Pulverised Sewage Sludge Ash Partial Replacement of Cement In Concrete

The potential of the ash produced from the incineration of sewage sludge, as partial replacement of cement in concrete has generated research interest in recent times as a result of the increase in its production due to rapid urbanization and the problem of getting functionally adequate landfill sites for its disposal. Physical properties if sewage sludge from one of the two waste treatment plants located at the University of Ibadan were investigated. The properties evaluated were specific gravity, colour, particle size distribution and pH. The colour of the sewage sludge changed from greenish-brown when fresh to brownish-orange after incineration when the organic materials had been burnt off. The specific gravity was 1.9 while the pH was 7.32. The particle size grading of the pulverized sewage sludge was similar to that of cement, which it was meant to partially replace. The properties if fresh and hardened concrete, in which cement was partially replaced with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of pulverised sewage sludge ash by weight, were determined. There was an improvement in workability with increasing sludge ash content. The best performance of sludge ash concrete was attained with 10% sludge ash content. Concrete with up to 20% replacement of cement with pulverized sewage sludge ash produced concrete with properties above grade 20 concrete

University Students, Academic Structures and the Processes of Integration

This special issue on Finding a Place to Belong: University Students, Academic Structures and the Processes of Integration contains nine papers on opportunities of belonging and highlights the cultivation of belonging as a fundamental for addressing inequality and inequity in a linguistically and culturally diverse higher education context. Here, belonging challenges the dominant university ideology, which can elude the marginalised or underserved student and staff groups of learning communities. The combination of individual/group agency and identity negotiation for developing and implementing enablers of belonging reveals the challenges and complexity of deconstructing belonging. The papers focus on the barriers and opportunities of belonging and the interaction of agency and enablers of belonging, such as equitable vision, policy, programmes and commitment, as a product of belonging

Partnering with Students to Connect Students

Too often outreaches and interventions designed to support students transitioning to higher education, are developed by academics who may not have a full understanding of the complexity and diversity of their students’ realities. This disconnect explains why, in most cases, interventions are reactive instead of proactive. In this article, we draw on our experiences in terms of the design and implementation of a Student Resource Centre (SRC) to advocate for student and staff collaborative design. The student-run initiative works with students as partners to constitute and operationalise an innovative near-peer mentoring and support space. The mixed-methods study draws on social-cultural learning theory on student engagement and reflective practice tools. We explain how a student’s sense of belonging is central to their success, progression, and graduation. This article highlights the need to contextualise and personalise institutional support for students

Conservation and Biodiversity Erosion in Ondo State, Nigeria: (2). Assessing Botanicals Used in the Storage of Farm Produce in Akure region

Semi-structured questionnaire matrix was used to identify plant species used for storage purposes in five communities situated within 5kilometre radius from Akure, the Ondo State capital, south-western Nigeria. A total of 32 botanical species were found to be commonly used in the preservation of farm produce in the study area. The leaves constituted the major part of the botanical that were widely utilised while the major farm produce common in the study area were kola nuts and bitter kola The descriptions of the indigenous knowledge of the various methods of application of the botanicals were identified and documented. Only nine of the botanicals were cultivated abundantly in the study area. The household farm, forest and common area constituted the major primary sources of the storage botanicals. Strategies that could ensure the continuous supply of the storage botanicals were proposed

Modern Methods Of Construction A Technique In Achieving Affordable Housing In Nigeria

The urban environment in Nigeria accounts for over 51.16% of the population and is the main source of economic development within the country. With the increase in population as a result of rural-urban migration, population growth, urban development, decrease in mortality rate amongst others, there is a need for affordable housing provision. It is has been argued based on extensive research, that the development of good housing and infrastructure, can increase the average life expectancy of people, quality of life, increase the health standard and also attract investment and thus, further develop the economy. Unfortunately, the discourse on affordable housing has not developed a model that meets the Nigerian urban populace that is in desperate need of housing. With a larger percentage of Nigerians living in these areas, coupled with the continual rise in rural-urban migration, it is imperative to ensure that focus should be placed on the developing modern methods of construction (MMC) that can meet housing needs. Modern methods of construction is a broad terminology that embraces a variety of offsite manufacturing and onsite practices that provides a range of options to traditional house buildings. It is in light of these facts, this paper analyses the effects of affordable housing in the urban environment and the role MMC plays in its development. This qualitative study is based on current knowledge from preliminary research, analysing how affordable housing can be achieved with MMC. The conclusion of this research will suggest the benefits of MMC practices and create an avenue for further research on affordable housing

Fractional extracts of Azadirachta indica leaf affect spermiogram, testosterone profile, and testis histology of rabbit bucks

The effect of fractions from a crude extract of Azadirachta indica leaves on spermatogenesis, testicular histology and testosterone concentration of New Zealand White rabbits were evaluated in this study. Twenty-five matured male New Zealand White rabbits were used for this study and were randomly assigned to five groups (A, B, C, D, and E). Group A served as the control and was administered distilled water (0.5ml); while groups B, C, D and E served as the hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and butanol treated groups, respectively at the same dosage of 300 mg/kg. Semen samples were collected using an artificial vagina weekly for twelve weeks and were evaluated for volume, colour, motility, concentration, percentage live-dead ratio and morphological abnormalities. A blood sample (2ml) was also collected from each buck through venipuncture of the ear vein three times at regular intervals for the determination of testosterone concentration. Two bucks from each group were humanely sacrificed at the end of the experiment for testicular histology. Significantly lower (p<0.05) sperm motility, higher dead sperm cells, sperm abnormalities, degenerative changes, depletion and vacuolation of spermatogenic cell layers were observed in treatment group C at the end of the experiment. The present study has shown that the chloroform fraction of methanolic crude Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves extract is detrimental to sperm cells and testicular histology

Off-Site Technologies: Can Panelised Off-Site Construction Be The Solution To London's Housing Crisis?

House prices in the UK have risen in the last ten years, yet house construction is at its lowest level since 1924. According to estimates, Britain will face a housing shortage of roughly a million homes by 2025 in a nation where up to 70% of adults are accustomed to owning their own home. The UK is known to have the highest rates of homeownership in Europe, but it is getting more difficult due to lack of affordable housing due to low wages and high standard of living increases. LSBU's Centre for the Integrated Delivery of the Built Environment (IDoBE) is at the forefront of this research looking at developing solutions for sustainable living. The aim of this study is to investigate how the use of Panelised systems and materials can increase the current housing shortage. The housing industry is generally dominated by traditional method of construction which has a limited range of products to resolve this housing crisis. The methodology adopted will be the use of both qualitative and quantitative data which includes carrying out extensive literature review and case study analysis. The findings suggest that the housing shortage in London is a crisis that stems from affordability/availability and subsequently suggests the adoption of Panelised Offsite Construction as a smart and affordable solution to the problem. However, it is necessary to implement new policies that would effectively support, stimulate, and maintain housing growth. This outcome will be used to understand how best to implement modern methods of construction

Urban Sustainability Assessment: An Analysis of how Weighting and Aggregating Coefficient System was used in the Development of SUCCEED Assessment Tool for Developing Countries.

The development of a weighting and aggregating coefficient system used in urban sustainability assessment tools is a process that needs well-defined procedures using a series of steps, methodology, and a systematic approach in its development. The development of assessment tools has been successful in developed countries but developing countries would need to have a structured process that will assist in the development of an assessment tool that is tailored to its environs. This paper aims to understand the various weighting and aggregating coefficient systems employed in the development of sustainability assessment tools. Alongside using these findings to understand how these weighting and aggregating coefficients can be adopted in the development of sustainability assessment tools for developing countries based on their differences, advantages, and disadvantages. Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) based on a systematic review of existing literature was used in this study to understand various weighting and aggregating coefficients. It is imperative to note that this research will focus on how assessment tools are developed with a clear focus on sustainability assessment weighting and aggregating. The study also further analyses how a case study SUCCEED (Sustainable Composite Cities Environmental Evaluation and Design Tool) has benefited from the adoption of equal weighting and additive aggregation methods based on validation carried out. The findings of this research show that the selection of weighting and aggregating systems is defined by the relevance, importance, and purpose of the assessment tool. It also develops a guide/recommendations on the process utilised in the development of assessment tools for developing countries

Outcomes of ceftriaxone compared with cefazolin or nafcillin/oxacillin for outpatient therapy for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections: Results from a large United States claims database

BACKGROUND: Ceftriaxone is a convenient option for methicillin-sensitive METHODS: In this retrospective cohort, a large insurance claims database was queried from 2010 to 2018 for adults with MSSA bloodstream infection (BSI). Patients discharged on OPAT on cefazolin or oxacillin/nafcillin were compared with ceftriaxone with respect to 90-day hospital readmission with the same infection category and 90-day all-cause readmission using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of 1895 patients with MSSA BSI, 1435 (75.7%) patients received cefazolin, oxacillin, or nafcillin and 460 (24.3%) ceftriaxone. Readmission due to the same infection category occurred in 366 (19.3%), and all-cause readmission occurred in 535 (28.3%) within 90 days. Risk factors significantly associated with readmission with the same infection category were the oldest sampled age group (61-64 years: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.47 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.01-2.14]), intensive care unit stay during index admission (aOR, 2.33 [95% CI, 1.81-3.01]), prosthetic joint infection (aOR, 1.96 [95% CI, 1.18-2.23]), central line-associated BSI (aOR, 1.72 [95% CI, 1.33-2.94]), and endocarditis (aOR, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.18-2.23]). Ceftriaxone was not associated with increased risk of readmission with the same infection category (aOR, 0.89 [95% CI, .67-1.18]), or 90-day all-cause readmission (aOR, 0.86 [95% CI, .66-1.10]) when compared with oxacillin/nafcillin/cefazolin. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of MSSA BSI patients discharged on OPAT, there were no differences in outcomes of readmission with the same infection and 90-day all-cause readmission in patients treated with ceftriaxone compared to oxacillin/nafcillin or cefazolin. Patients with complicated BSIs such as endocarditis and epidural abscess were more likely to be prescribed cefazolin or oxacillin/nafcillin