Laboratory scale bioremediation of crude oil impacted soil using animal waste compost

This study investigated various ways by which the rate of biodegradation of hydrocarbons {ex-situ treatment} can be enhanced in an efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly manner. To achieve this, bioremediation processes were applied to a crude oil impacted soil. Tests were conducted to evaluate the biodegradation effect of the oil on the soil e.g. effect on density, electrical conductivity, etc. The percentage of organic matter and carbon was evaluated in order to determine the organic carbon interaction with the contaminated soil sample. The effect of contamination on the geotechnical properties of the contaminated soil was also evaluated using compaction test. Two types of compost - sheep waste compost and crude oil (SCRO), and goat waste compost and crude oil (GCRO) - with an application rate of {0g, 350g and 550g} were applied in the treatment. The results showed that all bioremediation agents applied enhanced the natural bioremediation of the contaminated soil and the most preferred results were obtained when treatments were done using SCRO compost. This study revealed that the remediation process was influenced by application period, type of oil, and compost rate

Learning analytics for smart campus: Data on academic performances of engineering undergraduates in Nigerian private university

Empirical measurement, monitoring, analysis, and reporting of learning outcomes in higher institutions of developing countries may lead to sustainable education in the region. In this data article, data about the academic performances of undergraduates that studied engineering programs at Covenant University, Nigeria are presented and analyzed. A total population sample of 1841 undergraduates that studied Chemical Engineering (CHE), Civil Engineering (CVE), Computer Engineering (CEN), Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), Information and Communication Engineering (ICE), Mechanical Engineering (MEE), and Petroleum Engineering (PET) within the year range of 2002–2014 are randomly selected. For the five-year study period of engineering program, Grade Point Average (GPA) and its cumulative value of each of the sample were obtained from the Department of Student Records and Academic Affairs. In order to encourage evidence-based research in learning analytics, detailed datasets are made publicly available in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file attached to this article. Descriptive statistics and frequency distributions of the academic performance data are presented in tables and graphs for easy data interpretations. In addition, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparison post-hoc tests are performed to determine whether the variations in the academic performances are significant across the seven engineering programs. The data provided in this article will assist the global educational research community and regional policy makers to understand and optimize the learning environment towards the realization of smart campuses and sustainable education

EVALUATION OF TWO-STAGE SUBSURFACE FLOW CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS FOR ABATTOIR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

Abattoir wastewater is high in organic content, the waste recovery and treatment facility is expensive and this results in indiscriminate dumping into streams without adequate treatment. The effectiveness of using a two-stage subsurface flow constructed wetland to treat abattoir effluent was examined in this study. Diluted abattoir wastewater from Lafenwa Abattoir, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria was fed into a two-stage Vegetated Subsurface Bed Constructed Wetlands (VSBCW). The VSBCW consisted of 500 mm deep 10-15 mm diameter granite with 150 mm thick overlay of well graded sand planted with locally available Vetiveria nigritana. Grab samples were collected at selected points along Ogun river and measurement of physico-chemical parameters such as: Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Total Suspended Solid (TSS) of the influent and effluent from the VSBCW were carried out. Irrigation with water and diluted abattoir wastewater to examine the variation in plant growth rate was also investigated. The results revealed a pollution load reduction as the wastewater moves away from the discharge point but inadequate to meet the FEPA (1991) standard for wastewater discharge into rivers. The VSBCW was observed to reduce the concentration of BOD5, COD, EC, TDS and TSS in the abattoir wastewater by 88.71, 87.28, 45.72, 56.89 and 72.27 % respectively. The growth rate of the V. nigritana reduced by 1.9% when irrigated with abattoir wastewater. The study revealed that locally available V. nigritana in VSBCW is effective in abattoir wastewater treatment and could be use to curtail the pollution caused by discharge of untreated wastewater into rivers.     &nbsp

Learning analytics: Dataset for empirical evaluation of entry requirements into engineering undergraduate programs in a Nigerian university

In Nigerian universities, enrolment into any engineering undergraduate program requires that the minimum entry criteria established by the National Universities Commission(NUC)must be satisfied. Candidates seeking admission to study engineering discipline must have reached a predetermined entry age and met the cut-off marks set for Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination(UTME),and the post-UTME screening.However, limited effort has been made to show that these entry requirements eventually guarantee successful academic performance in engineering programs because the data required for such validation are not readily available.In this data article, a comprehensive data set for empirical evaluation of entry requirements into engineering undergraduate programs in a Nigerian university is presented and carefully analyzed. A total sample of 1445 undergraduates that were admitted between 2005 and 2009 to study Chemical Engineering(CHE), Civil Engineering (CVE), Computer Engineering(CEN), Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE),Information and Communication Engineering (ICE), Mechanical Engineering(MEE),and Petroleum Engineering (PET) at Covenant University,Nigeria were randomly selected. Entry age,SSCE aggregate, UTME score, Covenant University Scholastic Aptitude Screening(CUSAS)score, and the Cumulative Grade Point Average(CGPA) of the undergraduates were obtained from the Student Records and Academic Affairs unit. In order to facilitate evidence-based evaluation, the robust dataset is made publicly available in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file. On yearly basis, first-order descriptive statistics of the data set a represented in tables. Box plot representations, frequency distribution plots, and scatter plots of the dataset are provided to enrich its value. Furthermore, correlation and linear regression analyses are performed to understand the relationship between the entry requirements and the corresponding academic performance in engineering programs. The data provided in this article will help Nigerian universities, the NUC, engineering regulatory bodies,and relevant stakeholders to objectively evaluate and subsequently improve the quality of engineering education in the country

Analysis of auto-purification response of the Apies River, Gauteng, South Africa, to treated wastewater effluent

The assimilative capacity of water bodies is an important factor in the integrated management of  surface water resources. The current study examined the auto-recovery processes of the Apies River from wastewater discharged into it from a municipal wastewater treatment facility, using a series of equations, including the modified Streeter-Phelps equation. Field data obtained include dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, stream velocity, depth, and width. Water samples were also obtained at 10 sampling stations for the determination of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) using standard methods. It was observed that the DO and BOD level (5.59 mg/L and 8.5 mg/L respectively) of the effluent from the wastewater treatment facility indicated better water quality than the Apies River background DO level (5.42 mg/L) and BOD level (13 mg/L). Also, at 270 m downstream of the effluent discharge point, another effluent stream (Skinnerspruit) adversely impacted on the Apies River with DO and BOD levels of 6.5 mg/L and 9.0 mg/L, respectively, compared to the Apies River background values of 6.81 mg/L and 8.0 mg/L, respectively. The stream, however, recovered well from both the background and imposed pollution sources as it had a computed positive auto-recovery factor of 1.74. Furthermore, the measured DO deficit was plotted against predicted DO deficit. The plot revealed a close match between the measured and predicted DO deficit, indicating that the model could be used for predicting DO deficit along other segments of the river. To further improve on the natural  auto-recovery processes of the Apies River, it was recommended that flow along the Skinnerspruit should be enhanced by clearing the observed aquatic plants growing within the channel. Also,  suspected pollution activities taking place further upstream on the Apies River should be investigated and appropriately addressed.Keywords: de-oxygenation; re-aeration; auto-purification; dissolved oxygen; biochemical oxygen  demand; strea

Learning attributes of summa cum laude students: Experience of a Nigerian university

In this project, 276 students at a private university in Nigeria completed a survey concerned with their personal attributes and study dispositions. First class (summa cum laude) students were compared with third class (less successful) students. Differences were not found in their goal setting habits, and declaration of healthiness. The third class students indicated higher levels of participation in sporting activities. The first class students reported higher levels of spirituality and Bible reading. When asked about their use of basic study skills, the two groups reported fairly similar levels, but then they diverged strongly on deeper learning approaches, with the first class students reporting higher levels of deep study strategies

The Predictive Validity of University Admission Examinations: Case Study of Nigerian Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination

For a sensitive university admission aptitude screening device like the Nigeria’s Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination [JAMB‐UTME], it is imperative that the predictive validity be constantly ascertained. The core objective of this study, therefore, was to establish the predictive validity of the JAMB‐UTME. The case study and ex‐post facto designs were used. The populations of study were the Senior Secondary School Leavers admitted to Nigerian universities via the JAMB‐UTME. 8,139 students’ records from a private university in Nigeria constituted the sample. The predictive power of the JAMB‐UTME in predicting students’ performance in the university’s semester examinations was tested with regression model. The results suggested that the JAMB‐UTME had positive but low indices of predictive validity, which varies across the academic sessions and programmes of study. It was not significant for some programmes. It was recommended that JAMB should embark on a more pragmatic review of the content of the UTME to enhance its predictive validity

The Predictive Validity of University Admission Examinations: Case Study of Nigerian Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination

For a sensitive university admission aptitude screening device like the Nigeria’s Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination [JAMB-UTME], it is imperative that the predictive validity be constantly ascertained. The core objective of this study, therefore, was to establish the predictive validity of the JAMB-UTME. The case study and ex-post facto designs were used.  The populations of study were the Senior Secondary School Leavers admitted to Nigerian universities via the JAMB-UTME.  8,139 students’ records from a private university in Nigeria constituted the sample.  The predictive power of the JAMB-UTME in predicting students’ performance in the university’s semester examinations was tested with regression model.  The results suggested that the JAMB-UTME had positive but low indices of predictive validity, which varies across the academic sessions and programmes of study.  It was not significant for some programmes. It was recommended that JAMB should embark on a more pragmatic review of the content of the UTME to enhance its predictive validity

A Framework for a Smart Campus : A Case of Covenant University

Energy conservation encourages economic growth by redirecting wasteful spending to more productive activities. Energy savings can be used to increase consumption in the broader economy. A more efficient use of energy resources not only conserves this vital resource towards future consumption but also inhibits the excessive exploitation of non-renewable energy resources. The objective of this paper is to develop a suitable framework for an IoT-enabled energy conservation system for an emerging smart community such as Covenant University. A strategic interconnection of sensor networks and energy management systems integrated with the campus IT infrastructure was considered. This energy conservation cyber- physical system is expected to significantly improve energy efficiency in the University and increase energy savings. The scalability of this model will improve energy management in larger communities and cities in Nigeria, a country currently swamped with energy challenges