Geology and Environmental Impact Assessment and Benefit of Granitic Rocks of Minna Area, Northwestern Nigeria

Nigeria basement complex has shown that the older granites are high level intrusions emplaced by stoping and diapiric process and include spectrum of rocks varying in composition from tonalite through granodiorite to granite. The intense regional deformation which accompanied and preceded the emplacement of the older granite result in it pronounced and wide spread northeast trend. The granites termed older granites in Nigeria have been dated severally at 500-750 million years. Minna is situated in the central part of the Nigeria basement complex surrounded by rugged terrain of granitic rocks, this necessitates the geological and impact assessment of the granitic rock in Minna. Field study reveals eight granitic masses which occur as Paiko and Minna batholiths and as continuous ridge in north-south direction of about 18 kms and average height of 350 meters above sea level. In hand specimen, the granitic rocks vary from medium, porphyritic to coarse variety from light colored to medium dark colored.Key Words: Geology, Environmental impact, Assessment, Benefit and Granitic Rocks

Geochemistry and Mineralogical Evaluation of Quartzite Bearing Kyanite in Kuta, Northwestern Nigeria

Kyamite is blue to green triclinic mineral, originated from moderately high pressure and temperature associated with regional metamorphism of politic rocks. Kyanite is associated with minerals like staurolite, andalusite, talc and corundum, and is a member of 1:1 aluminous-silicates. Economic occurrences are of lump massive and lenses with at least 35% content of SiO2 and 40% Al2O3. This present study is necessitated as a result of the industrial applications of kyanite. The Kuta kyanitequartzite form a narrow ridge of about 300 metres high and 6km2, it intruded into the country rock of mica-schist. AAS and XRD techniques were employed in the determination of chemical and mineralogical composition of ten representative raw and beneficiated kyanite-quartzite samples. Beneficiation was done by electromagnetic and methylene iodide separation techniques. The combined AAS and XRD analyses results show that Al2O3 + SiO2 constitute 92% and kyanite alone constitute 55% of the beneficiated samples, quartz, mulite and silliminite 45%. Evaluation of the indusrial suitability show inconsistent of the Kuta kyanite with BSI and ASTM standards specification for industrial mineral, it can be use as refractory material based on the alumina content.Keywords: Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Quartzite, Kyanite, Evaluation

Genotoxicity and mutagenicity of solid waste leachates: A review

Solid waste production is inevitable and its unsanitary disposal in the environment is of public and environmental health concern. Leachate, generated due to the infiltration of water/precipitation through the waste mass and the wastes biodegradation, is a mixture of dissolved organic matter, inorganic macro-components, heavy metals, xenobiotic organic compounds and microorganisms. Several studies have reported the acute toxicity of leachate using different end points, while evidences are accumulating on their potentials to induce genetic damage. In this wise, different short-term in vivo and in vitro bioassays are being utilized in the evaluations of genotoxicity and mutagenicity of leachates; and the possible mechanisms of genetic damage. This paper reviews reports on leachate-induced genetic damage. There is need for a shift from waste disposal to sustainable waste management. Awareness on possible health impacts or consequences of exposure to solid waste should also be created through health education.Keywords: Solid waste leachate, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, environmental pollutionAfrican Journal of BiotechnologyVol. 12(27), pp. 4206-422

Budgeting Systems in Universities in South-West Nigeria

This study examined the types of budgeting systems adopted by universities in South-West Nigeria. Stratified random sampling was used to select seven universities from five states within the hinterland of Nigeria’s South-West geopolitical zone. A questionnaire entitled Budgeting System Questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings were that the mostly adopted budgeting system by the sampled universities was incremental type with 46.7%, in comparison with line-item, planning programming and zero-based budgeting systems with 33.33%, 16.67 % and 8.33%, respectively. Also, out of the total sum of N80,115,006,285 as expenditure on six selected priority areas in the three academic years by the sampled universities, salaries and allowances had the highest amount of expenditure (i.e. N60.412,111,285) (75.41%) while research and publications had the lowest amount of N211,528,456.64 (0.26%). Based on the findings, it is recommended that the incremental budgeting system which is majorly adopted by universities in Nigeria should be carefully guided to discourage corruption and financial recklessness as it encourages spending up to the budget towards the end of the year so that the budget is maintained the next year. It is also recommended that the NUC gives an award to any university that allocates at least five percent of its revenue expenditure to research and publications.Keywords: Budgeting Systems, Government Universities, South-West Nigeria

Knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus post-exposure prophylaxis among doctors in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: The mainstay of prevention of occupationally-acquired HIV infection is compliance with universal precautions. Appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis is an integral part of prevention, control and workplace safety. This study was undertaken to assess the level of knowledge of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among doctors in Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: Ethical committee approval for the conduct of the study was obtained. Questionnaires were served to all cadres of doctors from house officers to consultants; it was completed and returned on anonymous basis.Results: Sixty six (88.0%) of the 75 distributed questionnaires were returned completed and formed the basis of further analysis. The overall knowledge level of post-exposure prophylaxis against human immunodeficiency virus infection was very low. About 62.1% are aware of the existence of PEP policy in the hospital. The level of knowledge concerning the high-risk fluid and three drugs used in PEP is high. Over 90% are not aware of the risk of sero-conversion following significant needle-sticks injury and mucous membrane exposure. The study also revealed poor knowledge concerning actions to be taken, how soon to commence the PEP treatment and the duration of medication following needle stick injury. More than 50% of the surveyed doctors had experienced significant exposure to potentially infective materials and none reported or sought PEP advice.Conclusion: There is the need to educate the doctors and other health workers about the PEP guideline policy, what to do in the event of injury, whom to contact and the importance of seeking urgent advice following injury or exposure

Improvised venous canula myringostomy in acute otitis media: Analysis of outcome in Nigeris

Background: This case control study was based on the hypothesis that myringostomy done on an a bulging but inflamed tympanic membrane before perforation might improve healing of the middle ear and tympanic membrane, thus reducing the probability of progression to chronic suppurative otitis media.Our objective was to compare outcome of tympanic membrane healing in acute otitis media (AOM) patients who had myringostomy and those presenting with perforation and suppuration. In this study we also examined the suitability of a venous canula as an improvisation in the absence of conventional myringostomy tube.Methods: This prospective study, carried out in the Otolaryngology Unit, Department of Surgery, Federal Medical Center, Lokoja between February 2006 and August 2008, included consecutive AOM patients who presented with excruciating otalgia and bulging, hyperaemic tympanic membrane and another group with ruptured tympanic membrane both within 2 weeks duration. The patients with bulging tympanic membrane had venous canula myringostomy done in the local anaesthesia and the canula was kept in situ until the ear became dry and until the myringostomy site closed up. While the group with tympanic membrane perforation at presentation had ear suction toileting and daily ear dressing, until ear became dry. The 2 groups were followed up daily to determine duration of stay of the improvised myringostomy tube and the closure of the myringostomy site or tympanic membrane perforation and they were compared using Pearson’s correlation test at 0. 05 significance.Results: Subjects comprised of 42 AOM (15 males and 27 females (M: F = 1.7:3) and 26 with tympanic membrane perforation (11 males and 15 females), aged between 3 years to 48 years (mean+ SD = 13+ 6 years). Relief of otalgia was seen all the subjects in the myringostomy group (100%).The mean number of days to achieve dry ear after myringostomy tube was 3 days after myringostomy while it was 3 weeks in the perforation group (P = 0.002). The mean number of days to achieve closure of the myringostomy was 3.7 days after dryness while among the perforation group, it was 3 months (P= 0.000).Conclusion: Venous canula, which is cheap and readily available, could be an improvisation for myringostomy in AOM; and this aided early relief of otalgia, resolution of disease and significant reduction in treatment durations

Verification of Some Vegetable Oils as Cutting Fluid for Aluminium

Vegetable oils (palm oil, groundnut oil, shear butter oil and cotton seed oil) have been used as lubricants in the turning operation of aluminum under varying spindle speeds, feed rates and depths of cut and the results compared with kerosene (due to the gummy nature of aluminium metal). The parameters investigated are the chip thickness ratio, surface finish and surface temperature. Their performances when compared with the conventional soluble oil have shown that they can perform the same functions as imported ones in the machining of aluminum. They reduced chip thickness ratio, improved surface finish and exhibited good cooling behaviour at the work piece-tool interface. This performance is due to their high viscosities and the presence of surface active agents such as stearic acid and halogens, such as chlorine which help to reduce surface energy of a liquid and increase its wetting ability or oiliness.KEYWORDS: vegetable oil, chip compression, surface roughness, temperature, surface active agent

Influence of Tillage Systems on Diversity and Abundance of Insect and Nematode Pests of Maize in Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria

Pests are major biotic factors causing up to 45% yield reduction in maize production in sub-Saharan Africa. To develop improved methods for maize management, the species and abundance of insects and nematodes associated with ten quality protein maize varieties (QPMVs) were evaluated with two commonly used tillage practices, ‘plough only plots (POP)’ and ‘plough and harrow plots (PAHP)’. The experiment was carried out using QPMVs at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria, and arranged in a randomized complete block design with 11 treatments replicated 3 times, including local check “pambo”. A total of 833.1±4.0 and 799.3±3.4 arthropods specimens were collected from POP and PAHP, respectively, comprising 8 orders and 18 families. Ootheca mutabilis was the most abundant species with 5.47% (POP) and 5.68% (PAHP) and the least abundant was Rhopalosiphum maidis 1.82% (POP) and 1.80% (PAHP). As indicated by Shannon Wiener (3.46±0.023) and Simpson indices (0.97±0.0008) there are even distribution in the tillage practices. Three genera of plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) were identified, Meloidogyne spp. (POP (78.33±19.65), PAHP (1.33±0.33), Pratylenchus spp. (POP (41.67±9.26), PAHP (5.00±2.31), and Helicotylenchus spp. (POP (58.33±38.35), PAHP (23.33±14.50). The use of PAHP tillage practices is effective in reducing insects and nematodes associated with maize in Nigeria and therefore recommended for the management of both pests in maize production

Tensile Behaviour of S690QL and S960QL under High Strain Rate

Despite offering significant strength-to-weight advantages, high-strength structural steels, such as S690QL and S960QL, are used only in limited offshore applications. This is due to the lack of material characterisation in regard to their tensile behaviour, with little data available on loading rates other than those typically experienced offshore. The concern is that high strength structural steels with high yield-to-tensile ratio >0.90 are obtained at the expense of ductility and strain-hardening capacity. In this paper the tensile properties from two high strength structural steels were studied and characterised over a range of strain rates and, the results are compared against the performance of mild steel. High strength structural steels with yield-to-tensile ratios in excess of 0.90 were significantly less sensitive to the effect of strain rate than mild steel with yield-to-tensile < 0.85 at ambient temperature. The yield stress of S690QL and S960QL moderately increase to about 9% and 6% respectively from quasi-static to 100 s-1 strain rate, which is within typical strain rates encountered in primary offshore structural applications

ANN-derived equation and ITS application in the prediction of dielectric properties of pure and impure CO₂

High-performing equation has been step-wisely extracted from artificial neural network (ANN) simulation and subsequently applied for the prediction of the dielectric properties of pure and impure CO2. Data of relative permittivity (εr) for pure and impure CO2 were used in the ANN to train different ANN structures so that the network can recognise and predict CO2 property under different conditions. Analyses of the results from the training showed that single-layer ANN model [3-6-1] outperformed others. From this best-performing ANN structure, a single mathematical equation was extracted that can be employed in predicting εr for pure CO2 and CO2-ethanol mixture, even without access to ANN software. Using this ANN-based mathematical model, predictions of the relative permittivity (εr) for pure CO2 and CO2-ethanol mixture were performed, under different temperatures and pressures and at different ethanol concentrations. Under similar conditions, the output of the model provides good match with the original experimental εr. With increment in ethanol concentration, the model correctly predicted the rise in εr for the mixture. Also, it was shown that the εr rises with an increase in pressure but decreases with a rise in temperature. The work showed the reliability and applicability of the ANN in characterizing and predicting the dielectric property of pure CO2 as well as its mixture or impurities. The model developed and the techniques demonstrated in this work offers immense benefits and guides for researchers, who may want to explore the behaviours of a pure compound and its mixtures/impurities using ANN, as well as those interested in derived mathematical model from statistical computation tool like ANN