Differentials in Performance among Ginger Marketers in South-East, Nigeria

The study analysed the performance of ginger marketers in South-East, Nigeria, using a multi-stage sampling procedure in the selection of hundred sixty eight (168) respondents for the study. A well-structured questionnaire was used in collecting data from the respondents and the data collected analyzed using simple statistical tools like frequency tables, percentages and cost and return analysis. The result revealed that majority (62%) of the ginger marketers were females, mean age of about 44 years and 62.50% married. Majority had little or no contact with extension (1.36), had large households (6persons) and non-members of cooperative society (56.48%). The results of the performance indicators shows the net return as N24,089.66 per week. This suggests that the business was profitable and capable of continuing in both the short and long run. However, higher margin implies a higher profit. It is therefore recommended for policies that will encourage new entrants into the business since is profitable and those already in it to scale up. Awareness campaigns should made to popularize the crop and it benefits, this is expected to increase their livelihoods

Development of a Reciprocating Motion Cassava Slicing Machine

The development of cassava reciprocating slicing machine was achieved using locally sourced materials that is affordable and effective. Although hand slicing is the cheapest form of slicing operation, but it has posed to be labour intensive, time-wasting, and hazardous. This necessitated the design and development of a cassava slicing machine. The machine's capacity for boiled and unboiled cassava root was calculated as 22.8kg/hr, with an average slicing time of 0.005hr for boiled and 0.00455hr for unboiled cassava root. The machine has low labour requirements and power consumption. The cassava reciprocating slicing machine use electric motor of 0.75kw (1hp) rating, with a speed of 99rpm. The machine is made with stainless steel for the slicing section and other components with mild steel and has an overall efficiency of 91.05%. The machine reduces drudgery and also enhances mass production of cassava chips, implying more profit

Optimisation of the Production Process of Mucuna flagellipes Nut into Condiments Using Response Surface Methodology

The optimal settings of the dependent and independent variables for the Mucuna flagellipsis nuts processing as condiments were determined using response surface experimental methodology (RSM). The independent variables are time and temperature while the dependent variables were based on the responses investigated in the study. The design settings of the process are boiling time (30 mins to 105mins) and temperature (80oC to 105oC). Central composite circumscribed RSM coded experimental plan was used. The result of the study showed that Mucuna flagellipes must be boiled for 58.03 minutes to obtain the best proximate and anti-nutrients responses. Also, the optimal values of the responses obtained are 0,4664, 0.2528, 0.1648, 1.7072, 854.135, 61.7713, 11.4038, 5.78661, 2.6652, 3.6692, 85.1573, 14.8445 for Alkaloid, Tannin, Saponin, L-Dopa, Hemagglutinins content, Carbohydrate, Crude protein, Ether Extract, Crude Fibre, Ash content, Dry matter content, and Moisture content respectively

Off-wing fleet maintenance study of a CFM56-3B turbofan engine: the propulsive engine of Boeing 737-300 civil aircraft.

An off wing fleet maintenance study of the CFM56-3B Turbofan engine that propels the Boeing 737-300 aircraft is presented. The engine performance and deteriorating behavior was modeled with a view to estimate the creep life consumption and operating severity. The predicted severity factor of each degradation was similar to the trend observed by the maintenance, repair and overhauling (MRO) with 0 - 3.1% difference. The combine degradation severity factor of the engine operating at both saline and desert mission areas was 6.4% and 7.5% respectively when compared with compressor fouling or turbine erosion cases. The creep life obtained was 2.5% lower. Combine degradation resulted in high severity factor of 5% emission development index (EDI) and the cost of complete replacement of a damaged blade was USD 256 per flight hour (FH). However, for the isolated cases of degradation, the severity factor was 3% EDI lower and the cost of refurbishing a damage blade was USD 81/FH. This indicates that a refurbishment program can be considered for CFM56-3B engines operating in condition of low severity and replacement program for engines operating in condition of high severity.Keywords: Turbofan engine, Severity factor, Degradatio

Genetic variability among pig populations in Imo State, Nigeria using random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR

AbstractRandom amplified Polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD DNA-PCR) was employed to access the genetic variability and phylogenetic relationship among pig populations in Imo State. Genomic DNA from 50 pigs comprising of at least 10 pigs per geopolitical zone of Imo state were extracted and two highly polymorphic primers utilized to estimate variability, phylogenetic relationship among the pigs and their genetic diversity. The genetic distance and genetic identity estimated showed that genetic distances (D) calculated ranged between 0.0300 (Songhai vs FUTO) and 0.1497 (Mbaise vs Awo-Idemili), while the genetic identity (I) calculated ranged between 0.8610 (Mbaise vs Awo-Idemili) and 0.9704 (Songhai vs FUTO). Similarity was observed between Songhai, Mbaise and FUTO populations, while Mbano and Awo–idemili exhibited dissimilarity. The phylogenetic tree showed that Songhai, FUTO and Mbaise populations are more closely related while Mbano and Awo-idemili are more genetically distant. The standard genetic diversity (h*) of total population ranged from 0.0001 to 0.4998 with an average of 0.3208, while Shannon's information index (I*) ranged from 0.0001 to 0.6929 with a mean of 0.4762. This study shows that genetic diversity of the RAPD DNA polymorphs amongst pig populations in Imo State is low while the genetic relationship between the different populations varies from population to population