Performance evaluation of motorized and treadle cowpea threshers

 A motorized thresher and a treadle cowpea thresher were evaluated in terms of threshing efficiency (%), throughput capacity (kg h-1), cleaning efficiency (%), mechanical damage (%) and percentage loss (%) for three commonly grown cowpea varieties in Nigeria.  The three varieties were 994, IAR48 and TVX.  The cylinder concave clearances were fixed at 13, 12 and 11 mm based on the major diameter of each cowpea variety.  The investigation was conducted at three levels of moisture contents (12.5%, 15% and 17% wet basis).  Evaluation results indicated that for motorized thresher threshing efficiency varied from 71.4 to 82.86%, 73.56 to 87.14% and 77. 63 to 88.57% while for treadle thresher threshing efficiency varied from 20.50 to 24.29%, 21.50 to 25.71% and 25.05 to 28.57 for 994, IAR48 and TVX varieties respectively.  The highest cleaning efficiency of 80.77% was obtained at 610 r min-1 for 994 cowpea variety for motorized thresher.  Least damage of 6.00% and 7.5% were observed at 405 and 406 r min-1 for IAR48 and 994 varieties for motorized and treadle threshers respectively.  A throughput capacity of 66.06 kg h-1 was obtained at moisture content of 12.5% wet basis and 405 r min-1 while throughput capacity of treadle thresher was 55.51 kg h-1 at moisture content of 17% wet basis and 610 r min-1.   Keywords: cowpea, mechanical damage, moisture content, threshing efficiency, variet

Seasonality of violent and property crime in Nigeria: Some Preliminary Findings

This study examines seasonal patterns of crime in two Nigerian cities with varying weather conditions. Using residents’ perception of crime data, break-ins are perceived to occur more frequently in the low quality neighbourhoods in Benin City, whereas in Minna, it is perceived to occur regularly in the high quality neighbourhoods. Overall results show that Minna, with warmer climate has higher levels and seasonal variations for violent crime (assaults) while Benin City, with colder climates has higher levels and seasonal variations for property crimes (break-ins). It is apparent from this study that seasonal patterns of crime in one place may not translate effectively into another. Hence, continuous researches into seasonal analysis of crimes are justifiable in the security planning efforts to ensure an environment that is suitable for living, working and recreating

Properties influencing cracking and separation of palm nuts in a mechanical cracker cum separator

Experimental studies of some properties influencing cracking and separation of palm kernel from the shell was conducted in a palm kernel dual processing machine. A mechanical cracking cum separating machine was developed for the study. The cracking unit consists of feed hopper, impeller shaft, cracking drum and impeller blade. The nut falls by gravity through the hopper channel into the cracking drum where the cracking process takes place through the help of impeller blades that flip the palm nut against the walls of cylindrical cracking drum. The mass of cracked nut flows through the separating unit that separates the kernel from the shell. The separation is induced by high current of air mass generated by an axial fan. A dura palm variety was selected and a total sample of eighteen thousand (18000) palm nuts were obtained and divided into two groups (feed rates), A and B, of eight thousand and ten thousand palm nuts respectively. Sample groups A and B were further divided into five sub – groups of four hundred (400) and five hundred (500) palm kernel nuts. Each sub group (feed rate) was replicated four times at different shaft speeds (600, 900, 1200, 1500 and 1800 rpm). Results showed that cracking efficiencies increased with respect to speed. Un-cracked nuts percentage ranged from 1.3 to 5.3% at 7.1% moisture content, and 1.6 to 4.5% for 400 and 500 feed rates, respectively. Cracking time for both feed rates decreased with shaft speed. Throughput capacity of 11.49 kg/h was observed to be the lowest at 600 rpm and moisture content of 7.1% for both 400 feed rates and the highest throughput capacity of 37.16 kg/h was recorded at 1800 rpm at moisture contents of 9.3% and 16.1%. The results of this study shows that moisture content, engine speed and feed rate are significant parameters that influence cracking of nuts and separation of palm kernel from the shell

Revitalizing a Traditional Market Space in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: An Analysis of Environmental Quality Indicators and Policy Implications

Traditional market settings in Nigeria have been observed to be poor in environmental quality and less conducive for human physical and economic wellbeing. The physical conditions of the markets have been used to draw conclusions in livability of the space. Policy options to revitalize the overall environmental quality of market spaces require users’ inputs. The study, therefore, examined the environmental quality of a traditional market space in Nigeria, specifically focusing on Odo-Ogbe in Ile-Ife, and explored the potential for policy interventions to revitalize the market. The study was carried out among everyday users of the market. Information obtained through questionnaire administration was the users’ socio-economic backgrounds and twenty-three variables having social, economic and environmental characteristics. Physical observation was also carried out for an all-inclusive environment assessment of the market. Using systematic random and purposive sampling techniques, 119 market users were selected for the survey. Results showed that, the majority of the users were married (64.7%), females (74.8%), who had one form of educational qualification or the other (89.9%). Using an index tagged “Users’ Environmental Quality Index” (UEQI), sixteen environmental quality indicators were rated to be important. Among these were “availability of electricity (UEQI=4.68)”, “availability of water (UEQI=4.52)”, and “clean and healthy environment (UEQI=4.18)”. The study recommended that the government concerned with city administration should pull financial and human resources together to provide facilities and services related to users’ environmental quality indicator data for effective revitalization of the market space

In vitro gas production, methane production and fermentation kinetics of concentrate diet containing incremental levels of sodium humate

The redox potentials of humic acids make it a veritable pathway to hydrogen consumption in the rumen that may be a strategy to mitigate methane production. This study assessed the fermentability indices and methane production of incremental levels of sodium humate by in vitro gas production technique. Five experimental diets containing sodium humate at 0, 5, 7.5 10 and 12.5 g/kg diet were formulated. Inoculum prepared was from rumen fluid of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Incubation period was 24 hours at 39°C. Fermentation kinetics, methane and rumen metabolites production were analysed using one-way analysis of variance as outlined in the GLM procedure of SAS. Results revealed a decrease (p < 0.05) in CH4, VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, hydrogen consumed via CH4/VFA pathway (HC), volume of gas from degradable fraction (A) and rate of gas constant (c) with addition of sodium humate in the diet up to 10 g/kg diet. There were increase (p < 0.05) in VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, HC, A and c at 12.5 g/kg diet humate inclusion. Also, hydrogen recovery (HR), metabolizeable energy (ME), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), microbial biomass, organic matter digestibility (OMD) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) increased (p < 0.05) with incremental levels of sodium humate inclusion, but above 10 g/kg diet inclusion, ATP, MB, ME, OMD and SCFA were observed to decrease (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the impact of sodium humate in diet of goats is dose dependent and that supplementing the diet of WAD goats with sodium humate for up to 10 g/kg diet can effectively reduce methane production while also providing energy for rumen microbes and other metabolic activities of the animal

In vitro gas production, methane production and fermentation kinetics of concentrate diet containing incremental levels of sodium humate

The redox potentials of humic acids make it a veritable pathway to hydrogen consumption in the rumen that may be a strategy to mitigate methane production. This study assessed the fermentability indices and methane production of incremental levels of sodium humate by in vitro gas production technique. Five experimental diets containing sodium humate at 0, 5, 7.5 10 and 12.5 g/kg diet were formulated. Inoculum prepared was from rumen fluid of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Incubation period was 24 hours at 39°C. Fermentation kinetics, methane and rumen metabolites production were analysed using one-way analysis of variance as outlined in the GLM procedure of SAS. Results revealed a decrease (p < 0.05) in CH4, VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, hydrogen consumed via CH4/VFA pathway (HC), volume of gas from degradable fraction (A) and rate of gas constant (c) with addition of sodium humate in the diet up to 10 g/kg diet. There were increase (p < 0.05) in VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, HC, A and c at 12.5 g/kg diet humate inclusion. Also, hydrogen recovery (HR), metabolizeable energy (ME), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), microbial biomass, organic matter digestibility (OMD) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) increased (p < 0.05) with incremental levels of sodium humate inclusion, but above 10 g/kg diet inclusion, ATP, MB, ME, OMD and SCFA were observed to decrease (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the impact of sodium humate in diet of goats is dose dependent and that supplementing the diet of WAD goats with sodium humate for up to 10 g/kg diet can effectively reduce methane production while also providing energy for rumen microbes and other metabolic activities of the animal

Response surface methodology assessment of osmotic pre-drying and convective dehydration processes on the anti-oxidant property of Hausa variety of tomato

This study was conducted to determine the effect of osmotic pre-drying treatment on the vitamin C content of Hausa variety of tomato. The tomatoes used were sliced to a uniform diameter of 10 mm, deseeded and then osmotically pre-treated with sugar and honey solution at different osmotic concentrations (20, 30, 40, 50, 60 °Bx), osmotic time (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 min) and osmotic temperature (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 °C). Experimental design was done using the Central Composite Design (CCD) methodology of Design Expert software version 6.0.6. Drying of the samples was done at 65 °C in a cabinet dryer operating mainly on convectional heat transfer. Drying process was completed and terminated when the samples reached their equilibrium moisture content between 3-5% after total drying time of 10 hours. The data obtained were analysed statistically using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis at p≤0.05 significance level. The developed model was significant and has goodness of fit with an R2 value of 71.29% and lack of fit test was insignificant at p≤ 0.05. Optimized process conditions for producing the best quality of tomato product with vitamin C content of 22 mg/100 g were 35.43 °Bx osmotic concentration, 11.10 min osmotic time and 23.86 °C osmotic temperature having a desirability function of 1. These conditions were considered to be advantageous as they were more economical, time and energy saving

Perception and practice of physical activity and exercise counselling in renal care team in Nigeria

Introduction. Physical activity (PA) in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) requires positive attitude and practice among the renal care team (RCT). The study examined the perceptions and practices of PA and exercise counselling among the RCT in Nigeria. Methods. The study is 24-item cross-sectional survey on exercise counselling practices on 281 renal care practitioners (females = 149, males = 132; mean age = 42 ±10 years; renal physicians (39%), nurses (50%), and others (11%)) at the 30th annual conference of NANCONF. Results. Forty two percent did not exercise regularly and 58% engaged in moderate-to-vigorous intensity. 92% agreed sedentary lifestyle is a health risk; 96% agreed that increasing PA is beneficial; and 81% reported that PA is beneficial for patients. 35% recommended PA; 17% referred patients to exercise professionals and 11% facilitated implementation of PA. Barriers to the implementation of PA were lack of motivated patients (75%), resources (69%), funds (66%), and motivated staff (63%). Conclusion. Perceptions and practices of PA and exercise counselling in the RCT in Nigeria is promising with inconsistencies between beliefs in the benefits of PA and actual implementation. Addressing the reported barriers could improve the recommendation of PA in patient's management

A Prospective Cohort Study of the Clinical Predictors of Bacteremia in Under-Five Children With Acute Undifferentiated Fever Attending a Secondary Health Facility in Northwestern Nigeria

Background: Children with acute febrile illness with no localizing signs often receive antibiotics empirically in most resource-poor settings. However, little is known about the burden of bacteremia in this category of patients, and an appraisal is thus warranted. This will guide clinical practice and promote rational antibiotics use. Methods: We prospectively followed up 140 under-five children who presented with acute undifferentiated fever at the emergency/outpatient pediatric unit of a secondary healthcare facility. Baseline clinical and laboratory information was obtained and documented in a structured questionnaire. We compared baseline characteristics between participants with bacteremia and those without bacteremia. We further fitted a multivariable logistic regression model to identify factors predictive of bacteremia among the cohort. Result: The prevalence of bacteremia was 17.1%, and Salmonella Typhi was the most frequently (40.9%) isolated pathogen. The majority (78.6%) of the study participants were managed as outpatients. The participants who required admission were four times more likely to have bacteremia when compared to those managed as outpatients (AOR 4.08, 95% CI 1.19 to 14.00). There is a four times likelihood of bacteremia (AOR 4.75, 95% CI 1.48 to 15.29) with a fever duration of beyond 7 days. Similarly, participants who were admitted with lethargy were six times more likely to have bacteremia (AOR 6.20, 95% CI 1.15 to 33.44). Other significant predictors were tachypnea and lymphopenia. Conclusion: Among under-five children with acute undifferentiated fever, longer duration of fever, lethargy, inpatient care, tachypnea, and lymphopenia were the significant predictors of bacteremia

A Prospective Cohort Study of the Clinical Predictors of Bacteremia in Under-Five Children With Acute Undifferentiated Fever Attending a Secondary Health Facility in Northwestern Nigeria

Background: Children with acute febrile illness with no localizing signs often receive antibiotics empirically in most resource-poor settings. However, little is known about the burden of bacteremia in this category of patients, and an appraisal is thus warranted. This will guide clinical practice and promote rational antibiotics use. Methods: We prospectively followed up 140 under-five children who presented with acute undifferentiated fever at the emergency/outpatient pediatric unit of a secondary healthcare facility. Baseline clinical and laboratory information was obtained and documented in a structured questionnaire. We compared baseline characteristics between participants with bacteremia and those without bacteremia. We further fitted a multivariable logistic regression model to identify factors predictive of bacteremia among the cohort. Result: The prevalence of bacteremia was 17.1%, and Salmonella Typhi was the most frequently (40.9%) isolated pathogen. The majority (78.6%) of the study participants were managed as outpatients. The participants who required admission were four times more likely to have bacteremia when compared to those managed as outpatients (AOR 4.08, 95% CI 1.19 to 14.00). There is a four times likelihood of bacteremia (AOR 4.75, 95% CI 1.48 to 15.29) with a fever duration of beyond 7 days. Similarly, participants who were admitted with lethargy were six times more likely to have bacteremia (AOR 6.20, 95% CI 1.15 to 33.44). Other significant predictors were tachypnea and lymphopenia. Conclusion: Among under-five children with acute undifferentiated fever, longer duration of fever, lethargy, inpatient care, tachypnea, and lymphopenia were the significant predictors of bacteremia