Permeability Characteristics of the Foundation Materials of Gurara Dam, North Central Nigeria

A comparison of refraction seismic velocities, electrical resistivity and in-situ permeability   values were  used in this study to evaluate the relationship between permeability values and geophysical parameters in the basement rocks in Gurara Dam area, Kaduna State, North Central Nigeria. Seismic refraction shootings, borehole drilling and rock coring enhanced the interpretations of the geo-electrical studies. The presence of low resistivity values (200-700 W-m) on the electrical resistivity soundings coincided with low velocity transmission of seismic waves (500-1,500 m/sec.) in the saprolite. The results of drilling, coring and water testing, show that the basement rock is fresh and moderately permeable. The Lugeon values from the water pressure tests performed in boreholes show local variations of the generally moderate overall permeability. The permeability values in the basement rock fractures which lie between the depths of 20 and 40m vary between 35 and 1,620 x 10-7 m/s, meaning that the rocks require cement grouting for structural foundation works at these depths. The permeability values of rocks between 40 and 60m vary between 2.67 and 94.8 x10-7 m/sec. This study has established the relationship between low seismic velocity and low electrical resistivity and high permeability in the basement rock. Permeability increases down the profile in the up thrown side of the dam axis until where the fractures close up at depths, while it decreases downwards at the down thrown side. These areas need extra care in the construction stages, if the dam foundation is not to be “threatened”. Key words;  Permeability, saprolite, fresh rock, grouting

Assessment of Index Properties and Bearing Capacities of Soils for Infrastructure Foundations in Malete, Northcentral Nigeria

Malete is a fast growing suburb with new buildings springing up daily. There has been no documented research on the physical properties and foundation bearing capacity of the soil in this area. This research aimed at determining the suitability of this soil as infrastructure foundation. Bulk samples taken from two selected locations at varrying depths of trial pits were tested for their index and shear strength properties using standard methods. Cone penetration resistance, California bearing ratio, compaction, consolidation and permeability characteristics were also assessed. The geotechnical properties determined varied significantly with depth except for specific gravity which did not vary significantly at α 0.05 with depth. Soil samples from all pits consist mostly of poorly graded gravely sands with little fines. They contain medium to coarse grained sand fraction averagely above 85%. Penetration resistance obtained from cone pentration test ranged from 700 kN/m2 to 950 kN/m2 . The average safe bearing capacity estimated for strip footing using a factor of safety of 3 at depth of 1 m was not less than 473 kN/m2 anywhere in the study area. Samples from the two locations generally have good compaction parameters, medium to high permeability and low compressibilty. The highest bearing capacities were associated with the lateritized basement top. This implies that the safest depth to place infrastracture foundations in the area is the depth where lateritized basement rock is encountered

Effect of Cations and Chemicals on the Activity of Partially Purified Cellulase from Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) Fruits Deteriorated by Aspergillus flavus Linn

Within ten days of incubation, freshly ripe tomato fruits (Ibadan local variety) obtained from a local market in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria had completely deteriorated and proteins which possessed cellulolytic activity were released. The enzyme was partially purified by a combination of ammonium sulphate precipitation, molecular exclusion chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography. The enzyme was stimulated to varying degrees by Ca++, Mg++, Na+ and K+ but was inhibited by ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, 2, 4-dinitrophenol and mercuric chloride

Whole cassava root meal from TME419 cassava variety can support performance and health of growing rabbits as dietary energy source

A total of thirty-six (36) growing (6-8 weeks old) New Zealand and Haliquine rabbits of both sexes were used to evaluate performance and health status of rabbits fed fermented whole cassava root meal (WCRM, TME419 Cassava variety) with enzyme supplementation. The rabbits were allotted to experimental groups in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement comprising three fermentation durations (0, 3 and 5days) and inclusion of enzyme (0, 0.5%) as factors in a randomized complete block design. The diets were designated as D0- (Basal diet (WCRM) without ensiling and no enzyme supplementation), D0+ (Basal diet (WCRM) without ensiling with enzyme supplementation), D3- (Basal diet (WCRM) with three days ensiling without enzyme supplementation), D3+ (Basal diet (WCRM) with three days ensiling with enzyme supplementation), D5- (Basal diet (WCRM) with five days ensiling without enzyme supplementation) and D5+ (Basal diet (WCRM) with five days ensiling with enzyme supplementation). The performance, hematological and serum biochemical indices were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by fermentation and enzyme inclusion. It is therefore concluded that TME419 cassava variety can be fed to growing rabbits without fermentation or enzyme inclusion

Relationship between bacterial density and chemical composition of a tropical sewage oxidation pond

Studies were carried out to examine the performance of the sewage oxidation pond situated in and serving the community of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. A survey of the coliform and total bacterial populations was carried out. The sewage was also examined for biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen content as well as for nitrate, phosphate, silica and chloride contents. The mean coliform bacteria counts decreased gradually from 69.1×105 per 100 ml to about 10.1×105 per 100 ml as the sewage moved through the oxidation pond into the receiving stream. A similar decrease in mean biochemical oxygen demand of the sewage from 397.8 Ib/acre/day to 64.2 Ib/acre/day was also observed. The concentrations of nitrate, phosphate and chloride decreased from the pond influent to the pond effluent. On the other hand, both the silica and dissolved oxygen content of the sewage gradually increased from 14.1 to 19.0 mg/l and 8.1 to 13.9 mg/l respectively, across the pond to the effluent. The coliform and total bacterial counts as well as the concentrations of most of the chemicals in the receiving stream increased after being joined by the sewage oxidation pond effluent. It is therefore concluded that the receiving stream was subject to both bacteriological and chemical pollution. Building of additional oxidation ponds or addition of a primary sewage treatment to the existing system is recommended for more efficient wastewater treatment.Key words: Bacterial density, chemical composition, oxidation pond, sewage, tropics

Enumeration of coliform bacteria and characterization of Escherichia coli isolated from Staff Club swimming pool in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Water recreation, though increasing globally, is strongly associated with infectious diseases. Unexpectedly, artificial water recreation systems e.g. swimming pools account for 90% of these outbreaks. It is therefore essential that pool waters be regularly monitored for deviations from microbial water quality guidelines. To assess the sanitary quality of a club swimming pool in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, we used the multiple-tube fermentation technique to determine the most probable number (MPN) of coliform bacteria in 100 mL of pool water. MPN estimates ranged from 9 to 93 with geometric mean of 38. Escherichia coli was isolated from positive presumptive tubes, indicating recent fecal contamination. The isolate elicited similar biochemical reactions as reference E. coli (25922), except that it utilized sucrose and liquefied gelatin, which probably indicates potential pathogenicity. Also, the E. coli isolate was resistant to 13 antibiotics from 9 different classes. Finally, coliform counts and detection of E. coli clearly violates international guidelines. We recommend that pool operators increase water disinfection efficiency and educate the public on the need for improved swimmer hygiene to reduce the risk of recreational water illness transmission

Food Service Providers’ Attitudes Towards Nutrition and Food Handling Practices in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

The study assessed food service providers’ attitudes towards nutrition and food handling practices in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria with foodservice providers randomly selected hotels and fast food restaurants in the town consisting of a total of 120 respondents. The study used of descriptive design and data was collected with the aid of structured questionnaire that sought information on the socio-economic characteristics of respondents, sources of nutritional knowledge, preparation and handling of food, nutrition attitude towards of food service providers. Frequencies and percentages were used to summarize the data collected and the hypotheses tested using chi-square. The result showed that there is a significant relationship between attitude of foodservice providers and food handling practices, age, sex and education while there is no significant relationship existed for income and marital status. The study concluded that majority of the hospitality outlets and food service providers in Osogbo have adequate favorable attitude towards nutrition and they use this during the process of food handling and preparation. Food handlers in hospitality outlets are to receive constant training and re-training on food and nutrition, food hygiene, food preparation and beverages and drinks. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p110

α-Amylases by strains of Candida albicans and Fusarium sp.: Expression and characterization

In this investigation, a defined medium was inoculated with Candida albicans and Fusarium sp. Incubation was at 28oC. The composition of the medium was potassium dihydrogen sulphate, magnesium sulphate, calcium sulphate, hydrated iron sulphate, manganese sulphate, copper sulphate, zinc sulphate, thiamine, biotin, sodium nitrate (nitrogen source) and galactose (carbon source). Proteins which exhibite

Mouth cancer: presentation, detection and referral in primary dental care

Mouth cancer can present as a variety of abnormalities and visible changes affecting the oral mucosa, including ulceration, swelling and areas of erythema. The five-year survival from mouth cancer is poor at approximately 50%. Detection of the cancer while less than 2 cm in diameter with no metastasis greatly improves the outcome for the patient. Although many cancers in the mouth develop from what was previously an apparently normal mucosa, some arise in pre-existing conditions that are therefore regarded as potentially malignant. Regular assessment of the soft tissues within the mouth and the neck for the presence of abnormalities is an essential component of primary dental care. Any persistent and unexplained abnormality requires referral for definitive diagnosis and specialist management