The Use of Coconut-Shell Based Activated Carbon as an Adsorbent in the Treatment of Hard Water

One of the undesirable characteristics of some groundwater sources is hardness, which has adverse effects on water pipes, boilers and soap consumption. Therefore, several treatment processes have been introduced to remove or reduce the hardness from water. One of the innovations in this regard is coconut-shell which is readily available and could be used to produce resource materials such as activated carbon that is of public health importance. The initial values of Calcium, Magnesium and Total Hardness in the raw water sample were 120.24mg/L, 98.29mg/L and 588.00mg/L, respectively which are above the World Health Organization (WHO) standard. The highest quantities of Calcium, Magnesium and Total Hardness were removed at a contact time of 60 minutes with removal efficiencies of 80%, 60.44% and 66.71%, respectively. Also, the optimum dosage occurred at 1.2g for Calcium hardness, 1.5g for Magnesium hardness and Total hardness. In conclusion, the adsorbent obtained from the coconut-shell has the potential of removing Calcium, Magnesium and Total Hardness in water

Remittance Expenditure Patterns and Human Development Outcomes in Nigeria

This paper investigates the relationship between remittance expenditure patterns and its human development implications in migrant sending communities of Nigeria. In Nigeria, migrant sending communities spread across the country and the expenditure patterns of remittance receipts are likely to differ in characterization along states or geographical regions. This possibility is expected to significantly affect the human development outcomes of remittance expenditures in these communities within the country. The paper therefore probes into the extent to which human development outcomes in migrant sending communities of Nigeria can be associated with remittance expenditure patterns across the country. The study employs survey data from the World Bank Migration and Remittances Household Surveys in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2009/2010. Descriptive analyses of the data were conducted to achieve the objectives of the study. The results clearly exhibit remittance expenditure patterns across the regions of the country that are largely similar. The findings therefore provide a basis for a harmonized policy approach for channeling household remittance receipts into greater productive uses. Keywords: Remittance, Nigeria, expenditure patterns, human development, survey dat

Remittance Expenditure Patterns and Human Development Outcomes in Nigeria

This paper investigates the relationship between remittance expenditure patterns and its human development implications in migrant sending communities of Nigeria. In Nigeria, migrant sending communities spread across the country and the expenditure patterns of remittance receipts are likely to differ in characterization along states or geographical regions. This possibility is expected to significantly affect the human development outcomes of remittance expenditures in these communities within the country. The paper therefore probes into the extent to which human development outcomes in migrant sending communities of Nigeria can be associated with remittance expenditure patterns across the country. The study employs survey data from the World Bank Migration and Remittances Household Surveys in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2009/2010. Descriptive analyses of the data were conducted to achieve the objectives of the study. The results clearly exhibit remittance expenditure patterns across the regions of the country that are largely similar. The findings therefore provide a basis for a harmonized policy approach for channeling household remittance receipts into greater productive uses. Keywords: Remittance, Nigeria, expenditure patterns, human development, survey dat

Metal analyses of ash derived alkalis from banana and plantain peels (Musa spp.) in soap making

The objective of this work was to determine the metal content of plantain and banana peels ash derived alkali and the possibility of using it as alternate and cheap source of alkali in soap industry. This was done by ashing the peels and dissolving it in de-ionised water to achieve the corresponding hydroxides with pH above 12. The solution was then analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The analytical measurements were carried out in triplicate and the multi elemental solution was used for calibration of equipment. The abundance of essential metals was in these orders in both the banana and plantain alkalis: K > Fe > Ca > Mg > Mn > Zn > Na and Fe > K > Ca > Mg > Zn > Mn > Na, respectively. The presence of other metals besides K and Na at higher concentrations limits the foamability of the soaps but could be adapted as thickeners and emulsifiers in greases. The concentrations of elements with health risk in the ash derived alkalis are within the allowable range of the Commission of European Communities (2008) limit.Key words: Banana, plantain, ash derived alkali, major elements, minor elements

National Income, Public Expenditure on Education and Educational Attainment: A Comparative Analysis

A casual observation of the statistics on income and educational attainment among the different income groups suggests a perfect correlation between national income and educational attainment. Does this imply that richer countries spend more on education? What is the relationship between public expenditure on education and educational attainment? The study employs correlation analysis to evaluate how public expenditure on education varies with national income across income groups and over time; and secondly, to ascertain the relationship between public expenditure on education and educational attainment across income groups. The result shows high and positive correlation between national income and public spending on education at the global level over time. Except for high income countries that exhibited similar result, all other income groups produce weak and mixed results. Public expenditure on education shows weak correlation with educational attainment across income groups. This weak relationship was found to grow worse with time. This result points to the fact that aside the issues of efficient utilization of resources, other factors that influence educational attainment seem to be more effective

Retroperitoneal and Genital Lymphangioma Therapeutic Challenges in a Developing Country

Background: Lymphangiomas occur most commonly in the head and neck region, while other sites are rarely affected. A combination of retroperitoneal and genital lymphangioma is very rare indeed. Though congenital, it may persist into adulthood due to missed diagnosis and inadequate or total lack of treatment. Materials and methods: A report of a 22-year-old male student who presented with recurrent multiloculated genital, thigh, groin and retroperitneal lymphangioma. He underwent surgical excision and adjuvant sclerotherapy using ethylene-diamine tetra acetic acid. Results and Conclusions: There was an initial recurrence after surgery which responded satisfactorily to sclerotherapy. Complete surgical excision of lymphangioma may be precluded by vital structures but sclerotherapy produces satisfactory resolution. The difficulties in management with limited facilities for diagnosis and treatment are highlighted

National Income, Public Expenditure on Education and Educational Attainment: A Comparative Analysis

A casual observation of the statistics on income and educational attainment among the different income groups suggests a perfect correlation between national income and educational attainment. Does this imply that richer countries spend more on education? What is the relationship between public expenditure on education and educational attainment? The study employs correlation analysis to evaluate how public expenditure on education varies with national income across income groups and over time; and secondly, to ascertain the relationship between public expenditure on education and educational attainment across income groups. The result shows high and positive correlation between national income and public spending on education at the global level over time. Except for high income countries that exhibited similar result, all other income groups produce weak and mixed results. Public expenditure on education shows weak correlation with educational attainment across income groups. This weak relationship was found to grow worse with time. This result points to the fact that aside the issues of efficient utilization of resources, other factors that influence educational attainment seem to be more effective