Production of Ceiling Board from Piliostigma Thonningii using Styrofoam Adhesive as Binder

The use of synthetic fibres resulted in environmental degradation and the growing interests towards the utilisation of readily available agricultural fibres as a potential replacement for synthetic fibres. This research aims to produce a ceiling board composite from piliostigma thonningii particulate using styrofoam adhesive binder. The board was produced from the readily available materials leading to the low cost of production. The composition has a formulation of fibre/binder mixing ratios (2:1, 1:1, 1:2 w:w), pressures of (100, 300, 500 kg/m2) and temperatures of (30, 65, 100 °C) respectively. The process was successfully modelled and optimized using a Box–Behnken design method. The optimal conditions for the piliostigma thonningii board were found to be fibre/binder mixing ratio of 1:1 w:w, pressure of 500 kg/m2 and temperature of 92 °C yielded response values of density (151.5 kg/m3), water absorption (9.04 %), tensile strength (16.9 N/m2), thermal conductivity (0.11 W/mK). Hence the board has greater insulating properties and good potential to be used as a ceiling board

Growth Performance and Carcass Merit of Japanese Quails (Coturnix japonica) Fed with Sorghum as an Energy Source Substitute for Maize in North Western Nigeria

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the growth performance and carcass characteristics of Japanese quails fed diets containing sorghum. A total of ninety of one-week old Japanese quail chicks were used for the experiment. Five diets were formulated in which sorghum was included at graded levels 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60% dietary levels designated as treatment 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The experimental period was five weeks when the birds reach six weeks of age.  The results of the growth performance showed significant differences (P<0.05) in the final body weight (161.70 – 180.10 g) and daily feed intake (21.34–25.12 g). Significant (P<0.05) differences was also observed in all carcass parameters measured except for dressing percentage. Liver weight and large intestine with T5 (65% total replacement) recorded the highest means value of 6.00 g and 6.66 g. Non-significant high values of feed conversion ratio were also obtained among the treatments. Treatment 1 (0%) and Treatment 5 (60%) showed better results in all parameters measured compared to other treatments. In conclusions, sorghum grain can play a significant role in formulating quail feed and can completely (60%) be used to replace maize without affecting the performance and carcass yield of the quails

Optimum Portland Cement-Guinea Corn Husk Ash Blend as Filler in Hot Mix Asphalt

Abstract- Dwindling natural resources and the negative environmental impact that comes with the industrial processing of construction materials are the driving forces to man’s quest for cleaner (green) and cheaper alternative construction materials. Among such alternatives include agricultural wastes. Guinea corn husk ash (GCHA), an agricultural waste obtained from the incineration of Guinea corn husk, has shown potentials of been used as filler material in hot mix asphalt due to its pozzolanic properties. Thus, this research aims to assess the strength and durability properties of hot mix asphalt with the incorporation of GCHA as a partial replacement for filler (cement). Marshal mix design method was used to determine the optimum bitumen content (OBC) at no GCHA content (control mix) within the bitumen content range prescribed by Nigerian general specifications for roads and bridges (NGSRB) for bituminous courses in flexible pavements. This OBC was used to determine the optimum GCHA by replacing the primary filler with GCHA up to 45% in increments of 5%. Marshal indices and volumetric properties of samples prepared at each replacement level were determined according to relevant standards. Mixtures containing up to 20% Portland cement replacement with GCHA were found to produce competitive results against the control mix (only cement as filler). Thus, Marshall indices and volumetric properties of mixtures containing up to 20% cement replacement GCHA satisfy the minimu

Chemical Compositions, FTIR and Larvicidal Activity of Essential Oils Extracted from Aromatic Plants

Essential oils are substances obtained from plant materials and are complex mixtures whose composition varies. In this study, the chemical composition, and larvicidal activity of extracted essential oils from some aromatic plants were evaluated. Modified steam distillation apparatus was used to extract essential oils from the Citrus limon linn leaf, Vitex trifolia seed and Cananga odorata. Furthermore, the plant materials were tested using FTIR, GC-MS, and larvicidal activity test. Citrus limon linn produced more amount of essential oil (1.4ml), Vitex trifola (0.7ml) and Cananga odorata (0.5ml) after 3hours ofsteam distillation. The result obtained from the infrared spectra indicates the functional groups of the compounds present in Citrus limon linn, Vitex trifolia and Cananga odorata. GC-MS analysis identified, 13, 12 and 24 chemical constituents present in Citrus limon linn , Vitex trifolia and Cananga odorata essential oil respectively. The three main essential oil and their percentage compositions are D-Limonene (22.82%), Citral (25.20 %), and Cis-Verbenol (20.43%) for Citrus limon linn. Leaf essential oil, Sabinene (39.14%), Caryophyllene (26.45%) and 1 R- α Pinene (15.20%) for Vitex trifolia seed essential oil, and Linalool (35.30%), Ascabiol (23.54%), Caryophyllene (20.30%), Copaene (12.76%) and Germacrene D (11.32%). However, the results from the larvicidal activity reveals that essential oil extracted from Citrus limon linn, Vitex trifolia and Cananaga odorata may serve as insecticide and can be used as potent insecticide for the control of mosquitoes

Design Construction and Performance Evaluation of Solar Still for Rural Dwellers

This paper is aimed at designing, constructing and performance evaluation of a solar still. The solar still is design and constructed with locally source materials for rural dwellers. The still absorber plate is constructed with 2 mm galvanised plate painted black with an area of 2 m2 to absorb solar radiation effectively. The side wall and the base is constructed with concrete. Sawdust and felt is used between the retaining wall and base to resist heat transfer from the system to the surrounding vice-versa. The top cover of the still is constructed with transparent glass pane of 4 mm housed in an aluminium frame. The catch basin that collects the condensate is constructed with PVC pipe channel of 50 mm. The performance of the still was evaluated with; Overall yield (sum of daily yield and over-night yield) at a different water depth of (20, 40, 60 mm), (5127 ml/m2/hr, 4558 ml/m2/hr, and 3852 ml/m2/hr). The efficiency of the system at different water depth (20, 40, 60 mm) 51.27 %, 45.58 %, and 38.52 %. The water analysis before and after distillation was certified safe and portable for human consumption

Laboratory-confirmed hospital-acquired infections:An analysis of a hospital's surveillance data in Nigeria

Objective: Hospital-acquired infections (HAI) are a global problem and a major public health concern in hospitals throughout the world. Quantification of HAI is needed in developing countries; hence we describe the results of a 2-year surveillance data in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Methodology: This study is a 2-year review using secondary data collected at a tertiary referral center in northwestern Nigeria. The data was collected using surveillance forms modeled based on the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) protocol. Descriptive statistics were used to present results as frequencies and percentages. Result: 518 patients developed HAI out of 8216 patients giving an overall prevalence of 6.3%. The mean age of the patients was 35.98 years (±15.92). Males constituted 281 (54.2%). UTI 223 (43.1%) was the most prevalent HAI. Overall, E. coli 207 (40.0%) was the most frequent isolates followed by P. aerugenosa 80 (15.4%). There was a high prevalence of cloxacillin resistant S. aureus (67.9%) and gram-negative rods resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance across the board was more than 90%. Conclusion: There is a high burden of HAI especially UTI in our hospital with resistance to commonly used antibiotics documented. Keywords: Public health, Infectious diseas

Public Dialogue in Disaster Situations and Physical Planning Inadequacies: Focus on the Devastating June 16, 2018 Bauchi Rainstorm

Bauchi experienced a catastrophic disaster event on 16 June, 2018. Consequently, there have been public discussions and irritations about the event and the inadequacies of public-sector town planning practitioners. 130  residents of Bauchi metropolis were sampled randomly and their concerns documented. The study revealed that poor housing conditions, urban poverty, corruption in planning authorities, substandard infrastructural provision and the non-adherence to development control regulations were the major human and administrative contributions to the catastrophic outcome of the disaster. Keywords: Disaster, Physical planning, Rainstorm, Public, Dialogue, Inadequacies

HIV Patients' Satisfaction with Pharmaceutical Care at a Nigerian Tertiary Healthcare Facility During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Background: Patients' satisfaction is an important indicator of determining the quality of pharmaceutical care (PC). This study investigated Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients' satisfaction with PC at Federal Medical Centre, Keffi-Nigeria and determined the statistical correlation between the respondents' socio-demographic variables and their satisfaction with PC. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study involved 351 randomly selected HIV-positive patients receiving PC in the facility. A Likert-type questionnaire was used for the data collection. Results: The Cronbach's alpha of the questionnaire was .916. The "overall perception of pharmacists' care or service" had a mean satisfaction score of 4.24 ± 0.749 and "the amount of time spent with the pharmacists" had a mean score of 3.94 ± 0.791. No significant association was found between socio-demographic variables and overall patients' satisfaction with PC. Conclusion: The reliability of the questionnaire was high and the HIV patients had a good satisfaction with the PC they received in the facility

Impact of Firm-Level Determinants on Timeliness of Financial Reports among Listed Non-Financial Firms in Nigeria

The study presents empirical findings on the effect of audit firm type and leverage on timeliness of financial report of listed firms in Nigeria. The study formulated two hypotheses, while Panel regression analysis was used as an estimation technique to analyze the data extracted from the annual reports and accounts of the sixty listed companies in Nigeria for the period 2009 to 2019. The study found out that audit firm size and leverage have significant positive relationship with timeliness of financial report with coefficients of 0.12 and 0.11 respectively. It is therefore recommended that that the Big4 audit firms in Nigeria should maintain their reputation by putting measures to ensure quality audit report are readily available on time to stakeholders. In addition, board of directors should scrutinize debt financing and utilization of borrowed funds by the management in order to reduce the level of leverage of their respective firms, this is because an increase in leverage would increase timeliness of financial report of quoted firms in Nigeria

MODERATING EFFECT OF LEVERAGE ON THE VALUE RELEVANCE OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION IN THE NIGERIAN LISTED OIL AND GAS FIRMS

The study investigates the moderating effect of leverage on the value relevance of accountinginformation in the Nigerian listed oil and gas firms. The study used correlational research designand the data was extracted from the published annual financial reports of the firms for theindependent variables and the moderator. On the other hand, the data for the dependent variable(share prices) was collected from Nigerian stock exchange website. A sample size of 6 firms wereused for a period of eight years (2011-2018). The data was analysed using multiple regressionanalysis. Findings from the analysis showed that earnings per share, and leverage to be valuerelevant. Additionally, book value per share moderated with leverage was value relevant in additionto earnings per share moderated with leverage as well. Based on the findings, the study recommendsthat listed oil and gas firms in Nigeria should strategize to improve their earnings, Moreover, theyshould also find way of managing their book value, as any unnecessary investment means negativeeffect on share price. Additionally, listed oil and gas firms should maintain an appropriate level ofleverage so that the cheap cost of leverage will reduce the weighted average cost of capital andsubsequently increase value to investors. Finally, the explanatory power of the moderated variablesare more than the ones not moderated