EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS KOLA NUT (COLA NITIDA) EXTRACTS ON THE CONTRACTION OF ISOLATED RABBIT ILEUM

¹Alagwu E.A, ²Osim E.E, ³Nwozor C.M and ²Edom O.T

¹Department of Physiology, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

²Department of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

³Department of Physiology, Anambra State University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.

E-mail: corneliusnwozor@gmail.com

ASSESSMENT OF THE HYGIENIC PRACTICES OF FOOD VENDORS AND GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS FROM ABEOKUTA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

¹Adewunmi A.R, ²Ajayi J.O and ³Omotoso B.O.A

^1,2Science Laboratory Technology Department, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Ojere, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

³Food Technology Department, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Ojere, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

E-mail: adebisyadewunmy@yahoo.com

Abstract: The chances of food contamination largely depend on the health status of food handlers or vendors and their hygiene behaviors and practices. Information regarding food vendors’ practices is key to addressing the trend of increasing food-borne diseases. In this study, the hygienic practices of food vendors and government intervention in selected secondary schools in Abeokuta South Local Government shall be examined. Structured questionnaires and observational checklists were administered to thirty – nine (39) respondents which were picked randomly from the 20 secondary schools in the study area. All the respondents were female. The average age of the vendors was 38 – 42 years. The percentage of the respondents that washed their hands regularly is below average (< 50%). A significant number of the vendors were either not wearing appropriate uniform or their uniform was dirty. About half of the respondents do not have handkerchiefs for drying hands after washing, during coughing or sneezing. Almost all the vendors claimed to have undergone food handling training organized by the appropriate governmental agency, however many of the respondents submitted that the training was self sponsored. It was observed that the activities of this vendors were not been monitored by the appropriate governmental bodies, and this is evident in the hygienic practices of the food vendors, which was discovered to be below standard.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BACTERIAL ISOLATES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SKIN OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS AND HETEROBRANCHUS BIDORSALIS IN KAINJI LAKE AREA

IN KAINJI LAKE AREA

Kolndadacha, O.D¹. Adikwu, A. I.², Okaeme A.N.¹,Orgem, C.M.³, Atiribom, R.Y¹. and Mshelia M.B¹.

¹National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR), New Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria.

²Department of Biological Science, Benue State University, Benue State, Nigeria.

³Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

E-mail: kolnda@yahoo.com Abstract: One hundred and twenty (120) apparently healthy Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias anguillaris from National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR) as cultured and Monai and Wara villages as wild environment were obtained for the studies. The total bacterial load varied from 2.2×10⁵ to 1.08×10⁸ and 2.27×10⁵ to 6.3×10⁸ CFU/g of the skin of C. anguillaris and H. bidorsalis in the culture respectively, while the load varied from 1.77 x 10⁵ to 1.17×10⁸ and 2.27 x 10⁵ to 9.0×10⁷ CFU/g in the wild respectively. Eleven bacterial genera/species were identified which include: Bacillus species, B. firmus, Pseudomonas species, P. aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, K. ozaenae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, S. faecalis, and Aeromonas species. The aims of this investigation is to compare the type and the load of bacteria isolates on the skin of catfish in

TOXICITY OF SNIPER 1000EC ON RESPIRATORY DYNAMICS OF OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS (TREWAVAS, 1983) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Abubakar, Musa Idi-ogede

Department of Biology

College of Education, Zuba, Abuja, Nigeria.

E-mail: a.midiog@yahoo.com

Abstract: Indiscriminate use of Sniper 1000EC has become a serious problem among local fishermen in the Northern parts of Niger state. A 96hrs static bioassay was carried out to determine the effect of 2, 3 dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (Sniper 1000EC) on Respiratory dynamics of Oreochromis niloticus (Trewavas, 1983) with mean body weight 16.05 ± 1.02; mean standard length 9.60 ± 0.38cm. O. niloticus showed different respiratory dynamics to varying concentrations of sniper 1000EC (0, 3, 4, 5 and 6mg/l) due to its toxicity. OVR (Opercula ventilation rate) appeared to be more sensitive than TFB (Tail fin beat). These changes were attributed to the toxicant. It is concluded that respiratory dynamics were consequences of exposure to sniper 1000EC. It is recommended that the use of Sniper 1000EC by local fishermen be banned to preserve the aquatic ecosystem.    

ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH TO BROILER PRODUCTION IN AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Uche Okeke

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension

Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

E-mail: victorokeke67@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study examined entrepreneurial approach to broiler production in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra state, Nigeria. Data for the study were collected using structured questionnaire administered to 50 respondents who were related through multi-stage and random sampling methods. The study revealed intensive method of production; accounting and management approaches to broiler production were common. Broiler production was profitable with gross margin of N9, 082,000; net farm income of N6, 794,000, net return on investment of 0.95 and profitability of 0.49. Problem encountered by the farmers were lack of capital, high cost of feeds, marketing problems, drugs and vitamin failure. The study recommended subsidization of inputs, provision of soft loans and placing of high import duties on foreign chicken would increase productivity, preference of local broiler producers and creating of market for their products.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT MATING INTERVALS ON LITTER SIZE OF RABBITS

¹P.C. Okiyi, and ²H.C. Edoh

¹Abia State University, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.

²National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

E-mail: okiyipatrickc@gmail.com

Abstract: The experiment was carried out to find out the different mating intervals on litter size of (0 day, 7days, 14 days, 21days and 28 days) after kindling. 15 mature rabbit does of New Zealand White were used for the experiment, each treatment was replicated 3 times. Water and feed were given ad libitum with forage like Panicum maximum as supplement. The experiment lasted for five (5) months. Simple description statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data collected while the New Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was employed to compare treatment means. Results showed that litter size, litter weight, weaning weight, Doe weight at kindling, gestation and mortality were significantly (P<0.05) influenced. It further shows that Doe weight at weaning was non-significantly affected (P>0.05). The result of the study showed that mating of does at 0 day and 14 days after kindling improved litter size.

THE IMPACT OF ROAD BUMPS ON HIGHWAY MACROSCOPIC

TRAFFIC FLOW PROPERTIES

H.S. Abdulrahman

Department of Civil Engineering,

Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

E-mail: ahas92@yahoo.comAbstract:  Any vertical undulation of the road surface like road bumps or humps tends to affect the traffic flow properties. Bida – Minna road is a highway which serves through traffic movement between Minna; the state capital of Niger State to Bida. Towards the tail end of this road en route to Minna a series of bumps were installed, thus having an impact on traffic flow properties especially during peak hours. This study is focused on assessing the effect of road bumps on highway traffic flow properties. Two distinct sections were taken: Section A; “free section” and Section B; “bump section”. At both sections, volume and speed studies were conducted simultaneously during peak hours. A significant reduction in mean speed of vehicles were observed, from 42.11

 at free section to 9.21

at bump section was observed. Whereas the traffic flow increased from 1,160

 to 1,546

with density increasing significantly from 28

 at free section to 170

 at the bump section and a corresponding rise in operational capacity from 1,270

 to 1,776

. The road levels of service changed from the best flow condition ‘A’ at free section to the near worst condition ‘E’ at bump sections. In conclusion, road bumps are best suited for low-speed facilities like parking lots because of its effectiveness in slowing vehicles down to a minimal speed; for this study a 77% loss in mean speed was observed from free section to the bump section, while volume flow rate increased by 4.68% and consequently increasing traffic density by 530% which causes a near congestion condition. Thus, road bumps are not suitable

ECONOMICS OF FRESH MAIZE PRODUCTION IN ANAMBRA EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Uche Okeke

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension

Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

E-mail: victorokeke67@yahoo.com

Abstract: The study examined the economics of fresh maize production in Anambra-East local government area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling techniques were adopted to select 40 respondents that were used in the study. Analysis of the data was actualized by means of descriptive statistics, costs and returns analysis and likert scale rating. The study indicated that (62.5%) of the fresh maize farmers were male and majority (50%) were aged between 41 and 50 years. Fresh maize production was profitable given the positive values of gross margin (N2, 239 150), net farm income (N1, 406, 850), average net farm income (N39, 171) and net return on investment of 0.95. The serious constraints of fresh maize production include lack of capital, high cost of transportation, menace of pest and disease, problems of soil erosion, high cost of fertilizer, high cost of labour and lack of extension agents. It was recommended that government should provide good roads in the area subsidize the price of fertilizer and help the farmers to form cooperative society.

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTION DELIVERY SYSTEMS WITHIN THE SCHOOLS IN KISUMU COUNTY 1Korero A.O., 2Gariy Z.A. and 3Winja M.M.O. 1Sustainable Materials Research and Technology Centre 2 & 3Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Department Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology-Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya. E-mail: koreroa47@gmail.com, alkorero@yahoo.com

Abstract: The delivery of a construction project is characterized by the participation of several individuals. Owner, architect, engineer, and contractor are the most important players of this process. Multiple prime is one type of delivery system that is the subject of many discussions in the industry. General contractors, architects and owners believe that this system inherently has coordination problems. On the other side, specialty contractors believe that this system has several advantages because of the exclusion of the middleman and the direct relationship of these contractors to the owner. The goal of this study is to objectively analyze the performance of construction delivery systems within the County of Kisumu in Nyanza province. The schools in the districts of Nyando, Nyakach, Kisumu East, Kisumu West, and Kisumu North form the population of this study. Quantitative and qualitative measurements are used as the variables for comparison. ANOVA and two-sample t- tests are used as statistical tools for the quantitative and, the Chi-Square test is used for the qualitative analysis. The data collected is divided into two different sets. The first set includes all the valid responses. The second set is limited to the analysis of projects greater than Ksh. 5,000,000 and the data obtained is not significant to this study. A section with the descriptive statistics of litigation cases is also included in this study.