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

Prevalence and Risk Factors of High Risk Human Papillomavirus Infections among Women Attending Gynaecology Clinics in Kano, Northern Nigeria

Cervical cancer is the most common female cancer in northern Nigeria, yet the pattern of infection with human papillomavirus, the principal aetiologic agent is unknown. This was a preliminary study conducted in two referral hospitals in order to establish base-line data on the prevalence and risk factors for the infection in Kano state, Nigeria. Fifty (50) randomly selected women aged 18 years and above were recruited from gynaecology clinics in Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and Aminu Kano teaching Hospital. Relevant sexual and socio-demographic information were obtained from each subject using a questionnaire. Exfoliated cervical cells were harvested and processed using Polymerase Chain Reaction to identify the DNAs of high-risk HPV types 16 and 18. The prevalence rate of HPV infection was 76% [(38/50) at 95% CI=61.8-86.9] with 60.5% (23/38) having co-infections with both HPV type 16 and 18. Risk factors of the infection include low literacy level; living in rural settlements; low parity; early menarche (<15 years of age); early onset of first sexual intercourse (≤16 years of age) and multiple sexual partners. There was however, no statistically significant association between oral contraceptive usage and acquisition of the infections. Findings of this study suggest a high prevalence of HPV types 16 and 18 among women attending gynaecology clinic in Kano and thus called for more elaborate community based study in order to establish the magnitude of the problem from wider perspective.Keywords: Human Papillomavirus; Prevalence; Risk Factors, Northern Nigeri

Penetrating abdominal injuries in children: a study of 33 cases

Background: Trauma is gradually becoming a major cause of disability and it can be of any form, physical or emotional. For the surgeon the physical form is of major interest, especially its causes and incidence, which can be influenced by environmental or social factors.Aim: The aim of this work was to study the incidence, etiology, principles of management and outcome of children with penetrating abdominal injuries.Materials and methods: This was a 2-year prospective study of 33 children aged 0–15 years with penetrating abdominal injuries at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in northeast Nigeria. Information obtained included the following: the patient’s biodata, mechanism of injury, time of presentation to the Accident and Emergency Department after the injury, haemodynamic status at presentation, presence or absence of abdominal organ evisceration, presence or absence of associated injuries, the timing of surgery, intraoperative findings, the type of surgical procedure and outcome.Results: Thirty-three (31.4%) children [of whom 24 (i.e. 72.7%) were from the rural areas] of 105 children with trauma-related injuries had penetrating abdominal injuries. The male : female ratio was 3 : 1, and the mean age ± SD was 2.30± 0.81 years. There were 15 (45.4%) children with gunshot wounds, 11 (33.3%) with bomb blast wounds, three (9.1%) with impalement injuries and two (6.1%) with arrow injuries. Fourteen (42.4%) patients had abdominal organ evisceration; of them, nine were as a result of gunshot injuries. Routine exploratory laparotomy was carried out in all 33 patients. Seven (21.2%) were operated on with simultaneous resuscitation in the immediate laparotomy group, and 26 (78.8%) underwent delayed laparotomy. There was a negative laparotomy in four (12.1%) patients, two of whom had only omental evisceration with no other accompanying visceral injuries, and two without evisceration. Three (9.1%) patients died after developing enterocutaneous fistula, compartment syndrome and sepsis.Conclusion: There were more cases of penetrating abdominal injuries among boys and children from the rural areas than in those from urban areas.Keywords: evisceration, exploratory laparotomy, penetrating abdominal injur

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

Cloud-based online social network

International audienceOnline social media network has become part of human life by transforming the way users create new social relations or relate with family and friends. Online social network (OSN) has drastically increased the rate at which people interact with each other by simplifying the means of communication. However, privacy is raising a serious concern. All user generated data within the OSN system need to be protected against unauthorized friends or hackers or even against the provider of OSN. Many research works are going on to encounter the privacy issues in OSN. This paper analyses the limitations of the recent work being done in this field and proposes an efficient abstract solution to them

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