The Physicochemical Potentials of Water from Bore Holes, Tube Wells, Water Harvesters, Water Hawkers and Direct Fetching from Open Water Sources Like Lakes and Rivers in Makurdi Benue State and Keffi, Nasarawa State Nigeria. A Quest for Sustainable Develo

World Water Day- 22 March 2018 with the theme ‘Nature for Water’ – is exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we are facing in the 21st century. The  Sustainable Development Goal 6  committed the world to ensure that everyone has access to safe water by 2030 .Looking around our environment are  simple but definite sources of water that can generate up to 5000l water  or more at a time year round . Some boreholes, rivers, tube wells, water harvesters, water hawkers and direct fetching from open water sources like lakes and rivers within 2 areas Keffi Nasarawa State and Makurdi Benue State Nigeria were sampled and analysed for physicochemical and bacterial load properties. Results are displayed side by side the WHO /Nigeria Guidelines for Drinking  Water standards 2005  .Relatively high values are recorded for total solids ,  total hardness ,color , conductivity and bacterial load  per 100ml in both cities  which can be treated with simple and available  water treatment equipment .  Sustainable Development Goal 6 ensuring that everyone has access to safe water by 2030 is realizable and affordable if the proper will is in place. Keywords: Sustainable, Guidelines, physicochemical, water and equipment DOI: 10.7176/CMR/11-4-02 Publication date: April 30th 201

Green Chemistry to the Resque of Disasters of the 1900 -2020 Period

There is uncertainty about several aspects of the Covid-19 origin story that scientists are trying hard to unravel, including which species passed to humans. They are trying hard because knowing how a pandemic starts is a key to stopping the next one. Green chemistry emerged from a variety of existing ideas and research efforts - characterization is one major analytical technique in our laboratories and so Scientists moved rapidly to characterize 2019-nCoV and widely disseminated their findings amongst the international research community as quickly as possible including the basic Viral Structure and Mechanism of Infection. Coronaviruses are large, enveloped, positive-stranded RNA viruses. They have the largest genome among all RNA viruses, typically ranging from 27 to 32 kb. The genome is packed inside a helical capsid formed by the nucleocapsid protein (N) and further surrounded by an envelope. One important example of this is the homology models of the novel coronavirus cysteine protease produced by Martin Stoermer etal (2020) . It is also established that disasters during the century 1900- 2020 were avoidable if the principles of green chemistry were applied to prevent future pandemics. Keywords: Coronaviruses, Covid-19, Green chemistry, RNA, Pandemic, Characterization DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-2-03 Publication date: February 28th 202

Heavy Metals Accumulation and Phytoremediation Ability of Onion (Allium cepa) and Garlic (Allium sativum) Grown on Contaminated Soils from Challawa Industrial Estate, Kano, Nigeria

This work was designed to assess and compare the heavy metals accumulation and phytoremediation ability of some allium species (Garlic; Allium sativum and Onion; Allium cepa) grown on two different soils (contaminated and Control soils) using standard methods. Heavy metals (of Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) Concentrations (mg/Kg) were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS Model: 210VGP). Plants growth and biomass production were assessed. Biological concentration factors (BCF) and translocation factors (TF) were calculated. The mean levels of elements obtained ranged widely from 0.55 mg/Kg Ni to 1830.64 mg/Kg Fe. The results showed that onion accumulated higher concentrations of all the heavy metals compared to garlic with exception of Zn. However, the differences in heavy metal concentrations where significant only in Cr and Mn. Phytoremediation efficiency indices (BCF and TF) showed a similar trend for both onion and garlic. The mean BCF values of Pb, Cr, Zn, Mn and Fe in onion were generally high > 1. Ni and Pb had their mean TF values greater than 1. Thus, onion can be used as potential phytoextraction plant. The similarities in most of these metal accumulation trends, BCF and TF between onion and garlic might be due to their being similar species with similar physiological features and from the same family

Design and fabrication of a cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) peeling machine

The processing of cocoyam tubers for industrial or human use involves different operations of which peeling is the major problem. This study was aimed at designing, fabricating and carrying out performance evaluation of a cocoyam peeling machine, taking into consideration some physical and mechanical properties of the cocoyam tubers. The machine was evaluated based on the following parameters which includes; throughput capacity and peeling efficiency at the speeds of 400 rpm, 700 rpm and 933 rpm. Results revealed that, for all the speeds tested in the experiment, the corresponding peeling efficiencies of the machine were 50%, 64% and 68% respectively while that of the throughput capacities were 63.20 kg/hr, 84.90 kg/hr and 112.92 kg/hr respectively. It was observed that 933 rpm speed was the most suitable speed for the operation of this machine, as it had higher peeling efficiency of 68% with a throughput capacity of 112.92 kg/hr. These results showed appreciable improvement over manual method which is 20 – 35 kg/hr

High Energy X-Ray Dosimetry Using (ZnO)0.2(TeO2)0.8 Thin Filmbased Real-time X-Ray Sensor

This study reports the dosimetric response of a (ZnO)0.2(TeO2)0.8 thin film sensor irradiated with high-energy X-ray radiation at various doses. The spray pyrolysis method was used for the film deposition on soda-lime glass substrate using zinc acetate dehydrate and tellurium dioxide powder as the starting precursors. The structural and morphological properties of the film were determined. The I-V characteristics measurements were performed during irradiation with a 6 MV X-ray beam from a Linac. The results revealed that the XRD pattern of the AS-deposited thin film is non-crystalline (amorphous) in nature. The FESEM image shows the non-uniform shape of nanoparticles agglomerated separately, and the EDX spectrum shows the presence of Te, Zn, and O in the film. The I-V characteristics measurements indicate that the current density increases linearly with X-ray doses (0-250 cGy) for all applied voltages (1-6 V). The sensitivity of the thin film sensor has been found to be in the range of 0.37-0.94 mA/cm2 /Gy. The current-voltage measurement test for fading normalised in percentage to day 0 was found in the order of day 0 > day 15 > day 30 > day 1 > day 2. These results are expected to be beneficial for fabricating cheap and practical X-ray sensors

Suicide risk among psychiatric in-patients in north-central Nigeria

Background: Over the last 45 years, mortality due to suicide has increased in some developed and developing countries among both adults and young people. Suicide has also been reported to be high for individuals with substance abuse, mood and personality disorders, and relatively low rates were reported for patients with anxiety disorders. This study was therefore to determine the socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with the risk of suicide among psychiatric in-patients in North-Central Nigeria.Objective: The aim of this study is to look at the socio-demographic and clinical correlates of having suicide risk among psychiatric in-patients.Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on 112 in-patients admitted in the psychiatric wards of BSUTH Makurdi, FMC Makurdi and JUTH Jos during the study period of July to September, 2017. Every consecutive in-patient who consented for the study was assessed with a proforma carefully designed bythe authors to measure socio-demographic and clinical attributes. Suicide risk was determined using the 'Suicidality Module' of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.).Results: Forty-five (40.2%) were males while 67(59.8%) were females. The mean age was 36.98 ±11.09 years, fifty- four (48.2%) subjects were still married at the time of the study. Eighty subjects representing 71.4% of the respondents reported having low (46), moderate (16) or high (18) suicide risk. Having a risk of suicide was significantly associated with the history of default (p=0.001), previous episodes of illness (p=0.005), co-morbid diagnosis (p=0.001), long duration of illness (p=0.001), and not having a good relationship with sexual partner (p=0.002).Conclusion: The study justifies the need for the assessment of suicide risk among in-patients with high degree of suspicion.Keywords: Suicide risk, in-patient, correlate

Preliminary Study on the Potassium content of Nigerian Bananas and the Methanolic Extraction, Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Studies of Oils from Banana Peels

Banana is eaten all over the world by all sections of the population. It is known to contain potassium and it has been suggested that it could serve as a source of potassium. Recently, a valuable chemical component, a lectin, called BanLec, was isolated from banana fruit and found to possess anti-HIV-1 activity. However, the peels of banana are thrown away as rubbish and farmers are known to use them as feed for their animals. It is therefore necessary to determine the potassium content of some Nigerian bananas and to also extract the oils from their peels. The components of the extracted oils are to be determined and tested for their biological activity. The potassium content of five (5) varieties of Nigerian bananas (Dwarf Cavendish AAA GP; Lady Finger AA GP; Dwarf Chinese Double; Double Dwarf Senorata AA GP; Giant Cavendish (Williams) AAA GP and Dwarf Red AAA GP) was determined using flame photometer. The potassium content varied from 0.15 mg/g (Dwarf Red) to 1.80 mg/g (Lady Finger). Compared to the value of 358 mg per 100 g reported in the literature, these values are very low and considerable lower than the RDA of 4700 mg. The conclusion is that Nigerian bananas will not be a viable source of potassium for candidates with potassium deficiency. A report on the methanolic extract of oil from their peels is given. Two (2) of the five (5) varieties were chosen and methanolic extraction of oils from their peels was undertaken. The crude extract was subjected to phytochemical analysis, which revealed the presence of the following of steroids, saponin and terpenoids, anthraquinones and tannins. A report is also given on antimicrobial studies of the methanolic extracts, which revealed that the oils were effective against some bacteria

Determinants of low family planning use and high unmet need in Butajira District, South Central Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The rapid population growth does not match with available resource in Ethiopia. Though household level family planning delivery has been put in place, the impact of such programs in densely populated rural areas was not studied. The study aims at measuring contraception and unmet need and identifying its determinants among married women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 5746 married women are interviewed from October to December 2009 in the Butajira Demographic Surveillance Area. Contraceptive prevalence rate and unmet need with their 95% confidence interval is measured among married women in the Butajira district. The association of background characteristics and family planning use is ascertained using crude and adjusted Odds ratio in logistic regression model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Current contraceptive prevalence rate among married women is 25.4% (95% CI: 24.2, 26.5). Unmet need of contraception is 52.4% of which 74.8% was attributed to spacing and the rest for limiting. Reasons for the high unmet need include commodities' insecurity, religion, and complaints related to providers, methods, diet and work load. Contraception is 2.3 (95% CI: 1.7, 3.2) times higher in urbanites compared to rural highlanders. Married women who attained primary and secondary plus level of education have about 1.3 (95% CI: 1.1, 1.6) and 2 (95% CI: 1.4, 2.9) times more risk to contraception; those with no child death are 1.3 (95% CI: 1.1, 1.5) times more likely to use contraceptives compared to counterparts. Besides, the odds of contraception is 1.3 (95% CI: 1.1, 1.6) and 1.5 (1.1, 2.0) times more likely among women whose partners completed primary and secondary plus level of education. Women discussing about contraception with partners were 2.2 (95% CI: 1.8, 2.7) times more likely to use family planning. Nevertheless, contraception was about 2.6 (95% CI: 2.1, 3.2) more likely among married women whose partners supported the use of family planning.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The local government should focus on increasing educational level. It must also ensure family planning methods security, increase competence of providers, and create awareness on various methods and their side effects to empower women to make an appropriate choice. Emphasis should be given to rural communities.</p

Characterisation of colistin resistance in Gram-negative microbiota of pregnant women and neonates in Nigeria

A mobile colistin resistance gene mcr was first reported in 2016 in China and has since been found with increasing prevalence across South-East Asia. Here we survey the presence of mcr genes in 4907 rectal swabs from mothers and neonates from three hospital sites across Nigeria; a country with limited availability or history of colistin use clinically. Forty mother and seven neonatal swabs carried mcr genes in a range of bacterial species: 46 Enterobacter spp. and single isolates of; Shigella, E. coli and Klebsiella quasipneumoniae. Ninety percent of the genes were mcr-10 (n = 45) we also found mcr-1 (n = 3) and mcr-9 (n = 1). While the prevalence during this collection (2015-2016) was low, the widespread diversity of mcr-gene type and range of bacterial species in this sentinel population sampling is concerning. It suggests that agricultural colistin use was likely encouraging sustainment of mcr-positive isolates in the community and implementation of medical colistin use will rapidly select and expand resistant isolates