Politics of predation: food distribution and women

Emergent on the African conception of food as a significant human physiological need which in most cases defines poverty; this paper discussed the possibility of unique political participation based on the effectiveness of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Within the context of these conceptual issues, women in traditional and contemporary Africa, having their core social roles as home-makers and food providers are likely major targets of food distribution. Food distribution in this context emphasizes aid programmes and vote buying (money for vote and food for votes). The paper examined the outcome of the need for and supply of food, by engaging the dualism that characterizes food distribution which has capacity to inhibit sustainable development and to perpetuate poverty. The perpetuation of poverty is conceptualized as a tool of; and for the political class in third world countries where, poverty is higher among women compared to other parts of the world. Poverty provides the fertile ground for making political gains out of the people, especially women who are largely politically marginalized and economically dependent.Keywords: food programmes, household, needs, political participation, voting pattern

Biochemical characterization and kinetic studies on a purified yellow laccase from newly isolated Aureobasidium pullulans NAC8 obtained from soil containing decayed plant matter

The study investigated the biochemical characteristics and kinetic parameters of laccase from a newly isolated Aureobasidium pullulans NAC8 obtained from soil containing decay plant litters. This was with a view to identifying the type of laccase and its possible suitability for biotechnological applications. The fungal strain was identified as A. pullulans NAC8 by sequencing of its 5.8S rRNA and adjacent internally transcribed sequences (ITS) 1 and 2. A. pullulans NAC8 laccase was purified 2.0-fold with a yield of 59.3% and specific activity of 9.34 μmol/min/mg protein. The kinetic parameters KM, Vmax, kcat and kcat/KM for laccase with guaiacol as substrate were 1.05 ± 0.12 mM, 12.67 ± 0.55 μmol/ml/min, 25.3 × 10−1 s−1 and 2.4 × 103 M−1 s−1 respectively. Laccase exhibited maximum activity at 45 °C and optimum pH of 4.5. The enzyme showed stability at a temperature range of 45–55 °C after a 2 h incubation. The molecular weight determined on SDS–PAGE was 68.4 kDa. The enzyme was stable at 10% of all organic solvents used but displayed a loss of activity at 50%. 2.5 mM thioglycolic acid (TGA) and 0.05 mM sodium azide inactivated the enzyme. The substrate specificity was guaiacol > catechol > tannic acid > gallic acid. There was no peak observed at 610 nm and the ratio of absorbance at 280 nm and 610 was 26. This suggests a yellow laccase. The biochemical properties of A. pullulans NAC8 yellow laccase makes it potentially useful in several biotechnological applicationsN/

Comparative Antioxidants Status of Leaves Extracts of Some Common Antimalarial Plants in West Africa

Objective: Malaria chemotherapy remains relevance and gives way to the re-evaluation of medicinal plants that has already gain approval in the traditional treatments of Malaria. This work evaluated and compared the antioxidant status of methanol leaves extracts of Azadirachta Indica (MAI), Vernonia Amygdalina (MVA) and Carica Papaya (MCP). Methods: Phenols, Flavonoids,percentage inhibition of lipid peroxidation and radical scavenging activities using 1,1-diphenyl-2- picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and Hydroxyl radicals were determined spectrophotometrically based on international standardized methods . Results: Total Phenolic content in garlic acid equivalence (GAE)were expressed maximally at 700μg/ml by 0.015±0.002, 0.019±0.017, 0.013±0.006 mg/g and flavonoids contents at 350μg/ml by 0.063±0.004, 0.020±0.031, 0.049±0.002 Mg/g quercetin equivalence (QE) for MAI, MVA and MCP respectively. DPPH scavenging activities of 78.60, 55.55 and 54.96 % were obtained at 350μg/ml by MAI, MVA and MCP respectively in the order MAI>MVA>MCP. At 300μg/ml, the extracts scavenged hydroxyl radicals significantly( p≤0.05) by72.00, 77.80 and 53.15 % in the order MVA>MAI>MCP. Intriguingly, extracts also convered significantly (p≤0.05), 50% cell protection as they inhibited lipid peroxidation by50.00, 66.20 and 64.30% in the order MVA>MCP>MAI at 350μg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Antioxidative properties exhibited by extracts may be correlated with their antimalarial functions, bioactive contents and suggestive of MVA as more potent antimalarial of the evaluated plants which may serve as template for malaria drugs and its local usage encouraged in poverty- stricken malarial-endemic areas of West Africa. Keywords: AzadirachtaIndica, Antimalarial, Antioxidants, CaricaPapaya, Malaria, Vernonia Amygdalina

Analiza kretanja rasta proizvodnje poljoprivrednih kultura u Nigeriji (1961. –2014.)

This paper focuses on trend analysis of crop productivity growth in Nigeria between 1961 and 2014. It was therefore intended to estimate the effect of different factors of production that influence crop output and to compute their technical efficiency, technological change and total factor productivity change. Panel data was broken into land, labour, tractor, fertilizer and animal power. Descriptive statistics, Cobb-Douglas production analysis and Malmquist Productivity index were the tools employed for the analysis. The result of the trend analysis shows that time has a positive effect on crop production and also shows that there is an increase in crop output, land, labour, tractor, fertilizer and animal power over years. Land and animal power are statistically significant at 1% probability level and a unit increase in land and animal power, crop output increases by 2.176772 tons and 0.7531192 tons respectively, this implies that land and animal power have a positive effect on crop output in Nigeria. Labour and tractor have negative impact on crop output, while fertilizer has no significant effect on crop output. The efficiency change, technical change and total factor productivity change were also analyzed. According to the analysis, Nigeria experienced the highest agricultural productivity from 1992, with value of 1.166. It is therefore recommended that the use of agricultural land should be increased, relevant policies should address the constraints to technology progress, and efficiency should be promoted in order to improve productivity growth.Ovaj je rad usredotočen na analizu kretanja rasta proizvodnje poljoprivrednih kultura u Nigeriji u razdoblju od 1961. do 2014. Cilj je ovog rada odrediti kako različiti faktori proizvodnje utječu na količinu proizvedenih kultura te izmjeriti njihovu tehničku učinkovitost, tehnološki razvoj i promjene u ukupnom faktoru produktivnosti. Panel podaci razdijeljeni su u sljedeće kategorije: zemljište, radna snaga, traktori, gnojivo i životinjska snaga (radne životinje). Za potrebe analize korištena je deskriptivna statistika, Cobb-Douglasova proizvodna funkcija i Malmquistov indeks produktivnosti. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju da vrijeme ima pozitivan učinak na proizvodnju poljoprivrednih kultura te da je tijekom godina zamjetan porast u količini proizvedenih kultura, zemljištu, radnoj snazi, traktorima, gnojivu i životinjskoj snazi. Zemljište i životinjske snaga statistički su značajne kategorije, s razinom vjerojatnosti od 1 %. Porast jedinice zemljišta rezultira porastom od 2,176.772 tona u poljoprivrednim kulturama, a životinjske snage porastom od 0,7531192 tona u poljoprivrednim kulturama. Iz ovoga proizlazi da zemljište i životinjska snaga imaju pozitivan utjecaj na količinu proizvedenih poljoprivrednih kultura u Nigeriji. Kategorije radne snage i traktora imaju negativan učinak, a gnojiva nemaju nikakav značajni učinak na količinu proizvedenih poljoprivrednih kultura. Mjerena je i tehnička učinkovitost te tehnološki razvoj i promjene u ukupnom faktoru produktivnosti. Prema dobivenim rezultatima, poljoprivredna je proizvodnja u Nigeriji 1992. dosegla svoju najveću vrijednost od 1,166. S obzirom na rezultate preporučuje za povećanje poljoprivrednog zemljišta i učinkovitosti te donošenje relevantnih mjera čiji bi cilj bio rješavanje problematike razvoja tehnologije

Ultrazvučna procjena cirkumferencije fetalnog srca kao prediktor gestacijske dobi

Introduction: Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging modality, safe for both the mother and the fetus, which uses a high frequency sound to generate images of body tissues and organs. It has been widely used for fetal evaluation and dating. Purpose: To determine normative values of fetal heart circumference (FHC) as a predictor of the gestational age (GA) in black population and compare it to those of the Caucasian population. Material and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Nigeria. 324 women with a singleton pregnancy between 12-40 weeks, who conceived naturally, were scanned using a 2D ultrasound machine with a 3.5 MHz curvilinear probe. Two fetal heart diametersat right angle to each other were taken at the level of the four-heart chamber view, during diastole. Results: There is a strong positive linear correlation between the FHC and the GA (r2= 0.964, p<0.001). The equation of GA prediction is Y=0.246X + 5.06 (where y=GA, X=FHC). FHC weekly growth rate is 3.81mm. FHC is more accurate between 12-20 weeks GA and its accuracy decreases as the pregnancy progresses. There is a strong correlation between FHC and biparietal diameter (BPD) (r2=0.959), HC(r2=0.946) and FL (r2= 0.962). Conclusion: The study has derived a nomogram of FHC as a predictor of the GA in Nigerian population and has shown that the FHC is a good predictor of GA especially in the early second trimester. Also, there was a statistically significant difference between the FHC in our study population (blacks) and those of the Caucasian population.Uvod: Ultrazvuk je neinvazivni način snimanja, siguran za majku i fetus, koji upotrebljava visokofrekventne zvučne valove za stvaranje slika tjelesnih tkiva i organa. Uvelike se primjenjuje za fetalnu procjenu i datiranje. Svrha: Utvrditi normativne vrijednosti cirkumferencije fetalnog srca (FHC) kao prediktora gestacijske dobi (GA) u populaciji crnaca i usporediti je s onom kod bijelaca. Materijali i metode: Prospektivna presječna studija provedena je u Sveučilišnoj bolnici Maiduguri u Nigerija. 324 žene s jednoplodnom trudnoćom između 12 i 40 tjedna trudnoće, koje su začele prirodnim putem, pregledane su s pomoću 2D ultrazvučnog aparata sa zakrivljenom sondom od 3,5 MHz. Snimljena su dva promjera fetalnog srca pod desnim kutom na razini prikaza četiriju srčanih komora tijekom dijastole. Rezultati: Postoji snažna pozitivna linearna korelacija između cirkumferencije fetalnog srca (engl. fetal heart circumference – FHC) i gestacijske dobi (engl. gestational age – GA) (r2 = 0,964, p < 0,001). Jednadžba za predviđanje gestacijske dobi jest Y = 0,246X + 5,06 (gdje je y = GA, X = FHC). Tjedna stopa rasta FHC-a iznosi 3,81 mm. FHC je točniji između 12 i 20 tjedna gestacije i njegova se točnost smanjuje kako trudnoća odmiče. Postoji jaka korelacija između FHC-a i biparijetalnog promjera (engl. biparietal diameter – BPD) (r2 = 0,959), HC (r2 = 0,946) i duljine bedrene kosti (engl. femoral length – FL) (r2 = 0,962) Zaključak: Studija je rezultirala izradom nomograma FHC-a kao prediktora gestacijske dobi u nigerijskoj populaciji i pokazala je da je FHC dobar prediktor gestacijske dobi, posebno u ranom drugom tromjesečju. Također, postojala je statistički značajna razlika između FHC-a u našoj istraživanoj populaciji (crnci) i populaciji bijelaca

Optimization of Aqueous Two-Phase Partitioning of Aureobasidium pullulans α-Amylase via Response Surface Methodology and Investigation of its Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties

Industrial enzymes such as α-amylase must be thermostable and also easily purified/concentrated. Hence, aqueous two-phase partitioning systems (ATPS) was exploited for the partitioning of α-amylase from Aureobasidium pullulans due to its numerous advantages over conventional purification strategy. A. pullulans α-amylase was partially purified using ATPS via response surface methodology (RSM). The potentials of the ATPS-purified enzyme for possible industrial application such as resistance to thermal inactivation was investigated in comparison with the crude enzyme. PEG-6000 was the polymer of choice for ATPS as it resulted in higher purification factor (PF), %yield (Y), and partition coefficient (PC). At optimum levels (% w/v) of 20, 12 and 7.5 for PEG-6000, sodium citrate and sodium chloride respectively, maximum PF, Y and PC of 4.2, 88%, and 9.9 respectively were obtained. The response model validation and reliability were established based on the closeness between the experimented and predicted values. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters such as Q10, t1/2, kd, D − value, Ed, of the ATPS-purified α-amylase indicated that it was thermostable at 50 to 60 °C compared to the crude α-amylase. A thermodynamically stable and ATPS-purified α-amylase from A. pullulans has properties easily applicable for most industrial processes

The Stabilized and Compressed Earth Bricks: An Innovative Option Towards a Sustainable Home Ownership in Nigeria

One of the major indices of measuring underdevelopment in a country is in the area of housing. Two major factors are responsible for this development. First is the financial strength of the people and the second is the poor level of awareness about cheaper and more energy conserving alternative building materials. This paper examines the potentials that lie in the stabilized and compressed earth brick as compared to concrete blocks as well as local adobe and mud bricks. The paper suggests the use of housing cooperative schemes by locals to solve their housing problems

Wastage amidst shortage: Strategies for the mitigation of standby electricity in residential sector in Nigeria.

Due to rising population and the increasing rate of urbanization, residential electricity usage accounts for a large chunk of Nigeria’s electricity consumption. However, little attention is paid to electricity conservation in the country. In response to this, several studies are been tailored to ensure a rapid reduction in energy consumption through various alternatives including energy efficient technologies given the current state of inadequate electricity supply in the country. On this note, this article discusses the significance of standby electricity in Nigeria. The electricity generation and consumption patterns were briefly discussed while the current electricity saving behaviour and practices among the urban dwellers were detailed with a case study analysed. Based on the case study, it was discovered that the mean standby load across the 30 households were estimated at 60 W ranging from 34-144 W. Also, standby consumption accounts for 13-44% of the annual electricity consumption across the households. Finally, the strategies for electricity saving and sustainable consumption, most especially the mitigation of standby electricity were highlighted

A model for efficient consumption of electricity in residential buildings

Abstract : This paper reviews various applications of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and proposes electricity-saving power switch enhancements model to control the operation of electrical appliances in residential buildings using RFID system. Estimation was made on the consumption of electricity in a private apartment in Pretoria, Gauteng Province, South Africa and compared with when the RFID card-reader system is deployed. The percentage energy saving in a year was calculated to be approximately 29 %. The possible energy savings for a period of 30years is estimated and the return on investment (ROI) determined. The authors concluded by making a case for a state policy on RFID energy efficiency technology

The Orphan Crop Crassocephalum crepidioides Accumulates the Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Jacobine in Response to Nitrogen Starvation

Crassocephalum crepidioides is an African orphan crop that is used as a leafy vegetable and medicinal plant. Although it is of high regional importance in Sub-Saharan Africa, the plant is still mainly collected from the wild and therefore efforts are made to promote its domestication. However, in addition to beneficial properties, there was first evidence that C. crepidioides can accumulate the highly toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) jacobine and here it was investigated, how jacobine production is controlled. Using ecotypes from Africa and Asia that were characterized in terms of their PA profiles, it is shown that the tetraploid C. crepidioides forms jacobine, an ability that its diploid close relative Crassocephalum rubens appears to lack. Evidence is provided that nitrogen (N) deficiency strongly increases jacobine in the leaves of C. crepidioides, that this capacity depends more strongly on the shoot than the root system, and that homospermidine synthase (HSS) activity is not rate-limiting for this reaction. A characterization of HSS gene representation and transcription showed that C. crepidioides and C. rubens possess two functional versions, one of which is conserved, that the HSS transcript is mainly present in roots and that its abundance is not controlled by N deficiency. In summary, this work improves our understanding of how environmental cues impact PA biosynthesis in plants and provides a basis for the development of PA-free C. crepidioides cultivars, which will aid its domestication and safe use. © Copyright © 2021 Schramm, Rozhon, Adedeji-Badmus, Liang, Nayem, Winkelmann and Poppenberger