Direct assay of monosodium glutamatein multi-sourced bouillon cubes by first derivative potentiometric titration

In this study, a simple, cheap and accurate analytical method was developed for the direct assay of monosodium glutamate (MSG). First derivative potentiometric assay was adopted in the determination of MSG content in ten brands of Bouillon cubes (coded P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9 and P10) sourced from different local markets.Formic acid extract of MSG was used for the determination. The result obtained for MSG standard using this method gave 99.40% which agrees with 99.94% also obtained for the non-extracted method. Results for all the coded samples show that sample P8 (75.14%) gave the highest value of MSG content while sample P6 (55.96%) gave the lowest value. Though, the World Health Organization (WHO) requirement for MSG consumption per day is 0.12g, the values obtained in this study cannot be related to daily consumption because the amounts of bouillon cubes and consequently the amount of MSG used by consumers differ from one individual to another. However, the result obtained for the estimation of MSG in bouillons cubes can be adoptedby regulatory agencies such as National Agency for Food, Drugs and Administration Control (NAFDAC) and International Standard Organization (ISO).Keywords: Derivative, Extract, Potentiometric, Bouillon, Consumer

Problems of Science Education in Africa: Some Analysis and Propositions

An HRRC Working Paper on problems of science education in Africa.Generally, problems or progress of science education in Africa is discussed in terms of enrolment statistics, teacher\pupil ratios and facility inventory such as number of classrooms, laboratories, availability of texts, etc. All too often, the said statistics is used to justify performances in examinations. Thus, a Government that is able (if possible) to meet the requirements defined within the said statistics as adequate would consider its job done. As most governments are often not able to meet the optimal ratios, science education in Africa has been and remains an important field in which considerable government efforts have been directed. Some of such efforts often code named as TEMPORARY, EMERGENCY, OR CRASH PROGRAMMES have often made some impact while others remain no more than footnotes for literature use. It is common knowledge that neither the sporadic short term measures nor the conventional long term solutions in current use seem to hold promise for anticipated rate of development in science education. It does appear that beyond the enrolment statistics and performances in examinations are deep-seated problems too frightening to confront and yet too serious to ignore

Muscle Na+/K+-ATPase isoform regulation in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following burst and sustained swimming challenges

Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, are often recognized for their physiologically demanding migration patterns. Shifts in relative expression of specific Na+/K+-ATPase isoforms have been identified during salinity acclimation and similar changes in expression may also occur in response to other physiological challenges. The Na+/K+- ATPase plays a crucial role in the maintenance of membrane potential and excitability during muscle contraction through prompt restoration of sodium and potassium gradients. Additionally, a tissue-specific isoform (α2) has been identified within skeletal muscle, with localized expression conserved across multiple species but the specific function is unknown. This study examined mRNA expression of α isoforms in hatchery-reared juvenile rainbow trout in response to aerobic (3 BL/s) and anaerobic (8 BL/s, near Ucrit) swimming challenges, including an analysis of oxidative vs. glycolytic muscle types and potential training effects involving isoform expression. We observed differential regulation of Na+/K+-ATPase isoforms between red and white muscle, with significant transcriptional upregulation in red muscle and no shifts in white muscle or heart tissues. Generally, mRNA increases in red muscle were greatest following 4 days of training, with equivalent or larger increases after 4 days of recovery. This trend was seen after both burst and sustained swimming regimens; however, high-intensity swimming induced greater upregulation. During training, burst swimming near Ucrit significantly increased mRNA levels for all α isoforms measured (1.5-fold for α1c, 2−fold for α2, and 2.5-fold for α3) while swimming at 3 BL/s resulted in upregulation only in α2. Repeated burst swimming reduced plasma osmolality and chloride, persisting into recovery, suggesting intense exercise simultaneously compromises osmoregulatory function during periods of high-energy demand

Development of a Bush Mango (Irvingia Gabonensis) Nutcracker-6

This research work involves the design and fabrication of Irvingia nut cracking machines. It operates using impact technique which involves collision between the seednut and stationary wall. The procedures employed the design stage, fabrication and testing. The machine components are: impact drum, shaft, impeller (rotor), electric motor, driver and driven pulley and hopper. The cracking chamber consists of the impeller and impact drum. The seednuts were pre-treated before testing by sun-drying to improve its crackability. The machine gave a better performance at the speed of 2600 revolution per minute with average cracking efficiency, percentage kernel breakage and capacity of 88%, 17.5% and 916 nuts/hr. The improvement in the design can be achieved by incorporating a kernel and shell separator along the chute

Men’s Perceptions of Women Empowerment: Evidence from the Ijesa of Osun State, Nigeria

Empowerment literally means to invest with power, in the context of women’s empowerment the term has come to denote women’s increased control over their own lives, bodies, and environments. In discussions of women’s empowerment, emphasis is often placed on women’s decision-making roles, their economic self-reliance, and their legal rights to equal treatment, inheritance, and protection against all forms of discrimination. Women’s empowerment has been seen as the panacea for fertility reduction and a veritable force for female emancipation, reproductive rights, and achievement of female family size goals. It is therefore important that men have a good understanding of what it connotes, since this can have positive influence on the empowerment of women.  This paper examined the perceptions of men of Ijesaland on what constitutes women’s empowerment. In addition, the paper examined the understanding of Ijesa men about the types of women’s empowerment and the factors that predisposes Ijesa women to being empowered.  Data was collected from a cross section of men of Ijesa indigenes in Ijesaland using qualitative approach. In other words, In-depth interviews (IDIs) and Focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to collect data from ever married men in Ijesaland. The instruments used in data gathering are IDI and FGD guides. The findings revealed that Ijesa men demonstrated a fair understanding of what women’s empowerment connotes and all the aspect of empowerment mentioned by the respondents is captured by the literature. The study concluded that the understanding of Ijesa men of what constitute women’s empowerment is in line with what scholars who have conducted research opined women’s empowerment to be. Keywords: Decision Making, Ijesa, Men, Types of Empowerment, Women Empowermen

Home Background And Social Value System As Predictors For Social Vices Among The Youths In Ekiti State, Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to examine home background and social value system as predictor for increase in social vices among the youths in Ekiti State, Nigeria. One thousand youths were randomly selected from two senatorial districts, out of the three senatorial districts in the state (south and central) and two hundred and fifty youths were selected from two local government areas from each of the two senatorial districts. The instrument used to collect data was questionnaire and content validity was used to validate the instrument. Also, the reliability co-efficient obtained was 0.78 which was obtained through the test-retest method which was administered on 100 youths outside the four local government areas. Data collected were analysed using regression analysis. Findings of the study showed that home background and social value system can predict effectively the involvement of the youths in social vices. The paper therefore concluded that the involvement of youths in social vices could be curbed if people could change their orientation on the way they celebrate success in the society not minding how the individual came about his/her sudden wealth and riches. It is therefore recommended that parents should be more watchful, monitor, control and counsel their wards rightly and if possible reprimand their children for wrong doings to bring the best out of them. Keywords: socialisation, parents, societal value system, home background, peer group, social vice