Copper, Nickel and Manganese Residues in Tissues and Organs of Rabbits Dosed with Edible Clay

The study examined the kinetics of Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni) and Manganese (Mn) in tissues and organs of rabbits treated with edible clay from Enyigba, Ebonyi state Nigeria. Clay samples were obtained from Enyigba mine. Fifty four of the sampled rabbits were grouped into 3: group 1 and group 2 were administered with 2000 mg/kg and 4000 mg/kg of edible clay respectively while group 3 served as control. Concentrations of these metals were detected in the brain, heart, kidney, liver, lungs, skeletal muscle and blood of each of the rabbits using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). One - way ANOVA was used in analyzing the concentrations with significant results (p < 0.05) recorded. The study results showed that while Cu concentrations were predominant in the liver (15.33±1.18 µg/g), kidney (8.25±1.18 µg/g) and heart (9.43±2.36 µg/g) of 2000 mg/kg treated rabbits on day 1 post-treatment, Ni concentrations were the highest among the three elements especially in the blood (221.59±17.05 µg/g) and skeletal muscle (153.41±19.68 µg/g) of 2000 mg/kg treated rabbits on day 1 post-treatment. Concentrations of Mn were mostly detected in the liver (13.99±4.85 µg/g) of 2000 mg/kg treated rabbits on day 1 post-treatment. Most of the concentration values increased in 4000 mg/kg treated rabbits on day 1 post-treatment. Elimination constants as well as half-life eliminations of the metals studied showed that absorbed elements were still present in most organs and tissues of treated rabbits. The study recommends research for possible microbial toxins that may be found in the edible clay studied

Energetic proton spectra in the 11 June 1991 solar flare

The June 11, 1991 gamma-ray flare seen by the Compton Gamma-ray Observatory (CGRO) displays several features that make it a dynamic and rich event. It is a member of a class of long duration gamma-ray events with both 2.223 MeV and greater than 8 MeV emission for hours after the impulsive phase. It also contains an inter-phase between the impulsive and extended phases that presents a challenge to the standard gamma-ray line (GRL) flare picture. This phase has strong 2.223 MeV emission and relatively weak 4.44 MeV emission indicative of a very hard parent proton spectrum. However, this would indicate emission greater than 8 MeV, which is absent from this period. We present the application of new spectroscopy techniques to this phase of the flare in order to present a reasonable explanation for this seemly inconsistent picture

Energetic proton spectra in the 11 June 1991 solar flare

We have studied a subset of the 11 June 1991 solar flare γ-ray data that we believe arise from soft proton or ion spectra. Using data from the COMPTEL instrument on the Compton Observatory we discuss the gamma-ray intensities at 2.223 MeV, 4–7 MeV, and 8–30 MeV in terms of the parent proton spectrum responsible for the emission

Designing A Solar and Motor-Based Hybrid Powered Mobile Sprinkler System for Small-Scale Irrigation: A Case Study for Auchi Polytechnic Demonstration Farm

This research aimed at developing a model of a hybrid-powered sprinkler irrigation system for use in the town of Auchi, Nigeria, a town with costly and intermittent electricity access. As a highly agrarian society, it is vital that market gardens developed by the family have access to water to provide their families with food and income from the selling of the crops. In Nigeria, changes in rainfall patterns are posing a threat to crop output. Irrigation can be utilized to maintain consistent production; however, motorized irrigation systems are both expensive to operate and environmentally unsustainable. Alternative watering methods are consequently required. Irrigation systems can be powered by readily available renewable energy sources. In order to irrigate 1 acre of vegetable planting in Auchi Polytechnic Demonstration Farm, Auchi, Nigeria, this research sought to design an effective Generator-solar hybrid system. The Using metrological data, mean wind speed and monthly solar irradiance of global radiation horizontal for the district were analysed. The mobile hybrid sprinkler system was optimally designed for a vegetables plant on 1-acre land with water requirement of 33.73 m3 d−1. The results upon fabrication showed that the system could effectively operate at speeds of 20 m s −1 without deformation. The research will, therefore, be a useful guideline in making investment decisions in hybrids irrigation systems. Keywords: Automated, Irrigation, Auchi Polytechnic Demonstration Farm, hybrid-powered sprinkler DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/12-4-01 Publication date:October 31st 2021

Gamma ray measurements of the 1991 November 15 solar flare

The 1991 November 15 X1.5 flare was a well observed solar event. Comprehensive data from ground-based observatories and spacecraft provide the basis for a contextual interpretation of gamma-ray spectra from the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO). In particular, spectral, spatial, and temporal data at several energies are necessary to understand the particle dynamics and the acceleration mechanism(s) within this flare. X-ray images, radio, Ca XIX data and magnetograms provide morphological information on the acceleration region [4,5], while gamma-ray spectral data provide information on the parent ion spectrum. Furthermore, time profiles in hard X-rays and gamma-rays provide valuable information on temporal characteristics of the energetic particles. We report the results of our analysis of the evolution of this flare as a function of energy (∼25 keV–2.5 MeV) and time. These results, together with other high energy data (e.g. from experiments on Yohkoh, Ulysses, and PVO) may assist in identifying and understanding the acceleration mechanism(s) taking place in this event

Solving delay differential equations by using implicit 2-point block backward differentiation formula

In this paper, an implicit 2-point Block Backward Differentiation formula (BBDF) method was considered for solving Delay Differential Equations (DDEs). The method was implemented by using a constant stepsize via Newton Iteration. This implicit block method was expected to produce two points simultaneously. The efficiency of the method was compared with the existing classical 1-point Backward Differentiation Formula (BDF) in terms of execution time and accurac

X- and gamma-ray observations of the 15 November 1991 Solar Flare

This work expands the current understanding of the 15 November 1991 Solar Flare. The flare was a well observed event in radio to gamma-rays and is the first flare to be extensively studied with the benefit of detailed soft and hard X-ray images. In this work, we add data from all four instruments on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. Using these data we determined that the accelerated electron spectrum above 170 keV is best fit with a power law with a spectral index of −4.6, while the accelerated proton spectrum above 0.6 MeV is fit with a power law of spectral index −4.5. From this we computed lower limits for the energy content of these particles of∼1023 ergs (electrons) and ∼1027 ergs (ions above 0.6 MeV). These particles do not have enough energy to produce the white-light emission observed from this event. We computed a time constant of 26+20−15 s for the 2.223 MeV neutron capture line, which is consistent at the 2σ level with the lowest values of ∼70 s found for other flares. The mechanism for this short capture time may be better understood after analyses of high energy EGRET data that show potential evidence for pion emission near ∼100 MeV

OPTIMIZATION OF BIODIESEL PRODUCTION FROM DANIELLA OLIVERI OIL SEED USING WASTE SNAIL SHELL AS HETEROGENEOUS CATALYST

Biodiesel has gained support and recognition as a fuel to replace fossil fuel which has caused a lot of damage to the environment. In search of locally cheap raw materials that could be used for biodiesel production at a cheaper rate. An investigation was carried out with Daniela oliveri oil seed and waste snail shells as raw materials. One step alkaline transesterification was conducted to produce the biodiesel. Snail shell was used as a source of CaO heterogeneous catalysts by calcination process at 9000C for 5 h. Four process parameters were optimized; methanol to oil ratio 7:1, reaction temperature 500C, catalyst concentration 2.0 wt% and reaction time 60 min to obtained high yield of biodiesel 77% from the oil. The fuel properties of the produced biodiesel from D.oliveri oil were compared with the ASTM standard and found within the requirements

A decade of instrumental vaginal deliveries in Jos University Teaching Hospital, North Central Nigeria (2007–2016)

Background: Instrumental vaginal deliveries are witnessing a steady decline despite its usefulness in improving obstetric outcomes in resource‑limited settings. This decline in instrumental deliveries is enhanced by dearth of information on good outcomes thereby making its use unpopular among younger generations of obstetricians. The study was aimed at determining the rate of instrumental deliveries and associated outcomes in Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).Materials and Methods: This study was a 10‑year retrospective hospital‑based study carried out between January 2007 and December 2016 in JUTH which compared the use of vacuum extractors and forceps to effect vaginal deliveries and the delivery outcomes encountered following such deliveries.Results: Of the 16,614 deliveries during the study period, 71 were instrumental vaginal deliveries with an incidence of 0.4% for the study period. Vacuum accounted for 97.2% of the deliveries and forceps 2.8%. Prolonged second stage was the indication for instrumental delivery in 85.9% of parturients and there were no significant differences in Apgar scores between babies that had instrumental deliveries and those that did not. Age and parity were not significantly associated with instrumental deliveries. The instrumental delivery rates were, however, significantly lower than earlier reports from this center, and that globally recommended.Conclusion: Instrumental vaginal deliveries are fast declining in JUTH and the few instrumental deliveries carried out showed a faster decline in forceps deliveries. Efforts have to be made to revive the art of instrumental vaginal delivery in the center to save it from extinction.Keywords: Complications; forceps; instrumental vaginal delivery; North Central Nigeria; outcomes; trends; vacuum deliver

Burden and psychological effects : caregiver experiences in a psychiatric outpatient unit in Lagos, Nigeria

Objective: Worldwide, research into experiences of care givers are gradually increasing and their central role in community care is being acknowledged. Caregivers experience a multidimensional range of problems, often associated with their caregiving role. It becomes important to identify these areas of burden and provide necessary support. The study sought to determine the prevalence of psychological distress and experience of burden of care among the caregivers of mentally ill patients. Method: A cross sectional descriptive study. Eligible consecutive subjects were recruited to the study over a 6 month period. Fifty three caregiver relatives of patients diagnosed with a psychiatric illness were assessed using the General Health questionnaire version 12, an Adapted Burden of Care (BOC) Schedule and a Sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: The caregivers were 51% male and 49% female. Most were above 35years in age (66.1%). They were either parents (38.8%), siblings (18.4%), uncle/aunt (14.3%), first cousin (12.2%) or other extended relatives (16.3%). Almost half of the relatives had psychological distress (43.8%) and most of which (63%) had more burden. The mean score on the BOC among the caregivers was 41 (±18.68SD), with scores ranging from 0.00-89.00, and 45.3% of relatives experiencing more than average burden of care. Conclusion: There is a significant level of burden and psychological distress experienced by caregivers in this study location. It is recommended that effectively planned interventions are targeted at  alleviating this burden and at improving the ability of caregivers to cope, within the Nigerian mental health service delivery system.Key Words: Caregiver; Burden; Patients; Psychiatry; Nigeri