Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Western Part of Bayero University New Campus and it’s Environs

This research aimed at assessing the quality of groundwater for safe drinking in the western part of BUK’s new campus and its environs, Kano state. In achieving the aim, a total of ten (10); five (5) boreholes and five (5) hand-dugged wells were selected at random across the area, taking into consideration the fact that thousands of staff and students depend on these sources. Water from each of the selected wells was sampled in a sterilized 500 mL plastic container and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Fourteen relevant parameters on the test of water quality were taken into consideration. Analysis of physical parameters was made in-situ using a PC400 portable pH/COND/EC/Temp meter. The result reveals that electrical conductivity is the only parameter with a mean concentration of 437.9 mg/L higher than the maximum permissible limit of 400 mg/L sets by the World Health Organization, 2011. The mean values of other physical parameters are within the standards. Chemical parameters analysis reveals that chloride (335.5 mg/L), calcium (781.3 mg/L), sodium (62.5 mg/L) and magnesium (115.9 mg/L) are the parameters with concentrations higher than the maximum permissible levels of 250 mg/L, 100 mg/l, 50 mg/L, and 50mg/L respectively, all in Tudun Malumai area. Therefore, with the exception of this area, all other sources investigated are safe for drinking by meeting the standard requirements. The high concentration of chloride in the Tudun Malumai area is attributed to the use of inorganic fertilizers and animal feeding. Distillation, one of the oldest, and yet still very effective methods of purifying water sources is highly recommended

A secure data outsourcing scheme based on Asmuth – Bloom secret sharing

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Data outsourcing is an emerging paradigm for data management in which a database is provided as a service by third-party service providers. One of the major benefits of offering database as a service is to provide organisations, which are unable to purchase expensive hardware and software to host their databases, with efficient data storage accessible online at a cheap rate. Despite that, several issues of data confidentiality, integrity, availability and efficient indexing of users’ queries at the server side have to be addressed in the data outsourcing paradigm. Service providers have to guarantee that their clients’ data are secured against internal (insider) and external attacks. This paper briefly analyses the existing indexing schemes in data outsourcing and highlights their advantages and disadvantages. Then, this paper proposes a secure data outsourcing scheme based on Asmuth–Bloom secret sharing which tries to address the issues in data outsourcing such as data confidentiality, availability and order preservation for efficient indexing

Optimization of insulated HfO2 dielectrics of GaN/InN/GaN/ In0.1Ga0.9N enhancement mode of MIS-HEMT heterostructure for high frequency power amplifier applications

In this paper, the enhancement-mode operation of the hetestructure of GaN/InN/GaN/In0.1Ga0.9N of the Metal Insulator Semiconductor High Electron Mobility Transistor (MIS-HEMTs) device having lnN-channel was investigated. The effect of scaling the device dimensions of Metal Insulator, such as the dielectric thickness of HfO2 and the channel lengths, on the electrical performances was analyzed and compared to the currently used heterostructure. The numerical simulation of synopsis TCAD used showed a significant improvement in the electrical properties of the device that achieved a threshold voltage (VT) = 0.828 maximum drain current of 1.77 A/mm V, transconductance (gm) of 2.29 S.mm−1, lowest ON-state resistance (RON) of 0.21 Ω.mm, and along with high-frequency performance achieving fT/ fmax of 98 GHz/129 GHz and 200 GHz/ 360 GHz respectively. The simulations also showed that this scaled GaN/ InN/ GaN/ In0.9Al0.1N heterostructure MIS-HEMT is an excellent substitute to the currently used MIS-HEMTs for delivering high power density and frequency at RF/power amplifier applications.Keywords: Enhancement mode, Hydrodynamic simulation, InN channel, MIS-HEMT, In0.9Al0.1N barrier/buffer, HfO2, TCH, Transconductanc

Unilateral high bifurcation of brachial artery: a case report

The Brachial artery usually begins as the continuation of the Axillary Artery at the inferior border of the Teres Major muscle and terminates by bifurcating into radial and ulnar arteries in the cubital fossa. A case of unilateral bifurcation of the artery 7.5 cm distal to the inferior border of the Teres Major muscle in the proximal half of the right arm was identified in a northern Nigerian cadaver that was dissected by medical students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The Profunda Brachii, Superior Ulnar Collateral and Inferior Ulnar Collateral arteries arose from the relatively short brachial arterial trunk. Although the documented incidence of this anatomical variation is low in Nigeria, its concomitant widespread documentation in other parts of the world makes it a sufficiently important anatomical variation of the Brachial Artery, to warrant its being taught to students of Anatomy and Medicine. The knowledge of anatomical variations of the brachial artery and its branches is also important in radiological and clinical practice.Keywords: Anatomical variation, brachial, artery, Nigeri

Nanocomposites transformed from polystyrene waste/antimony, barium and nickel oxides nanoparticles with improved thermal and electrical properties

In this experiment, the oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via chemical precipitation and the nanocomposites were produced using in situ polymerization method with varying nanoparticles contents ranged from 0.1 g to 1.0 g for electrical conductivity and from 0.05 g to 0.25 g for thermal conductivity. The electrical and thermal conductivities of nanocomposites were investigated and compared with the values obtained for untreated polystyrene. It was observed that the electrical and thermal properties were higher for the nanocomposites and increase with increasing nanoparticle concentrations in the samples. It can be observed that nanocomposite containing NiO nanoparticles gave a better electrical and thermal conductivity followed by nanocomposite containing BaO nanoparticles and nanocomposite containing Sb2O3 nanoparticles respectively. It can also be observed that nanocomposite containing NiO nanoparticle showed increase in rate of heat transfer from 1.60 W to 2.60 W, while nanocomposite containing BaO nanoparticles recorded increase in rate of heat transfer from 1.40 W to 2.45 W and nanoomposite containing Sb2O3 nanoparticle showed increase in rate of heat transfer from 1.07 W to 2.21 W, as concentration of nanoparticles increased from 0.05 g to 0.25 g respectively. Conclusively, with these results, the nanocomposite containing NiO nanoparticles gave a better thermal and electrical conductivity by having a better conducting filler network inside the matrix than nanocomposite containing BaO nanoparticles and nanocomposite containing Sb2O3 nanoparticles. It is recommended that during the production of polymer nanocomposite, PS/NiO, PS/BaO and PS/Sb2O3 nanocomposites could be used in electrically conductive devices as well as suitable materials for heat transfer applications

Effects of Herbal “Gadagi” Tea on Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Experimental Rats

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major cause of mortality worldwide in spite of the recent advances in medical and surgical treatment. Twenty Wistar albino rats were divided into Four (4) equal groups each comprising of five (5) members. The groups (A, B & C) were orally administered with prepared Herbal/Garlic “Gadagi” Tea, at low dose (3 mg/kg), standard dose (6 mg/kg) and high dose (12 mg/kg) respectively. Group D served as normal control. After two weeks of Herbal/Garlic “Gadagi” tea administration, all the 20 Wistar albino rats were sacrificed by decapitation and their blood samples were collected and used for biochemical analyses. Total Cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Sodium, Potassium, AST, CK, and LDH were analysed using standard methods. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of TC, LDL-Cholesterol, Potassium and CK in group C compared to control and significant decrease (P<0.05) in HDL-Cholesterol in group A compared to normal. Dose- dependent increases were observed (P<0.05) in TC, LDL-cholesterol, Triglycerides and LDH at 6mg/kg and 12mg/kg doses; Potassium at 3mg/kg and 6mg/kg doses and at 6mg/kg and 12mg/kg doses; CK at 3mg/kg and 6mg/kg doses respectively. Generally, the current research suggests that herbal/Garlic “Gadagi” tea might be a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, and may be toxic to both the heart and peripheral vascular tissues at doses beyond 6 mg/kg. Keywords: Gadagi, cardiovascular diseases, herbal medicine, tissue damage marker

Effects of rice husk ash on durability of self-compacting concrete made with cassava peel ash

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a highly flowable concrete with improved strength and surface smoothness. The preparation of SCC requires high amount of cement. This utilizes tremendous amount of energy and releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It is critical to reduce CO2 emissions during Portland cement (PC) manufacture by partially replacing cement in the SCC. This study evaluates the durability characteristics of SCC produced using cassava peel ash (CPA) combined with rice husk ash (RHA) at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 percent cement replacement levels respectively. The effects of water absorption, H2SO4 attack, MgSO4 attack, and high heat on SCC made with CPA and RHA blends were examined. The results show that, as CPA and RHA proportions rise by approximately 5% CPA and 10% CPA+RHA substitution, SCC compressive strength equates to design strength (grade 35). It was also discovered that CPA and RHA both enhance resistance to H2SO4 and MgSO4 degradation, but perform poorly when exposed to elevated temperatures when compared to the control specimen. However, when CPA is utilized with RHA in SCC, the rate of water absorption is reduced to a minimum due to an enhanced pore structure of the CPA-SCC specimen. Generally, a 5% CPA content is considered as the optimum replacement of cement for self-compacting concrete with grade 35

Countries experiences: review of district health management in developing and low developing countries

A strong healthcare system is characterized by efficient health service delivery, adequate manpower and resource generation, a sustainable financing system and good governance. District healthcare system is the one closest to the people and its performance in relation to resource allocation impacts directly on the community health status. Over the years, many of the developed nations have learned to prioritize it mainly because it remains the most ideal way of improving population health through activities of general health promotion, disease prevention and provision of basic medical care. In the developing countries, achievement of district health system is not uniform and even among countries with comparable income per capita, wide variations exist. While some have attained a commendable population health status by strengthening their district healthcare systems by redoubling government’s commitment, enhancing resource production, encouraging fairness in healthcare financing and adopting development-oriented health policies, many others are facing healthcare challenges from lack of political will, limited resource allocation and shortage of both manpower and service infrastructure. For these countries, there is an urgent need to transform the district health system so that new and existing health problems can be dealt with decisively and more efficiently. This will require a renewed commitment from the state governments, reprioritizing and readjustment of present health programs, an inter-sectorial collaboration that involves all relevant stakeholders including the communities, and a renewed investment in sustainable health policies that deliver maximum impact at minimal cost

Distribution and abundance of freshwater snails in Warwade Dam, Dutse, Northern Nigeria

Preliminary investigation in August, 2017 reported the presence of Lymnaea natalensis, Bellamya unicolor, Melanoides tuberculata and Bulinus globosus in order of increasing abundance and distribution in Warwade dam, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. A follow up study was carried out from April to October, 2019 to reveal further details on the abundance and distribution of freshwater snails in relation to some physiochemical factors of the dam. Four sampling sites; human activity, vegetation cover, lentic and lotic were selected for the study along the bank of the dam. Freshwater snails were collected using long handled scoop net with mesh 0.2mm complemented by hand picking methods in the four sampling sites. Water samples from the sampling sites were analyzed in the laboratory using standard procedures. A total of 2,027 of freshwater snails belonging to ten species were identified. Bulinus globosus 12(0.6%) and Lymnaea natalensis 12(0.6%) had the lowest abundance and distribution while Melanoides tuberculata 1553(76.6%) had the highest. Snail abundance was highest in site characterized by human activities (670) followed by vegetation (482), lotic (442) and lentic (433) waters. Most of the physico-chemical factors measured appeared to favour the growth and survival of fresh water snails. pH (p = 0.01), water current (p = <0.01) and magnesium ion concentration (p = < 0.01) varied significantly across the four sites. Only calcium ion concentration was significantly associated with snail abundance (p = 0.04). Snail abundance showed weak positive relationship with water temperature, color, turbidity and concentration of magnesium ion. The dam habours about ten species of freshwater snails in different abundance and distribution with M. tuberculata being the most abundant throughout the period of investigation. The dominance of M. tuberculata over other species particularly those of medical and veterinary importance could have positive implication for their control in the dam

Fabrication of exchange coupled hard/soft magnetic nanocomposites: Correlation between composition, magnetic, optical and microwave properties

This paper studied the exchange coupling performance beside structural and microwave properties of SrFe12O19 (SFO) and x(CoTm0.01Tb0.01Fe1.98O4) (CoTmTb) (x ≤ 3.0) hard/soft ferrites nanocomposites (NCs). The structure and morphology of NCs were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM and HR-TEM. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopic (DRS) measurements were applied on hexagonal ferrite, on spinel ferrite nanoparticles and on hard/soft NCs to specify the optical properties. Estimated Eg data are in a range between 1.32 and 1.79 eV. The magnetic properties were also inspected via measurements of magnetization (M) against magnetic field (H) at 300 K (RT) and 10 K (LT). The measurements performed at RT along with the plots of dM/dH versus H indicated that the NCs display good magnetic properties (exchange coupling behavior). The magnetic parameters such as (Ms, Mr, and Hc) show an enhancement in their values with an increasing the soft content at RT. Similarly, the maximum energy product (BH)max rises and reaches its max value for SFO/3(CoTmTb) NCs. Microwave properties of the SFO/x(CoTmTb) NCs were measured in the frequency range 33–50 GHz. From measured S11 and S21 parameters the main electrodynamic characteristics – permittivity and permeability (real and imaginary parts) were computed. © 2021 The Author(s)This work was financially supported by the Deanship for Scientific Research (Project application No. 2020-164-IRMC) of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU ? Saudi Arabia). Microwave characterization was partially supported by the Russian Science Foundation (Agreement No. 19-72-10071 from 06 Aug. 2019)