An efficacy of Zobe dam for hydroelectricity generation in Katsina State, Nigeria

The quest for other alternative and sustainable energy prompted the feasibility assessment of Zobe dam meant for irrigation to  produce electricity; In this write-up the scheme is designed to operate with two turbines; turbine T1 to operate all year round to take account of the irrigation need downstream, The second turbine T2 will operate on a spill discharge, and to be available for four months with a generation capacity of 0.969 MW. T1 is expected to discharge 55,500,000m3 within six months to cater for irrigation need with an average discharge rate of 3.6m3 /s. it was found that, the dam has the potential to generate a minimum 0.671MW all year round and a maximum of 1.5MW of power during Peak discharge period. The scheme was designed with minimum modification of the existing infrastructure at site which translate to minimum cost implication in construction, system operation and maintenance. Keywords: Economic transformation, Energy, hydropower, Irrigation farming, Zobe dam

Development of a Bench Scale Biodigester for the Production of Bio-fertilizer using Cow Dung and Watermelon Peels

In order to reduce environmental pollution arising from watermelon waste and cow dung, conversion of these wastes into bio-fertilizer is an effective mechanism of waste management.  As a result a study was carried out for the development of a bench scale batch anaerobic bio-digester (23 L) for the production of bio-fertilizer. Five kilograms (5 kg) each of cow dung and pre-treated watermelon peels were mixed with water in a ratio of 1:1 w/v to obtained 18 L of slurry. The slurry was then charged into the developed bio-digester and allowed for 35 days at a temperature of 26-31˚C. Bio-fertilizer yield of 83% and biogas yield of 17% were obtained. Plants macronutrients (i.e. NPK) content were substantially increased in the digestates by 79%, 89% and 85% respectively. The presence of Clostridium (a nitrogen fixer bio-fertilizer), Bacillus and Pseudomonas (phosphate solubilizing bio-fertilizers) in the digestate indicated its suitability as bio-fertilizer. Keywords: Bio-fertilizer; Biodigester, Anaerobic digestion; Retention time; Cow dung; Watermelon peel

Factors affecting the performance of small-scale construction firms in Nigeria

Small-Scale Construction Firms (SSCFs) in Nigeria are confronted with several problems that tend to limits their contributions to the country’s GDP, employment generation as well as infrastructural development. Although the prospect for improved contribution towards development still exists, there is the need for implementation of good management practices and support measures. Therefore, this study uses focus group to explore factors affecting the performance of small-scale construction firms and possible remedial measures. The study identified 113 factors that negatively affect performance. The interview further helped in grouping the variables into seven (7) groups. The focus group participants helped to identify and classify eighty-two (82) measures into internal and external measures. Internal measures are to be implemented by the construction firms towards solving internal constraints and external measures to be implemented by government and other stakeholders towards minimizing problems that are outside the control of the small-scale construction firms. Results revealed critical factors affecting performance such as financial indiscipline by contractors, lack of experience and track records, poor policy by commercial banks on SMEs, corruption, effects of globalisation, multiple taxation, stringent prequalification criteria, poor design and specifications, lack of entrepreneurship skills and delay in payment for work done. The study recommends the implementation of remedial measures by management of small-scale construction firms and governments with other stakeholders that could improve performance. Keywords: small-scale constructions firms, focus group, problems, remedial measures and performance.&nbsp

Epidemiological Study of Meningitis Cases Admitted to AL-Razi Hospital in Diyala Governorate for the Period 2000 – 2004

Background: Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges (pia and arachnoids membranes) which covers the brain, it may be either a cute or chronic, purulent or a septic (sterile).  Meningitis  may be caused by  infection  with  viruses , bacteria or other microorganism Patients & method: A review of case  records of patients with meningitis admitted to Al_razi hospital in Diyala governorate  for the period the 1st of  january 2000 to the 31th of December 2004 inclusive .Data were collected from the case records according to especial designed questionnaire . Analysis of the collected data  was done and the results of this descriptive  study presented by numbers  and  percentages. Results: Meningitis was the first cause of admittion (56.6%),meningitis more in males  with M:F ratio 1.5:1,more than 85%cases  occurred in those  below 19 years age ,most cases were rural residents(53.8%),more than 50% of cases reported in spring and autumn, meningitis reported  mostly in students 72%,viral  meningitis form 54.5%,case fatality rate was 6.3%. Conclusion: Meningitis is the first cammon cause of admission and there  must be a  good efferts to decrease morbidity and mortality of this diseas

Performance of metakaolin based geopolymer concrete at elevated temperature

Due to the carbon dioxide emission arising from the production of cement, alternative concrete that is environmentally friendly such as metakaolin geopolymer concrete have been developed. However, the performance of metakaolin based geopolymer concrete (MKGC) when exposed to aggressive environment particularly elevated temperature has not been investigated. Therefore, this paper assessed the performance of MKGC exposed to elevated temperatures. MKGC cube specimens of grade 25 were produced using a mix ratio of 1:1.58:3.71.After preparing the specimens, they were placed in an electric oven at a temperature of 60oC for 24 hours. Thereafter, the specimens were stored in the laboratory at ambient temperature for 28 days. The specimens were then exposed to elevated temperatures of 200, 400, 600 and 800oC. After exposure to elevated temperatures, the MKGC specimens were subjected to compressive strength, water absorption and abrasion resistance tests. Results show that at 600 and 800oC, the MKGC lost a compressive strength of 59.69% and 71.71% respectively. Higher water absorption and lower abrasion resistance were also observed. Keywords: Cement, Compressive Strength, Metakaolin Concrete, Elevated Temperature

Multiple antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli and Salmonella species isolated from broilers and local chickens retailed along the roadside in Zaria, Nigeria

Pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella species are the causative agents of various disease complexes in poultry such as colibacillosis, fowl typhoid, pullorum disease and salmonellosis. Some strains of E. coli and Salmonella spp. have been shown to be resistant to multiple antibiotics. We carried out a bacteriological investigation on 105 cloacal swabs from local and broiler chickens retailed along the roadside in Hanwa, Zaria for the occurrence of E. coli and Salmonella spp. by isolation through culture, and identification using biochemical and serotyping techniques. Serotyping of E. coli isolates was carried out with polyvalent E. coli O157:H7 antisera while Salmonella spp. isolates were serotyped using polyvalent antisera specific for all groups and type-factor for Salmonella spp. Presumptive isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using 13 panels of antibiotics for both E. coli and Salmonella spp. Results showed that the overall isolation rate of Salmonella spp. was 12 (11.4%), broiler chickens had higher isolation rate 9 (12.0%) of Salmonella than local chickens. However, the isolation rate of E. coli from local chickens 15 (50.0%) was higher compared to broilers 6 (8.0%). Also, non-E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli O157:H7 were isolated from both broilers and local chickens at a frequency of 15 (14.3%) and 6 (5.7%) respectively. The overall isolation rate of E. coli was 21 (20.0%). Multiple antibiotic resistance was observed among local and broiler chickens. However, E. coli and Salmonella species were 100% susceptible to Enrofloxacin. We therefore concluded that E. coli and Salmonella species are prevalent in the cloacae of both broiler and local chickens retailed along the roadside in Hanwa, Zaria, Nigeria and could pose serious veterinary and public health risks.Keywords: Escherichia coli, Isolation, Salmonella, Serotype, Zari

Scalable Quantum Spin Networks from Unitary Construction

Spin network systems can be used to achieve quantum state transfer with high fidelity and to generate entanglement. A new approach to design spin-chain-based spin network systems, for shortrange quantum information processing and phase-sensing, has been proposed recently in [1]. In this paper, we investigate the scalability of such systems, by designing larger spin network systems that can be used for longer-range quantum information tasks, such as connecting together quantum processors. Furthermore, we present more complex spin network designs, which can produce different types of entangled states. Simulations of disorder effects show that even such larger spin network systems are robust against realistic levels of disorder.Comment: 17 pages, 24 figure

Isolation and characterisation of microorganisms contaminating herbal infusion sold in Minna, Nigeria

The microbiological assessment of ten herbal infusion samples from ten different locations in Minna, Niger State was investigated. The assessment of the microbial contamination on the herbal products was carried out, using standard methods. Pour plate method was used to cultivate serially diluted portions of the medicinal plant infusion samples. The results revealed that all the herbal preparations had the presence of microbial contaminants. The total heterotrophic counts of the different herbal samples ranged from 0 cfu/mL to 25.0 × 108cfu/mL while the total fungal counts ranged from 3.0×106cfu/mL to 3.5×108cfu/mL. The total viable bacteria counts showed that the highest counts of 25.0 × 108cfu/mL was recorded in the sample from Bosso and the least counts of 0 cfu/mL from Kasuwan-Gwari while the total fungal counts showed that the highest count of 3.5×108cfu/mL was found in the sample obtained from FUT campus and the least counts of 3.0×106cfu/mL in the sample from Mai-Kunkele. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the microbial load of the herbal infusions from each location. The microbial isolates identified were E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella sp, Klebsiella sp, Pseudomonas sp, Micrococcus sp, Salmonella sp, Aspergillus sp, Penicillium sp and Saccharomyces cerevisaie. Members of the genus Aspergillus were found to be predominant. This suggests that the herbal infusion harbors microorganisms that could be hazardous to human health and hence producers should maintain the highest possible level of hygiene during the processing and packaging of the products in order to ensure safety of the products