Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

About: Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is a education organization based out in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 2786 authors who have published 3066 publications receiving 36850 citations. The organization is also known as: Oyo State University of Technology & LAUTECH.

Energy requirements for palm‐kernel oil processing operations

Abstract: Direct energy utilization in nine palm‐kernel oil (PKO) mills located in Southwestern Nigeria was analyzed. The mills were stratified into small, medium and large‐scale categories, based on their modes of operations and production capacities. Evaluation of energy usage was carried out in the seven readily defined unit operations namely: palm‐nut drying, palm‐nut cracking, palm‐kernel roasting, palm‐kernel crushing, PKO expression, PKO sifting and PKO bottling/pumping. PKO extraction rates in the three mill categories were evaluated. The average PKO extraction rate for small, medium and large mills were 48.45 percent, 42.68 percent and 36.24 percent, respectively. The total energy expenditure in small, medium and large‐scale PKO mills were 350.89MJ/tonne, 230.70MJ/tonne and 181.74MJ/tonne, respectively. This suggests that the unit energy requirement for PKO output decreases as mill capacity increases. The four most highly energy‐intensive operations identified were palm‐nut cracking, palm‐kernel roasting, palm‐kernel crushing and PKO expression, altogether accounting for 95.29, 92.14 and 93.65 percent of total energy used in small, medium and large‐scale mills, respectively.

Community Power Structure: The Role of Local Leaders in Community Development Decision Making in Ajaawa, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract: This study investigates the participation of local leaders in decision-making in Ajaawa Community of Oyo State, Nigeria. Sixty community leaders (both visible and concealed) were identified and interviewed with the aid of validated interviewed schedule. Data revealed that the respondents spread across social, political, religious and traditional functions. Twenty percent are female, 90% married, while 8% are below 40 years old, mean age is 58years. About 88% are literate. Major areas of decision-making where leaders regularly participate are religion, chieftaincy, community safety and community development. Community development commands the highest involvement (81.7%) followed by community safety (70%). Of all the CD projects undertaken in the last 5 years, the market had the highest proportion (71.7%) of leaders involved in its decision-making followed by the palace (63.3%). Leadership responsibility areas for each project are people mobilization, meetings, finance, and linkage. Personal participation in CD projects by the leaders revealed that the market and palace commanded the highest involvement. Where leaders unite and make sound collective decisions, the community maintains peace and development.

Circadian dysrhythmia-linked diabetes mellitus: Examining melatonin’s roles in prophylaxis and management

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, life-threatening metabolic disorder that occurs worldwide Despite an increase in the knowledge of the risk factors that are associated with diabetes mellitus, its worldwide prevalence has continued to rise; thus, necessitating more research into its aetiology Recent researches are beginning to link a dysregulation of the circadian rhythm to impairment of intermediary metabolism; with evidences that circadian rhythm dysfunction might play an important role in the aetiology, course or prognosis of some cases of diabetes mellitus These evidences thereby suggest possible relationships between the circadian rhythm regulator melatonin, and diabetes mellitus In this review, we discuss the roles of the circadian rhythm in the regulation of the metabolism of carbohydrates and other macronutrients; with emphasis on the importance of melatonin and the impacts of its deficiency on carbohydrate homeostasis Also, the possibility of using melatonin and its analogs for the "prophylaxis" or management of diabetes mellitus is also considered

INFLUENCE OF DIETARY WILD SUNFLOWER (Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl. A Gray) LEAF MEAL ON LAYERS PERFORMANCE AND EGG QUALITY

Abstract: The performance of layers on various dietary levels of Wild Sunflower leaf meal (SLM) was investigated. Seventy-two Nera Black with commercial layers in their fourth month of lay of were randomised into six dietary treatments comprising a commercial layer mash (CLM) 05, 10, 15 and 20% SLM. Results revealed that egg production was appreciably supported even for layers on 15 and 20% SLM diets. Feed consumption ranged from 96.27 gms in layers fed 20% SLM to 106.86 gm for birds on CLM. Feed conversion efficiency in terms of kg feed South-western Nigeria up to the Middle Belt per dozen eggs was highest for 15% SLM while CLM had the highest cost of feed consumed per dozen eggs. All diets supported a net positive There is scanty report on the feeding value body weight gain on the birds. Haugh unit, yolk index, shell thickness and egg weight were not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by dietary treatments. Yolk colour was significantly (P<0.05) enhanced by SLM (at all levels) over rabbits. These preliminary findings suggest either the control or CLM. There was no mortality throughout the 12 weeks experiment lasted.