Pattern and Behavioural Approach to Fraudulent Practices in the Informal Economic Setting

The experience of consumers in recent times has been described in various studies as disastrous and one that portends serious danger to the safety of human life.  The frequently reported cases were those that pertained to agricultural food items.  It is amusing that consumption of these products that ought to complement nutrient in human life has become source of discomfort and health hazard.  Coupled with this was the case of fraudulent practices which were reported as rampant within the traders in public markets.  In spite of this, such cases were not given the kind of adequate attention that they deserved by scholars.  This study therefore emerged as a response to this with objectives of interrogating the experiences of the victims of this anomaly through the dimension that the fraudulent practices was taking and the management approach being adopted to address it.  The study is descriptive in nature: a total of 28 respondents comprising consumers, foodstuff sellers and officials of Foodstuff Sellers Association were involved in the study. Both purposive and snowball sampling procedures were used to reach out to these respondents. Interview guide was the major instrument used to source for data from the respondents in the course of in-depth and key informant interview sessions.  All the consumers engaged as respondents here as well as some sellers acknowledged the existence of fraudulent practices within Bodija Market, Ibadan. The common fraudulent practices within this market, according to the findings of this study, included measurement cheat, hoarding of goods and mixture of the products with bad/diseased variety.  Only a few of the victims of the fraud reported the matter to the officials of the Market.  Measures adopted by the respondents to counter the fraudulent practices include extensive consultation with other consumers who patronized the market over the credibility of the sellers and their wares.  There are consumers who go about with their measurement modules (kongo) while in the market to make purchases; this category of people will not buy from any seller except those that allowed the usage of the consumers’ module alone.  Recommendations presented emanated from the respondents and were in line with the findings of the study. Keywords: Consumers, Food Stuff, Fraudulent Practices, Kongo, Sellers

Effects of Distance Education on the Businesses of Entrepreneurial Students of the Distance Learning Institute, University of Lagos

Entrepreneurship is the engine room of most successful economies in the world.  It plays a major role in economic growth and prosperity through its vital role in job creation, savings and investment promotion, skill development and innovation stimulation.  University education has been noted as a key determinant in fostering entrepreneurship among young people.  Since Open and Distance Learning (ODL) renders greater access to higher education than formal education it can be regarded as a veritable tool in propagating entrepreneurship.  A survey was conducted by randomly distributing questionnaires to 250 registered students of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) of the University of Lagos who were entrepreneurs. 165 copies were returned rightly filled.  Majority of respondents were into trading, manufacturing, travels, restaurants and running of schools, largely in single ownership ventures.  A higher number recorded great impact of DLI programme on their businesses and stressed marketing/sales, personnel management and finance management as aspects of business mostly affected.  Their businesses have been positively affected by their studies at DLI while business knowledge has also helped them in their studies.  A greater number chose distance education (DE) over full-time as first choice and would freely recommend DE to other entrepreneurs. Key Words: Entrepreneurship, Open and Distance Learning, Distance Education Capacity Building, Entrepreneurs, Higher Education, Distance Learning Institute

Modelling and optimization of the drying process and the quality parameters of dried osmo-pretreated onions (Allium cepa)

Modelling and optimization represent an important aspect of drying in food processing, providing a fast and convenient means for quality prediction. The research focuses on modelling and optimization of process parameters such as drying rate, water loss, solid gain, vitamin C, manganese, and iron of dried osmo-pretreated onion slices. Least square regression analysis in the Math-lab computer software was used to model and optimise the process parameters., Six (6) mathematical models were developed for each output from the regression analysis that was carried out. The criteria for adjudging these models were the values of their adjusted coefficient of multiple determinations, prediction error sum of squares (also called deleted residual), R2 for prediction, coefficient of variation CV, and the Dubin-Watson test for autocorrelation. The models were checked for adequacy using these criteria, and those found to be adequate were selected from among the other possible combinations. Hence, the best-optimized obtained results from the models are 27.50 g/h, 1.61 g/g, 0.15 g/g, 77.52 mg/100 g, 2.79 mg/1000 g, and 2.19 mg/1000 g for drying rate, water loss, solid gain, vitamin C, manganese, and iron, respectively

Methods of poultry manure application and its effect on growth and yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

This study examined the effect of methods of fertilizer application on growth and yield of okra. The experiment was conducted within the research  plot of Crop Production Technology Department, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan. Poultry manure was applied at varying levels using different  methods of fertilizer application (Ring and Broadcasting methods). The experiment was a 2 x 2 factorial laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having five (5) treatments which includes T1 – 2 Kg/ha of poultry manure and ring method, T2–2 Kg/ha of poultry manure and  broadcasting method, T3– 4kg/ha of poultry manure and ring method, T4 – 4 Kg/ha of poultry manure and broadcasting method, T5 – Control replicated three (3) times. Growth and yield parameters measured were plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter and fruit weight. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of probability. The result obtained showed that all the treatments favorably influenced the growth parameters of okra although T4(poultry manure and broadcasting) at 4kg/ha performed best while the least performances were recorded in T3(poultry manure and ring method) and T5 (control) plots. In addition,T4(poultry manure and broadcasting) at 2kg/ha had the highest number of fruits recording 242.0 while T5 (control) recorded least with 86.0. Broadcasting method at 4kg/ha and 2kg/ha levels of application performed best at both the vegetative and yield parameters assessed while the control plot recorded the least performance. In conclusion, since T4(Poultry manure and broadcasting)at 2kg produced the highest  number of fruits, it is therefore recommended to farmers for optimum growth and yield of okra. Keywords: Poultry manure, okra, ring and broadcasting methods, growth, yiel

L-arginine enhances blood trace metals and reduces oxidative stress burden in sickle cell anaemia subjects in the steady state

Background: It is not clear how arginine supplementation, which may be beneficial in the management of sickle cell anaemia, interplays with trace metals which are required as cofactors for antioxidant enzymes levels and activity.Methods: We compared the effect of oral, low-dose (1 g/day), 6-week supplementation with L-arginine on some trace metals and antioxidant enzymes levels in 33 HbAA and 28 HbSS subjects. Ten (10) milliliters of blood was withdrawn from an ante-cubital vein for the estimation of plasma arginine concentration ([R]), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and serum concentrations of Zn++, Mn++ and Cu++.Results: HbAA subjects had higher levels of Zn++, Mn++, [R], CAT, SOD and GPx but lower [MDA] (p < 0.05 in each case) than HbSS subjects. In both groups, L-arginine supplementation increased [R], SOD, GPx, CAT, Zn++ and Cu++ (p < 0.05 in each case and group) but decreased [MDA] (p < 0.001 in each group). Mn++ level decreased in HbAA but, it increased in HbSS subjects (p < 0.001 in each case). The degree of change (%Δ) in all the measured parameters (except MDA) was higher in HbSS than in HbAA subjects. Correlation coefficients (r) calculated between changes (Δ) in trace metals levels and changes (Δ) in antioxidant levels were higher in HbSS subjects.Conclusion: Study showed that L-arginine boosted plasma arginine, serum trace metals and antioxidant enzymes but decreased malondialdehyde in HbSS subjects in the steady state. Associations between changes in antioxidant enzymes and changes in trace metal levels were higher in HbSS than in HbAA subjects.Keywords: L-arginine, sickle cell anaemia, antioxidant enzymes, trace metals, malondialdehyd

L-Arginine ameliorates insulin resistance in sickle cell anaemia in the steady state

There is scanty information on the effect of L-arginine supplementation on glucose metabolism in HbSS patients. The effect of six weeks L-arginine supplementation (1g/day) on oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR was investigated in 40 adult HbSS and 40 adult HbAA subjects. After a 12-hour overnight fast, 3 mL of blood was withdrawn from an ante-cubital vein of each subject for the estimation of fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, L-arginine concentration [R], catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and MDA. OGTT was performed on each subject and then placed on L-arginine for 6 weeks. Parameters were re-measured at the end of the period. Before supplementation, FBG, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, MDA were higher in HbSS subjects. CAT, SOD, GPX were higher in HbAA subjects. In response to OGTT, glucose and insulin peaked at 30 minutes in HbAA subjects and at 60 minutes in HbSS subjects. Supplementation did not affect these patterns of responses to OGTT. In HbSS subjects, L-arginine reduced FBG, insulin, HOMA-IR and MDA but increased insulin and HOMA-IR in HbAA subjects. Δ[R] correlated negatively with Δglucose, Δinsulin and ΔHOMA-IR respectively in HbSS subjects but positively in HbAA subjects. In HbSS subjects, ΔHOMA-IR correlated negatively with ΔCAT, ΔSOD and ΔGPx respectively but positively in HbAA subjects. Study thus showed impaired glucose and insulin responses to OGTT in HbSS subjects that were not affected by arginine. Supplementation ameliorated insulin resistance and oxidative stress burden in these subjects Keywords: Sickle cell anaemia; insulin resistance; L-arginine; oxidative stres

Evaluation of some heavy metals bio-accumulation in meat and haemolymph of african landsnail (Archachatina Marginata Swainson)

The impact of captive rearing of snails (Archachatina marginata) on the bio-accumulation of some heavy metals (HMs) (Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Co, Ni, Cd and Cr) in the meat and haemolymph was evaluated in a two treatment trial (snails from the wild, (SW) and captive reared snails, (SC), each comprised of sixty snails of three replicates. Alldata collected (using standard analytical procedures) were subjected to ANOVA and significant means separated by Duncan Multiple Range Test. The trial revealed that the meat of SC had outstanding (P>0.05) Fe (22.30mg/kg) and Mn(4.79mg/kg), with no significant variation for DM, while the haemolymph recorded non-significant (P< 0.05) concentration for (Mn, Pb, Co, Ni, Cd and Cr). Its levels of Fe (3.50mg/kg) and Cu (2.06mg/kg) were however significantly (P>0.05) impacted by captive rearing. Generally the level of Cr in the meat and haemolymph were higher than 0.05mg/kg recommendation by WHO, hence snail meat and haemolymph must be consumed with caution and guidance

Pericardial effusion in a patient with hyperthyroidism: A case report

Pericarditis and pericardial effusion are commonly associated with hypothyroidism. It is an uncommon association with hyperthyroidism. We present a case of pericarditis/pericardial effusion in a 28-year-old Nigerian lady with hyperthyroidism. There was resolution of the pericardial effusion with antithyroid  medications and steroid therapy. We recommend a high index of suspicion of this association in patients  with hyperthyroidism and/or Graves’ disease

Vitamin C increases catalase but decreases liver enzymes and lipid peroxidation in sickle cell anemia subjects in the steady state

Background: Vitamin C may be of benefit to sickle cell disease sufferers. In the steady state, sickle cell disease sufferers may have elevated liver enzymes and decreased blood enzymes activities. It is not clear what effect vitamin C will have on these enzymes activities.Objective: This study determined and compared the effect of low–dose, chronic, oral vitamin C supplementation on the activities of some liver enzymes, an antioxidant enzyme and lipid peroxidation in non sickle cell anemia (NSCA) and sickle cell anemia (SCA) subjects in the steady state.Methods: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured and compared in 20 NSCA and 15 SCA subjects before and after oral vitamin C supplementation (300 mg/day for 6 weeks).Results: All the measured variables were significantly higher in SCA subjects than in the NSCA subjects (p < 0.001 in each case). Vitamin C decreased all the liver enzymes (p < 0.01 in each case) in SCA subjects but only ALP (p <0.05) in NSCA subjects. It also decreased MDA levels in the two groups of subjects (p < 0.001 in each group). However, it increased CAT activity in the two groups (p < 0.05 in each group). Supplementation caused greater percent changes (% ?) in AST, ALT and MDA (p < 0.001 in each case) in SCA than in NSCA subjects.Conclusion: These findings provide further evidence that vitamin C supplementation is of benefit to SCA sufferers.Keywords: Vitamin C; sickle cell anemia; liver enzymes; catalase; lipid peroxidatio