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- ItemOpen AccessElectronic payment system adoption and performance of trading enterprises in Lagos State,Nigeria(Economics,Obafemi Awolowo University, 2014) Aruleba, Ojo FelixThe study examined the extent of electronic payment adoption among trading enterprises and assessed the challenges confronting the trading enterprises in adopting electronic payment channels in Lagos State. It also examined the effect of the adoption of electronic payment on performance of trading enterprises. These were with a view to examining the impact of electronic payment system adoption on performance of trading enterprises in Lagos State. Primary sources of data collection were used for this study. The data were sourced in four dense and concentrated market- places in Lagos State, namely: Alaba Suru, Lagos Island, Alaba International and Ladiipo Markets. These traders specialise in the sales of electronics, spare parts, marbles and tiles. The study population were traders who operate electronic payment system. Purposive sampling technique were used in selecting 100 traders who operate electronic payment system in each of Alaba Suru, Lagos Island, Alaba International and Ladiipo Markets, totally 400 respondents. A detailed structured questionnaire was employed to elicit information from eligible respondents on variables such as use of technology, age of the owner/manager of the enterprise, business strategy, operating location, size of the firm, and electronic payment channels. Data collected will be analysed using both descriptive and econometric techniques of analysis. Results of the analysis showed that majority of the respondents have continued to patronize electronic payment system since the inception, due to the fact that the system is more convenient, secure, and easy to use and saves time than the traditional or paper-based means of payment. While only few traders did not concur that the electronic payment is convenient, secure, and easy to use and saves time for their payment transactions. The result further showed that the traders were confronted with various challenges; internet/e-fraud, dilatory network, and frequent breakdown of machines, and power failure when using electronic payment system for their payment transactions. However, analysis of the Logistic model showed that there was significant negative relationship between electronic payment channels, operating location and the performance of the traders (t = -3.159, -3.76; p < 0.05), it also showed that there was significant positive relationship between interacted variables (that is computer literacy*point of sale, computer literacy*Mobile payment and computer*electronic funds transfer) and performance of the traders (t = 2.281, p < 0.05). When the size of the firm and business strategy were confirmed, the result also showed significant positive relationship with the performance of the traders (t = 4.380, p < 0.05). The study therefore concluded that the effect electronic payment system adoption on performance of the trading enterprises was negative.
- ItemOpen AccessSurvey of parasites of cockroaches in Ile-Ife, Osun State(zoology,Obafemi Awolowo University, 2016) Ogungbe, Adesayo OluwasunThis study determined the parasitic fauna harboured by cockroaches and their possible role as potential carriers of parasites of medical importance in Ile-Ife, Southwestern Nigeria. This was with a view to determining the prevalence and intensity of the identified parasitic species and the possible co-infection between them. Cockroach specimens were collected randomly from ten different locations within Ile-Ife metropolis using traps made from jars coated with a thin film of Vaseline baited with banana. The traps were placed at the selected locations at 19:00 hours and retrieved at 7:00 hours in the morning. The trapped cockroach specimen were placed in labeled containers and transported to the laboratory for identification and further processing. Morphological identification of the cockroaches was carried out using standard identification keys. The lengths of the cockroaches were measured from the tip of the head to the tip of the abdomen (in centimeters). External body surface of the cockroach was washed with 2 ml of sterile saline into a petri dish, which was then centrifuged at 2000 rpm for five minutes. The supernatant was decanted and the residue was collected using a Pasteur pipette unto a clean glass slide, stained with 1% Lugol’s iodine solution and then examined under light microscope at a magnification of X400. Eggs of helminth parasites and cyst and oocyst of protozoan in the residue were identified based on the observed morphometric data. Data collected were analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical tools. A total of 505 cockroaches comprising of two species were randomly collected and 201 (40.0 %) of the cockroaches harboured parasitic organisms. One hundred and twenty (23.8%) of the 304 Periplaneta americana collected harboured parasites while 81 (16.2%) of the 201 Blatella germanica collected had parasites. Twelve medically important parasites were encountered on the external surface and they include oocyst of Isosporasp., Toxoplasma gondii, Eimeria sp; cysts of Endolimax nana, eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Schistosoma haematobium, Dipylidium caninum, Raillietina sp., Taeniasp., Toxocara sp. and an unidentified helminth egg. There was no statistical significant difference (p > 0.05) between the cockroach species. The study concluded that the two cockroach species, Periplaneta americana and Blatella germanica harboured many parasites species which are known to cause intestinal parasitosis in humans and have potential of transmitting these parasites to human.
- ItemOpen AccessCorrelations of activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides in some enviromental matrices with prevalence of cancer in Southwestern Nigeria(Physics and Engineering physics,Obafemi Awolowo University, 2016) Adeola, Mary OluwayemisiThe study obtained the distribution of cancer prevalence in some part of Southwestern Nigeria, determined the activity concentration and radiological parameters of naturally occurring gamma emitters in some environmental matrices from the selected area in the region, established an association between cancer prevalence and radiological parameters and correlated the reported cancer prevalence with other variables such as occupation and age of patients. This was with a view to correlating cancer prevalence with the geographical distribution of patients’. The available data of cancer prevalence between 2010 - 2014 was obtained from the Ife-Ijesha Cancer Registry. Geo - spatial technique was employed to identify geographical areas with varying registry reported prevalence of cancer in South West Nigeria. Five Local Government areas (Ondo West, Ondo East, Idanre, Akure South, and Ifedore) with different cancer prevalence were selected. Five soil and water samples were collected from each of the selected Local Government and taken to the laboratory for evaluation of gamma radioactivity using a CsI detector. Furthermore, a survey meter was used at each sample collection point to determine in situ gamma dose rate in air. The results showed that the entire five class- intervals with varying prevalence of cancer were represented in Ondo State. The activity concentration of 40K ranged from 86.68 ± 2.89 to 561.92 ± 18.56 Bq/Kg, 238U were 20.26 ± 2.09 to 344.34 ± 35.44 Bq/Kg and 232Th ranged from 3.29 ± 0.56 to 83.4 ± 14.21 Bq/Kg in soil. The activity concentration of 40K ranged from 6.62 ± 1.93 to 58.98 ± 5.76 Bq/L with a mean of 28.53 ± 3.65 Bq/L, 238U were 9.66 ± 2.33 to 19.40 ± 3.30 Bq/L and 232Th were 0.36 ± 0.13 to 0.59 ± 0.16 Bq/L in water. There was a positive linear correlation value between K-40 in soil and water and cancer prevalence. Also, positive linear correlation was recorded between U-283 in water and cancer prevalence. Others radionuclides show a negative correlation with cancer prevalence. The result showed that all radiological parameters in water except for the external hazard index showed a strong positive correlation (value) with cancer prevalence. Furthermore, noting that two LGAs with wide disparity in cancer prevalence (Ondo West n = 53 and Ondo East, n = 4). The activity concentrations of all three families of radioactivity were found to be higher in Ondo West which has the higher cancer prevalence. The p-levels of the differences were respectively for K-40 (p = 0.025), U-238 (p = 0.066), and Th-232 (p = 0.081) in soil; and K-40 (p = 0.30), U-238 (p = 0.23), and Th-232 (p = 0.17) in water. Nature of cancer was correlated with other variables as occupation and age of registry reported patients; their p-values were 0.5123 and 0.3592 respectively. This result shows a negative and weak relationship between ages, occupation of cancer patients and reported cancer incidences. The study concluded that there was a significant association between radioactivity in water and cancer prevalence in Southwestern Nigeria.
- ItemOpen AccessNumerical and Experimental Studies on Mixedmode Solar Dryer for Cocoa Beans(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2016) Adeyemi, Samuel AyobamiCocoa beans dried undeIn this study a mixed-mode solar dryer was numerically modeled. The modeled solar dryer was designed, fabricated and evaluated for its performance. This was with a view to optimizing the design of the dryer and hence improve the performance. The mixed-mode solar dryer was numerically modelled for performance optimization using ANSYS software. The simulation is based on ANSYS solar load model. Based on optimized geometry obtained, a mixed-mode solar dryer was designed, fabricated and evaluated. The dryer was used to dry cocoa beans under free convective and forced convective (varied airspeed of 1.2m/s and 1.5m/s) drying. The drying was carried out during the wet and dry season of the year. Drying air temperature, ambient temperature, relative humidity, air velocity and drying time were measured until the beans reached equilibrium moisture content. Grade and physico-chemical test such as pH, acetic acid content and FFA of the dried beans were determined. Results of the model show that temperature within drying chamber increases with increase in solar collector area and decreases with increase in drying bed height. Maximum solar energy is obtainable at solar collector inclination angle of 14˚. This angle corresponds to angle ranges (α-6.5) ≤ β ≥ (α+6.5) of the earth polar system. The data obtained from the fabricated optimized dryer without loading were compared with numerically modeled dryer results with good agreement. The dryer dried 50 kg of wet cocoa beans to equilibrium moisture content within average drying period of 57 hours. Quality tests of the dried beans show that all the dried beans are grade 1, irrespective of drying method. However, Cocoa beans dried under forced convective process are more acidic with acetic acid value of 3.23 mg/g and 3.19 mg/g at airspeed 1.2 m/s and 1.5 m/s, respectively. The corresponding acetic acidic value for cocor free convective process was 3.38 mg/g. The pH for cocoa beans dried under free convective is higher than forced convective drying. The FFA for cocoa beans dried under free and forced convective drying (at airspeed 1.2 m/s and 1.5m/s) are 0.4 mg/g, 0.42 mg/g and 0.43 mg/g, respectively. Hence, cocoa bean samples dried under free convective drying are superior. In addition, samples dried during wet-season have less free fatty acid and acetic acid content with higher pH value compared to dry-season dried sample. Hence, cocoa bean samples dried during wet-season are also less acidic than dry-season dried samples. In conclusion, the study established that adequately modeled mixed mode solar dryer is a viable tool for extracting maximal energy from solar system of the earth planet. Mixed mode solar dryer is adequate to dry wet cocoa bean to safe moisture level irrespective of seasonal variation in weather condition of the year with good quality produce
- ItemOpen AccessDetermination of infant's human milk intake and mother' body composition in breasfeeding mothers from Ile-Ife,using stable isotope technique(Physics and Engineering physics,Obafemi Awolowo University, 2015) Ibitoye, Omolola OlufisayoABSTRACT This study determined human milk intake and intake of water from sources other than human milk, in breastfed babies and their mothers’ body composition at Ile-Ife using the non-invasive stable isotope method. The objectives were to determine levels of exclusive breastfeeding among the mothers, the actual amount of milk ingested by babies and also to determine the relationship, if any between maternal body composition and human milk intake. This was with a view to obtaining vital information about adequacy of milk intake for normal growth and the possibilities of transfer of pollutants to the babies through human milk. Thirty mother-baby pairs were recruited for this study. The ages of the mothers recruited in the study ranged from 19-35 years while the ages of the babies ranged from 1-9 months. Thirty milligram of sterile deuterium oxide was administered orally to each mother irrespective of the body mass and saliva samples from both mother and baby were obtained over a two-week period on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 13 and 14 after the administration of the dose. Deuterium enrichment in saliva samples was determined using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR), with the deuterium absorbance peak measured between 2300-2900 cm-1. The transfer of deuterium from the mother to the baby was modeled by a multi-exponential function and the simultaneous solution of this function with a mono-exponential decay of deuterium from the mothers’ body pool was achieved using the Solver function in Microsoft Excel environment through a customized spreadsheet supplied by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Human milk intake over the two-week study period ranged from 391 g/day to 1531 g/day. Water consumed orally other than human milk ranged from -602 g/day to 847 g/day. About 31% of the mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding during the period of investigation .The mean maternal lean body mass was 37.9 ± 7.01 kg and the mean maternal body fat was 18.03 ± 9.87 kg. Maternal body composition varies inversely with breast milk intake (which can be assumed to be a reflectance of maternal lactation performance). This study concluded that the stable isotope technique was a precise method of determining human milk intake in breastfed babies and maternal body composition.