Design and Calibration of a Transformer Controlled Variable Rainfall Simulator

A new approach for the design and construction of a variable rainfall simulator using an auto transformer which is aimed at soil erosion research was explored. The method involves using a water pump, a variable voltage regulator and a set of nozzles for the simulation of rainfall. It was found that the variation of rainfall intensity, kinetic energy and terminal velocities followed established trends such that terminal velocity and drop kinetic energy increased as rainfall intensity increased. A comparison between predicted and observed rainfall intensity for the catchment area over a period of four years showed that 57%, 45%, 61% and 57% of the natural rainfall intensity was achieved over the consecutive years. This method is therefore considered efficient and cost effective for developing countries or locations that have similar rainfall pattern

Changes in the composition of the pulp, alpha-amylase activity and titratable acidity during the controlled rotting of egusi fruits (Colocynthis citrullus l.) for the harvesting of the seeds

The laboratory rotting of Egusi Fruits was completed in 120 hours. At this stage pulp became soft and the seeds were extracted easily with the fingers. The changes in the composition of the pulp, alpha-amylase activity and titratable acidity during the controlled rotting of egusi fruit (Colocynthis citrullus L.) for the harvesting of the seeds showed that moisture content (MC) increased from 82.04% at 0 hour of rotting to 85.00% at 120 hours of rotting. The Titratable acidity increased from 0.10mg lactic acid/g, wet matter (WM) at 0 hour to 0.70mg lactic acid/g, at 120 hours. The total carbohydrate (water soluble carbohydrate) decreased from 10.76% at 0 hour to 0.35% at 120 hour and the reducing sugars also decreased from 1.25mg/g (WM) at 0 hour to 0.25mg/g (WM) at 120 hours; the protein content increased from 0.39% at 0 hour to 4.38% at 96 hours and then fell to 1.14% at 120 hours. The alpha-amylase activity which was not detectable at 0 hour reached a peak of 0.80mg/g (WM) at 48 hours and then fell to 0.02mg/g at 120 hours. The crude fat decreased from 6.85% at 0 hour to 6.72% at 120 hours. The pH rose from 5.20 at 0 hour to 6.70 at 120 hours while the temperature rose from 28.00C at 0 hour to 300C at 120 hours. These changes resulted in the softening of the pulp and hence facilitating the easy removal of the seeds from the fruits with fingers.KEYWORDS: Rotting, Egusi, Pulp, Composition, Alpha-amylase, titratable acidity

Analysis of the Strategies Employed by Riparian Communities to Cope with Retreating Water Levels in Lake Chad Basin

The problems associated with declining levels of freshwater and water resources inadequacies in the Lake Chad basin of Central Africa are worrisome and growing. The purpose of this paper is to present up-to-date information on the freshwater situation in the basin and analyze the strategies which riparian communities now employ to cope with the decline in freshwater levels of the lake. The physical and hydrological characteristics of the basin as well as the indicators of freshwater decline within the basin were identified and described. Patterns of decline in lake water levels over decades (1963-2015) were x-rayed and the implications of the decline on the socio-economic activities of the people highlighted. The survival strategies adopted by the riparian communities to cope with the decline in water levels as well as the weaknesses of the strategies were discussed. In conclusion, the payer suggests directions for the modification of the coping strategies in order to eliminate observed flaws and improve their efficiency in assisting the riparian populations survive hash environmental conditions. Keywords: Arid environment, Chad Basin, Indicators, Strategies, Riparian communities, Water level decline

The Use of Desalination Technologies to Alleviate Water Shortages in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): Challenges and Recommendations

Water scarcity is a major and growing problem in SSA. A SSA country (South Africa) has adopted desalination as a strategy for dealing with water shortages; while the construction of new desalination plants have been proposed in some others (Ghana, Namibia and Cape Verde). This review paper examines the use of desalination technologies for augmenting supplies in sixteen SSA countries, using data derived mainly from published literature. Results reveal that the usage of desalinated freshwater to augment supplies in the region is relatively recent; however the usage is on the increase, especially in countries with arid climate. Several factors including massive failures of public water supply systems, increases in the demand for freshwater, rapid and high rates of urbanization, population growth and the reoccurring droughts account for increases in the demand for desalination technologies in SSA. Many critical issues and constraints make the desalination option neither the most feasible nor a priority for water supplies within the humid parts of SSA. The paper recommends that for quality and sustainable service delivery to be attained in the region, governments should develop alternative freshwater sources, address infrastructural decay, employ new management strategies in the water sector and distribute water infrastructure equitably

Screening of UV-irradiated and S-2-aminoethyl-Lcysteine resistant mutants of Bacillus megaterium for improved lysine accumulation

The screening of UV irradiated and aminoethyl-l-cysteine resistant (AECR) mutants of Bacillus megaterium strains for improved lysine accumulation was conducted. The mutants, MR-10 and MR-25 derived form irradiated cultures of B. megaterium SP 76, and MS-3 and MS-5 derived form B.megaterium SP 86 produced higher lysine levels than the parent strains. In contrast, however, lysine accumulation by MV-2 and MV-18 mutants of B. megaterium SP 14, was of low yield. In aminoethyl-lcysteineresistant mutants, R-14 and R-76, derived from B. megaterium SP 14 and B. megaterium SP 76 respectively, lysine accumulation was enhanced

Performance Assessment of Substation Site Earthing Using Fluke 1625 Ground Tester

This study utilizes the automatic frequency control (AFC) feature in Fluke 1625 ground tester to analyze earth impedance in ve power substations. Other conventional methods like the use of megger for impedance test runs short of responding to variation in supply frequency and not trustworthy. Earthing is the fundamental requirement for protection in all electrical installations. The result shows that the use of the Fluke 1625 for ground testing is very reliable, hence the need for the performance assessment of this instrument as compare to the conventional system.Keywords: substation, ground tester, earth impedance, protectio

Application of Used Engine Oil in Soil-Cement Stabilization

A lot of studies has shown that the addition of oils to some soils at 3% and 6% contaminations by dry weight resulted in an increase in the unsoaked California bearing ratio (CBR) of the soil. This paper presents the result of investigating the applicability of used engine oil at 3% contamination as a means of reuse in the production of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) stabilized soils. The soils which are classified as clayey Gravel (GC) and clayey Sand (SC) according to the unified soil classification system were subjected to classification tests, compaction tests, soaked and unsoaked CBR tests, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction tests. The results show that there is a general reduction in the optimum moisture content of the oil contaminated soils while the effect of oil contamination on maximum dry density varied for the two types of soils under consideration. Furthermore, an increase of 130.45% and 240.37% were observed respectively in the CBR values of the oil contaminated soils after curing it for six days and soaking for 24hours in water at 8% OPC content.  The procedure for curing, soaking and CBR testing were all in line with the recommendation of the Nigerian general specification for roads and bridges.http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v34i1.1

Effect of vitamins and bivalent metals on lysine yield in Bacillus megaterium

The effects of vitamins and bivalent metals on lysine accumulation in Bacillus strains were investigated. Biotin enhanced lysine production in all the Bacillus strains, while folic acid and riboflavin stimulated lysine yields in Bacillus megaterium SP 86 only. All bivalent metals stimulated lysineaccumulation in B. megaterium SP 86 and B. megaterium SP 14, while Co2+ and Zn2+ improved lysine levels in all the strains

Reduction of the Adipato-Bridged Binuclear Iron(III) Complex, [(Fesalen)2adi] by Thioglycolic Acid: Kinetic and Mechanistic Study

Communication in Physical Sciences 2018, 3(1): 49-60 Pius Onyeoziri Ukoha, Kenneth OkekeUgwuanyi and Uchechukwu Ruth Obeta Received 05 November 2018/Accepted 16 December 2018   Reduction of the binuclear iron(III) complex ion, [(Fesalen)2adi] by β-mercaptoacetic acid was studied spectropotometrically at 495 nm. Kinetic runs were obtained at 302 K, under pseudofirst order conditions of a large excess of the reductant over the oxidant. At constant ionic strength, pseudo-first order rate constants increased with increase in concentration of the reductant and second rate constanst were fairly invariant at 4.67×10-2±0.017 dm3 mol-1s-1. Within the acid concentration 0.001≤[H+]≤0.15 mol dm-3 the rate of reaction increased with [H+]. The results are consistent with the general rate law: -d[Fe2adiH]/dt = (? + m[?– ])[??2?][???]. Rate constant was not altered on varying ionic strength and dielectric constant of the reaction media.Addition of the small amounts of Mg2+ and CH3COO– did not affect the rate of reaction. Least square fits of Michaelis-Menten type plot of 1/kobs versus. 1/[Red] was linear with intercept and analysis of products of reaction inferred formation of iron(III) and disulfides as products. The results point to plausible inner-sphere electron transfer path for the reduction of the iron(III) complex

Infection of dogs with Babesia canis in Gwagwalada metropolis of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Epidemiological investigation was carried out to determine the prevalence of infection with Babesia canis in dogs in Gwagwalada metropolis of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria, from November 2013 to January 2014. Blood samples were collected from 101 dogs and examined for the parasite. Data obtained were analyzed to determine the prevalence of Babesia canis and the correlation of infection with age, sex, breed, types of management and presence or absence of tick infestation on the animal. Dogs screened were those from randomly selected house holds within the area. Overall results show an infection rate of 9/101 (8.9%). The prevalence was higher (P <0.05) among adults than puppies and also higher (P<0.05) among dogs with tick infestation than those without.Keywords: Babesia, Canine, Epidemiology, Gwagwalada, Prevalenc