Concurrent Phosphorus Recovery and Energy Generation in Mediator-Less Dual Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells: Mechanisms and Influencing Factors

This study investigated the mechanism and key factors influencing concurrent phosphorus (P) recovery and energy generation in microbial fuel cells (MFC) during wastewater treatment. Using a mediator-less dual chamber microbial fuel cell operated for 120 days; P was shown to precipitate as struvite when ammonium and magnesium chloride solutions were added to the cathode chamber. Monitoring data for chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, oxidation reduction potential (ORP) and aeration flow rate showed that a maximum 38% P recovery was achieved; and this corresponds to 1.5 g/L, pH > 8, −550 ± 10 mV and 50 mL/min respectively, for COD, pHcathode, ORP and cathode aeration flow rate. More importantly, COD and aeration flow rate were shown to be the key influencing factors for the P recovery and energy generation. Results further show that the maximum P recovery corresponds to 72 mW/m2 power density. However, the energy generated at maximum P recovery was not the optimum; this shows that whilst P recovery and energy generation can be concurrently achieved in a microbial fuel cell, neither can be at the optimal value

Barriers to BIM implementation and ways forward to improve its adoption in the Nigerian AEC firms

Purpose –BIM has much potential to improve the effectiveness of construction works with respect to design, construction and maintenance. However, many Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) firms are still lagging in the adoption and implementation of BIM in both developing and developed countries. The purpose of this study is to assess the barriers to BIM implementation, and examine the ways forward to improve BIM adoption within the Nigerian AEC firms. Design/methodology/approach – A comprehensive literature review and questionnaire survey were used in the study. The survey targeted four different AEC firms. These include architectural firms, facility management firms, quantity surveying firms and structural engineering firms in Lagos, Nigeria. The data obtained were analyzed using mean score, standard deviation, Kruskal- Wallis test, and factor analysis. Findings – The study identified 20 barriers to BIM implementation and identified 10 ways forward to improve BIM adoption in AEC firms, particularly in Nigeria. The relative importance of both the identified barriers and the ways forward were gauged. The Kruskal-Wallis tests revealed that except for one (out of 20) identified barriers, and one (out of 10) identified ways forward; there is no statistical significant difference in the perceptions of four different AEC firms. The factor analysis result grouped the 20 identified barriers into three major factors to include: weak top management support and BIM environment related issues; cost of BIM software and training issues; and incompatibility, legal, contractual, and culture related issues. Practical implications – The significance of the study cannot be over-emphasized due to BIM relevance to construction stakeholders and researchers at large. Originality/value – The study findings would inform the decisions of the construction stakeholders to make some policy recommendations capable of positively influencing the full BIM implementation in AEC firms

The frictional resistance induced by bacterial based biofouling in drainage pipelines

This paper aims at improving the current understanding of bacterial-based biofouling in drainage pipelines. Using a purpose built pipeline facility consisting of a high density polyethylene pipe, biofilms were incubated with synthetic wastewater for 20 days at three steady-state flow regimes. The results obtained have shown that the presence of a biofilm can cause a significant increase in frictional resistance. The magnitude of a biofilm’s frictional resistance is a function of the shear conditions under which the biofilm is incubated. In particular, the lower the conditioning shear, the higher the frictional resistance imparted by the biofilm. This is attributed to the thickness and roughness distribution induced by such conditions, and it serves to highlight the problem of characterizing a biofilm’s effective roughness using a single roughness scale. The study has also supported the earlier funding that the von Kármán constant is non-universal, and is dependent on Reynolds number for biofouled pipes

Effect of Road Infrastructure on Farm Production in Oyo State, Nigeria

In spite of the fact that majority of Nigerian farmers live in rural areas, the rate of infrastructural development in the rural areas remain a source of serious concern. This study was therefore carried out to assess the state of road infrastructure and it effect on farmers’ productivity in Oyo state, Nigeria. A three stage random sampling technique was employed to select 120 farming households in the study area. Descriptive statistics and the multiple regression models were the major analytical tools employed for the study. The result of the analysis showed that the state of road infrastructure in the study area is less than stellar as only about 12 percent of the roads were tarred. Cost of inputs, farm size, access to fertilizer, labour and access to good roads were identified as the significant factors influencing farmers’ output in the study area. In line with the results of the study, it was recommended that the government should focus on construction of more rural roads is to enhance farmers’ productivity and income through increased access to inputs and product market.Key words: Infrastructure, Market, Road, Rural, Oy

Determinants and effect of livelihood diversification among small-scale poultry farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

No Abstrac

Effects of Nigeria Ekete light crude oil on plasma electrolytes, packed cell volume (PCV) and lipids profile in wistar (Rattus norvegicus) rats

Hydrocarbon is known to alter blood parameters; some of these blood parameters may affect the activities of certain systems like cardiovascular system. Hydrocarbon gets into man and animal either through ingestion of contaminated food and water, bio-concentration through food chain, occupational exposure or by using hydrocarbon products. Effects of crude oil on plasma electrolytes, packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma lipid profile were examined in male Rattus norvegicus in this study. Crude oil was administered orally at dosages of 5 ml/kg (group I), 10 ml/kg (group II) and 20 ml/kg (group III) for two weeks while the control group received drinking water only. The result shows a reduction in packed cell volume in all treated groups compared to control (37.14±0.85, P < 0.05) and a significant (P < 0.05) increase in plasma sodium level in treated groups compared to control (22.486±2.983 mg/L) while there was no significant alteration in plasma lipids profile of the treated groups relative to the control. Oral administration of crude oil significantly altered the plasma levels of electrolytes and PCV.Keywords: Electrolytes, crude oil, plasma lipids profile, packed cell volume

Fibre Characterization of Cassava Peel Leaf Meal and Its Utilization by Broilers

One hundred and twenty ( n = 120) day old broiler chicks with an average weight (100.00\ub17.00g) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments, with cassava peel leaf meal (CPLM) as replacement for maize at (starter and finisher phases).The trial was in three phases of adaptation (1-2week),starter (3-5week) and finisher (6-9week).Thirty broilers chicks were assigned to each of the four treatments, while was replicated three times at 10 chicks each. Performance of the chicks such weight gain, feed intake and carcass yield was evaluated and the proximate and fiber quality of the diets and CPLM were also determined. Data obtained for performance evaluated was analyzed using ANOVA, while significant means were separated by SAS of the same package. The outcome revealed that CPLM had (89.93%) dry matter, (18.93%) crude protein and (43.28%) NDF, with anon-significant (p< 0.05) variation in weight gain, enhanced (p< 0.05) feed intake and depressed (p< 0.05) feed to gain ratio as CPLM inclusion increased. Dressing percentage values (69.00-73.00%) were obtained on the treatments. CPLM inclusion (0, 15, 30 and 45%) as replacement for maize in the diets of broilers produced a favourable performance

Patient and public involvement in implementation of evidence-based guidance for musculoskeletal conditions: a scoping review of current advances and gaps.

Advances in musculoskeletal (MSK) research have been successfully curated into widely endorsed evidence-based recommendations and guidelines. However, there continues to exist significant variations in care and quality of care, and the global health and socio-economic burdens associated with MSK conditions continues to increase. Limited accessibility, and applicability of guideline recommendations have been suggested as contributory factors to less than adequate guideline implementation. Since patient and public involvement (PPI) is being credited with increasing relevance, dissemination and uptake of MSK research, the success of guidelines implementation strategies may also be maximised through increasing opportunities for PPI input. We therefore conducted a scoping review of literature to explore PPI in implementation of evidence-based guidance for MSK conditions. A comprehensive search was used to identify relevant literature in three databases (Medline, Embase, Cinahl) and two large repositories (WHO, G-IN), supplemented by grey literature search. Eligibility was determined with criteria established a priori and narrative synthesis was used to summarise PPI activities, contexts, and impact on implementation of MSK related evidence-based guidance across ten eligible studies (one from a low-and middle-income country LMIC). A prevalence of low-level PPI (mainly consultative activities) was found in the current literature and may partly account for current experiences of significant variations and quality of care for MSK patients. The success of PPI in MSK research may be lessened by the oversight of PPI in implementation. This has implications for both high- and low-resource healthcare systems, especially in LMICs where evidence is limited. Patient and public partnership for mobilising knowledge, maximising guideline uptake, and bridging the research-practice gap particularly in low resource settings remain important and should extend beyond PPI in research and guideline dissemination activities only. This review is a clarion call to stakeholders, and all involved, to transform PPI in MSK research into real world benefits through implementation approaches underpinned by patient and public partnerships. We anticipate that this will enhance and drive quality improvements in MSK care with patients and for patients across health and care settings

Cigarette Smoking Practices and Its Determinants Among University Students in Southwest, Nigeria

Background: Tobacco smoking is one of the largest causes of preventable morbidity and mortality globally, and is responsible for many causes of premature deaths. This study seeks to find out cigarette-smoking practices among University Students in Ekiti State, Nigeria and identify its determinants. Methodology: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study of young adults in tertiary institutions. The sample size was 300 while multi stage sampling technique was adopted to select the students that were interviewed. The pre-tested questionnaire was semi structured and it was self administered. Data analysis was done using Epi-Info version 3.4.1. Frequency tables and cross-tabulations were generated with a statistical significance p-value pre-determined at less than 0.05. Results: The prevalence of students that ever smoked was 66 (22.0%) while those that currently smoke are 41 (13.7%). Of the students that smoked, largest proportion (53.0%) smoked for pleasure. The mean age at onset of smoking was 15.14 + 4.34 while the mean number of sticks smoked per day was 4.46 + 4.59. Introduction to smoking was mainly by friends at home (48.6%), colleagues in school (33.3%) and siblings (18.1%) The factors that were positively associated with smoking habits were male sex, alcohol consumption, having a friend/relative that smokes, having no prior education on the dangers of smoking. They were all statistically significant. Conclusion: Peer influence is a very important source of cigarette smoking among the youths. Previous education on dangers of smoking and the perception that smoking is risky to health significantly reduced the prevalence of smoking. It is therefore recommended that health education on the risks associated with smoking be introduced to young adults early