Assessment of Nutritional and Microbiological Properties of Biscuit Supplemented With Moringa Oleifera Seed Protein Concentrate

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of Moringa oleifera seed protein concentrate supplementation on the nutritional composition of biscuit. Biscuit was supplemented with M. oleifera seed protein concentrate at 2, 4 and 6% and evaluated for the proximate composition, amino acid profile, mineral element composition, microbiological properties and sensory qualities. The proximate composition result showed that the biscuits contained: 8%, 58.92%, 6.45%, 0.32%, 0.97% and 26.32% moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash and carbohydrate, respectively. The essential amino acids were lysine (6.57%), leucine (6.02%), tryptophan (5.23%), valine (5.20%), phenylalanine (4.25%), threonine (4.10%), histidine (4.03%), isoleucine (3.34%) and methionine (2.94%). The proximate composition results showed a slight but progressive increase in crude protein content due to the supplementation while the overall quality acceptability did not show any statistically significant difference among the biscuit samples. The microbiological result also revealed that the biscuits were safe and the level of detection were within the safe range for baked products. It was concluded that supplementation of biscuit with M. oleifera seed protein concentrate is safe and the consumption of the biscuits may support growth and development of children who are the major consumers

MODIFICATION OF NIGERIAN BENTONITE FOR UTILIZATION IN OIL WELL DRILLING OPERATIONS

More than 80 bentonite clay deposit sites had been identified in Nigeria. Yet, almost all clay and additives used for drilling oil well are imported. The reason is partly that in their natural states, they do not swell while polymers in their raw forms remain unstable at high temperatures. This study aimed at evaluating the potentials of chemically modified Nigerian bentonite for application in the oil and gas industry. The Gombe bentonite from Gombe State was beneficiated using NAHCO3 and slurries were made by dispersion in distilled water. In the presence of other local additives, evaluation of the slurries was carried out on the basis of filtration loss and rheology at different temperatures (30, 60 and 85 oC) using a Central Composite Design (CCD). The clay sample was characterized for mineral and elemental compositions using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and X-ray fractometer (XRF) while proximate analysis was carried out on the additives. At the optimum condition, the result shows a significant improvement in mud rheology and fluid loss at various temperatures which are in close agreement with the API recommended standard

Evaluation of Agronomic and Physiological Characteristics of Ten Castor Bean Plant Accessions in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

In spite of numerous industrial benefit of castor plant (Ricinus communis L.), its production is hindered due to lack of adequate agronomic practices. Field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria during 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons to evaluate the performance of ten accessions of castor plant. The treatments consisted of nine improved accessions of castor plant and a local variety. In each year, the 10 treatments were laid out in completely randomize block design and replicated three times. Data were collected on growth, seed yield and yield attributes parameters. Data collected in 2014 and 2015 were pooled and subjected to analysis of variance while means were separated using Least Significant Difference at 5% probability level. Growth, yield and yield attributes parameters of castor plant accessions were significantly influenced (p≤0.05). NCRICAS041 produced the tallest plant (190.0 cm) at harvest which was significantly taller than others. The highest mean number of capsules per raceme (150.33) produced by NCRICAS056 was significantly higher than others. NCRICAS056 produced the highest seed yield (1,919 kg/ha) while NCRICAS057 gave the least (1,047 kg/ha). The results of accessions seed yield attributes did not followed any specific other. In conclusion, variability among the accessions in growth and seed yield were apparent. Accessions NCRICAS041 and NCRICAS056 performed better than the locally sourced CASGPMAN. They are therefore recommended for the study area. Keywords: Castor, Accessions, Growth parameter, Seed, Seed attributes, DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/9-18-03 Publication date:September 30th 201

TREATMENTS OF BIODIESEL WASHING WATER

The main objective of this study was to produce biodiesel from palm kernel oil and to purify the biodiesel washing water generated through adsorption, acidification, coagulation and filtration treatment processes. Removal efficiencies of these treatment processes were investigated by analysing biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS) and elements present in the biodiesel washing water (before and after treatments). The results of the trans-esterification process showed that the highest biodiesel yield of 87.6% was obtained at a reaction time of 65 minutes and methanol to oil mole ratio of 6:1.The overall removal efficiencies obtained using the stated water treatment processes were 65% (BOD), 38% (COD), 75% (TDS) and 94%(conductivity).The treated washing water met the waste water discharge standards of FEPA. Hence, adsorption, acidification, coagulation and filtration, were effective in treating biodiesel washing water

Influence of Uncertain Business Environment on Entrepreneurship Decision Making In Nigeria

Influence of uncertain business environment on entrepreneurship decision making is theoretical in nature. The paper pose that the business environment is full of  challenges, these challenges are referred to as business variables, these variables  are divided into two: controllable variables and uncontrollable variables, an entrepreneur must try in as much as possible to diagnose this uncertain business environment before investing the scarce resources. The paper has the following objectives: To determine the impact of environment on business decision, to evaluate the risk associated to investment opportunity and to examine the factors that can hindered the prospects of business in an environment. These factors could be technology, economic system, legal, competitors, and manpower etc. the paper also look at selected areas for examination such as: concept of business, concept of entrepreneurship, characteristics of business, decision making process, types decision, identification of business ventures, product life cycle, entrepreneurship and environmental scanning, SWOT analysis, plant location and layout decision. The study is significant because it has contributed to the body of knowledge, prospective entrepreneurs will also find the article useful as a guide to further study in the field of entrepreneurship, students, individual researcher will also find the articles useful, the paper has equally  helped to understand the implication of investing in an uncertain business environment in Nigeria. It is not as a result of expansion or capital, but it is traceable to inability of an entrepreneur to analyzed business environment before investing the scarce resources. This paper has equal spell out step by step that entrepreneur need to follows in order to judiciously invest these scarce resources. The paper contains about 28 pages includes references. Such as title, introduction, abstract, objectives, significance, major topics on the influence of uncertain business environment on entrepreneurship decision making, summary, conclusion and recommendations Keywords: Uncertainty, Business Environment, Entrepreneurship, Decision-Making, SWOT Analysi

Knowledge of Renal Nurses on Factors of Arteriovenous Fistula Failure in Hemodialysis Patients in Ikeja Lagos State

Arteriovenous fistula is a popular vascular access in patients for hemodialysis. However, it is threatened with high rate of failure. The failure of arteriovenous fistula results to high cost and wastage for the patient and the healthcare agency. This study assessed the knowledge of renal nurses on factors of arteriovenous fistula failure in hemodialysis patients in two dialysis centers in Lagos State, Nigeria.This study adopted a descriptive design using structured questionnaire for data collection.  The questionnaire was administered to 62 renal nurses with 60 copies retrieved representing 97% return rate. Data obtained were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.Results show that 60 (100%) of the nurses have adequate knowledge of arteriovenous fistula failure in hemodialysis patients. Findings show that 56(93.3%) of respondents use Rope Ladder Button Hole and Area Puncture needling techniques and 58(96.7%) perform the first cannulation of the AVF within 6 – 8 weeks after its creation. Tests of hypotheses reveal a significant relationship between nurses’ knowledge and arteriovenous fistula failure with (P=0.006 < 0.05), but there was no significant relationship between nurses’ needling technique and arteriovenous fistula failure with (P=0.086 > 0.05).The study recommends initial and regular training of new and experienced nurses to update their knowledge and skills in the use of AVF in hemodialysis patients. Additionally, management should encourage consistent coaching and supervision of nurses to validate their knowledge and skills in the management of hemodialysis patients to prevent arteriovenous fistula failure. Keywords: Nurses, Knowledge, Arteriovenous fistula failure, Hemodialysis, Needling technique, DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/81-08 Publication date:October 31st 202

Pattern of default among tuberculosis patients on directly observed therapy in rural primary health care centres in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study was designed to identify risk factors associated with defaulting during TB treatment and indicate specific adjustments to be made. This study is a retrospective, cohort study. Information on all TB patients attending clinic for treatment from 1st April 2004 to 30th June 2007 was collected using a data collection form. A total sample of 938 patients was reviewed. The overall default rate among the TB patients was 14.4% and was about half (44.3%) of the entire negative outcome. 743 (79.2%) of cases were cured or completed treatment and 9 (1.0%) of cases were transferred out. Factors associated with default were return after default (p = 0.000), presentation with extra-pulmonary TB (p = 0.000) and defaulting in the first two months of treatment (p = 0.00). There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of default between HIV positive and HIV negative TB patients (22.8% vs 10.5%, X2 = 0.15, p = 0.699) and distance of domicile from PHC centres (p = 0.91). This study suggest that National TB control programmes should pay a closer attention to the issue of home visit and monitoring especially among patients with smear-negative PTB or EPTB and those returning after default in African population

Prevalence and predictors of cigarette smoking and alcohol use among secondary school students in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Cigarette and alcohol use are the most common causes of noncommunicable diseases. Studies related to cigarette and alcohol use among Nigerian adolescents have shown increases in the habits and require urgent intervention. Nationally representative data is needed to develop effective national policies and interventions, but this is lacking. Hence, this study aimed to provide nationally representative empiric information about cigarette and alcohol use prevalence and predictors among Nigerian secondary school students. METHODS: This study included 2,530 Nigerian students in Nigeria from five of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information about the participants’ sociodemographic and school-based characteristics, cigarette and alcohol use status, and harm perception of tobacco and alcohol use. Data were analysed with SPSS version 25 at p<0.05. RESULTS: Participants' mean age (±SD) was 16.34 (±2.0) years. The prevalences (95%CI) for ever-cigarette and current-cigarette smoking were 11.1% (95%CI:9.9-12.4) and 8.4% (95%CI:7.3-9.5), respectively. While 21.0% (95%CI:19.4-22.7) and 15.6% (14.2-17.1) were the prevalences for lifetime and current alcohol use, respectively. The predictors of current cigarette smoking were studying in northern-Nigeria (aOR:1.94;95%CI:1.10-3.44), attending private-schools (aOR:1.56;95%CI:1.03-2.38), boarding-student (aOR:1.75;95% CI:1.15-2.69), male-gender (aOR:3.03; 95%CI:1.80-5.10), current alcohol use (aOR:12.50;95%CI:8.70-18.18), having no (aOR:2.59;95%CI:1.58-4.26) or low tobacco harm perception (aOR:2.04;95%CI:1.18-3.53). The predictors of current alcohol use were male (aOR:1.32; 95%CI:1.01-1.72) and current cigarette smoking (aOR:12.5;95%CI:8.77-17.86). CONCLUSION: The prevalences of cigarette and alcohol use were high among Nigerian secondary school students, and both habits were strongly associated. Their predictors were school-related factors, sociocultural characteristics, and tobacco harm perception

NUMERICAL ESTIMATES OF DAILY ENERGY REQUIREMENT AND DAILY CALORIES EXPENDED BY AKUNZA COMMUNITY SCHOOL CHILDREN

A research study was carried out using numerical techniques to establish the pattern of daily Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) and Calories Expended (CE) by school children in Akunza community of Lafia in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Using factors such as age, height, weight, activity level and genetic make-up, the EER and CE per day vary from person to person. In this study, these two variables are estimated for each selected pupil with the use of equations developed by Institute of Medical Equation. The resulting numerical valuesare thereafter interpolated with the use of Lagrange interpolation technique which yielded a set of equations governing the pattern of flow of these variables among the school children in Akunza community. A total of 60 pupils were randomly selected for this study and factors that affect their daily energy expended were measured with specialized instruments (meter rule, digital weighing scale and activity level scale). For the purpose of fast and cost effective assessment of EER and calories burned by each pupil, the set of equations arrived at are inculcated into a computing template. This in essence can be used in estimating energy requirement and calories burned by any member of this population, without subjecting such to any test&nbsp