Kinematics of Lower Limb Segments during Cycling Session

This paper presents the kinematics of the leg-bicycle five-bar linkage system mechanism including foot segment. Kinematics is very important in the analysis of rigid bodies system whenever theoretical analysis is being sought especially in bicycle-leg linkage mechanism. A lot of experimental works has already been carried out on lower limbs segments biomechanics during cycling which involved the use of positions of the lower limb segments, but there has not been a complete theoretical analysis of the lower limb segments positions in the literature. Therefore, there is need for a complete kinematics of the bicycle-leg linkage mechanism which includes the position analysis of the lower limb segments. The position, velocity, and acceleration equations were derived and the profiles of the thigh, shank and foot segments were plotted against crank angles. It was found that the profiles obtained are reasonable and agrees with experiments. Keywords: Cycling; Five-bar linkage; Kinematics Analysis; Lower Limb Segments

Prevalence, predictors, and perceived susceptibility to placental malaria parasitemia among pregnant women in a tertiary hospital in South-Western Nigeria

Objective: Is to determine the prevalence and predictors of placental malaria among pregnant women.Methodology: The study was cross-sectional in design. It was carried out over six months. We administered Pretested questionnaire to 300 eligible subjects. The researchers took maternal peripheral blood for malaria parasites while cord and placental blood sample at delivery for neonatal packed cell volume (PCV) and Malaria parasite. Data were analyzed using STATA 10.Result: One hundred and forty-four (48%) participants had placental malaria parasitemia, while 173 (57.7%) had peripheral malaria parasitemia. Maternal age less than 20 years (P=0.008), low parity, and hemoglobin type AA (P=0.002) were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of placental parasitemia. Maternal secondary and tertiary education (P=0.013), perceived susceptibility to placental malaria and IPT use (p=0.014) were significantly associated with lower prevalence.Conclusion: This study has shown that placental parasitemia is a significant problem in pregnancy as it is strongly associated with certain maternal factors. There is the need to intensify control efforts aimed at reducing malaria in pregnancy in Nigeria, and mothers with increased risk factors should receive more focused attention. Keywords: Prevalence, risk factors, placental malaria, pregnanc

Yield loss caused by Coryna hermanniae Fabricius (Coleoptera: Meloidae) on pearl millet in Nigeria

In 1997, field trials were conducted in Nigeria to determine pearl millet grain yield losses caused by C. hermanniae under free-choice and no-choice conditions. Head cages were used to artifically infest panicles with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 C. hermanniae adults per panicle for 3 weeks from the beginning of flowering. Panicle weight at maturity declined from 43 g/25 cm panicle length in the control by 14.9% with 5 beetles per panicle to a decrease of 63% with 30 beetles per panicle. Grain yield decreased from 30 g/25 cm panicle length by 75% with 30 beetles per panicle. Yield loss on naturally infested panicles was calculated to be 19%. These results support the hypothesis that C. hermanniae is a potentially serious pest of pearl millet in West Africa

N-nitrosodiethylamine induced redox imbalance in rat liver: Protective role of polyphenolic extract of Blighia sapida arilli

a b s t r a c t Aim: This study investigates the reactive oxygen species detoxification potentials of polyphenolic extract of Blighia sapida arilli in the liver of N-nitrosodiethylamine-treated rats. Methods: Male rats, weighing 158 AE 2.9 g were completely randomized into 7 groups (AeG) of five rats each. Rats in C, D, E and F were administered orally once daily at 24 h interval for 7 days with 1000, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of polyphenolic extract of B. sapida arilli respectively. Group G was given 100 mg/kg body weight of vitamin C. On the sixth day, group B, D, E, F and G were administered with 100 mg/kg body weight N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). Group A, which served as the control was treated like the test groups except, that the animals received distilled water only. Results: Reactive oxygen species detoxifying enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase) activities were significantly (P < 0.05) induced by B. sapida arilli. These inductions significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated the decrease in reactive oxygen species detoxifying enzymes mediated by NDEA treatment and compared favourably with vitamin C. NDEA-mediated elevation in the concentrations of oxidative stress biomarkers; malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides, protein carbonyl and percentage DNA fragmentation were significantly (P < 0.05) lowered by polyphenolic extract of B. sapida arilli. Conclusion: Overall, the results obtained from this study revealed that the polyphenolic extract from B. sapida arilli enhanced the detoxification of reactive oxygen species in NDEA-treated rats. The polyphenols also prevented the peroxidation of lipid, oxidation of proteins as well as fragmentation of DNA component in the liver of rats and hence gave the evidence of possible prophylactic potentials of B. sapida arilli

Itaconic Acid Production from Date Palm (Phoenix Dactylifera L) Using Fungi in Solid State Fermentation

This study evaluates the potentials of Phoenix dactylifera L (Date fruits) as possible alternative raw materials for itaconic acid production using naturally occurring fungi. Date fruit (pulp) was used as a substrate in solid state fermentation for the production of itaconic acid using naturally occurring fungus.The date fruit (pulp) was de-capped from its seed manually with the aid of a knife and dried in an oven at 60 0C and was grounded using an Excella Mixer grinder. The fungus used was naturally isolated by fermentation of substrate (date pulp) and was identified as Aspergillus niger. Proximate analysis was carried out on the substrate using standard methods. Parameters such as substrate concentration, inoculum size and fermentation period were varied using standard methods to determine its effect on itaconic acid production. Assay for itaconic acid production was carried out using standard methods at a wavelength of 385nm. Amount of itaconic acid produced was derived by translation of absorbance values on the itaconic acid curve. The substrate had a high carbohydrate content of 72.29%. The fermentation results showed maximum production of itaconic acid of 20.75±0.25mg/ml using 40g substrate, 15.13±1.13mg/ml using 2 ml inoculums size of spore suspension (2×105 spores/ml) and a maximum yield of 16.88±0.13mg/ml at day 1 of fermentation period. On optimization with 40g substrate and 2 ml inoculums for 3 days a maximum yield was observed at day 2 of fermentation with a maximum yield of 25.00±1.00mg/ml. The highest acidic level throughout the fermentation period was observed to be at pH 4.2. From the study it was concluded that date pulp is a promising substrate and could be utilized by Aspergillus niger for the production of itaconic acid

Availability of fertiliser sulphate and elemental sulphur to canola in two consecutive crops

Aims: We compared elemental sulphur (ES) and sulphate fertilisers in terms of yield and S uptake. Methods: Two consecutive canola crops were grown on 35S-labelled soil amended with ammonium sulphate, ES-bentonite pastilles (90 % ES), or S-fortified ammonium phosphate (NP) fertilisers containing both sulphate-S and ES (5–8 % ES). The shoot yield, S concentration and specific activity of S in the shoot were determined. Results: In the first crop, the yield was significantly lower in the control (without added ES) and ES pastille treatments than in the other treatments. Sulphur uptake was highly correlated with the added sulphate rate. In the second crop, the yield and S uptake was highest for the S-fortified NP fertilizers. The contribution of ES to the S uptake was circa 20 % in the first crop and 43 % in the second crop for the S-fortified NP fertilisers, but was negligible for the ES pastilles. Modelling indicated an oxidation rate of 0.6 − 0.7 % per day for the S-fortified NP fertilisers and 0.03 % per day for the ES pastilles. Conclusions: The contribution of ES pastilles to S uptake was negligible in both crops. In contrast, S-fortified NP fertilisers showed a significant contribution of ES and higher S availability than sulphate-only fertiliser in the second crop.Fien Degryse, Babasola Ajiboye, Roslyn Baird, Rodrigo C. da Silva, Mike J. McLaughli

Profitability of Watermelon to Farmers in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State

The study analyzed the profitability of watermelon as an alternative crop to the melon the farmers in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo state, Nigeria are used to grow traditionally. Unfortunately, melon had remained a poor marketing commodity over a long period of time due to price fluctuation. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and gross margin. Budgetary analysis revealed a profitability of watermelon with gross margin of ₦2.18 is realized for every ₦1 invest on watermelon per hectare. The result of the analysis also showed that total cost was N3254250 and the total revenue was N7109600. This gave a gross margin of N3855350 of watermelon produced it therefore recommended that the local government should acquire more tractors for hiring to the farmers while subsidy is required in other to reduce the cost of land clearing. Finally, government should as a matter of urgency make credit facilities and fertilizer available to farmer, grade and open up more road network that will facilitating easy transportation of farm produce and reduce cost of transportatio

Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Gc-Ms of African Nutmeg (Monodora Myristica).

The quest to continue searching for new antibiotic, anti-parasites necitate this project as African nutmeg is a very useful plants medically and all its parts are useful. The major aim of this research work was to examine the monodora myristica for its secondary metabolites, antimicrobial analysis and to characterize the oil using gas chromatography mass spectrophotometer. The antimicrobial screening was done using agar method and the isolates used were obtained from the microbiology laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Akure, saponin, alkaloid, tannin and flavonoids were determined using standard methods. The results of the characterization of oil showed that organic compounds and fatty acids were present, the fatty acids present included, Palmitic acid, Eicosanoic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, the results showed that the plants contained essential fatty acids useful for both adult and infant. The result of antimicrobial screening showed that the oil was very sensitive against the tested isolates. After 24hours incubation, the zone of inhibitions against Escherichia coli was (11millimetre), Bacillus substilis (8millimetre) and Staphylococcus aureus (11millimeter). The result compares favorably with standard streptomycin, the result of zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli of the sample (11millimetre) was better than that recorded for standard streptomycin (7millimetre).These may be as a result of presence various secondary metabolites which were discovered in the sample during analyses. These are flavonoids, tannin, saponin and alkaloids

Assessment of Consumers’ Preference for Local Rice in South West, Nigeria

The research work examine consumers preference for local rice in South west, Nigeria. It specifically described the socioeconomic characteristics of local rice consumers in the study area. Data of 150 household was collected through a wellstructured questionnaire. Tobit regression model and likert type of measurement were used to measures the collected parameters.The results of the analysis shows that consumption is consistent among 59.3% of the respondent.The choice of local rice consumption is evident by their positive perceptions that local rice is healthy, have good taste and superior in quality than polish rice. Although some claim less utility in local rice consumption because it’s less attractive, look dirty and less friendly in term of cooking, Ofadabrand of local rice is still the most preferred. The study also reveals thathousehold size, quality, ease of cooking and market price have significant influence on the consumer’s decisio

The Protective Effect of Polyphenol - Rich Extract of Syzygium cumini Leaves on Cholinesterase and Brain Antioxidant Status in Alloxan - Induced Diabetic Rats

Syzygium cumini leaves are used locally especially in Nigeria for the treatment \ management of diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease. This study was designed to investigate the effects of polyphenols extracted from Syzygium cumini l eaves on the occurrence of oxidative stress in the brain of rats with diabetes, which can trigger Alzheimer’s disease by determining both in vitro and in vivo c holinesterase, the antioxidant defense system, and the extent of oxidative damage. The effect of polyphenols extracted from Syzygium cumini leaves was investigated on in vitro c holinesterase. Thereafter, the extract (400 mg/kg body weight) of both free and bound polyphenols was administered orally to alloxan - induced rats, and the effect were monitore d on in vivo c holinesterase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation and hydroperoxides. The extract demonstrated inhibitory effects against in vitro c holinesterase. A significant reduction in the c ho linesterase activities increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione. A reduction in lipid peroxidation and hydroperoxide concentrations was observed in the brain of diabetic rats treated with p olyphenols extracted from Syzygium cumini leaves. This study suggests that the polyphenols of Syzygium cumini leaves have anti - Alzheimer and antioxidant boosters, as well as antiperoxidative activities. Therefore, the plant is recommended for both diabetic and Alzheimer’s disease patients worldwid