Factors Influencing the Preference For Labour Saving Devices Among Rural Women In Kaduna State, Nigeria

Rural women are often saddled with drudgery-laden tasks and require succor by way of labour saving devices (LSDs). This study was carried out to investigate the level of awareness of LSDs, actual use of LSDs, factors influencing the preference for, and constraints limiting the use of LSDs, Multi-stage sampling was used to select three Local Government Areas in Kaduna State, 228 respondents and four drudgery-laden tasks (DLTS). 2 on-farm and 2 off-farm-relating to maize production. Primary data were generated using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, 5-point Likert type scale and Chi square statistics. The results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 36.5 years while average household size was 7.8 persons. Majority (91.7%) of the respondents knew about LSDs while only 48.5% used devices on a regular basis. Chi-square analysis showed that age, education and household size significantly influenced preference for LSDs; marital status and occupation did not (P<0.05). Constraints identified include high cost and unavailability of devices. Interventions are suggested with a view to better harnessing of LSDs and improving the livelihoods of rural womenfolk. Key words: Labour Saving Devices Rural Women DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-8-07 Publication date: August 31st 201

MoRe-T2 (mobility research trajectory tracker): validation and application

It is important to assess the suitability of mobility aids before prescribing them to patients. This assessment is often subjectively completed by a therapist and it often includes a variety of basic practical tests. An objective assessment of a patient's capability, which captures not only speed of task completion and success, but also accuracy and risk of manoeuvres, would be both a fairer and safer approach. Yet until now such an assessment would have been cost-prohibitive, especially in low resource settings. We pave the way towards this end goal, by describing, validating and demonstrating a low-cost computer vision based system called MoRe-T2 (mobility research trajectory tracker). The open-source MoRe-T2 system uses low-cost off-the-shelf webcams to track the pose of fiducial markers, which are simply printed onto regular office paper. In this article, we build upon previous work and benchmark the accuracy of MoRe-T2 against an industry standard motion capture system. In particular, we show that MoRe-T2 achieves accuracy comparable to CODA motion tracking system. We go on to demonstrate a use case of MoRe-T2 in assessing wheelchair manoeuvrability over a relatively large area. The results show that MoRe-T2 is scalable at a much lower cost than typical industry-standard motion trackers. Therefore, MoRe-T2 can be used to develop more objective and reliable assessments of mobility aids, especially in low-resource settings

EVALUATION OF DEPTH TO BASEMENT, HEAT FLOW, AND LEAD-ZINC MINERALIZATION FROM ANALYSIS OF AEROMAGNETIC DATA IN SOME PARTS OF SOUTHERN BENUE TROUGH

The techniques of aeromagnetic data analysis were employed to elucidate depth to magnetic basement sources, lead-zinc (pb-zn) mineralisation and heat flow in parts of Southern Benue Trough. The study area covers an area extent of about 18,150 sq. Km, latitude 05 0 30’N - 06 0 30’N and longitude 007 0 30’E - 009 0 00’E. The digital aeromagnetic data consisting of Total Magnetic Intensity with geospatial attributes covering six (6) sheets 302 (Nkalagu), 303 (Abakaliki), 304 (Dangha), 313 (Afikpo), 314 (Ugep) and 315 (Ikom) were used in this study. Several magnetic digital filtering methods such as reduce to pole, low/high pass, etc were applied on the data before analysis for lineaments, mineralisation, and depth to magnetic sources. Zones of broad magnetic anomalies were found in the north eastern and south eastern part of the study area like Otam-Izekwe, Enyigba, Uburu, Abakaliki, Ndieze Izzi, Isiagu, Obubra, Oturekpe, Mkpani, Idomi, Enona, Ugep, etc. Depth estimates to the magnetic basement sources from spectral analysis range from 0.65km to 1.155 km, while depth estimate from source parameter imaging (SPI) stretches from 0.679km to 7.723km. The north western part of the study area is the deepest. Pb-zn mineralization within the study area is found to be structurally controlled trending in NE-SW and NW – SE directions. The heat flow values range from 0.65 – 1.95Wm-2, pb-zn mineralization is within 0.9 – 1.4Wm-2 and Curie point depth range from 0.75km to 2.1km. Keywords: Depth to basement, Heat flow, Lead-Zinc, Mineralization, Aeromagnetic data DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-2-06 Publication date:March 31st 202

Paleoenvironmental Analysis of Sandstone Deposits within ESUT Agbani Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria, using Pebble Morphometry and Textural Analysis

Pebble morphometric and textural analysis were carried out on the sandstone deposits within the Agbani Campus of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) in an attempt to reconstruct the paleoenvironment of deposition. The area has four major lithological units which include: Coarse Sandstone, Medium Sandstone, Clayey Shale and Very Fine to Fine Sandstone. A total of ninety fresh Quartz pebbles (fifteen each from six locations) were collected for Pebble analysis and five sandstone samples were collected for sieve analysis. Morphometric parameters such as size, flatness ratio, elongation ratio, maximum projection sphericity, form geometry and oblate index were computed. Bivariate scattergrams of roundness versus oblate-prolate index were also plotted.Results show that the coefficient of flatness for the area range from 45.76 to 226.6    while mean values of sphericity and oblate prolate index ranges from 0.061 to 7.615 and 0.746 to 18.872 respectively. These values suggest fluvial origin for the pebbles. Scatter plots of coefficient of flatness versus sphericity and sphericity versus oblate-prolate index suggests that the pebbles were formed in a fluvial environment. Bivariate plots of sand-textural parameters such as simple skewness against simple standard deviation also suggest that the sediments are more of a fluvial and partly shallow marine environment. The widespread of Orphiomopha, Skolitus and Rhizocolarium in the area supports the idea of a near shore depositional environment. Keywords: Pebble Morphometry, Paleoenvironment, Coefficient of Flatness, Oblate-prolate Index, Roundnes

Evaluation of 2d Electrical Resistivity Imaging and Self- Potential Anomalies over Agbani Sandstone, Southern Benue Trough: Implication for Sulphide Ore Enrichment

The evaluation of 2D electrical resistivity imaging and self potential anomalies over Agbani Sandstone has been carried out. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible/lateral extent of rock types, mineralization potential and their implication for sulphide ore enrichment. Data was acquired using the versatile ohmega resistivity meter, employing wenner configuration and the direct measurement method. Data set were analysed using the Res2dinv and Excel tool kits. Interpretation was basically qualitative. Based on the 2D electrical resistivity interpretation, Agbani sandstone is laterally limited in extent with fractures/joints, while the mineralization potential is high as the result of the high negative sp anomalies. The negative sp value range is -100mV to -500mV. This is practically indicative of a sulphide ore bodies- possibly Pyrite (FeS2). Possible sulphide ore enrichment model is by gravity flow. The fractures/joints are possible ore enrichment zones. However, stream sediments analysis and rock geochemical studies are recommended. Keywords:2D resistivity, Self potential, Mineralization potential, Pyrite, enrichment zone, Agbani sandstone

Evaluation of Newspaper Reading Habits of Youths in Anambra State, Nigeria

This article examines newspaper reading habits of youths in Anambra State, Nigeria.  The study aims at ascertaining the newspapers that youths in Anambra State read most, the frequency of their readership of newspapers, the type of stories they mostly read and the ways through which they obtain the newspapers they read.  The study uses quantitative research technique.  It adopts a sample size of 300 youths, purposively drawn from Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi.  The survey is anchored on the Uses and Gratification theory of the mass media.  The paper employs the simple percentage method and frequency tables as analytical tools.  Findings of the study show that youths in Anambra State read newspapers a lot and that The Sun, The Guardian, Complete Sports and The Vanguard are the newspapers they mostly read.  Findings also reveal that sports, political and economic news are the major stories the youths read and that they obtain the newspapers  they read mainly by going to newspaper stands (to read without paying) browsing newspapers with their cell phones, borrowing from friends and neighbours and by visiting the public library.  The paper concludes that most youths in Anambra State do not buy newspapers they read and recommends massive empowerment of youths by the government through provision of employment and other poverty alleviation strategies to enable them buy newspapers. Key words: Newspaper, Reading, Habits, Evaluation, Youths, Anambra Stat

Hydrochemical Assessment of Groundwater Around Osogbo Central Dumpsite, Onibu-Eja, Osun State

Groundwater sources around Oshogbo central dumpsite in Osun state, Nigeria, have been evaluated with the aim of detecting possible influence of dumpsites on nearby aquifers and suitability for domestic use. The site covers an area of 79 200m2 with an undulating surface. Being part of Ilesha Schist Belt, the major rock types in the area include amphibolites, pegmatites and quartzites. Preliminary tests were conducted on the water samples to determine some parameters, such as PH, Oxidation-reduction potential, Conductivity, Total Dissolve Solids, (TDS), E. Coli, etc, as investigative markers. To detect the presence of Heavy Metals and other parameters, there was random collection of a total of thirty (30) samples of leachates/water, using sterilized bottles. At dried areas, soil samples were collected and distilled water was introduced to extract leachates. The samples were then tested for the following heavy metal pollutants: Cadmium, Iron, Lead, Mercury, Zinc, Chromium, Nickel, Arsenic, Copper, and Cobalt. An appraisal of the results using World Health Organization (WHO’s) and National Standards for Drinking water Quality proved among others, the presence of Mercury, Cadmium, Iron, Arsenic, and high level of Lead contamination. There were also exceeding values of Cadmium in most samples, except in a few others where it was totally absent. Mercury had exceeding values in few samples and absent in the rest of the samples. Heavy metals pollution has harmful effects on the Biological system, via bio-accumulation, and cannot undergo biodegradation. Therefore appropriate remedial treatment is required for the groundwater in the study area since most of the heavy metals in the samples are above the WHO’s and National standards. Keywords: Heavy Metals, Biodegradation, Pollutants, WHO DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-12-04 Publication date: December 31st 202

Spotting Specific Agricultural Practices Impacting Desertification in Zamfara State, Nigeria

Agricultural practices are among anthropogenic factors impacting the desertification process.  However, it is necessary to determine which of the practices that most affect the process.  Eleven of the nineteen Nigeria’s northern states bear the characteristics of the Sudano-Sahelian region.  One of them (Zamfara State) was randomly selected for the study.  A structured questionnaire was administered on 500 farmers out of which 497 of them responded.  Data extracted were subjected to Pearson’s correlation and stepwise regression analyses. The Pearson’s correlation showed positive association between desertification and slash and burn, (r=0.074; p=0.05) and free-range farming (r = 0.103; p = 0.011 and negative association between desertification and organic manuring (r = -0.100; p = 0.013).  The stepwise regression analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between desertification and free-range farming and organic manuring at p = 0.035 and p = 0.040 respectively. It was therefore concluded that slash and burn as well as free range farming were some of the agricultural practices employed in Zamfara State that most exacerbated desertification process in the region. Keywords: Desertification, Agricultural practices, Free range farming, Organic manuring. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-8-02 Publication date:August 31st 202

Performance evaluation of clay-sawdust composite filter for point of use water treatment

Water borne diseases have remained a major challenge in most developing countries. This is usually as a result of lack of access to clean water and contamination associated with water fetching and conveyance. This work explores the possibility of improving water quality and eliminating the possibility of recontamination by the use of point of use (POU) water filters made from cheap locally available materials. The performance of POU water filters for the purification of water obtained from various sources was investigated.  Sawdust was used as a burnout material in order to enhance the rate of filtration. The clay was first characterized and then various proportions (5%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 50% by weight) of sawdust were mixed with the clay for filter production. The clay was found to have a specific gravity of 2.4, a high liquid limit of 81.6% and a medium plastic limit of 48.54%. The flow rates of the filters ranged between 0.0005litres/hr for the filter with 5% sawdust and 0.8litres/hr for the filter with 50% sawdust. The average removal of suspended solids (SS) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) was 98.6% and 33% respectively while the mean Log10 reduction in total count (TC) was 93.1%. Result of analysis of variance showed that there was no significant difference between the performances of the filters. However, there was a significant difference between the flow rates with F(18.71) > F critical (5.14). This implies that while burnout materials improve water quality, increasing burnout materials in clay filters beyond 50% does not significantly affect the performance for the filter with respect to the quality of effluent but with respect to flow rate. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i4.3

Groundwater Geogenic and Anthropogenic Assessment of Organic and Inorganic Contaminants within Three Major Metropolies in Enugu

This study assessed the impact of increased industrialization and population within three major metropolis in Enugu, namely Abakpa, Emena, and Independence Layout by analyzing 60 water samples and 10 shale samples. Inventory of Dumpsites were done and categorized into domestic, industrial, commercial and hazardous wastes. Pollution load indices analysis such as Heavy metal pollution index (HPI), Heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) and Degree of contamination (Cdeg) categorized the groundwater quality in the study area into low, intermediate and high contamination. The multivariate statistical analysis extracted three anthropogenic diagnostic factors controlling the chemistry based on the parameter associations. The XRD analysis shows that influence of geogenic factors in groundwater contamination within the study area is very minimal. None of the computed WQI fell within the excellent water quality within the stud. Generally 28.3% of the groundwater fell under the good water quality, 41.6% within the poor water quality, 20% within the very poor water quality and 10% within the unsuitable water condition. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-4-04 Publication date:June 30th 2023