Estimating solar radiation in Ikeja and Port Harcourt via correlation with relative humidity and temperature

This paper is part of the Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Energy and Sustainability (ESUS 2015). http://www.witconferences.comRelative humidity and temperature data are more readily available to obtain from observatories than sunshine hour data. In this work, 10 years (1986–1987, 1990–1997) monthly average measurement of relative solar radiation, daily temperature range, relative humidity and the ratio of minimum to maximum temperature were used to establish the coefficient of eight models for estimating solar radiation in Ikeja and Port Harcourt. Coefficient of correlation (R), Mean Bias Error (MBE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Percentage Error (MPE), t-statistic and the rank score were used as performance indicators. In Port Harcourt, the equation producing the best result with MBE, RMSE, MPE and t-statistic value of −0.1078, 0.9850, −0.4373% and 0.3653, respectively, is given by: Rs/Ro = 3.266 − 0.306(RH)0,5. In Ikeja, the equation producing the best estimation with MBE, RMSE, MPE and t-statistic value of 0.1590, 1.0110, 2.0559% and 0.5281, respectively, is given by: Rs/Ro = 2.042 − 2.136(θ)

Utilization of Selected Browses Species by Primates in Four Locations of Obudu Cattle Ranch, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria

The study examines the extent and intensity of lopping as well as their relation to free size in Becheve Nature Research (BNR), Golf Course Range (GCR), Beau Range (BR), and Ikwette Range (IR) all located at Obudu Cattle Ranch, Cross River State, Nigeria. Four species, Afzelia africana, Daniellia oliveri, Pterocarpus erinaceous and Ficus thoningii. were chosen for the study. The vegetation study and results indicate varying degrees of utilization between the locations of the tree species. The crown condition had difference between the locations of the tree species. The frequency of crown condition is higher in BNR and Ikwette Range. The BNR had the highest frequency of woody plant that provide primate food with value 0.52 while Golf Course range, Beau range, Ikwette range has 0.32, 0.30, and 0.27 use value respectively. The human use value is more in Golf Course Range with 0.324 and very minimal in BNR with 0.29. The mean crude fiber (CF) content of the four plants (11.52%) is low. In conclusion, the spatial distribution of food strongly influences primates’ patterns of movement. Keywords: Utilization, browse species, human use, Obudu Cattle Ranc

Historical Perspective and Fundamentals of Clinical Research in Nigeria

Research may be defined as any activity that generates new knowledge and a better understanding of natural phenomena, while ‘scientific research’ uses scientific methods to explore and discover new facts and uses the new knowledge to solve practical problems and explain natural phenomena. Scientific research dates back to many centuries. The earliest reports of research are found in the Egyptian papyrus dating back to 17th century BC. The beginning of documented medical research in the West African sub-region and indeed Nigeria in the 19th century and much of 20th century (pre-independence Nigeria) is traceable to the writings of the Nigerian pioneers of modern medicine. The research process is an iterative cyclical procedure that includes a set of activities undertaken to test a hypothesis - a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables. In clinical research, the principles of good research practice are expected to be maintained throughout the research process. These principles include the pursuit of research excellence with integrity, respect for ethics and rigorous maintenance of professional standards, honesty and transparence, openness and accountability, supporting training and acquisition of skills, multidisciplinary collaboration and public engagemen

Effects of Temperature on the Rheological Properties of Rice Husk Modified Bentonite Drilling Fluids

In this study, water base drilling fluids were developed using bentonite clay and rice husk. The pure and blends of bentonite clay and rice husk as specified by samples A with (pure bentonite), B (with pure rice husk), C (1:1 of rice husk to bentonite) and D (2:1 of rice husk to bentonite) were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The XRD result of the samples showed that samples C and D both contains montmorillonite as mineral with the most intense peak at 5.887o. Samples A and B contain Quartz, and Montmorillonite respectively with the most intense peak at 2Ө value of 26.642o, 31.578o, 5.887o, 26.624o and 26.627o respectively. The results show strong interaction between sample A and C. FTIR results of samples A, B, C and D showed number of bands/peaks of 13,9,13 and 14 respectively and showed high level of interaction between pure and blends of the samples were with 14 peaks/bands each. Five water base drilling fluid samples produced using standard laboratory barrel (350 ml) method from bentonite and water with addition of rice husk in different proportion were investigated. The rheological properties (plastic viscosity, yield value, gel strength) of the samples were measured at different temperatures, using FANN 35 viscometer while the pH and density values were measured using pH meter and mud balance respectively. The pH values of all the produced drilling mud samples were alkaline (>7.0), close to the neutral value. Increase in temperatures bentonite drilling mud modified with rice husk does not have negative effect on the rheological properties of the drilling mud. The rice husk could be used as a viscosifier in the drilling mud for being capable of improving the viscosity of the mud at higher temperature

Antimicrobial Activities of Secondary Metabolites from Warm Spring Fungi.

Water from warm spring was screened for the presence of some fungi using different nutrient media. Antimicrobial activity of secondary metabolites of the isolates were evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Agar well diffusion method was utilised in the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity and it was discovered that each of the secondary metabolites showed antibacterial activities against the test bacteria. The result showed good prospects in the search for new antibacterial drugs. Keywords: Warm spring fungi, metabolites, bioactive compound

OCCURRENCE AND SENSITIVITY TO ANTIBIOTICS OF BACTERIA FOUND IN GILLS, BUCCAL CAVITY AND SKIN OF Hemichromis fasciatus, Brycinus macrolepidotus AND Hydrocynus forskalii FROM OGUN RIVER, ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE

The morphometrics of Hemichromis fasciatus, Brycinus macrolepidotus and Hydrocynus forskalii from Ogun River were determined. The culture, isolation, and characterization of  bacteria species, their sensitivity to antibiotics were carried out. There were significant differences (P>0.05) in the weight, standard length, head length, gill length and buccal depth. The highest mean body weight 113.85 ± 9.38 g was observed in B. macrolepidotus while the lowest mean weight of 47.20 ± 6.3 g was observed in H. forskalii. Ten (10) bacteria species were isolated from the gill, buccal cavity and skin. These include the Gram positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus faecium, Micrococcus  letus) and the Gram negative bacteria (Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aerogenes, Klebseilla aerogenes, Aerobacter  aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus licheniform and Salmonella sp). The number of colony forming units per milligram varied from 3.1×104 to 3.8×105. The highest mean percentage bacteria occurrence of 5.4 ± 4.4at (P> 0.05) was recorded from the gills of H. fasciatus while the lowest value of 4.6 ± 3.8was recorded in the gill of H. forskalii S. epidermidis had  the widest inhibition zones of 10.2 mm and 10.5 mm respectively of sensitivity to Sparfloxcin and Caflazidime while P. vulgaris had the thinnest inhibition zone 2.1 mm of resistance to Caflazidime. From the foregoing results, this study confirmed that the bacterial organisms isolated from the fish were pathogenic and of public health importance. Caflazidime and Oflaxacin were the best antibiotic substances with the highest inhibition zones of 10.5 mm and 10.0 mm for the Gram positive bacteria (S. epidermidis) and the Gram negative bacteria (E. aerogenes) respectively.Â

Predictors of willingness to task shift among family planning providers in a south-western Nigerian State

Background: Task shifting, the balanced reallocation of tasks usually from a higher cadre to a lower cadre among the health  workforce team, has been proposed as a possible solution to the serious shortage of human resource in the health sector is being experienced in many developing countries. This study aimed to assess the views and experiences of nurses on task shifting in family planning services in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 400 nurses with at least a year experience in providing family planning services at purposively selected tetiary, secondary and primary facilities in Ibadan was carried out using an intervieweradministered  questionnaire. Chi-square test was used to determine association between categorical variables at 5% level of significance. Results: Mean age of the respondents was 41.1±8.7 years and 62% of the respondents were registered nurses/registered midwives.  Although majority (91.5%) of the respondents were aware of the concept of task shifting, only 52.2% were willing to task shift family planning services to lower cadre staff and only 38.5% have actually task shifted family planning services to lower cadre staff. Age, educational status and awareness about task shifting were predictors of willingness to task shift family planning services. Conclusion: Older registered nurses or registered midwives who were aware of the concept of task shifting were more willing to task  shift family planning services. Also, a combination of both awareness and willingness to task shift among married women enhances  the practice of task shifting of family planning services. Keywords: Task shifting, Task sharing, Policy implementation, Family plannin