Transition of hemoglobin between two tertiary conformations: The transition constant differs significantly for the major and minor hemoglobins of the Japanese quail (Cortunix cortunix japonica)

We demonstrate that 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) – DTNB – reacts with only CysF9[93]β and CysB5[23]β among the multiple sulfhydryl groups of the major and minor hemoglobins of the Japanese quail (Cortunix cortunix japonica). Kequ, the equilibrium constant for the reaction, does not differ very significantly between the two hemoglobins. It decreases 430-fold between pH≈5.6 and pH≈9: from a mean of 7±1 to a mean of 0.016±0.003. Quantitative analyses of the Kequ data based on published X-ray and temperature-jump evidence for a tertiary structure transition in liganded hemoglobin enable the calculation of Krt, the equilibrium constant for the r←→t tertiary structure transition. Krt differs significantly between the two hemoglobins: 0.744±0.04 for the major, 0.401±0.01 for the minor hemoglobin. The mean pKas of the two groups whose ionizations are coupled to the DTNB reaction are about the same as previously reported for mammalian hemoglobins

Marketing of Information Resources in Nigeria: Strategies and Challenges

In a country where reading culture is poor, that is, where majority of the inhabitants do not find anything fascinating in reading, even for pleasure, marketing of Information or Information Resources is undoubtedly, a herculean task.  Marketing in this context, is the activity of presenting, advertising and selling Information or Information Resources (product) in the best possible way or ways to the people.  In marketing, the product you intend to sell must have, at least, potential buyers. Realizing the poor attitude of Nigerians towards reading, identifying the best way to marketing Information Resources to them is the primary focus of this paper.  The paper begins with the definitions of the key concepts, marketing, information and Information Resources.  It dwells more on discussing the processes of marketing viz-a-viz their potentials in creating interest in reading by the people.  The paper closes with, highlighting the best strategies by which people could be made to buy information Resources, both human and material

Information Needs and Source Preference of the Pastoral Nomads in Northern States of Nigeria

In an era in which government is gradually turning its attention to the disadvantageous groups, particularly those in the rural areas, there is a need for a study directed at bringing out some of the critical problems confronting some of these groups of disadvantaged people. Literature have indicated that one of such critical problems is understanding the information needs of some of the rural dwellers This will ultimately assist the government in designing functional information programs for the people. This study was therefore carried out to find out about the information needs and source preference of the postural nomads in Northern States of Nigeria. A methodological triangulation, involving a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methodology (quan-qual, according to Creswell) was used for the study. In view of the fact that the population of the pastoral nomads in Northern States of Nigeria is undeterminable, large sample theory, proposed by Kerlinger was used to provide the subjects of the study. Questionnaire supplemented by interview and focus group discussions were the instruments used for data collection. Data collected were categorized and analyzed using simple percentages. The study discovered that the information sources preference of the pastoral nomads were radio (as a formal source) and such primordial sources, as family, friends, Ardos etc (as informal sources).It was recommended that libraries, especially, public libraries should form partnership with radio organizations as well as the pastoral NGOs in order to design functional information source programme for the Nomads

MICROBIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF STREAM WATER FOR DOMESTIC USE IN RURAL AREAS: A CASE STUDY OF IJEBU NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT, OGUN STATE. NIGERIA

This study aimed at evaluating the microbial quality of stream water sources for domestic purposes by rural communities in Ijebu North Local Government to determine their fitness for human consumption. The evaluated streams include Erilobinla, Imosun, Okenugbo, Odoralamo, Odoye, loji,  Mamu and Tekunle oga. Physicochemical parameters were determined; pour plate method using selective media were employed to determine the enteric bacteria present in water samples. Bacterial isolates were characterized adopting the standard methods, and isolates were further subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity testing using the disc diffusion technique. The result of physicochemical parameters showed that temperature value varied from 25 - 290C, pH varied from 7.30 - 8.50, and total dissolved solid (TDS) of samples were not in agreement with WHO standards. Two of the eight streams analysed had odour, three had taste and two had colour . The total bacteria count revealed that Erilobinla stream water had the highest total bacteria count of 9.0 x 104 cfu/ml while Okenugbo and Odoye had the lowest total bacteria count of 1.0 x 101 cfu/ml. The microorganisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter species, Salmonella species, Klebsiella species, Proteus species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antimicrobial sensitivity testing showed that these organisms were resistant to some antimicrobials. In conclusion, most of the stream waters are unsafe for drinking as they are of low quality thresholds. Thus, the stream waters require further purification to ensure suitability for human consumption and there is urgent need for provision of potable water to prevent outbreak of waterborne diseases.Â

Multiple Shoots Induction from Indigenous Nigerian Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Aim: The aim of this study is to develop a protocol for in vitro regeneration of a Nigerian indigenous pumpkin (C. pepo L.) via seedling-derived cotelydon, cotyledonary node and hypocotyl explants. Study Design: A combination of 0.00, 1.00, 2.00 and 3.00 mgl-1 of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.00 or 0.05 mgl-1 of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) for each explant type were set up in three replicates making a total of 36 culture vessels in the entire experimental set up. Five explants were cultured per combination. Place and Duration of Study: The work was conducted in the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of the Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, between January 2017 and July 2017. Methodology: Hypocotyl, cotyledonary node and cotyledon explants derived from 4-week ol

Challenges of Utilizing Agricultural Information Sources by Small Scale Farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

This paper discusses the challenges of utilizing agricultural sources by small-scale farmers in Nasarawa State of Central Nigeria.  Poorly trained extension workers contribute significantly to inadequacy of interpersonal communication strategy which lent cognizance to the use of mass media support in conducting information dissemination to farmers in the area.  It was discovered that mass media strategy in the absence of education, material resources, appropriate infrastructure and technical skills was unlikely to eradicate inaccessibility and ineffective information utilization among rural farming community.  There is need for extension managers to improve both the quality and quantity of their extension personnel through continued staff recruitment and training. Keywords: Inter-personal channels; mass media, dissemination of information, persuasion, Johari windows, process of communication

Impact of Class Size on Learning, Behavioral and General Attitudes of Students in Secondary Schools in Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria

Poor performance of university undergraduate students has been traced to their poor academic performance and attitudes in secondary schools. There was concern over whether class size was responsible for this. Researches on the effect of class size on academic performance and achievement exist. The study was carried out to investigate the impact of class size on students’ attitude to studies using four (4) selected secondary schools in Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria. Possible effect of class size on the general, learning and behavioral attitudes were considered. Its impact was also correlated with effect of other possible factors. Questionnaires were administered to three hundred and sixty students selected evenly from JSS1-SS2 classes in each of the schools. Two of the schools were private while the other two were owned by government. Ten (10) hypotheses were tested in the study. It was found that class size has a highly significant impact on students’ attitudes to studies in secondary school (p\u3c 0.05). It affects students’ attention most strongly, then punctuality, motivation and participation but not the rate of participation and asking or answering questions. The result also revealed that excessive noise is the most common behavioral attitude associated with large classes. Hence, a serious attention should be paid to class size in every educational setting for optimum learning achievement

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF YAM FLOUR PROCESSING IN SAKI, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the economics of yam flour processing in Saki, Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained using questionnaire. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting one hundred and twenty (120) yam processors. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis and multiple regressions. Results revealed that 86.5% of yam flour processors were female, 71.2% were married, and 41.4% had primary education. In addition, mean age, household size and production experience of the processors of yam flour were 40 years, 6 persons and 15 years respectively. The gross margin and net farm income were N146,770.03 and N141,536.79 per processing cycle, while the return on investment was 3.25 for every N1 invested which implies that yam flour processing is profitable. Multiple regression revealed that the coefficient of labour cost, transportation cost, cost of storage and packaging and distance to market were negatively significant at 5%, 1%, 1%, and 1% probability level. Also, year of processing experience and membership of association were positively significant at 1% and 5% probability level respectively. The main constraints facing processors of yam flour in the study area were inadequate storage facilities, lack of infrastructural facilities and problem associated with climate change. It is therefore recommended that policies that would enhance large processing capacity so that at the long-run, output and profit can be maximized.   &nbsp