Synthesis and Performance Analysis of Network Topology using Graph Theory

In this work, the peculiarities of network topology have been explored to evolve techniques for the solution of practical problems which manifest in the form of graphs.  They also give insight into the scope and possible areas for improvement of existing networks and as well the cost implication of incorporating efficiciency factors into new designs. The shortest route algorithm was applied in defining the topology that maximizes reliability during resource transmission. The algorithm was implemented using TORA Software on an Excel platform. Key words: topology, graphs, vertices, nodes, edges, telecommunication networ

Mercury accumulation in fishes from tropical aquatic ecosystems in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Fishes are important biomarkers of trace elements in aquatic ecosystems, and are used to evaluate the status of water pollution by mercury in tropical aquatic ecosystems in Nigeria. Common fishes, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus,Brycinus nurse, Hemichromis fasciatus, Lutianus ava, Oreochromis nilotica, Pomadasys jubelini, Stellifer stellifer and Tilapia guineensis were analysed for Hg accumulation using the cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. The results showed that Hg concentration in P. jubelini was relatively the highest, with a mean concentration of 0.063 ± 0.03 mg kg–1. Other concentration values were 0.044 ± 0.031 mg kg–1 for O. nilotica, 0.026 ± 0.013 mg kg–1 for B. nurse, 0.034 ± 0.034 mg kg–1 for H. fasciatus, 0.023 ± 0.020 mg kg–1 for C. nigrodigitatus and 0.33 ± 0.016 mg kg–1 for L. ava. Concentrations of Hg accumulated by the fishes were low and within internationally accepted limit, not likely to cause mercury poisoning. Because of the high Hg accumulating potential of P. jubelini, it is recommended as a biomarker for assessment of Hg toxicity in a tropical aquatic environment

P-T conditions of Pan-African orogeny in southeastern Nigeria

Abstract Different rock types from the area northeast of Obudu, southeastern Nigeria were investigated in order to place constraints on their metamorphic conditions. Detailed petrographic studies indicate four main rock groups in the studied area, namely migmatitic gneiss, migmatitic schist, granite gneiss and a minor amount of amphibolite, metagabbro and dolerite. The chemistry of minerals in these rocks is used to estimate metamorphic pressure and temperature (P-T) using appropriate geothermometers and geobarometers. The estimated temperature for migmatitic gneiss of the area is ∼600–625 °C and 600–650 °C for migmatitic schist; the pressure is ∼ 8 kbar. For amphibolite the temperature is ∼600–700 °C and pressure is 8–12 kbar. The estimated pressures and temperatures for the northeast Obudu rocks correspond to upper amphibolite to lower granulite facies metamorphism. The metamorphism occurred due to continent-continent collision during the Pan-African orogeny, most likely during the D1 deformational phase of the area. The recorded high pressures possibly resulted from crustal thickening in the area. P-T conditions for Pan-African orogeny in northeast Obudu area are in good agreement with P-T estimations for the Pan-African event in adjacent areas

Air quality assessment along a landfill site in Uyo

Air quality assessment along a landfill site was carried out in Uyo using stratified sampling method. Spatially, the landfill site had the highest concentrations of SO2 (0.26±0.15 ppm), NO2 (0.24±0.14 ppm), CO (4.01±0.35 ppm), NH3 (6.25±0.97 ppm), H2S (0.55±0.01 ppm), HCN (1.23±0.21 ppm), PM2.5 (75.50±13.50 μg/m3) and PM10 (128.50±28.50 μg/m3). TVOC (2.67±0.09 ppm) and CH2O (0.37±0.02 ppm) were highest at Ibaoku Community; Cl2 (0.41±0.01 ppm) was highest at Ibaoku Junction. Temperature ranged between 25.5ºC to 26.5ºC, relative humidity varied between 76.50% and 77.50% while wind speed varied between 0.47m/s and 1.53 m/s. Diurnally, SO2 (0.24±0.08 ppm), NO2 (0.18±0.06 ppm), CO (2.86±0.69 ppm), NH3 (3.81±1.17 ppm), Cl2 (0.30±0.08 ppm), PM2.5 (61.00±9.53μg/m3) and PM10 (106.00±17.15 ppm) were higher in the evening. H2S (0.28±0.09 ppm), HCN (1.13±0.06 ppm), TVOC (2.13±0.43 ppm) and CH2O (0.29±0.06 ppm) were higher in the morning. Temperature (27.75ºC) and wind speed (1.36±0.53 m/s) were higher in the evening while high relative humidity (79.75±0.48%) was observed in the morning. Air quality index showed good (minimal) concentrations of NO2, SO2 and CO in all locations while concentrations of particulate matters were unhealthy (PM2.5) or moderate (PM10). These results have implications in air pollution monitoring, providing baseline information in monitoring future trends of air pollutants in this region

An Analysis of repeated examinations in conventional film–screen radiography (FSR).

Background: X-ray is an ionising form of radiation used inconventional radiography and this can result in deleterious biologicalchanges in the body if not regulated. Radiation safety is an importantpractice in a medical facility that utilizes radiation in any form fordiagnosis, intervention or treatment. Repeat of non-diagnosticradiographs add to the radiation received by the patient and thepersonnel. The committee on quality assurance in diagnostic X-rayrecommended a repeat rate of 5 – 7% or less.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine image repeatrate and the causes of repeat in a University Teaching Hospital.Materials and Methods: It was a prospective study involving allroutine radiographic cases in department over a two month periodduring which 1251 examinations were carried out. Radiographs wereassessed for diagnostic quality by Radiologists following the usualclinical protocols in radiology film review. The number ofradiographs in each examination type which did not meet diagnosticcriteria and therefore required repeat, were isolated and counted.Results are presented in simple percentages.Results: The overall repeat rate was 8.6%. The highest repeat ratewas observed in radiographs of the lumbosacral region (53.06%) andthe lowest rate in the leg (2%). Under-exposure was the leadingcause of repeat (41.67%), while film fog was the least cause(0.93%). Inappropriate selection of exposure factors and poor patientpositioning by radiographers who are mainly interns (n=8) andjunior radiographers (n=4) contributed most to the repeats. Patientfaults or poor darkroom practice were the other reasons for repeats.Conclusion: The rate of repeat is above the accepted limitsrecommended by the committee on quality assurance in diagnosticX-ray (5 – 7% or less). It has increased above the 4% previouslyobtained (1992 assessment). The rate can be reduced if the juniorcadre radiographers are better supervised and a quality assuranceprogram instituted

Study of The Contribution of Carbon Iv And Carbon II Oxides in Methanol Synthesis With Modified Kinetic Model

The objective of this work was the simulation of methanol production process using a modified kinetic model to study the effect of reaction conditions on the relative contribution of Carbon II and Carbon IV oxides in methanol synthesis. The results showed that Carbon II oxide hydrogenation decreased as percentage of Carbon IV oxide increased and vice-versa. However it was observed that no generalizations could be made regarding the main carbon source in methanol but that the pathway of contribution from CO/CO2 hydrogenation depends on process/reaction conditions. It is recommended that for improved process design, there is the need to carefully interpret experimental data and extrapolate results from low pressure/low conversion to high pressure/high conversion laboratory conditions

Alteration in biochemical indices following administration of seafood (Thais coronata) extract

Seafood consumption has been a way of life to most people especially those that leave in riverine areas, because seafoods are known to contain many nutrients that are essential for healthy living. Consequently, this research therefore seeks to investigate the effect of these nutritive components of Thais coronata on biochemical indices of albino Wistar rats. Fourty five male albino Wister rats weighing between 180-220 g were assigned into 3 groups of fifteen rats each in metabolic cages and were given rat feed and drinking water ad libitum. Two test doses (low dose 7.0 mg protein/ml and  high dose 52 mg protein/ml) were selected  and  administered  to  two  groups  of  rats  orally  and  daily  for  six  weeks,  while  a third group of rats served as the control, n = 15. At the expiration of the feeding period, blood samples were obtained from all the rats via cardiac puncture for the analysis of the various biochemical indices. Both the low and high doses of the extract produced significant increases in HDLc (P<0.001) compared with control. k (P<0.001), HCO3- (P<0.01) and Ca2+ (P<0.001) were also significantly increased in the  extract treated groups. The extract groups had significant reductions in ALT (P<0.001), ALP (P<0.001), Na+ (P<0.001) and Cl- (P<0.001) compared with control. Also Tc (P<0.001), TG (P<0.001), LDL (P<0.001) and VLDLc (P<0.001) were significantly decreased in the extract treated group. In conclusion seafood consumption is of immense benefit to health because it serves to regulate the lipid profile, electrolytes and enzyme concentrations in blood. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.58078

The prevalence of syphilis in pregnant women in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria

Background: Treponema pallidum, the causative organism of syphilis has been a public health challenge for centuries. Syphilis is a significant cause of morbidities and mortalities in pregnant women, and information regarding its prevalence in Nigerian pregnant women is scanty particularly from the south‑south zone. Objective: To determine the prevalence of syphilis in women receiving antenatal care in twelve health care centres in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Methodology: Pre‑coded structured questionnaires were administered to 911 participants over an eight week period. Venous blood samples were collected from each participant and tested with a Treponema pallidum immunochromatographic test. Results: There were about 18 women (1.98%) tested positive to syphilis. Prevalence rates in urban and rural areas were 2.63% and 1.32% respectively. The women from urban areas had a 3.22 (95% CI 1.05‑9.85) increased risk of acquiring syphilis when compared to the rural dwellers. Women with tertiary level of education had a significantly reduced risk of acquiring syphilis compared to those with primary level education while having an unemployed husband increased the risk of acquiring the infection by 10 times. Conclusion: Though VDRL is part of routine antenatal care screening, a policy of its use in the screening of all women receiving antenatal care in Akwa Ibom state should emphasized and it should be incorporated into the state Government’s free antenatal care program. Preferably, a single rapid test should be employed for screening, so that women testing positive could be treated at same clinic visit. Economic empowerment of women should be accorded priority and the practice of safe sex and use of contraception, especially barrier methods should be promoted