Effects of geometric particle sizes of wood flour on strength and dimensional properties of wood plastic composites

The effect of different wood flour sizes on strength and dimensional properties of wood-plastic composites were examined. Wood flour of different particle sizes viz; 1.00mm, 2.00mm and >2.00mm were compounded with recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE) at different wood/plastic ratio of 1: 1, 2: 3 and 3: 2. The results obtained showed that wood flour size > 2.00mm has the highest MOR and MOE values of 1.206N mm-2 and 2484.72Nmm-2 while wood flour size of 1.00mm had the lowest MOR and MOE values of 0.505Nmm-2 and 2195.89Nmm-2 respectively. Also the results of the physical properties showed that wood flour size of 1.00mm had the lowest thickness swelling percentage with mean values of 0.28% and 2.08% while water absorption percentage has mean values of 0.91% and 10.58% after 2 hours and 24 hours of water immersion respectively. It was observed that wood flour size of 2.00mm and particle size >2.00mm had the highest thickness swelling and water absorption percentages. This showed that strength properties of wood plastic composites increased with increased particle sizes whereas its dimensional properties increased with decreased particle sizes. The results of analysis of variance carried out on mechanical and physical properties showed that particle sizes and wood/plastic ratio had a significant effect on the mechanical and physical properties of wood plastic composites (p 0.05)

Knowledge and Practice of Condom-Usage Among Undergraduate Students in Edo State, Nigeria

This cross sectional study was designed to evaluate the knowledge and actual practice of condom-usage amongst sexually active undergraduates in tertiary institutions. A total of 300randomly selected students (150 males and 150 females) of three Nigerian tertiary institutions and within the age range of 15 and above, were involved in this study. Data collection was performed using a pre-tested questionnaire and the result revealed that despite having knowledge about condom, there were low practice of condom-usage with little or no regard for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies. This finding suggests that there is an urgent need to address the low practice of condom-usage among sexually active undergraduates in tertiary institution with focus on the importance of engaging in safer sexual behavior in other to curb the menace of abortion and the chances of acquiring STIs among sexually active undergraduates.Keywords: Abortion, Condom-usage, Knowledge, Practice, Undergraduat

Histological changes in the testis of rats treated with Alomo Bitter

Considering the increasing demand for herbal aphrodisiacs, this study investigates the effect of Alomo bitters on thehistology of testis in adult rats. 36 male rats of comparable weight (151.67 ± 2.89 grams) and sizes were involved inthis study. The animals were assigned into four groups; a control group (A) and three test groups (B, C and D). For 3 weeks, group A received growers mash and water, while test groups B1-B3, C1-C3 and D1-D3 representing  experimental durations of 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks respectively; received growers mash and graded doses of  Alomo bitters (7.5, 15, 22.5ml) daily. Histologiclly, micrographs from the test groups presented changes that  included interstitial space exudates, cellular pyknosis cellular degeneration, cell population reduction, and  vacuolations. These changes were dosage-duration dependent suggesting that Alomo bitters can induce testicular damage and by implication, infertility in males. Thus, there is an urgent need to regulate the consumption of Alomo bitters as well as other herbal products considered to possess aphrodisiac potentials.Keywords: Alomo-bitters, Herbs, Male, Testis, Histology