Comparative analysis of type 3 and type 4 cassava peeling machines

Cassava peeling has become the major problem of cassava processing worldwide. This is attributed to the irregularity in shape, size and thickness across different varieties of cassava tubers. The aim of this research work is to compare the peeling performance of type 3 cassava peeling machine with two (2) abrasive peeling tools and type 4 cassava peeling machine with four (4) abrasive peeling tools. The machines were evaluated at four (4) different speeds; (80rev/min, 90rev/min, 100rev/min, and 110rev/min) with 5HP electric motor. Cassava tubers of average mass of 0.72kg, 0.74kg, 0.76kg, 0.78kg and 0.80kg were used for the experiment. The results of the properties evaluated for type 3 and type 4 peelers at 80 rev/min are; mass of peeled cassava (80% and 86%), mass of cassava peels (16% and 18%), mass of cassava flesh loss (2.06% and 2.16%), mass of unpeeled cassava (0.85% and 0.75%), peeling efficiency (85% and 90%), mechanical damage (0.046kg/kg and 0.065kg/kg), throughput capacity (1141kg/h and 1262kg/h) respectively. The performance of type 4 peeler was generally better than type 3 peeler with regards to properties evaluated, except for the percentage flesh loss and mechanical damage which were better with type 3 peeler.Keywords: Abrasive, Varieties, Throughput, Processing, Peele

TRADISI DAN KELEMBAGAAN MASYARAKAT DALAM PENGELOLAAN SUMBERDAYA PESISIR DAN LAUT DI KOTA TIDORE KEPULAUAN PROVINSI MALUKU UTARA

Increasing of global awareness related to environmental management, ecosystems, and fisheries resources is a trigger in the reactualization of community traditions and institutions. People of Tidore Islands City, known as indigenous people with their coastal and marine institutional traditions in North Maluku Province, have a local order handed down in the utilization of the coastal and marine resources. This study aimed to analyze the existence of traditions and institutions and their effects on managing coastal and marine resources in the City of Tidore Islands. The research was conducted on June-August 2019 in the city of Tidore Islands. This research encompass 4 Subdistrict and 2 villages namely, Tomalou, Mareku, Soasio and Dowora Subdistrict as well as Mare Gam and Maitara village,. The research applied a qualitative method, which involves in-depth interview techniques, observation, and documentation. Data were analysed using a qualitative descriptive analysis. The results of the study showed that there are five local wisdoms that are maintained by the people of Tidore Islands City nowadays. These local wisdom is a legacy from the ancestors in the management of coastal and marine resources, namely Karo Kahiya (Calling the Dolphins), Fola Sow (Lit. House of Medicine), Jere (Sacred), Cofa (Fish breeding) and Saihu (Leader/Fishing Master). The approach to management of coastal and marine resources with procedures or traditions and institutions contributed a significant impact (very effective) on local communities in relation to the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources. as well as the preservation of local traditions and customary institutions. ABSTRAK Meningkatnya kesadaran global terkait pengelolaan lingkungan, ekosistem dan pemanfaatan sumberdaya perikanan menjadi pemicu dalam reaktualisasi tradisi dan kelembagaan masyarakat. Masyarakat Kota Tidore Kepulauan yang dikenal sebagai masyarakat adat dengan tradisi kelembagaan pesisir dan lautnya di Provinsi Maluku Utara, merupakan masyarakat yang memiliki tatanan lokal yang turun temurun dalam pemanfaatan sumberdaya pesisir dan laut dimaksud. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganlisis eksistensi tradisi dan kelembagaan serta pengaruhnya terhadap pengelolaan sumberdaya pesisir dan laut di Kota Tidore Kepulauan. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada Juni- Agustus 2019, di Kota Tidore Kepulauan meliputi 2 desa dan 4 kelurahan yakni, Desa Mare Gam, Desa Maitara, Kelurahan Tomalou dan Kelurahan Mareku, Kelurahan Soasio dan kelurahan Dowora. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif, yang melibatkan teknik-teknik wawancara mendalam, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Analisis data dilakukan secara deskriptif kualitatif. Hasil Penelitian menunjukkan sampai saat ini masih terdapat lima kearifan lokal yang tetap terjaga oleh masyarakat Kota Tidore Kepulauan yang merupakan warisan dari para leluhur dalam pengelolaan sumbedaya pesisir dan laut, yakni Karo Kahiya (Memanggil Lumba Lumba), Fola Sow (Rumah Obat), Jere (Keramat), Cofa (Penangkaran Ikan) dan Saihu (Pemimpin/Nakoda dalam Operasi Penangkapan Ikan). Pendekatan pengelolaan sumberdaya pesisir dan lautan dengan tradisi dan kelembagaan telah memberikan dampak yang sangat signifikan (sangat efektif) bagi masyarakat setempat dalam pemanfaatan sumberdaya pesisir dan lautan yang berkelanjutan maupun pelestarian tradisi dan kelembagaan adat istiadat setempat. Kata Kunci: Tradisi, kelembagaan, pengelolaan, sumberdaya, Tidor

Effect of Chronic Consumption of Smokeless Tobacco (Snuff) on Liver Enzymes of Males in Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria

Smokeless tobacco snuff consumption is as dangerous as cigarette smoking. It is now considered a significant source of morbidity and mortality owing to the effect of the numerous chemical constituents. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the effect of chronic consumption of Smokeless Tobacco (Snuff) on Liver Enzymes of males in Maiduguri and its environs, Northeast Nigeria. In this study we recruited 109 individuals who were smokeless tobacco snuffers and 97 healthy controls. It was a prospective case control study performed in adult males (30-50 years and 23 – 48 years for case and control respectively) with mean age of the case and control subjects of 37.12 ± 10.21and 33.64 ± 3.29 respectively. Serum Alanine amino transferase (ALT), Serum Aspartate amino transferase (AST) and serum Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were estimated using kinetic methods by Cobas C311(Roche/Hitachi) chemistry auto analyzer. The estimated Serum AST, ALT, and ALP, levels were compared using un-paired student's t test between the two groups. Also, the liver enzyme levels were evaluated based on the duration of the smokeless tobacco consumption and correlation was determined. The age range of the study subjects was between 30 and 50 years and the mean age of the Case and control subjects were 37.12 ± 10.21and 33.64 ± 3.29 respectively. The mean(average) of the duration of tobacco snuff intake was 10.52 ± 7.02 years. The mean Serum level of AST, ALT, and ALP of tobacco snuffers were found to be higher (15.45 ± 3.32, 22.00 ± 5.10 and 22.00 ± 5.10 respectively) as compared to controls (10.42 ± 2.36, 8.88 ± 3.14 and 31.14 ± 4.60 for AST, ALT and ALP respectively) and the differences were statistically significant at p< 0.05. Also, the serum levels of the liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP) were evaluated according to duration of snuff intake and the liver enzymes were found to be higher in people who uses the tobacco snuff for 11-20 years. However, the duration of the snuff intake was correlated with the serum levels of the liver enzymes. There was strong correlation between duration of snuff intake and serum levels of AST and ALT (r=0.648 and r=0.741 respectively) and the relationship were statistically significant at p<0.05. But the serum level of ALP was weekly correlated with the duration of snuff intake and the relationship was not statistically significant at p>0.05. From the results of the current study and the literature reviewed it is evident that tobacco snuff may likely be one of the causes of several liver diseases. Therefore, our study might be helpful in creating awareness on the hazards of using smokeless tobacco products (Snuff), among our population who are using smokeless tobacco

Stacking tolerance to drought and resistance to a parasitic weed in tropical hybrid maize for enhancing resilience to stress combinations

Open Access JournalMaize is a food security crop cultivated in the African savannas that are vulnerable to the occurrence of drought stress and Striga hermonthica infestation. The co-occurrence of these stresses can severely damage crop growth and productivity of maize. Until recently, maize breeding in International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has focused on the development of either drought tolerant or S. hermonthica resistant germplasm using independent screening protocols. The present study was therefore conducted to examine the extent to which maize hybrids simultaneously expressing resistance to S. hermonthica and tolerance to drought (DTSTR) could be developed through sequential selection of parental lines using the two screening protocols. Regional trials involving 77 DTSTR and 22 commercial benchmark hybrids (STR and non-DTSTR) were then conducted under Striga-infested and non-infested conditions, managed drought stress and fully irrigated conditions as well as in multiple rainfed environments for 5 years. The observed yield reductions of 61% under managed drought stress and 23% under Striga-infestation created desirable stress levels leading to the detection of significant differences in grain yield among hybrids at individual stress and non-stress conditions. On average, the DTSTR hybrids out-yielded the STR and non-DTSTR commercial hybrids by 13–19% under managed drought stress and fully irrigated conditions and by −4 to 70% under Striga-infested and non-infested conditions. Among the DTSTR hybrids included in the regional trials, 33 were high yielders with better adaptability across environments under all stressful and non-stressful testing conditions. Twenty-four of the 33 DTSTR hybrids also yielded well across diverse rainfed environments. The genetic correlations of grain yield under managed drought stress with yield under Striga-infestation and multiple rainfed environments were 0.51 and 0.57, respectively. Also, a genetic correlation between yields under Striga-infestation with that recorded in multiple rainfed environments was 0.58. These results suggest that the sequential selection scheme offers an opportunity to accumulate desirable stress-related traits in parents contributing to superior agronomic performance in hybrids across stressful and diverse rainfed field environments that are commonly encountered in the tropical savannas of Africa

Technical Efficiency Measurement among Maize Farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria

The study focused on the technical efficiency among maize farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. The data for the study were collected from 400 maize farmers by a multistage random sampling technique through a questionnaire. The data were analyzed through the use of simple descriptive statistics and Cobb-Douglas stochastic production function. The result of the study showed that majority of maize farmers were males, married with an average household size of nine (9) persons. Their average age was 49 years, having one level of education or the other. They operated on small scale and had more than six (6) years of farming experience. Land, seed, fertilizer and labour were significantly and positively related to maize output while age, education, accessibility to credit facilities, cooperative membership and farming experience were the significant determinant of technical efficiency in the study area. It is suggested that Government, non-governmental organization and community based organization and the farmers themselves should come up with programmes and policies that will facilitate technical efficiency in the study area. Keywords: Maize, Farmers, Efficiency, Kogi, Nigeria

Efektivitas Pembelajaran Menulis Teks Eksplanasi dengan Media Berbasis Adobe Flash Siswa Kelas XI SMA

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas pembelajaran menulis teks eksplanasi kompleks menggunakan media adobe flash siswa kelas XI SMA Negeri 2 Sebulu.Sumber data dalam penelitian ini diperoleh dari: (1) responden, yaitu: siswa kelas XI MIPA 3 dan XI IPS 3 SMA Negeri 2 Sebulu, (2) informan, yaitu: validator, siswa dan guru bahasa Indonesia SMA Negeri 2 Sebulu, (3) dokumen, yaitu: berupa buku ajar, rekapitulasi nilai hasil belajar siswa dan nilai menulis teks eksplanasi, dan buku- buku kepustakaan. Instrumen efektivitas penggunaan media adobe flash menggunakan tes objektif. Teknik analisis data menggunakan statistik deskriptif. Berdasarkan analisis data diperoleh hasil penilaian aspek kognitif dan penilaian menulis teks eksplanasi kompleks yang telah dilakukan di kelas XI SMA Negeri 2 Sebulu dengan merujuk pada kriteria keefektifan dalam penelitian ini, maka diketahui bahwa media pembelajaran berbasis adobe flash efektif digunakan dalam menulis teks eksplanasi dan meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa. Hal ini terlihat pada hasil penilaian aspek kognitif diperoleh nilai rata-rata pada tes awal 59 dan 85 pada tes akhir. Selanjutnya dilakukan penilaian keterampilan menulis teks eksplansi kompleks perolehan rata-rata hasil menulis dengan nilai tes awal 67 dan tes akhir menjadi 85

Effects of salinity on the onset of elastic turbulence in swirling flow and curvilinear microchannels

Elastic turbulence, which is sensitive to geometry and polymer rheology, has shown great potential for improving the performance of mixing, heat transfer, and even oil recovery. Recent studies showed the importance of the rheological properties of polymer solutions on the onset of elastic turbulence. However, variations of rheological properties based on polymer sensitivities such as salinity and its corresponding effects on the elastic turbulence have not been revealed. This work investigated systematically the effects of salinity on the onset of elastic turbulence in both swirling flow and curvilinear microchannels. The variations of statistical properties, such as probability distribution functions (PDFs) and power spectral density of injected power (PSD), were analyzed for characterization. The onset conditions of elastic turbulence are postponed by high salinity, which is consistent with the mixing performance in a curvilinear microchannel. A salinity independent power-law exponent at a value of −4.3 is observed in a fully developed elastic regime for all polymer solutions. Particularly, the diffusion of fluorescein at a low flow rate in the microchannel is possible due to the existence of a steady secondary flow before the onset of elastic instability

Prevalence of HIV-infection among under-5 children with protein energy malnutrition presenting at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: HIV infection is a major health problem worldwide. It is  associated with Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM) among under-5 childrenwith attendant high morbidity and mortality.Objective: To determine the prevalence of HIV-infection among children presenting withvarious subtypes of PEM.Methodology: Children suffering from PEM aged below 5 years admitted into the Paediatric units of UDUTH, Sokoto between October 1st, 2010 and April 30th, 2011 were tested for HIV infection using ELISA tests and HIVDNAPCR. Nutritional status was determined using the modified Wellcome Classification and socioeconomic classification was by the scheme developed by Oyedeji,s. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 statistical package. P-value . 0.05 was considered significant.Results: One-hundred under-5 children (64 males, 36 females) with PEM were studied. The mean (±SD) age was 19.8&#177 9.2 months and the majority were aged 12.0-23.9 months. Twentyseven of the 100 children withPEM had HIV-infection giving a prevalence rate of 27%: 59.3% in males and 40.7% in females. Among the HIV-infected children, the 24.0 . 35.9 months age group was the most affected (53.8%). Infected and non-infected children were comparable in terms of age (χ2=7.35, p=0.12) , gender (χ2=0.36, p=0.55) and socioeconomic (χ2=3.01, p=0.25). Themode of transmission was maternal to child transmission in all cases. The highest prevalence of HIV infection was found among marasmus subgroup (65%). Twenty-two (81.5%) of the 27 cases were discharged home, whilefive patients died giving a case fatality rate of 18.5%.Conclusion: HIV infection is common among under-5 children with PEM with no age, gender or socioeconomic predilection. The clinical type of PEM most often affected is marasmus.Key words: Protein-energy malnutrition, HIV-infection, Under-

Economic Globalization, HIV and AIDS and Gender Dimensions in the Lesotho Textiles and Garment Industry

The Kingdom of Lesotho is also experiencing the third highest HIV and AIDS prevalence rate (23.2%) in the world, which poses an internal threat both to the industry and to the workers. The objective of this chapter was to examine workers’ economic opportunities, the interplay of HIV and AIDS as well as threats to economic opportunities provided by the industry. This chapter is based on data collected for a study on the economic crisis, globalization and HIV and AIDS nexus in the textiles and garment industry in Lesotho. Data for this chapter were generated from two of the three instruments of the main study using a multistage sampling technique. Data collected were analysed quantitatively using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The result shows that despite the economic crisis, the textiles and garment industry has enhanced the employment of many Basotho (people from Lesotho), especially women. Although workers were economically empowered, HIV and AIDS and the global economic crisis were threats to the industry and workers alike. There is significant rural‐urban migration to the industry with almost half of the workers staying away from their traditional family homes

Assessment of Nutritional Status and Knowledge of Students from Selected Secondary Schools in Sokoto Metropolis, Sokoto State, Nigeria

The significance of improving nutrition knowledge in order to have a positive influence on food choices and health should not be underestimated. This study assessed the nutritional status and knowledge of school children attending selected secondary schools in Sokoto metropolis. The study population was purposively drawn from secondary school students in Nigeria attending Federal Government College and State Government-owned schools. Four secondary schools were used for the study: Federal Government College (FGC), Sani Dingyadi Secondary School (SDUSS), Nagarta Secondary School (NSS) and Army Day Secondary School (ADSS). A sample of 240 school students, aged 10 to 25 years participated in the study. The measuring instruments included a questionnaire to determine the nutrition knowledge of the students. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height and mid-upper arm circumference, measured using standard methodologies. The mean age recorded for male and female students were 18.0±1.90 and 15.7±1.20 years, respectively. The result showed that 27.9% were underweight, 7.5% overweight and 64.6% had normal BMI status. Nutritional status was significantly related with sex (χ2 = 16.169, p<0.05) but not with age (χ2 = 1.368, p>0.05). The prevalence of underweight was higher among the males (33.9%) compared to the females (13.9%), while more females were overweight (15.3%) compared to the males (4.2%). Seventy one percent performed poorly in the nutrition knowledge assessment rating. The overall performance of the female students was significantly higher (χ2 = 46.386; P<0.05) than their male counterparts. Furthermore, 5, 12 and 12% had excellent, very good and good nutrition knowledge, respectively, while 33% and 38% had fair and poor nutrition knowledge, respectively. The results further revealed that the students were deficient in knowledge and understanding of the facts about energy and nutritive values of foods. Therefore, adequate nutrition education is needed at the secondary school level; this will enable the students to make good food choices and positively influence their eating habits thereby ensuring better nutritional status.Keywords: malnutrition, knowledge, school, anthropometry, Sokot