Occupational mobility in engineering profession (craftman and artisan) in Oyo State, Nigeria.

This paper evaluate occupational mobility in engineering professional in Oyo State of Nigeria with the goal assessing causes and readiness of the professionals to return to the profession when the hindering factors are removed as well as sufficiency of the survey instrument in addressing the research problems. The study was conducted using a well structured questionnaire administered in 20 local government of Oyo State, Nigeria representing the sample space of 0.424. The Cronbach’s alpha of the reliability test of 0.453 was returned for the scale mean statistics of 11516.83 and variance of 0.0000007 showing that the survey instrument was sufficient and could be relied upon. The result of the socio economic analysis showed that 80% of the respondents were married while (15%) were single and the rest (5%) were divorced. The age distribution of the respondents ranged between greater than 50 years groups (12%) and 30 -39 years group (39%).The result of the analysis of job characteristics of the respondents showed that the longer the year of graduation, the lesser the number of graduates still in the business. The cross table analysis of the socio-economic indices with the job status of the respondents showed that marital status and level of education does not have significant effects on the job status of the respondents (whether still practicing or not) because 1.454 and 5.223 returned for both marital status and level of education are not significant (P<0.05). Also, the contingency table analysis of the effects of the skill acquisition methods showed that more of the respondents who acquired their skill via Technical School (70%) are willing to go back to the professions. However, for those who acquired their skill through Learning/artisanship, less than average (32%) of the respondents are ready to return to the profession. Lastly, the establishment of the regression model for the relationship between the proportion of the people wishing to go back to the profession and year of practicing the profession provide a necessary impetus for addressing the Job mobility problem faced by the profession

In vitro Gas Production and Fermentative Characteristics of Cottonseed and Cottonseed By-products

A study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro gas production and post-incubation parameters of cotton seed (Gossypium spp) and cotton seed by-products. Cotton seed was processed into four different sample types regarded as treatments i.e. raw cotton seed(A), parboiled cotton seed (B), roasted (C) and cotton seed cake (D). All the chemical constituents investigated were all similar for all treatments (p&gt;0.05). Highest DM (90.07% DM) and CP (24.72% DM) results were obtained from cottonseed cake (D). In vitro gas production characteristics of cotton seed and cotton seed by-products were determined at 24hrs of incubation. The gas production results were significantly different (p&lt;0.05) in all the cottonseed by-products. The result revealed after 24hrs, that cotton seed cake had the highest value of in vitro gas production from soluble and insoluble fraction, potential extent gas production as well as the volume of gas produced at incubation time. It can be concluded from the chemical constituent findings of this research, that cottonseed cake had highest crude protein and digestibility (or possess good fibre content) when compared to feeds consisting of other cottonseed by-products.      Keywords: Proximate analysis; Fibre fractions; Post-incubation parameter

Embryogenesis of Heterobranchus longifilis (Curvier and Valenciennes, 1840)

Studies on development of H. longifilis (Curvier and Valenciennes, 1840) were conducted at a temperature of 25EC ( 1Ec) in aquaria tanks continuous development were monitored with the use of wild Heerbrugy photomacroscope and length of yolk and larva were monitored using Stereo Olympus microscope with ocular micrometer. The division into animal and vegetal poles was observed 22 minutes after activation. The first cleavage occurred 65 minutes after activation while the second division which was perpendicular to the first line of division occurred 74 minutes after activation. This was quickly followed by the third and fourth cleavage at 80th and 82nd minutes after activation respectively. Morular stage was reached at 4 hours 20 minutes with formation of optic bud at 14 hours 35 minutes. (DBO) Developing embryo hatched after 27 hours of activation at a mean length of 6.63 and mean yolk length of 2.17. Yolk size decrease at an average rate of 38.5 % till the 5th day of total absorption. Growth of larvae proceeded faster in tail-anus region than in anus-snout portion of the body. The rate of yolk absorption and larva development (survival) as monitored in this work gives important information in Research and development programme for H. longifilis larva - an important aspect of Research development and implementation of appropriate technologies in small scale fisherie

Effects of Maternal Dexamethasone Exposure During Lactation on Metabolic Imbalance and Oxidative Stress in the Liver of Male Offsprings of Wistar Rats

Summary: It has been reported in human and animal studies that early exposure to glucocorticoids could retard growth and subsequent development of cardio metabolic diseases. Chronic exposure to glucocorticoids induced oxidative stress. Therefore, the role of oxidative stress in some of the observed metabolic imbalance needs to be elucidated. This study examined the effects of lactational dexamethasone exposure on metabolic imbalance and oxidative stress marker in the liver of male offspring of exposed mother. Twenty lactating dams were divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each. Group 1 was administered 0.02 ml/100gbwt/day normal saline through lactation days 1-21. Group 2, 3, and 4 were administered 100 μg/kgbwt/day dexamethasone for lactation days 1-7, 1-14, and 1-21 respectively. The male offspring were thereafter separated and sacrificed at 12weeks of age for evaluation of lipid profile and oxidative stress marker in the liver. Results from this study indicate that Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TAG) and LDL- cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly (p&lt;0.001) higher in the Dex 1-7, Dex 1-14 and Dex 1-21 groups when compared with the control. HDL-Cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly (p&lt;0.001) reduced in the Dex 1-7, Dex 1-14 and Dex 1-21 groups relative to the control. Basal Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) was also significantly (p&lt;0.001) higher in the Dex 1-14 and Dex 1-21 groups when compared with the control. Liver malondialdehyde was significantly (p&lt;0.001) higher in the Dex1-14 and Dex1-21 group compared to the control. However, liver catalase and SOD activity were all significantly (p&lt;0.001) lower in Dex 1-7, Dex 1-14 and Dex 1-21 groups relative to control. Liver protein was significantly (p&lt;0.001) lower in the Dex1-14 and Dex1-21 treatment groups when compared with the control. Findings from this study suggest that there is possible increase in metabolic imbalance in the offspring of mother exposed to dexamethasone during lactation and these effects may be secondary to increase oxidative stress in the liver.Keywords: Dexamethasone; Lactation; Oxidative Stress; Liver; offspring

Effects of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera seed on cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats

Bacground: Moringa oleifera seeds have been reported to increase sexual activity of male rats but its mechanism of action remains unknown.Objective: Cadmium is a heavy metal that induces reproductive toxicity. To elucidate its possible mechanisms of action, the effects of aqueous extract of Moringa seeds (AEMS) on Cadmium-induced reproductive damage were investigated.Methods: Thirty male rats (180-200g, n=5) were grouped as follows: Control, Cadmium (2mg/kg), AEMS (100 and 500mg/kg), Cadmium+100mg/kg AEMS and Cadmium+500mg/kg AEMS. Single intraperitoneal dose of Cadmium was administered while AEMS was given daily (p.o) for 6 weeks and thereafter sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Sperm variables were examined microscopically while serum was analysed for sex hormones and antioxidants, testicular and epididymal total protein from tissue homogenate. Data were analysed using Students t-test and ANOVA.Results: Cadmium caused significant decrease in sperm variables. The AEMS decreased sperm motility, count and testosterone. These declines were dose dependent. Total testicular protein was significantly lowered by AEMS but total epididymal protein was not affected. Serum catalase and SOD was reduced by AEMS while MDA increased.Conclusion: Moringa seeds may exhibit male reproductive toxicity, as observed from its deleterious effect on androgen and sperm variables. It failed to prevent cadmium-induced alteration in reproductive variables and serum antioxidants.Keywords: Aqueous extract, Moringa oleifera seed, cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity, male Wistar rats

Effects of Drying Temperature on The Effective Coefficient of Moisture Diffusivity and Activation Energy in Ibadan-Local Tomato Variety (lycopersicum esculentum)

A study of the mechanism of mass transfer phenomena of Ibadan-local variety was carried out. Ibadan-Local tomato varieties pre-treated in a binary (sugar and salt) osmotic solution of concentration (45/15oBrix), solution temperature (30, 40, 50oC), was studied by developing a mathematical model to describe the Water Loss (WL) and Solid Gains (SG). Drying was monitored at three temperatures (40, 45 and 50oC) until   equilibrium weight was achieved using the oven-dry method. Five thin layer drying models (Exponential, Henderson &amp; Pabis, Page, Modified Page and Logarithmic) were compared and fitted into the experimental values of the non-linear moisture ratio; MR. The diffusion coefficient and activation energy were determined using the Arrhenius equation. Drying occurred in the falling rate phase and different models fit at different temperatures. Calculated values of effective moisture diffusivity varied from 1.17-3.51x10-8 to 1.25-3.13x10-8 and activation energy varied from a maximum of 52.61KJ/mol in treated to 46.81 KJ/mol in untreated tomato. At all temperatures, effective coefficient of moisture diffusivity and activation energy values was higher in osmosized tomato Keywords: Osmotic dehydration, Water loss, Solid gain, Effective moisture diffusivity and Activation energy

Influence of Varietal Difference on Qualities of Osmosized Tomato in the South Western Nigeria

Mechanism of mass transfer phenomena of three major varieties available in the South-western Nigeria market are Roma-VF Koledowo and Ibadan-Local variety. Tomato varieties pre-treated in a binary (sugar and salt) osmotic solution of three solution concentration; three temperature; five osmotic time and fruit to solution ratio 1:10 was studied by developing a conceptual model to describe the Water Loss and Solid Gains. Initial moisture content was determined using the AOAC standards. Statistical analyses of the data within and across varieties were carried out. This study therefore investigated the effect of varietal difference on the qualities of osmosized tomato i.e. the highest water loss and least solid gain. Effect of pretreatment varies with variety with a mean water loss range value of 0.2615-0.3031. Water-loss and Solid gain were significant (p?0.05) for all variables considered. Koledowo with the thickest skin had the least owing to its ability to allow moisture migration Keywords: Water loss, Solid gain, Osmotic time, Varietal difference, Pretreatmen

Numerical solution of Boundary Value Problems by Piecewise Analysis Method

In this paper, we use an efficient numerical algorithm for solving two point fourth-order linear  and nonlinear boundary value problems, which is based on the homotopy analysis method (HAM), namely, the piecewise – homotopy analysis method ( P-HAM).The method contains an auxiliary parameter that provides a powerful tool to analysis strongly linear and nonlinear ( without linearization ) problems directly. Numerical examples are presented to compare the results obtained with some existing results found in literatures. Results obtained by the RHAM performed better in terms of accuracy achieved. Keywords:            Piecewise-homotopy analysis, perturbation, Adomain decomposition method, Variational Iteration, Boundary Value Problems

Nutritional properties of fonio starch-defatted moringa seed flour blends prepared at different ratios

Fonio starch was enriched with defatted moringa seed flour with the objective of determining the best blend that would give good quality attributes. A Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) from the Response Surface Methodology was used for the process optimization. The independent variables were the proportions of the fonio starch powder (70-100 g) and the Defatted moringa seed flour (0-30 g) , while the responses were protein, moisture, crude fibre, fat, ash, vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamine, calcium, phosphorous, iron, potassium, sodium and overall acceptability. Data obtained from the study were analysed using ANOVA. The protein, moisture, crude fibre, fat, ash, vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamine, calcium, phosphorous, iron, potassium, sodium and overall acceptability ranged between 9.50-17.70%, 5.70-13.10% , 2.34-2.67% , 1.22-1.58% , 64.0-129.0%, 30.4-46.1 mg/100 g, 26.0-27.0 mg/100 g, 88.49-190.46 mg/100 g, 168.4-282.08 mg/100 g, 19.11-28.25 mg/100 g, 455.0-224.01 mg/100 g, 120.5-150.36 mg/100 g and 5.1-7.4 mg/100 g, respectively. The combined effect of the blends ratios significantly influenced all responses (p<0.05). High coefficient of determination R2 (60-99%) indicated that the models had good fits. The best blend was 73.11 g (87.97%) fonio starch and 10 g (12.03%) of defatted moringa seed flour, which gave good quality, attributes