Preliminary investigation on growth responses of Cyprinus carpio L. fed on locally formulated artificial diets

The growth rate and feed conversion ratios of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio were measured for five test diets in 14-day replicate laboratory studies. The young carp were fed with artificial test diets with crude protein contents ranging from 14.50 to 21.42 per cent. Within this range of feed characteristic optimum growth rates were obtained with diets containing 20.25 and 21.42 per cent crude protein. The study of the effect of varying ration levels showed that growth rates increased with increases of ration size, but the food conversion efficiency and protein efficiency ratios decreased markedly as ration size was increase

An evaluation of the trophic status of the Shen Reservoir by an analysis of phytoplankton composition and water characteristics

In an effort to evaluate the production potential of an artificial impoundment, the phytoplankton of the Shen reservoir was sampled from November 1981 to June 1982 at three stations during three periods of distinct seasonal hydrographic characteristics. The samples were subsampled and quantified. Most of the phytoplankton were identified to the species level. There were in all 53 species comprising Chlorophyceae contributing 36.70% with species of Volvox, Pediastrum, Closterium, Staurodesmus and Ankistrodesmus as dominant species in this group. The Cyanophyceae contributed 30.00% with species of Microcystis, Nostoc , and Oscillatoria as the dominant species. An analysis of temporal and spatial changes in composition and abundance of the various groups showed that these were influenced by water temperature, sampling period and station. Based on the trophic status of the most abundant species, the composition of the phytoplankton is indicative of a tropical reservoir with a moderate productivity for fish cultur

Multilateral organizations and global inequality: A focus on IMF, World Bank and World Trade Organizations

The paper examines issues relating to multilateral organizations, taking a particular look at the three multilateral organizations viz IMF, World Bank and WTO. It establishes that institutional and structural variables in the multilateral organizations are skewed in favour of the developed countries and this tends to entrench their hegemony in the global scene. This has crystallized in global inequality. More so, the analysis which relies on the theory of political realism with dependency theory as a complementary theory explores the power play and dominance of interests in global affairs as a defining characteristic of relations at the global level. Again, the paper establishes that a dialectical relationship exists between development in the developed North and underdevelopment in the developing South and that the multilateral organizations are veritable instruments for perpetuating the hegemony of the developed countries, which ensures the continuation of global inequality. The paper therefore puts forward a range of recommendations that could help the developing countries in their quest for development and by so doing bridge the inequality gap.Keywords: Multilateral, Organizations, Global, Inequality, Underdevelopment, Developmen

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Problem of Policy Implementation in Nigeria

Nigeria is one United Nations member state that is increasingly working on achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which took off at the turn of this century. The MDGs are eight goals and targets to be attained within 2015. Giving the available time, it is obvious that it is a major challenge to Nigeria because of its requirements for actualization in the country. Among the requirements is ensuring effective policy implementation. However, poor policy implementation is believed by some analysts to be the bane of development in Nigeria. The paper therefore, seeks to highlight the need for proper and effective policy implementation while identifying some impediments to be tackled if Nigeria is to ensure that policies, particularly those relating to the MDGs, are effectively and timely implemented. These impediments include, among others: corruption, badleadership, political instability, slow public service structures, ethnicity etc. The paper posits some sustainable development measures for Nigeria, such as effective use of political will, eschewing social vices (like ethnicity, favouritism, nepotism and mediocrity), continuity of policies between governments, eradication of corruption etc.Keywords: Policy, Implementation, Millennium Development Goals, NigeriaInternational Journal of Development and Management Review (INJODEMAR) Vol. 7 June, 201

Morale, Productivity and Sustainable Industrial Development in Nigeria

This paper is an analytical discourse on the interface and relationship between morale and productivity and how these have impactful influence on sustainable industrial development in Nigeria. Nigeria is a developing economy that direly needs a strong root and drive for productivity and economic development. This may not be feasible except if the drivers of the economy, particularly the human factor in the production process are not appropriately motivated to energize their morale. This paper that dwelt more on library and secondary sources of materials identified that morale and productivity, though related to each other in many facets, are at the lowest ebbs in Nigeria to essentially drive sustainable industrial development akin to competitive global integrated market economy. It also observed, among others, that certain government truncated policies and poor economic environment within which the human element as factor of production do their work challenge the morale of the operators of the economy. It therefore, recommended, among others, that government policies and work environment should be employees friendly in order to adequately energize them for global practices and to ensure the steady forward movement and progression towards sustainable industrial development in Nigeria. Keywords: Morale, Productivity, Sustainable industrial development, Government policies. DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-8-03 Publication date:August 31st 202

Validation of the Ejike-Ijeh equations for the estimation of body fat percentage: A random cross-sectional study in adult Nigerians

The Ejike-Ijeh equations for the estimation of body fat percentage makes it possible for the body fat content of individuals and populations to be determined without the use of costly equipment. However, because the equations were derived using data from a young-adult (18-29 years old) Nigerian population, it is important to validate the equations in a wider spectrum of adults. This study is an attempt at such validation. A total of 365 adult Nigerians aged 18 to 80 years (52.9% females) participated in this random cross-sectional study. Standard internationally accepted protocols were followed for all determinations and calculations. Appropriate statistical tools were used to analyse the data generated. The mean age of the subjects was 44±16 years. The differences between the mean ages of both sexes was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Using BMI as a diagnostic, obesity was found in 12.3% of the population (17.1% in females and 7.0% in males). On the other hand, using percent fat mass (PFM), 16.4% (25.4% females and 6.4% males) were found to be obese. Measured PFM correlated positively and significantly (r=+0.635; P<0.001) with the PFM-II in the general population. The correlations were stronger in males (r=+0.736) compared to females (r=+0.563). The Ejike-Ijeh equations appear valid for use in adult Nigerians.Keywords: Body fat, obesity, prediction equations, validatio

Effective Reward Management and Employee Performance in Civil Service (A Study of Anambra State Civil Service)

This study examined the impact of effective reward system as a tool for employee performance in civil service using Anambra state civil service as case study. As specific objectives, the study examined the relationship between employee performance and pay reward, employee recognition, conducive work environment and staff development. As a survey design, an item structured instrument developed by the researcher to reflect such options as strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree and undecided popularly referred to as the modified five (5) points Likert Scale, was used to elicit information from the   respondents. Out of the 1481 senior civil servants identified through the nominal roll of various ministries at the state secretariat, Awka Anambra state, 315 was estimated as the sample size. Statistical tools considered most appropriate for analyzing the data generated from the fieldwork were Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Findings from the study shows that pay reward and some non-financial rewards of employee recognition, conducive work environment and staff development are positively and significantly related to employee performance in civil service. The study recommended among others that the government at all levels should endeavour to provide employees with adequate pay incentives to facilitate the achievement of desired high level productivity in the service as obtains in the private sector of the economy. Keywords: Reward Management, Employee Performance, Non-Financial, Staff Development, Work Environmen

A Trial to Prevent Sorbitol Negative Escherichia coli Infections in Chicks using Autogenous Bacterin and Probiotics

This study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of locally prepared autogenous bacterin from sorbitol negative (sor-) Escherichia coli isolated from chicken feeds as well as commercially prepared probiotic in the prevention of sor-E. coli infection in broiler chicks. A total of forty (40) representative chicken feed samples were randomly collected and screened for the presence of sor-E. coli using pour plate technique. The isolate obtained was characterized and identified using its morphological and biochemical characterization. The pathogenic potentials of the isolate on the broiler chicks were investigated by challenging the chicks orally using 0.5ml of the inoculum (108cells/ml). The protective effects of locally prepared autogenous bacterin (B), commercially prepared probiotic (P) and autogenous bacterin plus commercially prepared probiotic (BP) were investigated using in vivo method. Out of 40 representative chicken feed samples, 23(57.5%) were positive for sor- E. coli. There were significant obvious pathological signs and lesions in the internal organs of the infected non-protected chicks, which decreased significantly (p<0.05) when protected with P, B and PB. The higher viable mean plate counts were obtained from the internal organs of the infected non-protected chicks which significantly (P<0.05) decreased when protected with P, B and PB. Moreover, the serological investigation revealed an improvement in the titer of antibodies after vaccination and probiotic treatment. The tested antimicrobial agents have proved to be safe and effective against the isolate, of which BP showed the most pronounced activity

Efficacy of Some Selected Antimicrobial Substances in Prevention of Enteric Bacterial Infection in Broiler Chicks

This study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of autogenous bacterin from enteric bacteria isolated from chicken feeds, commercially prepared probiotic, conventional antibiotics as well as Zingiber officinale extract in prevention of enteric bacterial infection in broiler chickens. A total of 1,536 samples of different brands of chicken feeds were collected and screened for the presence of enteric bacteria using pour plate technique.The pathogenic potentials of the isolates on chickens were investigated by challenging the chickens orally using 0.5 ml of the inoculum (108cells/ml). The efficacy of locally prepared autogenous bacterin (AB), commercially prepared probiotics (CP), autogenous bacterin plus probiotics (ABCP), ciprofloxacin (CPX), Oxytetracycline (OXY) and Zingiber officinale (ZO) extract were investigated using in vivo method. The titer of antibodies produced by the vaccinated chickens was determined using micro agglutination test. Escherichia coli O157:H7 SS52 (EC), Salmonella ser. Typhimurium U288 (ST), Escherichia coli SEC470 (ES), Salmonella ser. Enteritidis YU39 (SY) and Salmonella ser. Enteritidis FM366 (SE) were isolated from the feed samples. There were significant obvious pathological signs and lesions in the internal organs of the infected non-protected chickens, which decreased significantly (P<0.05) when the chicks were protected with CP, ZO, CPX, OXY and ABCP. The internal organs of the infected non-protected chickens showed high viable mean plate counts (VMPCs) and these were significantly (P<0.05) decreased when protected with the antimicrobial agents, of which the VMPCs of ABCP were the least. Moreover, the serological investigation revealed an improvement in the titer of antibiotics after vaccination and probiotic treatment. The tested antimicrobial agents have proved to be safe and effective against the isolates, of which ABCP showed the most pronounced activity. Keywords: Enteric Bacteria, autogenous Bacterin, Zingiber officinale, ciprofloxacin, probiotic, Oxytetracycline

Effect of Spices, pH and Temperature on the Survival and Multiplication of Staphylococcus aureus in Zobo Drink

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of spices, pH and temperature on the survival and growth of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from stream water samples in zobo drink. A total of 12 water samples were drawn from 3 different streams used in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, and screened for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus using pour plate method. The isolate obtained was characterized and identified using their morphological and biochemical characteristics. The effect of spices, pH and temperature on the isolate was determined by subjecting the isolate to 0.25%, 1.25% and 2.5% of spices (Zigiber officinale and Myristica fragrans), different pH ranges (3-10) and different temperatures (40C, 250C and 370C). Eleven water samples out of twelve samples drawn from the streams showed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. The spices showed pronounced activity against the organism in both sterilized and non sterilized samples of which the activity increased significantly (P<0.05) as the concentration increased. The activity of Zigiber officinale was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of Myristica fragrans. The maximum growth of the isolate was significantly (P<0.05) observed at pH 6 and 370C. Little or no growth was observed at 40C. This study has shown that the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in zobo drink could be controlled using Zigiber officinale and Myristica fragrans extracts at pH values other than 6, and should best be sold and consumed at refrigeration temperature (40C)