Elemental Analysis of Commonly Consumed Rice in Nigeria using PIXE Technique

This study investigated the essential element (P, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn) concentrations of some local and imported rice commonly consumed in Nigeria. This is done in order to select the rice with high nutrient to combat malnutrition, especially in children. Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) techniques available at iThemba Labs Someset West, South Africa was used for the analysis. The elemental concentration obtained for Ofada are 8805.5±221, 276.5±32, 3704.5±39, 212±8, 110.5±8, 125.5±7, 14.5±1 and 44.5±4 ppm, while for the imported rice we got 2862.5±150, 399±22, 1433±28, 4.15±2, 8.4±0.8, 4.75±1 and 9.5±2 ppm for P, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn respectively. Phosporus (P) has the highest elemental concentration in all samples. Ofada, one of the local rice was found to have the highest elemental concentration while pure imported rice had the lowest concentrations of the elements. The study suggests that consumption of locally-cultivated (Ofada) rice should be encouraged in order to reduce malnutrition in children in Nigeria

Background radiation dose of dumpsites in Ota and Environs

In-situ measurement of background radiation dose from selected dumpsites in Ota and its environs was done using Radialert Nuclear Radiation Monitor (Digilert 200). Ten measurements were taken from each dumpsite. The measured background radiation range between 0.015 mRhr-1 for AOD and 0.028 mRhr-1 for SUS dumpsites. The calculated annual equivalent doses vary between 1.31 mSvyr-1 for AOD and 2.28 mSv/yr for SUS dumpsites. The air absorbed dose calculated ranged from 150 nGyhr-1 to 280 nGy/hr for AOD and SUS dumpsites respectively with an average value of 217 nGyhr-1 for all the locations. All the estimated parameters were higher than permissible limit set for background radiation for the general public. Conclusively, the associated challenge and radiation burden posed by the wastes on the studied locations and scavengers is high. Therefore, there is need by the regulatory authorities to look into the way and how waste can be properly managed so as to alleviate the effects on the populace leaving and working in the dumpsites vicinity

Construction of An Automatic Power Switch using Infrared Motion Sensor

In public and private institutions the problem of switching off light and other appliances wherever it is not needed is a concern. In Covenant University, the issue led to various rules that try to limit the way light is being used in the halls of residence, classrooms and other buildings. The main aim of this project is to conserve energy. This project presents the construction of a power control system which can detect the approach of a person, and then turn the power of a room on. The project involves four stages: the power supply stage, the sensor stage, the arduino stage and the switching mechanism stage. The power supply stage involves the supply of power to the arduino and the sensor. The sensor stage consist the passive infrared sensor which is the core part of the project. It detects the radiated heat energy from a person and converts the energy to an electrical signal which is sent to the arduino for processing. The arduino then processes the signal and sends a specific voltage to the relay that actuates the power switch to on. When nobody is detected the power is turned off. Conclusively, the constructed energy control system prevents energy wastage in the lecture halls, classrooms and other buildings

Design and Construction of Density Based Traffic Control System

Congestion is a serious issue due to vechicular traffic. One of the known causes of traffic congestion is the amount of time spend waiting for the red light to change to green. The changing of traffic light is hard-coded and it is not reliant on traffic volume. There is therefore need to simulate and optimize traffic control to better accommodate density based traffic rather than time based. This system attempts to lessen possibilities of traffic jams brought about by traffic lights to a reasonable degree. This project, a density based traffic control system is been implemented to solve this problem. The system entails programming an Arduino using Arduino integrated development environment (IDE) to enable traffic lights give the right of access to the road by selecting the lane with the high number of cars. The traffic lights are modified to chip away at an auspicious premise until there is a signal identified by the infrared sensors. The sensor identifies an object (i.e. a vehicle, a motorcycle etc) and signals the Arduino to control the traffic lights for its individual path. Once there is no sign identified by any of the four sensors the traffic lights keep on dealing with an auspicious premise. The mean response time of the sensor was found to be 0.39 seconds. Further research is recommended to produce the device on a large scale to be deployed to all roads in the country

Radiation from Visual Display Unit

The radiation from different types of Visual Display Units (VDU) (that is, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)), projector and interactive screen were examined using a Cell Sensor Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) detection meter. The study revealed that ELF radiation in CRT VDUs is eight (8) times greater than in LCD VDUs. The mean ELF obtained from interactive screen at 30 cm was 1.6 mG and 1.9 mG at start-up and after 3 hours of use respectively with a mean value of 1.03 mG for a distance of 100 cm at start up. The mean ELF radiation from the projector screen at a distance of 10 cm is 0 mG, while that of interactive screen is 2.4 mG at the same distance. Thus, the study suggested that, projector and screen is better than interactive screen when making presentation considering the closeness of user to the interactive screen throughout the course of presentation

Background Radiation Dose in Selected X-Ray Facilities in Southwest Nigeria

Radiation exposure monitoring is essential to ensure that dose limits are not exceeded. The goal of this study is to assess the level of radiation exposure from radiography facilities in the study environment in order to promote radiation safety. Digilert 200 was used to determine the level of exposure in and around radiography facilities in five X-ray diagnostic centres in southwest Nigeria. The mean background exposure in centres A, B, C, D and E were 0.137 μSv/h, 0.170 μSv/h, 0.164 μSv/h, 0.183 μSv/h and 0.148 μSv/h respectively. The cumulative mean exposure in a year for centres A, B, C, D and E were 0.961 mSv/y, 1.193 mSv/y, 1.146 mSv/y, 1.281 mSv/y and 1.034 mSv/y respectively. The background radiation dose from the exposure level in all the centres exceeded the recommended limit but for centre A. High quality standard lead shielding and periodic radiation protection monitoring should be employed in centres with high radiation exposure

Natural radionuclide and radiological impact assessment of teak plantation, University of Ilorin, Kwara State

The amount of naturally occurring radionuclide in Teak plantation was measured using gamma ray spectrometer RS-125. This device gave an in-situ measurement of radioactivity concentration of 40K, 232Th, 238U and dose rate. The data was taken in 20 locations, the overall mean dose rate (DR) is 47.8150 Gyh-1. The overall mean activity concentrations for 40K, 232Th, 238U are 456.1975 BqKg-1, 29.0245 BqKg-1 and 26.2080 BqKg-1 respectively. It was also observed that only the estimated outdoor dose rate D of 40K at study location L1 exceeded the world limit of 57nGyh-1. This could be due to its closeness to the university main gate with lots of possible interfering human activities around the gate area. However, further study on detailed geochemical investigation is required to reach at some conclusion. By comparing the mean values of the activity concentrations and their radiological risks with the several world standards, it can be concluded that the Teak plantation is highly rich in Potassium

Background gamma radiation and associated health implications for Ifo-Dagbolu-Ajakaye, Ogun state

The need for safe habitat in view of the demands of Sustainable Development Goal 3 - sound health and wellbeing, calls for attention to ascertain the level of exposure of gamma radiation to man and the environment. Keeping the levels of specific activities of naturally occurring radionuclides (NORs) within safety limits will help in attaining the Sustainable Development Goal 3-“Good Health and Wellbeing”. Background gamma dose rates and activity concentrations of NORs: 40K, 238U, and 232Th in an agrarian settlement, Ifo-Dagbolu-Ajakaye, Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria, was surveyed using an Ultrarugged Super-spec RS-125 gamma spectrometer. The respective mean values of the background gamma dose rates and specific activities of 40K, 238U, and 232Th were 14.96 nGyh-1; 31.60, 16.54 and 12.91 Bqkg-1. The values of the specific activities were used to estimate the associated radiological health parameters and the values obtained were lower when compared with their corresponding United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) permissible limits. Hence the levels of the activity concentrations of the studied NORs do not present health hazards to the dwellers in the examined station

X-Ray Imaging Techniques Appraisal: Pathway to Sustainable Health Status

There is possibility for sustainable healthcare delivery through the implementation of periodic x-ray imaging techniques appraisal. The aim of this study is to evaluate the x-ray imaging techniques in the study area in order to promote sustainable health status of the populace. Data for this study was collected from 12 major healthcare institutions located in Southwest Nigeria using self-structured form. The study centres were designated using S1 to S12. The x-ray imaging techniques in the study area were radiography, computed tomography (CT), mammography and fluoroscopy. Radiography machine was available in all the study centres while 75 % of the centres had CT scanners, 50 % had mammography machines and 25 % had fluoroscopy machines. The x-ray imaging centre with the highest number of equipment is Centre S2 while Centre S6 has the least equipment. The outcome of this study implied that x-ray imaging techniques appraisal would boost procurement of more and newer equipment, enhance improved quality and efficiency of the x-ray equipment. Thereby, accord patients accessibility to all the benefits of the modalities x-ray imaging can provide; and consequently promoting patients health status. Hence, this study recommended the implementation of periodic x-ray imaging techniques appraisal

Investigation of subsurface contaminants leachate within Ansaru-Islam Secondary School, Ilorin, Nigeria

This study adopts the use of Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and 2-D resistivity imaging (employing Schlumberger and Wenner array configurations) to investigate and map the extent of leachate’s migration and its possible impacts on groundwater within Abata Asunkere dumpsite, Ilorin, Kwara State. This study was inspired by the unrestrained manner of garbage dumping in the area over time, which poses great threat to the availability of clean water for the increasing populace. To delineate the subsurface, 2-D resistivity imaging data were acquired along two traverses, while the VES data were randomly acquired along the established traverses. The 2-D resistivity imaging and VES data were processed using Res2D and IPI2Win software respectively. The results of the 2-D and VES revealed five (5) geoelectric sections, which correspond to the topsoil, clayey sand, weathered basement, fractured basement and fresh basement rocks with H, QH and KH sounding signature curve types. The topsoil has layer thickness of 0.5 - 1.7 m and resistivity values ranging from 11.9 - 165 Ωm. The clayey sand has layer thicknesses between 0.7 - 2.8 m and resistivity values ranging from 20.1 - 56 Ωm. The weathered basement has thickness of 0.9 - 16.3 m and resistivity values ranging from 2.09 - 5.25 Ωm. The fractured to fresh basement has resistivity values ranging from 26.8 - 3000 Ωm with thickness ranging from 5.3 m to infinity. The third layer with low resistivity values of 2.09 - 3.52 Ωm at depth range 0.9 - 10 m is suggestive of leachate contamination. The outcome of this study indicates that some regions around the dumpsite are susceptible to leachate’s contamination, which has tendencies to permeate the unconfined aquifers in the study area if not properly monitored and controlled