Assessment of consumer acceptance of kilishi of African carp (Labeo coubie Rueppell) and Elephant snout (Hyperopisus bebe occidentalis, Guenther)

This study was carried out to assess consumers' acceptance of kilishi prepared from Labeo coubie and Hyperopisus bebe occidentalis in Sokoto. The organoleptic properties (texture, odour, taste and flavour) of kilishi in its fresh form and under storage for 16 weeks were determined. The mean scores for the organoleptic assessment (6.90 and 7.19 for kilishi of Labeo and Hyperopisus respectively) showed that fish kilishi was highly acceptable. Hyperopisus kilishi recorded slightly higher mean scores for the tested organoleptic properties. The declining pattern of the sensory assessment scores with length of storage indicated that the optimum storage period under the room temperature for kilishi made from the experimental fish species in the study area was 6-8 weeks. Further research on appropriate storage methods is desirable. However, preparation of fish kilishi could be explored as alternative preservation technique to reduce fish spoilage especially during the glut in supply and to diversify fish product

Exploratory survey of Malian and Ndururu traps in River Rima, north western Nigeria

The fabrication and operational techniques of Malian and Ndurutu traps mostly used by the fishermen in River Rima in north western Nigeria were evaluated through structured questionnaire and measurement of samples of the Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. There was no standard in the dimensions of either of the traps. The traps were made of locally sourced materials, except the synthetic net of the Malian trap. About 81 and 80% of the respondents fabricated their Malian and Ndurutu traps, respectively. The major problems encountered in the structure and operation of the Malian trap included projection above water, stealing of catches and trap, and trapping of small sized fishes as indicated by 61.9, 47.6 and 28.6% of the respondents, respectively. In the case of the Ndurutu trap, 72.0, 48.0, 12.0 and 8.0% of the respondents respectively indicated poor durability, single entrance valve, destruction by cattle and instability in water, as the major problems encountered. As improvement measures for the Malian trap, the respondents suggested increase in number and size of valve (81.0%), horizontal positioning (57.1%) and square shape (47.6%) while 52.0% each suggested increase in number of entrance valve and netting of Ndurutu trap. The fishermen demonstrated ingenuity in the fabrication and operation of the traps, but they failed to initiate the required improvement. It is important to critically examine the designs, materials, costs and limitations of the traps and the suggestions of the fishermen, as basis for improvement on the technology of the trap

Yields of Protopterus annectens (Owen) from River Rima and Goronyo Dam, Sokoto State

Ninety five (95) specimena of P. Annectens (Owen) were caught from Goronyo Dam (26) and River Rima (69). The result revealed flesh yield of 44.29~c2.52 in August to 49.46~c to 5.68 in October which was not significant in samples from River Rima. The flesh yield from samples in Goronyo Dam ranged from 46-95~c2.43 in June to 54.28~c3.36 in September indicating significant difference between the months. The waste yield also varied significantly in samples from Goronyo Dam 45.72~c3.36 in September to 53.05~c 2.43 in June. However the results indicated non-significance (P>0.05) difference in samples from River Rima with a range of 50.54~c6.68 in October to 55.71~c2.55 in August. Similarly the flesh yields were found to be higher during the dry season than in the rainy season. The sample specimens were found to contain enough flesh thereby creating potentialities to caning industries

Food and feeding habit of freshwater Mormyrid (Hyperopisus bebe occidentalis, Gunther) in River Rima and Goronyo Dam, Nigeria

The food and feeding habits of Hyperopisus bebe occidentalis caught in River Rima and Goronyo Dam in North western Nigeria were investigated A total of four hundred and fifty four (454) fish samples were collected on monthly basis from October, 2001 to September, 2002 are examined for feeding adaptations and gizzard content. The mouth is terminal in studied species. Two types of teeth were identified viz; cardiform and molariform. The gill rakers were 0.09~c 0.04cm in length with 0.010~ccm interspacing. The compartment of gut included gizzard-like stomach. The gut length and fish length (GL-TL) indicated rectilinear positive relationship. The regression coefficient (b) and correlation coefficient (r) of the gut length fish length relationships were significant (p< 0.05). The main taxa of food items identified included substances of plant and animal origins, with overall percentage occurrence of 69.8 and 20.7% for samples from River Rima and 59.1 and 20. 0% for those from Goronyo Dam in the same order. During the dry season, the frequency occurrence of plant substances were higher in the juveniles (<30cm, TL) 70.9% and adults (=30cm, TL) 64.7% in River Rima than the values obtained in samples from Goronyo Dam. Their occurrences in Goronyo Dam were fairly higher in the adults (62.9%) than in the juveniles (53.6%) during the same season. The results of this study showed higher occurrence of plant materials in juveniles than in the adults from the two water bodies during the rainy season. Contrary to this, low frequency occurrence of substances of animal in the juvenile samples from River Rima (15.2%) and Goronyo Dam (17.1%) were obtained in adult samples, the occurrence of animal substances were more than those of plants from the two seasons and water body. The feeding adaptive features revealed the ecological roles of the fish species that could be useful in satisfying their food requirements in culture systems and for teaching and further research

Object oriented analysis and the design of large client server applications in a windows environment: an experience

A Unified Modeling Language (UML) is probably the most popular language and notations for Object Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD) in the industry. In fact, the UML, a unification of James Rumbaugh's Object Modeling Techniques (OMT), Grady Booch's Booch Techniques, and Ivar Jacobson's Object Oriented Software Engineering (OOSE), is fast becoming a lingua franca for software engineers, developers and designers alike. Being a lingua franca, the UML helps software engineers 'speak' in the same language. In effect, the UML facilitates reuse of not only codes, but also software architectural designs. In some cases, these architectural designs are also documented as reusable designs or patterns. This paper, derived from our previous work (Idris et al., 2000; Zamli et al., 1999a; Zamli et al., 1999b; Zamli et al., 1999c; Zamli et al., 1999d; Zamli et al., 1999e), describes our experience using a UML to design large scale object oriented client server database applications in a Windows environment. In doing so, we have developed some reusable designs and conventions in terms of UML class diagrams along with class relationships, cardinality and stereotypes, as well as in terms of component diagrams and their dependencies

Influence of number of valves on catch composition of a fishing pot trap (Lege) in River Rima, north western Nigeria

Three types of prototype (Lege) traps with different numbers of entrance valves were evaluated in River Rima, north western Nigeria. The traps contained 4,6 and 8 valves, tagged 4-V, 6-V and 8-V respectively. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with one factor each replicated three times. Data collected on fish diversity, number biomass and sizes were subjected to descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. The results of the catch composition showed close diversity index of 0.86 for 6-V, 0.80 for 8-V and 0.60 for 4-V Lege traps. However, the number (41%) and biomass 48%) of fish caught in the 6-V Lege trap were significantly (P0.05) higher than those caught in the other traps. There was no definite trend in the sizes (length and girth) of fish caught in the traps. On the basis of species diversity, and the number and biomass of fish caught, the 6-V Lege showed preference for adoption than the other two traps. However, further studies are recommended on the appropriate mesh size net for the trap in line with the provisions of fisheries edict

Evaluation of a new fishing pot trap (Lege) in River Rima, north western Nigeria

Based on the findings and diagnostic survey, a new fishing trap, christened Lege trap was designed and fabricated, and the performance evaluated. The 8-valve Lege trap was assessed concurrently with Malian and Ndurutu traps by the fishermen in the study area. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with one factor each replicated three times. Data collected on fish diversity number, biomass and size were subjected to descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. The results showed that 22 fish species belonging to thirteen families were caught. The prototype (Lege) trap recorded higher species diversity index (0.90) than the Malian (0.50) and Ndurutu (0.50) traps. The Lege trap also accounted for the largest number (55%) and biomass (63%) of fish caught which was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of the Malian and Nduutu traps were. The mean length (15.03~c5.70cm), weight (60.43~c48.61g) and girth (4.77~c1.65cm) of fishes caught in the Lege trap were also significantly (P0.05) higher than those caught in the other two traps. These results demonstrated better performance of the new trap than the two conventional traps, even though the sizes of some of the fish species caught in all the traps were below those allowed by the Sokoto State Fisheries Edict where the study was conducted. Therefore, since it is desirable to develop conservation-oriented trap at a least cost, it is necessary to research further on the number of valves and mesh size of the new tra

Influence of number of valves on catch composition of a fishing pot trap (Lege) in River Rima, north western Nigeria

Three types of prototype (Lege) traps with different numbers of entrance valves were evaluated in River Rima, north western Nigeria. The traps contained 4,6 and 8 valves, tagged 4-V, 6-V and 8-V respectively. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with one factor each replicated three times. Data collected on fish diversity, number, biomass and sizes were subjected to descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. The results of the catch composition showed close diversity index of 0.86 for 6-V, 0.80 for 8-V and 0.60 for 4-V Lege traps. However, the number (41%) and biomass (48%) of fish caught in the 6-V Lege trap were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those caught in the other traps. There was no definite trend in the sizes (length and girth) of fish caught in the traps. On the basis of species diversity, and the number and biomass of fish caught, the 6-V Lege showed preference for adoption than the other two traps. However, further studies are recommended on the appropriate mesh size net for the trap in line with the provisions of fisheries edict

A thermoresponsive and magnetic colloid for 3D cell expansion and reconfiguration

A dual thermoresponsive and magnetic colloidal gel matrix is described for enhanced stem-cell culture. The combined properties of the material allow enzyme-free passaging and expansion of mesenchymal stem cells, as well as isolation of cells postculture by the simple process of lowering the temperature and applying an external magnetic field. The colloidal gel can be reconfigured with thermal and magnetic stimuli to allow patterning of cells in discrete zones and to control movement of cells within the porous matrix during culture