BET Surface Area Determination of Calcium Oxide from Adamawa Chalk Mineral Using Water Adsorption Method, for Use as Catalyst.

This paper describes a test procedure for determining the total surface area of chalk mineral using the water adsorption method. The test involves saturating the thermally treated chalk sample with saturated salt solution of known relative humidity, until the water vapor forms a monomolecular layer on the treated chalk sample surface. The results of the test are expressed as Specific Surface Area (SSA), which describes the surface area/unit mass of dry treated sample with units of m2g-1. The test results presented demonstrate the BET isotherm of chalk samples after being thermally treated at 700, 900, 1100 and 1200oC. Results for a number of different treated chalk samples are presented. The proposed method uses simple and inexpensive laboratory equipment, is relatively simple to perform, and allows for rapid determination of SSA. Keywords: specific surface area, chalk mineral, water vapor, BET isother

Production and characterization of asbestos-free brake lining material using agro wastes

The health problems associated with the use of asbestos based brake linings have motivated research on the use of ecofriendly-agro based biomaterials as reinforcing agents in composite materials used for brake pad lining production. This research work studies the possibilities of using palm kernel shell (PKS), coconut shell (CNS), and canarium sweinfurthii shell (CSS) powder for asbestos-free brake lining materials production. The powders alongside the relevant fillers were used in the production of the brake lining. Compositions of the reinforcing powders were varied from 25% to 40% thatof resin binder was varied from 58% to 43%, while those of filler metal and curing agents were kept constant. These materials were weighed, formulated, mixed, cured, and moulded. The developed composite materials were characterized and subjected to water and oil absorption, compressive strength, hardness, and wear tests. Results of the analysis revealed that increase in reinforcing materials results in an increase in the water and oil absorption of the samples. The composite’s compressive strength equally increased with the introduction of up to 35% composition. The measured value of coefficient of friction was found to be within an acceptable range. Also, when mixed with other fillers and bounded, CSS powder proved to be a very promising material for brake lining production

Functional properties and storage stability of optimized cereal-based complementary foods

The functional properties and good quality of food materials are important factors that determine the suitability for complementary foods for children. This study evaluated the functional properties and storage stability of cereal-based and legume- based complementary food (CF). Nutri-survey (2007) was used to optimize and generate six composite blends designated F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, and F6 from yellow maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum), millet (Pennisetumglaucum), groundnut (Arachis hypogea), soyabeans (Glycine max), and Moringa oleifera. Freshly prepared samples were subjected to analysis of functional properties. During storage, the composite blends were subjected to sensory evaluation, microbial count, moisture content, peroxide value and free fatty acid determination at 15-day intervals for a period of 60 days. Data obtained were analyzed by ANOVA and results expressed as mean and standard error of mean. Results of functional properties revealed that bulk density ranged from (0.63-0.81 g/cm3), water absorption capacity (86-90%), swelling index (0.33-1.34 cm3/g), reconstitution index (2.20-3.20) and pH (6.52-6.69). The organoleptic properties and keeping quality of the formulated complementary foods were not significantly different (P> 0.05) at baseline and end line. Therefore, this study provides a basis for the development of acceptable complementary foods with optimal functional properties and storage stability

Phytochemical and antibacterial properties of garlic extracts

The antibacterial potency of aqueous and methanol extracts of garlic was determined invitro against three bacterial isolates (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) by agar well  diffusion method. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannin, flavonoid, carbohydrate, protein, saponin, alkaloid and glycoside in the plants while anthraquinone was absent. Both the aqueous and methanol extract of garlic were observed to be more potent against E. coli with maximum zone of growth inhibition of 21.5mm at 200mg/ml and 24.0mm at 200mg/ml respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the aqueous and methanol extracts of garlic against E. coli was 100mg/ml and 50mg/ml respectively, and for S. aureus it was 200mg/ml and 100mg/ml respectively. Similarly, The MIC against Pseudomonas aeruginosa for the aqueous and methanol extracts was 200mg/ml and 200mg/ml respectively. Higher minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 300mg/ml was observed against P. aeruginosa with aqueous extract and 250mg/ml with the methanol extract. The MBC for both the aqueous and methanol extract was 200mg/ml respectively against E. coli while MBC of 300mg/ml was observed against S. aureus for the aqueous extract and 200mg/ml for the methanol extract. These findings therefore justify the traditional medicinal use of garlic.Keywords; Phytochemical, Antibacterial, Efficacy, Garlic, Isolates

Immune-mediated Anti-inflammatory Activity of Root Bark Extracts of Calotropis procera (Ait) R.Br. in Rodents

Background: The root bark of Calotropis procera has been reported to be a part of herbal remedies for the management of allergic diseases like asthma. However, there is paucity of data on its anti-inflammatory activity in allergic disorders. Objectives: This study is aimed to investigate the immune mediated anti-inflammatory activity of root bark extracts of Calotropis procera in rats. Materials and Methods: Aqueous and methanol root bark extracts of Calotropis Procera were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and their oral median lethal doses were estimated in rats. The aqueous and methanol root bark extracts were investigated for anti-allergic activity using carageenan-induced leucocytosis (100 and 200 mg/kg doses) and egg albumin induced passive paw anaphylaxis (250 and 350 mg/kg doses) test in rats. Results: The oral median lethal doses of both extracts were found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg in wistar rats. Both extracts were found to contain alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and triterpenes. Both extracts significantly (p˂0.001) decreased leucocyte count in carrageenan induced leucocytosis test at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg, with both aqueous and methanol extracts exhibiting the same level of decrease in leucocyte count. Equally, there was a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05) in paw size at 250 mg/kg and 350 mg/kg in egg albumin-induced passive paw anaphylaxis compared to the peak increase for both standard and test groups, but with the aqueous extract exhibiting a greater level of decrease in paw size than methanol extract. Conclusion: The aqueous and methanol root bark extracts of Calotropis procera possesses Anti-inflammatory activity in in vivo anti-allergic tests on animal models, thus support the folkloric use of the plant in inflammatory and allergic conditions including asthma. Key words: Calotropis procera; Anti-inflammatory; Allergy; Carrageenan; Egg albumin

Pedogeochemical assessment of wetland soils in Hadejia- Jama’are river basin in the Nigerian Sahel savanna

Understanding the pedo-geochemical assessment of wetland soils in the Hadejia/Jama`are river basin in the Sahel savannah of Nigeria is paramount for efficiently planning the long-term sustainable use of the wetlands and is paramount for reliably estimating soil contamination. Namely, five (5) different wetland sites were selected; Masama 1 and 2, Sinamu 1 and 2, and Tandanu while one from the Drylands of Tandanu. A pit was excavated to a depth of 1.5 m at each site, except where there is an elevated water table or impenetrable stratum, and soil samples were collected from three identifiable horizons (Bt2, Bt1, and Ap, respectively). The results of principal component and cluster analysis showed that total and labile Pb, total Zn, and labile Cr were considered the most influential heavy elements for identifying pedogenic and sedimentological processes in the wetlands of the study area. It also showed that Pb, Zn, and Cr came from the same source in all soils examined. Therefore, we concluded that the soils in all the wetlands studied are at high risk of toxic effects from Pb and Zn contamination. It is strongly recommended that heavy metals be decontaminated at all surveyed sites before further use for agricultural purposes

Bio-Ethanol Production from Fruit and Vegetable Waste by Using <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em>

Waste from the food is a challenge to the environment all over the globe, hence there is need to be recycled. Vegetables and fruits biomass is a resource of renewable energy with significant fuel source potential for the production of electricity and steam, fuel for consumption and laboratory solvents. Bioethanol derived from biomass contributed 10–14% of the total world energy supply and solved the world crisis such as global warming and depletion of fossil fuel. Presently, bioethanol is a global issue on the efforts to reduced global pollution, contributed significantly by the petroleum or diesel combustion or combination of both. Vegetables and fruits waste significantly contains high sugar which can be utilized and serve as a raw material in the production of renewable energy using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Though 80% of the current bioethanol are generated from edible materials such as starch and sugar. Biomass from lignocellulosic gathered more attention recently. The objective of this review is to account for the procedures involved in the production of bioethanol from biomass of fruits and vegetable waste through a fermentation process using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this chapter, we discussed the biomass preparation and fermentation techniques for bioethanol and reviewed the results of different fruits and vegetable waste. We found pineapple and orange fruit biomass contain a higher amount of bioethanol and easier to extract than the other fruit and vegetable wastes. Recent review coined out that dry biomass of fruit and vegetable is a promising feedstock in the utilization of bioethanol production

Public Dialogue in Disaster Situations and Physical Planning Inadequacies: Focus on the Devastating June 16, 2018 Bauchi Rainstorm

Bauchi experienced a catastrophic disaster event on 16 June, 2018. Consequently, there have been public discussions and irritations about the event and the inadequacies of public-sector town planning practitioners. 130  residents of Bauchi metropolis were sampled randomly and their concerns documented. The study revealed that poor housing conditions, urban poverty, corruption in planning authorities, substandard infrastructural provision and the non-adherence to development control regulations were the major human and administrative contributions to the catastrophic outcome of the disaster. Keywords: Disaster, Physical planning, Rainstorm, Public, Dialogue, Inadequacies

Prediction of railway embankment slope hydromechanical properties under bidirectional water level fluctuations

Railway embankment slopes are exposed to natural hazards such as excess rainfall, floods, earthquakes, and lake water/groundwater level variations. These are generally considered during the design, construction, and maintenance periods of the embankment. In this study, combined laboratory test methods and a computational approach were applied to assess the effect of groundwater level changes on the railway embankment. The Plackett–Burman (PBD), Box–Behnken design response surface methodology (BBD-RSM), and an artificial neural network (ANN) were used to predict the behavior of the embankment soil hydromechanical properties to determine the integrity of the embankment as water level fluctuates under varied seasonal conditions. The results show that the seepage line is concave during the rising water level (RWL) period, and the railway slope’s static stability factor surges and then stabilizes. Further analysis found that the slope’s stability is largely affected by some of the hydromechanical properties of the soil embankment material, such as the internal friction angle (ϕ), soil density (ρs), and cohesion (c). The second-order interaction factors c x s, x s, and s2 also affect the stability factor. It was observed that the four most sensitive parameters under both falling water level (FWL) and RWL conditions are ϕ, ρs, c, and rate of fall/rise in water level (H). The statistical evaluation of the RSM model produced R2 values of 0.99(99) and 0.99, with MREs of 0.01 and 0.24 under both RWL and FWL conditions, respectively, while for ANN, they produced R2 values of 0.99(99) and 0.99(98), with MRE values of 0.02 and 0.21, respectively. This study demonstrates that RSM and ANN performed well under these conditions and enhanced accuracy, efficiency, iterations, trial times, and cost-effectiveness compared to full laboratory experimental procedures