Household Food Safety Awareness of Female University Workers in South East Nigeria

This study is aimed at exploring the awareness of household food safety among female University workers in South East Nigeria. Specifically the study identified the food safety knowledge, attitude/ perception to food safety issues, food purchasing, food handling and preparation practices among female university workers and ways of improving household food safety practices. The descriptive survey design was employed. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of four hundred and ninety female university workers obtained from a total population of two thousand four hundred and fifty females working in the five federal universities in the south east zone of Nigeria. Frequency and mean were used to analyze the data obtained from the questionnaire. The study revealed that the female university workers have some adequate knowledge about food safety practices. However, more than half of the respondents were not aware of the role of temperature control as a means of reducing the risk of food borne illnesses. It is suggested that public health education program be designed to enhance household safety awareness. Keywords: Food Safety, Household, Awareness, Female University Workers

Effect of Preservation on the Quality of Sachet Water consumed by Households in Nsukka Zone

The paper investigated the effect of preservation on the quality of sachet water consumed by the households in Nsukka Zone of Enugu state, Nigeria. The reason being that portable water is needed by the body and may lead to poor health problems, if poorly preserved. Four brands of sachet water were randomly selected from the seventeen brands identified in the zone. The water samples were stored at two storage environments (indoor and outdoor) and time durations were as follows: day one (as control); 2 weeks; 5weeks and 8 weeks. The samples were coded as MCW, DOW, and ETW. The samples were examined in both sensory and microbial count before they were stored in their storage environments and assessed at the treatment time durations respectively using standard analytical methods. At each treatment, time duration,48 samples of water were analyzed. The findings showed that, there were no significant difference (P<0.05) in the mean values at indoor storage environment for odour, and for taste, but there was a  significant difference (P<0.05) in two brands at outdoor storage environment in odour, and in taste. A significant difference existed at the four brands stored. There was also a significant difference (P<0.05) in the mean values of coliform. Mould count also had significant difference (P<0.05) in their mean values. From the findings, it was established that all brands of sachet water produced in the zone had E. coli at day one, which is an indication of faecal contamination and indoor had the best taste and odour at two weeks and also better in microbial content. Key words: Preservation, Quality, Sachet, Potabl

Women Involvement in Rural Community Development in Enugu North Senatorial Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria

The study ascertained the involvement of women in rural community development (RCD). The study was carried out in Enugu north senatorial zone, Enugu State, Nigeria, with a total of 4 communities randomly selected from 2 randomly selected LGAs. The total sample size of 60 women was used. Data were collected using an interview schedule and analysed using percentages and mean scores. The findings reveal that agricultural related projects (96.7 %), social projects (91.7 %), educational projects (81.7 %) and health projects (81.7%) were areas of RCD women were involved in. The agricultural related projects of interest included: animal rearing and sales (96.7 %), corn processing outfits (91.7%), seasonal crop processing and production (90%) among others. Traders association (x=2.45) and market women association   (x=2.45) were RCD groups women were mostly part of, while women empowerment programs (M=2.45), education (M=2.42), urbanization (M=2.42) among others were the factors that enabled women involvement in RCD. Women were involved and played a crucial role in RCD.  A more conducive environment such as the provision of soft loans and jobs should be created by government authorities to sustain women’s motivation and encourage them to delve into other areas of RCD like Information and Communication Technologies that their presence is not so pronounced

Feeding practices of bank workers in Lagos State, Nigeria

Background: This study investigated the feeding practices of bank workers in Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos State. Methods: The study adopted descriptive survey design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 250 bank workers for the study Validated questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. A total of two hundred and thirty eight (238) questionnaires representing 95% distributed were filled and returned. The data collected were analyzed using mean, t- test was used to test the two null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Results: Findings revealed that the bank workers are aware of the nutritive value of foods such as carbohydrates,provide energy for the body protein is needed for the budding and repair of body, fat and e are energy sources vitamin C helps prevent scurvy and water transports nutrients to cells in the body Feeding practices commonly adopted by bank workers include skipping breakfast eating breakfast at world buying food at work from bank canteen eating in between meals buying snacks as meals and taking soft drink daily. Suggestions made was that Food guide pyramid with suitable graphics and pictures -should be hanged on bank canteen walls. Bank managers should set up nutrition monitoring teams for all their branches aimed at ensuring that adequate nutrition is provided for bentworkers in bank canteens. Conclusion: Awareness do not equal practice among bank workers in Lagos

Balancing Career and Family: The Nigerian Woman\u27s Experience

Nigerian women have become more integrated into the workforce, but this integration has led to conflicts between work and family responsibilities. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Nigerian women regarding challenges and strategies in management and leadership positions in relation to their domestic lives and responsibilities. Liberal and social feminist theory and gendered leadership theory were used as the conceptual framework of the study. The findings of this study came from data obtained from semistructured interviews with 15 Nigerian women in leadership and management positions regarding their perceptions and lived experiences of balancing work and family responsibilities. The data analysis consisted of using a modified Van Kaam process, which resulted in 7 themes including multiple roles make balance difficult, supportive husband as a key to balance, and the role of God in supporting and guiding the women. The findings of this study could contribute to positive social change by providing necessary information regarding how Nigerian women perceive their roles in management and leadership positions as they grapple with the challenges of pursuing a career and maintaining their families, leading to more informed organizations and policymakers. This study includes findings about how women perform and are evaluated as managers, which could eventually influence hiring practices by highlighting the barriers and strategies to overcome them as experienced by Nigerian women in management positions

Parental socio-economic-status as predictor of vocational aspirations of secondary school students in Nigeria: Implications for peace, curriculum planners and special educators

The quantitative study adopted ex-post–facto research design. Two research questions and one hypothesis were used for the study. Sample was 400 students from 20 schools in Nigeria, including students with special needs. Instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. Research questions were analyzed with mean and standard deviation, while analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypothesis. Findings of the study showed that parental socio-economic status is not a strong indicator of vocational aspirations of secondary school students. It was recommended that as educational level of individuals influences their reasoning and how they affect those under them, life - long learning campaigns should be intensified to get students including those with special needs enlightened especially in choice of vocations

Analogical mapping of ỌKỤKỌ proverbs in Ideke lect

This study examines how analogical mapping is used to analyse ọkụkọ proverbs in Ideke lect. The objectives of the study are to analyse the attribute and relational mapping of selected ọkụkọ proverbs in Ideke lect. The data of the study are drawn from ọmaba chant of Ụmụdịaka in Nsukka area of Enugu State, through an audio recording of Ụdara Nwa onyishi (Ọmabe) chant and also the study uses introspection since the researchers are indigenous speakers of the Ideke lect. The research desgn used in this study is a qualitative research paradigm. The study was done descriptively and purposive sampling was used to sample the population. The analogical mapping theory is adopted as the framework for this study. The study finds out that ọkụkọ proverbs in Ideke lect has abstract meanings which contradict the physical (source concepts) image. Another finding of the study proves that in Ideke lect, ọkụkọ as used in this study possess different semantic impulse due to the sociolinguistic environment where such proverbs are being used. These different shades of meanings will be gotten by aligning the physical concept to abstract concept(s). During the analysis of ọkụkọ proverbs in Ideke lect, it is evident that source domain is liable to form various new abstract semantic realisations which was not the initial semantic usage of the linguistic expression. From the semantic purview, proverbs are complex cognitive tasks which links source domain to the target domain

In-Depth Assessment of Proximate, Vitamin, and Mineral Composition Analysis of Locally Cultivated Rice Varieties in South-Eastern Nigeria

In this research, the aim was to assess the proximate analysis, as well as the vitamin and mineral composition analysis of locally cultivated rice varieties in rice south-eastern Nigeria with a focus on the location-based effect and grain-length-based effect on proximate analysis, mineral, and vitamin contents of FARO 44 rice species farmed in Southeast Nigeria. The study area includes several locations in southeast Nigeria: Omasi (Latitude: 6° 42' 14" N, Longitude: 6°58' 46" E), Omar (Latitude: 6° 30' 37" N, Longitude: 6° 57' 32" E), Ikwo (Latitude: 6.0659° N, longitude: 8.0953° E), Izzi (Latitude: 6.5792° N, Longitude: 8.0475° E), Adani (Latitude: 6.7340° N, longitude: 7.0095° E), and Eha-Amufu (Latitude: 6.6590° N, Longitude: 7.7607°E). Standard methods were followed during sampling and laboratory analysis. The study found that the main effect of locations on the proximate analysis of FARO 44 rice species was not significant, except for protein, moisture, and carbohydrate (CHO) content. The highest protein content was observed in the Ikwo location, while moisture content was similar among several locations except for Eha-Amufu, which had the lowest moisture content. Regarding vitamin content, the location had a significant influence, with variations observed in different locations for vitamin E, B1, B2, vitamin C, and B-Carotene. Furthermore, both location and grain length had a significant effect on mineral content, particularly copper, zinc, and potassium, with variations observed among different locations and grain lengths. Keywords: mineral composition, proximate analysis, vitamin, rice, south-east Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/13-14-02 Publication date:August 31st 202

MISE-EN-PLACE AS A FOOD PREPARATION STRATEGY FOR WORKING CLASS HOMEMAKERS IN ABUJA FCT, NIGERIA

The main purpose of this study was to examine “mise-en-place” as a food preparation strategy among working class homemakers in Abuja (FCT). To guide the study, three research questions and three null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 5% probability level. The design of the study was descriptive survey. The study was carried out in Abuja (FCT) of Nigeria. The population for the study was 8,128 homemakers working in banks and lecturers of tertiary institutions. The sample size for the study was 426. Simple random sampling technique was used to select Eleven (11) types of banks and Eight (8) tertiary institutions located across the Six Local Government Councils that constitute the population of the study. Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling Technique was used to select 300 Bankers present in selected sampled Banks and 126 Lecturers of tertiary institutions located across the Six Local Government Councils that constitute the population of the study. A structured questionnaire titled =“questionnaire on mise-en-place as a food preparation strategy among working class homemakers” (QMWCH) was used for data collection. The questionnaire has two parts and five sections. Part I, sought information on the personal data of the respondents. Part 2: Section A, B, C, and D sought information on the four objectives of the study. Section A – B was structured on a four (4) point rating Scale of Very Great Extent (VGE), Great Extent (GE), Low Extent (LE) and Very Low Extent (VLE). VGE – 4 points, GE – 3, LE – 2, and VLE – 1. While, Section C – D was structured on a four (4) point rating Scale of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D) and Strongly Disagree (SD). SA – 4 points, A – 3, D – 2, and SD – 1. Reliability of QMWCH was obtained using Cronbach alpha formula. The internal consistency was 0.85. The instrument was face validated by 2 experts from the Department of Home Economics and Hospitality Management Education, Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and one expert from the Department of Measurement and Evaluation, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Mean and standard deviation was used to answer the research questions while, t– test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that 300 Bankers selected for the study utilize “mise-en-place” in food preparation on the Low Extent (LE), but for the 126 Lecturers, selected for the study, it was on a Great Extent (GE). Bankers and Lecturers adopt “mise-en-place” in the Serving of Food to Family Members to a Great Extent (GE). Meanwhile, Bankers and Lecturers Agreed on the twelve challenges involved in using “mise-en-place” as a food preparation strategy among working class homemakers. Working class homemakers working in Banks and those Lecturing differ significantly in their responses on the utilization of “mise-en-place” in food preparation. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that: (i) Working class Homemakers working in banks and lecturers of tertiary institutions should adopt the utilization of “mise-en-place” in food preparation. (ii) Lecturers should put more effort to the teaching and learning of “mise-en-place” as a strategy in food preparation

Geometric Control of YAP-dependent Mechanotransduction: A Proposed Model

The Billiar lab is interested in the interplay between mechanical tension and programmed cell death (namely, apoptosis) in cells growing on micro-contact printed aggregates. The Billiar lab uses a bioinspired hydrogel to develop an in vitro model for mechanosensitive signaling in mammalian cells. The micro-contact printed cell aggregates experience a loss of tensional homeostasis at the center of the aggregates, which results in selective cell death at the center, but not periphery of the aggregates, followed by calcification, similar to excised diseased aortic valves. However, the subcellular mechanisms responsible for transducing the mechanical cues from the loss of tensional homeostasis to pro-apoptotic signaling have yet to be elucidated; the Billiar lab is interested in finding this link. Mechanotransduction is the functional link between mechanical cues and the consequent subcellular biochemical response.1 Cells sense and respond to their physical surroundings via cell-cell junctions, cell-matrix adhesions, and intracellular actin networks.1 For example, in epithelial cells, restriction of cell growth to spatially patterned circular arrays leads to (1) increased proliferation and (2) higher tractional stresses at the periphery than at the center.2-3 Proliferation at the periphery of these circular cell aggregates is YAP-dependent, with nuclear localization of YAP at the periphery.4 Transcriptional co-activator YAP is (1) a nuclear relay of mechanical signals,5 (2) the main transcriptional effector of the Hippo pathway,6 and (3) involved in both proliferation (via TEAD promoter) and apoptosis (via p73 promoter).7 Cell competition is an apoptosis-dependent cell communication phenomenon based on cell fitness comparisons, and which creates “loser” cells that die via apoptosis and “winner” cells that survive.8-9 For example, co-culture of TEAD-activity-manipulated fibroblasts with WT induces cell competition, in which cells with higher TEAD activity “won,” and cells with lower TEAD activity “lost” (underwent apoptosis).10 Hypothesis: Culture of fibroblasts in geometrically constrained, circular cell aggregates induces cell competition via the formation of “winner” and “loser” cell populations due to differences in tensional homeostasis experienced at the periphery vs. center of the aggregates