Estimation of ionospheric energy dissipation for the year 2012 using Østgaard’s empirical relation

The energy dissipation in the ionosphere resulting from the geomagnetic activity have caused an increasing number of major disruptions of important power and communication services, malfunctions and loss of expensive equipment. In this paper, data for the electron precipitation energy(ep) and joule heating energy(jh) have been used in the computation of both mean daily and hourly ionospheric energy dissipation using Østgaard’s empirical relation. The computation has been done for the year 2012. Hourly provisional values of geomagnetic indices obtained at International Service for Geomagnetic Indices from World Data Centre for Geomagnetism, Kyoto, Japan were used in the computation. International Association for Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA)-2002 format was adopted in the analysis. Under the assumption that the magnetosphere does not store any energy, the beginning of the event is taken as t1=0 and ending at t2=24hours. This is the duration used for the estimation. The estimated amount of energy dissipated through the ionosphere within this interval was found to be1.414393E+07 ± 824,154.1GJ with 90% confidence level, which indicates that ionospheric energy dissipation is the dominant channel of energy transfer in that year from the solar wind. This is consistent with many results found by other researchers.Keywords: Østgaard’s Empirical Relation, Ionospheric Energy Dissipation, Electron Precipitation, Joule Heatin

Vulvovaginal candidasis among female patients attending Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital and Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital Kaduna

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a major cause of lower genital infections in women, especially in developing countries and cause significant morbidity and financial burden on the already weak economy. The objective was to isolate and identify Candida spp responsible for Vulvovaginitis. Two hundred (200) vaginal swabs were collected from female patients 15years and above, attending Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital (YDMH) and Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital (BDSH) all within Kaduna metropolis. The samples were analysed for the presence of Candida spp using standard procedures of microscopy, culture and biochemical identification. The overall incidence of VVC was 79.5% (159/200), with higher incidence among patients attending Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital 84.8% (117/138), than Barau Dikko Memorial Hospital 67.7% (42/62).  Four (4) yeast species were isolated and identified which include Candida krusie, Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata. C. krusie had the highest percentage occurrence of 42.5% (39/159), while C. parapsilosis had the least percentage occurrence of 11.3% (18/159). Higher incidence was recorded among age group 40 and above 92.8% (13/14) and lowest among age group 31-40 76.5% (39/51). Highest incidence was also recorded among widow 100% (18/18) and lowest among married 76.8% (109/142). The high percentage of positive samples is an indication that there is a high incidence of candidiasis among the study population. There is need for regular screening of women for VVC and other sexually transmitted infections. Key words: Incidence, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Isolation, Kaduna

Incidence and distribution of head and loose smuts of sorghum (s. Bicolor l. Moench) in the Nigerian Sudan savanna

In this study, field surveys were conducted (between October to November) in the 2008 and the same period in the 2009 agricultural years to determine the incidence, prevalence and severity of head and loose smuts of sorghum in the Sudan savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The surveys were conducted in three states, namely; Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states representing the Sudan savanna region during which farmers’ fields were surveyed every 15-20 km on a road network. Disease incidence was obtained from a random sample of 100 plants each from three fields in an “X” or “W” pattern across each farm. Results of the study revealed that both head and loose smuts occurred in both years and in more than 84% of the fields surveyed. Incidence of both loose and head smuts varied significantly (P=0.05) between years and locations probably because of the variability of the pathogens and the little differences in climatic factors of the two years. The incidence of loose and head smuts in 2008 was 8.33% and 3.33%, respectively but both diseases were more prevalent and severe in Kano and Katsina states than Jigawa state. In 2009 on the other hand, head smut incidence was relatively higher averaging 5.00% compared to loose smut with mean incidence of 3.00%. However, prevalence and severity of the two diseases were still higher in Kano and Katsina states compared to jigawa state. It appeared that the incidence of the two smuts varied with the year, location and sorghum variety. The severity of the two smuts was generally low but taken together, could result into serious financial loss to farmers. So efforts should be made to find means of minimizing these losses

A reliable strategy for slug flow attenuation in pipeline-riser systems

Oil and gas activities across the globe now take place deep offshore. To operate in this harsh environment, there are numerous challenges. These can be in the form of high cost of production, space constraints, operational and technological demands. The co-transportation of oil and gas in same pipeline is one of the operational and technological approaches adopted in the industry to meet the transportation of produced crude. This approach comes with its attendant flow assurance difficulties. Slugging is one of such problems which can constitute operational hitches resulting in production reduction and sometimes eventual plant shutdown. Existing attenuation techniques are limited in various ways. Therefore, seeking a reliable solution to this problem is highly desired.In this study, an experimental study of multiple techniques for slug attenuation was attempted. A passive device-the intermittent slug absorber, topside choking and topside separator were investigated. The results show that a combination of the methods proves to be more effective compared to individual techniques. A significant reduction in riser- base pressure of up to 39% was achieved. This is advantageous and translates to an increase in oil recovery. Thus, the proposed strategy helps to achieve system stability and improved production at a lower cost

Prevalence of rotavirus diarrhoea among children under five years in Kaduna state, Nigeria

Rotavirus (RV) is a major etiological agent of acute infantile gastroenteritis and is associated with 20%-25% of diarrhoea cases in infants. Nigeria continues to be among the first five countries with greatest number of RV disease associated deaths per year. From September 2013-August 2014, 467 stool samples were collected from children under 5 years of age in Kaduna State, Nigeria and analysed for RV antigen using ELISA. An overall RV prevalence of 31.0% (143/467) was obtained with the infection occurring throughout the study period. Children from Kachia LGA had the highest prevalence of 53.8% (28/52), while children from Kagarko LGA had the lowest prevalence of 21.0% (10/74). The difference was significant (P=0.019). Highest prevalence of RV was recorded in March (75.0%:3/4) and the least in July (11.5%:3/26) with significant difference (P=0.003). Female children had highest prevalence of 32.1% (79/246) compared to male children (29.9%:66/221) with a non-significance difference (P=0.530). Children within 25-36 months had the highest prevalence of 36.4% (28/77), while children 49-60 months had the lowest prevalence of 17.6% (6/34) with no significant difference (P=0.517). The difference observed was not significant (P=0.477). The result showed no significant difference between the presence of RV infection with vomiting, fever, dehydration (P>0.05). The study has revealed that rotavirus remains an important cause of acute diarrhoea in children under five years in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Hence the need for the implemention of the vaccines into the childhood immunization programme in the country.Key words: Prevalence, Rotavirus, Children, Kaduna State, Nigeri

Epidemiological studies on rotavirus associated with diarrhoea among calves and children in Kaduna state, Nigeria

Rotaviruses are enteric pathogens causing acute, watery, dehydrating diarrhoea in various host species, including birds and mammals. A total of 716 diarrhoeic stool samples were collected comprising of 249 from calves and 467 from children within Kaduna State Nigeria. Rotavirus antigen was detected in the stools of calves by NSP3 Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction, while RV antigens were detected in children using Enzyme Linked Immunosobent Assay (ELISA). Rotavirus was detected in 34 of the 249 stool sample from calves (13.7%). The infection was higher in males (15.7%:16/102) compared to females calves (12.3%: 11/147). The highest number of cases was detected among calves 2-3 months of age (22.9%:8/35). Further analysis of the result showed no significant difference between rotavirus infection in calves with mode of feeding and presence of other animals in the farm (p>0.05). There was significant difference between rotavirus infection and sanitation on farm and source of water for calves (p<0.05). An overall RV prevalence of 31.0% (143/467) was obtained in children. The infection was higher in females (32.1%:79/246) compared to males (29.9%:66/221). The highest burden was detected in children 25-36 months of age (36.4%:22/77). There was no significant association between source of drinking water boiling of drinking water, attendance of day care and playing with toys and the prevalence of rotavirus (P>0.05). The study has revealed that rotavirus remains an important cause of acute diarrhoea among calves and children in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Hence the need for improvement in sanitation and the implemention of the vaccines into the childhood immunization programme.Key words: Rotaviruses, Stools, Calves, Children, Risk factors, Diarrhoea

Chemical composition and phyto-chemical factors of sorrel seeds (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) boiled at varying durations

This study was carried out to determine the chemical composition of sorrel seeds boiled at varying durations. Cleaned sorrel seeds were poured into three (3) litres of boiled water (at 100 C) per batch of 1kg (i.e. in ratio of 3:1) at different boiling durations of 0, 15, 30 and 45 minutes, respectively. The boiled sorrel seeds were sun dried by spreading on trays until well dried. Samples of the boiled sorrel seeds were analysed for chemical composition and phyto-chemical factors. The results showed that the duration of boiling significantly (p< 0.05) affected the crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract contents. Crude protein and ether extract values increased as the duration of boiling increased from 0 to 45 minutes. The lowest crude protein (28.00%) and crude fibre (12.80%) was obtained at 30 minutes duration of boiling while their respective values 29.22% and 14.50% were obtained from 45 minutes duration. Ether extract decreased with increased boiling duration. The values of anti – nutritional factor declined with increase in the duration boiling. There was also significant differences (p<0.05) in phytic acid and tannin levels. The 45 minutes duration of boiling had the lowest value for phytic acid (0.19%), tannin (1.1%) and saponin (7.65%). It is concluded that processing of sorrel seed by boiling enhanced nutrient availability of crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract, and reduced anti-nutrients (phytic acid, tannin and saponin) to a tolerable level. Keywords: Phyto-chemical factors; Boiling durations; Chemical composition; Sorrel seed

Characteristics of horizontal gas-liquid two-phase flow measurement in a medium-sized pipe using gamma densitometry

Two-phase flows are common occurrences in many industrial applications. The understanding of their characteristics in industrial piping systems is vital for the efficient design, optimization, and operation of industrial processes. Most of the previous experimental studies involving the use of gamma densitometers for holdup measurements in air-water mixtures are limited to smaller diameter pipes (generally regarded as those with < 50 mm in nominal diameter). Further, very few literature report experimental data obtained using gamma desitometers. This paper presents an application of a gamma densitometer in the measurement of two-phase flow characteristics in an intermediate diameter pipe (nominal diameter between 50 mm and 100 mm). Scaled air-water experiments were performed in a 17-m long, 0.0764-m internal diameter horizontal pipe. Liquid superficial velocity ranged between 0.1–0.4 m/s while gas superficial velocity ranged from 0.3 to 10.0 m/s. The measured parameters include liquid holdup, pressure gradient, flow pattern, and slug flow features. The flow patterns observed were stratified, stratified-wavy, plug, slug, and annular flows. Plug and slug flow patterns showed good agreement with established flow pattern maps. Furthermore, the slug translational velocity was observed to increase with increasing mixture velocity, as reported by previous authors, hence establishing the reliability of the instrumentation employed. The slug body length was also measured using the gamma densitometer and was found to be within the range 24–36D with a mean length of 30.6D

Impact of construction practices on the environment a case study of Kano State, Nigeria

The Physical environment is being disturbed by numerous problems, including those caused by the constructions activities, such problems impacts on the environment right from the initial stage, operational and to the end of the life span of the built structure. The aim of the study was to suggest the main environmental impacts of construction in Kano state. About twenty six construction impacts were reveals from the past researches. However, all the impact was classified into nine main classes. Data for the study were collected from questionnaires and interviews survey administered to stakeholders of construction industry in Kano State. Data collected were analyzed and ranked using Relative Importance Index (RII), suggesting that they significantly impact on the environment thereby causing environmental degradation. Based on the results resource consumption was ranked highest among the major environmental impacts of constructing in Kano. The highest class, consist raw materials, water, fuel and electricity consumption. The paper concludes with recommendation which includes enforcement of extant rules, regulation and ethical code by government legislative on construction stakeholders, government should formulate and ensuring adequate use of construction design that will suite the environment in Kano. Also, all forms of construction practices should be subjected to an environmental impact assessment to determine the potential impacts and also formulate the ways to overcome it before execution. The study suggest also that, the chair personnel in construction companies should formulate some rules, code of conducts that will ensure good and fair sustainable construction practices in Kano. Keywords: Construction Company, Construction Practices, Environmental Impact, Kano

Implication of blanket NPK application on nutrient balance of maize based on soil and tissue diagnosis approaches in the savannas of northern Nigeria

Open Access JournalImproper nutrient management reduces the yield and affects the nutrient status of crops. This study aimed to diagnose the nutrients limitation in maize. A three-year multi-location (348 sites) nutrient experiments were conducted in randomized block design to analyse nutrients limitation for maize production under conventional fertilizer recommendation system in Nigeria using DRIS, and to identify soil factors that influence DRIS indices using random forest model. DRIS indices for nutrients were calculated from the results of ear leaf samples collected from the experimental plots. The DRIS indices were summed, and used to cluster plots using k-means cluster algorithm. The results show large differences in average yield between the clusters. The clusters also differed based on frequency with which nutrients are most limiting. B was the most limiting in cluster one and three, Mn in cluster two and K in cluster four. Random forest results show that soil pH, B and Mg had the largest influence on DRIS indices in cluster one. DRIS indices were most influenced by soil N and B in cluster two. To a lesser extent, the soil Fe, K, Mg and S contents also influenced DRIS indices in cluster two. Soil K, B and Zn were the most significant factors influencing the DRIS indices in cluster four. Bulk Density, Fe, Na, ECEC, and organic carbon had a moderate influence on the indices in this cluster. Nutrient limitation in plants can be diagnose using the DRIS. Soil properties have a definite influence on maize nutrient status