Assessing Gender Factor In Some Secondary Mathematics Textbooks In Nigeria

A ZJER article.The majority of girls in Nigeria no longer study Mathematics and the few who do continue to have averagely lower achievement scores than boys. Apart from the cognitive factors, which have been studied extensively, affective factors have been identified as contributing to the relatively poor performance of girls in Mathematics. This study was therefore an attempt to investigate one of the affective factors, the factor of gender, in some secondary school Mathematics textbooks. Materials for the study included seven Mathematics textbooks that are commonly used in secondary school in Nigeria. The test items and illustrations in the textbooks were categorised as male-related, female-related, or neutral tasks. By using simple percentages and chi-square analysis, significant differences were observed on the number of items and illustrations that are male or female-related. The results show that the textbooks contain high percentages of male-related tasks than female-related ones

VARIATION AMONG AGRONOMIC TRAITS AND MINERAL CONTENTS IN 15 ACCESSIONS OF GARDEN EGG PLANT (Solanum aethiopicum) IN SOUTHWEST OF NIGERIA

Throughout Africa, S. aethiopicum is very popular and plays a vital role in many human diets. Despite the fact that there are previous reports on yield characteristics and nutrition of the crop, there is a need to assess the crop for variations in mineral properties. This study aimed at determining the amount of genetic variability and level of heritability of agronomic and mineral contents of S. aethiopicum accessions. Fifteen accessions of S.aethiopicum were evaluated in an RBCD experimental design to generate data for use. Data were collected for agronomic, morphological and mineral contents. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA and the significant means were also separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% probability level. Variance component method was used to estimate phenotypic and genotypic variations as well as heritability. Significant differences were observed among accessions for the various morphological and mineral nutritional traits evaluated. High heritability estimates, Phenotypic and Genotypic variances were observed for mineral content and fruit yield. Genotypic and phenotypic variances ranged between 0.31 and 11078.85 for the agronomic traits. The hierarchical cluster analyses revealed five distinct clusters at similarity index of 85%. The first cluster included 6 accessions; the second included accessions NHS 101A, and OG 03; the third were NHS 104 and OG 01; the fourth included NHS 105; and the fifth included NHS 106, NHS 108, OS 02 and OS 03. Accessions OS 01 and OS 03 appear unique based on the traits for which the accessions were assessed.This study revealed that substantial variation exists within the accessions of S.aethiopicum evaluated, hence, it will help in breeding process of good quality genotypes for higher yields and mineral content. &nbsp

Potentials for Generating Alternative Fuels from Empty Palm Fruit Bunches by Pyrolysis

The threat that the disposal of empty palm fruit bunches constitute to communities in oil palm processing areas in Nigeria coupled with the current global focus on alternative energy is the trigger for this work. An existing pyrolytic reactor consisting of a reactor unit, condensate receiver, copper pipe connectors and gas receiver was modified and adapted for converting empty palm fruit bunches to alternative fuels. The average char yield was 44.9%, and the percentage of feedstock converted into pyrogas and tar oil was 55.1%. The char yield decreased gradually as temperature was increased from 300-700°C. Char yield was highest (39.78%) when the temperature was 300°C and the lowest char yield was 25.05% at 700°C The calorific values of char ranged between 21.12 and 23.76 MJ/kg. Apart from the potential of generating energy from pyrolysed EFB, it abates the disposal problem that EFB constitutes in the oil palm industry

Design and development of a permanent mould for crucible production

This study aimed at development of a permanent mould for crucible production. Solid-Works was used as the computer aided design (CAD) tool for design and structural analysis of the parts, with necessary design considerations put in place. The fabrication of the mould was carried out at Federal Institute for Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), selecting Mild steel as the parent material. The mould basically consisted of the male and female parts made up of medium carbon steel because of the required strength. It was discovered from the structural analysis that the application of 1.0783 MN/m2 to produce the crucible from the mould is safe because it is not up to the vonmises maximum pressure of similar load of 5.584 MN/m2 , this is lesser than the yield strength of the material which is given to be 2.481 MN/mm2 . This shows that the material and its specification is safe and will not fail for the purpose for which it is designed for. Results showing the displacement and strain analysis revealed that the displacement in the mould is in the rate of 0.001 MN/mm and 0.00173 mm. This displacement is insignificant to cause failure in the part. And the strain is seen to be in the range 2.176 X 10-8 and 2.232 X 10 -5 , the results therefore give confidence in the design to meet requirement. Keywords: Casting, Development, Foundry, Crucible, Mould, SolidWork

Pyrolytic conversion of spent palm fruit bunches into bio-fuels

The threat which the disposal of spent palm fruit bunches constitutes to communities in oil palm processing communities in Nigeria coupled with the current global interest in alternative energy are the motivation for this work. An existing design of pyrolytic reactor consisting of a reactor unit, condensate receiver, copper pipe connectors and gas receiver was modified and adapted for converting spent palm fruit bunches into bio-fuels. The average char yield was 44.9 %, and the percentage of feedstock converted into pyro-gas and tar oil was 55.1 %. The char yield decreased gradually as temperature was increased from 300-700°C. Char yield was highest (39.78 %) when the temperature was 300°C and the lowest char yield was 25.05 % at 700 °C and the calorific values of char ranged between 21.12 and 23.76 MJkg-1. This work presents the potential of generating energy from pyrolysed Spent Palm Fruit Bunches (SPFB), it abates the disposal problem that SPFB constitutes in the oil palm industr

Assessment of environmental degradation in Eleyele Area, Ibadan North West Local Government, Oyo State Nigeria

This study investigated the causes and effects of environmental degradation in Eleyele, Ibadan. Six research questions were formulated for  this study. A duly validated instrument named Questionnaire on Causes and Effects of Environmental Degradation (QCEED) was used for data collection. A total of ninety (90) copies of the questionnaire were administered to the respondents using simple random sampling method by coming in contact/physical means and oral interviewing the respondents. Descriptive statistic was used to analyze the data collected. The result from this study showed that erosion (28.8%), flooding (22.5%), and air pollution (18.3%) were identified as major environmental hazards in the study area. The causes of these environmental problems were inadequate drainage pattern (19.4%),  dumping of solids wastes into rivers/streams (17.8%), poor sanitation exercise (15.6%). The study identified control measures such as awareness programme to re-awaken people’s commitment on environmental management (81.3%), dredging of rivers/streams channel (91.3%), renovation of damaged drainages (85.0%) and prosecution of sanitation exercise programme offenders (75.0%). The study recommends that there is need for the formulation and enforcement of sanitation  programme among others

Use of stool culture as a non invasive method for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori from stool of diarrhoeic children in western Nigeria

Background: Helicobacter pylori has been associated with chronic diarrhoea, iron deficiency anaemia, growth retardation, gastric malignancies, peptic ulcer disease, and gastritis among children. Diagnosis of this infection has been invasive using biopsies while stool culture is not common or routinely practiced. This study was designed to detect and isolate H.pylori from stool of diarrhoeic children and highlight possible use of such for routine laboratory diagnosis of H.pylori infections.Material and methods: Two hundred and sixty faecal samples obtained from diarrhoeic children were screened for H. pylori antigen, using H. pylori stool antigen test kit (HpSA) and cultured on modified DENTS medium. Cholestyramine and nitrobluetetrazolium salt were added to the stool and the medium respectively to aid isolation of H. pylori. Correlation of BMI and H. pylori infection of the children was also evaluated.Results: Twenty-six (10%) samples showed growth on culture while 91 (35%) tested positive for H. pylori antigen. Of the 26 children with positive culture, 16 had a low BMI. HpSA has sensitivity and specificity of 11.5% and 62.4%. There was a significant association (χ2 = 12.86, df=2, P-value = 0.004) between age group of participants and use of HpSA kit.Conclusion: Stool culture for recovery of H. pylori is feasible in our environment and diarrhoeic children should be screened for H. pylori using both HpSA and culture. H. pylori is suggested to be screened routinely especially among children having diarrhoea and are underweight. Albeit, other causes should be eliminated before concluding on the reason for the underweight.Keywords:  Helicobacter pylori, stool culture, HpSA, BMI, Cholestyramine, Nitrobluetetrazolium sal

Solid-phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection method for the determination of antibiotic residues in poultry tissues

This article presents information on high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method for the simultaneous determination of six antibi- otic residues (enrofloxacin, sulfadimethoxine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamox- ole, and tylosin) in three poultry tissues. The target antibiotic residues were extracted from raw poultry samples following concentration, clean-up through solid phase extraction. The data describe the extraction, determination and screening procedures of these common antibiotic residues in 111 samples of fresh and frozen poultry meats. The limit of detection (LOD) ranged from 5.37–55.4 ng/g, while the quantification limit (LOQ) was in the range of 17.9–184 ng/g, respectively, with minimal matrix effect. The calibration curves obtained exhibited a good linear response with the coefficient of determination, R 2 > 0.996. Some concentrations exceeded their maximum residue limits in most samples. These findings indicated elevated levels of antibiotic residues in tissues of locally produced and illegally imported poultry meat samples

L-Arginine Administration Improves Cognition and Oxidative Stress Parameters in the Hippocampus and Frontal Lobe of 4- Vinylcyclohexene Diepoxide Perimenopausal Female Rats

Neuropsychiatric symptoms like cognitive impairment and anxiety are prominent in the perimenopausal period and have beenrelated to increased oxidative stress. Study evaluated effect of L-arginine on these neuropsychiatric symptoms and oxidativestress parameters. Immature female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups; Premenopausal injected with Corn-oil(2.5μl/g) for 15 days; VCD perimenopausal, injected with 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (160mg/kg) diluted in Corn-oil for 15days; and AGING perimenopausal group. Fourteen weeks after VCD/corn-oil administrations, and 180 days in AGINGperimenopausal group, rats were further divided into 2 sub-groups that received L-Arginine (100mg/kg) and distilled water for30 days. Thereafter, neurobehavioural assessments were carried out in animals at diestrus using Y-maze and elevated plus maze.Animals were humanely sacrificed, hippocampus and frontal lobe were isolated from the brain and homogenized formeasurement of oxidative stress parameters. Percentage correct alternation was significantly higher (P< 0.05) in premenopausalcompared to VCD and AGING perimenopausal groups. It was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in AGING perimenopausal groupadministered distilled water compared to AGING perimenopausal group administered L-Arginine with no change in other groups.Close Vs Open arm ratio was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in premenopausal compared to VCD and AGING perimenopausalgroups. Similarly, L-Arginine significantly reduced (P < 0.05) Close Vs Open arm ratio in AGING PRM group while itsignificantly improved (P < 0.05) oxidative stress parameters in all groups. L-arginine improved cognition and anxiety in AGINGperimenopausal with no change in premenopausal and VCD perimenopausal rats

Determination of antibiotic residues in frozen poultry by a solid-phase dispersion method using liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

Importation of poultry produce into Nigeria through its land borders has heightened, notwithstanding the government’s ban on such products. This study examined imported frozen poultry products for antibiotic residues considering their health implications. A solid-phase extraction method using liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry in the positive and negative electrospray ionisation and the multiple reaction monitoring modes were employed. The antibiotics were extracted with acetonitrile-dichloromethane. Chromatographic separation was on Waters Acquity UPLC® BEH C18 column with acetonitrile, and water gradient and the antibiotics analysed using Electrospray positive ionisation polarity switch in a single run of fourteen minutes. Residues of nineteen (19) antibiotics were found in the three different matrices at different levels with varying detection frequencies ranging between 2 and 4% (sulfamoxole, penicillin-G, albendazole and phebendazole) and 14–54% for all the other antibiotics. The highest number of violative samples was found in the turkey gizzard and chicken muscle. Sulfixosazole had the highest percentage violation of 80.00% in turkey gizzard while sulfamethoxazole, notwithstanding its lower frequency in chicken muscle had highest maximum concentration and 100% violation. The presence of these drugs, however, does not pose any immediate health risk