Characterization of Doum Palm Seed Kernel as Natural Sorbent for Metal Ions Removal from Gombe Ternary Wastewater

Water pollution is one of the major challenges in cities and industrialized areas of the world. The effluent from Gombe ternary wastewater pollutes the surrounding waters thereby constituting health threat to the populace within its vicinity. In view of the above, a bio-sorption study of zinc and lead ions from Gombe ternary wastewater using doum palm seed kernel was carried out. The wastewater was characterized and was found to contain 0.03 mg/l lead metal ion and 0.81 mg/l zinc ion. The doum palm kernel bio-sorbent was obtained after oil extraction from the seed and processed as contained in the method mentioned in this paper. The kernel residue was characterized for functional groups using FTIR, surface morphology using SEM, surface area using BET, and elemental composition using XRF. The results indicated that the doum palm kernel is harmless, and possesses functional groups on its surface, which may be substituted with the metallic ions present in the wastewater. This gives the kernel the ability to adsorb positively charged ions on its surface by simple chemisorption. This mechanism is supported by the rough surface observed in the scanning electron microscopy. Adsorption and desorption of nitrogen was made at STP and the curve indicated very high correlation of close to unity. The surface area measured by multi BET method was recorded as 13.464 m2/g. This value is not high enough to adsorb metals by physical adsorption

Pattern of hysterosalpingographic findings among infertile women at a tertiary hospital in North West, Nigeria

Background: Infertility is a global public health problem, with the highest prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa where infection-related tubal damage is the commonest cause. Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is the first line investigation in the evaluation of tubal patency.Objectives: The study was performed to assess the prevalence and pattern of HSG findings in patients who went through infertility clinic at Aminu Kano Teaching HospitalMethodology: It was a retrospective study of the HSG findings among infertile women at the infertility clinic of Aminu st st Kano Teaching Hospital between 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017.Results: Majority of the patients had normal HSG findings (55.6%, n=124). The commonest abnormality was bilateral tubal blockage with or without hydrosalphinx (25.6%, n=57). Other abnormalities include right tubal blockage only (3.6%, n=8), left tubal blockage only (2.2%, n=5), right hydrosalphinx (13.5%, n=30), left hydrosalphinx (10.8%, n=24), intrauterine adhesions (6.7%, n=15), uterine fibroids (4%, n=9), pelvic adhesions (8.1%, n=18) and congenital uterine  anomalies (1.3%, n=3).Conclusion: The commonest abnormality on HSG among infertile patients at the gynaecology clinic was bilateral tubal blockage with or without hydrosalphinx which are usually infection related . Prompt diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and other pelvic infections will therefore go a long way in preventing tubal damage and the dreaded sequelae of infertility.Keywords: Hysterosalpingography, Infertility, Kan

The Effect of Religious Conflicts in Northern Nigeria on Public Health Outcomes: A Case Study of Cholera Outbreak

Violent conflicts, in most cases, pose an unquantifiable challenge to human health and health systems especially in developing countries. Complex humanitarian emergencies as a result of conflicts could severely have negative consequences on public health. Nigeria has faced series of threatening security challenges, but the one caused by the activities of the socalled Islamist sect, the Boko Haram (BH), remains protracted, especially in Borno, a State in the north-eastern part of the country. The resultant outcome is the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have suffered from many diseases especially cholera, which has continued to ravage these displaced populations. Conflict can contribute to water shortage through the destruction of water sources, such as wells, reservoirs and laid pipes, and its contamination. This is happening on an already weak health system. Though cholera is easily treatable, concerted efforts by government and medical humanitarian agencies are urgently required to ameliorate the situation of the IDPs. An appropriate strategy of control of the transmission of cholera and emergency medical intervention can help alleviate the devastating effects. The management of cholera transmission include the supply of sufficient water sources, adequate sanitation, and a public health campaign to maximize the effects of these measures. One key health system challenge that could limit the effectiveness of the interventions would be the people. This paper focuses on studying the resultant large numbers of IDPs from the BH conflict, discussing cholera outbreak as a specific health issue, and presenting a focused humanitarian intervention to address this health need

Application of Resistivity Sounding In Environmental Studies: A Case Study of Kazai Crude-Oil Spillage Niger State, Nigeria

A pipeline conveying crude oil from Escravos via Izom ruptured in the year 2000 and polluted the Kazai area, although the ruptured pipe was replaced and the site cleaned up, an examination of the point of spillage two years later gave the impression that the pipeline might be still leaking. The present work presents the use of Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) techniques, and systematic trenching, to determine the source of this environmental problem. A total number of eight soundings along two profiles were carried out around the point of spillage, and data analysis revealed that the area is predominantly clayey in nature, and that the pipes are no longer leaking. Due to the plasticity of the clay when wet, it expands when in contact with rainwater and, as it does so, it entrapped any oil existing around it. However, when not in contact with water in the dry season, the clay shrinks and cracks, thereby releasing the trapped oils. This mechanism continued seasonally, and the oil released during the dry season, is the one responsible for the apparent leakage of the pipeline. Geoelectric models in the form of Vertical Isoresistivity Sections (VIS) and Isoresistiviy Maps were plotted. These were used to delineate the polluted zones, which were recommended for excavation and refilling. Keywords: Vertical Electrical sounding, Geoelectric Models, Isopach map, Isoresistivity Ma

DISCUSSION METHOD AND ITS EFFECT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN READING COMPREHENSION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated the effect of Discussion method on the performance of students in reading comprehension in secondary schools in Plateau state. The study adopted a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test control group design. Two randomly selected Government Secondary Schools from Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas were used for the study. One hundred (100) senior secondary class II students from two intact classes were used for the study (i.e. 50 students per class, per school). Government Secondary School, Jos, was used as the experimental group while Government Secondary School, Bukuru, was used as the control group. Students from both groups were pre-tested to establish the homogeneity of the two groups before the commencement of the treatment to the experimental group. Both groups were taught for eight weeks. Students were tested using an instrument called a Cloze reading comprehension test. The hypothesis postulated for the research was tested using T-test as a statistical tool at 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated that there was a significant difference in the pre-test and post-test mean scores of students in the experimental and control groups. The result further revealed a higher mean score of students taught reading comprehension using the discussion method as compared with those taught using the conventional method. Based on this finding, the study recommended that teachers should be encouraged to use discussion method alongside the conventional method to enrich their reading comprehension lessons. Curriculum planners and textbook writers should equally provide topical issues/discussion topics before, during and after every reading task to make reading comprehension lessons more participatory, meaningful, purposeful, exciting, enjoyable and pleasurable. No descriptio

SOCIO - ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLDS FUEL CONSUMPTION IN NIGERIA

Attainment of universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is one of the goals for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Existing data and statistic suggest that high proportion of households in less developed countries heavily rely on solid fuels for domestic requirements. Also, recent data revealed that in Nigeria over 70 percent of households depend on fuel wood for cooking which indicate the task ahead of policy makers in the country for ensuring access to efficient sources of energy before the expiration of sustainable development goals. In this study we empirically examined socio-economic factors that influence households’ likelihood of energy consumption in Nigeria. In order to achieve our specific objectives, we adopt 2013 demographic health survey dataset for Nigeria and multinomial logistic regression was conducted in analyzing the factors affecting households’ decision for energy demand. Evidence from the study revealed that demographic characteristics, economic status, public awareness and social variables are strong determinants of households’ energy choice in the country and conformed to the propositions of “Energy Ladder Hypothesis”. We concluded by presenting concluding remarks and policy implications for decision making toward ensuring access to affordable, sustainable and efficient energy in Nigeria

Assessment of Indoor Cancer Linked Radionuclides in Sokoto Urban Dwelling

Radiation can be ambiguous to the layman. Typically, one only has an understanding of radiation from news, movies, or books. Largely these sources tend to sensationalize radiation, relating to solar and thermal radiations with little emphasis to ionizing radiations from primordial and anthropogenic radionuclides. Gamma-ray spectroscopy was used for determination of K-40 and Ra-226 in this study that was carried out by collecting air sample with Activated Charcoal Detectors (ACDs) mounted in thirty living apartment sample points in Sokoto. This provided information about the level of radionuclides present in the dwellings which have been implicated as a carcinogen to the lungs through ionizing radiations. Due to the sampling procedure in all the points, the results obtained now represent the entire dwelling. Thereby, allowing us to ascertain the environmental induced health impacts of K-40 and Ra-226. Keywords: carcinogen, gamma-ray spectroscopy, ionization, radionuclides, Sokoto

Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Reinforcement Bars Manufactured in Nigeria

Reinforcement bars, or REBAR for short, are mainly produced from metal scrap or iron ore, or a combination of both. Their manufacturing process has a significant effect on their properties, so also are the percentage concentration of various constituent elements and the cooling rate in the production process. This research work aims to study the physical and chemical properties of rebars manufactured in Nigeria vis-à-vis their suitability for construction purposes. The effect of chemical composition in rebar on steel stresses was studied. Rebar samples were collected at various points in Abuja and its environs and tested for their mechanical and chemical properties. The results show some tolerable and intolerable deviations from provisions of BS 4449 B500B 2005 indicating that some of the rebars are satisfactory for use in reinforced concrete works while others are not. Tests conducted on the rebars include Tensile Strength, Relative Rib Area, Percentage Elongation, Bend and Rebend, and Spectrometer tests, among other physical examinations. In some rebars, results showed moderate to vast deviation from minimum acceptable standard values as specified in BS 4449 B500B 2005 for yield stress, elongation, bar diameter, mass per kilogram, carbon equivalent, while there is satisfactoriness for other tested samples

Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Reinforcement Bars Manufactured in Nigeria

Reinforcement bars, or REBAR for short, are mainly produced from metal scrap or iron ore, or a combination of both. Their manufacturing process has a significant effect on their properties, so also are the percentage concentration of various constituent elements and the cooling rate in the production process. This research work aims to study the physical and chemical properties of rebars manufactured in Nigeria vis-à-vis their suitability for construction purposes. The effect of chemical composition in rebar on steel stresses was studied. Rebar samples were collected at various points in Abuja and its environs and tested for their mechanical and chemical properties. The results show some tolerable and intolerable deviations from provisions of BS 4449 B500B 2005 indicating that some of the rebars are satisfactory for use in reinforced concrete works while others are not. Tests conducted on the rebars include Tensile Strength, Relative Rib Area, Percentage Elongation, Bend and Rebend, and Spectrometer tests, among other physical examinations. In some rebars, results showed moderate to vast deviation from minimum acceptable standard values as specified in BS 4449 B500B 2005 for yield stress, elongation, bar diameter, mass per kilogram, carbon equivalent, while there is satisfactoriness for other tested samples