Estimation of Surface Siltation Rate in Tagwai Reservoir, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

This study examines the level of sediment deposit in the reservoir by estimating the reduction in surface area of the reservoir. In achieving these, a traverse survey was run through the bank the dam using TC 1201 Leica Total Station and its accessories from three set of control points namely; CSN 239,CSN 240 and CSN 241. Coordinates of the control points were given in three dimension (x,y,z) and hence the perimeter of the reservoir was obtained using Microsoft excel and surfer8 software in year 2010. Five years interval was chosen for estimation; therefore, a digitized spot5 satellite image of the reservoir was acquired for the year 2005. The perimeter area of the reservoir plotted from the field data in 2010 was superimposed on the digitized satellite image for 2005. The two areas measured 356ha and 340ha respectively. The result of the perimeter traverse revealed that about 3.7% of the surface area of the reservoir has been taken over by sediment deposit. The reduction is attributed to the environmental impact and long time morphological changes of the natural water. It is also as a result of particles transported through the runoff that entered the reservoir which is a function of watershed characteristics. Its effect is that, it present hazard to navigation, changes water stage and ground water condition. With this, vegetation growth around the bank of the reservoir, continuous monitoring of the sediment yield, conservation and erosion control is recommended

Mechanical and Fresh Properties of Sustainable Kenaf Fibrous Concrete Incorporating Sorghum Husk Ash

This article describes the findings of an experimental investigation on the performance of concrete using Kenaf Fiber (KF) and Sorghum Husk Ash (SHA) (CEM 1). To characterised the SHA (EDS), microstructural studies such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were performed. CEM 1 was used with the KBF (length, L = 50 mm) and five volume fractions ranging from 0 to 1.0 percent ( = 0.25 percent ). Following that, five concrete mixtures were cast with 10 percent SHA as a substitute for CEM 1. The samples were cured in water and their characteristics were evaluated in both the fresh and hardened stages. In new concrete, the use of Kenaf fibre and SHA lowered slump values while increased VeBe time. When Kenaf fibre was added to either CEM 1 or SHA concrete mixes, it resulted in a good interaction with high tensile and flexural strengths, as well as increased concrete ductility and crack dispersion. When 0.5 percent Kenaf Fibre was added to dry concrete at the age of 56 days, it resulted in the largest increase in tensile and flexural strengths. The research found that utilising KF and SHA to manufacture sustainable green concrete is both technologically and environmentally viabl

Evaluation of some Varieties of Okra (Abelmoschusesculentus) Seed Oil for Consumption and Industrial Uses

The demand for seeds oil is rapidly increasing due to the growth of the human population and the resulting increase in its consumption for both domestic and industrial uses. Hence, seed oils from three okra (Abelmoschusesculentus) varieties – Clemson spineless, ex-Samaru and NHAE-74 were extracted and their physicochemical properties were analysed and compared with some conventional seed oils. The percentage oil yield of the seeds determined for NHAE-74 (25.67±0.58 %) is significantly higher (p < 0.05) than Clemson spineless  (24.33±0.29 %) and ex-Samaru (23.05±0.50 %). The acid value (3.65±0.02, 1.96±0.01 and 2.24±0.02 mgKOH/g), Iodine Value (114.59±0.01,110.97±0.02 and 111.67±0.02 mg/100g) and Saponification value (122.02±0.19, 130.43±0.04 and 124.82±0.02 meqKOH/kg) of Clemson  spineless, ex-Samaru and NHAE-74, respectively differ significantly (p < 0.05) among the three varieties, while the peroxide value  (meqKOH/kg) of Clemson spineless (3.92±0.14) is significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the values of NHAE-74 (5.33±0.14) and ex-Samaru (5.00±0.25). The results further showed that the seed oil has a quality comparable to those of conventional oils and has great nutritional and industrial potentials

Research priorities during infectious disease emergencies in West Africa.

OBJECTIVES: This paper presents the results of the consultations conducted with various stakeholders in Africa and other experts to document community perspectives on the types of research to be prioritised in outbreak conditions. The Delphi method was used to distill consensus. RESULTS: Our consultations highlighted as key, the notion that in an infectious disease outbreak situation, the need to establish an evidence base on how to reduce morbidity and mortality in real time takes precedence over the production of generalizable knowledge. Research studies that foster understanding of how disease transmission could be prevented in the future remain important, implementation research that explores how to mitigate the impact of outbreaks in the present should be prioritized. Clinical trials aiming to establish the safety profile of therapeutic interventions should be limited during the acute phase of an epidemic with high fatality-and should preferably use adaptive designs. We concluded that community members have valuable perspectives to share about research priorities during infectious disease emergencies. Well designed consultative processes could help identify these opinions

Architecture and Contextualism in Mosque Design as a Multi-faith and Community Friendly Place: -

The research aims to outline the design strategy for a mosque as a third place to promote an inclusive community friendly place. The research employs a qualitative case study methodology through observation and interview. The findings reveal that an inclusive mosque architecture can be enhanced based on the following design strategies: scale intimacy, ease of previewing, minimalist and adaptive building, space ambient, and impermanence landscaping character. Above all, the relationship between design, function, space and programming should be reestablished to infuse the mosque's inclusion for the benefit of all faiths, particularly the community. Keywords: Multifaith Communal Area; Mosque Design and Contextualism. eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6i18.297

Investigating use of daylight in a typical Algerian public classroom typology

The presence of daylight affects human beings both physiologically and psychologically. Admitting daylight into an indoor enclosure improves mood, enhances morale, lowers fatigue, and reduces eyestrain. To adequately capture the characteristics of current daylight design practice in typical Algerian classroom A field observations was carried out in the study area which comprises the school buildings and including performing a series of measurements for daylighting inside the classrooms. This was further confirmed by the use of simulation using IES software. As investigated the standard sky condition in Algeria is overcast and based on this; the conceptual models of Algerian public schools are divided into two types of school buildings. Schools inherited from the colonial period and those built during the period of French occupation which are characterized by variation on the arrangements of classrooms even for a single school and are streamlined into; linear assembly with simple distribution (traditional classroom) which is common and the second type which has a linear assembly with double distribution. Based on the existing guideline from the Ministry of National Education which was adopted from the colonial masters. The simulation result confirm that class room typologies in Algeria had less consideration for climatic and comfort conditions and the window openings allowed excessive daylight

Considerations for community engagement when conducting clinical trials during infectious disease emergencies in West Africa.

Community engagement in research, including public health related research, is acknowledged as an ethical imperative. While medical care and public health action take priority over research during infectious disease outbreaks, research is still required in order to learn from epidemic responses. The World Health Organisation developed a guide for community engagement during infectious disease epidemics called the Good Participatory Practice for Trials of Emerging (and Re-emerging) Pathogens that are Likely to Cause Severe Outbreaks in the Near Future and for which Few or No Medical Counter-Measures Exist (GPP-EP). This paper identified priorities for community engagement for research conducted during infectious disease outbreaks drawing on discussions held with a purposive sample of bioethicists, social scientists, researchers, policy makers and laypersons who work with ethics committees in West Africa. These perspectives were considered in the light of the GPP-EP, which adds further depth and dimension to discussions on community engagement frameworks. It concludes that there is no presumptive justification for the exclusion of communities in the design, implementation and monitoring of clinical trials conducted during an infectious disease outbreak. Engagement that facilitates collaboration rather than partnership between researchers and the community during epidemics is acceptable

Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Energy Efficiency Awareness in Gulf Countries

Energy efficiency in the built environment has been adopted through several initiatives depending on the context of implementation; this paper further assesses Building Information Modelling (BIM) as a toolkit designed to tackle energy-related concerns in buildings. The paper leverages energy efficiency program cases of the gulf countries’ level of BIM adoption. This case study design was qualitatively approached in which literature and authoritative contents were reviewed to ascertain the region’s adoption of the technology as a body Gulf Cooperation Council. (GCC) and independently as a country (member states). It was identified that only Saudi Arabia and the UAE have BIM tied to their energy efficiency programs, unlike other member states that have energy efficiency programs with little or no trace of BIM. The GCC management committee is therefore saddled with the responsibility of implementing BIM. Utilizing BIM for sustainability will lead to significant savings through a combination of accurate energy monitoring, immediate decision support systems, actuators, and consumption form recognition.Najran University - grant No. [NU/IFC/2/SERC/-/14]

Assessment on Accuracy of Design Science Research (DSR) Framework as a Daylighting Measurement Tool for Islamic Religious School

Daylight efficiency correlates to window design. Guidelines recommend a 20 per cent window-to-floor ratio (WFR) at 900mm windowsill height, where acceptable 300 lx to 500 lx measured at 900mm working plane height.  However, Islamic religious schools use a 300mm height table known as ‘rehal’. Studies neglect the difference in required working plane height that effect window design and the illuminance level. A study was established to propose Syaheeza’s Daylight Rule of Thumb (DRT) for Islamic religious schools. This paper aims to highlight the reliability of the methodology framework used in Syaheeza’s DRT, such as surveys, Arabic handwriting performance assessment and computer simulations. Keywords: Daylighting; Islamic religious school; methodology framework eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6i17.287

Socio-economic Factors Influencing Extension Workers’ Effective use of Knowledge Management in Agricultural Extension Services

The study assessed the factors influencing extension workers effective use of Knowledge Management (KM) inSokoto State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling procedure was used to sample respondents from the study area andExtension Workers were selected from Sokoto Agricultural Development Project (SADP). Socio-economiccharacteristics were using structured questionnaire and a total of 188 respondents were sampled and data collectedanalysed using descriptive statistics and logit model as tools of analysis. The result of the study showed that 74.4% ofthe extension workers were male and majority (79.8%) were married. More so, 35% of the extension workers arewithin the age range of 31 – 40 years with household average size of 5-10 children. Majority (79%) of the extensionworkers had tertiary education. (35%) had experience ranging from 21-25 years on extension service delivery. About41% of respondents used motor cycle as a mean of transportation. Result of logit model shows that marital status,level of education, service experience, cosmopolitness and means of transportation had positive and significantrelationship with effectiveness of KM whereas household size and rank of extension workers had significant andnegative relationship with KM. It is therefore recommended that KM be encouraged and disseminated through topmanagement approach in SADP. This will avail quality and better extension service delivery by extension agencybecause the vast knowledge and experience garnered on effective extension service delivery by top managementofficer will be shared and passed on to junior officers. This will go in line with strengthening and improving thecapacity building of extension workers