ASSESSMENT OF STRENGTH PROPERTIES OF CASSAVA PEEL ASH-CONCRETE

Basic conventional building materials like cement and aggregates are becoming increasingly expensive due to high cost incurred in their processes, production and transportation. The utilization of locally available materials such as cassava peel ash that can either reduce or replace the conventional ones is being considered. This paper investigated the effect of partial replacement of cassava peel ash with ordinary Portland cement at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%. The cassava peel ash was obtained by calcinations of cassava peel to 7000 c temperature. Cube samples of size 150 x 150 x 150 were prepared for concrete grade 30 and cured in water for 7, 14, 28, 90, 120 and 180 days after which they were subjected to compressive strength, tensile strength, durability, porosity, water absorption, slump, compact factor and shrinkage tests. The results showed that partial replacement of 10 and 15% gave compressive strength comparable to the control with 0% replacement and optimum replacement is 10%. It was discovered that the cassava peel ash contains all the main chemical constituents of cement though in lower percentage compared with OPC which shows that it can serve as a suitable replacement if the right percentage is used. However, its durability and sulphric acid resistance improved considerably at 10% replacement of cement with cassava peel ash. The study recommends that concrete made with cassava peel ash can be used for light construction works where high strength is not major requirement but where durability is a major concern

ICONIC STRUCTURES: CASE STUDY OF A HISTORIC MUSEUM WITH NOTABLE SPANS DESIGNED IN CONCRETE

The emergence of iconic structures around the world increased tourism and economic status of the of host cities. Iconic structures stand out and attract the attention of the general public due to their daring structural limits and aesthetic forms. Hence, the design idea of an iconic historic museum is conceptualized in this research. This paper models an art center, analyses and designs the critical elements according to BS 8110,trying to determine the feasibility of a large-cantilevering structure with numerous curves being achieved. The activities carried out in this research involved a systematic modeling of the structure with Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools, analysis and design in reinforced concrete with particular emphasis on the cantilevered wing of about 37.5m. Numerous load combinations were applied, and various member section properties were experimented. The results obtained from the analysis of the designed reinforced concrete model identified the structural efficiency of certain critical members in the west wing of the building and how they were made to adhere to structural limits in the code of practice by ensuring deflections of critical cantilevered members did not exceed the limit. A unique arrangement of structural systems has been combined to solve the problem of deflection of the seemingly impossible cantilever of 37.5m

Photocatalytic Activity of Green Mixed Matrix Membranes for Degradation of Anionic Dye

Anionic dye is a notable constituent of textile effluent, which renders water unsafe for human and animal use. A notable approach to mitigating effluent is the use of membranes. In this study, a mixed matrix technique was adopted for the preparation of composite membranes. The composite membranes consist of crumb rubber filled with nanoparticles, respectively. The membranes were characterized by Fourier transform spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray, thermogravimetric analyser, and drop shape analyzer. The photocatalytic activities of the mixed matrix membranes were investigated with anionic dye in the UV/visible region. Photocatalytic activity of composite membranes showed high degradation with an apparent rate constant. This study presents a rubber-based membrane for wastewater treatment

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Incidence of anaplasmosis in sheep slaughtered in Sokoto Abattoir, northwestern Nigeria

Ovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne rickettsial disease associated with huge economic losses and is widespread in tropical and subtropical areas. This study was carried out to investigate the incidence of Anaplasma infection in sheep slaughtered at Sokoto Metropolitan abattoir, Sokoto. A total of 142 randomly selected sheep were sampled by collection of 10 ml of blood from each sheep, processed, stained with Giemsa and microscopically examined for Anaplasma organism. 26 sheep were infected with a prevalence rate of 18.3% and the occurrence were more in female (20.5%) than in the male (14.8%). Varying prevalence rates were observed across the age groups with highest infection (50.0%) in the age group of 2½-3 years and no infection was of observed in sheep older than 3½years of age. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) of Anaplasma infected sheep (24.8±8.77) was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of non-infected sheep (32.7±5.01). Significant association was also observed between Anaplasma infection and presence of anaemia in sheep. In conclusion, this study showed high incidence of Anaplasma infection in slaughtered sheep at Sokoto Metropolitan Abattoir, hence strategic measures should be taken to control the vectors involve in their transmission so as to improve the production potentials of these animals and the economic well being of the owners.Keywords: Anaplasma, Incidence, Sheep, Sokoto abattoi

Synthesis and Characterization of Biopolymeric Chitosan Derived from Land Snail Shells and Its Potential for Pb2+ Removal from Aqueous Solution

Pb2+ is considered to be a very toxic pollutant in the aquatic environmental media. Biopolymeric chitosan synthesized from snail shell has been studied for its potential to remove heavy metals from aqueous solution. The experiments were conducted in the range of 1–50 mg/L initial Pb2+ concentration at 298 K. The effects of pH, adsorbent dosage and contact time on the adsorptive property of the adsorbent were investigated and optimized. The derived chitosan was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) and X-ray florescence (XRF). The experimental data obtained were analysed using the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models. The Langmuir model and pseudo second order kinetic model suitably described the adsorption and kinetics of the process with regression coefficient of 0.99 and 1.00, respectively. Sodium hydroxide was a better desorbing agent than hydrochloric acid and de-ionized water. From the results obtained, it is concluded that synthesized biopolymers from land snail shells has the potential for the removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solutions

Sero-prevalence of toxoplasma gondii infection among abattoir workers in Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease affecting all warm blooded animals including man. It is caused by an obligate, intracellular tissues cyst-forming protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, with domestic cat and other felides as definitive hosts. The infection has aroused considerable interest from various workers because of the dangers it poses and its mode oftransmission. Materials and Methods: Sera collected from 75 volunteered abattoir workers were analysed using Toxo-Latex kit by LINEAR chemicals (Cromatest, Jeanquim Costa, Barcelona, Spain) which is a rapid slide agglutination procedure. In addition, some epidemiological factors were obtained from these volunteered through structural questionnaire administered to them. Results: The adolescent (16-20 years) had the highest prevalence (57.1%) while the elderly, aged > 60 years had prevalence of 50%. No statistical significant different was however observed (p >0.05) varying degree of infarction was observed between the old groups. Sero-prevalence among workers who eat raw meat/suya, drink unpasteurized milk, smoking/eating when evisceration were 50%, 26.7%, 13.8%, 13.8% and 20% respectively, while workers that do not eat/drink during evisceration was 13.3%. No statistical significance was noted between those who eat raw meat/suya/drink unpasteurized milk and those who eat and drink during evisceration was significantly higher than those that wash hand before eating/drinking during work (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There is need for public enlightenment to abattoir personnel on the epidemiology and significance of T. gondii infection. Further studies on toxoplasma infection in the study area are desirable

HHV-8 Seroprevalence and Genotype Distribution in Africa, 1998–2017: A Systematic Review

Human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8) is the causative agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS). We systematically reviewed literature published between 1998 and 2017, according to the PRISMA guidelines, to understand the distribution of HHV-8 infection in Africa. More than two-thirds (64%) of studies reported on seroprevalence and 29.3% on genotypes; 9.5% were on both seroprevalence and genotypes. About 45% of African countries had data on HHV-8 seroprevalence exclusively, and more than half (53%) had data on either seroprevalence or genotypes. Almost half (47%) of the countries had no data on HHV-8 infection. There was high heterogeneity in the types of tests and interpretation algorithms used in determining HHV-8 seropositivity across the different studies. Generally, seroprevalence ranged from 2.0% in a group of young children in Eritrea to 100% in a small group of individuals with KS in Central African Republic, and in a larger group of individuals with KS in Morocco. Approximately 16% of studies reported on children. Difference in seroprevalence across the African regions was not significant (95% CI, χ2 = 0.86; p = 0.35), although specifically a relatively significant level of infection was observed in HIV-infected children. About 38% of the countries had data on K1 genotypes. K1 genotypes A, A5, B, C, F and Z occurred at frequencies of 5.3%, 26.3%, 42.1%, 18.4%, 5.3% and 2.6%, respectively. Twenty-three percent of the countries had data for K15 genotypes, and genotypes P, M and N occurred at frequencies of 52.2%, 39.1%, and 8.7%, respectively. Data on HHV-8 inter-genotype recombinants in Africa are scanty. HHV-8 may be endemic in the entire Africa continent but there is need for a harmonized testing protocol for a better understanding of HHV-8 seropositivity. K1 genotypes A5 and B, and K15 genotypes P and M, from Africa, should be considered in vaccine design efforts