Activity concentration of natural radionuclides and assessment of the associated radiological hazards in the marine croaker (pseudotolitus typus) fish from two coastal areas of Nigeria

The risk assessment associated with radionuclide contamination of Marine Croaker fish widely consumed in two coastal areas of Nigeria was carried out. The activity concentrations of the three radionuclides Uranium-238 (238U), Thorium-232 (232Th), and Potassium-40 (40K) present in the fish samples were determined using gamma-ray spectrometry. The radiological hazard of consuming this fish was assessed by calculating the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), internal hazard index (Hin) of the radionuclides as well as the ingestion effective dose values due to ingestion of radionuclides from fish per year. Comparison of the values obtained from the radiation hazard assessments with the maximum permissible levels of 370 Bq kg-1 for Raeq and 1 for Hin recommended by UNSCEAR (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) (UNSCEAR, 2000) shows that consumption of the contaminated Croaker fish from these two coastal areas studied poses great radiological hazards to the public

Effect of Chicken Type and Reactor Temperature on Biofuel Yields from Pyrolysis of Poultry Litter

Efficient management of poultry litter resulting from the ever growing agricultural industry is key to saving the global environment. In this study, effect of chicken type and reactor temperature on biofuel yields from pyrolysis of poultry litter has been studied. Samples of fresh droppings of broiler and layer chickens were collected from the poultry farm of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, South-Western Nigeria. The samples were sun dried for two days and afterwards oven-dried at a temperature of 105 oC for 10 minutes. Samples of 40 g each were pyrolyzed at four different reactor temperatures (300, 400, 500 and 600 oC) for 15 minutes. The yield of pyro-oil and pyro-gas from the litter of the two chicken types increased with reactor temperature while char yield decreased with it. Pyro-oil yield from broiler litter was higher than that from layer litter at all temperatures while pyro-gas yield from layer litter was higher than that from broiler litter at all the conditions studied. The highest yield of pyro-oil (65.10% at 600 oC) was obtained from broiler litter while the highest yields of char (42.12% at 300 oC) and pyro-gas (25.7% at 600 oC) were recorded for layer litter. The presence of alkali metals in different proportions in broiler and layer litter was identified to have influenced pyrolysissecondary reactions. Cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin may also be in different percentages in the two types of chicken litter

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

Dimensions and determinants of income inequality in the Nigerian labour market

No Abstract. African Journal of Economic Policy Vol. 12(1) 2005: 29-5

Study of Surface Modification of Electrospun Polyethylene Oxide Composite Fibre

Functionalization of polymers had gained attention because of advance applications as sensor, energy devices, membrane, etc. This present study is aimed at studying surface modification as a result of electrospinning functionalized polyethylene oxide (PEO) with zinc ion Zinc chloride was added in various proportions to PEO solution then electrospun at various voltage. Fibres resulted into various shapes; belt, rod, mat and thread which differs from the primary PEO. The mechanism for the morphology modification was studied and the optimum conditions which retain the fibrous morphology were noted. This functionalized PEO can be used as energy device. Keyword: Polyethylene oxide, Modification, Fibre, Composite, Functionalize

Prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal parasites of working camels in Sokoto metropolis

Aim: An epidemiological study of gastrointestinal parasites of working camels in Sokoto metropolis was conducted between March and September, 2013, where the general prevalence and seasonal distribution were identified. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 faecal samples from working camels were examined using standard parasitological techniques (Centrifugal sedimentation and simple flotation). Microscopic examination of faecal samples revealed that some samples were positive for at least one or more parasite eggs/oocysts. Results: The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was found to be 78 (78.0%) and seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was found to be 35 (70.0%) for the dry season and 43 (86.0%) for the rainy season. Overall, the prevalence of nematodes, trematodes, cestodes, and protozoa were 87 (80.56%), 7 (6.48%), 4 (3.71%) and 10 (9.26%), respectively. The prevalence of helminths parasites indicated as most dominant eggs of Strongyles 68 (62.96%) followed by Strongyloides spp 10 (9.26%), and Trichuris spp 8 (7.41%), while Protozoan oocyst from the faecal samples recorded Coccidia spp 9 (8.33%). The prevalence by sex, age, and breed were also determined in the study animals. Conclusion: The presence of polyparasitism with high prevalence is an indication that favorable environmental conditions for infection, survival and perpetuation of the parasites exist in Sokoto metropolis