Effect of Biological and Chemical Ripening Agents on the Nutritional and Metal Composition of Banana (Musa spp)

The use of potentially toxic ripening agents is common in developing countries. Four ripening agents namely calcium carbide, potash, African mango and jathropha curcas leaf were used and compared with a control with no ripening agent. Result showed that RB1 and RB2 were the first to ripen at 3days with RB5 at 6th day. Protein content reduced in the ripened samples in the order of 4.12>3.68>3.04>2.52>1.99>1.77%. Protein value was lowest when calcium carbide was used. Fat ash and fiber contents range between 0.28-1.72, 0.75-2.75and 0.50-1.75% respectively. The moisture content increased from 65.50 to 74.0%, while carbohydrate content range is 17.49-29.29%. Pb, Cu, Zn and Mn values of 0.22, 0.87, 1.96 and 0.67ppm was highest in calcium carbide ripened banana and lowest in the control 0.09, 0.26, 0.37 and 0.19 ppm.Keywords: Banana; ripening; ripening agents; postharvest losses; metal contaminatio

A Reformed Information Security Management System (R-ISMS)

An Information Security Management System (ISMS) specifies the instruments and methods that an administration/management level of an institution uses to comprehensibly manage the tasks and activities aimed at achieving information security. ISMS evolved as a systematic and structured approach to managing information following advances in IT infrastructure, services and applications so that they remain secure. While there are various implemented ISMS frameworks, researchers continually try to emphasize and increase human participation in ensuring information security. The aim of this research study is to develop an algorithm-based model to facilitate effective ISMS services for organizations. This algorithm-based ISMS model employed Information Technology General Controls (ITGC) technique as an expansion of the vistas of known ISMS frameworks, to improve information security control in organizations. The purpose of refinement is to make the frameworks more easily understood, implemented, and measured in organizations by stakeholders.Microsoft Office Visio 2010 software was used in designing the reformed model. Bactracking and Branch-and-bound algorithms were used in developing the model. The model utilises the above named methods to address the problem of inadequate management systems for information security. The results of this study showed that, with the level of usability, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards are more easily implemented and well recognized by stakeholders (top management, staff, suppliers, customers/clients, regulators) unlike the other security frameworks.  In conclusion, this study showed that R-ISMS is a customized algorithm model that assists organizations to enhance the ability in monitoring the performance of their activities, policies and procedures. Keywords:Information Security Management Systems (ISMSs), Reformed ISMS, International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC),  Backtracking / Branch-and-bound algorithms

EVALUATION OF BIOGAS POTENTIALS OF Cymbopogon citratus AS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IN NIGERIA

This research explored the potentials of Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon Grass) for biogas production as a cost effective alternative energy source in Nigeria. The Cymbopogon citratus was crushed to small sizes between 20 to 50mm and pre-fermented for 40 days in a PVC drum. Six (6) kg of the pre-fermented Cymbopogon citratus was mixed with water in ratio 1:1 w/v to form slurry and digested for 30 days. The floating drum gas collection system was used to collect the gas after it was passed through water and lime respectively for scrubbing. A total of 0.125m3 (6.95x10-4 m3/kg/day) and 0.0897m3 (4.98x10-4 m3/kg/day) of biogas was produced from the Cymbopogon citratus before and after scrubbing respectively. The gas produced was used for cooking test. The scrubbed gas had higher cooking rates for both water and rice respectively (0.12L/min and 0.0052L/min) while the cooking rates for unscrubbed gas were 0.079L/min and 0.0036L/min respectively. During this period, daily ambient temperatures of the research environment varied from 310C to 420C while the digester temperature fluctuated between 28oC and 36.70C. The pH of the medium fluctuated optimally between 6.5 and 7.8. The research demonstrated that Biogas could be produced from Cymbopogon citratus in quantity and quality comparative with those in literatures

A cost-benefit analysis of ISO26000 : the standard on social responsibility

The International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 26000 on social responsibility supports organizations of all types and sizes in their responsibilities toward society and the environment. The standard's core subjects respect the rule of law as well as international norms on human rights and non-discrimination. ISO 26000 recommends that organizations ought to follow its principles on accountability, transparency, ethical behaviors and fair operating practices that safeguard organizations and their stakeholders' interests. Hence, this chapter presents a critical analysis on ISO 26000. This is followed by a discussion on the trade-offs between the costs and benefits for those organizations who intend following this social responsibility standard’s principles. Afterwards, this contribution posits that the stated purpose of ISO’s non-certified standard on social responsibility is to provide ‘guidance’ to its users as it is not an enforceable instrument. In conclusion, the author has put forward his implications for practitioners and policy makers. This chapter also suggested some future research avenues to academia.peer-reviewe

Distribution and Effect of some Heavy Metals in Selected Organs and Tissues of Albino Rats Exposed to Vehicular Exhaust Fumes

Vehicular exhaust fume has been greatly implicated as one of the major environmental pollutants all over the world, especially in developing nations. A study was carried out to investigate heavy metals distribution and effect on the soft tissues of Albino rats placed in close proximity to busy roads in Abeokuta. A total of 45 rats were randomly allotted to 3 groups of fifteen rats each. Two groups were placed in close proximity to busy roads while the third group (Control) was kept in Forestry Nursery of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Ogun State for 8 weeks respectively. The various organs were removed, digested by standard procedures and analyzed for heavy metals (Fe, Cr, Mn, Zn, Pd and Co) with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The result show a significantly higher concentration of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Pd and Co) (p<0.05) in the lung, heart and liver tissues of the rats at busy roads compared to control. Histopathological examination of internal organs (heart, lung, kidney and liver) of rats at busy roads revealed histopathological damage as compared to the control. The results above indicated that vehicular exhaust fumes may have adverse physiological effects on the rats and hence humans living in close proximity to busy roads will be predisposed to automobile pollution

E-INVIGILATION: PANACEA TO EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE IN NIGERIA

e- Invigilation is the use of remote-controlled terminals that are linked with the main servers of any institutions. E-invigilation is very important in managing both offline and online invigilation of examinations. This is vital for eradicating examination malpractice on the part of the students. There is a disenchantingly slow evolution of ICT use in the invigilation of students in the Nigerian educational school system. The main roles of ICT in education are to provide the prospects and trends of integrating communication technology into the educational processes. Hence, one of the vital areas of incorporating ICT is in the invigilation of examination in order to bring to fore its effectiveness. In reality, an efficient and effective system of the invigilation process is essential in increasing the credibility of the entire educational assessment in Nigeria. This fundamental area constitutes an inevitable reality in modern education, especially with security of examinations in mind that attracts the law of morality. The method of data analysis incorporates both descriptive and logistic regression modeling. Therefore, Invigilation should not be played down with regard to the issues of assessment. The study proposes a model that is relevant for e-invigilation, discusses the pros and cons of einvigilation in system of education in Nigeria and makes policy recommendations towards incorporating e-invigilation in the educational system of higher education in Nigeria

Assessment Of HIV And Malaria Infections And Perception Among Antenatal Women In Ogun State, Nigeria

Four hundred pregnant women selected from four Local Government Areas (LGAs) representing urban (Abeokuta South LGA and Abeokuta North LGA) and semi-urban (Obafemi/Owode LGA and Odeda LGA) of Ogun State, were enrolled for study on the evaluation of HIV and malaria infections and perception among antenatal women. Malaria parasite test using Giemsa staining techniques for detection of Plasmodium falciparum was employed, while the one-step anti-HIV 1 and 2 Pock Test kit was also adopted for the determination of HIV status/prevalence. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on the knowledge and perception of the infections among the women under study.&nbsp; The overall malaria prevalence across the study area was 53.5% (Abeokuta South (49%), Abeokuta North (52%), Obafemi/Owode (50%) and Odeda (63%). Abeokuta South had mean parasitaemia intensity for P. falciparum of 2.5 parasites per microlitre blood of infected respondents; others are Abeokuta North (2.0), Obafemi/Owode (1.6) and Odeda (2.1).&nbsp; The overall mean parasite density per infected respondent was 2.0.&nbsp; The HIV prevalence from the study was 3.5% (Abeokuta South (2%), Abeokuta North (5%) Obafemi/Owode (5%) and Odeda (2%)). Demographic data showed that the women were of different age groups, educational qualifications and gravid status.&nbsp; Malaria parasite was more prevalent among the age group 21-25yrs (26%), while HIV prevalence was distributed across the age groups. Women with secondary school education had higher prevalence of malaria and HIV when compared with the other educational levels.&nbsp; On the knowledge and perception of the infections, 63% and 43.8% of the women attribute malaria and HIV infections to mosquito bites and sexual intercourse respectively.&nbsp; Antenatal clinic attendance among respondents was high with 79% attending regularly. In the treatment of malaria, chloroquine was considered as the drug of choice. Interaction with HIV positive women showed that 70.6% of them are on antiretroviral drugs (ARV) with 45% of respondents claiming that ARV drugs are expensive. There is the need for a sustainable control programme to monitor malaria infection and its interaction with HIV, thereby reducing burden of disease and attendant high cost of treatment. &nbsp

Relevance and Use of News Bulletin in Public Information Dissemination within Academic Communities: A Case Study of Three Universities in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study focuses on the relevance and use of news bulletin in public information dissemination within academic communities. Three Universities in Ogun State, Nigeria were selected for the study. A total of 500 copies of questionnaires were distributed but only 432 copies were returned for analysis. The study utilized factor analysis to extract major factors that promote the use of the medium in public information dissemination within the community. The findings revealed that almost all respondents see news bulletin as a good means of communication and collaboration and the major factors that promote its uses in the community are utility, worthiness, credibility and consistency. However, a good number of them believed that it does not give room for feedback. In conclusion, the study recommends that management should correct the paucities in the production and distribution systems of the medium in reporting current happenings in the community at regular intervals. Keywords: Information dissemination, News bulletin, Academic community, Communication, Tertiary institutions

Relevance and Use of News Bulletin in Public Information Dissemination within Academic Communities: A Case Study of Three Universities in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study focuses on the relevance and use of news bulletin in public information dissemination within academic communities. Three Universities in Ogun State, Nigeria were selected for the study. A total of 500 copies of questionnaires were distributed but only 432 copies were returned for analysis. The study utilized factor analysis to extract major factors that promote the use of the medium in public information dissemination within the community. The findings revealed that almost all respondents see news bulletin as a good means of communication and collaboration and the major factors that promote its uses in the community are utility, worthiness, credibility and consistency. However, a good number of them believed that it does not give room for feedback. In conclusion, the study recommends that management should correct the paucities in the production and distribution systems of the medium in reporting current happenings in the community at regular intervals. Keywords: Information dissemination, News bulletin, Academic community, Communication, Tertiary institutions

Cultivation and multiplication of viable axenic Trypanosoma vivax in vitro and in vivo

Trypanosoma vivax was isolated from the blood of an infected laboratory mouse, washed and introduced into the prepared culture media, ME-99 and minimum essential medium (MEM), both containing laboratory prepared (commercial) horse serum and antibiotics (streptomycin and penicillin). The cultures were monitored in vitro for 12 days. There was an initial decline in parasitaemia in the first 48 h in both media, which later picked up to reach the peak of about 1.10 x 10 2 parasites/ml in ME-99 on day 5 and 6.2 x 10 parasites/ml in MEM on day 4. Thereafter, the parasites number tapered off to reach zero on day 9 in ME-99 and day 10 in MEM. No growth was recorded in the control, which contained normal saline (pH 7), horse serum and antibiotics. The result of the in vivo culture showed a different trend when compared to the in vitro. Multiplication was tremendous with a peak of about 3 x 10 parasites/ml of blood on day 22 (high inoculum) and day 24 (low inoculum) post infection. The slender trypomastigote parasites recovered in the in vitro culture was short and had a long, free flagellum and measured 23-25 um while that of the in vivo culture was long, slender, clongated, torpedo shaped body measuring between 30 and 32 um. During the course of the in vivo culture congenital transmission of trypanosomes was observed. The in vitro attenuated parasite conferred a degree of protection to 25% of the mice that were later infected with viable parasites indicating possible prophylactic effect of in vitro attenuated parasites. The study showed that T. vivax could not be cultured in large numbers on their own axenically in MEM and ME-99. However, ME-99 can be said to be more suitable compared to MEM for axenic cultivation of T. vivax as a result of the additional nutrients supplied by the tissue culture medium 199 present in medium ME-99. Also, the parasites multiplied better in vivo compared to the in vitro study, which could mean that the best means of culturing trypanosomes still remains the in vivo method