Production of Periwinkle Shell Reinforced Grindstone

The study involves the use of periwinkle shell particles as reinforcement in the production of grindstone to meliorate its physical and mechanical properties. The assessment of the properties of the periwinkle shell reinforced concrete grindstone showed that reinforcement yielded several promising results. The compressive strength was higher for samples with lower water/cement ratio (7%) than those with higher water/cement ratio (10%). The introduction of concrete that contains periwinkle shells as fine aggregates resulted in the loss of smooth like appearance and reduction in weight. The loss of its smooth like nature introduces the rough nature which improved its functionality. The reinforced sample had the lowest hardness test and in hardness test the lower the number the higher the hardness. There was an increase in the density after absorption test was carried out on specimens. There was also reduction in production cost with periwinkle shells partial replacement of cement and gravel as fine aggregate. The composite was adequate for grindstone production since its sample has a compressive of 18.15Mpa and thus satisfied MOR requirements of 11.5 MPa for general purpose boards

IN VITRO COMPARISON OF PHYTASES FROM TWO MICROBIAL SOURCES

The chemical properties of two different commercial microbial phytases (Natuphos and Ronoxyme P)        were compared. Natuphus production was based on the use of   a recombinant of Aspergillus niger        strain while the Ronoxyme P was from Peniophora lycii. The enzymes were studied for their optimum        pH, optimum temperature and enzyme stability, resistance to protease and stability in digesta super-        natants. The phytases were found to exhibit different properties depending on source of the phytase        gene and production organism. An optimum pH of 5.5 was recorded for the enzyme from Peniophora                                                                                                       0        lycii while pH of 5.0 was recorded for the enzyme from Aspergillus niger. Both phytases had 50 C as        their optimum temperature. The result of the enzyme - stability in aqueous solution indicated that the        Peniophora lycii phytase was more thermo-stable than the Aspergillus niger phytase. Incubation of the        phytases preparations with porcine proteases revealed that Aspergillus niger was more resistant to        pepsin and trypsin than Peniophora. Incubation of the phytases in digesta supernatants from various        segments of the digestive tract of hens revealed that digesta from the small intestine (SI) inactivated        the enzymes most efficiently. Nevertheless, the enzyme from Peniophora lycii retained more activity        than the enzyme from Aspergillus niger in all of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In conclusion, phyta-        ses of various microbial origins behave differently with respect to their in vitro properties, which could        be of importance for future developments of phytase preparation

Geoelectrical Assessment of a Proposed Dam Site around Ehuhe area of Oji River, Southeastern Nigeria.

The current study involves applying the Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) by using the symmetrical Schlumberger configuration to evaluate the suitability of the soil underlying Ehuhe area of Oji River Southeastern Nigeria for dam construction. The survey was conducted along the proposed dam axis (about 477 m long) and its vicinity with the view to determining the presence or otherwise of deleterious matter along the dam axis down to a depth of 35m below the surface, evaluate the geo-structural setting of the concealed bedrock, the fracture pattern and possible dam seepage along the dam axis and its banks as well as give suggestions on any other measures/studies that may be needed for a proper engineering design. Twelve (VES) sounding stations at between 40m (VES 1 – VES 10) and 60m (VES 10 – VES 12 and VES 2 – VES 11) were located and fully occupied along the dam axis. The data obtained were subjected to 1-D inversion algorithm to determine the layer parameters. The results show that the subsurface is remarkably inhomogeneous in geological composition. The geoelectric section revealed three (3) lithologic units defined by top loose dry sandstone, hard but jointed iron oxide-cemented sandstone and porous sandstone, with shales being totally absent. Resistivity values range from 9200-66100, 1440-161000 and 555-21300 ohm-m in the topsoil, ironstone and porous sandstone respectively. Depth to each layer varies from 0.5-12.0 m in the topsoil, 3.6-22.1m in the ironstone rich zone and greater than 40m in the porous sandstone region. No structures that will be of deleterious effect were observed in all the VES points down to about 40m. From the results and field observations it is concluded that the proposed dam axis is underlain by high sandy/ arenaceous matter usually brought in from both Ehuhe and Udi areas with high porosity and potentially rife for great infiltration. It is expected that high bearing capacity shall characterize the rock units. However the absence of shales means high infiltration in a sandy environment. Efforts should be made to provide some suitable blanket materials for the dam and mechanism for desilting when the dam is put in place. Keywords: Geoelectric Section, Geometric factor, Lithology, Oji River, Seepage

Geoelectrical Investigation Of Aquifer Problems In Gosa Area Of Abuja, North Central, Nigeria

The study of aquifer problems in Gosa area of Abuja, North-central Nigeria, has been undertaken. Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, is underlain by Precambrian basement rocks. Vertical electrical sounding (VES) was carried out at twelve locations within and around the Gosa area. The interpretation of the data obtained from the sounding revealed that six non-aquiferous geoelectrical layers overlie the unfractured basement. The first layer with average thickness of about 0.5 m and resistivity of 83 Ohmm. The thickness of the second layer is about 0.7 m and resistivity of 438 Ohm-m. The third layer is about 3.4 m thick and resistivity of about 63 Ohm-m. The fourth layer with average thickness of about 16.0 m and resistivity, 236 Ohm-m. The fifth layer with average thickness of 42.7 m and resistivity of about 68 Ohm-m. The thickness of sixth layer varies from 42.7 m to infinity and resistivity of about 2067 Ohm-m. Eight boreholes of varying depths, 45 to 70 m were drilled. Other areas were drilled with good yield of static water level of about 3.7 m, whereas Gosa aquifers were found dried. It could be attributed to basaltic intrusion that shattered the aquifer bearing rocks thereby devoid water in the zone after pronouncing from geophysical investigation

Effect of Tree Leaves on Rumen Fermentation, Microbial Count and Blood Urea Nitrogen of West African Dwarf Goats

This experiment was carried out to assess the effect of Azadirachta indica, Newbouldia laevis and Spondias mombin leaves on rumen fermentation, microbial count and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Sixteen WAD bucks (11.6 ? 0.9 kg in body weight) were allocated to 4 treatments: 1) Control and 2) 40 g/day of Azadirachta indica, 3) 40 g/day of Newbouldia laevis and 4) 40 g/day of Spondias mombin leaves arranged in a completely randomised design. The ground leaves were included in concentrate diets served on dry matter basis at 2% of body weight while Panicum maximum was fed ad libitum. The control diet had no tree leaves. Data were collected on chemical composition, rumen fermentation and microbial ecology, and BUN. Saponin was highest (P < 0.05) in S. mombin (8.14%) while A. indica and N. laevis had 5.78% and 1.56%, respectively. Rumen ammonia nitrogen was least (P < 0.05) in goats fed A. indica (8.35 mg/dL) while the highest (P < 0.05) total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) was obtained from goats fed S. mombin with 125.51 mM. Goats fed N. laevis yielded the highest (P < 0.05) acetate with 70.65 mol/100 mol while propionate production was highest (P < 0.05) in the rumen of goats fed S. mombin (27.15 mol/100 mol). Viable bacteria count was lowest (P < 0.05) in rumen of goats fed A. indica (3.95?1012 cfu/ml) while the least (P < 0.05) protozoa population was obtained from the rumen of bucks fed S. mombin (4.18?109 cfu/ml). All goats in the treatments containing tree leaves had higher (P < 0.05) and a rapid increase in BUN between 0 and 6 h post feeding when compared with the Control. It is concluded that feeding ground leaves of S. mombin to goats increases rumen total volatile fatty acid and propionate production and reduces the protozoa population

Potentiodynamic Polarization of Brass, Stainless and Coated Mild Steel in 1M Sodium Chloride Solution

Enormous funds are spent on the protection of engineering components and structures annually as a result of corrosion. Degradation sets in, dueto electrochemical reaction that takes place between materials and the environment leading to reduced performance. The associated downtime caused by replacement and maintenance of vessels, pipes, valves and other equipment necessitated seeking for techniques and method to efficiently combat corrosion. This study evaluated the potentiodynamic polarization of brass, Coated Mild Steel (CMS) and Stainless Steel (SS) in sodium chloride (NaCl). The samples (1 x 30 x 30 mm3) were used as working electrodes for Potentiodynamic Polarization Experiment (PPE). The samples were cleaned, and soaked in 1M NaCl solution. Open circuit potentials and current densities of the samples were obtained from PPE which were used to evaluate their corrosion rates. The pH of the media was recorded before and after each experiment. The results obtained using PPE in NaCl (in mm/y) were 0.209, 0.0053 and 0.0046; for brass, MSC and SS respectively. The pH of the medium was measured as 10.9.The results revealed that brass had highest corrosion rate in the medium. The least corrosion rate was obtained for Stainless Steel in 1M NaCl followed by Coated Mild Steel

Health state utilities of a population of Nigerian hypertensive patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Establishment of the health impact of hypertension on quality of life of Nigerians is a step towards controlling the disease. The study aimed to provide a Nigerian specific reference list of utility scores of hypertensive patients with various interacting conditions.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>An interviewer-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using hypertensive patients in two purposively selected tertiary hospitals located in South-Eastern Nigeria. Health Utility Index Mark 3 (HUI3) was used.</p> <p>A total of 384 participants with either hypertension alone or with hypertension-associated complications were interviewed in the two tertiary hospitals.</p> <p>The overall mean utility score was 0.35 +/- 0.42. Patients with hypertension alone had the highest overall mean utility score (0.57 +/- 0.29) while hypertensive patients with stroke had the lowest overall mean score (0.04 +/- 0.36). Being a male, increase in age and mean arterial blood pressure, emergency visit and loss of work due to illness were associated with significant decrease in overall utility scores.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study presented a reference for health state utilities of a population of Nigerian hypertensive patients.</p

Effect of water yam (Dioscorea alata) flour fortified with distillers spent grain on nutritional, chemical, and functional properties

It was envisaged that the inclusion of treated distiller ’ s spent grain ( DSG ) to yam fl our might increase its nutritional value, with the aim of reducing nutritional diseases in communities consuming yam as a staple. Hence, yam fl our was fortifi ed with DSG at 5–35%. The effects of this fortifi cation on the nutritional, chemical, and functional properties of yam fl our were investigated. The result showed a signifi cant increase ( P 0.001) in fat, ash, protein, total amino acids, total dietary fi ber, and insoluble dietary fi ber contents of the blends as DSG increased except for starch and soluble dietary fi ber contents, which decreased. The functional properties showed a signifi cant ( P 0.001) reduction with DSG inclusion. The inclusion of DSG increased both the tryptophan and methionine contents of the blends. Therefore, the DSG fortifi ed yam fl our could contribute to quality protein intake in populations consuming yam as a staple, due to its indispensible amino acid content

Impact of Sustainable Solid Waste Management on Economic Development – Lessons from Enugu State Nigeria

Solid waste management system in Enugu State, Nigeria is inefficient and unsustainable largely due to the crude and unscientific methods employed. The current practice, process and programme of waste management in the state do not in any way conform to what is obtainable in other modern cities of the world. It is against this background that this study sought to find out the current state of solid waste management system in the state, and to identity factors that influences waste management and the type of solid waste management system that will aid economic development of the State. These objectives were addressed primarily using structured questionnaire administered to a cross section of people in three selected local government areas (Enugu East, North and South LGAs respectively). Personal interviews were also conducted to augment the questionnaire. It was observed that the solid waste management system in practice in the state is unscientific, unsustainable and at the prerogative of people in power. It was discovered that the current waste management system has no room for waste recycling, reuse and repair. There was also no provision for waste segregation and reduction at source technology. Majority of the waste is dumped at open landfill. The study also analyzed the newly proposed solid waste management system in the state and found that the proposed system will be better than the existing one if efficiently implemented. The proposed system outlined a framework of waste segregation, recycling, reuse, reduction, repair and abolition of certain polythene bags with less or no economic value. The authors recommend that a massive enlightenment campaigns should be embarked upon to sensitize the people on the proposed waste management system so that they can key in to it and contribute meaningful to its sustenance..  There is need also to  encourage the reuse of plastic bags, reduce litter, raise public awareness about environmental issues and encourage recycling as thicker bags will make recycling more economically viable The state government should also consider the option of public-private partnership which has been adopted with huge success in other climes. Keywords: Solid waste management, Sustainable, Recycling, Reuse, Reduce, Repair, Economic development