Statistical Modelling of Drying Characteristics of Unripe Plantain (Musa Paradisiaca) Slices

This work is designed to carry out the statistical modelling of the drying characteristics of unripe plantain (Musa paradisiaca) slices and to study the effect of drying temperature and slice thickness on drying characteristics. The test samples were dried in a laboratory scale oven dryer at varying temperatures of 700C, 800C and 900C, and different slice thicknesses of 2mm, 3mm and 4mm.The result obtained indicated that drying temperature and slice thickness had significant effect on drying rate and hence moisture profile. The moisture ratio – drying time data obtained were fitted to ten thin layer drying models. The fit quality obtained with each model was evaluated using statistical tests namely; coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), reduced chi-square (X2), and standard error of estimate (SEE). Although most of the models fitted quite well to the experimental data, Page and Modified Page models showed the highest average R2 and the lowest average RMSE, X2 and SEE values. Page and modified Page models were selected and found suitable to represent the drying characteristics of unripe plantain slices and predict drying times

Kinetic Modelling of Vitamin C Degradation in Selected Fruits under Market Storage Conditions

The degradation kinetics of vitamin C in three fruits namely; orange, banana and apple under different market storage conditions prevalent in Nigeria were investigated. Orange and banana samples were stored in sacks and open air at ambient conditions, while open air and refrigerator were used for apple samples. Storage was for 6 days duration. .Iodometric titration was used to determine vitamin C content of the fruits on a daily basis. Regression analysis was employed to fit the variations in vitamin C concentration in the different samples with time, to three kinetic models, to determine which model best describes the degradation trend. Results showed that vitamin C concentration in all the fruit samples reduced over time following zero order kinetics. Kinetic studies obtained the following degradation rate constants: orange 0.44g.L-1.s-1 and 0.29 g.L-1.s-1, for sack and open air storage respectively, banana 0.316 g.L-1.s-1 and 0.264 g.L-1.s-1, for sack and open air, and apple 0.122 g.L-1.s-1 and 0.188 g.L-1.s-1, for refrigerated and open air respectively. The study indicated that with respect to vitamin C retention, open air storage is preferable to sack for oranges and bananas while apples are preferably stored in refrigerator

Water Quality Impact of Flow Station Effluent in a Receiving Creek

The physicochemical quality of a crude oil flow station effluent and water of an effluent receiving creek were investigated. Samples were characterized by laboratory analysis. High concentrations of some toxicants exceeding environmental standards were observed in the effluent and water samples, which include BOD5 (544mg/L), COD (650mg/L), salinity (3162mg/L), copper (2.3mg/L), TDS (18900 mg/L), lead (0.51mg/L), and cadmium (0.04mg/L). The study underscored the need for proper treatment and monitoring of effluent to ensure compliance with statutory standard, before discharge into the environment to safeguard the ecosystem, as continued discharge of improperly treated effluent may compound the ecological problem of the receiving water environmen

Environmental Assessment of Vehicular Emission in Port-Harcourt City, Nigeria

Port Harcourt is a coastal city located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, with very short dry season and long heavy rainy season periods. The objective of this study was to assess air pollution level from vehicular emission during the rainy season period. Three locations in the city noted for high traffic congestion were selected for the study. Air sampling in these locations were carried out for 11 days, covering peak and off peak periods. The following air pollutants were measured namely; nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and unburnt hydrocarbons (CxHy), as well as climatic elements – ambient temperature and relative humidity. The air pollutant levels obtained were compared with local and International standards. CO complied with International standard, but exceeded local standard. There is need for effective air pollution monitoring and control, this will go a long way to reduce the health risk associated with air pollution in the city

Utilisation of access to global online research in agriculture (agora) by final year undergraduate students of the faculty of agriculture and forestry, university of Ibadan, Nigeria

This study investigated the utilisation of Access to Global On-line Research in Agriculture (AGORA) by final year undergraduate students of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan. A total of 140 respondents were selected from the eight departments in the faculty using simple random sampling technique. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire and the data were analysed using both descriptive (frequency, percentage, means) and inferential statistics (Chi-square and PPMC) at P=0.05. The results revealed that 52.1% of the respondents were female, 90% were single, 97.1% were computer literate and the mean age of the respondents was 24 years. About 67.1% had high level of awareness on AGORA. Constraints to the use of AGORA identified included irregular power supply (64.3%), limited access to AGORA password (52.8%), and lack of awareness (49.3%). Significant relationship existed between level of awareness and use of AGORA (r= 0.334; p = 0.05). There was no significant relationship between constraint and utilisation of AGORA (χ2 = 3.334; p > 0.05). Hence, there is a need for increased publicity in order to encourage attitudinal change and improve the utilisation of AGORA by the students

Vaginal birth after one caesarean section in a low resource setting -Obio Cottage Hospital, Port Harcourt

ABSTRACT Our main objective is to find out the success rate of vaginal delivery after one caesarean section in women who had a non-recurrent indication for caesarean section. We also wanted to document any adverse fetomaternal outcome following this if any in a low resource setting. A total of 134 women with one previous caesarean section at term were studied over a 9 month period. Vaginal delivery was achieved in 75 (64.7%) of those allowed a trial of labour. Elective caesarean section was done in 18 (13.4%). Intrapartum caesarean section was done in 41 (35.3%). There was no maternal mortality and no maternal morbidity of note but perinatal loss of 4 babies. There was no significant correlation between vaginal delivery and birth weight, gestational age or initial indication for the primary caesarean section. In conclusion, trial of labour is safe after one previous caesarean section in well selected patients in a low resource setting facility

Precarious Professionalism: Journalism and the Fragility of Professional Practice in the Global South

Many suggest that the process of precarity is now a common feature of contemporary journalism. Still, precarity is introduced often from a western point of view and assessed according to an underlying assumption of full and permanent employment as being the norm. This view of precarity contrasts with the precarious conditions that are found in the global south. This paper recognises these differences and in turn puts forward the concept of “precarious professionalism” to assess their presence and impact. Precariousness is explored therefore in a study of 15 journalists working in the developing democracy of Nigeria. The analysed interviews reveal journalists’ experiences of “precarious professionalism” as based in “fragile professionalism”, “ingrained in-job instability” and as incorporated within challenges to both their “professional and personal selves”. The paper concludes that these factors not only provide a more robust understanding of the general situation common in non-western contexts, but they show what must be addressed to help to rebuild professionalism in the case of Nigeria