Petrophysical and rock physics analyses for characterization of complex sands in deepwater Niger delta, Nigeria

Characterization of complex sand reservoirs in deepwater of Niger Delta was carried out through petrophysical and rock physics evaluation of well log data from three wells. Petrophysical analysis to determine clay volume, porosity, lithologies and hydrocarbon saturation were made. Rock physics was studied in velocity-porosity plane to analyze the influence of depositional and diagenetic features on the reservoirs. Cross-plots of different elastic parameters, using linear regression and cluster analysis, were generated for lithologic and fluid fill identification and to differentiate between the hydrocarbon bearing sands, brine sands and shale. Variance attribute was extracted on seismic time slice in order to image the complex sand distribution in the area. Three reservoirs of turbidite origin were identified within the upper fan to lower fan area. Petrophysical results revealed gas bearing reservoir units with less than 20% shale volume and porosity of 25-31%. Lambda-Mu-Rho (LMR) cross-plots for the reservoirs show gas saturated data cloud and trend. Ratio-Difference (R-D) cluster analysis of elastic rock properties shows a distinct trend and data cloud that represents lithofacies units and fluid fills. The study concludes that the reservoirs simulated contact cement and friable models with properties that ranged from highly porous, well sorted and poorly consolidated sand to fairly sorted and highly cemented sands. The results provide a model that increases the possibility of finding reservoir sand, while mitigating the risk involved in finding hydrocarbons

Petrophysical and rock physics analyses for characterization of complex sands in deepwater Niger delta, Nigeria

Characterization of complex sand reservoirs in deepwater of Niger Delta was carried out through petrophysical and rock physics evaluation of well log data from three wells. Petrophysical analysis to determine clay volume, porosity, lithologies and hydrocarbon saturation were made. Rock physics was studied in velocity-porosity plane to analyze the influence of depositional and diagenetic features on the reservoirs. Cross-plots of different elastic parameters, using linear regression and cluster analysis, were generated for lithologic and fluid fill identification and to differentiate between the hydrocarbon bearing sands, brine sands and shale. Variance attribute was extracted on seismic time slice in order to image the complex sand distribution in the area. Three reservoirs of turbidite origin were identified within the upper fan to lower fan area. Petrophysical results revealed gas bearing reservoir units with less than 20% shale volume and porosity of 25-31%. Lambda-Mu-Rho (LMR) cross-plots for the reservoirs show gas saturated data cloud and trend. Ratio-Difference (R-D) cluster analysis of elastic rock properties shows a distinct trend and data cloud that represents lithofacies units and fluid fills. The study concludes that the reservoirs simulated contact cement and friable models with properties that ranged from highly porous, well sorted and poorly consolidated sand to fairly sorted and highly cemented sands. The results provide a model that increases the possibility of finding reservoir sand, while mitigating the risk involved in finding hydrocarbons

Design of Pre-Dumping Ring Spin Rotator with a Possibility of Helicity Switching for Polarized Positrons at the ILC

The use of polarized beams enhance the possibility of the precision measurements at the International Linear Collider (ILC). In order to preserve the degree of polarization during beam transport spin rotators are included in the current TDR ILC Lattice. In this report some advantages of using a combined spin rotator/spin flipper are discussed. A few possible lattice designs of spin flipper developed at DESY in 2012 are presented.Comment: Talk presented at the International Workshop on Future Linear Colliders (LCWS15), Whistler, Canada, 2-6 November 201

Characteristics of Early Ecclesiastical Architecture in Lagos State in Nigeria

Considering the fact that the period between 1854 and 1929AD has been identified as the first phase of emergence and development of ecclesiastical architecture in Nigeria, this, therefore, became the earliest period and this study examined the characteristics of the church buildings during this period. Among the churches that were built during this period, five were significantly prominent and still exist. This study examined two because those buildings shared similar characteristics. As the study was an explorative one and historical in nature it adopted qualitative method of non-participant observation, historical and unstructured interview methods of gathering data using descriptive method of analysis. This study found that Churches were dominated by foreign established missions as indigenous ones were yet to evolve. Gothic style dominated the period characterised by its usual strong focus on verticality, pointed arches, rib vaults, flying buttresses, large stained glass windows, ornaments and pinnacles. Construction works and financing relied heavily on foreign input. It also noted that construction materials were imported and the church buildings were more of foreign monuments rather than industrial or make-shift. Nigerian cultural, geographical, geological, climatic, existing religious and social factors were not major considerations. The study concluded that the characteristics of the early church buildings were significantly at variance with the current trends

Microbial Profile, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of some Imported Spices in Nigeria

Spices are commonly used in most Nigerian dishes as flavour and colour enhancer, nutrient supplements or to serve as preservatives, medicine and as part of cultural inclinations. They are naturally of plant parts and in recent times, certain synthetic creations of flavorists have found use in food as flavour and colour enhancers. The upsurge in quest for dishes of other cultures, and for food containing plant products deemed to have antioxidant properties have resulted in large import of different spices into the Nigerian market. This study was conducted to determine the microbial profile, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of some imported spices in Nigerian market. Fifteen each, of five different brands of imported spices packaged in polyethylene containers were purchased from supermarkets in different regions of Nigeria. The mean (cfu/g) total aerobic plate counts in the samples range from 1.8 x103 to 7.0x104, Coliform count was 1.1x102 to 4.1x103 and mean fungi count was 1.0x101 to 2.9x103. Microorganisms isolated from some of the spices include spp of Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Proteus, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Aspergillus, Rhizopus and Fusarium. Some of the spices had antimicrobial effects on the clinical isolates tested with MIC ranging from 6.25 to 25.0 mg/ml. The spices contain Phenolics and flavonoids and have DPPH, Hydrogen peroxide and Nitric oxide scavenging activities. Adequate HACCP evaluation and GMP in the processing of spices is advanced, further studies are necessary to harness the full antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of these spices for therapeutic purpose

A Comparative study of secondary school students’ performance in English and Social Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Osun State, Nigeria

The study sought to ascertain the relationship between the performance of students in English language and Social Studies.  This was with a view of ensuring better performance in the two subjects.  The study employed the survey research design.  The population for the study consisted of all the Junior Senior Secondary School Students in Osun State, Nigeria. Stratified sampling technique was employed in selecting 800 students that were purposively selected in five local governments in Osun State using school types i.e. public and private schools, school locations i.e. rural and urban and gender i.e. male and female as stratum.  Two instruments were used to collect data for the study. They are: English Achievement Test (EAT) and Social Studies Achievement Test (SSAT).  The reliability of the instruments yielded 0.74 and 0.86 respectively using Cronbach alpha.  The instruments were analyzed using descriptive and t-test statistics.   The results showed that there is a significant difference in students’ performance in English and Social Studies (t=13.809, P<0.05).  Also, there is a significant difference in the performance in English and Social Studies across the 10 schools. (English X = 25.36, SD= 10.699; Social Studies X = 32.21, SD= 9.969).  However, other variables in the study were found not to be significant.  It is therefore recommended among others that there should be consistent training and retraining of teachers for functional educational system in Nigeria.  Opportunities should be given to teachers for professional training on their subject disciplines, teaching techniques and organizational techniques which could be achieved through workshops, seminars, internet browsing and extensive reading for personal development. Keywords: students’ performance, English Language, Social Studies

Enhanced proactive planning approach: a crucial to an improved workers’ safety in Western Nigeria small scale industry

This study evaluated managements’ proactive planning approach (PPA) to enhance safety among workers in South-western Nigeria small scale industry (SSI). The main objective was to rate the managements’ efforts at eliminating risk among their employees. By worker participatory and psychological survey approach, three tools were used; workplace observation (visual), management safety culture (questionnaire) and managers interviews (oral). The survey included 200 workers, 120 supervisors and 80 managers, in 82 SSI. Four steps to a safety proactive action plans (PAP), (looking for clues, prioritization of identified potential hazard, making improvements to eliminate the risk and follow up), were rated by employees on a scale from 0 to 5. Paired t-test was used to appraise the significant difference between the managers’ mean scores rated by the supervisors and other workers. 77.1% of workers and 64.2% supervisors rated their managers as either “not done at all” or “poorly done”. Workers’ scores for managers PPA had statistically significantly lower ratings (mean = 1.09, SEM = 0.22) compared to that of the supervisors rating (mean = 1.55, SEM = 0.32), with t (14) = −1.185, p = 0.784. There is a closed poor performance perception gaps, of managers’ PPA, of the two groups of employees. It can be concluded that safety is not emphasized, by managers of SSI, as overriding priority and this may have contributed to high reported injuries among their workforce. Courses to enhance managements’ understanding for inclusion of safety among the leading priorities becomes necessary. This will reduce work-related risks and promotes occupational safety and health among the group of workers

Chemical composition and antioxidant potentials of Kigelia pinnata root oil and extracts

The chemical composition of Kigelia pinnata root oil extracted with n-hexane was analyzed by GC/GCMS. The antioxidant potential of the oil was compared to that of ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the root. UV and IR spectroscopic techniques were used to carry out partial characterization of the oil and extracts. The free radical scavenging activity by spectrophotometric assay on the reduction of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was examined while the total antioxidant activity (TAA) and relative antioxidant activity (RAA) were compared with standard antioxidant, α-tocopherol. The antioxidant activity (which correlated with the total phenolic content of the extracts) was assumed to be from the total phenolic content of the extracts. TAA was found to be higher in methanol extract (at 0.25 mg/mL). We hereby report for the first time the major component of the oil from the root of Kigelia pinnata to be elaidic acid (56.12 %). It is a reported toxicant which thereby underscores the risk in the use of the plant in traditional therapies

Effect of subclinical, clinical and supraclinical doses of calcium channel blockers on models of drug-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Drug-related hepatotoxicity is the leading cause of acute liver failure, and hepatic problems are responsible for a significant number of liver transplantations and deaths worldwide. Calcium has been associated with various metabolic processes that lead to cell death and apoptosis, and increased cytosolic Ca2+ has been implicated in hepatotoxicity. This study was designed to investigate the effects of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) on isoniazid-rifampicin, zidovudine and erythromycin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Treatment groups comprised control, hepatotoxicant, hepatotoxicant along with each of silymarin, nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem at subclinical, clinical and supraclinical doses. A day to the end of treatment for each model, rats were subjected to the hexobarbitone-induced hypnosis test. On the last days of treatment, blood samples were collected and serum was analyzed for relevant biochemical parameters. Animals were sacrificed after blood collection and livers were harvested, and samples obtained for in vivo antioxidant indices assay and histopathology. The hepatotoxicants significantly increased serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as duration of sleep in the hypnosis test. These drugs significantly reduced the hepatic levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and increased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). The CCBs at the various doses significantly reversed the effects of isoniazid-rifampicin, zidovudine and erythromycin. The results obtained in this study suggest that the CCBs possess hepatoprotective activity in drug-induced hepatotoxicity and may be beneficial at the subclinical and clinical doses