Performance Evaluation of Fuel Cell and Microturbine as Distributed Generators in a Microgrid

This paper presents dynamic models of distributed generators (DG) and investigates dynamic behaviour of the DG units within a microgrid system. The DG units include micro turbine, fuel cell and the electronically interfaced sources. The voltage source converter is adopted as the electronic interface which is equipped with its controller to maintain stability of the microgrid during small signal dynamics. This paper also introduces power management strategies and implements the DG load sharing concept to maintain the microgrid operation in standalone, grid-connected and islanding modes of operation. The results demonstrate the operation and performance of the microturbine and SOFC as distributed generators in a microgrid. Keywords: Microgrid, Distributed Generation, Microturbine, Fuel Cel

Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory and Antipyretic Activities of The Aqueous Stem Bark Extract of Lophira Lanceolata Van Tiegh. Ex Keay

The bark of Lophira lanceolata (Ochnaceae) has been used traditionally for the treatment of many disease conditions such as dysentery, headaches, diarrhoea, cough, abdominal pains, fungal infections, nociception and cardiovascular diseases. However, no specific work on its anti-inflammatory or antipyretic effect has been reported which forms the basis of this study. This study evaluates the in-vivo anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Lophira lanceolata using laboratory animal model. The methods adopted for this study were formalin induced inflammation and yeast induced hyperpyrexia in rats. All the results were expressed as mean ± S.E. The data were statistically analysed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison and p-values 0.05 were considered as significant. The result of this study showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect different from the control (distilled water) at p 0.05 characterized by oedema formation, change in temperature, redness, and itching in the paw of the rats which is comparable with the standard indomethacin. The inhibition of oedema was statistically dose dependent as the group 4 rats which received 400 mg/kg body weight demonstrated more effect than the group 1 rats which received 100 mg/kg body weight of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Lophira lanceolata. The aqueous at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight showed the highest antipyretic effect. Hence the antipyretic activity was also dose- dependent. The study demonstrated that the aqueous Lophira lanceolata stem bark extract possesses anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities.&nbsp

Babesiosis in a -3-Month-old Nigerian Indigenous Male Puppy

Babesiosis is a protozoan disease caused by Babesia spp, which is an intra-erythrocytic parasite of domestic and wild animals. The parasite is mainly transmitted by infected ticks through bite and it is characterized by fever, paleness and icteric mucous membranes and emaciation. This paper reports case of babesiosis in a 3-month-old Nigerian indigenous male puppy at Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The relevant history, clinical signs and laboratory evaluations were recorded. The effects on some hematological parameters were studied and recorded. The dog was successfully transfused with 226 ml of blood and then treated with a single dose of 4% Diminazene aceturate at the dose rate of 4 mg/kg intramuscularly (I.M). Thereafter, the patient was monitored until fully recovered. Keywords: Puppy, Babesiosis, Diagnosis, Blood transfusion and Treatmen

Prevalensi Nyeri Pada Lansia

Pendahuluan : Lansia merupakan salah satu kelompok  berisiko (population at risk) yang semakin meningkat jumlahnya. Allender, Rector, dan Warner (2014) mengatakan bahwa populasi berisiko (population at risk) adalah kumpulan orang-orang yang masalah kesehatannya memiliki kemungkinan akan berkembang lebih buruk karena adanya faktor faktor yang mempengaruhi. Penuaan menyebabkan penurunan cadangan fungsional dalam organ dan sistem, serta sindrom geriatri yang muncul dengan parameter multifaktorial, inkontinensia, gangguan tidur, malnutrisi, delirium, luka tekan, nyeri dan jatuh, yang berhubungan dengan kematian. Salah satu sindrom yang paling umum dijumpai pada lansia adalah nyeri. Ketika individu melebihi usia 60 tahun, maka kejadian nyeri bisa berlipat ganda dan meningkat setiap sepuluh tahun.Tujuan penelitian: Untuk mengetahui prevalensi nyeri terhadap lansia.Metode penelitian: Jenis studi literatur yaitu literatur review. Strategi pencarian studi berbahasa inggris yang relevan dengan topik, dilakukan dengan menggunakan database PubMed, Google Scholar dan Semantic Scholar. Kata kunci yang digunakan dalam pencarian artikel adalah lanjut usia dan nyeri.Hasil penelitian: Adanya prevalensi nyeri pada orang dengan lanjut usia dan tingkat keparahan nyeri bisa dilihat dari umurnya.Kesimpulan: Lansia adalah seseorang yang berusia lebih dari 65 tahun dan lansia bukan suatu penyakit melainkan suatu proses lanjutan yang ditandai dengan adanya penurunan kemampuan tubuh. Salah satu sindrom yang paling sering dijumpai pada lansia adalah nyeri. Ketika usia sudah 60 tahun, maka kejadian nyeri bisa berlipat ganda dan akan semakin meningkat setiap 10 tahun

Conceptual Design of Gas Distribution Pipeline Network for Estates in Nigeria

This work presents the conceptual design of a gas distribution pipeline network for estates in Nigeria using the University of Abuja Staff Quarters as a case study. The problem statement was the aggressive consumption of cooking gas, referred to as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), without gas pipeline networks infrastructures to homes and estates across Nigeria but relies on cylinders with its attendant danger. The methodology includes the determination of the gas demand from the average monthly gas consumption in each of the households, the elevation head, diameter of the pipelines, gas velocity, gas mass flow rate, head losses and the pressure drop analysis of series (option 1), parallel (option 2) and grid (option 3) options. The results obtained indicate that the best gas distribution design option for the trunk, reticulation and service pipelines was the grid connections to minimize investment costs with equitable pressures at service outlets. In the selected design option, the total length of the 50.8 mm diameter trunk pipelines was 19.52 m, while the total length of the 12.7 mm diameter reticulation and service pipelines were 3,223.34 m and 1,648.46 m respectively. The quantities of fittings required for the pipeline network layout were determined for an estate of 124 houses. The mass flow rates of the LPG in the 3 pipeline sections were found to be 0.39 kg/s and total head loss based on local resistance coefficients was found to be lowest in option 3 (1,568.33 m), which also has the least pressure drop of 67.84 kPa in the trunk and reticulation pipelines. It can be concluded that the optimized design could be adopted for the gas distribution pipeline network of University of Abuja staff quarters and other estates in Nigeria, with similar elevation and buildings layout

IMPACT OF STRATEGIC CHANGES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF TRUCKING FIRMS IN THE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY TRANSPORTATION MARKET

Econometric models were developed to estimate factors that influence strategic changes and evaluate the impacts that strategic changes will have on the subsequent performance of agricultural commodity trucking firms. Results reveal that GDP and change in firm size will have positive impacts on strategic changes made by firms.Public Economics,

ANALYSIS OF AGILE LEADERSHIP MODEL IN IMPROVING ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE AT GRIYA HUSADA CLINIC, BEKASI

The purpose of this study is to describe the practice of leadership at Griya Husada Clinic in facing the changes in the healthcare industry that have changed from high-touch to low-touch. The research method used in this study is qualitative, with data processing through interviews and observations to employee respondents, patients and work partners. The results of the research shows that the clinic leader has a growth mindset, who always motivates employees by working sincerely, in accordance with applicable procedures and also gives rewards for each employee, improves knowledge for employees who graduated from high school in accordance with the profession and responsibilities. The clinic leader compromises where there is a problem, both internal and external, and always opens a room for discussion in solving a problem. For accommodation, clinical leaders provide online consultation services via Google or social media and programs to send employees to school and dispatch their employees for Umrah. In collaboration, the clinic leader revives the working atmosphere between professions in the clinic environment by giving the staf the freedom to communicate with each other and maintain clinical activities and be ready to deal with customers at any time

Climate Change Awareness and related Tree Planting Practices in a Rural Community in North-Western Nigeria

Background: Tree cutting is one of the causes of climate change and a common practice in Africa, a continent under significant threat from climate change. Therefore, climate change awareness and mitigation are vital to reducing its impacts in the region. Reforestation through planting of trees is an important carbon emission reduction strategy. This study assessed climate change awareness and related tree planting practices among household heads in a Nigerian rural community.Methods: A community-based descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2019 among all household heads in Nasarawan Buhari community. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the 104 household heads (or their representatives). Data was analyzed using SPSS (version 21.0) and statistical significance was set at p value of < 0.05.Results: The mean age of respondents was 40.6±12.6 years, and most of them (87.5%) were males. Half (50.0%) were aware of climate change, and their main source of information was radio (63.5%). Most (98.1%) used fire wood for cooking. Only a minority (27.9%) planted at least a tree in the year preceding the study. There was a statistically significant association between climate change awareness and occupation (p=0.038) but not with tree planting (p=0.827).Conclusion: The results indicated that only half of respondents were aware of climate change. There was high use of wood as cooking fuel with low tree planting. Tree planting was not associated with climate change awareness. There is therefore a need for continuous climate change education and mitigation campaign in the community

Gidaje: The socio-cultural morphology of Hausa living spaces

Hausa architecture is an important part of African indigenous architecture. In many respects its construction techniques, its wail decoration and its structural forms, have been recognised as unique. Most of the Hausa Architecture studied has been in the form of palaces, mosques and few houses of the affluent, merchants and administrators. However the bulk of the Hausa built environment is, and for long has been, composed of ordinary domestic houses that accommodate the citizens of its cities and hamlets. This work deals with Hausa architecture as found in the older parts a major Hausa urban centre; to wit the walled city of Kano. The Kano built environment is composed of several forms of architecture, but the main concern here is specifically with the Hausa domestic architecture in the walled city of Kano. The study is informed by the theoretical proposition that a correlation exists between the spatial organisation of domestic house and the social life of its inhabitants; consequently changes in one result in changes in the other and vice-versa. The study has four main objectives: to establish the basic characteristics of Hausa domestic architecture, i.e. its dominant spatial themes; to show how the resulting domestic environment is supportive of the Hausa-Islamic culture; to examine the cultural impact of colonialism on the concept of the dwelling unit and by extension, on the culture of the Hausa; and to broaden the data base of an indigenous knowledge system in the field of architecture. The principal findings of the work are: that Hausa domestic architecture as found in the walled city is conceptually of two broad types; that the design concept of these types is rooted in the Hausa socio-cultural paradigm; that the design concept is flexible enough to cater for the subcultural elements that are the hallmarks of any Hausa society; that the changes in the political, economic and social fabric of the Hausa society in its recent history have had very little effect on the spatial quality of Hausa domestic architecture