Poverty Level of Cassava Flakes (GARI) Marketers in Osogbo Agricultural Zone, Osun State, Nigeria

This study examined the poverty level of cassava flakes (gari) marketers in Orolu, Boripe and Egbedore local government areas in Osun state. A multi-stage sampling method was employed to select one hundred and eighty (180) respondents. Analytical tools employed in the study include the descriptive statistics, FGT P-alpha, budgetary, and ordinary least squares regression.  Findings revealed that nearly all (96.7%) the study respondents were female. Respondents’ mean age was 43.98 years (economic active age) and the mean household size was 9 members. Also 76.7 percent of the marketers had some level of formal education, while 23.3% had no formal education. 28% of the marketers were living below the poverty line. The poverty headcount, poverty gap and severity indexes of the marketers were 28%, 11.6% and 6.0% respectively. Marital status and household size were negatively significantly related to the respondents’ poverty level. The gross margin which was N43, 645.33, showed that gari marketing is profitable in the study area. It is therefore recommended that the marketers should be enlightened to maintain small household size by participating in family planning programme. They should also be involved in cooperatives and social groups. Keywords: poverty, garri marketers, FGT and budgetary analysi

Compression, Mechanical and Release Properties of Chloroquine Phosphate Tablets containing corn and Trifoliate Yam Starches as Binders

Purpose: A study was made of the binding properties of trifoliate yam starch, obtained from Dioscorea dumetorum (Pax), in chloroquine phosphate tablet formulations in comparison with official corn starch. Method: Compressional properties were analyzed using density measurements and compression equations of Heckel and Kawakita. The mechanical properties of the tablets were assessed using the crushing strength and friability of the tablets, while drug release properties of the tablets were assessed using disintegration and dissolution times. Results: Tablet formulations containing trifoliate yam starch exhibited faster onset and higher amount of plastic deformation during compression than those containing corn starch. The crushing strength, disintegration and dissolution times of the tablets increased with binder concentration while friability values decreased. Trifoliate yam starch produced tablets with stronger mechanical properties and longer disintegration and dissolution times than those containing corn starch. Conclusion: Trifoliate yam starch would be a better alternative to corn starch in producing uncoated tablets for which high bond strength is essential . Keywords: Trifoliate yam starch, corn starch, binding agent, compression, Heckel equation, Kawakita equation, mechanical properties, drug release> Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 5 (2) 2006: pp. 589-59

HCME: An Environment-Friendly I.C. Engine Fuel

The study revealed that Hura crepitans oil is a good candidate for Hura crepitans methyl ester (HCME) production. Two steps (esterification and transesterification) production stages influenced the high yield of HCME. Three possible experimental runs were performed in each step, the best of the three conditions were 1.45 (% v/v) for H2SO4 conc., 5:1 for methanol/oil molar ratio, 40 min for reaction time which gave 1.06 % for FFA in the first step, in the second step, 92.70 %(w/w) of HCME was obtained at 0.55% KOH, 5:1 methanol/oil molar ratio, 60 oC temperature and 30 min reaction time. The produced HCME had fuel properties which satisfied both ASTME D6751 and EN 1424 standards. The fatty acid profile of the HCME revealed the dominant fatty acids were linoleic (64.50%), oleic (17.54%) and palmitic (12.70%). Exhaust emissions from an internal combustion (I.C.) engine revealed that there is 60% decreased in CO, 58% decreased in NOx, 60% decreased in HC, 39% decrease in smoke opacity and 42% decreased in BSFC at B20, respectively. Flue gas temperature increased by 12% at B20, 45% increased in BTE at B50 when compared to pure diesel (AGO). Hence, it can be concluded that B20 (20% HCME + 80% AGO) will provides the best emission reduction at the lowest cost

Language And Communication: An Introduction To Approaches To Meaning And Text Analysis

This paper explores the concept of language and communication. It gives an exposition to the study of meaning as it diachronically investigates the theories and approaches to meaning. The crux of the study is that language is central to linguistic communication. It explains concept of meaning in language with the various theories of meaning, such as the traditional referential, ideational, behavioural, and contextual theories of meaning. It also examines some modern theoretical developments on meaning. It carries out the pragmatics and critical discourse analysis of some selected texts to demonstrate the application of some of the approaches to meaning in Language. It concludes on the ground that an understanding of approaches to meaning in language would enhance the development of knowledge and promote successful communication in various situations.     &nbsp

Travel Behaviour of Rural People in Developing Countries.

Travel patterns in rural areas of developing countries are dominated by trips required to access basic needs and services. Studies revealed that the time spent on such travel is relatively constant throughout the year. Any community with less than 20,000 people is said to be rural, while settlement with population of over 20,000 people is regarded as an urban centre. In many developing countries, national transport policies do not address the travel needs of rural people. This is either due to lack of awareness or total ignorance of government. In some countries, after the construction of rural roads, travel behaviour of rural communities change in order to meet their day-to-day basic needs. The rural travel is usually done with goods. The perspective of rural transportation planning in developing countries has changed from a ‘road-and-car’ approach to a ‘needs-led’ approach. This paper examines the travel pattern of rural dwellers in developing countries through review of literature on the subject, in order to suggest measures to enhance the travel behaviour of the rural dwellers. Keywords: Travel, trips, community, rural, behaviour, planning, population, developin

Determinants of resumption of vaginal intercourse in puerperium period in Ogbomoso: consideration for early use of contraceptives

Background: Early postpartum period for mothers is characterized with high demand for neonatal care, adjusting to sudden withdrawal of hormones of pregnancy and dealing with sexual desires of the husband. The study aimed at determines the timing, factors influencing postpartum resumption of vaginal intercourse and the contraceptive usage.Methods: Women in puerperium were interviewed with structured questionnaire on their socio-demographic status, obstetric history, sexual activities, contraception usage and reason for sexual abstinence.Results: About 40% (143) of participants had resumed vaginal intercourse within puerperium with mean resumption period of 3.2 ± 1.8 weeks. Only 12% (48) of them used modern contraceptive. Educational status (P <0.001); occupation (P <0.001); educational status of the husband (P <0.001); occupation of the husband (P <0.001); parity (P <0.05); husband’s income (P <0.05) and use of modern contraception (P <0.001) showed significant statistical difference between the women who had resumed vaginal sexual intercourse and those who have not. Logistic regression showed that educational status of the participants (OR = 0.48, CI = 0.246-0.938; P = 0.032) and parity (OR = 0.34, CI = 0.196-0.591; P = 0.001) were the most significant factors associated with early resumption of vaginal intercourse. One hundred and eighty-five (72%) of women who were yet to resume coitus, did so because of fear of pregnancy.Conclusions: Significant number of women resumed vaginal intercourse during the puerperium despite low contraception usage. There is need to initiate a contraception method before discharge home following delivery.  

Environmental Impact of Cassava Processing on Residents of Surulere Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

The paper assessed the impacts of cassava processing industry on the residents of Surulere Local Government Area. Random sampling was employed to administer two hundred and sixty two (262) copies of a structure questionnaire to both the operators (103) and residents (159) in the selected areas. Descriptive statistics was employed to summarize nominal variables, while chi square was used to examine variations in the in the distribution socioeconomic characteristics of operators. The quantity of waste generated was determined using weighting scale and Likert scale rating was used to rate residents perception (RPI) on impacts of cassava processing on the environment. The findings showed that female is most dominant (81.6%) in the operation of cassava production than male. Majority of the cassava production is done in a medium scale (59.2%), (this increases generation of more waste (i.e. cassava peels) in the study area). It was observed from the measurement that cassava tuber with larger size generates more waste (10.50kg) compared to small sized cassava (8.00kg). The major types of pollution perceived by the residents is land pollution (RPI 2.69) and water pollution (RPI 2.48). This implies that waste generated particularly cassava peels and effluent have high negative effect on air environment. On the health impacts majority (33%) of the operators suffer from headache and sometimes ear and sight problems. The study recommended that Government should make adequate provision for facilities like waste packing vehicles to evacuate cassava peels from the immediate working environment. This will undoubtedly enhance effective and proper disposal of wastes. Government should also encourage employees to explore opportunity of turning waste to wealth by drying cassava peels and reselling it as livestock feeds. This will serve as additional income to operators and consequently improve their livelihood.  By adopting these possible recommendations, a sanitary and sustainable environment will be achieved. DOI: 10.7176/CER/11-8-04 Publication date:September 30th 201

MODELLING AND OPTIMIZATION OF COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE OF LOWER TEMPERATURE CYCLE OF TWO-STEP REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS

The coefficient of performance (COP) of a single-stage refrigeration system is low, thus there is a need for two-step refrigeration systems when there is a desire to have an evaporator temperature that is below -25 oC. The COP of the lower temperature cycle of the two-step refrigeration systems is a function of the COP of the refrigeration systems.This research aimed at optimizing COP of the lower temperature cycle of two-step refrigeration systems using eco-friendly refrigerants.Thermodynamic analysis of these refrigeration systems was performed by varying seven operating parameters. R-134a was used in the high-temperature cycle (HTC) and R-23 was used in the low-temperature cycle (LTC). The coefficient of performance of the lower temperature cycle (COP.REF[LTC]) of the refrigeration systems was optimized using Half Factorial Design of Design-Expert 12.0.1. The influence of the condensing temperature (TC,HTC),evaporating temperature (TE,HTC), cascade temperature difference (∆TCAS,DIFF), evaporating temperature (TE,LTC), superheating temperature (TSUP,LTC), sub-cooling temperature (TSUB,LTC), and refrigerant mass Flow rate (ṁHTC)was investigated on the values of COP.REF[LTC] of the refrigeration systems. The highest value of COP.REF[LTC] (18.1) was obtained under optimum conditions of the 30 TC,HTCoC , -40 TE,HTCoC, 0 ∆TCAS,DIFFoC, -50 TE,LTCoC, 0 TSUP,LTCoC, 20 TSUB,LTCoC and 0.01 ṁHTC kg/s.The study revealed that all the factors having interaction with TC[HTC] and TE[HTC] have a great influence on the value of COP.REF[LTC

Preparation, Release Pattern and Antibacterial Activities of Chitosan-Silver Nanocomposite Films

The present study examined the preparation of chitosan-silver   nanocomposite films as carriers for silver release pattern. Chitosan a biopolymer   having immense structural possibilities for chemical and mechanical modifications   to generate novel properties, functions and applications. Chitosan–silver   nanocomposite films has been synthesised by reduction method, which is a simple   and inexpensive method. The chitosan-silver nanocomposite films was   characterized in terms of its surface plasmon resonance and crystalline structure by   using UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and   Scanning electron microscope. Swelling and release studies were carried out on   crosslinked and un-crosslinked nanocomposite films. Antibacterial activities of   chitosan-silver nanocomposite films were investigated on some pathogens:   Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhii   and Klebsiella pneumonia using agar well diffusion method. crosslinked chitosan-silver nanocomposite demonstrated a slower release pattern relative to un-crosslinked chitosan-silver nanocomposite. The crosslinked and un-crosslinked   nanocomposite became dislodged and completely released at 120 minutes and 90   minutes respectively. The results of the antibacterial activities revealed that the   cross-linked chitosan-silver nanocomposite films has higher antibacterial   properties than un-crosslinked chitosan-silver nanocomposite films. This study   provides nanocomposite films potentially useful for delivery system.</p

Once-Weekly Exenatide Versus Once- or Twice-Daily Insulin Detemir: Randomized, open-label, clinical trial of efficacy and safety in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin alone or in combination with sulfonylureas

OBJECTIVEdThis multicenter, open-label, parallel-arm study compared the efficacy and safety of exenatide once weekly (EQW) with titrated insulin detemir in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin (with or without sulfonylureas). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSdPatients were randomized to EQW (2 mg) or detemir (once or twice daily, titrated to achieve fasting plasma glucose #5.5 mmol/L) for 26 weeks. The primary outcome was proportion of patients achieving A1C #7.0% and weight loss $1.0 kg at end point, analyzed by means of logistic regression. Secondary outcomes included measures of glycemic control, cardiovascular risk factors, and safety and tolerability. RESULTSdOf 216 patients (intent-to-treat population), 111 received EQW and 105 received detemir. Overall, 44.1% (95% CI, 34.7–53.9) of EQW-treated patients compared with 11.4% (6.0–19.1) of detemir-treated patients achieved the primary outcome (P , 0.0001). Treatment with EQW resulted in significantly greater reductions than detemir in A1C (least-square mean 6 SE, 21.30 6 0.08% vs. 20.88 6 0.08%; P , 0.0001) and weight (22.7 6 0.3 kg vs. +0.8 6 0.4 kg; P , 0.0001). Gastrointestinal-related and injection site–related adverse events occurred more frequently with EQW than with detemir. There was no major hypoglycemia in either group. Five (6%) patients in the EQW group and six (7%) patients in the detemir group experienced minor hypoglycemia; only one event occurred without concomitant sulfonylureas (detemir group). CONCLUSIONSdTreatment with EQW resulted in a significantly greater proportion of patients achieving target A1C and weight loss than treatment with detemir, with a low risk of hypoglycemia. These results suggest that EQW is a viable alternative to insulin detemir treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes with inadequate glycemic control using oral antidiabetes drugs