Study of Fish Weight Loss in Solar Dryer Across Different Agro-Ecological Zones of Nigeria

Drying sessions were conducted across Nigeria to study the interaction between fish weight loss and the meteorological parameters. Correlation analyses using weight loss values show that latitude is strongly related (r =+0.96) to weight loss of fish inside the dryer while altitude had a weak relationship (r = +0.24) with weight loss. The results show that New Bussa recorded more weight loss of fish than Jos, despite their uniform latitude. Weight loss records in Jos, was however better than those of Warri and Ibadan

Design And Development Of Guardrail For Exclusive Motorcycle Lanes

The use of roadside barrier, especially W-beam guardrail has been demonstrated in various studies to have performed satisfactorily for protecting occupants of cars and trucks. However, its usage for motorcycle impact has been given little consideration. Thus, the safety of motorcyclists in relation to this barrier has become a major concern to road safety experts. Early studies have identified that motorcycle impact with this guardrail would result in severe injuries to the motorcyclists. However, relatively few studies have addressed the safety implication of this guardrail on motorcyclists. Presently, no studies have been reported to have specifically designed alternative guardrail for protecting motorcyclists especially along exclusive motorcycle lanes. In view of this problem, this study focuses on the design and development of safer guardrail system that can replace the existing W-beam guardrail being used along exclusive motorcycle lanes, as exists in Malaysia. This design required use of computer modelling and simulation as main tool and the conduct of a physical crash test to validate the baseline simulation model. Furthermore, the input parameters for the validated model were used for subsequent simulation of motorcycle crash on guardrail with 18 impact conditions. Results of this simulation were used to establish the design criteria. Based on the established design criteria alternative models were developed on the basis of achieving the design target; mainly to reduce potential injury risks to rider. The alternative models were combined to form 24 alternative models that were optimized in order to select the best model for the new guardrail design. The new guardrail design consists of metal plate (grade 13 steel) of 2.28 mm thick, wider and continuous surface that has a high degree of flexibility that enables soft redirection of the rider. It is also comparable to the existing guardrail in ease of construction and installation and can have a potential to utilize economical end-treatment techniques. The effectiveness of the new design was evaluated using the same computer simulation program – MADYMO. The outcome demonstrated that severity of head injury risk can be reduced significantly if impact of head to the ground can be prevented. The high flexibility of the new guardrail prevents the rider from having head impact with ground. Thus, the results show that HIC and head acceleration values could be reduced by 96% and 91% respectively for a typical crash scenario of 48km/h impact speed on the guardrail orientated at 45 degree and 4m post spacing. The major conclusions of the study are that modification of the configuration and material of the existing guardrail can significantly reduce potential injury risks to motorcyclists and that the new guardrail is safer to replace the existing guardrail along exclusive motorcycle lanes

ROADSIDE BARRIER AND PASSIVE SAFETY OF MOTORCYCLISTS ALONG EXCLUSIVE MOTORCYCLE LANES

The tremendous increase in number of motorcycles and fatalities in some ASEAN countries is becoming a main concern for the safety of motorcyclists along exclusive motorcycle lanes. The existing w-beam guardrail system along exclusive motorcycle lanes was originally designed to reduce severity of a crash when cars and trucks involve in run-off road accident – but not specifically to protect motorcyclists during such accident. However, the consequences of this guardrail design on the passive safety of motorcyclist have been given little consideration. Thus, Probability of the motorcyclists getting injured on collision with guardrail is higher compared to other motor vehicle’s driver. In order to investigate the passive safety of motorcyclists while in collision with this guardrail, this study carried out computer simulation of typical crash scenario and conducted a physical crash test to validate the simulation model. The study examines the crash mechanism as related to injury severity when motorcyclist interacts with W-beam guardrail. A three-dimensional computer simulation of a scaled Hybrid III 50th percentile Male dummy mounted on a motorcycle and colliding with W-beam guardrail was carried out. Multi-body model of motorcycle and finite element model of guardrail were developed with commercially available software called MADYMO. The simulation model is validated with a simple crash test conducted with same initial impact configuration. The subsequent simulations were set up for impacting the existing w-beam guardrail with 110 kg motorcycle using eighteen impact conditions that consist of impact angles 15o, 30o and 45o, impact speeds of 32, 48 and 60km/h as well as post spacing of 2m and 4m. The predicted rider’s injury risk criteria were used to assess safety of guardrail response to motorcyclists. The obtained results confirmed that the existing w-beam guardrail is not safe to motorcyclist, especially for the head injury at impact speed 48km/h and impact angle of 45 degree

Prospect of retort pouch food technology in the Nigerian fishery industry: an overview

Retort pouch as a packaging material for varieties of food items such as fish, vegetables, fruits and food crops was highlighted. Materials required for the processing of pouches were listed and the methodology of production discussed. The paper provided insight for investors to invest in the technology of pouching as a means of engaging unemployed youths in Nigeria

Psychological well-being of the Elderly in Nigeria

In Nigeria, growing old is usually feared because of the multi-faceted problems associated with ageing. Research has shown that conditions such as insufficient savings after retirement, poor access to health care, poor dietary intakes and poverty affect the psychological well-being of the elderly. Yet, there is paucity of research on the psychological condition of the elderly in Nigeria. This study examined the psychological well-being of the elderly in Ijumu local government area (LGA) of Kogi State Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted and 1,217 elderly aged 65+ were randomly selected. Psychological well-being was operationalized as whether the respondent experienced good or poor psychological well-being. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi Square tests and binary logistic regression. The mean age of the elderly was 72.3±8.4 years and a higher proportion (53.3%) experienced good psychological well-being. Age, level of education, current working status and financial assistance from children were the main determinants of good psychological well-being. Specifically, good psychological well-being decreased with increasing age. Also, the odds of having good psychological well-being was lower among those with no education and primary education compared with their counterparts with secondary education or more. Those who were currently working and who received financial assistance from children had better psychological wellbeing. This study showed that effective financial mechanisms need to be put in place by government, NGOs and/or children of the elderly to help improve the financial status of the elderly in order to enhance their psychological well-being

Development of fish products from small and underutilized tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Kainji Lake area

Fish Protein concentrate (FPC) from small and stunted tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) which would otherwise have been discarded was used in certain proportion (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%, where the zero percent serves as control) in addition with wheat flour, for the production of chin-chin in order to address the problem of inadequate intake of protein and to determine the acceptable proportion of FPC to wheat flour by consumers. From the organoleptic result, 10% FPC + 90% wheat flour was well accepted by the panel of judges and therefore recommended as this will help to increase the protein intake of consumers

Inventory survey of Nigeria inland waters and their fishery resources. Part 1. A preliminary checklist of inland water bodies in Nigeria with special reference to ponds, lakes, reservoirs and major rivers

(59 page document

Consumers’ awareness towards organic rice in Malaysia

Not many attempts have been made in previous studies to understand consumers’ sociodemographic characteristics and their awareness towards organic rice. Knowledge towards organic rice among consumers is fundamental to induce demand and market for organic rice. This study seeks to understand consumers’ awareness towards organic rice in Malaysia. The survey is exploratory in nature and was conducted at major supermarkets in Klang Valley. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis and chi-square analysis using cross-classification techniques, and correlation to determine their relationship, strength and direction of their relationship. The findings showed majority of the respondents (85.6%) have some level of awareness towards organic rice, while only 64.7% planned to consume organic rice in the future. This indicates that awareness of consumers towards organic rice does not necessarily translate to their planning to consume organic rice. Thus, achieving awareness and understanding the linkage between awareness and consumption is fundamental to impacting demand and market for organic rice. The study also showed that the younger respondents have more concern towards organic rice. These findings if well responded to, would definitely have positive implications for the Malaysian organic rice industry

Consumers' awareness towards organic rice in Malaysia

Not many attempts have been made in previous studies to understand consumers' socio-demographic characteristics and their awareness towards organic rice. Knowledge towards organic rice among consumers is fundamental to induce demand and market for organic rice. This study seeks to understand consumers' awareness towards organic rice in Malaysia. The survey is exploratory in nature and was conducted at major supermarkets in Klang Valley. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis and chi-square analysis using cross-classification techniques, and correlation to determine their relationship, strength and direction of their relationship. The findings showed majority of the respondents (85.6%) have some level of awareness towards organic rice, while only 64.7% planned to consume organic rice in the future. This indicates that awareness of consumers towards organic rice does not necessarily translate to their planning to consume organic rice. Thus, achieving awareness and understanding the linkage between awareness and consumption is fundamental to impacting demand and market for organic rice. The study also showed that the younger respondents have more concern towards organic rice. These findings if well responded to, would definitely have positive implications for the Malaysian organic rice industry