A Study into the Use of Recycle Iron and Steel Slag as an Alternative Aggregate in Concrete Production

The study researches into the use of recycle iron and steel slag as an alternative aggregate to granite in concrete production. X-ray diffract meter (XRD) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) were implored to assess the mineral composition and morphology of the aggregate; mechanical properties of the aggregates that were assessed includes sieve analysis, water absorption, bulk specific gravity and Los Angeles abrasion value. In this study the workability of fresh concrete was assessed using slump and compacting factor tests and the strength of the concrete was assessed using the uniaxial compressive strength test to establish the suitability of recycle iron and steel slag aggregate as alternative aggregate in concrete production. Concrete of M20 grade was considered for a water cement ratio of 0.60 using 1:2:4 mix ratio, slag aggregate replacements were observed from 0 to 100% at interval of 10%.  The results of experimental investigations carried out to evaluate the fresh and hardened concrete properties showed that the slump value at 100% granite was 17mm (true slump) while at 100% slag was 28mm (shear slump); while the compacting factor are 0.79 at 0% slag replacement and 0.87at100% slag replacement; which confirms that concrete casted with granite is more workable than concrete casted with slag aggregate. The compressive strength at 7,14, 21 and 28days for the control cubes of 0%, 50% and 100% slag content are; 23.11, 21.78, 24.44 and 27.79N/mm²;  13.78, 20.00, 20.67 and 29.89N/mm² ; and 19.56, 22.67, 24.00 and 23.33N/mm² respectively. The results showed that maximum strength is obtained at 50% slag replacement; though all the results met the requirement of 20N/mm² by standard BS 5328: part 1: 1997. The results of mineral composition and morphology showed that granite and slag aggregates contained (70.2, 11.56, 1.19, 1.12, 0.96, 0.75, 3.26, 3.41, 0.00, 0.08 and 0.05) % and (13.7, 1.68, 10.32, 24.08, 45.16, 7.31, 0.19, 0.04, 0.03, 0.81 and 5.89) % of minerals composition respectively. The water absorption, abrasion value and specific gravity of granite and slag aggregate are (0.12%, 20.0 and2.20) and (0.82%, 23.0, and3.54) respectively. The result showed that the slag aggregate is more porous and absorbed water than granite aggregate and great care must be taken when using slag aggregate in concrete production as reduced water-cement ratio as compared to granite aggregate is required for better performance ; adequate stalking is also required prior to usage.  Based on overall observations it could be recommended that slag could be utilized as coarse aggregate in concrete production either as partial or full replacement of granite aggregate. Keywords: granite, iron and steel slag, X-ray diffract meter (XRD), scanning electron microscopic (SEM), mineral composition and morphology

Impacts of Cooperative Thrift and Credit Facilities on Members’ Business Output in Ogun State, Nigeria

Cooperatives play an important role in facilitating access to credit, procurement and storage distribution of input and marketing of products. They create employment opportunities particularly in the rural areas and allow disadvantaged groups to be organized for social and economic benefit. This study was conducted in Abeokuta North and Abeokuta South Local Government Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Both primary data and secondary data were used for the study. Multi–stage random sample was used to sample 108 cooperative members. Data collected were analysed using descriptive tools, budgetary analysis, logit and multiple regression model. The findings shows that majority (50.9 percent) of the cooperators are male, 77.8 percent were married, 59.3 percent were Christians while 98.1 percent were educated. Majority (87.9 percent) had experience ranging from 1 – 10 which is good in business. The total variables cost from business was estimated at N70,983.47, total fixed cost was N276,271 and this accounted for only 79.56 percent of the total cost. Returns on Investment (RRI), Profitability Index (PI), Return on Variable Cost (RRVC) and Operation Ratio (OR) were 181.62%, 0.63, 173.42% and 0.21 respectively. Also some (48.1 percent) of the respondents enjoyed loan benefit, while 40.7 percent enjoyed business improvement benefit. The results showed that start up capital, labour and credit obtained were significant to cooperative members’access to credit. The result revealed that majority (72.2 percent) of the respondents suffered from non-remittance of deduction by the government as their own challenges. The study concluded that cooperative credit societies is very productive and effective in helping members achieving their goals and also improve their standard of living. Cooperatives societies should encourage members in quick accessibility to loan

Effects of agricultural pesticide utilization on farmers health in Egbeda Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

Occupational and environmental exposures to pesticides cause a wide range of human health problems. This study assessed the health effect of pesticide use in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State with from socioeconomic point of view by identifying the various pesticides used, describing the health signs and symptoms associated with pesticide application and determining the health effects of pesticide application on farm households. The survey instrument was a well-structured questionnaire administered to respondents through multiple stage sampling technique. A total of 120 respondents were interviewed for the study. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Tobit regression model. The results showed that commonly used pesticides comprised of herbicides (61.67 %), fungicides (20.0%) and insecticides (18.33%). Majority (95%) reported that they or someone in their family had suffered from pesticide-related health signs and symptoms during or after application of pesticides. The effect of pesticides application on farmer’s health’s was captured by exposure, frequency of exposure and pesticide cocktails. The coefficient of exposure, frequency of exposure and pesticide cocktails were positive and significant at p<0.01, p<0.1and p<0.05 respectively. It is therefore recommended that the awareness of farmers and authorities needs to be raised regarding the use of protective equipment and correct procedures when handling pesticides and, also, that there should be stricter enforcement of existing pesticide regulation and monitoring policies to minimize the threats that farmers’ current practices pose to their health and the livelihood sustainability

Economics of Farm Households' Food Demand in Nigeria

In paper was used the panel data from the Nigeria General Household Survey and commodity prices from alternative sources between 2010-2016 to estimate farm households’ food and non-food demand in Nigeria. The commodity bundles of all the food groups were necessities goods, as their budget elasticities were positive and also inelastic. Animal products were a luxury good. There is no strong complementary and substitutive relationship existing between the commodity groups as the cross price elasticities estimated were smaller than the own price elasticities. Households’ expenditure on pulses is not affected by changes in their own prices. Policy issue such as stable food prices is important in ensuring that households are assisted in and encourage consuming balance diets

Determinants of improved data consistency across routine immunization data tools for health facilities in Kano State, Nigeria

Introduction:&nbsp;in this study, determinants of improved data consistency for routine immunization information at health facilities was measured to identify associated factors. Methods:&nbsp;between June and August 2015, 1055 HFs were visited across 44 Local Government Areas in Kano state. We assessed data consistency, frequency of supportive supervision visits, availability of trained staff and attendance to monthly LGA RI review meetings. We compared RI monthly summary forms (MSF) versus national health management information system summary form (NHMIS) and vaccine management form 1a (VM1a) versus HF vaccine utilization summary monthly summary (HFVUM) for consistency. Data consistency at HF was determined at &lt;+10% between number of children reportedly immunized, and doses of vaccine opened using 3 antigens (BCG, Penta and Measles). Levels of discrepancy &lt;10% were considered as good data consistency. Bivariate and multivariate analysis used to determine association. Results:&nbsp;data Consistency was observed in 195 (18.5%) HFs between (MSF vs NHMIS) and 90 (8.5%) HFs between (VM1a vs HFVUM). Consistency between MSF vs NHMIS was associated with receiving one or more SS visits in the previous month (p=0.001), data collection tools availability (p=0.001), recent attendance to monthly LGA RI review meeting and availability of trained staff. Data consistency between VM1a form and the HF VU summary was associated with a recent documented SS visit (p=0.05) and availability of trained staff (p=0.05). Conclusion:&nbsp;low level of data consistency was observed in Kano. Enhanced SS visits and availability of trained staff are associated with improved data quality