Rauvolfia vormitoria Effect on the Degradation of Aluminium Alloy in 2.5 M Hydrochloric Acid Solution

The deterioration of aluminium alloy in 2.5 M hydrochloric acid in the presence Rauvolfia vormitoria extract was examined using both gasometric and gravimetric techniques. Aluminium coupons measuring 4 cm by 1 cm were introduced into test solutions of uninhibited acid and also those containing extract quantities of 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm3 at ambient temperature of 250C for a total cumulative period of 117 minutes. The volumes of hydrogen gas evolved and weight loss readings were recorded and analyzed to obtain weight loss and corrosion rate for each coupon at specific time intervals. The results however, showed that while extract quantity was increasing; weight loss measurements increased but inhibitor efficiency decreased. Also, the metal surface-phytoconstituent interaction mechanism was consistent with the Temkin adsorption isotherm and the 3 minutes curve showed the best exposure time for phytochemicals to adsorb to alloy surface. Furthermore, microstructural studies showed an indirect relationship between metallic degradation and extract quantity, while uniformity of the irregular intermetallic phases increased with increasing extract quantity

Predicting Sanding Potential Using Empirical Method in “Ebendo” Field, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Sand formations represent a large fraction of oil and/or gas reservoirs in the world, hence it becomes imperative to determine the competency of the reservoirs to produce sand-free hydrocarbon. This informed the empirical technique adopted in this study to evaluate elastic parameters such as shear modulus (G), bulk compressibility (Cb), shear modulus to bulk compressibility (G/Cb) ratio and Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) to determine sand influx in the “Ebendo” Field, Niger Delta, Nigeria. To achieve this goal, seven (7) hydrocarbon-bearing sand units with thicknesses ranging from 12.51 to 48.63 m were identified at depth range of 1884.79 - 3350.15 m across the four (4) wells. These elastic parameters were estimated at the interval of interest. The range of values obtained for G/Cb ratio in EBD (01 and 02) is 1.49 × 1012 - 5.40 × 1012 psi2 while the range of values for G/Cb ratio in EBD (04 and 06) is 0.06 × 1012 - 0.41 × 1012 psi2. This result suggests that EBD (01 and 02) have no potential to sanding while EBD (04 and 06) have a high probability of sanding when compared to the threshold value of 0.8 × 1012 psi2. The production history of the “Ebendo” Field also correlates with the findings of this study. The low values of UCS in EBD (04 and 06) also agrees with the observation. Thus, this study has shown the efficacy of using empirical method as a quick approach to predicting sand production in the “Ebendo” Field and this technique could be used in other fields with similar geological setting

Knowledge and practice of self home monitoring of blood glucose

Objectives: Both glycosylated haemoglobin and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) are necessary for optimal monitoring of glycaemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients attending the endocrine clinic of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti. With the aid of interviewer administered questionnaire, demographic and other information on awareness of SMBG, ownership of glucometer, and practice of SMBG were obtained. The data was analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. Results: One hundred and four patients comprising 29 males (27.9%) and 75 females (72.1%) were studied with a mean age of 59.6±13.7 years. Twenty two (21.2%) subjects had no formal education, while 38 (36.5%), 16 (15.4%), 28(26.9%) subjects had primary, secondary and tertiary education respectively. Sixty seven patients (64.4%) were aware of SMBG. Out of these, only 19 subjects (18.3%) had glucometers. Age and level of education were significantly related to ownership of glucometer (

Small Scale Oil Palm Farmers’ Preference For Training In South West, Nigeria

The study assessed small-scale oil palm farmers’ farm situations and their preferences for training in South Western Nigeria. Both purposive and random selection techniques were used in selecting the 331 respondents for the study. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and  analyzed using both cc (93.6%) with a mean age of 53 years; married (93.6%) and possessed an average farm size of 3.1 hectare. Acquisition of farm lands was mainly through inheritance (47.9%) and self-acquisition through purchases (44.4%). The plantations are located at a range of 100 metres and 55 kilometres away from farmers’ home. Farmer workshop (? = 2.3; s = 1.46), field training with extension agents (? = 2.8; s = 1.78), and proficiency courses (? = 3.2; s = 1.77), respectively were most preferred types of training on oil palm production. Similarly, farmers (84.9%) preferred trainings conducted in the morning hours, Mondays to Wednesdays of the week (59.8%) and January to April of the year (54.7%). Level of education (χ2 = 17.18; p < 0.05), farm size (χ2 = 12.79; p < 0.05), type of oil palm plantation (χ2 = 27.20; p < 0.05) and age of plantation (χ2 = 29.79; p < 0.05) have significant association with respondents preferences for training situation. There was no significant difference between respondents’ preferences for training across the sampled states. It was recommended that adequate training needs and situation analyses should be carried out before organizing training for farmers. &nbsp

EXPERIMENTAL FAILURE INVESTIGATION OF AN AIRCRAFT NOSE LANDING GEAR

In 1994, sets of aircraft were introduced into the Nigerian Aviation Industry for training of pilots. The nose wheels of some of the aircraft collapsed particularly during hard landings. The failure modes include complete fracture of the landing gear from the firewall and the buckling. This is the thrust for this study which is aimed at ascertaining the cause and mechanism of failure experimentally with a view to preventing future occurrence. Fractography of the failed samples was carried out and the fractograph showed high energy fracture – beach marks, initiation sites and the propagation area on the failure surface which indicates fatigue failure. Chemical analysis of the landing gear component showed medium carbon steel of the tough grade instead of spring steel. Experimental analysis entailed the characterization of fractured parts of the undamaged and failed nose wheel struts by determining the mechanical properties and examining the structural morphology of test samples. Fatigue tests revealed high cycle low stress fatigue in the failed material. Microstructural examination showed intermetallic inclusions within the microstructure of the material which acted as stress raisers causing crack initiation and eventually fatigue fracture

URBAN FLOOD IMPACTS, FLOOD WATER QUALITY AND RISK MAPPING OF OLODO AREA, IBADAN, NIGERIA

This study assessed urban flood impact, flood water quality and vulnerability around Olodo area of Ibadan region, Nigeria. The study employed remote sensing and GIS techniques in creating vulnerability and risk maps. Digital terrain model (DTM) was used to get the topography of the study area. Footprints of buildings along the Egberi riverbank and flood plain in Olodo were created in the GIS environment from high resolution satellite imagery. Buffering operation was conducted to classify the buildings into risk zones based on closeness to the riverbank using ArcGIS 10.0. The study revealed that 326 buildings were within the very vulnerable and vulnerable zones because they were less than 15.2m away from the riverbank. The characteristics of water quality change during the flood and non-flood periods. TSS, DO, NOD, and COD were all higher during the flood event. Microbial analysis showed that water quality levels in the floodwater exceeded water quality standards (e.g., the coliform excess from 10 to 10,000 times), and thus this may be a health risk for local people during flood events. Concentration of Escherichia coli (E. coli) ranged from 484 to 1290 cfu/100 mL during flooding compared to 192 to 295 cfu/100 mL after flood. Salmonella was found to be high ranging from 659 to 1840 cfu/100 mL during flooding compared to 530 to 1034 cfu/100 mL after flooding.     &nbsp

Endocrine Admissions in a Tertiary Hospital In Nigeria: A 5-Year Review of Pattern and Trend

Hospital admission is a reflection of prevailing disease pattern in an environment, impact of services rendered in the outpatient department and preventative healthcare services in the community. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern and trend of endocrine related admissions at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti. This was a retrospective analysis of health records of patients with endocrine related disorders admitted into the medical wards of the hospital between 2008-2012. The diagnoses, based on WHO ICD-10 were documented. Endocrine related admissions were subdivided into diabetes related, thyroid related and non-diabetes hypoglycaemia. Data of interest were compared with Pearson’s Chi-Square and Student’s t test. There were 3818 admissions out of which 457 (12.0%) were endocrine related. Majority of the endocrine admission were DM related (93.9%), representing 11.8% of the total admissions. There was increase in endocrine-related admissions from 9.1%-18.0% and a 10.6% increase in the DM related admissions from 2008 to 2012, but a decline in absolute number of endocrine admissions notably among females (X2 = 39.88, p<0.001). Poor glucose control (42.8%) was the commonest reason for diabetic admission, followed by hyperglycaemic emergencies (31.1%), diabetic foot disease (15.9%), sepsis (2.6%), stroke (2.3%), nephropathy/renal failure (1.6%), diabetic hand (0.9%), hypoglycaemia (0.9%), heart failure (0.7%). Between 2010-2012, hyperglycaemic crisis emerged as the commonest reason for diabetic admission, but overall, there was significant reduction in the number of hospitalizations for all diabetic complications (X2 = 128.69, df= 36, p=0.000). More resources need to be allocated for the management of diabetes mellitus while efforts to prevent its complications through educational activities and public awareness should be sustained

Use of Neem (Azadirachta Indica) Seeds as Filler in Natural Rubber Compounding

The importation of carbon black (a petroleum product) for the reinforcement of Natural Rubber (NR) is very expensive. Therefore, the need to source alternative materials locally becomes necessary. Neem seed (NS) was evaluated as reinforcing fillers in the compounding of NR. NS were collected, cleaned, dried, milled and some part of it was carbonized at 2500C. The Carbonized Neem Seed (CNS) and Uncarbonized Neem Seed (UNS) powders were sieved using 90μm mesh size and then characterized. These were then used as fillers in varying proportions (0%, 15%, 30%, 50% and 100%) with Carbon Black (CB) for the compounding of NR. The physicomechanical properties including tensile strength, elongation at break of the vulcanizates were determined. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was also used to analyze the morphology of the blend in the vulcanizates with 100% CNS, UNS and CB. The loss on ignition for the CNS was found to be 89.5 while that of UNS was 69.8. The physicomechanical analysis carried out on the vulcanizates showed better properties for the carbonized samples than the uncarbonized ones. The 15% and 30% CNS reinforced better than 100% CB as shown in the results. The SEM result showed a better dispersion of the CB into the vulcanizate with 100% CNS and UNS

Risk Factors Associated with Breast Cancer among Women in Warri and lbadan, Nigeria

Ojectives Breast cancer is a common cause of death among Nigerian women. Identifying some of the risk factors is vital to strategic intervention in breast cancer control. This study was carried out to  determine risk factors associated with breast cancer among women in two referral hospitals in Nigeria.Methods A case control study was carried out among 266 women aged 20-80 years. The participants with breast cancer and the comparison group (controls) were matched in the ratio of 1:3 respectively for  age and duration of stay in the area of residence. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, family history of breast cancer, dietary pattern, nutritional status, physical activity and environmental factors.ResultsThe mean age of the respondents was 48. 7±11.8 years. Family history of breast cancer was reported by 6.2% of the cases and 5.0% of control group. Dietary pattern revealed that the cases (69.2%) significantly had high risk consumption pattern for high calorie containing foods than the controls (54. 7%).  Significantly more of the controls than cases had engaged in good physical exercise (17.9% versus 6.2%). The odds of developing breast cancer was four times higher among women who reported daily exposure to fumes from automobiles and electricity generating plants than those who were rarely exposed (0R=4.40, C/=1.25-15.57) and seven times higher among women who reported occasional  exposure to wastes from operating industries than those who were rarely exposed (0R=6.91, C/=2.87- 16.66).Conclusion Major risk factors for breast cancer among  women in this study were lack of  exercise,high calorie intake, and environmental pollutants. Health education to improve knowledge of self-protection against pollutants and healthy dietary habits may reduce risk of breast cancer.Keywords: Breast cancer; Risk factors; Environmental pollutants; Dietary pattern; Nigeria