Landed in America

Poem about immigrant parents written by first-generation American

Effect of zinc oxide level as activator on the mechanical properties of natural rubber composite

The effect of Zinc Oxide level as an activator on the Mechanical properties of Natural Rubber Composite was studied. It has been discovered that technicians usually add additional Zinc oxide different from the recommended dosage used in the formulation receipt during the process of compounding and also recovery of scorched compounds. One hundred parts per hundred rubber (100phr) of Natural rubber was compounded with Zinc Oxide levels of, 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10phr respectively. The effect of Zinc Oxide level on tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus, hardness, abrasion resistance and compression set were investigated. The result obtained showed that as the Zinc Oxide level increased, the tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus, hardness and compression set attained their maximum values at 5.0phr, after which there was a gradual decrease of same properties as a result of reversion. For the purpose of hardness and enhanced tensile properties, a known quantity of 5.0phr is recommended.Keywords: Activator, Composite, Mechanical properties, Natural Rubber, Zinc Oxide

Palm oil, its nutritional and health implications (Review)

Diet for some time now in Nigeria has undergone many changes such aschanges in dietary intake of fats and oils. There has been an increasing consumption of partially hydrogenated trans-vegetable oils and a  decreasing intake of lauric acid-containing oils. Although popular literature and people generally, usually attribute an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) to elevated levels of serum cholesterol, which in turn arethought to derive from an increased dietary intake of saturated fats and cholesterol. The palm oil and palm kernel oil are high in saturated fatty acids, about 50% and 80% respectively and are esterified with glycerol. In developing countries, vegetable oils are replacing animal fats because of the cost and health concerns. It is reassuring to know that the consumption of palm oil as a source of dietary fat does not pose any additional risks forcoronary artery disease when consumed in realistic amounts as part of a healthy diet. However, oxidized palm oil induces reproductive toxicity and organ toxicity particularly of the kidneys, lungs, liver and heart. Therefore, oxidized palm oil should be avoided. © JASE

Palm oil, its nutritional and health implications (Review)

Diet for some time now in Nigeria has undergone many changes such as changes in dietary intake of fats and oils. There has been an increasing consumption of partially hydrogenated trans-vegetable oils and a decreasing intake of lauric acid-containing oils. Although popular literature and people generally, usually attribute an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) to elevated levels of serum cholesterol, which in turn are thought to derive from an increased dietary intake of saturated fats and cholesterol. The palm oil and palm kernel oil are high in saturated fatty acids, about 50% and 80% respectively and are esterified with glycerol. In developing countries, vegetable oils are replacing animal fats because of the cost and health concerns. It is reassuring to know that the consumption of palm oil as a source of dietary fat does not pose any additional risks for coronary artery disease when consumed in realistic amounts as part of a healthy diet. However, oxidized palm oil induces reproductive toxicity and organ toxicity particularly of the kidneys, lungs, liver and heart. Therefore, oxidized palm oil should be avoided

The Effect of Stress on Glucose Metabolism and Growth Performance in Sprague Dawley Rats

This study determines the dosage and duration dependent effect of cortisol-induced stress on glucose metabolism and growth performance. To achieve this objective, 35 Wistar rats, divided into group A as control, B as low-dose test (40mg/kg/bw), C as moderate-dose test (80mg/kg/bw), and D as high-dose test (160mg/kg/bw). The test groups were further divided into subgroups I and II, denoting the durations of the test-experiment (short term - 4 days and long term -8 days) respectively. In the course of the experiment, weight changes were monitored and blood samples were obtained for blood glucose analysis. The result showed that there was a significant dose/duration dependent weight loss (p<0.05) in all the test groups. However, in test group C and D, a non-significant dose/duration dependent increase in blood glucose levels was observed. Our findings suggest therefore, that increasing stress may lead to weight loss while ironically increasing blood glucose level; possibly by simultaneous induction of gluconeogenesis. Keywords: Stress, Hydrocortisone, Glucose Metabolism, Overweight, Obesit

Corporate social responsibility in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria: the case for a legalised framework

This chapter focuses on the extant corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. The oil and gas industry has been beset by a lot of problems not limited to violence, kidnappings, eco-terrorism, and maladministration amongst others. One of the strategies of curing or mitigating these inherent problems in the oil and gas sector is the use of CSR initiatives by many oil multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in Nigeria. Notwithstanding that the majority of CSR initiatives in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria are voluntary, this chapter avers that CSR initiatives should be made mandatory by the Nigerian government. Furthermore, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) should play an integral role in the implementation of any legalised framework on CSR that will be developed in the country. This chapter suggests that a CSR law should be developed specifically for the oil and gas industry to mitigate the negative externalities arising from the activities of oil MNCs in the Niger Delta region of the countryN/