Energy inputs and outputs in a chickpea production system in Kurdistan, Iran

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important grain legumes which traditionally cultivated in marginal areas and saline soils. In this study, chickpea production in Kurdistan, Iran and the energy equivalencesof input used in production were investigated. The aims of this study were to determine the amount of input–output energy used in chickpea production, to investigate the efficiency of energy consumption, to make an economic analysis of chickpea production, and to establish a relation between energy inputs and yield. Data were collected through a survey using a face-to-face questionnaire. Diesel energy engrossed 37.9% of total energy, followed by chemical fertiliser 29.6% during production period. Energy efficiency was 1.04, and energy productivity was 0.07 kg MJ-1. The profit-cost ratio of the farms was 1.17. Calculated net return was 42.2 $ ha-1 in the investigated farms. The Cobb–Douglas function,, and the linear function, , were selected to establish the best fitness relations between the production and various energy inputs. Whereas the R squares in both models are close, but it has shown that the Cobb–Douglas model was better than linear model

An Assessment on Awareness and Acceptability of Child Adoption in Edo State

The study examines the awareness and acceptability of child adoption in Edo State. The design used for the study was survey design. The population for the study is made up of adults male and female in Esan West Local Government Area. One hundred respondents were randomly selected using random sampling techniques. The validity was ascertained by experts Reliability was established using the split – half method. Coefficient reliability of 0.75 was obtained. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire with twenty items. The data was analyzed using simple percentages according to the research questions formulated. The results of this study revealed amongst others that there is awareness and acceptability of child adoption. But, Large percentage of respondents disagreed with the fact that adopted children should have equal right to properties as biological children.  It was therefore recommended that pregnancies that are not planned for especially from teenagers should not be aborted, childless couples should be free to adopt child or children Keywords: Child Adoption, family, childlessness, barren, marital, childre

Energy use and economic analysis of strawberry production in Sanandaj zone of Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the energy consumption and economic analysis for strawberry production. The data were collected from 60 farmers growing strawberry in the Sanandaj zone of Iran by using a face-to-face questionnaire in August-September 2009. The plowing operation at the study area was done by two methods; manually plow (P1) and machinery plow (P2). Also the irrigation operation was done by two methods; pumping irrigation (P) and non pumping irrigation (NP). Univariate analysis of variance was used for finding the differences among the total energy used for production and profitability of this crop in the different methods at the 5% and 1% level. Total energy used in various farm operations during strawberry production was 53,605 MJ.ha-1. Total energy output was 17,338 MJ.ha-1, and the average annual yield of strawberry farms was 9,125 kg.ha-1. Energy efficiency was 0.32, and energy productivity calculated as 0.17 kg.MJ-1. This means a production of 0.17 kg per unit energy. The difference between total input energy in the different irrigation types (NP and P) is significant at 1% level. There is not any significant difference between different plow types at the 5% level. The interaction of irrigation types and plow types is significant at 5% level. The profit-cost ratio, productivity, and net profit in the strawberry production are 1.2, 0.99, and 1,825 $.ha-1, respectively. The difference between net return in the different irrigation types (NP and P) is significant at 5% level. The difference between net return in the different plow types (P1 and P2) is significant at 1% level

Nano-mechanical properties and structural of a 3D-printed biodegradable biomimetic micro air vehicle wing

The biomimetic micro air vehicles (BMAV) are unmanned, micro-scaled aircraft that are bio-inspired from flying organisms to achieve the lift and thrust by flapping their wings. The main objectives of this study are to design a BMAV wing (inspired from the dragonfly) and analyse its nano-mechanical properties. In order to gain insights into the flight mechanics of dragonfly, reverse engineering methods were used to establish three-dimensional geometrical models of the dragonfly wings, so we can make a comparative analysis. Then mechanical test of the real dragonfly wings was performed to provide experimental parameter values for mechanical models in terms of nano-hardness and elastic modulus. The mechanical properties of wings were measured by nanoindentre. Finally, a simplified model was designed and the dragonfly-like wing frame structure was bio-mimicked and fabricated using a 3D printer. Then mechanical test of the BMAV wings was performed to analyse and compare the wings under a variety of simplified load regimes that are concentrated force, uniform line-load and a torque. This work opened up the possibility towards developing an engineering basis for the biomimetic design of BMAV wings

Bioremediating Effect of Glomus Hoi and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa on the Organic Content and Heavy Metals of Soil Polluted with Oil Refinery Effluent using Amaranthus Cruentus as a Test Plant

This study analyzed the degrading effect of Glomus hoi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the organic content and heavy metals of oil refinery effluent polluted soil using Amaranthus cruentus as the test plant. This study was carried out to determine if agricultural activities can be improved using any or both of the micoorganisms. Eight different treatment layouts were used with three replicates for each level of pollution in the treatment layout. Ninety six (96) pots, each containing three kilograms of soil from both sterilized and unsterilized soil were used for the study. Fifty (50) grams of soil inoculum from propagated Arbuscular mycorrhiza was inoculated to a set of twenty four (24) experimental pots containing both sterilized and unsterilized soil before A. cruentus seedlings were transplanted to them. Another set of twenty four (24) pots containing both sterilized and unsterilized soil were injected with thirty (30) mL of P. aeruginosa inoculum solution before transplanting A. cruentus seedlings to them. The third set of twenty four (24) pots received dual inoculation of both fifty (50) grams of soil inoculum containing G. hoi and thirty (30) mL of P. aeruginosa inoculum solution before A. cruentus were transplanted to them. The residual twenty four (24) pots served as the control. Thereafter, pot preparation was arranged in the screenhouse in a randomized block design. The A. cruentus seedlings were raised in nursery for a period of two weeks before they were transplanted to the pots, seedlings were left for 3 days to overcome transplanting shock before contaminating the soil with refinery effluent at various concentrations of 0%, 2%, 4% and 6% v/w. The seedlings were allowed to grow for eight weeks before the termination of the experiment. The pre planting analysis of soil showed that heavy metals analyses (zinc and iron) of sterilized soil had a lower concentration to the unsterilized. The soil pH ranged from 6.3 to 6.8. It also revealed that organic matter and organic carbon content ranged from 0.8% to 1.3% and 0.4% to 1.7%. However, after the experiment, it was discovered in this study that treatments without any microorganism inoculation in sterilized and unsterilized soil had a higher level of % organic carbon and % organic matter content compared to the other treatments that were inoculated with one or two micro-organisms across all the levels of effluent concentration. Heavy metals of soil in all the soil samples were found to increase as the petrochemical effluent increased in concentration. The results obtained were analyzed using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) and other descriptive statistics. This study opined that the combined use of G. hoi and P. aeruginosa was more effective in improving the organic contentand the reduce heavy metals of oil refinery effluent polluted soil than when either is used singly

AN EVALUATION OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL INCLINATION AMONG CLOTHING AND TEXTILE UNDERGRADUATE IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Entrepreneurship has been described as an incubator and energiser of market innovation, product and technological growth as well as a means of revitalising the economy and reducing unemployment. This study focused on assessing the entrepreneurship inclination among Clothing and Textile undergraduates and their attitude towards government entrepreneurial programmes. The study was carried out in selected tertiary institutions (Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Universities) in South-Western Nigeria. A Multistage sampling was used with a combination of stratified and proportionate sampling to select four hundred and fifty (450) final year students from the selected tertiary institutions in South-Western Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Results showed that most of the respondents were female (55.3%) while (44.7%) were male with a mean age of 22 years. More than half (54%) of the respondents were from Colleges of Education, 23.7% were from Universities and 22.2% were from Polytechnics. The findings further revealed that 30.4%, 24%, 19.6% and 14.2% were studying Home Economics, Creative arts, Fine arts and Clothing and Textiles respectively. The percentage of response on the students’ attitude towards entrepreneurship was 87.3%. The results of the chi-square showed that only the educational status of the respondents (χ2=14.65, p<0.05) indicated a significant relationship between the educational status of the students and their entrepreneurial inclination. The regression analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between government empowerment programme and the entrepreneurial inclination of the respondents (r = 0.43, P = 0.00). The β value of 0.43 explained the percentage of government empowerment programme to entrepreneurial inclination of the respondents. Also, there was no significant difference between entrepreneurial skills inclination of undergraduate students across the selected tertiary institutions at P < 0.05 level of significance. The study concluded that respondents in the study area have positive attitude towards government entrepreneurship programme. Consequently, the respondents are entrepreneurial inclined and government entrepreneurship programme is effective to reduce unemployment in the country and in promoting job creation. &nbsp

Design and mechanical analysis of a 3D-printed biodegradable biomimetic micro air vehicle wing

The biomimetic micro air vehicles (BMAV) are unmanned, micro-scaled aircraft that are bio-inspired from flying organisms to achieve the lift and thrust by flapping their wings. There are still many technological challenges involved with designing the BMAV. One of these is designing the ultra-lightweight materials and structures for the wings that have enough mechanical strength to withstand continuous flapping at high frequencies. Insects achieve this by having chitin-based, wing frame structures that encompass a thin, film membrane. The main objectives of this study are to design a biodegradable BMAV wing (inspired from the dragonfly) and analyze its mechanical properties. The dragonfly-like wing frame structure was bio-mimicked and fabricated using a 3D printer. A chitosan nanocomposite film membrane was applied to the BMAV wing frames through casting method. Its mechanical performance was analyzed using universal testing machine (UTM). This analysis indicates that the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the wing with a membrane is nearly double that of the wing without a membrane, which allow higher wing beat frequencies and deflections that in turn enable a greater lifting performance

Preliminary geotechnical characterization of a site in southwest Nigeria using integrated electrical and seismic methods

Geophysical investigation using Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES), Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Seismic Refraction at a proposed conference center site along Ajibode-Labani road, Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria has been carried out. The investigation aims at characterizing and delineating the subsurface strata to understand the weathered profile at the site. Understanding the weathered profile is essential in determining the suitability of the site for engineering construction of the future conference center. A total of 25 VES and 10 ERT profiles were acquired in a systematic grid pattern using both Schlumberger andWenner configurations with Allied omega terrameter. TheVES data were processed and analyzed using WinResist and the ERT data were inverted using RES2DINV. The data were combined to form a 3-D data set of the site and RES3DINV was used to produce the depth slices. Seismic refraction data were also acquired with an ABEM seismograph and processed using SeisImager and Fajseis software. Seismic data were used in understanding the velocity distribution and thickness. The results of VES, ERT and seismic refraction show good correlation. Four sub-surface layers were delineated: top layer of reworked sand, clayey sand/ lateritic hard pan, clay/ sandy clay and fracture/ fresh basement. The 3-D model permits a pictorial view of the sub-surface in relation to materials that overlie the basement. The thickness of unconsolidated materials to bedrock varies from 2.7 m to 12.2 m which revealed inhomogeneity in weathering under the shallow sub-surface. It is found that the integrated geophysical tool is well suited to characterize and delineate sub-surface structure (weathered profile) for engineering site characterization

Chrysophyllum Albidum Accelerates Delayed Gastric Ulcer Healing in Rats Through Oxidative Stress Reversal and Proton Pump Inhibition

Background: Chrysophyllum albidum has been documented to exert its gastric ulcer (GU) healing activities by modulating blood inflammatory mediators, however, other probable in-vivo underlying mechanisms are still vague which this study sought to investigate.Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (120-130g) divided into 9 groups (n=15 for groups I-VII; n=5 for groups VIII & IX) viz: Groups I- positive control (DUnA); II and III–250 and 500mg/kg methanolic extract of C. albidum (MeCaB) bark respectively; IV, V and VI-100mg/kg fractions A, B and C respectively; VII–30mg/kg omeprazole; VIII-ulcerated untreated (baseline), IX-negative control. Chronic GU was induced experimentally and delayed using indomethacin with 14 days simultaneous drug treatment. Gastric ulcer score, mucin content, antioxidant and proton pump activities were evaluated by days 3, 7 and 14 of treatment. Data were expressed as Mean+SEM and P<0.05 was significant.Results: C. albidum and fractions treated groups significantly decreased gastric ulcer scores and lipid peroxidation compared with DUnA. Negative control, C. albidum and fraction treated groups significantly increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione levels and mucin content compared with DUnA group by days 3 and 7. C. albidum, Negative and baseline control groups significantly decreased H+K+ATPase activities compared with DUnA by day14.Conclusion: C. albidum and its fractions facilitated the healing of gastric ulcer, probably by enhanced antioxidant levels, mucin content and decreased gastric H+K+ATPase activity. Keywords: C. albidum and chromatographic fractions, gastric ulcer healing, mucin , antioxidant, H+/K+ATPase pump

Fatty acid composition, shelf-life and eating quality of beef from steers fed corn or wheat dried distillers' grains with solubles in a concentrate supplement to grass silage

Thirty-six steers were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments fed ad libitum grass silage and concentrate supplements containing either barley/soybean meal (CON), 80% DM corn (CDGS)- or 80% DM wheat (WDGS)-dried distillers' grains with solubles for 124 days pre-slaughter. Chemical and fatty acid composition, shelf-life, and eating quality of longissimus thoracis muscle were determined. Dietary CDGS and WDGS increased the proportion of conjugated linoleic acids (P < 0.05) and tended to increase C18:3n-3 (P = 0.075) and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (P = 0.060) relative to the CON. Feeding diets containing distillers' grains reduced the lipid and colour stability of fresh beef patties stored in modified atmosphere packs (MAP), with CDGS exhibiting an intermediate effect between CON and WDGS. Diet did not negatively influence the texture profile parameters and eating quality attributes of beef stored in MAP. The inclusion of CDGS or WDGS in supplementary concentrates may improve the fatty acid profile but decreased the shelf-life of beef