1

Effects of Ingestion of Various Cassava (Manihot utilissima) Components on Serum Testosterone Level and Testicular Morphology in Male Wistar Rats

The effect of consumption of cassava by products on the testosterone level and testicular morphology of Wistar rats was studied. The objective was to assess any changes in the testosterone level and histology of the testis. Male rats (n=28) weighing between 165g-260g were randomly assigned (n=7 each) into control group and experimental groups. Experimental groups were given the normal rat chow with inclusion of 50% cassava by product daily for 8weeks.

Changes in Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Allium cepa Roots Cultivated in Crude Oil Contaminated Soil

A study was carried out to evaluate the changes in Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase activities (GPx) in Allium cepa roots exposed to crude oil. Crude oil used in this study was fractionated in water (ratio 1 to 2) to produce water-soluble fractions (WSF) and water insoluble fractions (WIF). Allium cepa was grown in soil treated with 2%, 5%, 10% or 20% of Whole Crude (WC), WIF or WSF for 14 days, while the control was with distilled water. Antioxidant enzyme activity was evaluated after treatment for 14days using standard protocols.

Pregnancy and Fetal Outcomes Following Metformin Use in Diabetic Rats

The female reproductive system is responsible for pregnancy and supports development of the fetus. The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing rapidly worldwide (Wild et al., 2000). Metformin is an oral antidiabetic drug and it seems to have properties that could be beneficial in managing reproductive complications of DM. The present study determined the effect of metformin on pregnancy and fetal outcomes in Alloxan-induced diabetic female Sprague-Dawley rats. Eighty (80) pregnant rats were divided into four groups (20 rats per group).

Studies on the physicochemical properties and fatty acid composition of the oil from ripe plantain peel (Musa paradisiaca)

Oil extracted from ripe peel of Musa paradisiaca (plantain) was analyzed for physicochemical properties and fatty acid constituents using standard methods. The results revealed that the acid value, peroxide value and specific gravity were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of soybean oil whereas saponification value, iodine value, ester value, boiling, smoke, flash and fire points were significantly lower than in soybean oil. The percentage yield of the oil from the peel of M. parasidiaca fruit was 6%.

A new method for adding a parameter to a family of bivariate exponential and Weibull distributions

A new way of introducing a parameter to expand a family of exponential and Weibull distributions is introduced and studied. It is applied to yield a new two-parameter extension of the bivariate exponential distribution which may serve as a competitor to such commonly used two-parameter family of the life distribution as the Weibull, gamma and lognormal distributions. The general method is applied to give a new three-parameter Weibull distribution.

AuthorName(s)

Solid acid catalysts in heterogeneous n-alkanes hydroisomerisation for increasing octane number of gasoline

As the current global environmental concerns have prompted regulations to reduce the level of aromatic compounds, particularly benzene and its derivatives in gasoline, hydroisomerisation of n-alkanes is becoming a major alternative for enhancing octane number. Series of solid acid catalysts comprising of Freidel crafts, zirconias, MoO3-based (MOB), chlorinated Al2O3, heteropoly acids and bifunctional zeolite based catalysts have been tested in this respect.

Potentials Of Sawmill Wood Wastes Utilization As Household Energy Source In Benin City

Utilization of sawmill wood wastes as household energy source in Benin City was investigated. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 10 wards within the study area. Thirty households were then selected in each ward thus making a total of 300 respondents. The result showed that 67.2 and 14.5% of the respondents use sawmill wood wastes for cooking and for processing of farm produce respectively.

Evaluation of Security and Reliability of Automatic Teller Machines Usage in Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria

ATM services provided by banks and non financial institution have appeared as the most E - Banking instruments that had become so popular in Nigeria. The belief that ATM is dependably provided by a bank, the transactions and the data being transmitted must be secured. This belief might hold in the past, but at the moment ATMs are now able to use operating systems, such as Microsoft windows and Linux. These operating systems do expose ATM to vulnerability akin to the same kind of problems displayed by conventional computers.

AuthorName(s)

Preliminary studies on the genetic nutritive potential of three African oil seeds

Three african oil seeds of soyabean (Glycine max L. Merill) Beniseed (Sesamu indicum L. ) and melon (Cucumis melo L. ) were evaluated as potential oil seeds in a southern guinea savannah agro-eosystems, using soyabean as a standard reference crop. Experimental techniques included approved Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC1984) for proximate analysis, kjedahl for protein estimate and soxlet extraction using petroleum spirit as a solvent for l content.

AuthorName(s)