Physiological and Agronomic Responses of Four Rice Varieties to Drought in the Rainforest.

The present investigation tested the hypothesis that there would be variation in physiological responses to water deficit among rice varieties from different production ecologies, with contrasting tolerance to water deficit under repeated cycle of soil moisture deficit, at reproductive growth stage. A screen house and a field trial were conducted at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan and Ikenne (Latitude 6° 52' N, Longitude 3° 43' E) respectively. Both experiments had rice varieties ('IR 64', 'WAB 56-104', 'IR 77298-1-2-B-10' and 'NERICA 4') and stress status (stress and control) as treatment factor's, arranged in a randomised complete block design with three replicates. In both trials, the physiological mechanism that underpins varietal differences with repeated cycles of water deficit at the reproductive growth stage was more balanced water status, improved foliar characters, efficient photosynthetic capacity and higher grain yield in comparatively drought tolerant upland rice varieties ('NERICA 4' and 'WAB 56-104'), as opposed with the results for the drought susceptible cultivar 'IR 64'. A converse pattern was observed on water stressed rice, despite fewer cycles of water deficit on the field. The results could have suggested that the initiation of water deficit is the rate limiting step rather than its intensity at the reproductive growth stage

Effects of graded crude protein diet on serum biochemical parameters of African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus) reared in Ibadan, Nigeria

The domestication of African giant rats (AGRs) to supplement animal protein needs in Nigeria and its potential as a laboratory animal model for biomedical research have not been fully exploited. Thirty AGRs divided into 5groups (A-E) were used for the experiment. The rats were fed with feed containing graded protein at 9.83%, 14.79%, 21.21% (control), 23.93% and 27.84% crude protein in feed for a period of 10weeks. They were then sampled on day 28 and day 56 by collecting 5mls obtained from the orbital sinus of the AGRs into lithium heparinized (20u/ml) tubes for serum biochemical analysis. On day 28 the levels of sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine at 23.93% CP when compared with the corresponding values in those other groups. The serum protein level revealed significant differences in the levels of albumin and globulin being higher than the others at 27.84% CP with 4.34±0.13g/dl and 2.76±0.11g/dl respectively. Serum liver enzymes showed that the level of ALT was highest at 9.83%CP with 9.50±0.61iu. Significant increase was also observed in the level of Triglycerides (74.80±4.21) at 27.84% CP. On day 56, there was significant increase in the level of urea (47.00±2.52mg/dl) at 14.79%CP. Albumin /globulin ratio was significantly higher with 1.60±0.29 at 9.83%CP. There was a significant increase in the level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with 40.00±1.53iu at 9.83%CP. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the data from this study provide complete biochemical reference data that would be useful in clinical evaluation and management of AGRs. These will also be useful in achieving an appropriate diseases management and domestication plan for this species of animal.https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajbr/indexam2021Paraclinical SciencesProduction Animal Studie

Acidic leaching of iron from Kaoje Goethite ore by hydrochloric acid: Kinetics modelling

Considering the recent focus of the Nigeria Government to grow and develop the nation’s economy through the solid minerals sector reform, this study has been devoted to the kinetics of a Nigerian goethite ore by hydrochloric acid leaching for improved iron and steel industries applications. This study was performed in three different phases. In the first phase, acidic leaching of iron from a goethite ore was examined and the influence of the operating variables including: HCl concentration, leaching temperature, stirring speed and particle sizes was examined experimentally. The optimum condition was found to be HCl concentration of 1.81M, temperature of 80°C, 200 rpm stirring speed and particle size 0.09 μm for iron in the range of investigated parameters. Under those conditions, the highest iron recovery was obtained to be 95.67 %. In the second phase, the dissolution kinetics of iron was evaluated by the shrinking core models. The finding reveals that diffusion through the fluid was the leaching kinetics rate controlling step of the iron. The activation energy (Ea) was found to be 14.54 kJmol-1 for iron. Equation representing the leaching kinetic of iron was achieved to be 1−2/3α - (1 − x)2/3 = 0.7272 × e−38.29/8.314×T × t. The final stage of the experiment was carried out by characterizing the leached residues by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the result showed majorly the presence of rutile (TiO2), anglesite (PbSO4), and traces of iron-silicate face like pyrite (FeS), quartz (SiO2). Keywords: kinetics modelling, leaching, low-grade, recovery, shrinking cor

Biodiesel production from waste frying oil via heterogeneous transesterification: Optimization study

This study deals with development of a new composite heterogeneous catalyst, anthill-eggshellpromoted Ni-Co mixed oxides (NiCoAE). Thecatalyst was synthesized via co-precipitationand also characterizedto evaluate its properties.The as-synthesized NiCoAEcatalyst was thereafter tested for transesterification reaction.The effects of variables affecting the transesterification process,reaction temperature (50-70 oC), reaction time (2-4 h), catalyst loading (3-7 wt%) and methanol to oil ratio (6:1-12:1) were investigated using central composite design (CCD). The biodiesel yield of 89.23% was obtained at the following optimum reaction conditions; 70 oC of reaction temperature, 2 h of reaction time, 3 wt% of catalyst loading and methanol to waste frying oil ratio of 12:1.This indicates thatNiCoAEas heterogeneous catalyst has potential to converthigh FFA feedstockinto biodiesel via singlestep transterification proces

Effects of Graded Crude Protein Diet on Haematological Indices and Body Weight of African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus )

The domestication of the African giant rat (AGRs) (Cricetomys gambianus) to compliment the inadequate animal protein supplies in Nigeria and its potential to serve as a model for biomedical research is yet to be fully exploited. This study determines the effects of varied crude protein (CP) diet on haematological indices and body weight of AGRs. Blood samples were obtained from the orbital sinus of 30 apparently healthy adult male and female AGRs. The AGR’s were kept in captivity and divided into 6 rats per group (A, B, C, D and E). Group A served as control group. The groups were fed with graded levels of crude protein (CP) of (E) 9.83%, (D) 14.79%, (A) 21.21%, (C) 23.93% and (B) 27.84%. Each chloroform pre-anaesthetized AGRs were weighed at days 0 and 14, 28, 42 and 56, while blood samples were collected at days 28 and 56. The samples were each analyzed for erythrocyte and leucocyte parameters and platelet counts by standard methods. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and student t-test. At 28 days post-feeding, AGRs fed with 27.84% CP showed no significant elevations in erythrocyte and leucocyte values compared with control values (21.21% CP). However, at 56 days post-feeding, RBC, Hb, PCV, total WBC, eosinophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts were significantly lowered in the group fed with 27.84% CP. No significant differences in body weights were observed in rats that were fed 27.84%, 21.21%, 14.8% and 9.8% crude protein diets for 28 and 56 days. This study shows improved body weight with 27.84% CP compared with other crude protein percentage used while 14.79% CP had the best haematological parameters when compared with other crude protein groups. Keywords: African giant rats; Crude protein; Haematology; Weig

Application of factorial analysis for quicklime production from limestone

Production of quicklime from limestone was investigated in this study. Two level Full Factorial Design has been employed to study the effect of different experimental variables on the production of quicklime. Two variables of calcinations temperature (800 oC and 1000 oC), calcinations time (30 mins and 60 mins) and limestone particle size (0.3 mm and 6 mm) were used to identify the significant effects and interactions in the limestone calcination batch studies. An empirical model has been developed using the experimental data. The results show that production of quicklime was strongly affected by the variations in calcinations temperature, calcinations time and limestone particle sizes. The factorial analysis also suggested that there is a significant interaction between calcination temperature and calcination time to produce quicklime of high yield and reactivity. The maximum quicklime quality yield of 94.97% was achieved when the production was carried out at 1000 °C, calcinations time of 30 minutes with limestone particle size of 0.3 mm. The result of Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 3.44% less than minimum of 15% obtained from the validation and confirmatory experiment shows that the regression is suitable for predicting the yield of quicklime from limestone.Keywords: limestone, quicklime, Full Factorial Design, Yield, Reactivit

Experience of wrong-site tooth extraction among Nigerian dentists

AbstractObjectiveTo report the experience of wrong-site tooth extraction among Nigerian dentists.Study designA self-administered questionnaire was distributed among a cross-section of Nigerian dentists. Information requested included personal experience on wrong-site tooth/teeth extraction and its after-effect, possible reasons for wrong-site tooth extraction and documentation of the event in patients’ case. Respondents were also asked if they were aware of any colleagues who had previously experienced wrong-site tooth extraction and possible legal implication of the event, and if they aware of the universal protocol for preventing wrong site, wrong procedure, and wrong person surgery.ResultsTwenty-two (13%) of the respondents reported having extracted a wrong tooth. The event occurred within 5years after graduation in most cases. Most respondents (53.6%) informed the patient immediately after the event. Only 68% of the respondents documented the event in patient’s case record. Most common reasons for wrong-site tooth extraction were heavy workload, presence of multiple condemned teeth and miscommunication between dentists. Fifty-five percent of respondents were aware of a colleague who had extracted a wrong tooth. The most probable legal implication of wrong-site tooth extraction according to the respondents was litigation by the patient. Only 25% of dentists were aware of a universal protocol for preventing wrong-site surgery.ConclusionsWrong tooth/teeth extraction is not an uncommon event in the studied environment. The need to be familiar with universal protocol on wrong-site surgery and its legal implications are highlighted