Spatial Determinants of Import Traffic Distribution At Port Harcourt (Nigeria)

ABSTRACT This paper highlights the result of a study carried out to examine the Geographic determinants of import traffic distribution at the Port Harcourt Port. A substantial aspect of the study involved building a regression model to estimate import distribution from the Port. The import function was specified in log-linear form. The adequacy of the model was then testedthis, involved statistical experiments to obtain the R-squared, as well as t and f values. Further test on the adequacy of the nwdel was conducted through diagnostic exercises designed to check for inulticollinedrity and heteroscedasticity, in the data used. Results obtained show that road distance and manufacturing industries are significant Geographic determinants of import Cargo distribution at the study Port. It is therefore important to lake the two variables into account in any policy or planning exercise at Port Harcourt Port

Granulometry, heavy mineral and geochemical studies of stream sediments around Bula, Dass District, Northeast Nigeria

Active stream sediments generally consist of broken-down fragments of pre-existing rocks by the action of river (stream) flow. This makes them target materials for routine geochemical surveys and provenance analysis. Fifteen (15) stream sediment samples were collected in some parts of Bula and its environs, northeastern Nigeria, in order to determine their textural characteristics, heavy mineral and elemental composition. The sediments were subjected to granulometric, heavy mineral and elemental analyses. The result of granulometric analysis show that the streamsediments are poorly to moderately well sorted, very platykurtic to leptokurtic, fine to medium grained and positively skewed. Zircon, rutile and tourmaline are the dominant heavy mineral species occurring in the sediments. The computed Zircon-Tourmaline-Rutile (ZTR) index values for the samples range from 59.18 - 83.53, indicating mineralogical maturity. The geochemical data of the stream sediment samples show that the mean contents of the trace elements [Ti (0.73 ± 0.74%), Fe (0.39±0.19%), Cr (816±639ppm), Ni (258±108ppm), Pb (48±12.37ppm) and Zn (502±126ppm)] were higher than their respective average crustal values except for Fe. Computed threshold values indicate possible mineralization containing Fe and Ti. The elements have variable spatial distribution. The study shows that the trace elements composition of the stream sediments is majorly lithogenic. Because mineralization in rocks and sediments are often characterized by considerable variation in their trace elements contents, the metal concentrations in these sediments are large enough for Ilmenite and Rutile mineralization to be suspected within the study area

Linkages of waste management options to environmental and human health risks

Global Institutio for Energy and Environmental Systems (GIEES) , University of North CarolinaProceeding : International Symposium of Kanazawa University 21st-Century COE Program Vol.2(2004),Schedule: February 29(SUN)-March 3(WED), Venue: 29 FEB, Ishikawa Life-Long Learning Center(Former Prefectural Government Building) / 1-3 MAR Kanazawa Art Hall, Organized by: Kanazawa University 21st-Century COE Program / Ishikawa International Cooperation Research Centre / United Nations University-Institute of Advanced Studies, Supported by: Ishikawa Prefectural Government / City of Kanazawa, Eds : Hayakawa, Kazuichi / Kizu, Ryoichi / Kamata, Naok

Quantitative linkages of waste management options to environmental and human health risks

Global Institutio for Energy and Environmental Systems (GIEES) , University of North CarolinaProceeding : International Symposium of Kanazawa University 21st-Century COE Program Vol.2(2004),Schedule: February 29(SUN)-March 3(WED), Venue: 29 FEB, Ishikawa Life-Long Learning Center(Former Prefectural Government Building) / 1-3 MAR Kanazawa Art Hall, Organized by: Kanazawa University 21st-Century COE Program / Ishikawa International Cooperation Research Centre / United Nations University-Institute of Advanced Studies, Supported by: Ishikawa Prefectural Government / City of Kanazawa, Eds : Hayakawa, Kazuichi / Kizu, Ryoichi / Kamata, Naok

Erodibility of Slash-and-Burn Soils along a Toposequence in Relation to Four Determinant Soil Characteristics

Good crop yields are normally obtained in the first year after slash-and-burn farming system in south-eastern Nigeria, but decline rapidly thereafter. The suitability of land for slash-and-burn agriculture depends partly on its sensitivity to erosion. Erodibility of slash-and-burn soils, in relation to four determinant soil characteristics was studied to assess the effect of burning on some selected properties and erodibility of the soil. Soils from 0 to 0.15m and 0.15 to 0.30 m depths were collected before and after burning the plots, from three geomorphic surfaces of upper slope, middle slope, and valley bottom. Results obtained showed an increase in bulk density after burning and a corresponding decrease in total porosity. Soil pH and nutrient content increased significantly after burning, but soil organic carbon (SOC) and exchangeable acidity decreased with burning. Soil permeability was moderately slow in all the landscape positions. Erodibility increased significantly after burning by 20, 14 and 18 % in the upper slope (US), middle slope (MS), and valley bottom (VB) respectively. Soil pH was one of the soil characteristics that mostly determine soil erodibility (=-0.693*). We do not know the composition or the amount of ash added to the soil and so the changes in soil properties cannot be related quantitatively to ash input. Keywords: erodibility, toposequence, slash and burn agriculture, susceptibility, permeabilit

Mannose Binding Lectin Levels Was Not Associated with Resistance to Tuberculosis Infection in the Population of Uyo Metropolis in Nigeria

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL2) is an important pattern recognition molecule that identifies and binds to specific sugar molecules on the surface of pathogens thereby activating its destruction by the immune system. Samples for study were recruited from Uyo metropolis of Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria. In this study, levels of MBL2 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in tuberculosis patients and healthy individuals to determine if the immune protein protects against tuberculosis infection. MBL2 levels in tuberculosis patients and healthy controls were 14.0ng/ml ± 13.9 and 19.9ng/ml ± 18.5 respectively. The results from the study showed that there was no association in MBL2 levels between tuberculosis and controls (p=0.107) as well as between the different sub-groups. Therefore, MBL2 is not a contributory factor in resistance against tuberculosis in the population under study. Keywords: Mannose binding lectin, tuberculosis, pattern recognition molecule, immune system DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-14-02 Publication date:July 31st 202

Geoelectric and hydroelectric parameters of aquifers in southern parts of Akwa Ibom state.

A Vertical Electrical resistivity Sounding (VES) survey was carried out, to study the geoelectric and hydroelectric parameters of aquifer in some locations in Part of Akwa Ibom State. A total of six (6) geoelectric soundings were acquired. The lithology of the aquifer layer can be said to compose of fine to gravelly sand, with sand and clay intercalation. The low resistivity values across most of the geoelectric layers can be attributed to conductive argillaceous geomaterials. Underlying aquiferous layer is likely unprotected from the surface contamination flow due to the fact that the protective capacity of most part of the study area is good as shown by this study. Contour maps generated using the results from the study shows bulk aquifer resistivity and water resistivity values, the formation factor calculated ranges from 2.3-50.45. Porosity ranges from 8.68-48.27% and hydraulic conductivity ranges from 0.671 m/day2 from estimates. Porosity values obtained confirms that aquifer in the study area consist mainly of sandstone. It is also revealed that, areas with low resistivity have high porosity and the storativity as observed in the extreme south and central parts of the study area

Antibiogram of nasal methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from antenatal clinic attendees in a tertiary hospital, South-South Nigeria

The antibiogram of nasal methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from pregnant women attending University of Uyo Teaching Hospital was investigated using standard microbiological procedures. Out of 772 women, 180(23.3%) harboured nasal MRSA while 592 (76.7%) had MSSA (Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus). The highest frequency (33.3%) occured at week 16 while the lowest occured at week 36 of the pregnancy period. Evaluation by logistic regression showed no risk factor involvement for MRSA. The patients were evaluated on their first visit (booking) therefore the MRSA were likely community-acquired. Antibiogram of isolates showed sensitivity mostly to clindamycin (80%), amoxacillin-clavulanic acid (76.7%), ceftriazone (69.4%) and resistance to co-trimoxazole (51.7%). The asymptomatic nasal colonisation of MRSA in pregnant women may therefore be a risk factor for serious systemic infection after delivery