Effects of millet malt wort on brewer's yeast

The effect of Pearl Millet, Penniserum americanum (L), malt won obtained by modified infusion method of  mashmg was investigated on the brewers yeast, Saccharomyces uvarum, growth and fermentation  performance. Bud formation in the yeast was observed nine hows into the initiation of. the fermentation process which slowed down towards the termination of the fermentation period with cells looking elongated and with irregular buds. Yeast generation time was high .(32 to 40 hours) with low number of generation (5 to 8) and low growth rate 5.1 x 10-4 ). The percent acidity as acetic acid was low (50%) however, the won pH was satisfactory (3.8). Malting regime was found to have direct correlation with yeast viable counts as the won obtained from the 3 day regime malt gave the highest viable counts. Yeast viability was maintained for the three pitching cycles. Erythrodextrin and amylodextrin were largely the prcxlucts of the unconverted starch in the 3 - day and 2 - day regime wort - derived malt respectively. Yeast flocculence in the wort. Alcohol percent by volume obtained was 1ow ( 1.3 % V. V). This cereal appears inadequate for beer production due to the low extract content of the wort

Influence of Variation in the Composition of Fine Aggregate on the Properties of Sandcrete Blocks

Sandcrete block is predominantly used for the construction of walls.  Sandcrete block is made from a mixture of cement and fine aggregate (sharp sand). This study investigates the influence of variation in the composition of fine aggegate on the properties of sandcrete block. Laboratory experiments were conducted on the materials used as well as on the hollow sandcrete block samples. A total of 120 sandcrete block samples were produced using cement and sharp sand at different mix ratios of 1:6 or 1:8 mixes, as well as mixes containing partial replacement of sharp sand with fine sand or granite dust at 1:6:2, 1:5:3 and 1:4:4 by volume. Result revealed that the compressive strength at 21 and 28 days curing age for 1:6 mixes are 3.87 N/mm2 and 4.17 N/mm2 respectivelyand for the 1:8 mixes are 2.81 N/mm2 and 2.95 N/mm2 respectively. For cement, sharp sand and fine sand constituents of 1:6:2, 1:5:3 and 1:4:4; the compressive strength at 28 days curing is 2.24 N/mm2, 1.72 N/mm2 and 2.5 N/mm2 respectively. Similarly, for cement, sharp sand and granite dust constituents, 28 days compressive strength are 2.13 N/mm2, 1.61 N/mm2 and 1.42 N/mm2 respectively. The study recommends appropriate mix proportion for sandcrete block constituents to avoid huge lifecycle maintenance cost

Mitigating Climate Change Effects Using Eco-Friendly Wood Preservatives

Climate change, due to global warming has serious environmental phenomena, which result into loss of biodiversity. In view of the depleting effect of climate change on renewable forest resources, particularly woody species, it becomes necessary to consider strategies of preserving the limited wood resources using local preservatives. Consequently, a study was conducted to assess the effects of eco-friendly locally developed wood preservatives on the resistance of Triplochiton scleroxylon (Obeche) to termites attack. The research was carried out in 3 different locations, with 4 different treatments in Bassa L.G.A. of Plateau State. Thus, 3 termites’ mounds were randomly isolated and labeled as locations A, B, and C. For each of the locations, 80 wood specimens were prepared for the field trail. Sixty (60) of the samples were treated with the various preservatives as follows: neem oil (20 pieces), mahogany oil (20 pieces), and shea butter oil (20 pieces). The remaining 20 pieces served as control. All the 240 wood specimens were spread on the sites where the presence of the termites was endemic for 24 weeks. Thereafter the degree of attack was estimated by measuring the length of furrow, and recording loss in weight of the wood samples. The data obtained were subjected to ANOVA to test for the level of significance between the locations and treatments. Results of the experiment showed that all the locally extracted wood preservatives significantly resisted the termites attack in treated wood samples. Neem-oil treated wood samples recorded the highest significant resistance, having the least (0.01cm) mean length of furrow and the least () mean weight loss. This is trailed alongside by mahogany oil (0.0017kg) and shea butter-oil () treated wood samples showing significant resistance against termites’ invasion. Thus neem-oil extract is recommended as an eco-friendly protection against termite attack. Further studies can still be researched, on the most effective concentration(s) of neem-oil extract against termites’ infestation and other biodegrading organisms. Key words: Obeche wood, Termites, Neem-oil, Mahogany-oil, Shea butter-oil

Feasibility and Econometrics Assessment of Standalone and Hybrid RE Facilities for Rural Community Utilization and Embedded Generation in North-West, Nigeria

This study assessed the feasibility and economic viability of renewable energy resources for power generation at rural communities of six sites in North-West Nigeria. A specific electric load profile was developed to suite the rural communities made up of 200 homes, a school and health centre. The required load was analysed as 358 kWh per day, with 46 kW primary peak load and 20 kW deferrable peak load. The employed data obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Department, were those of daily mean wind speeds, daily global solar radiation, sunshine hours, minimum and maximum air temperature, and minimum and maximum relative humidity for 24 years spanning 1987-2010. The assessment of the design that will optimally meet the daily load demand with LOLP of 0.01 was carried out by considering 3 standalone applications of PV, Wind and Diesel, and a hybrid design of Wind-PV. The outcome showed that the most economically viable alternative for power generation at the different locations in Gusau, Kaduna and Yelwa was the hybrid system while wind standalone suffices for the other sites. The values of LCOE for the both the hybrid and standalone wind system are competitive with grid electricit

Prevalence of malaria parasites among blood donors in Kaduna, Nigeria

Background: Transmission of malaria parasites through blood transfusion is a well-known serious risk. Screening of blood donors for malaria as recommended by WHO is currently not included in the protocols of many Nigerian blood banks. Presence of asymptomatic Plasmodium species carriers (APCs) in some northern parts of the state has already been demonstrated using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and microscopic examination of Giemsa stained blood films. This research was undertaken to determine the prevalence of malaria parasites among blood donors in Kaduna state, Nigeria.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the blood donors in the three selected Hospitals of Kaduna state. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data regarding demographic profile. Written informed consent was obtained and questionnaire was completed by respondents selected through simple random sampling. 360 blood donors were tested for malaria parasites through microscopic examination of Giemsa stained thick and thin blood films. The data were analysed using Statistical analysis system (SAS) and statistical software for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.Results: A total of 27 (7.5%) of the blood donors had malaria parasites in their blood. Plasmodium falciparum was the only malaria parasite species encountered. There were no mixed infections and no other blood parasites were observed. The prevalence of malaria parasites in the blood donors was significantly associated with occupation (c2=24.0845, df=6, p= 0.0005) and blood group (c2=10.589, df=4, p= O.032). The infected subjects had parasites densities of between 88-250 parasites/µl with a mean parasite density of 126 parasites/µl of blood.Conclusions: The prevalence of malaria parasites among blood donors was 7.5% Blood donors should be routinely screened for malaria parasites and the blood marked negative or positive as the case may be. Recipients of malaria parasites positive blood should be given prophylactic treatment to prevent transfusion related malaria (TRM).

Understanding Etiologies of Road Traffiffic Crashes, Injuries, and Death for Patients at National Hospital Abuja: A Qualitative Content Analysis Using Haddon\u27s Matrix

Road traffic crashes and sequelae are reaching pandemic proportions globally and have currently achieved disproportionately high levels in Nigeria. Quantitative studies are accumulating in the peer-reviewed literature, but there is a paucity of qualitative research in Nigeria. Data for this study of structural and behavioral factors of road traffic crashes and injuries in Federal Capital Territory were collected in semi-structured interviews with crash survivors at National Hospital Abuja. Interviews were analyzed via qualitative content analysis, revealing crash location and participant beliefs about crash etiologies. Units of analysis were developed from participant statements and were structured within four a priori etiologic categories using Haddon\u27s (1980) matrix: human-, vehicle-, physical environment-, and socioeconomic environment-related. Subcategories were generated. Human-related subcategories included reckless behavior and drivers, limited technical knowledge and skill. Vehicle-related subcategories included vehicular disrepair and lack of safety equipment. Physical environment-related subcategories included road disrepair, infrastructural inadequacy, and weather. Socioeconomic environment-related subcategories included government, prehospital care, money, and prayer. Subcategories were organized temporally by pre-event, event, and post-event phases, with most units of analysis allocated in the preevent phase. These qualitative results can be utilized to guide future research along community-aligned priorities, and to structure community-engaged preventative and interventional efforts