Nutritional and industrial applications of broiler chickens feather – a review

Broiler chicken feather is one of the greatest protein-containing poultry by-products that has been scantily reused. Nigeria is reported to have the largest population of chickens in Africa. Consequently, enormous quantities of feathers are generated as by-products of the processing of these chickens. These feathers are often dumped at dump sites where they constitute environmental nuisance and thus pollute underground water. Broiler chickens feather has been reported to contain crude protein content of between 82-87% that could be incorporated into diets of broiler chickens as feather meal after subjecting them to appropriate processing procedures such as boiling at high temperature or enzymatic treatment in order to denature its anti-nutrient called keratins. The use of broiler chickens feather as organic fertilizer in crop production and as raw material in the textile industry has also gained relevance, especially in the developed world. This paper, therefore, reviews the nutritional potentials of broiler chickens feather in promoting better meat quality as well as other useful industrial applications that could enhance effective recycling of this major by-product of the poultry industry towards reducing or eliminating environmental pollution with the broiler chicken feathers

Supporting our academic community through a staff questionnaire

This report is the result of a survey carried out by library staff from the University of East London among lecturers from each of the eight schools within the University. The survey was conducted using a printed questionnaire of 31 questions. It was carried out over a six-month period, from December 2007 to May 2008, when 369 academic staff were interviewed by subject librarians. The survey's findings and it's impact on library service delivery are discussed

Carbon Nanotube Reinforced High Density Polyethylene Materials for Offshore Sheathing Applications

Multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT)-filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites were prepared by extrusion and considered for their suitability in the offshore sheathing applications. Transmission electron microscopy was conducted to analyse dispersion after bulk extrusion. Monolithic and nanocomposite samples were subjected to accelerated weathering and photodegradation (carbonyl and vinyl indices) characterisations, which consisted of heat, moisture (seawater) and UV light, intended to imitate the offshore conditions. The effects of accelerated weathering on mechanical properties (tensile strength and elastic modulus) of the nanocomposites were analysed. CNT addition in HDPE produced environmentally resilient nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties. The energy utilised to extrude nanocomposites was also less than the energy used to extrude monolithic HDPE samples. The results support the mass substitution of CNT-filled HDPE nanocomposites in high-end offshore applications

THE NEXUS BETWEEN LOGIC AND GENERAL STUDIES

Logic, a branch of philosophy, is essentially concerned with one’s ability to reason well. It provides structured rules and principles that act as guides for effective reasoning. As such the correctness or incorrectness of any kind of reasoning can easily be verified by subjecting them to logical techniques and methods. The paper conceptualises general studies as a set of prescribed courses available in a Nigerian tertiary institution, outside a student’s area of specialisation that must be registered for and passed, usually, in the first and second years of study. The essence is to ensure that students experience balanced, rounded education and to ensure that scholarship is made relevant to the pressing needs of the society. The paper locates the bond between logic and general studies based on the fact that logic permeates all the courses taught as General Studies and, indeed, all the courses taught in the university be it medicine, geography, architecture. In a knowledge-based environment, the need for effective communication is critical and inevitable. This means that both in the delivery of knowledge as well as its acquisition, care should be taken to avoid fallacious reasoning and deception by the slippery nature and use of words. It is for this reason that a rudimentary knowledge of logic is a prerequisite for every discipline. The paper adopts an analytical and comparative method. Philosophical analysis and reflection are applied in order to evaluate and highlight the importance of logic to other disciplines. Its comparative character helps to demonstrate why logic, and no any other discipline, is most suited to act as the foundation for all other disciplines. In all, the paper demonstrates that for effective teaching and learning to take place in other disciplines, logic is essential. It also underscores the strong nexus between logic and general studies. Finally, it shows how logic can help in enriching other disciplines.   &nbsp

Tensile properties of epoxy/1 wt% graphene nanocomposites prepared with ethanol.

In this research, solution casting technique was applied to produce four types of nanocomposites. Different ethanol dosages; 0g, 1g, 3g, and 5g were used to disperse graphene in the epoxy matrix. It was observed that 1g dosage of ethanol was the most effective concentration to disperse 1wt% graphene in the epoxy matrix. At 1 g dosage of ethanol used, the Young's modulus, tensile strength, and toughness were increased by 130%, 76%, and 187% respectively. SEM images illustrated that the graphene was able to inhibit the advancing cracks and detoured cracks propagation. It is observed that the ethanol needs to be removed completely during processing to ensure its effectiveness, otherwise, the remaining ethanol can cause porosity which is undesirable to the tensile properties of the nanocomposites

Getting to the root of student ‘dis-satisfaction’ at the University of East London

Every year, when the results of student surveys are published, subject librarians pore over them and try to uncover why some programmes give lower satisfaction scores for the library than others, even when taught within the same school, on the same campus and provided with the same services. This article is an account of how two subject librarians responded to relatively low satisfaction scores for a few programmes within their schools, and the findings they made in the process. It also outlines the response and findings of the library’s Academic Services & Skills Manager following publication of the most recent International Student Barometer results

Resistance Pattern Of Urinary Tract Infection Bacterial Isolates To Selected Quinolones

The Quinolones inhibit bacteria by interacting with DNA topoisomerases (gyrases) of which four subunits (two A and B monomers) have been identified thus, inhibiting bacterial DNA gyrase. High level resistance to quinolones can be produced by serial exposure of bacteria to subinhibitory concentration. A Total of 408 suspected UTI and high vagina swab (HVS) samples were examined for bacteria and the isolates obtained tested against the newer quinolones. Prevalence of Bacterial isolates revealed Escherichia coli 110(92%) as the most isolated organism from urine, while Staphylococcus aureus 31(32%) was the most isolated species from HVS samples. Bacterial species such as coliforms 55(70%) and Klebsiella spp 42(84%), equally had high prevalence rate in urine samples. Pseudomonas aeroginosa 19(66%) was next to Staphylococcus aureus in terms of prevalence of isolated strains from HVS samples. The resistance pattern observed for these isolates, showed that the strains were least resistant to Ciprofloxacin, followed by Ofloxacin and Perfloxacin, while they were most resistant to Nalidixic acid. There was however no statistical significance (

HIV Prevalence in Vulnerable Children Living in Jos, Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria

Background: The lack of Parental supervision, including psycho social problems and decrease access to basic needs  such as food, shelter, clothing, education and health care are examples of the enormous challenges faced by Vulnerable children (VC). These challenges pushes VC to adopt survival and coping strategies, of which some are exposure variables of sexually transmitted infection including HIV infection. In addition, some of these children were orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV. As such, VC should benefit from a health provider initiated counseling and testing for HIV as recommended by the Nigerian HIV policy. However, focus on screening VC for HIV infection has been abysmal; it is on this premise that this study set out to determine the HIV prevalence of vulnerable children in Jos, Nigeria. Methods: Vulnerable children were sampled from 3 different institutions and from households in 3 different communities in Jos, Plateau State with the assistance of Non-Governmental organizations involved in the care of VC. All VC enrolled were interviewed, clinically examined and screened for HIV based on national protocol and standard. Data generated were analyzed using CDC epi info version 7. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the 237 children enrolled 145 (61.2%) were male VC while 92(38.8%) were female vulnerable children, giving a male female ratio of 1.0: 0.6. HIV sero - positivity was identified in 9 of the 237 VC giving a prevalence of 3.8%, amongst the study subjects. Out of the 9 HIV positive VC, 7 VC (77.8%) were resident in institutions; only two household VC were HIV positive. There was no statistically significant association between place of residence, age of VC, gender and type of vulnerability and HIV status among the studied population. Conclusion: The HIV prevalence of 3.8% in vulnerable children is enormous and appears to be higher amongst children resident in orphanages than those in househol

The Library Game – using creative games technology to develop the library, learning and information skills of our students – the story so far

This article presents a project between the School of Computing and Technology and Library and Learning Services at the University of East London. The goal was to develop a library computer game to help promote the library service, assist with library induction sessions and improve access for distance learners. A beta test game was developed for evaluation and project partners were pleased with the results. The students who took part in developing the game gained invaluable experience of applying gaming theory to a particular situation. It is likely that games and virtual worlds will play an increasingly important role in developing the learning and skills of students and have the potential to provide an innovative and enjoyable way of learning library and information skills

Nutritional status and morbidity in children 0-5years seen in Jos University Teaching Hospital

Malnutrition underlies more than 50% of childhood mortality in Nigeria. It contributes significantly to mortality rates in children less than 5years of age. Prevalent childhood illnesses beyond the neonatal period are acute respiratory infections amongst other and outcome of treatment is invariably related to nutritional status. We sought to  determine the morbidity pattern and nutritional status of children 5 years and below admitted into the children emergency unit without primary diagnosis of malnutrition. Consenting subjects over a one year period between  0-5years were recruited into the study. Data retrieved included age, sex, weight, length/height and mid-upper arm circumference, clinical diagnosis amongst others. Seventy three subjects 5years and below were recruited out of 113 patients seen during the period. Mean age 21.518.5months. Most (43.8%) were infants. Acute respiratory infections (pneumonia, bronchiolitis and pharyngotonsillitis) accounted for 51.4% of admission, malaria 22.3% sickle cell  anaemia 8.3% and UTI 6.1% amongst others. Malnutrition was seen in 48.9% using WHZ, 15.1% had severe acute malnutrition, 10.9% were overweight while 9.6% had severe stunting. Most cases of SAM were seen in patients with pneumonia (35.7%). Malaria had mainly subjects with MAM (60%). Over-nutrition was seen more in subjects with UTI (50%), pneumonia (28.4%), bronchiolitis (33.3%) and malaria (20%). Severe stunted was noted among  subjects with pneumonia (21.4%), UTI (25%) and bronchiolitis (33.3%). Malnutrition remains an underlying  co-morbidity in children 5years and below. Intensified efforts at community and clinical management of  malnutrition in all children is needed