Development and evaluation of metal rolling machine for small-scale manufacturers

 The global drive toward intermediate technology and sustainable development motivated the development of sheet metal rolling machines for small-scale artisanal manufacturers.  This paper presents the design, construction and evaluation of a sheet metal rolling machine for small-scale enterprises.  The machine consists of three rollers; a rigid forming roller, a free floating roller and a drive roller arranged triangularly with two handles for shape-rolling.  The rollers were made of galvanized metal pipe, 1,050 mm long, 76 mm diameter, each approximately, 3 mm thickness; a driving shaft 1,220 mm long, 16.6 mm diameter and 4 pieces of mild steel washers to provide support to shaft and also to limit the bending stress on the rollers.  The entire system is mounted on a metal frame made from angled-iron bars which were secured in place with 19 mm bolt and nuts.  The clamping and folding bearing blocks are 120 mm thick, the throat width is 1,200 mm, and maximum length capacity of the machine is 1,050 mm.  The best roller aperture for material tested is 5.5 mm and maximum bend radius of 2.5 mm.  The maximum length of material that gives the best circular shape is 620 mm.  The average percentage acceptance of the machine by the artisan is 70.59% (n=24) indicating that the technology is acceptable.  Fifteen percent of the welders and 40% of tinsmiths are well acquainted with the functions of the machine.  A total of 73.53% (n=26) of the respondents are not acquainted (technology awareness) with the shape rolling technology while 26.47% (n=9) have a fair knowledge of the use of such machines in metal rolling.  The whole machine has a very small footprint, making it ideal for the home workshop and small factory alike.   Keywords: metal rolling, bushing, bearing block, capacity, bending loa

Assessment of injuries in small scale sawmill industry of south western Nigeria

Body injuries sustained in sawmill industry during the milling activities in Ondo, Oyo and Osun states in the Western part of Nigeria were investigated.  Nigeria Sawmill Industries are essentially distributed between small, medium and large scale in the proportion of 81%: 13%: 6% respectively (RMRDC, 2003).   A survey involving the use of questionnaire, participatory approaches, on-the-spot assessments and interviews were used as tools for investigation.  A total of 140 injury cases were recorded among 64 workers from investigated sawmills.  The data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics.  Results indicated that mill workers suffers highest injury rate of 83% while moving logs to mill from log yard or stack while timber stacking accident is the least at 36%.  Other accident cases recorded during the investigation include; log transport to the mill is 22%, milling operation 41% and maintenance accident 38%.  Injuries occurring to body parts include upper limb injuries (Neck and head, arm, wrist, hand and shoulder) 68%, back and lower back injuries 58%, and less prominent lower limb (Legs, knees and ankle) injuries at 13%. Keywords: hazards, injuries, overexertion, sawmill Citation: Bello S. R., and Y. Mijinyawa.  Assessment of injuries in small scale sawmill industry of south western Nigeria.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(1): 151-157.&nbsp

Remedies for glucose intolerance – are traditional herbal concoctions for diabetes effective?

Background:Preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes in prediabetes has the potential to reduce the disease prevalence.Objective:The effectiveness of traditional herbal concoctions for diabetes in ameliorating glucose intolerance was investigated.Material and Methods:Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was carried out by giving 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg of individual plant extract and their aqueous herbal concoctions made from Musa sapientum + Allium sativum + Tetracarpidium conophorum; Gongronema latifolia + Bauhinia monandra; and Alstonia boonei + Mangifera indica to groups of rats, 30 and 60 minutes respectively prior to 3 g/kg of glucose load. Blood glucose levels were determined at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes post administration. Area under the curve (AUC) for OGTT and glycemic index were calculated and compared with the vehicle control and metformin (100 mg/kg). Level of significance was set at P<0.05.Results:Oral glucose tolerance test AUCs of individual plants were significantly lower than that of the vehicle control (P<0.05) but comparable with that of metformin (P>0.05) when given 30 minutes prior to glucose load. The OGTT curve AUCs of the three herbal concoctions were significantly higher than the two controls (P>0.05). Glycemic index of the concoctions were significantly higher than that of metformin (P>0.05)Conclusion:The herbal concoctions were not effective in ameliorating glucose intolerance. Individual plants were more effective when administered 30 minutes prior to glucose load. The individual herbs showed potentials to delay the onset of diabetes. Further investigations should be conducted on the numerous herbal concoctions used for diabetes.Keywords: Diabetes, Herbs, Oral glucose tolerance tes

Preferred Approach to Clinical Performance Improvement among Physicians at the University College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria

Background: Training needs assessment involves the identification and prioritization of training requirements. The medical practice regulatory authority in Nigeria recommends continuing medical education for physicians. The courses are preplanned and often do not take into consideration the training needs and the preferred method for performance improvement. This study aimed to assess the preferred method for performance improvement among physicians at a tertiary health facility in Southwest Nigeria. Methods: This is a descriptive cross‑sectional survey carried out among 355 doctors employed in the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Sampling was conducted using stratified random sampling with a proportionate allocation to size across different cadres of doctors in various departments/units. The World Health Organization Hennessy‑Hicks Training Needs Analysis Questionnaire was adopted for this study. The self‑administered questionnaire consisted of 33 items (assignments) grouped into five subcategories: clinical assignments, communication/teamwork, research/audit, management/supervisory assignments, and administration. Participants were requested to rate each of the 33 items/assignments along with seven‑point scales (one = not at all important and seven = very important). The  Hennessy‑Hicks training manual quadrant chart was adopted for the interpretation of the training needs gap. Results: Three hundred and three (85.4%) of 355 participants responded to the survey. The mean age ± standard deviation of participants was 37.62 ± 6.7 years. About four‑fifths of the participants were resident doctors. Regarding the most important rating, the clinical assignment subcategory was rated (6.3) as the most important to participants’ job, out of the five subcategories. Participants, however, rated their performance best in the communication/teamwork subcategory. The training needs gap was highest (0.82) in the  research/audit subcategory and lowest (0.48) in the communication/teamwork category. All subcategories reported a similar score (5.8) on participants’ perception of the organization’s development as a method to bridge the gap in training needs. Participants also rated the training course method as a better method to improve performance in all five subcategories. Conclusion: The research/audit subcategory reported training needs gap that requires close monitoring and possible intervention. This could be done by organizing and sponsorship physicians for training courses. Keywords: Health resources, Nigeria, physicians, training needs assessment

Dose-response relationship between alcohol use and blood pressure among drivers of commercial vehicles in Calabar, Southern Nigeria

Alcohol is a sedative/hypnotic with effects similar to those of barbiturates.1 The type of alcoholic beverages consumed depends on the social context and financial capability. Alcoholic beverages may be in form of beer, wine, dry gin. Drinking alcohol is an activity that many people enjoy; taking a few drinks occasionally is generally harmless. Most people do not have problems as a result of drinking alcohol in this manner, although this may predispose to heavy use. Heavy alcohol consumption has been shown in observational studies to have a strong positive association with elevated blood pressure.2-4 Further evidence have been shown by clinical trials5,6 that have demonstrated that reduction in alcohol intake among individuals who drink heavily (i.e. three or more drinks per day) can lower blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive men. Some studies have recorded a linear dose-response relationship sometimes starting with a consumption threshold of three drinks per day (30 g of ethanol).7-13 In others, the relationship has been non-linear especially in women, and some authors have speculated that ingestion of small quantities may reduce blood pressure.14-22 These discrepancies may reflect differences in investigational design, methods and populations.23 Many studies have been done in this area in developed countries like the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. This is however, not a commonly researched area in this part of the world. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between alcohol consumption and blood pressure of drivers of commercial vehicles

Comparative study on utilization of charcoal, sawdust and rice husk in heating oven

Segun R. Bello1, T. A. Adegbulugbe2, P. S. N. Onyekwere1(1. Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal College of Agriculture P.M.B 7008 Ishiagu, Ebonyi State Nigeria;2. Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan Nigeria)Abstract: Three biofuels, charcoal, sawdust and rice husk were used in furnace and their thermal capacities and efficiency were measured.  0.01 m3 of each fuel used in the tests were measured to and fired in the heating chamber until all the material completely burn out.  Air is supplied into the furnace by natural convection through air ducts.  The drying chamber was lagged (insulated) by a 25.4 mm air space between inner wall and the outer casing to prevent heat loss.  Three tests were replicated on each fuel and the mean values were used to evaluate heat flow by conduction, radiation and the thermal efficiency of the oven.  The performance characteristics of the machine, including overall efficiency, drying chamber efficiency and thermal capacities of each fuel were evaluated.  The results indicated that charcoal exhibit the highest combustion properties producing 2.54 kJ of energy per hour, sawdust produced 2.68 kJ while rice husk produced the least energy of 1.96 kJ per kg of burnt the products per hour.  The overall furnace efficiency of the oven was 75%, and drying chamber efficiency was 62%.  Characteristic temperature curves observed in the drying chamber indicated that charcoal attained very high thermal value within a short period than other fuels, while saw dust and rice husk had much lower heat buildup and longer temperature rise response time.  By these results, charcoal is suitable for short time heat processes such as baking and roasting, rice husk could be suitable for milk and fruit juice pasteurization, which require heat processing conditions between 63–85℃ for about 15 to  30 minutes.  Sawdust can be used in sterilization of meat, fish; soup etc.  Charcoal is more environmentally friendly than the other products because of the smokeless burning process thus suitable for indoor cooking.Keywords: Thermal capacity, heat process, thermal efficiency, differential, temperatureCitation: Segun R. Bello, T. A. Adegbulugbe, P. S. N. Onyekwere.  Comparative study on utilization of charcoal, sawdust and rice husk in heating oven.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(2): 29-33.&nbsp

Basic Health Care Provision Fund Project Implementation: An Assessment of a Selected Technical Skill among Mid‑level Managers of a Performance‑based Financing Scheme in Southwest Nigeria

Introduction: Knowledge and skills in quantitative/numerical disciplines are some of the essential skills necessary for sustainable and successful administration and management in financing health care. It is not clear whether the personnel across relevant establishments in the health sector of Nigeria have the requisite capacity to implement and manage a performance-based financing project. This survey assessed the availability of certain technical skills among selected mid‑level managers in charge of the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund Project (BHCPFP). Materials and Methods: Data were collected with the aid of a self‑administered questionnaire developed from a review of the project document. Atotal population of mid‑level managers from all the respective ministries was studied across the six states in Southwest Nigeria. Data collection was conducted between February and June 2019. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22. Frequency tables were generated and charts were constructed. Results: A total of 234 eligible participants were studied. Those who had formal training in quantitative/numerical‑based skills such as accounting‑related courses were about one‑third, 77 (32.8%) and those who had acquired formal training in insurance‑related disciplines were 91 (38.7%). A little above one‑third, 66 (28.2%) had a form of on‑the‑job health insurance training. Conclusions: This study showed that mid‑level managers had poor quantitative‑related skills necessary for administrative and technical roles for implementation of BHCPFP. Mid‑level managers should be trained and re‑trained on those administrative and technical skills for better implementation of BHCPFP

Incidence and Chemical Implications of Aflatoxin in Street-Vended Foods

It is known that aflatoxin is produced by some Aspergillus fungal strains. Incidence of this toxin in food and feeds is as a result of contaminations by these fungal strains. Aspergillus strains are common in human environment, and their effects on foods are issues of global concern. First, we need an adequate knowledge of aflatoxin, then we can design proper control and regulatory strategies for its control. In this chapter, we present importance of street-vended foods and their possible health risk on the populace due to possible aflatoxin contamination; we took insights into types and incidences of reported aflatoxin contaminations in street-vended foods and reviewed the chemical nature, structures, and metabolism of aflatoxins and their actions as chemical poisons to human (mycotoxicosis) with deep insight into their toxicology. In addition, we review different environmental factors that may affect aflatoxin production in foods and also considered economic impact of aflatoxin contaminations of foodstuffs. In this chapter, we also discussed different aflatoxin aflatoxin detection methods in foods and examined available or possible regulations to best control its incidence in street-vended food. Adequate understanding of these important information about aflatoxin will form a bedrock for its control in street-vended food

A Review of the Sustainable Utilization of Rice Residues for Bioenergy Conversion Using Different Valorization Techniques, Their Challenges, and Techno-Economic Assessment

[Abstract] The impetus to predicting future biomass consumption focuses on sustainable energy, which concerns the non-renewable nature of fossil fuels and the environmental challenges associated with fossil fuel burning. However, the production of rice residue in the form of rice husk (RH) and rice straw (RS) has brought an array of benefits, including its utilization as biofuel to augment or replace fossil fuel. Rice residue characterization, valorization, and techno-economic analysis require a comprehensive review to maximize its inherent energy conversion potential. Therefore, the focus of this review is on the assessment of rice residue characterization, valorization approaches, pre-treatment limitations, and techno–economic analyses that yield a better biofuel to adapt to current and future energy demand. The pre-treatment methods are also discussed through torrefaction, briquetting, pelletization and hydrothermal carbonization. The review also covers the limitations of rice residue utilization, as well as the phase structure of thermochemical and biochemical processes. The paper concludes that rice residue is a preferable sustainable biomass option for both economic and environmental growth.S.K. would like to thank J.P. for providing guidance and funding for the research study through J510050002—IC—6— BOLDREFRESH2025—CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE from the iRMC of Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia. H.N.A. thanks the Xunta de Galicia (Spain) for the postdoctoral fellowship (ED 481B-2016/195-0, ED481D 2019/033). E.R.R. thanks the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education for providing staff, time, and support under the project “Support to Society”, to collaborate with researchers from Malaysia, Nigeria and SpainMalasia. Universiti Tenaga Nasional; J510050002–IC–6 BOLDREFRESH2025-CENTER OF EXCELLENCEXunta de Galicia; ED 481B-2016/195-0Xunta de Galicia; ED481D 2019/03

A review of the sustainable utilization of rice residues for bioenergy conversion using different valorization techniques, their challenges, and techno-economic assessment.

The impetus to predicting future biomass consumption focuses on sustainable energy, which concerns the non-renewable nature of fossil fuels and the environmental challenges associated with fossil fuel burning. However, the production of rice residue in the form of rice husk (RH) and rice straw (RS) has brought an array of benefits, including its utilization as biofuel to augment or replace fossil fuel. Rice residue characterization, valorization, and techno-economic analysis require a comprehensive review to maximize its inherent energy conversion potential. Therefore, the focus of this review is on the assessment of rice residue characterization, valorization approaches, pre-treatment limitations, and techno–economic analyses that yield a better biofuel to adapt to current and future energy demand. The pre-treatment methods are also discussed through torrefaction, briquetting, pelletization and hydrothermal carbonization. The review also covers the limitations of rice residue utilization, as well as the phase structure of thermochemical and biochemical processes. The paper concludes that rice residue is a preferable sustainable biomass option for both economic and environmental growth