EFFECTS OF MOISTURE CONTENTS AND TEMPERATURE ON THE THERMAL PROPERTIES OF SOME NERICA VARIETIES RELEVANT TO ITS PROCESSING

The thermal properties of NERICA (New Rice for Africa) was investigated on differing moisture content levels and temperatures. The NERICA varieties studied includes; FARO 44, FARO 52, FARO 57, FARO 60 and FARO 61. The variety samples were later categorized into two; NERICA Raw-Paddy and NERICA Parboiled-Milled samples. The thermal properties studied were; thermal conductivity, specific heat, and thermal diffusivity. The thermal conductivity and the specific heat were determined using the thermal conductivity probe method and a digital scanning calorimeter, respectively. The thermal diffusivity was determined from the obtained results of the specific heat and the thermal conductivity. Results indicated that, increase in moisture content and temperature results to increase in the specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of NERICA varieties and these ranged from 4.245 to 39.976 kJ/kgoC; 0.042 to 1.403 W/moC; and 1.236 x 10-5 to 5.933 x 10-5 m2/s respectively for NERICA Raw-Paddy and 7.033 to 81.657 kJ/kgoC; 0.067 to 1.876 W/moC; and 1.413 x 10-5 to 5.219 x 10-5 m2/s respectively for NERICA Parboiled-Milled. Bulk density decreased with an increase in moisture contents and temperature and the obtained results ranged from 760.3 to 698.7 kg/m3 for NERICA Raw-Paddy and 720.4 to 652.4 kg/m3 for NERICA Parboiled. Regression analysis were carried out on the thermal properties of NERICA varieties and moisture content, and there was positive correlation between the parameters. There were significant effects of moisture content (p < 0.05) on all the parameters studied

Re- appraising the right of foreign nationals under the Nigerian Land Use Act

This paper examines the right of foreigners to own land under the Nigerian Land Use Act with a view to determining the state of the law on this subject matter. The Land Use Act did not make any express provision prohibiting foreigners from accessing land in Nigeria for industrial, commercial or residential purposes. However, the Act conferred the power to make regulation in this regard on the National Council of States. Unfortunately, the National Council of States has not yet exercised this power thereby leaving a lacuna on the position of the law in this regard. The Nigerian Supreme Court has laid down a precedent to the effect that foreigners cannot own land in Nigeria. The paper found that a closer examination of the state of statutory authorities would reveal that there is no blanket prohibition on the right of foreign nationals to own land in Nigeria The paper further found that the Land Tenure Law of Northern Nigeria merely made the right of access to land by “non-natives” subject to the approval of the Minister. The term “non-natives” as used under the Land Tenure Law of Northern Nigeria extended to people whose parents are not members of any tribe indigenous to Northern Nigeria. The acquisition of Land by Aliens Law of Lagos State and other States actually came close to a blanket prohibition. The paper also discovered that the provisions of the Land Use Act as it affects the right of foreigners to own land in Nigeria is imprecise. The paper attempted to resolve the inherent conflict between the aforementioned sub national laws and the Land Use Act which is an Act of the National Assembly entrenched in the Constitution. Recommendations were also made on how the law on this subject matter can be improved Key Words: “Land”, “Ownership”, “Foreign Nationals”, “Constitution”, “Non-Natives”, “Aliens

Re-examining the legality of regional security outfits in Nigeria

Rising insecurity has become a challenge to the government and people of Nigeria. The magnitude of this problem has exceeded the coping capacity of the conventional security outfit in Nigeria. Although Nigeria is a federal state, the central government has always found the idea of a decentralized policing and security activities scary. This is not unconnected with the post-civil war mentality of ensuring the absence of coercive instrument of State do not get into the hands of people with centrifugal tendencies. However, insurgency and other forms of criminality has rendered these fears unwise at this time. The paper examines the constitutional and legal provisions for security of lives and property in Nigeria. The paper found that contrary to the widely held belief that policing and security is the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government, there are provisions within the Constitution and other laws that could enable regional security outfits to operate lawfully in Nigeria. Their effective operation however requires a measure of cooperation with the central government in view of the fact that arms and ammunition which constitutes the major weapon used in security operations is within the exclusive legislative list. The paper also found that the fact this cooperation is required does not make the establishment of security outfit by the States unlawful. In view of the enabling laws, the devolution of powers for the establishment of regional security outfit is inherent within the constitution. Key Words: “Security”, “Law”, “National Development”, “Constitution

CONCENTRATION OF HEAVY METALS IN THE SOIL AND PLANTS AROUND WASTE DUMPSITES IN ENUGU METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Aims: The purpose of this project is to find the concentration of heavy metals in the topsoil and the plant around the waste dumpsite from Enugu municipal solid disposal sites. Methodology and Results: There was a collection of soil samples from four designated public municipal solid waste dumpsites in Enugu metropolis. The soil samples were collected at 10m intervals from the centre location point of each dumpsite at a constant depth. The sample collection design include centre (0 m) of the dumpsites, 10, 20, and 30m. However, the control sample was 65m away from the centre of dumpsites at the same depth. Plant samples were taken just at the centre (0m), and control measures were at 65m distance away from each dumpsite. The Goat grasses harvested were taken to the lab to determine and analyse heavy metals intake from the soil. These samples were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA320N) model. On the average, high concentrations of Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Pb found in the soil samples collected at the centre of the dumpsites were 141.70, 121.5, 75.53, 70.33 and 64.53 mg/kg respectively. The results were statistically analysed and had significant effects between the samples (p < 0.05). Conclusion, significance, and impact study: The heavy metals studied were within the acceptable or permissible limit by WHO and FAO. However, the plant intake of zinc at Presidential that was beyond the maximum permissible level of 163.45 mg/kg Zn compared with FAO and WHO standard of 50 mg/kg

Determination of the rheological characteristics of some varieties of new rice for Africa (NERICA) relevant to its processing

The pasting properties of some NERICA (New Rice for Africa) varieties were determined using the rapid visco-analytical machine (RVA). The studied varieties include FARO 44, FARO 52, FARO 57, FARO 60, and FARO 61. The parameters assessed include the pasting temperature, peak time, peak or maximum viscosity, hot paste viscosity or trough, cold paste or final viscosity, breakdown, and setback. Results obtained indicated that the pasting characteristics of NERICA varieties studied exhibited good pasting behavior. Results showed that peak viscosity, final viscosity, hot paste viscosity, breakdown, and setback ranged from 30.83 to 85.17 RVU; 62.21 to 167.13 RVU; 25.83 to 76.88 RVU; and 5.01 to 8.29 RVU; and 31.38 to 81.96 RVU, respectively. There were significant effects of moisture content and temperature (p < 0.05) on all parameters studied. These generated results of the pasting characteristics of NERICA will be extremely useful in determining their suitability in food and other relevant industries

Pneumonitis in Irradiated Lungs After Nivolumab: A Brief Communication and Review of the Literature

Nivolumab is a feasible therapy option in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who progress on first-line treatment. However, there is limited information about an overlapping toxicity of PD-1 inhibitors when administered following thoracic radiotherapy (TRT). Three of 25 patients with advanced NSCLC were treated with palliative or curative intent. Nivolumab was initiated as second or third-line therapy after TRT for recurrent or progressive disease. All 3 patients developed grade 3 pneumonitis at some point during nivolumab therapy. Herein, we describe 3 cases of pneumonitis in patients with NSCLC started on nivolumab following TRT. Imaging analysis was strongly consistent with heterogenous lung parenchyma changes in the irradiated lung volume receiving a total dose of 15-20Gy. Pulmonary toxicity was manageable;however, interruption of immunotherapy was necessary

Moderate hypofractionated image-guided thoracic radiotherapy for locally advanced node-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients with very limited lung function: a case report

Patients with locally advanced lung cancer and very limited pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] <= 1 L) have dismal prognosis and undergo palliative treatment or best supportive care. We describe two cases of locally advanced node-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with very limited lung function treated with induction chemotherapy and moderate hypofractionated image-guided radiotherapy (Hypo-IGRT). Hypo-IGRT was delivered to a total dose of 45 Gy to the primary tumor and involved lymph nodes. Planning was based on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) and four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT). Internal target volume (ITV) was defined as the overlap of gross tumor volume delineated on 10 phases of 4D-CT. ITV to planning target volume margin was 5 mm in all directions. Both patients showed good clinical and radiological response. No relevant toxicity was documented. Hypo-IGRT is feasible treatment option in locally advanced node-positive NSCLC patients with very limited lung function (FEV1 <= 1 L)