Environmental Pollution in Urban Market: The Case of Bodija Market Ibadan, Nigeria.

Ibadan is one of the largest cities in Nigeria, whose rapid growth is yet to be followed with adequate planning aimed at preventing environmental pollution. Consequently, the challenges of living in a constantly polluted environment, associated with stench and discomfort resulting from this inadequacy remains a constant experience in Bodija Market (a leading food stuff market in Ibadan). The recurrence of these challenges and the examination of the methods of waste disposal adopted by sellers in Bodija, form the focus of this paper using the Health Belief Model and Social Action Theory as bases for explanation. The study also revealed illiteracy, ignorance, negligence and laziness as major predisposing factors that aided sellers dumping of refuse in the environment. Personal hygiene and attempts to keep their immediate surrounding clean were reported as strategies adopted for prevention of environmental pollution which was observed to be inadequate. As a result, most sellers were willing to pay reasonable fee to prevent dirty environment in order to avoid dire consequences. The study recommends improved government effort, education, sanctions, sensitization and campaign against environment pollution to rescue the situation. Key words: Environment, Pollution, Urban market, Education, Overpopulation, Refus

Strength Development in Lateritic Soil Stabilised with Coconut Shell Ash for Highway Pavement Construction

Lateritic soil has found wide usage in highway pavement construction in the tropics, however, there are instances that they are unsuitable because of their properties, hence the need for improvement through stabilisation. This research focussed on the utilisation of coconut shell ash for stabilising of lateritic soil for highway pavement construction. The lateritic soil was treated with 3 to 12% coconut shell ash (CSA) to assess its effect as a soil stabilising admixture on the geotechnical properties of the lateritic soil while the soil with 0% CSA is the control. The percentage passing sieve no. 200, liquid limit and plasticity index reduced with increase in the CSA content, this indicates that the susceptibility of the soil for water has been reduced. However, the maximum dry densities of the treated soil increased with increasing content of CSA but the strength index, California bearing ratio (CBR) decreased. Coconut shell ash though is a good pozzolan cannot therefore be used as a stand-alone stabilizer for treating lateritic soil however, the stabilized soil could be used as a subgrade foundation material in road pavement construction. Keywords: Coconut shell ash, Lateritic soil, Stabilization, Highway Pavement, Compaction, California bearing rati

Spatial analysis of soil hydraulic properties of an alfisol in Akure, Southwestern Nigeria

The knowledge of soil hydraulic properties and processes leads to better predictions of both agricultural and environment impact. The objectives of this research are to determine, predict and compare the relationship between measured and estimated soil hydraulic properties and also spatially characterize these properties using geostatistics. Mini disc infiltrometer at a suction rate of 2 cm per second was used for the determination of soil hydraulic properties at different points of an alfisol in Nigeria. Soil samples (100, 200 and 300 mm depths) were also analyzed to determine soil bulk density (BD), total porosity (PT) and water holding capacity (WHC). The coefficients of variation (CV) of the textural classes indicate a non-considerable variability of the sand (CV=6%), silt (CV=20%) and clay (CV=3%) contents. From the statistical and spatial analysis for the different parameters, the variability of hydraulic conductivity (48%>33%>31%), cumulative infiltration (40%>26%>23%), soil water sorptivity (19%>11%>8%), followed the trend upper soil layer (0–100 mm) > middle (100–200 mm) > lower (200–300 mm) soil layers. Hydraulic conductivity and infiltration were more pronounced in soils with higher organic matter content (OMC) and PT. Pedotransfer models (PTF) for prediction of hydraulic conductivity (K), soil water sorptivity (Sw) and cumulative infiltration (I) from basic soil properties such as OMC, PT were developed and validated using multiple-linear regression method. K, Sw and I predicted by the PTF models were significant for the upper and middle soil layers respectively (r = 0.812 and 0.670; 0.825 and 0.670, and 0.820 and 0.670). Contour and wireframe representation were used to spatially analyze the soil hydraulic properties across the field. These contour and 3D surface plots are useful for establishing farm operating conditions, especially in water, fertilizers or pesticides management

Practicable Vocational and Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition for job Creation and Poverty Alleviation Among Nigerian Youths

Purpose:  This study examined the concepts of poverty, youth unemployment and vocational and entrepreneurial skills acquisition. It also identified the various factors responsible for poverty and youth unemployment in Nigeria. It highlighted the rationale for Nigerian youths to acquire vocational and entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance, income generation, wealth creation and employment generation for others.   Theoretical Framework: The aim of  vocational and entrepreneurial skills acquisition is to make it practicable in order to drive and deliver the purpose of job creation and poverty alleviation among Nigerian youths. Making it more practicable achieves the driving force to creating economic values and creative business engagements by Nigerians. The focus also provides job opportunities for the teeming Nigerian youths, channels their future to productive activities and turn to make poverty and unemployment to be things of the past if the practicability is achieved through entrepreneurial activities.   Design/Methodology/Approach:  The study adopted the mode of conducting literature review and conceptualization of the variables and x-rayed the  reasons for poverty and unemployment and deepen how the social problems can be identified and reduced to the barest minimum in Nigeria.   Findings: Our findings revealed there is serious poverty and unemployment in Nigeria. It as well suggest that it is of valuable and useful direction to promote practicable skills acquisition among Nigerian youths and that the curricula of Nigerian educational institutions should be more pragmatic and have built-in-job training programmes that would enable students to acquire relevant practicable vocational and entrepreneurial skills required for self-employment, job and wealth creation and poverty alleviation. While all stakeholders should be actively involved in the funding of vocational and entrepreneurship education.   Research, Practical & Social implications: This study in its focus contributes to a better understanding of the important role being played by entrepreneurial skills acquisition in achieving practicable vocational skills and to develop entrepreneurial attitudes of Nigerian youths  that will form the economic growth of the country through their engagements and make them employers of labour through their acquired practicable vocational skills acquisition to better the society. This study also contributes to a better understanding of the causes of the menace which therefore proffers solution to tackling the problem of poverty among Nigerian youths through the provision of a viable, robust, comprehensive and practical-oriented vocational and entrepreneurship education.  It also expressed how the collective responsibility of all prominent Nigerians could be keyed-into supporting entrepreneurship programmes in Nigeria in the area of funding of vocational and entrepreneurship education in Nigeria which both Government at Federal, State and Local Government levels and the Non-Govermental Organisations (NGOs).   Originality/value: The added value of this study provides insights on how vocational entrepreneurial skills acquisition programmes can be practicable effective in a way to structure the future of Nigerian youths and citizens for productive economic activities. It is as well sought how poverty and unemployment can be reduced and make citizens focus for economic growth and self-dependence businesses

Efficacy of additive composite leaf mix from selected tropical plants on the performance of broiler chickens

The study involved a six-week feeding trial conducted to investigate the efficacy of selected leaves added as composite leaf mix (CLM) on the carcass, relative organ weight, muscle development and performance of broiler chickens. Fresh Vernonia amygdalina, Moringa oleifera, Ocimum gratissimum, Azadirachta indica leaves were harvested, air-dried, milled and mixed with Allium sativum powder in ratio 4:3:1:1:1 to form the CLM. The CLM was tested for phyto-chemicals and added to a basal diet, as additive at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/ kg. 150 day-old Ross 308 chicks were used in the experiment. The chicks were allotted to treatments, replicated three times with 10 chicks per replicate. At the end of the feeding trial, evaluation of three randomly-selected birds from each replicate showed that the treatments had significant (p<0.05) effect on growth parameters measured with the exception of feed conversion ratio. Weight gain record was highest in birds fed 20.00 g/ kg. The carcass characteristics showed that the highest thigh (117.83 g/ kg), drumstick (100.48 g/ kg) and live weights (2.25 kg) values were observed in birds fed Diet II, Control and IV respectively. Significantly highest values for the heart weight (6.10g/ kg) and pancreas (2.51g/ kg) were recorded for birds fed Diet IV and the control diet respectively. Birds fed with Diet IV had significantly higher pectoralis thoracicus weights (182.10 g/ kg) and musculu supracoracoideus length (14.07 cm). From the results obtained, Diet IV could be recommended in broiler chickens diet to promote superior muscle development and all level of supplementations, for growth promotion

Youth Empowerment Programmes Through Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition for Self-Reliance in Ondo State, Nigeria: An Appraisal

Purpose: The study appraised youth empowerment programmes through entrepreneurial skills acquisition for self-reliance in Ondo State, Nigeria.   Theoretical framework: The conceptual framework was developed based on an extensive literature review to establish the relationship between youth empowerment, entrepreneurial skills acquisition and self-reliance. This framework serves as a guiding structure for the study, determining the way out of the virulent, devastating, torturing, and continuous  menace of poverty and unemployment bedeviling the youths of Nigeria and proffer lasting solution through entrepreneurial skills acquisition for self-reliance.   Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopted empirical research approach. Data was gathered from four hundred and fifty participants drawn from six Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition Centres in three Local Government Areas of Ondo State. The collection of data was by the means of a questionnaire that was structured and well-validated titled Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition for Job Creation Questionnaire. Descriptive and inductive statistics were used for the data analysis.   Findings: The outcome revealed that many jobless school leavers and graduates in Ondo State were completely ignorant of training opportunities provided by Ondo State Government due to inadequate publicity of the programmes. The Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition Programmes were not sufficiently funded; most of the Centre buildings were dilapidated and poorly maintained; while the resource persons at the Centres were grossly inadequate and poorly motivated. The acquired entrepreneurial skills have been helping the recipients to set up small-scale business enterprises for self-employment and reliance.   Research, Practical and Social implications: The study contributes immensely and shows that it is no more contestable that in Nigeria today, the acquirement of appropriate entrepreneurial skills will greatly assist the jobless school leavers and tertiary educational institutions graduates in ameliorating the problem of unemployment and poverty and also lessen the several crimes and social vices commonly committed by most youths of Nigeria. The Nigerian youths who have acquired entrepreneurial skills will undoubtedly decide properly on the business enterprise to embark upon and how to seek initial financial assistance to put it in progress.   Originality/Value: The conceptual framework of the study, its empirical research approach, incomparable modality, and practical recommendations contribute to the existing body of knowledge on youth empowerment programmes through entrepreneurial skills acquisition which champions the reduction of unemployment and poverty in Nigeria. It as well  providing valuable direction for stakeholders in  building a supportive creativity in the educational system

Study design and participant characteristics of a randomized controlled trial of directly administered antiretroviral therapy in opioid treatment programs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>HIV-infected drug users are at higher risk of non-adherence and poor treatment outcomes than HIV-infected non-drug users. Prior work from our group and others suggests that directly administered antiretroviral therapy (DAART) delivered in opioid treatment programs (OTPs) may increase rates of viral suppression.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>We are conducting a randomized trial comparing DAART to self-administered therapy (SAT) in 5 OTPs in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants and investigators are aware of treatment assignments. The DAART intervention is 12 months. The primary outcome is HIV RNA < 50 copies/mL at 3, 6, and 12 months. To assess persistence of any study arm differences that emerge during the active intervention, we are conducting an 18-month visit (6 months after the intervention concludes). We are collecting electronic adherence data for 2 months in both study arms. Of 457 individuals screened, a total of 107 participants were enrolled, with 56 and 51 randomly assigned to DAART and SAT, respectively. Participants were predominantly African American, approximately half were women, and the median age was 47 years. Active use of cocaine and other drugs was common at baseline. HIV disease stage was advanced in most participants. The median CD4 count at enrollment was 207 cells/mm³, 66 (62%) had a history of an AIDS-defining opportunistic condition, and 21 (20%) were antiretroviral naïve.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This paper describes the rationale, methods, and baseline characteristics of subjects enrolled in a randomized clinical trial comparing DAART to SAT in opioid treatment programs.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00279110">NCT00279110</a></p

Next Generation Nuclear Plant Methods Technical Program Plan

One of the great challenges of designing and licensing the Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) is to confirm that the intended VHTR analysis tools can be used confidently to make decisions and to assure all that the reactor systems are safe and meet the performance objectives of the Generation IV Program. The research and development (R&D) projects defined in the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) Design Methods Development and Validation Program will ensure that the tools used to perform the required calculations and analyses can be trusted. The Methods R&D tasks are designed to ensure that the calculational envelope of the tools used to analyze the VHTR reactor systems encompasses, or is larger than, the operational and transient envelope of the VHTR itself. The Methods R&D focuses on the development of tools to assess the neutronic and thermal fluid behavior of the plant. The fuel behavior and fission product transport models are discussed in the Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) program plan. Various stress analysis and mechanical design tools will also need to be developed and validated and will ultimately also be included in the Methods R&D Program Plan. The calculational envelope of the neutronics and thermal-fluids software tools intended to be used on the NGNP is defined by the scenarios and phenomena that these tools can calculate with confidence. The software tools can only be used confidently when the results they produce have been shown to be in reasonable agreement with first-principle results, thought-problems, and data that describe the “highly ranked” phenomena inherent in all operational conditions and important accident scenarios for the VHTR