S-curve characterisation of contractors' cash flow in Nigerian tertiary institutions TETFUND Projects

It was empirically established that 82% of businesses fail due to poor management of cash flow; and that just over half of businesses prepare cash flow projections and compare them with actual figure. The paper established the characteristics of contractors' cash flow handling TETFUND projects in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions with a view to improving financial control in construction using the S-Curve as a tool. The research was exploratory in which cash flow characteristics of three selected projects were established. Project records comprising of project profiles and cash flows were used to generate data for the study. The characteristics of the S-Curves of two of the projects depicted rapid initial start-up indicating engagement of many activities at the beginning, while the third project depicted slow start-up due to unavailability of results of soil test. Subsequently, all the projects recorded average progressions and toward the end, progress of all the projects became slow. All the projects were largely executed under negative net cash flows with one at loss. It is therefore recommended that S-Curve be employed in financial planning and management in executing TETFUND projects in order to project ahead financial commitments and implications required in executing projects. The major limitation of the research was restricted case studies due to confidentiality on financial data.Keywords: Cash Flows, Infrastructural Projects, S-Curve, Tertiary Institutions,TETFUN

Value of Seed Protein Profile in the Taxonomy of cultivars of Capsicum in Nigeria

Over a decade, the taxonomy of the genus Capsicum in Nigeria  has remained largely unrevised, unclassified and unidentified. As such, there is a dearth of information on the proper identification of Capsicum spp and relatives found in the country. The aim of this study was to re-examine the taxonomic status of the Capsicum in Nigeria in order to establish genetic diversity between them for proper identification and classification. Sodium dodecyl  polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of total seed protein was performed on five varieties of Nigerian Capsicum spp., following standard procedures. Six protein bands were observed across the five cultivars of Capsicum, of which 12-14 Kda was the only polymorphic band. Only C. fructescens var. ijosi and C. fructescens var. sombo were unique for manifesting 20-24 and 15-16 Kda bands respectively. Dendrogram of analysis obtained resolved the taxa into two distinct groups. In the first group were cultivars of C. fructescens var. ijosi and sombo while in the second group were C. chinense, which was distinctly separated from C. fructescens var. bawa and C. annum. Artificial dichotomous key was constructed for the identification of members of the genus Capsicum available in Nigeria based on the protein profiles of their seeds. Keywords: Capsicum, seed protein, electrophoresis, identification, diversity

Biodiesel production from waste frying oil via heterogeneous transesterification: Optimization study

This study deals with development of a new composite heterogeneous catalyst, anthill-eggshellpromoted Ni-Co mixed oxides (NiCoAE). Thecatalyst was synthesized via co-precipitationand also characterizedto evaluate its properties.The as-synthesized NiCoAEcatalyst was thereafter tested for transesterification reaction.The effects of variables affecting the transesterification process,reaction temperature (50-70 oC), reaction time (2-4 h), catalyst loading (3-7 wt%) and methanol to oil ratio (6:1-12:1) were investigated using central composite design (CCD). The biodiesel yield of 89.23% was obtained at the following optimum reaction conditions; 70 oC of reaction temperature, 2 h of reaction time, 3 wt% of catalyst loading and methanol to waste frying oil ratio of 12:1.This indicates thatNiCoAEas heterogeneous catalyst has potential to converthigh FFA feedstockinto biodiesel via singlestep transterification proces

YIELD RESPONSE OF DIALLELIC CROSSED MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) GENOTYPES TO VARYING NITROGEN REGIMES IN NIGERIA

Context: Development of early maturing maize cultivars that remain productive under low N fertilizer farming system, consistent with the farmers’ technologies is a prerequisite to improving adoption of new varieties without increasing production cost. Objective: To assess the performance of ten early open pollination maize varieties (OPVs) and their F1 hybrids for grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and also identify productive cultivars under low N fertilizer regimes. Materials and Methods: The trials were set up in a split plot arrangement with three N fertilizer levels (0, 45 and 90 kg N ha-1) as main plot and the genotypes as sub-plot. Each plot within N level was four-row, laid out in a randomized complete block design of four replications. Ten OPVs were crossed in a half diallel to generate 45 F1 hybrids during 2004 and 2005 growing seasons. Planting were carried out on 20th July, 2005 and 2nd July, 2006. Agronomic characters studied were grain yield, maize establishment count, days to 50% tasselling and silking as well as plant and ear heights. Results: The year 2005 growing season was better for all observed characters amongst all the genotypes than the year 2006. Although, expressions of these traits in the hybrids were relatively higher than the OPVs including the grain yield. The total increase in grain yield observed was 1.72 t ha-1 and 1.95 t ha-1 for OPVs and hybrids respectively on application of 90 kg ha-1 over no N-application. However, NUE was optimum at 45 kg N ha-1 in both groups. Grain yield and NUE correlated positively with growth characters measured except for days to 50% silking. Higher genetic gains were recorded for plant and ear heights. Conclusion: Two drought tolerant varieties (Acr 90 Pool 16-Dt and Tze Comp3 Dt) that combined well with specific cultivars for grain yield and NUE probably have gene pools for low N-tolerance. Keywords: Nitrogen use efficiency, diallel crosses, maize cultivars, open pollinated varietie

Gene frequencies of ABO and rhesus blood groups and haemoglobin variants in Ogbomoso, South-West Nigeria

The distribution and gene frequencies of ABO and rhesus (Rh) blood groups and haemoglobin variants for samples of the Nigerian population at Ogbomoso was determined. Data consisting of records of blood groups and haemoglobin types of different ages ranging from infants to adults for a period of 4 to 6 years (1995 - 2000) was collected from Baptist Medical Centre (BMC), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Health Centre (LAUTHC) and Oyo State General Hospital (OSGH), all in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. Overall, a total number of 7653, 7053 and 14,845 individuals were typed for ABO and Rh blood groups, and haemoglobin genotypes, respectively. 3824 (50%) were blood group O, 1750 (22.9%) were blood group A, 1629 (21.3%) were blood group B and 450 (5.9%) were blood group AB. This distribution differs significantly (P<0.05) from those expected under the Hardy Weinberg law. The proportion of the individuals belonging to the various ABO blood groups also varied significantly (P<0.05) over the period of the study. Overall gene frequencies for the A, B and O alleles were 0.15, 0.15 and 0.70, respectively. For the Rh blood group 6823 (96.7%) were Rhpositive (DD and Dd) while 230 (3.3%) were Rh - negative (dd). The distribution and proportion of individuals belonging to each group did not differ significantly from those expected under the Hardy Weinberg law (P>0.05). The gene frequencies of D and d alleles were 0.82 and 0.18, respectively. Six haemoglobin genotypes were recorded in the order of AA (68.1%) > AS (21.0%) > AC (5.7%) >SS (3.0%) >SC (2.0%) >CC (0.3%). The gene frequencies were 0.81, 0.14 and 0.04 for A, S and C alleles, respectively. Our results are representative of the distribution of these genetic variants in Nigeria

Human sex ratio at birth in South West Nigeria

Background: Human sex ratio at birth differs from one population to the other. This variation has been attributed to cultural practices, seasonal variation, small-family size policy and sex selective technology. Information on secondary sex ratio in Nigeria is limited. Aims and Objective: To analyzed human sex ratio at birth for samples of the Nigerian population in 4 urban settings in Southwest Nigeria, in order to know the trend and to compare the findings with those of previous reports. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) teaching hospital at Ile Ife and Wesley Guild hospital at Ilesa, Osun state; General hospital at Ogbomoso, Oyo state and Ekiti state specialist hospital at Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state. The data consisted of 35 209 live single births recorded between 1995 and 2004. Each set of data was analyzed to determine the sex ratio by year, month and quarterly values. Chi-square analysis was used to determine the deviation of the sex ratios for the years from the average value. Results: The annual average ratios of 104.7:100, 102.8:100, 98.9:100 and 100.8:100 were recorded for OAU teaching hospital, Wesley Guild Hospital, General Hospital and Ekiti State specialist hospital, respectively. When pooled together, the average ratio was 102.7:100. This shows some bias for male births. Data also indicates more male birth in the rainy season, suggesting a seasonal variation of sex ratio. Conclusion: These findings are representative of the populations in southwest Nigeria and are comparable to values obtained for other regions in Nigeria and other populations of African origin

Marketing, distribution and consumption of fish in Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

Like other developing countries, Nigeria faces a lot of problems confronting fish marketing such as dwindling profit due to fish spoilage as post-harvest losses occur more frequently particularly in the rainy reason, lack of improved technology for the management of fish production, inefficient harvesting methods and wastefulness due to lack of infrastructural facilities. This study assessed fish marketing, distribution and consumption in Ido Local Government Area (LGA), Oyo State, Nigeria. A two-stage random sampling technique was usedwhile descriptive statistics (frequency distribution and percentage frequencies) and inferential statistics (such as multiple regression analysis and budgetary analysis) were used for the analysis. The study concluded that fish marketing was a profitable business though with a small profit margin. The study thus recommended that micro lending programmes should be given a needful attention and priority to increase the entrepreneurs’ income and bring about a massive economic prospect for Ido LGA in particular and Oyo State Nigeria in general. Key words: constraints, consumption, determinant, fish, marketing, profi

A numerical investigation of the enhancement of single-slope single-basin solar still productivity

Enhancement of pure water productivity is necessary to keep human life, especially in the regions where people straggling of finding drinking water. The current work investigates numerically the increase in the productivity of the single-slope single-basin solar still by creating a new design of the absorbent base to increase the evaporation surface area. The new suggested design of the absorbent base is the use of stainless steel geometries which are different in shape and size in order to highlight their effect on solar still productivity. Results showed that using of stainless steel geometries increased the evaporation rate and enhanced the still productivity. In addition, the change in the geometry shape has a limited effect on the solar still productivity; whereas, changing the geometry size has a significant increase in productivity. The calculated data of the conversional solar still productivity was 2.987 kg/m2 with maximum temperatures of still water and the inner surface of the glass cover 63.6 °C and 54.2 °C respectively The maximum freshwater productivity was obtained by using cones, where the produced water was 4.13 kg/m2 with an enhancement ratio of 38.2%. In this case, the maximum temperatures of still water and the inner surface of the glass cover were 72.9 °C and 61.9 °C, respectively

Functional Properties of Flours from Five Nigerian Rice Cultivars

In this study, the functional properties of five Nigerian rice cultivars (Bisalachi, Ebagichi, Lamiyatu, Majalisa and Walue) were determined. Functional properties such as hydration, pasting and thermal parameters, and vibrational spectroscopy of the flours were determined using standard methods. Bulk density, water binding capacity, water holding capacity, water absorption index, water solubility index, oil absorption capacity and swelling power ranged from 0.32 to 0.41 g/cm3, 1.21 to 1.40 g/g, 1.33 to 1.92 g/g, 5.81 to 7.53 g/g, 1.49 to 1.74 g/g, 1.26 to 1.35 g/g, and 10.35 g/g to 12.80 g/g, respectively. Peak viscosity, trough viscosity,  breakdown viscosity, final viscosity, pasting temperature and peak time ranged from 158.04 to 187.30 RVU, 107.59 to 124.76 RVU, 50.45 to 62.54 RVU, 222.86 to275.27 RVU, 115.27 to 151.89 RVU, 87.65 to 88.53 oC and 5.29 to 5.96 min, respectively. Onset, peak and conclusion temperatures, and enthalpy of  gelatinization ranged from 65.02 to 68.41 oC, 68.73 to 72.05 oC, 74.59 to 79.26 oC, and 11.62 to 14.88 J/g, respectively. Raman spectroscopy revealed that the bands in the spectra of the rice flours originated mainly from the vibrational modes of amylose and amylopectin. The results obtained are useful in determining theapplication of the rice flours in food systems.Keywords: Rice cultivars, flour, functional properties