Lithostratigraphy and geochemical characterization of limestone deposits around Kushimaga Area in Yobe Of North-Eastern Nigeria

This study presents detailed petrographic and chemical compositional characteristic of limestone deposits for possible industrial uses and specifications. The study area falls within the Gongola basin, North-eastern Nigeria. Core limestone samples were collected from four boreholes at the depth of approximately 25 metres each in Kushimaga area around Gulani in Yobe state; north-eastern Nigeria. Lithological units were observed in the following sequence; topsoil and clay with an average thickness of 1.513m, limestone 5.553m, shale 7.853m respectively. Eleven limestone samples were selected from the boreholes for petrography and chemical analysis (Fluorescence Spectroscopy analysis). From the petrograhic studies the limestone samples are composed (visual estimate) of over 95% calcite, trace amounts of colourless already recrystallized fossil of planktonic forams and mollusc, weakly deformed greenish grains of glauconite about 0.2 to 0.3 mm in grain size, traces of opaque, isotropic, high relief iron oxide minerals with 0.03 to 0.5 mm grains sizes are present disseminated in the form of limonite. Traces of quartz and feldspar grains of silt size class were also noted in thin sections. With less than 10% grains the samples are classified as mudstone. The results of chemical analyses of limestone shows a range values of SiO2, 10.05wt% to 32.00wt% , CaO, 21.00wt% to 53.99wt%, MgO, 0.35wt% to 1.00wt%, Al2O3, 2.15wt% to 12.69wt%, Fe2O3, 1.28wt% to 4.90wt%, Na2O, 0.002wt% to 0.18wt%, K2O, 0.9wt% to 1.96wt%, TiO2, 0.21wt% to 1.00wt%, P2O5, 0.17wt% to 0.69wt%, MnO, 0.21wt% to 0.55wt%, loss on ignition, 21.98% to 36.87%, while the result of chemical classification of the limestone show a range of Ca/Mg, 23.33% to 125.68% and Mg/Ca, 0.00% to 0.04% of the Kushimaga limestone. However, the limestone beds of the research area were compared with other standard chemical industrial specifications. The study revealed that the limestone around Kushimaga area satisfies the chemical factors for Portland cement production but falls below the standard chemical specifications for other industrial uses; glass, sugar and Paint pigments and filler productions.Keywords: Argillaceous, bivariant, core, lithology, petrography and stratigraph

Molecular diagnosis of urinary Mycobacterium tuberculosis among patients attending urology clinic in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Background: Tuberculosis, a communicable disease with significant morbidity and mortality. It is still among the top killers of infectious diseases; Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a successful pathogen that has evolved several mechanisms to manipulate the host immune response. Objective of the study: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of urinary tuberculosis among patients attending urology clinic in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional laboratory based study that involved the use of questionnaire and consent/assent form prior to sample collection. Xpert MTB/Rif assay was used to analyze the urine samples. Results: The results of this study shows that, out of 71 samples analyzed along with positive control (H37RV) and molecular grade water was used as negative control. The results showed that, 2 (2.8 %) were from urine samples. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics and results were presented in tables and charts. Conclusion: The study confirmed the presence of urinary tuberculosis in the study area, with prevalence of 2.8%. The pattern of tuberculosis was susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Therefore, there is need to introduce a routine screening of urinary tuberculosis among patients presenting sign and symptoms of urinary tract infection using Gene Xpert. This will be achieved through the engagement and enlightenment of the clinicians, strengthening the laboratory capacity for diagnosis and make the services available and accessible to the patients who need them. Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis; Prevalence and Gene Xpert

Structural behavior of mortarless interlocking load bearing hollow block wall panel under out-of-plane loading.

Experimental and numerical investigation of interlocking mortarless wall panels with 1.0 m height, 1.2 m width and 150 mm thickness are conducted. Behaviour of both hollow and partially grouted masonry wall panels is studied. The panels were tested under constant pre-compressive vertical load and out-of-plane lateral load. Lateral load carrying capacity, deflection at mid height, dry joint opening between block layers and mode of failure are investigated. Strain characteristics throughout the loading process are also monitored. A finite element analysis is presented for the system and a good agreement between the experimental and modelling results is achieved. Parametric study using the finite element model is also presented and the effect of different parameters; amount of pre-compressive load and slenderness ratio is studied. The study reveals that pre-compressive vertical load and reinforcement significantly affect the structural behaviour of mortarless walls under out-of-plane loading. Useful expressions for the capacity are obtained from the analysis

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010–19: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. METHODS: The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk–outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. FINDINGS: Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4·45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4·01–4·94) deaths and 105 million (95·0–116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44·4% (41·3–48·4) of all cancer deaths and 42·0% (39·1–45·6) of all DALYs. There were 2·88 million (2·60–3·18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50·6% [47·8–54·1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1·58 million (1·36–1·84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36·3% [32·5–41·3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20·4% (12·6–28·4) and DALYs by 16·8% (8·8–25·0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34·7% [27·9–42·8] and 33·3% [25·8–42·0]). INTERPRETATION: The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden

The right to die via euthanasia: an expository study of the Shari‘ah and laws in selected jurisdictions

The right to die, which prominently includes euthanasia with consent, is one of the issues that have been subject of intense debate over times. It has been a pertinent issue in human rights discourse as it also affects ethical issues pertaining to doctors. The reason is because the right to life, which represents the most significant aspect of human rights, appears to be in conflict with the right to die. It is notable here that right to life does not include right to die. The paper analyses the development, types and the legal and ethical debates concerning both the types of euthanasia. From there, it makes an expository study of the concept in the Shari‘ah and in selected jurisdictions, and suggests that euthanasia should be allowed only in exceptional situations. While deciding on formulating a law prescribing these exceptional situations and enforcing the law, all aspects of euthanasia – medical, social, economic, ethical and legal – have to be taken into consideration. Law should have punitive measures for preventing misuse of the law. Key words: Right to die, Euthanasia, Right to life, Life support system, Human right

Protection of human rights and the environment: links and approaches

Abstract: Environmental degradations have adverse consequences, both short-term and long-term on the efficacious enjoyment of environmental human rights. Though these consequences are the results of the errant use and abuse of the environment resources by the affluent people and rich states around the globe, and their engagement with such activities that are not environmentally friendly, the most susceptible and sufferers are less privileged and indigent population of the developing and least developed countries. The best example of it is the phenomenon of global warming and its impact on countries across the world. Global warming, which is causing adverse weather conditions as a result of excessive emission of greenhouse gases mostly by developed countries, has resulted in unusual whether conditions in developing and least developed countries. This has led to a sizable number of internally displaced people who are left in vulnerable conditions in such countries since they are practically less resourceful. In view of this, international cooperation for conservation of the environment, resuscitation of its damage based on transfer of technology, transfer of financial resources and capacity building of developing and least developed countries become a sine qua non for ensuring environmental human rights and other related rights to every individual of the world. The notion that environmental degradation affects the enjoyment of environmental rights and fundamental human rights has gone beyond a mere jurisprudential debate of a state and has become a matter of global concern. It has been acknowledged over the years that protection of human rights and environmental protection are so inextricably related that they are co-extensive and co-existent. Thus, attempt to protect the environment will also, in turn, assist in the protection of certain fundamental human rights. This proposition has been a subject matter of widespread debate. This paper, therefore, sheds some light on various issues that prove that the two subject matters, i.e. certain fundamental human rights and conservation of the environment, are interrelated. This underscores the need for both to be taken into consideration and incorporated into all development projects and activities, which might cause adverse impact on the environment and/or human, animal and plant life or health. Towards achieving this, there is a need for preventive measures, e.g. comprehensive environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and social impact assessments (SIAs) with enough and meaningful public participation, environmental audit from time to time, and punitive measures, e.g. imposing penalty and fine, imprisonment, compensation having enough deterrence on the perpetrators and others, a competent legal regime and enforcement mechanisms, administrative and judicial. Due to limited space the paper will not discuss these imperatives in detail. Key words: Environment, human rights, development

Protection of Environmental Rights for Sustainable Development: An Appraisal of International and National Laws

Abstract: There is a close nexus between sustainable management, use and utilization of the environment and safeguard of environmental rights. Both are equally important for the wellbeing of the human kind, but this warrants striking a balance between them. It is for this reason that law has to provide for abatement and control of degradation of the environment and protection of environmental rights. At international level, early human rights instruments made no direct mention of protection of environmental rights, but they, in effect, safeguard them. The later ones have direct mention about protecting these rights. The Aarhus Convention is notable among them. It specifies environmental rights as: rights to access to relevant environmental information, right to participate in environmentalrelated decision-making, and right to access to justice. This paper attempts to critically examine the provisions of these conventions. At national level, some states grant environmental rights under right to life enshrined in their constitutions with specific provision for protection of these rights. Some other states have imposed duties, through their constitutions, as not to pollute the environment. The authors are of the opinion that the effect of all is the same. The courts both internationally and nationally have played a proactive role in ensuring environmental rights are provided in various legal instruments. In some countries, judicial activism has demonstrated a mark distinction by relaxing the requirement of locus standi for facilitating public interest litigations, which has, in effect, brought justice to the doorsteps of the poor and least resourceful people, because availability of such rights will have no value unless procedural impediments are not eased. The authors are of the opinion that the requirement of locus standi should be relaxed in all countries in the interest of general public. Key words: Environmental rights, sustainable development, international laws, national law

Sustaining development through socio-economic rights : prospect and challenges in selected African countries

One of the most nagging problems in Africa today in general and countries under review in particular is the struggle for sustainable development. The paper discusses this aspect and contends that sustainable development in the countries under review is achievable through adequate protection of socio-economic rights. There are, however, prospects and some challenges for sustaining development through the instrumentality of socioeconomic rights. The paper makes an analytical exposition of these challenges and hypothesizes that if these challenges are surmounted, the countries will experience sustainable development through adequate protection of socio-economic rights

Host range studies of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. strigae meant for the biological control of Striga hermonthica on maize and sorghum

Fusarium oxysporumf.sp.strigaewas reported to be effective in the control ofStrig-a hermonthica(Del.). The most effective (pathogenic toStriga) isolates werePSM197 and FOXY2 obtained from Nigeria and Ghana, respectively. To make appli-cation easier, the organisms were encapsulated in a pesta as carriers. In order todetermine the applicability of these bio-control agents, there is the need to evaluateits host range on cultivated crops. Therefore, 26 economically important crops inNigeria were used in a screen house host range study using the two isolates as agranular formulation (pesta) applied in the planting holes before sowing/planting.Data on plant vigour, plant height, plant fresh and dry weight were taken andanalysed using analysis of variance and means were separated using least signifi-cance difference. The result showed that 10 crops out of the 26 used in the studystatistically differed with respect to plant height; eight crops statistically differed fromthe other crops in terms of plant vigour whilefive crops and seven crops differedstatistically from the others in terms of fresh and dry weight, respectively. Some ofthe crops also showed symptoms of infection and this lead to further analysis in thelaboratory