Studies on the adhesive factors of pathogenic strains of escherichia coli isolated from man

The present study was designed to answer a number of questions related to the presence and function of known or suspected adhesive factors in strains of E.coli. A total of 808 E.coli strains isolated from intestinal and extraintestinal sources in man were tested for the ability to agglutinate human, calf and guinea-pig RBC in the presence and absence of D-mannose, and for the presence of CFA/I and CFA/II by slide agglutination and immunodiffusion techniques using specific antisera. The biochemical and serological characteristics of CFA/I and CFA/II positive strains were examined, and related to the genetic control of these adhesive factors. The morphological characteristics of these fimbriate antigens was investigated by electron microscopy studies. Strains that did not possess CFA/I or CFA/II, but were able to cause MRHA of human and/or calf RBC, were further examined by serological methods for the presence of other adhesive factors. An in vitro assay using HEp-2 tissue culture cells was developed to test the adhesive ability of strains of E.coli able and unable to cause MPJLA or MSHA. The relationship between the biochemical and genetic characteristics of the E.coli strains and their ability to adhere to HEp-2 cells was also investigated

The effect of water nutrients on weevil herbivory and development on water hyacinth

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science,University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. 2015.Because water hyacinth growth is highly dependent on nutrient availability, growth of the weevil Neochetina eichhorniae, which feeds only on water hyacinth, is closely linked to the plants’ nutrient status. The aim of this research was to investigate whether the nutrient levels could influence the larval development and larval feeding on water hyacinth. To investigate this, water hyacinth plants were grown at three different nutrient concentrations (high (6 mg/l N; 0. 83 mg/l P), medium (2.8 mg/l N; 0.4 mg/l P) and low (0.7 mg/l N; 0.01 mg/l) chosen according to a range of nutrient conditions found in South African water bodies. Control plants, without larval inoculation and treatment plants, with two larvae per plant were used. Plant biomass and other plant growth parameters were measured every week. We predicted a higher larval feeding rate on plants grown at the low nutrient level and faster larval development and a higher larval survival rate at the higher nutrient levels

The Architectural Plausibility of an Urban Parking Facility Project: A Jos City Centre Scenario

This paper is aimed at addressing the car park shortage problem of the Central Business District, CBD, of Jos, the Plateau State capital, Nigeria, West Africa. The car park dilemma has become a blot in the landscape in the city centre as a result of its gross inadequacy. A study of the city centre’s car park problem revealed a continuing, incremental trend whose magnitude cannot be easily quantified.  The purpose of this paper is to put forward a plausible, sustainable solution which would address the parking problem such that it is contained as the need arises irrespective of the developmental stride of the city centre. This was achieved by undertaking a field investigation and an Outline Architectural Design of a prototype car park facility in the form of add – on – module to address the exigencies of sustainability and adaptability to address the unpredictable but surely increasing future car park needs. Through this means emerges a blueprint for means of addressing the present car park problems and also the future requirements within the framework of socio - economic, environmental and sustainability angles. Keywords: Architectural Design, Car Park, Central Business District (CBD), Planning, Sustainabilit

Fire Protection: Architect’s Role during Construction of Buildings

With technological advancement each year and improved awareness of fire safety measures, fires needlessly cause many casualties as well as material damages. Contractors and consultants can utilize past experiences and involvement whenever a property becomes a building site. The past knowledge of existing buildings especially those that have fire certificate and fire safety systems will be invaluable to the architects and contractors. Advance planning for fire protection and vigilance in construction safety can greatly reduce the risk of disasters. Actions necessary to minimize the chances of fire loss lies in recognizing probable causes, implementing adequate prevention measures, and preparing a plan for battling a fire should it strike. Undertaking construction work increases the risk of fire. Some are caused by tools and products used during the construction process, while others are due to carelessness on the job. Most fires can be prevented by taking routine safety precautions and eliminating the opportunities for a fire to start. Keywords: construction, building, fire, safety, site

Fire Protection Measures in Buildings: The Architect’s Design Role

The key elements of any fire protection system involve prevention, retardations, detection, extinguishments as well as rescue. Major advances have been made in all these elements and are continually improved and made increasingly effective by improvement in technology advancement. Advancement in Building design and construction can have significant improvement in fire safety, therefore, architects, need to adapt new techniques and new materials and incorporate them in their designs. They also need to liaise with fire professionals and engineers across the globe in order to update their knowledge in fire safety. In many countries, safety standards and laws were made as a guide to prevent fire conflagration, loss of assets or buildings, as well as protection of individual life, and architects follow such regulations during design. The fire protection codes, laws and standards are as such effectively implemented in advanced countries. Here in Nigeria there seem to be no adequate statutes in place, except the draft National fire Code. Architects in the country have to rely a lot on their personal fire protection knowledge and design dexterity to provide in building fire prevention and protection measures. Statutory Fire Safety Provisions should be established and administered by the 3 tiers of our government and such document must serve as a guideline in all architectural designs.    This paper therefore tries to give an insight into the role of architects as it relates to fire protection during design of buildings. Keywords: buildings, fires, prevention, safety, standards

Static correction parameters in the lower flood plain of the central Niger delta, Nigeria

Downhole seismic survey was conducted over the lower flood plain of the Central Niger Delta within the Kaiama prospect (OML 28) in an attempt to compute and determine the static correction parameters for the area.Analysis and interpretation of data from 14 downhole locations using NESURVELANA software shows that the thickness of the weathered (low velocity) layer is laterally variable from about 2.6m to 5.8 m with an average of 4.3 m. The weathering velocity ranges from 383 m/s to 985 m/s with an average value of 546 m/s. The consolidated layer below the weathered layer has a velocity ranging between 1646 and 1893 m/s with an average value of 1763 m/s. Knowledge of these computed parameters can be applied in oil and gas exploration and interpretation, also in civil engineering, where the determined LVL provides an estimate of the foundation depth for massive construction works, another area of application is in the exploration and exploitation of groundwater

Analysis of Flood Risk Management in Nigerian Urban Environment

Some of the major effects of global climate change are rise in sea level and increased frequency of extreme events. Urban settlements in Nigeria are likely to be seriously affected by flooding as a result of this change. Urbanization processes in Nigeria increase pressure on land use conversion augmenting for population increase. The study observed that climate change frequently take place in flood prone areas such as flood plains and seacoasts. Floods expose the urban population and infrastructure to risk due to the excessive runoff which must be directed to rivers, streams, canals and storm water drainage systems. While a reliable urban infrastructure is vital for human needs, current urbanization trends in Nigeria are defining negative regards to flood vulnerability. Of particular concern is the fact the most impoverished segment of the population who are most likely to settle in flood hazard prone areas are the least able to adopt measures for adaptation in the event of flood disaster. Addressing these problems require effective environmental management agenda. Major causes of flood in Nigeria were identified to include uncontrolled expansion of impermeable surfaces due to physical development and expansion, swamp reclamation for construction purposes, lack of adequate storm water drainage systems, lack of maintenance of existing drainage systems and weak institutional capacity of urban administration and environmental management in Nigeria. Keywords: Climate change, environmental management, flood vulnerability, water runoff, urbanization process.

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An Assessment of the Pollution Levels of Rivers in Enugu Urban Nigeria and their Environmental Implication

The increased scarcity of pipe-borne water supply in Enugu Urban, Nigeria has led to residents seeking alternative sources of water supply. This has resulted in households depending on surface for their consumption. It is believed that various human activities have contaminated this surface water thus making them unsafe for human consumption. The purpose of the study is to examine the pollution levels of rivers in Enugu urban in relation to the safe limits described by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control standard. Water samples were collected from the ten major rivers in the study area. The result of the study shows that apart from New Haven River, the level of pollutants in rivers in Enugu is not significantly different from the NAFDAC standard. However, most rivers in Enugu, though with some traces of pollutants, can be easily treated for domestic consumptions and usages Keywords: Pollution, Standards, River

Physical Master-planning as Panacea to Physical Planning Challenges in Nigeria Cities: Case Study of Abuja, Nigeria Capital City

The need for a master plan to guide development in urban areas cannot be emphasized. There is however criticisms against this master planning as a development strategy. This paper x-rays the relevance of master plan using Abuja- Nigeria Capital City- master plan as a reference study area. Attempts were made to investigate the urban challenges in Abuja as well as problems confronting master plan implementation. It was recommended that master planning should be encouraged as a strategy to guiding development settlement development Keywords: Master plan, Settlement, Urba