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Recent Submissions
Analysis of maize value chain in Imo State, Nigeria
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-05) Nnorom, Emmanuel Iyke
The study analysed maize value chain in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to examine the socioeconomic characteristics of maize value chain actors in Imo State; ascertain the value chain map in maize value chain in the area; estimate the net margin and profitability of maize supply, production, processing and marketing in the area; estimate the contributions of the major actors in the maize value chain in the state; evaluate the value added and hence, the determinants of value addition in maize supply, production, processing and marketing in the study area and identify the constraints associated with maize value chain among producers, processors and marketers in the study area. Multistage random sampling technique was adopted in selecting the sample for the study. A Total of 240 respondents were used for the study that is; 60 suppliers, 60 producers, 60 processors and 60 marketers. Well structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as mean, percentage, frequency distribution, regression models, principal component factor analysis (PCFA), net farm income model and ANOVA. The result shows that majority (53.33%, 53.33% and 78.33%) of the respondents were female suppliers, producers and processors of maize respectively while majority (55%) of the respondents were male marketers of maize. Their mean ages were 57.25, 50.5, 41 and 45.5 years respectively. Majority (85%, 85%, 63.33% and 80%) of maize seed suppliers, producers, processors and marketers were married. The mean household size were 5, 7, 4 and 4 persons for maize seed suppliers, producers, processors and marketers respectively. The mean number of years spent in school were 9.6, 9.1, 9.9 and 12.1 respectively. About 52%, 47% and 67% of maize seed suppliers, processors and marketers had trading as their major occupation, while 71.67% of the producers had farming as their major occupation. The mean years of experience were 9.3, 15.8, 8.8 and 12. Also, 65%, 45%, 20% and 61.67% of maize seed suppliers, producers, processors and marketers respectively were members of one cooperative association or the other, while 35%, 55%, 80% and 38.33% of maize seed suppliers, producers, processors and marketers respectively were not members of any cooperative association. The mean farm size was 1.42 hectares. The value chain map shows that the chain started with the maize seed suppliers and ended with the consumers, and all the actors in the chain interacted more with the retailers and local supermarkets. Maize actors made a net income of N13,364.79, N113,339.38, N505.10 and N12,532.38 per ton, indicating that the actors made profit from their investment. Return on investment were estimated as N2.049, N4.87, N0.029 and N0.557 to the maize seed suppliers, producers, processors and marketers respectively. Maize seed suppliers, producers, processors and marketers each contributed 1.67% respectively to the market share. The result of multiple regression analysis showed that on the determinants of value addition were age, marital status, household size, association membership, product cost, transportation cost, preservation cost, and output for maize seed supply; gender, farm size, labour cost and output for maize producers; age, product cost and output for maize processing while educational level, association membership, transportation cost, product cost and output for maize marketing. The most important constraints associated with maize value chain amongst suppliers were high cost of maize seed, high cost of hulling maize seed from the cub and high cost of transportation to supply maize seed; amongst producers were lack of high yielding maize variety, lack of good access road to the farm and lack of access to credit; amongst processors were lack of good storage facility for processed maize (LGSF), change in market price of maize seed, lack of good access road, inadequate maize seed and high cost of transportation and amongst marketers were high cost of hired labour, high cost of hulling maize seed from the cob, high cost of transportation. The null hypothesis which states that there is no significant difference in the net margin amongst the various actors in maize value chain in Imo State, Nigeria was rejected. It is therefore recommended that Enterprise differentiation should be encouraged to maximize resources.
Buckling analysis of thin rectangular plates under vibration using split-deflection method
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2019-11) Nwachukwu, Uchechukwu Christopher
This study presents buckling analysis of thin rectangular plates under vibration using split-deflection method. In this method, the deflection functions are split into x and y components. Applying the split – deflection equation into principles of theory of elasticity, total potential energy functional was derived. By minimization of the potential energy functional, the governing equation for critical buckling loads for rectangular plates under vibration was obtained. Shape functions containing orthogonal trigonometry-trigonometry, orthogonal polynomial-polynomial and orthogonal polynomial-trigonometry are obtained for the six plates studied in this work. The boundary conditions considered were simple support and clamp support. The non – dimensional critical buckling loads for the various rectangular plates were obtained at various aspect ratios (ranging from 1 to 2) and resonating frequency ratios (ranging from 0 to 1). The non – dimensional critical buckling loads obtained using polynomial shape functions were compared with those given by Ibearugbulem in 2014. For rectangular plates simply supported at all edges, the percentage differences at the various aspect ratios (1 to 2) and various resonating frequency ratios (0 to 1) ranges 0.000% to 0.006%. It is clear from this study that the percentage differences recorded for rectangular plates of other boundary conditions are insignificant. This showed that the past and present results are in good agreement. Hence, it is recommended that rectangular plates with boundary conditions different from the ones studied here should be considered by further research works.
Physio-mechanical properties of natural rubber filled with carbonized cherry and rubber seed shells
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2016-04) Onegbedan, Cordelia
Physico-mechanical properties natural rubber filled with carbonized cherry and rubber seed shell as fillers were studied. Samples of cherry and rubber seed shells were carbonized at varying temperatures (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700oC for three hours each and sieved through a 100m mesh. The physical properties of fillers such as the swelling behavior, loss on ignition, iodine absorption number, moisture content, the pH and the bulk density results evaluated show that pH, iodine adsorption number and loss on ignition increase with carbonization temperature, moisture content decreases while bulk density varies with increase in carbonization temperature. The percentage swelling behaviour results show that carbonized cherry seed shell filled vulcanizates are more resistant to solvents used than carbonized rubber seed shell filled vulcanizates, The mechanical properties of the vulcanizate which include enlongation at break, compression set and flex fatigue decreases with increase in filler carbonization temperature. some mechanical properties Such as tensile strength, mochulus, Hardness and abrasion resistance increase with increase in filler carbonization temperature. The mesh size of 100m were used as to obtain a fine particles size. Any mesh size above 100m will be lesser. Thus for high quality vulcanizates carbonization should be done at 600oC.
Oxidative stress and dyslipidaemia in type-2 diabetic patients attending Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Awka
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2019-07-19) Nwankwo, Chinenye Esther
Changes in oxidative stress parameters, lipid profile, atherogenic predictor indices, and anthropometrics of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects attending Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Awka, were assessed using standard methods. Demographic data of the T2DM patients were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire.The subjects included willingly consented 60 (30 males and 30 females) T2DM patients and 40 (20 males and 20 females) apparently healthy, age-matched control subjects.GSH concentration, and activities of SOD, CAT and GPx decreased significantly (p<0.05), while MDA level increased significantly (p<0.05) in diabetics than in non-diabetics. The FBG concentration, lipid parameters (TC, TG, LDL-c and VLDL-c) and atherogenic indices (non HDL-c, CRI 1, CRI 11, AC and AIP) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the diabetics, while HDL-c concentration was significantly decreased in diabetics compared to the controls. Majority of the diabetic subjects had abnormally high prevalence of dyslipidaemia and abnormally high levels of atherogenic predictor indices. The diabetics had significantly (p<0.05) higher BMI, WC, AC, WHR, WHtR, SBP and DBP than non-diabetics. FBG results of diabetics correlated positively with MDA (r2 = 0.30, p=0.02) and non HDL-c (r=0.28; p=0.027), but negatively with GSH (r2 = -0.30, p=0.04). Arm circumference had a weak negative correlation with GSH and CAT in the diabetics. BMI, WHtR, SBP and DBP were positively correlated with non HDL-c, CRI-I, CRI-II and AC, while AIP was positively correlated with BMI and WHtR. Diabetic males compared to females, were more educated, resident in urban areas, had higher comorbidity with hypertension, showed more signs of complications, had family history of diabetes and had over 10 years of suffering fromT2DM. On the other hand, female diabetics were involved in lower income occupation and practiced better nutritional regimen, but had significantly (p < 0.05) higher BMI, WC, WHR, SBP and DBP than the males. The results of this study have shown high occurrence of dyslipidaemia, oxidative stress and abnormality in atherogenic risk predictor indices among Nigerian T2DM patients. Correlation results indicate that MDA, non HDL-c and GSH are potentially important useful markers for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of diabetes. Adoption of a healthy dietary pattern should be encouraged in T2DM patients and intervention policies for effective management of T2DM should be sex specific
Development of natural antioxidant active polymer package from extracts of monodora myristica (Ehuru) for lipid food preservation
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2019-03) Nwakaudu, Adanze Angela
A natural antioxidatant active polymer package film was developed for lipid food preservation. Three active package films were produced, namely: film containing only ehuru antioxidant extract (EAE), α-tocopherol (AT) and a blend of EAE/AT using casting method. Different percentage compositions (0 - 5% w/w) of EAE were incorporated into polysulphone (PSF) resin, while 5% AT was incorporated into PSF resin which served as standard. A 5% equal combination of EAE/AT was also added to PSF to produce package film. Mechanical, thermal, morphology and barrier properties of developed films as well as the pure PSF film were determined and compared. The antioxidant ability of the developed films was investigated using 2,2- Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The ability of the films to stabilise lipid (peanut oil) against oxidation was tested by packaging peanut oil with the active films. The peroxide value (PV) and p-anisidine value) of the actively packaged and stored peanut oil were determined. Results of the barrier properties showed that the rate of permeation of gas in the EAE active films was shown to be reducing significantly (from 0.1256 to 0.0277)cm3 /s as concentration of EAE incoporated in the film increased, while films with blend of EAE/AT produced higher permeable films of (0.1079 cm3 /s ). AT film was the most permeable (0.2209 cm3 /s). The spectrum of the FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of esters, amides and amines in the absorption peaks of 3526, 3302.4 and 3697.5 cm-1 . Absorption peak of 1736.9 cm-1 for the ester and 1684.8 cm-1 for amide. The SEM microstructure revealed that the porous film of the pure PSF reduced as concentration of the EAE added increased from 0% - 5%. The incorporation of 5% EAE , produced very smooth and homogenous surface film without apparent phase separation. The melting point of EAE active film was established at 210 oC compared to 230 oC for the pure PSF. The AT active firm recorded a higher melting temperature of 247 oC. The oxidation results showed a significantly (p < 0.05) lower rate increase in oil samples packaged with the developed films than the control sample. Results also revealed that at the end of nine weeks of storage, peanut oil packaged with active film containing only EAE natural antioxidant showed the lowest lipid oxidation by recording the lowest peroxide and p-anisidine values of 9.82±1.50 meq/kg and 30.45±0.00 respectively. The effect of concentration of the EAE on the oxidation of the peanut oil showed that their is no signifcant difference (p > 0.05) in the 2.5% and 5% EAE on the PV and P- anisidine values of the packaged oil sample, hence concentration between 2.5 and 5% could be used for the active film. Considering the mechanical properties of the active package, 5% EAE produced the most flexible film with percentage elongation at break (EAB) of 3.221% and best antioxidant activity of 48.097%. The overall results showed that the developed Ehuru antioxidative package had demonstrated the potential of slowing down the lipid oxidation and therefore could be used to preserve lipid foods like peanut oil.