Effects of Temperature on Mucuna solannie Water-Based Mud Properties

Water-based mud formulated from Mucuna solannie seeds, a leguminous plant, has been proved to be efficient and cost effective. Hence, the effects of temperature on the properties of the mud formulated from Mucuna solannie have been shown to follow similar trend as other mud formulations-water or oil based. Properties at temperatures of 95oF, 120oF and 180oF gave decreased values of Plastic Viscosity, Yield Point, Low Shear Rate Yield Point and Apparent Viscosity with increase in temperature, while an increase in Fluid Loss was recorded with temperature increase for both unweighted and weighted muds. Mud properties at temperature up to 212oF and above should not be found without a corresponding increase in mud pressure to prevent boiling

The Design of an Integrated Crude Oil Distillation Column with Submerged Combustion Technology

Generally, Petroleum refineries are put in place to convert or refine unprocessed crude oil into more useful products using both physical separation and chemical conversion processes. Albeit, different refining unit are subsets of the physical separation category. The atmospheric and vacuum distillation unit seems to be more prominent. Conventionally, the crude atmospheric residue cannot be further heated in an atmospheric condition due to: coke formation, pipes plugging, thermal cracking and straining of the furnace. A vacuum distillation column is therefore required. Methods: This study, therefore, focuses on the limitations, “over straining of the furnace to provide the necessary heat” and “non-reliance on the additional re-boiler since it only acts as a heat exchanger”. An integrated distillation column with a capacity of 10,000 barrel per day was therefore designed for the concurrent production of all distillate cuts. Results: This was achieved through the introduction of a submerged combustion zone at the stripping section of the column where Naphtha was utilized as the source of fuel. Verification of this approach was also conducted using Autodesk invention software and a finite element analysis tool to evaluate both thermal and computational fluid analysis impact. Overall, all derived distilled products met the American Society for Testing and Material Standard Table 6

Drug Production in Tertiary Health Institutions – Needs, Constraints and Prospects

This study was carried out to investigation the needs, problem and prospects of drug production in tertiary health institutions using Lagos University Teaching Hospital as a case study and to recommend solutions to the problems so identified. The use of questionnaires was employed in the study covering all pharmacists in the pharmaceutical services department, pharmacy technicians and quality control technologist in the drug production unit of the hospital. It was unanimously agreed by the respondents that local drug production was necessary in tertiary hospitals. About two third of the respondents considered the current performance of the drug production unit to be at most, average. The major problems were identified to be lack of adequate funding, inadequate support and commitment by the hospital management and absence of maintenance culture leading to breakdown and collapse of equipment and machinery. It was realized that the prospect of drug production in tertiary health institution was very bright and that success could be achieved, but only through very careful planning and execution of the project, adequate funding, strong commitment from the management of the institution, well trained and motivated staff

Community Pharmacies As Possible Centres For Routine Immunization

Background: Nigeria has embraced the primary healthcare movement and has committed its resources to the provision of cost effective community based primary healthcare strategy which recognizes the need for effective partnership between public and private sector1. Immunizations are important part of this effort, especially the provision of the vaccines incorporated into the national Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) which has now metamorphosis to National Programme on Immunization (NPI) due to decline in immunization coverage. Community pharmacies can be involved in immunization to improve coverage as has been shown in the United States of America (U.S.A) that this led to great improvement in immunization coverage2, 3. The need to find out if this can also be adopted in Nigeria is the objective of this work. Objectives: This study therefore aimed to have an insight into current interest of community pharmacists to be involved in routine immunization and assess their physical structures for possible adaptation for use in routine immunization. Method: Sixty (60) pre-tested questionnaires were randomly administered to community pharmacists. Forty-three (43) questionnaires were retrieved for analysis. Results: The study revealed that the use of community pharmacies as places where routine immunization services can be provided is feasible as shown by 95.3% interest expressed by community pharmacists. Most of the required infrastructures to carry out these services are on the ground as shown by availability of adequate space (88.4%), stand-by generator (83.7%) and functional fridge/freezer (95.3%). Community pharmacists (88.4%) expect to be remunerated for providing this service. Conclusion: This study has shown the willingness of community pharmacists to participate in immunization efforts and the possibility of using pharmacies in routine immunization. NQJHM Vol. 17 (4) 2007: pp. 131-13

Maternal risk Factors for Pre-Term Delivery in Lagos

Background: Pre-term birth (before 37 completed weeks) is an important cause of perinatal and neonatal morbidity in Nigeria and the world at Large. Objective: This study was to determine the maternal risk factors associated with per-delivery in Lagos. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to 100 consenting consecutive women who had pre-term deliver (cases) and 100 women who had term delivery during the same period (control), at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Results: Age and parity were not significant risk factors. Significant risk factors were maternal heigh

Knowledge about HIV/AIDS Among Pregnant Women in Lagos, Nigeria

HIV infection continues to increase rapidly in the developing world, especially in Africa and Asia. Although the HIV epidemic has for the most part affected men the world over; this is not so in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is a major health threat to women especially those of reproductive age. In Nigeria, more women are now living with HIV/AIDS most of who are in the active reproductive age-group. The HIV seroprevalence among Nigeria pregnant women has been on the increase, from 1.8% reported in 1991, 3.8% in 1993, 4.5% in 1995 to 5.4% in 1999 and most recently to 5.8% in 2001. This alarming increase has been of great concern and the figures reported so far may even be a conservative estimate as the data were obtained from sentinel surveys. Although the HIV prevalence levels may seem low, in actual numbers of persons infected, it is high considering that Nigeria has a population of 120 million people. Nigeria has one of the largest HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world – fourth only to India, Ethiopia and South Africa. Ninety percent of children living with HIV were infected by their mothers. Several studies have shown that antenatal HIV screening and subsequent perinatal intervention such as antiretroviral drugs, elective caesarean section and not breastfeeding reduce perinatal transmission. Prevention of mother to child transmission (MTCT) will therefore reduce the prevalence of HIV in children. This has both social and economic implications because children are the future of any country and they need to be healthy. Improving the knowledge of pregnant women would influence their attitudes towards voluntary counseling and testing and thus protect their children from HIV/AIDS. NQJHM Vol. 14 (3&4) 2004: pp. 262-26

Physicochemical characteristics of boreholes water samples from a tertiary institution in Elele, Nigeria

Water samples, designated A, B, and C, were taken from three different boreholes used as sources of water for drinking and other domestic purposes by students of a tertiary institution in Elele, Southeastern Nigeria. Physicochemical parameters of these water samples were assessed and compared with the WHO reference standards. The pH for samples A,B, and C were 5.7, 5.6 and 5.6 respectively, whereas the corresponding values for biological oxygen demand (BOD) were 3.52 mg/l, 3.20 mg/l and 3.20 mg/l. The values for total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, alkalinity, conductivity, sulphate, nitrate, and chloride in all three samples were significantly below the WHO maximum acceptable limit. Lead, nickel and cadmium were not detected while traces of copper were present in all three samples. IJONAS Vol. 3 (1) 2007: pp. 107-11