Effect of Preservation Methods of Oil Palm Sap (Elaeis guineensis) on the Reproductive Indices of Male Wistar Rats

Theophilus Maduabuchukwu Ikegwu,Gabriel Ifeanyi Okafor,Izuchukwu Shedrack Ochiogu 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.12

Thirty male Wistar rats, split into five groups of six rats each, were administered different forms of oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) sap samples by gavage based on 1.5% of their weekly body weights. Group 1 which served as control received only water, group 2 received pasteurized palm sap (PPS), group 3 received market palm wine (MPW), group 4 received frozen palm sap (FPS), whereas group 5 received fresh palm sap (FrPS). Chemical composition of the sap samples was determined. Normal feed and water were fed ad libitum. After 2 months of treatment, each male rat group was allowed 7 days to mate with six female Wistar rats. Thereafter, blood and epididymal samples were collected for testosterone assay and sperm count, respectively, before they were humanely sacrificed and testicular tissues taken for testicular histology. Litter weight and size of the pups produced by the females of each group were determined at birth. The sap samples contained carbohydrate (0.01–11.71%), protein (1.56–1.95%), ash (0.22–0.35%), moisture (92.55–98.24%), and alcohol (0.26–3.50%). PPS-treated rat group had significantly (P < .05) decreased sperm count (42.60 – 23.64 · 106), abnormal increase in testosterone level, and necrosis in the histology of the testes with reduced spermatogenetic activity, compared with other treatment groups. The female rats crossed with male rats fed on FrPS or FPS produced the highest number of pups followed by the control group. This study demonstrated that the intake of FrPS improved fertility in male animals, but its administration for a long period led to necrotic changes in the testes, whereas pasteurization of palm sap, impacted negatively on the reproductive indices of male animals.

Improving Remedial Measures from Incident Investigations: A Study Across Ghanaian Mines

Joe-Asare Theophilus,Stemn Eric 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2024 Safety and health at work Vol.15 No.1

ackground Learning from incidents for accident prevention is a two-stage process, involving the investigation of past accidents to identify the causal factors, followed by the identification and implementation of remedial measures to address the identified causal factors. The focus of past research has been on the identification of causal factors, with limited focus on the identification and implementation of remedial measures. This research begins to contribute to this gap. The motivation for the research is twofold. First, previous analyses show the recurring nature of accidents within the Ghanaian mining industry, and the causal factors also remain the same. This raises questions on the nature and effectiveness of remedial measures identified to address the causes of past accidents. Secondly, without identifying and implementing remedial measures, the full benefits of accident investigations will not be achieved. Hence, this study aims to assess the nature of remedial measures proposed to address investigation causal factors. Method The study adopted SMARTER from business studies with the addition of HMW (H – Hierarchical, M – Mapping, and W – Weighting of causal factors) to analyse the recommendations from 500 individual investigation reports across seven different mines in Ghana. Results The individual and the work environment (79%) were mostly the focused during the search for causes, with limited focus on organisational factors (21%). Forty eight percentage of the recommendations were administrative, focussing on fixing the problem in the immediate affected area or department of the victim(s). Most recommendations (70.4%) were support activities that only enhance the effectiveness of control but do not prevent/mitigate the failure directly. Across all the mines, there was no focus on evaluating the performance of remedial measures after their implementation. Conclusion Identifying sharp-end causes leads to proposing weak recommendations which fail to address latent organisational conditions. The study proposed a guide for effective planning and implementation of remedial actions. ackground Learning from incidents for accident prevention is a two-stage process, involving the investigation of past accidents to identify the causal factors, followed by the identification and implementation of remedial measures to address the identified causal factors. The focus of past research has been on the identification of causal factors, with limited focus on the identification and implementation of remedial measures. This research begins to contribute to this gap. The motivation for the research is twofold. First, previous analyses show the recurring nature of accidents within the Ghanaian mining industry, and the causal factors also remain the same. This raises questions on the nature and effectiveness of remedial measures identified to address the causes of past accidents. Secondly, without identifying and implementing remedial measures, the full benefits of accident investigations will not be achieved. Hence, this study aims to assess the nature of remedial measures proposed to address investigation causal factors. Method The study adopted SMARTER from business studies with the addition of HMW (H – Hierarchical, M – Mapping, and W – Weighting of causal factors) to analyse the recommendations from 500 individual investigation reports across seven different mines in Ghana. Results The individual and the work environment (79%) were mostly the focused during the search for causes, with limited focus on organisational factors (21%). Forty eight percentage of the recommendations were administrative, focussing on fixing the problem in the immediate affected area or department of the victim(s). Most recommendations (70.4%) were support activities that only enhance the effectiveness of control but do not prevent/mitigate the failure directly. Across all the mines, there was no focus on evaluating the performance of remedial measures after their implementation. Conclusion Identifying sharp-end causes leads to proposing weak recommendations which fail to address latent organisational conditions. The study proposed a guide for effective planning and implementation of remedial actions.

Changes in Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Coffee under Different Roasting Conditions

송재림,Theophilus Siaw Asare,강미영,이상철 한국자원식물학회 2018 한국자원식물학회지 Vol.31 No.6

Roasting has revealed coffee’s potentials as a good source of bioactive compounds. This study was done toinvestigate the quantitative presence and activity of bioactive compounds including caffeine, chlorogenic acid (CGA),amino acids, and antioxidant capacity on Coffea arabica L. (Guatemala finca San Sebastian) and C. robusta L. (India AzadHind). Analysis was performed on Green Bean (GB) Medium-Light (ML), Medium (ME) and Medium-Dark (MD) samplesof both varieties. From the results, caffeine content was highest in ME samples of both varieties. GB samples of bothvarieties had high CGA content which decreased after increasing roasting time and temperature. Most amino acids in GBsamples was highest, however, glutamic acid, valine, tyrosine, isoleucine, leucine and phenylalanine had highestquantitative increase in ME samples for both varieties. IC50 of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity was highest inML samples of both varieties. IC50 of reducing power and total phenolic content was highest in GB sample of both varietiesbut decreased after increasing roasting conditions. Generally Robusta had the highest quantity of bioactive compounds andantioxidant activity. From this study, the optimal roasting condition for coffee is ME above which there is a significantreduction of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity.

Critical Barriers to the Practice of Effective Cost Planning in the Ghanaian Construction Industry

Kissi, Ernest,Adjei-Kumi, Theophilus,Badu, Edward Korea Institute of Construction Engineering and Ma 2016 Journal of construction engineering and project ma Vol.6 No.2

Cost planning practices in the construction industry worldwide has gained much popularity in recent times due to economic recession and stringent measures that various procurement laws prescribe in most developed and developing countries. Nevertheless, these practices in developing countries such as Ghana are constrained with the existence of critical barriers that render them non-effective and hence, accounting for the numerous abandonment of both private and public projects. Consequently, this study was enunciated with the aim to examine the critical barriers to the practice of effective cost planning in the Ghanaian construction industry. Through an in-depth literature review and a pilot survey, questionnaires were designed and administered to quantity surveyors. Data generated from the field survey was subjected to principal component analysis. The findings of the study revealed weak cost planning knowledge base, poor cost databases and understanding, inadequate designs and planning and external conditions are the major barriers to cost planning practices in the Ghanaian construction industry. The need for this study cannot be doubted since it provides an insight for experts in the construction industry on the barriers of the practice of cost planning in the industry. The awareness of these barriers will therefore facilitate efficient and effective efforts to resolve them. A future study is thereby proposed by this study to explore effective cost planning practices in the Ghanaian construction industry that will ensure private and public stakeholders get value for their money invested.

Analysis of Penalties Imposed on Organisations for Breaching Safety and Health Regulations in the United Kingdom

Arewa, Andrew Oyen,Theophilus, Stephen,Ifelebuegu, Augustine,Farrell, Peter Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2018 Safety and health at work Vol.9 No.4

Background: The study analyzes penalties imposed on organizations for breaching safety and health regulations. The research questions are as follows: what are the commonly breached safety and health regulations? How proportional are penalties imposed on organizations for breaching health and safety regulations in the United Kingdom? Methods: The study employed sequential explanatory mixed research strategies for better understanding of health and safety penalties imposed on organizations. Actual health and safety convictions and penalties data for 10 years (2006 to 2016) were obtained through the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive (HSE) public register for convictions. Overall, 2,217 health and safety cases were analyzed amounting to total fines of £37,179,916, in addition to other wide-ranging penalties. For thorough understanding, eight interviews were conducted with industry practitioners, lawyers, and HSE officials as part of the study qualitative data. Results: Findings show that the Health and Safety at Work (HSW) Act accounted for 46% of all HSE prosecution cases in the last decade. This is nearly half of the total safety and health at work prosecutions. Moreover, there is widespread desire for organizations to comply with the HSW Act, but route fines are seen as burdensome and inimical to business growth. Conclusion: A key deduction from the study reveal significant disproportionality concerning penalties imposed on organizations for breaching safety and health regulations. On aggregate, small companies tend to pay more for health and safety offenses in a ratio of 1:2 compared to large companies. The study also reveals that the HSW Act accounted for nearly half of the total safety and health at work prosecutions in the last decade.

URAL RESOURCE DEPENDENCE AND TAX EFFORT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Oluwatosin Adeniyi,TERVER THEOPHILUS KUMEKA,OLADIMEJI ALAG 중앙대학교 경제연구소 2022 Journal of Economic Development Vol.47 No.1

The study investigated the empirical relationship between natural resource dependence and tax effort in 28 Sub-Saharan African countries, with data for the period 1996-2016. The findings indicated that in economies with oil rents, less efforts is invested on other non-oil-resource revenues. In these countries, trade openness deteriorates tax revenue efforts, consequently the bulk of government revenue come from the sale of crude oil. In contrast, economies without oil rents seem to channel more efforts towards non-oil-tax revenue. In these economies, our result showed that trade openness is an important improvement to tax revenues. We recommend that for economies with oil rents, proper tax record keeping and documentation of separate revenue sources be maintained. Conversely, other resources rent economies are also recommended to depend less on natural resources rents and grants from foreign donors; and maintain a policy of no non-tariff barriers to trade, except for health, social and security reasons.

Analysis of Penalties Imposed on Organisations for Breaching Safety and Health Regulations in the United Kingdom

Andrew Oyen Arewa,Stephen Theophilus,Augustine Ifelebuegu,Peter Farrell 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2018 Safety and health at work Vol.9 No.4

Background: The study analyzes penalties imposed on organizations for breaching safety and health regulations. The research questions are as follows: what are the commonly breached safety and health regulations? How proportional are penalties imposed on organizations for breaching health and safety regulations in the United Kingdom? Methods: The study employed sequential explanatory mixed research strategies for better understanding of health and safety penalties imposed on organizations. Actual health and safety convictions and penalties data for 10 years (2006 to 2016) were obtained through the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive (HSE) public register for convictions. Overall, 2,217 health and safety cases were analyzed amounting to total fines of £37,179,916, in addition to other wide-ranging penalties. For thorough understanding, eight interviews were conducted with industry practitioners, lawyers, and HSE officials as part of the study qualitative data. Results: Findings show that the Health and Safety at Work (HSW) Act accounted for 46% of all HSE prosecution cases in the last decade. This is nearly half of the total safety and health at work prosecutions. Moreover, there is widespread desire for organizations to comply with the HSWAct, but route fines are seen as burdensome and inimical to business growth. Conclusion: A key deduction from the study reveal significant disproportionality concerning penalties imposed on organizations for breaching safety and health regulations. On aggregate, small companies tend to pay more for health and safety offenses in a ratio of 1:2 compared to large companies. The study also reveals that the HSW Act accounted for nearly half of the total safety and health at work prosecutions in the last decade.

Why is she naked? An Iterative Refinement of the Digitisation of ICH with the OvaHimba Tribe in Namibia

Kasper Rodil,Heike Winschiers-Theophilus 국립민속박물관 2018 International Journal of Intangible Heritage Vol.13 No.-

The focal point for this article is to continue the discourse on thedigitisation of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). We begin byproviding a short recapitulation and further conceptualisationof the Tripartite Digitisation Model (TDM) originally published inVolume 10 of this journal. This model is used to show and reflecton a concrete example of digitisation of ICH with an OvaHimbacommunity in Namibia. The point of this is to highlight howcommunity involvement has been facilitated in an on-goingresearch project, and to show the necessity of this communityinvolvement when ICH becomes digital.

Removal of Solids Waste in a Typical Slow Sand Filter for Treatment of Drinking Water

( Tshepo Alex Malapane ),( Vhonani Olive Netshandama ),( Theophilus Davies ),( Cheryl Vernice Nikodem ) 한국폐기물자원순환학회 2011 ISWA Vol.2011 No.0

Biochemical and anti-inflammatory effect of Ocimum americanum Linn. extracts on gentamicin- and cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Larbie Christopher,Nyarko Ruby A.,Oyagbemi Ademola A.,Jarikre Theophilus A.,Adjei Clement O.,Aseidu Emmanuel B.,Mawuenyega Rosemond,Emikpe Benjamin O. 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2021 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.21 No.4

Interest in medicinal plant research and usage has risen due to many reported side effects of synthetic drugs and their relatively higher cost. Ocimum americanum (family Lamiaceae) is a commonly used spice in Ghana with the aqueous extracts of leaves, flowers and stem been rich in saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins. The aim of the study was to evaluate the nephroprotective potential of the aqueous extracts of O. americanum parts on gentamicin- and cisplatin-induced toxicity in rats. In a ten-day experiment, nephrotoxicity was induced with gentamicin (GM; 100 mg/kg b.wt. for 8 days) and cisplatin (Cisp; 6 mg/kg b.wt. for 1 day) after pre-treatment with 250 mg/kg b.wt. of the leaves, stem, and flower extracts of O. americanum and standard drug, silymarin (100 mg/kg b.wt.) for 10 days. The nephroprotective activity was evaluated by assaying the activity of serum kidney function parameter, kidney oxidative stress parameters, kidney inflammatory cytokines (NF-κB and IL-1) and histopathology. The activities of kidney function parameters of animals were significantly increased following Cisp and GM treatment with resultant alteration is kidney microarchitecture, over-expressions of NF-κB and IL1 and kidney oxidative stress markers. Extract pre-treatment restored kidney function to near-normal, downregulating the expressions of IL-1 and NF-κB and improved levels of reduced GSH contents, GPx and SOD activities. However, leaves extract showed the best protection against GM while all extracts showed improved protection (> 50%) against Cisp. Extract of Ocimum americanum exhibit nephroprotective activity and could be developed as a potent kidney protector.