Engine performance of blends of palm kernel oil biodiesel under varying speed at constant torque

This study conducts a comparative evaluation the effect of using palm kernel oil (PKO), pure petroleum diesel and their blends (B5, B10, B20, B30, B40, and B100), on the performance of a four-cylinder CI diesel engine (David Brown 990: 58hp; 2WD), at Farm Power and Machinery Test laboratory Centre (FPMTLC), Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The objective of the study was to determine the fuel consumption rates, energy expended, brake specific fuel consumption, and brake thermal efficiency, under varying operating speeds (700 – 1900rpm) at constant torque. Each fuel test was conducted using the Heenan-Froude hydraulic dynamometer engine-test-bed; pure petroleum diesel (B0) was used to generate the baseline data. Variables calculated were analyzed, then compared with each other to determine the differences in the engine performance and also to determine the optimum test fuel. The results obtained show that B10 had the overall optimum energy output, fuel consumption rates, and brake specific fuel consumption of 5431.809J, 3.42E-07 m3/s, and 0.16569l/KWh, respectively at the highest engine speed of 1900. B10 had an excellent brake thermal efficiency of 60.6% but was not better than B100, which showed a higher value of 66.95%. From the analysis, B10 is the optimum test fuel and can be used as an alternative fuel in David Brown 990 (58hp; 2WD) or similar CI diesel engines without any engine modification, even though B100 showed potential as an alternative to fossil diesel. Biofuel production grows through integrated aquaculture and algae production; the algae oil will serve as a raw material for biofuel production Keywords: Blends, Biodiesel, Brake Specific Consumption, Diesel Engine, Fuel Consumption rate, Thermal Efficiency

Haemolytic toxicity due to domestic naphthalene ball exposure in a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency patient

Naphthalene is a natural component of fossil fuels such as petroleum, diesel, and coal. is used widely as moth repellent,  insecticides and as a deodorant in lavatories worldwide. It is it is a toxic ,volatile, forming an inflammable vapour and sublimes at room temperature, producing its characteristic odour. This report presents a 29year-old male, Commercial tricycle driver, Ibo by tribe, Christian and single and was admitted with fatigue , severe abdominal pain , vomiting , yellowish coloration of the eyes and passage of dark urine (cocacola colored) following the use of  naphthalene ball for the purpose of repelling mosquitoes and other insects and as an air freshener for 5days .There was no history of similar illness in the past .There were features of severe   intravascular hemolysis ; elevated Lactate dehygrogenase enzymes (2320 IU/L) , elevated Bilirubin level (12.8mg/dl) , elevated Aspartate transaminase ;AST (71IU/L) and Alanine transaminase ;ALT (257IU/L) levels with decreased Hemoglobin (8mg/dl) and Haptoglobin (30mg/dl). Granulocytosis was also 143 detected. His Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity  (1.5 IU/gm Hb) was found to be below normal and was diagnosed as G6PD  deficiency disorder. The patient was treated with bed rest, with adequate rehydration with intravenous fluid 3L/day, Antibiotics (Cefuroxime), Folic acid and fesolate and vitamin C and the mothballs in his room were removed before he was discharged home . The aim of this case report is to highlight the toxicity of this common  household naphthalene mothball especially in G6PD deficient patient.Keywords: Intravascular hemolysis, Naphthalene moth ball, G6PD deficiency, Red blood cell.

Patterns of gestational weight gain and its association with birthweight in Nigeria

Background: Despite the increasing global importance of gestational weight gain (GWG) and its impact on birthweight, little is known about the patterns of GWG in African populations.Objectives: To determine the pattern of GWG and its association with birthweight in Nigeria.Methods: It was a longitudinal study of 200 pregnant women receiving antenatal care at two tertiary hospitals in Enugu, south eastern Nigeria. The women were consecutively recruited at <14 weeks gestation and their body mass indexes recorded upon recruitment. Thereafter, weight measurements were taken at each visit until 38–39 weeks.Results: Mean total GWG was 10.7 ± 3.4 kg, while mean birthweight was 3.3 ± 0.6 kg. GWG in second trimester had positive correlation with birthweight (r = 0.164, P = 0.02). Obese women gained above the recommended limits by the "institute of medicine" while underweight women gained below the limits. Excessive total GWG was associated with higher risk of macrosomia [8/21 (38.1%) vs. 7/179; RR: 9.74; 95% CI: 3.9–24.2; P < 0.001] while inadequate total GWG was associated with higher risk of low birth weight [7/72 (9.7%) vs. 3/128 (2.3%; RR: 4.15; 95% CI: 1.1–15.4; P = 0.03]. Maternal age of <35 years, high social class, nulliparity, and regular antenatal care were associated with normal GWG while maternal age <35 years and regular antenatal care were associated with normal birthweight (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Women should be counseled on the factors that influence GWG and birthweight. Interventions to assist women achieve appropriate GWG may need to include components related to improved dietary intake for the underweight and increased physical activity for the obese.Keywords: birthweight, body mass index, pregnancy, Nigeria, weight gai

Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) II and associated factors among civil servants in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria

Background: Health Promotion has taken the center stage as a cost-effective means to reduce the rising burden of Non – communicable diseases.Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the health promoting lifestyle profile and associated factors among civil servants in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria.Design: This was a descriptive cross – sectional study.Setting: The study was conducted at the secretariat complex of Enugu State government.Subjects: The study participants included 390 civil servants in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria selected using multistage sampling technique.Results: The mean age of respondents was 37.85 ± 10.06 years. The total HPLP II mean score was 127.65 ± 15.36 and 97.4% had good profile. Among the subscales, spiritual growth had the highest mean score, 24.68 ± 3.61 and 97.9% had good profile. Associated factors statistically significantly predicted overall HPLP II, F(12,377) = 4.367, P < 0.0001, R2 = 0.122, health responsibility, F(12,377) = 2.176, P = 0.012, R2 = 0.065, spiritual growth, F(12,377) = 3.578, P < 0.0001, R2 = 0.102, physical activity, F(12,377) = 3.850, P < 0.0001, R2 = 0.109, interpersonal relationship, F(12,377) = 4.675, P < 0.0001, R2 = 0.130, nutrition, F(12,377) = 4.016, P < 0.0001, R2 = 0.113, except stress, F(12,377) = 1.759, P = 0.053, R2 = 0.053.Conclusion: Most civil servants had good HPLP II with high mean scores. There was significant association with socio – economic and behavioural factors. Health Promotion Interventions should be sustained by promoting good socio – economic and behavioral lifestyle