosterol and oleanolic acid from the leaves; while 19-dehydroursolic acid and yarumic acid, as well as β-sitosterol were isolated from the tubers. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Electron Impact Mass Spectroscopy (EIMS) were used to characterize isolated compounds. Comparing acquired spectral data of isolated compounds with those from literature helped to confirm the identity of the compounds. The isolation and characterisation of these compounds, from Plecthranthus esculentus, have not been hitherto reported in literature

Bread-slicing machine

This study developed a compact front loading machine for slicing loaves of bread.  The machine is fast, efficient, safe and easy to operate.  It was designed to accommodate a normal loaf of bread per pass.  It works on the principle of gravity loaf in-feed system and the up-and-down reciprocating motion of the blade frame that carries 22 parallel cutting blades spaced at a regular interval of 14.5 mm apart.  It is driven by a 2 horsepower electric motor via a V-belt power transmission system.  The moving components are born on self-lubricating bearings and specially designed vibration absorbers; it automatically stops to save running cost once the loaf is completely sliced.  It also incorporates a crumb collection tray to enhance the hygiene of the process. Evaluation tests revealed that increasing the cutting speed above the standard commercial bakery speed of 420 r/min increased bread wastage and reduced uniformity of slice thickness