Altering rainfall patterns through aerosol dispersion

The possibility of recirculation mechanism on rainfall patterns is salient for sustenance of the human race through agricultural produce. The peculiarity of the lower atmosphere of south west region of Nigeria was explored using theoretical and experimental approach. In the theoretical approach, the reconstruction of 1D model as an extraction from the 3D aerosol dispersion model was used to examine the physics of the recirculation theory. The experimental approach which consists of obtaining dataset from ground instruments was used to provide on-site guide for developing the new recirculation theories. The data set was obtained from the Davis weather station, Nigeria Meteorological agency and Multi-angle Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MISR). We looked at the main drivers of recirculation and propounded that recirculation is a complex process which triggers a reordering of the mixing layer- a key factor for initiating the type of rainfall in this region

Review on Li-Fi: an advancement in wireless network communication with the application of solar power

Light Fidelity, commonly referred to as Li-Fi is a technology that was introduced by a German physicist called Herald Hass. This technology in its own uniqueness considers the use of light (Light Emitting Diode, LED to be specific) as its medium of delivering high speed communication that complies with standard IEEE 802.15.7 bidirectional communication standard. This optical means of communications is also known as visible light communication. It is safer when compared with Wi-Fi network. This paper will focus on Li-Fi applications, comparison with existing technologies like Wi-Fi and the inclusion of an alternative source of power i.e., solar power, as a means of effectively optimizing on the availability and accessibility of the benefits in places where erratic or total power outage is a common trend

Development of a solar charged laboratory bench power supply

This product is an improvement on available DC laboratory bench power supply. It is capable of delivering low voltage Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) to carry out basic laboratory experiment for both secondary schools and also at higher education institutions. The power supply is capable of delivering fixed DC voltages of 5V, 9V, 12V, the variable voltage of between 1.25–30V and a 12V AC voltage. Also Incorporated is a USB port that allows for charging cell phones and other mobile devices, and a dedicated 12V DC output to power 5-7 Watt LED bulb to provide illumination in the laboratory for the instructor who may need to work at night in the absence of utility power

Radiation from Visual Display Unit

The radiation from different types of Visual Display Units (VDU) (that is, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)), projector and interactive screen were examined using a Cell Sensor Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) detection meter. The study revealed that ELF radiation in CRT VDUs is eight (8) times greater than in LCD VDUs. The mean ELF obtained from interactive screen at 30 cm was 1.6 mG and 1.9 mG at start-up and after 3 hours of use respectively with a mean value of 1.03 mG for a distance of 100 cm at start up. The mean ELF radiation from the projector screen at a distance of 10 cm is 0 mG, while that of interactive screen is 2.4 mG at the same distance. Thus, the study suggested that, projector and screen is better than interactive screen when making presentation considering the closeness of user to the interactive screen throughout the course of presentation

Performance and Evaluation of Eight Cloud Models on Earth—Space Path for a Tropical Station

This is a review of eight cloud models and a statistical analysis of radiosonde data and cloud cover data in order to obtain attenuation distributions and cloud cover statistics for a tropical location, Ota (6.7oN, 3.23oE) at a computed elevation angle of 56.18o to an Astra 2B satellite located at 31.5oE. Cloud models are mathematical algorithms scientifically designed to predict cloud attenuation impact on propagating electromagnetic signals in the troposphere, using data on each model’s required parameters such as temperature, pressure, cloud height, cloud occurrence and liquid water content of clouds. The station’s cloud cover statistics, namely average amount of cloud, cloud base height, and frequency of occurrence were computed from extracted cloud data to obtain their monthly and seasonal variations. The results show that minimum attenuation values were predicted by both the Gun and East and the ITU-R models, while the Liebe and Slobin models predicted consistently maximum values of attenuation for all the cloud models tested. Cloud attenuation statistics computed for each of the models show that at 0.01% exceedance probability, the averages of the predicted cloud attenuation for uplink and downlink at Ota, ranges between 0.45 dB and 0.44 dB for Ku, 1.85 dB and 0.75 dB for Ka, and 3.50 dB and 2.50 dB for V bands. At 0.1% the averages are between 0.30 dB and 0.27 dB, 0.95 dB and 0.47 dB, 2.45 dB and 1.51 dB at Ku, ka and V bands for both uplink and downlink respectivel

Experimental evaluation of soil petrophysical attributes: Implications for sustainable agriculture

Agriculture is man’s major supplier of his needs, particularly his primary need which is food. Soil is a major component for sustainable agriculture production needs to be studied and understood. Soil’s characteristics determine the type of crop that would grow and the nature of the yield of the crop. The area of study is Covenant University farmland, where twenty soil samples from the farm were collected and petrophysical parameters such as conductivity and salinity were analysed on each soil sample

Geoengineering site characterization for foundation integrity assessment

Inefficient near-surface characterizations prior to building construction have largely contributed to the incessant building failures in the form of structural defects and building collapses recently occurring in southern parts of Nigeria. Combined geophysical and geotechnical investigations have been used to select suitable foundation type and depth at a building construction site in part of the Lagos Island, Nigeria. Three geoelectrical resistivity survey profiles of length 150 m each were conducted using minimum and maximum electrode spacing of 5.0 m and 45.0 m, respectively. Boring, in-situ geomaterials samplings, cone penetrating tests, standard penetrometer tests and laboratory tests were among the geotechnical investigations carried out in accordance with the British standard code of practice. The geoelectrical resistivity imaging results provide the lateral and spatial spread of the geoelectrical units stratification within the study area, their clay and water contents. The results of the laboratory and geotechnical tests also reveal the subsoils lithologic units, their compressibility and shear strengths. A deeper piletype foundation on a more competent stable subsoil stratum at the depth greater than 13 m is recommended for the proposed buildings in the study area so as to effectively transmit their loads

Geospatial distribution of heavy metal contamination in Ewekoro Limestone, SW Nigeria

Limestone exploration has numerous advantage to the nation’s economy. However, major anthropogenic activities such as mining of such mineral deposits causes environmental contamination due to heavy metals pollution.The presence of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic can interfere with the biochemical pathways by interaction with enzymes and proteins. They equally have the capacity to alter the DNA repair mechanism and act as the inducers of carcinogenesis. The focus of the research is therefore to detect the extent of heavy metals contaminations within the sampled Ewekoro limestone, southwestern Nigeria and to ascertain the risks they posed to the quarry workers, miners and the people residing in the study area

Mechanical and opto-electrical response of embedded smart composite coating produced via electrodeposition technique for embedded system in defence application

The emergence of nanocomposite particulate with the increasing demand for opto-electrical properties for defence application has necessitated this study. In this work, an attempt was made to develop Zn- CeO2/Zn-CeO2-Al2SiO5 thin film composite on A356 mild steel using electrodeposition technique. The developed coating was attained in 2 V for 10 min at a constant current density of 1.5 A/cm2 and pH of 4.5. The mass concentration of Al2SiO5 was varied, ranging from 0 to 15 g. The composite coatings were characterized using Scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM/ EDS). The corroding properties of the coated and uncoated sample were examined through potentiodynamic polarization technique via Autolab PGSTAT 101 Metrohm potentiostat/galvanostat with NOVA software of version 2.1.2 in 3.65% NaCl. The electrical characterization was carried out using voltageammeter meter and Keithley 2400 series source meter application tester. The opto-electrical investigation was done using a solar simulator with maximum intensity of 1000 W/m2 under an air mass of 1.5 at a working intensity of 750 W/m2. The outcome of various test and characterizations revealed that the electrodeposited Zn-CeO2/Zn-CeO2-Al2SiO5 possessed good stability, improved microstructural qualities, better electrical conductivity and outstanding corrosion resistance

Task Sharing and Shifting to Provide Pathology Diagnostic Services: The Kenya Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy Cytology and Bone Marrow Aspiration and Trephine Biopsy Training Program

Purpose: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) cytology is a simple, inexpensive, and accurate diagnostic test for benign, infectious, and malignant lesions of the breast, thyroid, lymph nodes, and other organs. Similarly, bone marrow aspiration and trephine (BMAT) biopsy procedures are relatively simple and inexpensive techniques that are important for diagnosing and monitoring many hematologic diseases including leukemias and lymphomas. However, the scarcity of pathologists in Kenya limits patient access to these simple diagnostic tests. We describe a task sharing and shifting program that sought to improve the provision of FNABs and BMAT biopsies in tertiary public hospitals in Kenya. Methods: Between January 2016 and February 2017, we trained pathologists, pathology residents, and technologists from the University of Nairobi and Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, in FNAB and BMAT biopsies, who in turn trained pathologists, medical officers (MO), clinical officers (CO), and technologists at five tertiary public hospitals. The program involved curriculum development, training workshops, the establishment of new and strengthening existing FNAB and BMAT biopsy clinics, interim site visits, audits, and stakeholder workshops. Results: Fifty-one medical personnel at the tertiary hospitals were trained. The FNAB numbers increased by 41% to 1,681, with 139 malignant diagnoses (7.1%). BMAT biopsy numbers increased by 268% to 140, with 34 malignant cases. Between 60% and 100% of the FNAB and BMAT biopsy procedures were performed by MO and CO over the project period. One new FNAB and two new BMAT biopsy clinics were established. Conclusion: This project demonstrates a successful model of task sharing and shifting from specialist pathologists to MO and CO that improved access to important FNAB and BMAT biopsy services in a low-resource setting