The factors influencing municipal solid waste generation in bauchi town, Nigeria

This study investigated the factors influencing municipal solid waste generation (MSWG) in Bauchi town, the administrative headquarters of Bauchi state, Nigeria. The study used quantitative method, while experiments and questionnaire surveys, were used as the major instruments for data collection. Data on solid waste generation and the socioeconomic attributes of residents from 400 households were collected from residential zones within Bauchi town, the study area. Descriptive statistics, Correlations and Standard Multiple Regressions (SMR) were computed for data analysis using SPSS 2.2 software. Twelve (12) socioeconomic factors were computed in SMR to determine the significant factors of MSWG in the study. The results showed that five factors, namely: household size, income, education, house head age and occupation have exerted significant influence on MSWG in the study area. The results also showed that F (5:362) = 84.058 at p ≤ 0.01 and adjusted R² = 0.531; which indicated that the factors in the SMR model have sufficiently explained the variance in MSWG in Bauchi town. The study concluded that the five significant predictor factors have adequately explained the variance of MSWG in the study area. Therefore, the factors have implications for planning of effective waste management system in Bauchi town, Nigeria

Breaking of Dormancy and Its Effects on Seedling Establishment of Date Palm (Phoenix Dactylifera L.)

A study was carried out in the Botanical Garden of the Department of Plant Science and Technology, University of Jos, Nigeria, to determine the most effective method of breaking seed dormancy in Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). The treatments comprised two types of seed (fresh; seeds less than six month old  and the dry seeds were more than six months old) with four different methods of breaking seed dormancy (seeds soaked in acid for 5 minutes, 5 minutes in boiling water, 24 hours in cold water and mechanical scarification) and the control (seeds were not treated). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design and each treatment was replicated five times. Germination rate (%) was measured weekly for four weeks and seedling height (cm) was measured at 2 weeks interval (beginning from 35 days after planting) for a period of eight weeks. The results showed that the different methods of breaking seed dormancy enhanced the germination of the Date palm and seedling growth. The boiling and cold water treatments had significantly (P<0.005) higher germination rate of 100% at 42 days after planting than the control which had 86.67%. The dry seeds had a significantly (P<0.05) low (26.67) germination rate at 35 days after planting but, did not differ significantly with the fresh seeds at 35 DAP. The boiling water treatment also had a significantly (P<0.005) high seedling height (25.00 cm) at 77 days after planting. The control had the lowest seedling height of 6.72 cm at 35 days after planting. The seeds treated with acids for 5 minutes, did not germinate at all. The result indicates that optimum germination and seedling establishment in Date palms occurred in fresh seeds and the most effective method of breaking the dormancy is through the use of boiling water. Keywords: Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seeds, breaking dormancy and Seedling establishmen

Prophylactic Ketamine Reduces Incidence of Postanaesthetic Shivering

General anesthesia influences the thermoregulatory process. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of low-dose prophylactic ketamine with that ofplacebo in preventing postoperative shivering. A prospective randomized double-blind study involved 76 ASA I and II patients undergoing general anesthesia that was expected to last no more than 2 hours. Patientswere randomly allocated to receive normal saline (Group P, n=33) or ketamine 0.5 mg kg (Group K, n=33) intravenously 20 min before completion of surgery. The anesthesia was induced with propofol 2.5-3.0 mgkg and fentanyl (2 -3 μgkg ), atracurium 0.5 mgkg ) was given to facilitateorotracheal intubation. It was maintained with propofol (510 mgkg hr ), fentanylup to (5 μg · kg · h and a mixture of nitrous oxide/oxygen (2:1). Ambient temperature was maintained at 20°22°C with constant humidity. Postoperative shivering in the recovery room was evaluated according to 5 point scale ofWrench. The two groups did not differ significantly regarding patient characteristics. The number of patients shivering onarrival in the recovery room, and at 10 and 20 min after operationwas significantly less in Groups K than in Group P. In group P 36% have had shivering in T0 whereas in group K 6%, in T10 45% in group P whereas 18% in group K. In T 20 24% in group Phave had shivering compared with6%in group K, whereas in T309%in group P compared with 0% in group K. The incidence of free Postanaesthetic shivering (no shivering) on arrival in the recovery room T0 was: 63.6% in group P compared with 90.9 % in group K. The postoperative hemodynamic parameters were similar in the two groups. Active warming was not required in group K but was needed in 8 cases in group P. None of patients had episodes of O desaturation or respiratory depression during the study period. No hallucinations, delirium, nausea, vomiting, hypertension, tachycardia, and feeling like walking in the space or nystagmus were seen in any of the patients. Prophylactic low-dose ketamine was found to be effectivein preventing postoperative shivering.

Quantitative determination of water soluble vitamins, minerals and proximate compositions of three varieties of beans in Bauchi State Nigeria

The quantitative determination of water soluble vitamins, minerals and proximate compositions of three varieties of beans in Bauchi State, Nigeria, was carried out in this study. Three varieties of beans which includes one of the most commonly consumed species of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) locally called Kanannade, the least consumed (most rare) specie of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) locally called gayan-gayan and soybean (Glycine max) locally called waken soya found in Bauchi State, Nigeria were analysed. Results for the determination of the proximate composition shows that soybean (Glycine max) among three different samples had the highest protein content (34.21 %), ash content (3.11 %), Crude fat (25.30 %). While Cowpea (kanannade) has the highest Carbohydrate content (58.04 %) and Cowpea (gayan-gayan) has the highest Moisture contents (12.43 %) respectively. Soya bean has the highest contents of vitamin (B1, B3, and B6) for the three water soluble vitamins analysed although the values obtained were less than the recommended dietary allowance recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the Mineral composition of the two species of cowpea beans (Vigna unguiculata), and soybean analysed, soybean had the highest content of most of the mineral elements. The concentration of potassium was found to be very much higher than all the other mineral elements that were determined in all the samples. The results from this analysis shows that the three varieties of beans analyzed were found to be rich in minerals and highly nutritious.Keywords: Vigna unguiculata, Glycine max, vitamins, minerals and proximate compositio

Investigating the Effect of Varying Tubing Air Concentration during the Descaling of Petroleum Production Tubing using Multiple High-Pressure Nozzles

Despite the continued research effort on erosion behaviour of multiple flat fan nozzles in removing different types of scale deposits from petroleum production tubing, effect of chamber air concentration and nozzles configuration is yet to be given detail consideration. This study, therefore, considers the utilization of multiple high-pressure sprays at different chamber air concentration to enhance the rate of scale removal from petroleum production tubing. Additionally, options of altering chamber air/water ratio and header configurations for more effective scale removal were explored. So also, the relationship of nozzle header arrangement towards the removal of paraffin of different stages of deposition in petroleum production tubing have been studied. Consequently, theselection of chamber air concentration and header configuration (nozzles arrangement) for effective scale removal was found to be governed by the shape and type of the scale deposit. More so, the descaling capacity increases with decrease in number of nozzlesdue to pressure drop effect irrespective of the type or shape of the scale deposit. This novel descaling experiment of utilising 10 MPa injection pressure from 25 mm jetting position averagely removes hollow paraffin deposits that ranges from 44 to 280 g and 34 to 89g of solid shaped paraffin as a result of altering nozzles configuration. Correspondingly, an average removal difference ranging from 48 to 270 g of hollow shaped and 35 to 218 g of solid shaped paraffin depositwas recorded as a result of compressing the chamber pressure by 0.2 MPa and subsequently suctioning it by -0.008 MPa respectively

Correlates of postpartum sexual activity and contraceptive use in Kano, northern Nigeria

Practices related to resumption of coitus after childbirth remains poorly documented in Nigeria. This study examined factors associated with sexual intercourse, delivery-coitus interval, and contraceptive use among postpartum women attending a tertiary centre in Kano, northern Nigeria. A cross section of 317 women attending immunization, postnatal and family planning clinics within 12 months of childbirth was interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Vaginal intercourse was resumed by most women (n=212; 66.9%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 61.8%, 72.2%) with delivery-coitus resumption interval (mean ± SD) of 9.6±5.2 weeks postpartum. The majority (67.9%) resumed sexual activity within 8 weeks of delivery. Nearly two-thirds 65.6% (n=139/212) of the sexually active women reported current use of contraceptives. Onset of postpartum sexual activity was independently associated with mode of delivery adjusted odds ratio (AOR) (95%CI)= 1.10 (1.03,1.78), baby‘s age AOR (95%CI) =2.10 (1.27, 8.70), number of living children AOR (95%CI)=1.21 (1.07,1.79), onset of menstruation AOR (95%CI)=0.34 (0.17,0.69) and co-habitation AOR (95%CI)=0.47 (0.016, 0.14). Contraceptive use was predicted by educational status, sexual activity, baby‘s age and menstruation. Most women attending maternal and child health clinics resumed sexual intercourse within 2 months of delivery, but only two-thirds used modern contraceptive methods. Contraceptive counseling should commence early, preferably during pregnancy.Keywords: sexual intercourse, postpartum, contraceptive use, predictors, Nigeri

Effect of Substrate Concentration and Temperature for Bio-Enzyme Production Using Enterococcus faecalis Isolated from Waste Dump Soil in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria

The study evaluated the effect of substrate concentration and temperature on the production of amylase enzyme by Enterococcus faecalis from the wastes dump soil Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria. Five bacteria species were isolated and biochemically characterized which include E. coli, B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. faecalis and P. aeroginosa. The screening of identified bacteria for amylase production was carried out and all bacteria produced a wide halo on a starch agar. E. faecalis produced highest zone of clearance with 70mm,B.subtilis 50mm,S.aureus 34mm, E. coli 29mm,thenB.cereus with the  least zone of clearance of 24mm. proximate analysis of the potato peels sample shows that the potatoes peels has high carbohydrate content with value of 75.737 recorded. The effect of substrate concentration was studied at 5g,10g,15g and 20g. The highest amylase production was recorded (20g) with value of 1.218 and 15g with the least absorbance value of 0.973.The effect of temperature were studied at 25˚C, 35˚C, 45˚C, and 55˚C. The temperature of 45˚C has the highest absorbance value of 1.691. While the least was recorded at55˚C with value of 0.970.These shows that temperature and substrate concentration has a vital role to play in the production of microbial enzymes. It’s concluded in this study that waste dump site is a reservoir of important microorganisms and potato peels is a good substrate for enzyme production and therefore can be utilized instead of dumping it for natural degradation

Conditioning factors determination for landslide susceptibility mapping using support vector machine learning

This study investigates the effectiveness of two sets of landslide conditioning variable(s). Fourteen landslide conditioning variables were considered in this study where they were duly divided into two sets G1 and G2. Two Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers were constructed based on each dataset (SVM-G1 and SVM-G2) in order to determine which set would be more suitable for landslide susceptibility prediction. In total, 160 landslide inventory datasets of the study area were used where 70% was used for SVM training and 30% for testing. The intra-relationships between parameters were explored based on variance inflation factors (VIF), Pearson's correlation and Cohen's kappa analysis. Other evaluation metrics are the area under curve (AUC)

The effect of acute respiratory events and respiratory stimulants on EEG-recorded brain activity in neonates: a systematic review

Objective: We conducted a systematic review to investigate electroencephalography (EEG) changes during periods of acute respiratory events such as apnoea and the effect of respiratory stimulants on EEG features in infants. Methods: Studies examining respiration and EEG-recorded brain activity in human neonates between 28 and 42 weeks postmenstrual age were included. Two reviewers independently screened all records and included studies were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022339873). Results: We identified 14 studies with a total of 534 infants. Nine articles assessed EEG changes in relation to apnoea, one assessed hiccups, and four investigated the effect of respiratory stimulants. The relationship between neonatal apnoea and EEG changes was inconsistent; EEG suppression and decreased amplitude and frequency were observed during some, but not all, apnoeas. Respiratory stimulants increased EEG continuity compared with before use. Conclusions: Current studies in this area are constrained by small sample sizes. Diverse exposure definitions and outcome measures impact inference. Significance: This review highlights the need for further work; understanding the relationship between respiration and the developing brain is key to mitigating the long-term effects of apnoea