FACTORS AFFECTING BIRTH AND WEANING WEIGHTS IN LAMBS OF YANKASA, WEST AFRICAN DWARF BREEDS AND THEIR CROSSES

Data on birth weights (BW) and weaning weights (WW) in lambs of Yankasa, West African dwarf (WAD) breeds and their crosses were analyzed.  The effects of breed, parity, sex, type of birth, management system and season were determined. Yankasa lambs had the highest mean BW (2.57kg) which was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of WAD (1.68kg) and their crosses (2.05kg). Breed, parity, sex, type of birth and season had significant (P< 0.05) effect BW and WW.  Male lambs in comparison with female lambs had higher (P < 0.05) BW and WW while single-born lambs in comparison with multiple-born lambs had higher (P < 0.05) WW. A highly significant positive correlation (0.719) was estimated between BW and WW of lambs across breed.  It was concluded that the differences in factors influencing BW and WW at early phases might have risen from the variation among breeds and factors monitored. Therefore, BW and WW could provide useful information for early selection criteria in breeding programmes, serving as an important role in expression of genetic potential in lambs

SIAM WEED (Chromolaena odorata) AND COWDUNG COMPOST EFFECTS ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, YIELD and MINERAL NUTRITION OF TOMATOES(Lycopersicon esculentum L)

Greenhouse trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of  siam weed (chromolaena odorata) and cowdung compost on  physicochemical properties, yield and mineral nutrition of tomatoes(lycopersicon esculentum l). The nutritional value of tomato makes it one of the crop that is a daily household consumption by every family.Compost was prepared in this study from Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) and cowdung. Three compost samples were prepared from Cowdung and siam weed at ratio 100g: 100g (sample A),  200g chopped siam weed (sample B) and 200g cowdung (sample C). These three samples were composted in plastic drums perforated for aeration and each sample was replicated three times. The content in the drums were regularly turned and monitored at 1, 10, 30 and 60 days for physicochemical properties. The physicochemical and mineral element analyses of the compost were carried out using standard procedures.The pH of the composted samples ranged between 5.8 to 6.9. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents increased with days of composting while those of heavy metals decreased. The result of plant height for the two varieties ranges  between 5.31-119.8, number of  fruits is between 11-21 and the yield (kg) parameter ranges between 0.76-1.91. Treatment. A gave higher mineral element over other treatment applied. The order of mineral elements contributed to the fruits were as follows treatments A>C>B>D   &nbsp

COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL AND DEGRADED SAWDUST ON GROWTH AND YIELD CHARACTER OF PEPPER (CAPSICUM SPP)

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Arbuscular mycorrhiza  and degraded sawdust on growth and yield characters of bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.)  The experiment was 2x4 factorial arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD)) with four replicates. The eight treatments were combinations of two early maturing varieties of bell peppers (PEP and Gombe) and soil amendments (degraded sawdust, Glomus etunicatum and steam sterilized homogenous soil as control (C). The two varieties of bell pepper differed significantly in growth and fruit parameters. Variety Gombe had higher plant  height (22.2cm) and produced more fruits of bell pepper (1.7) than variety PEP inspite of its larger leaf area (23.1cm2) by the latter. The results also showed that soil amendment with degraded sawdust alone and combination with Glomus etunicatum improved the growth parameters such as plant height, stem girth, leaf area as well as numbers of flowers and fruits of bell pepper. The interaction of pepper and soil amendments was significant on all the growth and yield parameters with varieties exhibiting differential reactions to the soil amendment treatments. Soil amendments with degraded sawdust and combination of degraded sawdust with Arbuscular mycorrhiza  had positive effects on the growth and yield characters of both varieties of pepper used (PEP and Gombe).   &nbsp

Multitasking, but for what benefit? The dilemma facing Nigerian university students regarding part-time working.

Students working part-time while studying for a full-time university degree are commonplace in many Western countries. This paper however, examines the historically uncommon part-time working activities and career aspirations among Nigerian university students. In particular, how working is perceived to contribute to developing employability skills, and whether it is influenced by their self-efficacy. Survey data from 324 questionnaires was collected from a federal university, although the data analysis used a mixed-method. The findings indicate that despite low levels of part-time working generally among students, older, more experienced, higher level and female students, place a premium on the skills that part-time work can develop. Moreover, self-efficacy and being female, is a significant predictor in understanding part-time work and career aspirations. This study offers originality by focusing on students’ part-time work, the value working provides, and its link with career aspirations, within a relatively unexplored context of Nigeria

Improved Yorùbá Language Option of the Automated Teller Machine using Translation Equivalence Model

The introduction of the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) by financial institutions has changed the face of banking globally, Nigeria inclusive. The mechanism has provided a kind of collective sigh-of-relief to both the bank and their customers, offering convenient, speedy and round the clock services. However, it is not without some inherent challenges as many bank customers who are not proficient in English language found the ATM cumbersome and unfriendly. Attempting to provide solution to these challenges, some banks in Nigeria have developed and introduced the indigenous language version of the Automated Teller Machine options. Yet, user’s response did not reflect the anticipated level of enthusiasm as a result of operational complexities and translation equivalence challenges especially for the Yoruba menu option. In view of this, this work makes an attempt to present an improved translation model introducing Yoruba tone marking to assist those who do not understand the English language, but are monolingual only in Yoruba language to effectively interact with the system. Specifically, an attempt is made to translate the menu option of Automated Teller Machine in conformity with the phonological and morphological processes in Yorùbá, following the natural strategy of lexical expansion in the Yorùbá language itself. Phrases and sentences of translation were conducted, employing equivalent model. The data (content) considered were arranged bearing in mind the principle of relatedness for proper reference and analysis. During translation, the strategies of morphological processes of semantic extension, borrowing, nominalization, indigenization and composition were used. The system framework designed to test the model was found to reflect the anticipated level of user’s enthusiasm. The research work does not only assist those who are not proficient in English language to effectively interact with the system, but also overcomes the challenges of the present design and consequently widens the scope of ATM usage in the interior parts of the country. KEYWORD

Improved Yorùbá Language Option of the Automated Teller Machine using Translation Equivalence Model

The introduction of the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) by financial institutions has changed the face of banking globally, Nigeria inclusive. The mechanism has provided a kind of collective sigh-of-relief to both the bank and their customers, offering convenient, speedy and round the clock services. However, it is not without some inherent challenges as many bank customers who are not proficient in English language found the ATM cumbersome and unfriendly. Attempting to provide solution to these challenges, some banks in Nigeria have developed and introduced the indigenous language version of the Automated Teller Machine options. Yet, user’s response did not reflect the anticipated level of enthusiasm as a result of operational complexities and translation equivalence challenges especially for the Yoruba menu option. In view of this, this work makes an attempt to present an improved translation model introducing Yoruba tone marking to assist those who do not understand the English language, but are monolingual only in Yoruba language to effectively interact with the system. Specifically, an attempt is made to translate the menu option of Automated Teller Machine in conformity with the phonological and morphological processes in Yorùbá, following the natural strategy of lexical expansion in the Yorùbá language itself. Phrases and sentences of translation were conducted, employing equivalent model. The data (content) considered were arranged bearing in mind the principle of relatedness for proper reference and analysis. During translation, the strategies of morphological processes of semantic extension, borrowing, nominalization, indigenization and composition were used. The system framework designed to test the model was found to reflect the anticipated level of user’s enthusiasm. The research work does not only assist those who are not proficient in English language to effectively interact with the system, but also overcomes the challenges of the present design and consequently widens the scope of ATM usage in the interior parts of the country

ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science EFFECTS OF FEED RESTRICTION AND ASCORBIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS, BREAST MEAT CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDES OF MARSHALL BROILER CHICKENS

ABSTRACT To determine the effects of feed restriction and ascorbic acid supplementation on carcass characteristics, breast meat cholesterol and triglycerides of broiler chickens, 252 two-week old Marshall broiler chickens were used in a 4 x 3 factorial experiment. The birds were weighed and randomly distributed into 12 treatments with 3 replicates of 7 birds each, subjected to four feed restriction levels: full feeding (AD), skip a day feeding (SAD), skip two days feeding (S2D) and skip three days feeding every week (S3D) for 24 hours from days 15 to 35 and three levels of ascorbic acid supplementation (0, 150, 300 mg/kg feed). Feed was provided ad libitum to all the birds from days 36 to 56. Birds on full feeding regime containing 0 mg/kg ascorbic acid had the highest (P<0.05) live weight, dressing percentage, plucked weight, eviscerated weight, thigh, back, wings and heart. Breast was highest (P<0.05) in birds on full feeding regime containing 150 mg/kg ascorbic acid. Birds on skip two days feeding regime containing 300 mg/kg had the lowest breast meat cholesterol and triglycerides though not statistically (p>0.05) different from other treatments. In conclusion, feed restriction regimes and ascorbic acid supplementation did not improve carcass characteristics in the feed-restricted birds; however, 150 mg/kg ascorbic supplementation improved the breast weight of the fully fed Marshall broiler chickens