347 research outputs found
A Study of the Content of Pesticide Residue in Agricultural Soils Around Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State Nigeria
In this study, the assessment of levels of pesticide residue in agricultural soil in farmlands around Federal University Gusau was carried out. The objectives of this study are to determine soil parameters such as pH, moisture content, electrical conductivity, soil organic matter content, water holding capacity, identify the pesticide residues within the study area and assess the level of pesticide residue in the soil within the area. The sampling area covered arable farmland to the north, south, west and eastern boarders of the university campus. Analyses of cleaned sample extracts were performed using Gas Chromatography equipped with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). A total of twelve agricultural soil samples were taken from the location at a depth of 20cm from the topsoil. The result obtained showed the presence of organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticides. Seventeen pesticide residues and derivatives were detected. These include; 2,4 dichloro, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Endosulfan, Aldrin, p,p'-DDD, g- chlordane, Profenofos, Carbofuran (a carbamate), DDVP, Dichlorvos, Heptachlor, t-nonachlor, Isopropylamine, Glyphosate, Biphenyl, Dichlorobiphenyl and Lindane. Physicochemical studies of the samples gave a pH that ranges from slightly acidic to slightly basic. The results when compared with IAEA/FAO/CODEX Alimentarius guideline are observed to be within the maximum residue limit. Keywords: Pesticides, Agricultural soil, Gusau , Gas chromatography, FAO DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-7-04 Publication date:July 31st 202
In-field soil fertility assessment of Ramat Polytechnic farm Maiduguri in North-Eastern Nigeria
In-field soil fertility valuation is an important diagnostic tool for determining the nutrient needs of plants. The main objective was to determine soil chemical characteristics. Twenty samples covering 2.5 hectares of the farm from 0-30 cm depth (< 2mm fraction) processed and analysed in the laboratory. The soils are in a state of equilibrium from the C: N ratio (14.50 to 35.00), influencing the biogeochemistry of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in pedogenetic development. There was high exchangeable calcium (6.20 Cmolkg-1 to 12.40 Cmolkg-1) and magnesium (1.00Cmolkg-1 to 4.80Cmolkg-1). Potassium contents were found to be medium to high (0.27 Cmolkg-1 to 1.54 Cmolkg-1). Available phosphorus ranged from low to medium contents (1.40 mkg-1 to 22.05 mkg-1) in all the samples. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) ranged from 10.01 Cmolkg-1 to 0.41 Cmolkg-1 and percent base saturation was high having >80%. Parent materials (sedimentary deposits) had influenced the availability of phosphorus and the exchangeable bases on the farm. These findings conclude that the soils have a high fertility status. However, there are slight hazards of salinity
Clean energy generation using groundnut oil mill effluent with microbial fuel-cell
Microbial system that converts organic matter to energy is proposed in this paper. An attempt is made, to examine the potential of using groundnut oil mill effluent (GOME) as substrates to Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC). A methodology was developed to obtain a power density in batches by varying the feed rate of continuous flow in the MFC. The results obtained show that GOME produces higher energy per unit area compared to other mixed culture reported in scientific literatures. The minimum and maximum power densities obtained are 160 mW/m2 and 217 mW/m2 at low feed rate of (400 litre/hr) with cell potential of 625 mV and high feed rate of (420 litre /hr) with cell potential 727 mV respectively. Furthermore, the findings of this research work showed that MFC could produce higher power density at continuous flow process mode (160 mW/m2) compared to batch process (54 mW/m2). Thus, this study demonstrates the potential of generating clean energy via GOME, with by-products of carbon dioxide and water.Keywords: Clean energy, Fossil-fuel, Renewable energy, Fuel-cell, Groundnut Oil Mill Effluent (GOME
Designing and implementing a communications strategy: lessons learnt from HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Programme Consortia.
In recent years there has been increasing recognition of the importance of strategic research communication. Health research organisations need to be able to communicate their research effectively to increase the probability that the findings influence policy and practice, and benefit those in greatest need. Many research funders are making communications a requirement of research funding. This paper reflects on the experience in developing and implementing communications strategies of several Research Programme Consortia funded by the Department for International Development.Different research topics will require different communications approaches in order to be effective. This is reflected in the diversity of strategies employed by different research programmes. Strategic research communications designed to influence policy and practice require different skills and expertise from those required for carrying out research and writing it up for publication in academic journals. Therefore researchers involved in communicating research should be supported in this work. One of the ways in which research programme consortia have sought to do this is through convening workshops to develop the communications skills of researchers from partner organisations. These have proven invaluable. Another way of providing ongoing support to those involved in communicating research is through a Communications Community of Practice. Where this has been used it has proven a good way to support researchers both with ideas and resources, but also a strong sense of belonging to a community that shares a common concern with communication. Developing strong partnerships with research users, other research organisations, knowledge intermediaries and other stakeholders is vital for effective communication.Embracing the challenges and opportunities presented by communicating research to influence policy practice is vital if research is to have maximum possible impact, and demonstrate its worth at a time when funding for health and development activities is at risk. Sharing lessons learnt in this process between research programmes is important to support this work
Mycological Quality of Powdered Herbal Medicinal Preparations Packaged for Human Consumption in North Western Nigeria
The increase in the consumption of natural drugs have made their use a public health problem due to its poor quality, presence of fungal contamination and the risk of the presence of mycotoxins. This investigation was designed to throw light on the mycological and aflatoxigenic status of powdered herbal medicinal products marketed in North Western Nigeria. A total of four hundred and thirty two(432) powdered herbal medicinal preparations consisting of twelve(12) each from six(6) localities in each of the six(6) states’ metropolis of the North Western Nigeria were obtained. These samples were subjected to various analyses. The parameters measured were grouped as follows: level of fungal contaminations of fungi; frequency of distribution of fungi and mycoflora type present in the herbal preparations. Results indicated that all the four hundred and thirty two herbal medicinal preparations assessed did not comply with the maximum acceptable limit of 2x102 cfu/g for fungal load. The study showed that samples from Kaduna and Kebbi had a significantly higher mean fungal count (1.09x105cfu/g and 1.05x105cfu/g respectively) that were not significantly different (p?0.05), hence suggesting higher contamination with fungi. The least was observed in Zamfara state with the lowest mean value of fungal load. The statistical analysis showed that fungal load in Katsina, Sokoto, Kano and Zamfara states were not the same but not significantly different (p?0.05). This suggested low level of contamination with fungi when compared with samples from Kaduna and Kebbi state. In terms of fungal distribution in herbal medicinal preparations, this study indicated that fungi of the genus Aspergillus spp and Penicillus spp were the most frequently isolated and were found to be higher in frequency of occurrence. Out of one thousand and ninety five (1095) total frequency of occurrence of fungi in the herbal medicinal preparations, the total frequency of occurrence of Aspergillus spp in this study is seven hundred and seventy five(70.77%), Penicillium spp (n=190;17.35%); Fusarium spp (n=86;7.85%) and Rhizopus spp (n=44;4.02%). In this finding it could be suggested that Aspergillus spp and Penicillium spp are the major contaminant of herbal drugs. In all the samples screened from the six states, higher level of contamination with Aspergillus spp were found. Among the Aspergillus spp observed, A. flavus, A. paraceticus, A. niger were the most frequently occurred fungi in the herbal medicinal samples suggesting that these type of fungi are the major contaminant of the herbal medicinal products in all the six states of the North West of Nigeria. The highest frequency of occurrence of fungi observed in samples from Kaduna 151(69.59%), Kano139 (72.02%),sokoto135 (73.37%), Kebbi127 (66.49%), Kastina112 (70.89%) and Zamfara111 (68.52%) may be as a result of poor harvesting, processing and storage practice of the handler of the herbal products. The means of frequency of occurrence of fungal isolates in herbal preparations from the North Western Nigeria also showed that incidence of Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus paraceticus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium spp were not significantly different at p<0.05 but significantly higher than Aspergillus ochraceus and Aspergillus versicolor. The result obtained also indicates that Fusarium spp and Rhizopus spp were significantly the lowest. This result suggests that the samples of herbal medicines obtained in the North Western Nigeria is heavily contaminated with the fungal species of Aspergillus spp and Penicillium spp. Keywords: herbal medicines, fungal contamination, North Western Nigeri
Testicular and Related Size Evaluations in Nigerian Sahel Goats with Optimal Cauda Epididymal Sperm Reserve
Testicular sizes of animals are important for identification of those with adequate sperm production. The aim of this study was to define the testicular and related size estimates that would be associated with optimal cauda epididymal sperm counts (ESC) in Sahel goats based on postmortem evaluations. A stratified quota sample population of 125 male goats inclusive of all testicular sizes was taken at a slaughterhouse in Maiduguri, Nigeria. The bucks were aged 18–30 months and weighed 17.04 ± 2.99 (12–25) kg. Body, testicular, and epididymal weights of each goat with other related size measurements were estimated. ESC was determined from homogenized tissue using a manual cytometer. At the cut-off ESC of >1.1 × 109 sperm heads, 66 (52.80%) of the goats had optimal ESC which was associated with testicular weight of 59.90 ± 16.10 (31.40–86.20) g, gonadosomatic index of 3.51 ± 0.69 (2.00–4.50) g/kg, and scrotal circumference of 19.07 ± 1.29 (17.00–21.80) cm. The size variables of the scrotum and testis correlated with one another and with the ESC. These findings provide data that may be used to anticipate adequate antemortem sperm reserve based on testicular size during preliminary selection of sires for breeding from a sexually mature Sahel buck population
Ionospheric Effects on GPS Signal in Low-Latitude Region: A Case Study Review of South East Asia and Africa
The ionosphere is a significant source of errors affecting L-Band (1-2 GHz) signal propagation using Global Position System (GPS). The propagated GPS signals that passes through the Earth’s atmosphere where affected by ionosphere and troposphere irregularities and caused the signal propagation delay. However, the velocity of signals that propagate within the atmosphere deviates from vacuum line of sight (LOS), while the refractivity of ionosphere and troposphere influence the signal propagation delay causing atmospheric effects due to high electrons density. Both affect the signal in different ways due to their particular refractive properties. The review focuses of some of the previous research studies conducted on empirical modeling of the ionospheric effect in low latitude region. The tabulated findings of such models presented in this article.http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v34i3.1
ANALYTICAL STUDY OF HYDROKINETIC ENERGY POTENTIALS IN SOME TIDAL-RIVERS OF KANO STATE NIGERIA
Nigeria is heavily dependent on fossil fuel for electricity generation. With the rapidly diminishing of the fuel reserve and the increasingly negative effects of fossil fuels to the environment, government is considering exploiting alternative energy sources. However, the potential of harnessing other renewable sources, particular ocean energy, in Nigeria has not been fully realized. This study was carried out to identify the potential of harnessing ocean energy for electricity generation. Delft3D3D interactive modelling was used to create a three-dimensional numerical ocean model for some rivers in Kano State, Nigeria, which was calibrated againstmeasurement by a means of adjoin data assimilation approach. A set of reliable tidal speed and tidal elevation data was therefore generated to determine the types of tides available in aimed locations, the potential areas of installing river current turbines (RCTs), the total amount of electricity to be generated by RCT, the economic viability and the environmental benefits of using RCT in the studied areas. It was discovered that Tiga and Challawa are the areas with terrific prospect for tidal energy extraction. The total amount of electricity that can be generated by RCTs on those areas is about 8.86 GWh/year. The total amount of CO2 to be avoided is 1,333tonnes per year. Owners of RCTs may be able to recover the cost of the system after 10 years and can make profits after that. The results are critical to public policy makers and potentialprivate investors on hydrokinetic energy in Nigeria for consideration. 
Production of drinking water through double treatment (conventional and demineralization) of Ait Massoud Dam water at the Kasba Tadla station (Morocco)
Drinking water program for the people of the Tadla plain and the phosphates plateau aims to secure in the short, medium and long- term the services of 1080,000 inhabitants, of which 530,000 are in rural areas. This program covers Tadla’s "central Morocco" treatment station with a flow rate of 1600 L/second, a demineralization station of 330 L/second and a 15000 m3 reservoir that is continuously fed. The raw water from the Ait Massoud dam undergoes several treatments at the station before being distributed in the drinking water circuits, including conventional treatment with its various stages (settling, coagulation, flocculation, and decantation) and bilayer filtration. Some of these treated waters then pass through the reverse osmosis to undergo demineralization. The demineralized waters are remineralized by lime water and are mixed with the filtered waters of the conventional station. The water produced at that station meets the requirements of the Moroccan standard NM 03.7.001 and the WHO guidelines, in addition a pH of 8 to 8.5; turbidity less than 0.3 NTU 95% of time and less than 0.5 NTU 5% of time; chlorides are less than 400 mg/l; iron, aluminum, and other components shall not exceed the maximum permissible values
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