Heterogeneous Catalytic Efficiency of Silica Sulfuric Acid towards the Synthesis of Substituted Pyrimidin-2 (1H)-One Derivatives

Pyrimidine template is a highly privileged motif for the development of molecules of biological and pharmaceutical interest due to its prebiotic nature to life. This present study deals with the synthesis of pyrimidin- 2(1H)-one derivative from chalcones by the action of silica supported sulfuric acid (SSA) or conventional refluxed in concentrated hydrochloric acid. The chemical structures were confirmed by analytical data and spectroscopic means such as UV, IR, mass spectra, 1H and 13C NMR. SSA was found to be efficient method for the quantitative transformation to pyrimidine frame work. It can be re-used after simple washing with chloroform thereby rendering this procedure more economical

Religious perceptions and attitudes of men towards discontinuation of female genital cutting in Nigeria: evidence from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey

Men‘s roles in any patriarchal society and the influence of their religious belief cannot be overemphasized especially in a culturally encrypted matter like female genital cutting (FGC).The study sample consisted of 8,111 men who had previous awareness of FGC from a cross-sectional nationally representative survey in Nigeria. The data took into cognizance the religious belief of the respondents as well as their attitude towards FGC among others. Analytical bivariate and multivariate ordered logistic estimates for FGC discontinuation were considered for the study. Of the total respondents, 29% reported that their religion required FGC for female children. A significantly higher proportion (89.4%; p<0.01) of men whose religion did not require FGC were found subscribing to its discontinuation. Significantly lower odds of FGC discontinuation exist among those whose religious belief requires FGC practice. Religious teachings and beliefs are crucial correlates of men‘s attitude towards FGC. There is therefore a need to consider the religious beliefs of men when engaging them in strategies to fight FGC.Keywords: Female Genital Cutting, Perception, Attitude, Religion, Nigeri

An Investigation of the Effects of Manufacturing Parameters On Properties of Binderless Boards Produced from Abura (Mitragyna Ciliata) Sawdust

The production of particle boards without the use of synthetic binders is desirable to prevent environmental problems. This study has produced experimental binderless boards from untreated sawdust from Abura wood using a laboratory press. Box-Behnken experimental design was utilized to investigate the effects of the pressing variables including pressure, temperature and pressing time. The density of the boards produced ranged between 523.69 and 738 kg/m3 which was within the range specified for medium density fibreboards . The maximum values for Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Internal Bonding Strength (IB) were 100.4 MPa, 1.1 MPa and 0.049 MPa, respectively. It was shown that, for the range of factors studied, pressure and the pressing temperature were the more significant factors in determining the density, MOE and IB. This study showed that the sawdust can potentially be used for the production of binderless boards

An Investigation of the Effects of Manufacturing Parameters On Properties of Binderless Boards Produced from Abura (Mitragyna Ciliata) Sawdust

The production of particle boards without the use of synthetic binders is desirable to prevent environmental problems. This study has produced experimental binderless boards from untreated sawdust from Abura wood using a laboratory press. Box-Behnken experimental design was utilized to investigate the effects of the pressing variables including pressure, temperature and pressing time. The density of the boards produced ranged between 523.69 and 738 kg/m3 which was within the range specified for medium density fibreboards . The maximum values for Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Internal Bonding Strength (IB) were 100.4 MPa, 1.1 MPa and 0.049 MPa, respectively. It was shown that, for the range of factors studied, pressure and the pressing temperature were the more significant factors in determining the density, MOE and IB. This study showed that the sawdust can potentially be used for the production of binderless boards

To Save a Girl-Child, You Must Train a Boy-Child: A Note on Situational Irony

Despite numerous initiatives and resources to save and protect the health and sexual rights of girls and women, the persistently high rate of unwanted pregnancy, abortion, and sexual violence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has remain a topical public health challenge. This study hypothesised that the continuous conspicuous omission of boys/men in the interventions to combat this menace could be a long-life impediment to the realisation of sustainable health for girls and women in the region. The study adopted a systematic review of extant population-based published studies from Scopus, Google Scholars, PubMed, EMBASE, and AJOL. Literature coverage included the post-United Nations’ coordinated International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), Cairo, 1994, which marked the beginning of a massive campaign for women/girls sexual rights. The obtained qualitative data were appraised and synthesised towards spurring policy recommendations for gender balanced initiatives on the sexual and reproductive health rights in SSA. The study highlighted that unwanted pregnancy occurs only when a boy/man has unprotected sex with a girl/woman without considering her choice or rights. It is considered ironic that the dominant factors are boys and men but many enlightenment initiatives/campaigns are concentrated on girls and women. The study developed a schematic save-a-girl-child framework that illustrated the possible dividends inherent in the training of a boy-child to achieve a safer world for the girls/women. It recommends increase in the exposure of boys and men to sexual education and counselling, which can motivate them to be supporters of family planning, supporters of only wanted pregnancy, wanted fatherhood, marital fidelity, intimate partners’ harmonious living rather than violence, and wife or partner empowerment

Identification by GC-MS of the Components of Oils of Banana Peels Extract, Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Analyses

Banana is eaten all over the world by all sections of the population. A lectin, called BanLec, was isolated from banana fruit and found to possess anti-HIV-1 activity. However, the peels of banana are thrown away as rubbish although farmers are known to use them as feed for their animals. We thought that there might be some valuable chemicals in banana peels and therefore decided to extract the oils from their peels. Two varieties of Nigeria bananas were chosen for an initial study. The crude methanolic extract was subjected to phytochemical analysis, which revealed the presence of steroids, saponin, terpenoids, anthraquinones and tannins. Antimicrobial study of the methanolic extract showed that the oils were effective against some bacteria. The chemical constituents of the oils were identified and characterized by GC-MS. The fatty acids stearic, palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids and their methyl esters as well as 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one, 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furancarboxyaldehyde, cyclododecane, dibutyl phthalate, b-sitosterol, sesamin and epi-sesamin were among the identified components. These constituents were found to be compounds with known biological and medicinal activit

Investigation of the Effect of R134a/Al2O3 –Nanofluid on the Performance of a Domestic Vapour Compression Refrigeration System

use of nanoparticles in heat transfer fluids. The study investigated the effect of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the working fluids of a vapour compression refrigeration system (VCRS) when used with refrigerant R134a. The nanorefrigerant was used in the vapour compression system without system retrofit. The system’s performance analyses were carried out via the freeze capacity tests and energy consumption analysis. The outcome showed that the performance of the Al2O3-dispersed nano-working fluid outperformed that of the conventional working fluid mixture. Specifically, the outcome demonstrated that the system with the nanorefrigerant achieved faster cooling, better performance and improved energy consumption. Thus, using Al2O3 nanoparticles in combination with the working fluids of domestic refrigerators was shown to be feasible. Further to this, based on the performance results, it was necessary to find out the very reason behind the improved thermal performance of the nanoparticle dispersed working fluid. This led to the determination of the thermophysical property of the nanolubricant. The results indicate better thermal conductivity and salinity, implying that the nanolubricant has better heat transfer ability than the base oil (Capella D). In addition to this, the results of the viscosity test showed that the presence of the nanoparticles caused a reduction in the lubricant’s viscosity thus portraying a reduction in the energy consumption. However, the pH test results indicate that there may be the need for an improved compressor material selection if the nanorefrigerant will be employed for vapour compression refrigeration purposes in the future

Beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acid on dyslipidemia in organs of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the heterogeneous metabolic disorders associated with dyslipidemia, a major risk factor contributing to cardiovascular disease. This metabolic abnormality affects virtually all organs. Over the years, antidiabetic drugs which majorly aim at the hyperglycemic aspect of the disease have been used. Therefore, to address this dyslipidemia, omega-3 fatty acid (O3FA) supplement was employed. Its effects on lipid metabolism in the organs (heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen and brain) of alloxan-induced (150mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally) diabetic male rats were investigated. O3FA (0.4g/kg b.wt/day) was administered as pre- and posttreatment for 2 weeks. The lipid levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) in diabetic rats. O3FA administration significantly reduced (p<0.05) the levels of cholesterol, phospholipids, triacylglycerol by varying extents, in the examined organs without affecting hyperglycemia in the diabetic rats. The ratio of HMG CoA/mevalonate decreased in the liver of the diabetic rats by 28% indicating increased activity of HMG-CoA reductase. This diabetes-induced dyslipidemia was accompanied by a 28% increase in the activity of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase. Administration of O3FA to the diabetic rats however resulted in 10% and 17% decrease in the activity of this enzyme in the pre- and post-treated groups respectively. Also, lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced (p<0.05) by O3FA suggesting that it has protective effect against oxidative damage. This study reveals that O3FAsupplement has beneficial effects in attenuating dyslipidemia observed in diabetes mellitus and could be beneficial as an adjunct in the management of diabetes mellitus

Experimental Investigation into the Effects of Al-composite Nanolubricants on the Energy and Exergy Performance of Vapour Compression Refrigerator Compressor

Nanofluids played significant role in enhancing the thermophysical properties of a refrigerant which can lead to an improved performance of the refrigerator compressor. This study investigated the performances of four Aluminium based nanolubricants in a vapour compression refrigeration compressor system. Various tests which include evaluation of the thermophysical properties and the determination of thermodynamic parameters such as exergy, power consumption, cooling load and coefficient of performance of the refrigerator compressor system were carried out. The outcome showed that the nanoparticles influenced greatly the thermophysical properties of the base oil (Capella D) and improved its thermodynamic properties. All the nanolubricants showed improved better results in terms of thermal conductivity and salinity, depicting better heat transfer and thermal capacity. Also, the results of the viscosity tests showed that the nanolubricants have lower values than the conventional base oil, indicating good pumping ability of the compressor and lower energy consumption. In addition, the results of exergy analyses reveal that most of the nanofluids systems generally showed better performance with higher values. It thus can be concluded that the nanofluids systems seem to provide better compressor/refrigerator working fluid alternative with careful selection

Discrimination in Welfare Distribution between Academic and Non- Academic Staff of selected Nigerian Universities: A Qualitative Perspective

Background: The study considered the unequal access to healthcare, housing and decent office space among academic and non-academic staff of Nigeria four universities (public and private) and how these have impacted on staff’s work output. Objective: It examined the intra-and-inter universities divergences in staff welfare provisions using three basic indices of welfare, namely: healthcare, housing accommodation and decent office provisions. Methods: The study used semi-structured in-depth interviews among 12 academics (6 seniors, 6 juniors) and 14 non-academics (8 senior and 6 junior) in two public and two private universities selected out of the list of universities within the Lagos and Ogun States. The qualitative data obtained were analysed following systematic-content analysis pattern and presented in adherence to RATS guidelines. The result shows that the abdication of welfare-provision responsibility in the public universities with unhealthy consequences paved way for private ownership and has not been totally benign. The finding revealed that there is high priority for academics in the allocation of welfare facilities especially housing accommodation and offices compared to non-academics in both private and public universities. It shows that the cost of medical bills in private universities are high, unaffordable to workers and are not overwhelmingly. Recommendation: The authors suggest that the implications for discrimination in welfare distribution between academic and non-academic could breed unhealthy working rivalry, and eventual substandard research activities with negative consequences on the quality of the graduates