The Role of Gender, Self-Efficacy, Age and Extroversion on Smoking Behaviour among Ambrose Alli University Students, Ekpoma, Nigeria

This study examined the role of gender, self-efficacy, age and extroversion on smoking behavior among Ambrose Alli University Students. Two hundred and fifty (250) undergraduates participated in the study (males 160 and females 90). Questionnaire was used in collecting data that were analyzed in this study. The questionnaire consisted of 4 sections: the demographic variables, extroversion scale, self-efficacy scale and attitude toward smoking scale. Two out of the four hypotheses tested were supported. Results of the independent t-test indicated that there was a significant difference in the onset of smoking between females and males (t = 2.354, df = 248, P = \u3c.05). Result also showed that self-efficacy was significant when considering attitudes toward smoking behavior (t = 3.256, df = 248, P = \u3c.05). However, age and extroversion was not found to be significant while considering smoking initiation and cessation. Based on the findings of this study it was recommended that the smokers’ self-efficacy and gender must be taken seriously while considering smoking cessation. It also has implication for counseling

Haematological and Pathological Effects of Bacteria from Vegetable Wastes in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State

Aims: Different selling points or markets in Ilara-Mokin town were visited after the market session and a day after to collect vegetable wastes. This research aimed to isolate bacteria and fungi from selected waste vegetables, to infect laboratory animals with the bacterial isolates and to study the effect of the isolated bacteria on the laboratory animals. Methodology: Three major vegetable wastes were commonly found in the markets and they are Amaranthus cruentus (Arowojeja), Senecio biafrae (Worowo) and Spinacia oleracea (Amunututu). Sufficient quantity of these decaying wastes were collected and sterile crucible was used to grind the waste samples. On each sample, serial dilution was done using 2g. Nutrient Agar and potato dextrose agar were used for isolation of bacteria and fungi respectively. Standard Microbiological methods were used for the identification of the microorganisms. Results: Five bacteria were isolated from the waste, which are: Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. Also six fungi were isolated from the waste vegetable. They are: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Geotrichum spp. and Articularia quercina. All of the bacteria were sensitive to commercial antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, except Salmonella spp that showed resistance to Tetracycline, Augmentin and Ceftriaxone. The bacterial isolates were then used to infect Albino rats and haematogical analysis was performed on the animals’ blood. The result showed that Proteus, and Pseudomonas reduced the PCV from 45.55±1.67% (in control group) to 36.75±0.55% and 37.25±0.33% respectively. The haemoglobin concentration was decreased from 15.00±0.00 (in control group) to 12.33±0.67 in the group infected with Pseudomonas. The white blood cell count was highest on the group infected with Salmonella with a count of 12.2±0.96×105 mm-3 . Histopathological Analysis of the liver and intestine of the rats showed that the pathogenic microorganisms cause negative pathological effects such as the absence of sinusoid in the liver hepatocytes, hepatocellular drainage and necrosis, while only necrosis and haemorrhage were prominent in their intestine. Conclusion: The result obtained has shown that pathogenic microorganisms from these vegetable wastes can cause serious health problem for the public if not disposed adequately, especially when these vegetable vendors place freshly harvested ones on the same ground the next market day; and when such is bought and not properly washed or cooked

Heritability Estimates of, Genetic and Phenotypic Correlations among Some Selected Carcass Traits of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Raised in a Sub-humid Climate

This study was conducted to evaluate some selected carcass traits in Japanese quails as well as provide estimates of their heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations among them. A total of 389 quails were slaughtered at 8 weeks of age. Sex significantly (P<0.05) influenced most carcass traits evaluated. The Japanese quails dressed at an average dressing percentage of 72.36. The heritability estimates of carcass traits derived from the sire variance components varied from low to high. All the carcass traits (carcass weight, front half of carcass weight, Rear half of carcass weight, breast weight, thigh weight, liver weight, heart weight, gizzard weight and dressing percentage) studied were positively genetically correlated to pre-slaughter live weight. Phenotypic correlations between pre-slaughter live weight and other carcass traits followed the same trend as for genetic correlation. It was concluded that Japanese quail have high efficiency of meat production and indirect selection could be used to improve the carcass traits studied. Keywords: Japanese quail, carcass traits, Heritability, Genetic correlation

Antimicrobial properties, safety, and probiotic attributes of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Sauerkraut

Background: According to the World Health Organization, probiotics have been defined as live microorganisms that when administered in the right amount provide health benefits to the host. This study aims to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from Sauerkraut and determine their anti-pathogenic potential and suitability as probiotics. Methodology: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from fermented cabbage obtained from an open market in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria by inoculating the prepared cabbage suspension on triplet plates of Rogosa agar (Lactobacillus selecting agar) and incubating in an anaerobic jar with gaspaks at 37°C for 72 hours. The LAB isolates were presumptively identified phenotypically by colony morphology, Gram stain reaction, and catalase test. The antibacterial activity of the LAB isolates was then carried out using agar overlay and agar-well diffusion methods. The most efficient LAB isolate was selected based on its strong antibacterial activity, confirmed by 16S rRNA sequencing and further evaluated for probiotic activities including bile salt resistance, survival in low pH, hydrophobicity of the cell surface, auto-aggregation, and co-aggregation. The putative probiotic LAB isolate was also evaluated for its safety using in vitro tests (antibiotic susceptibility testing, haemolysis, and DNase tests) and in vivo assays (sub-acute oral toxicity tests in male albino rats). Results: A total of 5 LAB isolates were preliminarily identified from the cabbage. The LAB isolate that showed strong antibacterial activity was confirmed as Levilactobacillus brevis. The isolate showed 83.3% survival rate in low pH of 3 and 85.9% in 0.3% bile concentration indicating potential tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions. The cell surface hydrophobicity assay showed 51% and auto-aggregation of 60% which represents the adhesion properties of the isolate. The sub-acute oral toxicity evaluation of the putative probiotic strain in Wister albino rats showed no altered health condition. Conclusion: The findings in this study suggest that Levilactobacillus brevis isolated from Sauerkraut is suitable as probiotics and could be applied in the pharmaceutical and food industry

DETERMINANTS OF UTILIZATION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE COLLECTION AND SALES OF FOREST PLANT LEAVES IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Determinants of participation in the collection and sales of forest plant leaves in Ogun state were investigated. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select three hundred (300) respondents for the study. A structure questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logit regression and budgetary analysis. The logit regression analysis results showed that the likelihood of utilization of the forest plant leaves is significantly determined by nature of the respondents occupation (farming and NTFPs) and their household size while the likelihood of participation in the collection and sales of forest plant leaves is significantly determined by nearness to the forest plant leaves, income realized from the leaves and gender. Sales of leaves were profitable with an average net profit of N14,179.17/month/respondent. Enlighten programs on forest plant leaves activities as means of livelihood and alleviation of poverty should be embarked upon for rural folks. &nbsp

Analysis of resource-use efficiency in Beniseed production in obi and doma local government areas of nassarawa state, Nigeria

Beniseed has been recognized as a crop with high economic potential in Nigeria, both as source of raw materials for industries and reliable foreign exchange earner. The study assessed resource-use efficiency in beniseed production in Obi and Doma Local Government Areas of Nassarawa state during 2004/2005 farming season. Data were collected through multi-stage sampling procedure from 200 respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stochastic production frontier analysis. The technical efficiency index estimated for beniseed farmers was 0.59 which indicated inefficiency in current production practices. The efficiency indices for allocative and overall economic efficiencies were estimated to be 0.41 and 0.24 respectively. The findings showed that farm size, tractor service and hired labour significantly influenced technical efficiency (p< 0.01). The socio-economic factors associated with higher technical efficiency of the farmers included age, access to credit and fertilizer use (p< 0.10); frequency of extension visit (p< 0.10) significantly influenced allocative efficiency while overall economic efficiency was significantly (p< 0.01) influenced by use of fertilizer, selling price and access to credit (p< 0.10). The study concluded that high level of inefficiency exists under the present production practices and therefore recommends that resources such as fertilizer, tractor services and that credit should be made available to farmers for improved beniseed production.   &nbsp

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INCOME AND POVERTY STATUS OF WOMEN IN KOKORO (CORN SNACK) PRODUCTION AND ARABLE CROPS PRODUCTION IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

The study analyzed the poverty status of women producing Kokoro (Corn snack) and women producing arable crops in Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of 208 respondents made up of 106 women producing Kokoro (Corn snack) and 102 women producing arable crops to serve as control group were selected. The respondents were selected based on non- probability method. Purposive sampling technique with Snowball method was used. Data were obtained by structured interview schedule. Data collected were analysed using FGT poverty index, costs and return and t-test statistics. The results indicated that 34.9kg of maize were processed into 128 dozens of Kokoro (Corn snack) per production run over an average of five (5) days, with six (6) production runs per month for nine months for the period of the research. The mean Kokoro (Corn snack) production cost was N42, 769.41/ respondent/ month with average revenue of N92, 253.60/ respondent/ month and net income of N49, 484.19/ respondent/ month. Income from Kokoro (Corn snack) production accounted for 53.4% of the total household income of N721,323.67 of an average woman engaged in Kokoro (Corn snack) production while farm income  accounted for 67.9% of the total household income of N418, 935.10 of an average woman producing arable crops. The study also revealed that households of Kokoro (Corn snack) producers had mean per capita household income of N282.32 per person per day which was significantly higher (p<0.01) than those of women producing arable crops, N191.29 per person per day. Thus Kokoro (Corn snack) production has the potentials to enhance income and reduce poverty among households of rural women. The study thus recommends promotion of value- adding activities, such as maize processing into Kokoro as a means of enhancing income and reduces poverty among the rural folks.     &nbsp

Mineralogy, Physicochemical Characteristics and Industrial Potential of Some Residual Clay Deposits within Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria

Residual clay deposits overlying Precambrian Basement Complex situated at Orin, Igbara Odo, Ikere and Ado Ekiti were investigated using several analytical techniques. Field evidence supported by mineralogical and physicochemical analyses suggests that the kaolinitic clay deposits is a product of hydrothermal and in-situ weathering of aplite, and granite. Kaolinite is the predominant clay mineral of the studied clay deposits with subordinate quartz, potassium iron oxide and aluminium phosphatic minerals. There is localised occurrence of halloysite. The absence of vanadium in the EDS data of rolled into tubes kaolinite sheets of Ado Ekiti clay match up with XRF data. This result trend combined with field observation suggests that clay bodies formed from weathering of feldspar is deficient in vanadium. The study suggests that morphology of kaolinitic minerals is influenced by the kind of parent material (i.e. feldspars or micas) and degree of chemical weathering. The pH values of pore water from clay samples range from 7.14 - 9.08. The electrical conductivities (EC) of the clay/water slurries (S/L ratio) range from 0.004mS/cm – 3.02mS/cm.  The oxidation reduction potential (ORP) values range between -62.4 and – 6.8 for the solids or slurries prepared with water. The dissolved oxygen (DO) values range from 6.73ppm – 7.26ppm for solids or slurries prepared with water. The loss on ignition ranges from 2.24-13.39. The SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio of 1.40 and 1.50 for Orin and Ikere clay bodies indicated that a 1:1 clay mineral was the dominant component. The high chemical index of alteration (CIA = 77.97~98.64) and chemical index of weathering (CIW = 97.21~99.93) values probably indicated the complete weathering of feldspars to kaolinite. The weathering index of Parker (WIP) values grouped the analysed clay samples into moderate to intense degree of weathering. This observation is confirmed by the absence of detrital feldspar in the XRD spectra peak. Factor analysis showed enrichment and depletion of major and trace elements which could be attributed to moderate to intense leaching conditions of the presumed parent material. The data shows explicit relationship between the clayeyness value (Al2O3/SiO2 ratio), the relative base loss (RBL) and the cation exchange capacity (CEC). Cluster analysis of major and trace elements showed two groups of chemical differences amongst the elements in the clays; moderate and intense degree of weathered clays. Nevertheless, the variations in the degree of weathering or leaching process have greater contribution to clay deposits differentiation. Assessment of the industrial potential of the studied clay bodies based on their physical and chemical characteristics revealed that they are suitable for the production of refractory bricks and ceramics. Suitable processing would be compulsory if they are to meet the requirements for other industrial applications, such as rubber, paper, paint, cosmetics, and fertilizer industries. Keywords: Clay; Mineralogy; Physicochemical characteristics; Weathering indices; Pore water; Multivariable analysis; Igbara Odo Ekiti; Ikere Ekiti; Ado Ekiti