Influence of seed varieties and harvesting regimes on growth indices, yields and nutritional values of hydroponics maize fodder

This study was conducted to assess the influence of seed varieties and harvesting regimes on growth indices, yields and nutritional values of hydroponics maize fodder in other to ensure sustainable fodder for livestock production. The experiment was 2 x 3 factorial scheme fitted into a completely randomized design (CRD), comprising of two (2) varieties of maize seeds (OBA 98 and Local white maize) and three (3) harvesting regimes (6th, 8th and 10th day). Growth indices, yields, nutritional values were assessed. Results shows a significant (P<0.05) effects of maize seed varieties and harvesting regimes on the growth indices, yields, nutritional values. The OBA 98 maize hydroponic fodder (OHF) had the highest (P<0.05) agronomic indices, yields, nutrients (CP (16.36 %), EE (4.41), CF (7.23), ash (7.13) and NFE (64.88)) than Local maize hydroponic fodder (LHF). The highest significant (P<0.05) contents of the nutrients was observed at 10th day harvesting, while least (P<0.05) was obtained at 6th day harvesting except NFE. The OHF had higher (P<0.05) neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and hemicellulose (HEM). The cellulose (CEL) were similar (P>0.05) in OHF and LHF. Similar (P>0.05) ADL, HEM and CEL were recorded across the harvesting regimes. The OHF and 10th day harvesting regime had highest (P<0.05) mineral, tannin, phytate and oxalate contents. Conclusively, OHF had superior growth indices, yields and nutritional values, 10th day harvesting was better than 6th and 8th day. Hence, OBA 98 seed variety and 10th day harvesting regime is recommended for better hydroponics maize fodder production

Effect of acid and alkaline hydrolysis on the concentrations of albumin and globulin in Thevetia peruviana seed cake protein extract

Thevetia peruviana seeds cake were defatted and then treated with varying concentrations each of hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide solutions. Each product of hydrolysis was extracted with chloroform to isolate aglycones, the toxins of the seed. Various concentrations of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solution effected complete detoxification. Only 0.4M and 0.5M of calcium hydroxide solution detoxified the seeds completely. Albumin and globulin determination by biuret method confirmed that various concentrations of the hydrolyzing agents increased the quantity of extractable albumin and globulin in the cake. Each solution used for the detoxification had closely related trend on the total albumin and globulin value of the treated cake. Higher quantities of albumin and globulin were recorded in the samples treated with various concentrations of calcium hydroxide solutions. The study suggests that calcium hydroxide at high concentrations appear to be the best detoxicant.Keywords: Thevetia peruviana; detoxification, albumin, globuli

Comparative analysis on temperature swing adsorption cycle for carbon capture by using internal heat/mass recovery

Due to relatively high energy consumption of absorption technology, adsorption carbon dioxide capture is gathering the momentum in recent years. This paper aims to further improve the thermal performance of a 4-step temperature swing adsorption cycle by integrating internal mass recovery and heat recovery. Exergy efficiency is evaluated by using adsorption characteristics of activated carbon and compared in terms of four different situations i.e. basic cycle, heat recovery cycle, mass recovery cycle, heat and mass recovery cycle, which could illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of different recovery technologies. Results demonstrate that heat recovery and mass recovery technologies are quite conducive to improve the up limit of cycle thermal efficiency. Under the conditions of different desorption/adsorption temperatures and pressures, exergy efficiencies using recovery technologies could be improved by up to 2.86 times when compared with that of basic cycle. Besides, in real application unused percentage of adsorption reactor and metal ratio have large influence on the cycle performance while mass recovery rate has a relatively small influence. One potential application of the proposed recovery technologies is direct air capture in building ventilation system since a largest improvement could be achieved at a low carbon dioxide concentration

Pollen morphological studies of selected flowering plants in Federal University Of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

The taxonomic classifications of some flowering plants into families have been a subject of review in recent times. This is because many were classified in the early days of taxonomy using plant morphological characters alone. This study assessed pollen characters of ten flowering plants in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria with a view to identifying valuable taxonomic characters which could be employed for resolving classification controversies associated with the use of morphological characters alone. Pollen study was conducted using acetolysis method. Means, standard deviations and coefficient of variations were calculated while photomicrographs of pollen grains were taken at X400 magnification. The result showed tricolporate, pantoporate, triporate, tricolpate and heterocolpate pollen types while exine patterns were granulate, reticulate, psilate and echinate. Results of pollen shape revealed oblate spheroidal, prolate and subprolate while there were variations in pollen characters among species of the same family in apertural type, sculpture, exine surface pattern, pollen shape and pollen fertility. This suggests that apertural type, sculpture, exine surface pattern, pollen shape and pollen fertility could be useful in resolving taxonomic issues related to classification associated with grouping of some flowering plants into the same family on the basis of morphological traits alone

Impact of Competition on the Financial Performance of Listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

The impact of bank competition on bank performance remains a widely debated issue. At present, scholars investigate either the competition-stability or the competition-fragility relationships. The traditional competition-fragility view equates bank competition with instability as competition reduces market power and profit margins which in turn encourages bank managers to take higher risks. In contrast, the competition-stability view stipulates that competition leads to lower loan interest rates and consequently lower moral hazard and adverse selection problems and less risky loan portfolios. This study examines both paradigms using panel data from deposit money banks in Nigeria over a period of ten years (2005-2014). Results show that the overall relationship between competition and financial performance of banks is negative. The study, therefore, concludes that competition has a negative effect on the financial performance of banks in Nigeria. The study suggests that regulators should promote healthy competition among deposit money banks so as to reduce the negative effect of competition on bank financial performance. Managers should take measures to enhance profit margin by reducing expenses. Current efforts of the government in terms of improved power generation may help to cut cost of power borne by the banks. Managers should also ensure healthy loan portfolio by ensuring that only customers with high credit scores get loans. Keywords: Bank, competition, financial performance, loan, market share, Nigeria, profit margin, risk.

Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Output in Nigeria (1984-2019)

Most developing nations need foreign support in order to fill their infrastructural gap. This is also true for Nigeria. One major source of foreign inflow is the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This study examines the impact of FDI on economic output, measured by real GDP, in Nigeria while accounting for the moderating impact of Inflation Rate (INFR), Interest Rate (INTR) and Exchange Rate (EXR). Using Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model, the findings suggest that FDI have a significant positive impact on real GDP only at one period lag. The study recommends that government should encourage FDI inflow for long term project in order for its benefit to be maximized in Nigeria

Spontaneous Settlements: Roles and Challenges to Urban Planning

Spontaneous settlements are referred to as an outward spread of built-up areas caused by expansion, with inadequate provision of facilities. The formation of spontaneous settlements is as a result of urbanization, where rents go high as the city evolves thereby moving the low income earners to the suburbs for easy access to places of opportunity for casual work at the same time not far away from the city. This study examines the characteristics of Spontaneous settlements, factors responsible for their existence, basic problems associated with Spontaneous settlements, their challenges to urban planning, efforts that have been put in place for checking spontaneous settlements and how effective they have been over time. The study specifically focuses on settlements in Iyana Iyesi, Mupin, Ayetoro areas in Ota, Ogun State. Data was collected through physical observations and questionnaires. Data was also obtained from published articles and from the National Population Commission census publication. Examination of an interpretation key, plotting of the study area, geo-referencing and editing of maps with ground data were done to have a precise view of the study area. From the analysis, the existence of high residential density, overcrowding, poor drainage network or lack of it and general poor basic infrastructure shows that, the study area is a typical depiction of a Spontaneous settlement. In concluding the paper, it posits making planning proposals and recommendations based on the findings, for upgrading of the Spontaneous settlement to be functionally effective. The paper also makes room for assisted spontaneous settlements to be considered as alternatives to administered settlements which will allow land to be invaded and then regularize the occupiers

COVID-19

The anxiety and trauma associated with the tragic coronavirus disease pandemic coded, COVID-19 led many to indulge in various unorthodox preventive measures such as the extensive indiscriminate use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS), abuse, misuse, overdose of prescription drugs like chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine phosphate globally. While some preventive measures are recommended and adopted, such as national lockdown, self-isolation, quarantine, stay-at-home model, avoidance of large gathering, social distancing, wearing of face-masks and hand gloves, periodic hand washing particularly with liquid soaps/detergents under running tap water, avoidance of touching the face among others, the use of ABHS has been more prominent. ABHS contains on average 60-70 % by weight of one or more alcohols. During the 2019/2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the use of ABHS was more renowned to the extent that some individuals recommended the application on the hands every 30 minutes for a period of at least 20 seconds while outside the home. Though, the periodic application of the hand sanitizers seems like an effective on-the-go solution to preventing the spread of the virus, many other associated hazards call for caution. Besides transdermal absorption leading to mortality and morbidity of varying degree; alcohol-alcohol adulteration, deliberate and unintentional ingestion of ABHS may result in respiratory depression, irreversible blindness, intoxication, cirrhosis, acidosis, headache, central nervous system depression, seizure, hypoglycemia, coma, or even death in some cases. The non-ABHS are equally not absolutely safe as many of them contain active agents that are allegedly carcinogenic, toxic, inducing microbial resistance and endocrine disruption. Considered together, this implies that while some may not die from contracting the disease, the preventive measures taken could lead to death or other forms of morbidity thereby revealing that there is indeed, death in preventive measures when done without cautionary measures. This study seeks to highlight some associated risks in the use of ABHS and non-ABHS, whilst advocating the use of safer or ‘greener’ alternative procedure for use as preventive measures particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic

EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF BROILER BREEDER EGG WEIGHTS ON HATCHING AND POST-HATCH PERFORMANCES IN MARSHAL BREED

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of different Marshal breed broiler on hatching egg weights on hatching characteristics and post-hatch performances; and also to compare the cost of production of hatchlings to table size. A total of 900 hatching eggs (HE) from 40 weeks old parent stock were sorted, graded and purposively grouped on weight basis into small (<50g), medium (50-65g) and large (>65g) sizes (3 groups). Each group was allotted 300 eggs and replicated thrice, with each replicate having 100 eggs in a complete randomised design before incubation for 21 days. Candling of incubated eggs was done on day 18 on group basis and numbers of fertile eggs noted. The chicks were individually weighed and counted to determine hatchability, hatchling weight and cost of production. Thereafter, hatched chicks were allotted into the respective groups and replicated to determine the post-hatch performance. Each replicate has 45 chicks, intensively raised and were fed ad libitum with broiler starter mash for the first 4 weeks of life and broiler finisher mash from 4-8 weeks. Data generated include feed intake, final weight, mortality; weight gain, feed conversion ratio and unit cost of production of chicken were calculated. The data were analyzed by GLM of SAS and Duncan’s multiple-range test was used to separate significance of differences among treatment means at 5% significance level. The medium HE had the best fertility (93.00%), hatchability (95.67%) and cost of producing a chick (N 90.07) when compared with the small and large HEs. The large HE has the best results in terms of, final weight and weight gain, while medium HE has the best FCR, lowest mortality and least cost of production, which are significant at p< 0.05. It is therefore recommended poultry breeders and hatchery operators should consider the use of medium weight (50-65g) HEs in their operations, so as to cut down the production cost.   &nbsp