Techno-economic and environmental assessment of gas turbines utilizing biofuels

The continued global reliance on fossil fuels with impact on resource depletion, human health, atmospheric pollution and environmental degradation has necessitated a global drive to integrate renewable fuels such as biodiesels. Biodiesels are described as “fuels composed of fatty acid methyl or ethyl esters and obtained from vegetable oils or animal fats”. Their use in energy generation could diversify the world’s energy mix, reduce fossil fuel dependence, reduce emissions and energy cost to bring about other economic benefits, especially for developing economies and rural communities with lack of adequate access to modern energy. A techno-economic and environmental life cycle assessment is however required to ensure that these fuels are fit for use in engines and meet any regulatory standard and sustainability criteria. This thesis has evaluated the use of Jatropha- and microalgae-biodiesel for power generation in two industrial gas turbines with open and combined cycle configuration. This was achieved using a techno-economic and environmental life cycle impact assessment framework. Comparative fuel assessments have been carried out between biodiesels and fossil fuels. Furthermore, the concept of microbial fuel degradation was examined in gas turbines. The thesis have identified Jatropha biodiesel as a worthwhile substitute for conventional diesel fuel, because it has close performance and emission characteristics to conventional diesel fuel with added advantage of being renewable. The consequent displacement of conventional diesel fuel with Jatropha biodiesel has significant environmental benefits. For economic viability and sustainability of gas turbine operated power plants, energy producers require a minimum monetary amount to recover the added cost of operating 100% Jatropha biodiesel. Other integration mechanisms are also available for utilizing the fuel in engines without compromising on plant’s economic performance. In worst case scenarios, where there are no government incentives, local conditions such as high life cycle cost of electricity, open opportunities for distributed and independent power generation from renewable fuels like Jatropha-biodiesel. Furthermore, this thesis has identified salient energy conversion processes that occur in gas turbine fuels, especially with biodiesels and developed a bio-mathematical model, Bio-fAEG to simulate these processes in gas turbines. This platform is a first step in quantifiable assessment and could enable a better understanding of microbial initiated processes

Collective Bargaining: Received Orthodoxy Discarded in Public Sector Wage Determination

This paper considers government labour policy concerning wage determination vis-à-vis the reality on ground. Observing that government continues to embrace collective bargaining in principle but prefers using wage commission approach in determining wages. It then proffers explanation for the inconsistency. It surmises that, it could be sovereignty principle. In other words, it is beneath government to bargain with its subjects. It could be the fear that in the end collective bargaining could consume a lot of time and implementation of collective agreement may cost much more than government can safely pay. Also the declaration of most of public sector as essential services renders strike, which is an economic weapon used by workers, inconceivable. Keywords: collective bargaining, received orthodoxy, discarded, public sector wage determinatio

Imputation to and use of whole genome sequencing for fine mapping and genomic predication in Atlantic salmon

Sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infestation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is a significant challenge facing the Aquaculture industry. This parasite is known to be resistant to chemical control. Previous research that studied the genomic architecture of host resistance to sea lice using low and medium-density SNP panels did not identify any genome-wide significant QTL associated with the trait. Thus, it became imperative to study the genomic architecture of this trait using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data. However, it is not cost-efficient to resequence thousands of individuals, hence genotype imputation. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the imputation accuracy (with and without pedigree), perform imputation to WGS for target individuals, estimate heritabilities, perform association tests, and genomic prediction. A 10-fold cross-validation method was adopted to estimate imputation accuracy (with and without the inclusion of pedigree information) of the reference individuals using FImpute3 software. After imputation accuracy was estimated, genotype imputation of the target population (3185 individuals of the 2017 year class) to whole genome sequencing was carried out without including pedigree information. The imputed genotype and array data of the target population were then used to estimate heritability, perform association tests and estimate the accuracies of genomic prediction for host resistance to sea lice. The weighted average imputation accuracy (r) without pedigree was estimated to be ~0.85, while ~0.84 was estimated with pedigree. The heritability of host resistance to sea lice was estimated to be 0.21 and 0.22, based upon array and imputed data, respectively. The association test using array and imputed data did not identify any marker associated with sea lice resistance QTL at the genome-wide level. In contrast, one marker on chromosome 7 of the array data surpassed the chromosome-wide Bonferroni corrected threshold and thus was declared significant at the chromosome-wide level. Lastly, a 5-fold within-family cross-validation design was used to assess the accuracy of genomic prediction. The accuracy was estimated to be ~0.65 and ~0.64 for array and imputed data, respectively. In conclusion, genotype imputation is a valuable tool that saves sequencing costs, and including pedigree information did not significantly improve the genotype imputation accuracy. The trait of interest is moderately heritable and polygenic. The genomic predictions using medium-density SNP genotyping array was equally good or better than using whole genome imputed data.EM-AB

Novel Insight into the Autophagy-Independent Functions of Beclin 1 in Tumor Growth

BECN1 is a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor gene that is monoallelically deleted or epigenetically silenced in many human cancers. In breast cancer, 40% of tumors exhibit monoallelic deletion of Beclin 1. Additionally, low Beclin 1 mRNA expression is observed in aggressive breast cancer subtypes and reduced expression is an independent predictor of overall patient survival. The role of Beclin 1 in cancer has almost exclusively been attributed to its function in autophagy. However, our lab demonstrated an alternative role for Beclin 1 in the regulation of growth factor receptor signaling that could contribute to cancer. The goal of my thesis project was to investigate the molecular basis by which Beclin 1 regulates breast tumor growth and progression in vivo. Using in vivo models, I discovered that Beclin 1 promotes endosomal recruitment of hepatocyte growth factor tyrosine kinase substrate (HRS), which is necessary for sorting receptors to intraluminal vesicles for signal silencing and degradation. Beclin 1-dependent recruitment of HRS results in the autophagy-independent regulation of endocytic trafficking and degradation of the epidermal growth factor (EGFR) and transferrin (TFR1) receptors. When Beclin 1 expression is low, endosomal HRS recruitment is reduced and receptor function is sustained to drive tumor proliferation. An autophagy-independent role for Beclin 1 in regulating tumor metabolism was also observed. Collectively, my results demonstrate a novel role for Beclin 1 in impeding tumor growth by coordinating the regulation of growth promoting receptors. These data provide an explanation for how low levels of Beclin 1 facilitate tumor proliferation and contribute to poor cancer outcomes, independently of autophagy

Potentials of tamarindus indica (Linn) in jam production

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of tamarind fruits in jam production with a view to improving utilization efficiency of the fruits thereby adding value to the tree and encouraging its cultivation and sustainable management. The fruits for the study were collected from Bishop Ajayi Crowther University, in Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo town, Oyo State and Taironi Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria. The jam was prepared using variable proportions of pulp and sugar. Chemical and microbial analyses were carried out on the jam. Heavy metal contents were determined and sensory evaluation was carried out. Physical and chemical properties of jams produced from the fruits of the two locations were compared. Data generated was analyzed using students t-test. There is no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in the moisture contents of the jams produced from the fruits from both locations. Some essential elements including Zn (0.74mg), Mg (0.68mg), Cd (0.26mg), Mn (0.94mg), Pb (0.55mg), Fe (0.29mg), Cr (0.67mg), and Cu (0.17mg) were contained in the jam. The levels of heavy metals found in the jam are significantly lower than the UN/WHO allowable standard for human consumption while some of the other metals are actually of high nutritional values. There are indications that the jam could keep well at room temperature. Oyo State sample is higher in mineral element than that of Kano State. The ascorbic acid content is low in both Kano and Oyo samples. Pulp and sugar were rated most acceptable by a panel of judges on a nine point hedonic scale. Tamarind possesses great potentials for jam making and is safe for human consumption and well accepted by consumers. Further development of the jam to an industrial status was recommended.Key words: Non-Timber forest Products, Value addition, Tamarindus indica (Linn), Ja

Understanding the role of SABP2-interacting proteins (SIP) 428: an NAD+-Dependent Deacetylase Enzyme in Abiotic Stress Signaling of Nicotiana tabacum

Abiotic stresses like salinity, drought, and extreme temperature are constantly on the rise, posing a very high risk to global agricultural productivity and food security. Hence, understanding stress signaling pathways can help engineer plants that can better withstand stress in unfavorable conditions. The salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway has been widely studied for its important role in mediating abiotic stress in plants. In tobacco plants, Salicylic Acid Binding Protein 2 (SABP2), a methyl esterase enzyme, catalyzes the conversion of methyl salicylate (MeSA) to SA, which triggers the defense response via the SA-mediated signaling pathway. SIP-428 (SABP2 Interacting Protein-428) is an NAD+ dependent SIR2-like (Silent Information Regulator) deacetylase enzyme that likely interacts with SABP2 during SA biosynthesis. In previous studies, SIP-428 has been shown to be a negative regulator of plant growth under abiotic stress (NaCl and mannitol in vivo). Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are oxidizing oxygen products that accumulate under stress conditions, and at high levels can be very harmful to plants. Antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are actively involved in lowering the ROS levels in the cell by combating the oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to analyze the regulatory functions of SIP-428 in ROS signaling of tobacco plants through the biochemical quantification of POD and CAT activities. We investigated the SIP-428 RNAi-silenced tobacco plants for the POD and CAT enzyme activities in Osmotic (Mannitol) and Salinity (NaCl) stressed plants. Our results showed that SIP-428 plays a significant role in modulating antioxidant enzymes in stressed plants. This study has improved our understanding of some regulatory roles of SIP428, and its application can be used to enhance stress tolerance via the use of synthetic biology

Peer tutoring – assisted instruction, parent supportiveness and student locus of control – as determinants of academic achievement in senior secondary school mathematics

The study investigated the effect of peer tutoring-assisted instruction, parent supportiveness and students locus of control on achievement in Senior Secondary Mathematics. It adopted a non-randomized pretest posttest control group design in a quasi experimental setting. It involves 300 senior secondary II students from six coeducational secondary schools in Odogbolu and Ijebu – Ode Local Government Areas of Ogun State Nigeria. The data collected were analysed using analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The findings revealed that there was significant main effect of treatment (peer tutoring) on mathematics achievement, it also revealed a significant interaction effect of treatment and parent supportiveness on achievement in mathematics. The three way interaction was founded not to be significant. The implication and recommendations were made. African Journal of Educational Studies in Mathematics and Sciences Vol. 2(1) 2004: 9-1

Effect of Aqueous Extract of the Bark of Entandrophragma utile in Acute Gastric and Duodenal Ulcer Models

Purpose: The bark of E. utile is claimed in Nigerian traditional medicine to have antiulcer properties. We therefore tested its effectiveness in experimental acute gastric and duodenal ulcer models.Methods: Ulcers generated as lesions, from pin-point craters to larger eruptions, were quantified qualitatively for cold-restraint, immobilization, pylorus ligation, and aspirin induced gastric ulcers and for histamine orcysteamine induced duodenal ulcers. Ethanol or histamine induced  hemorrhagic gastric lesions were quantified by planimetry and a dose-related effectiveness of the aqueous extract of E. utile was determined. Data were compared using Student’s t-test. At 95% confidence interval, any 2-tailed p value <0.05 was considered significant.Results: Using qualitative evaluation, the extract of E. utile or standard drugs (cimetidine, ranitidine, or nocloprost) did not significantly reduce gastric ulcer incidence and/or ulcer severity. E. utile was ineffectivefor duodenal ulcers. Using the quantitative methods, histamine, 5 mg kg-1 i.p. in guinea pigs produced 100% incidence of gastric ulcers with a mean ulcer index (UI) of 55.4 ± 8.38. In this model, 100 mg kg -1 cimetidinelowered the incidence to 60% and the UI to 17 ± 9.9 (p<0.0005) while 5 x 10-3g kg-1 E. utile lowered the incidence to 80% and the index to 15.88 ± 11.8 (p<0.01). Similarly 1 ml absolute ethanol given orally in rats produced 100% incidence and UI of 49.2 ± 12.69. In this model, 100 ìg kg-1 nocloprost reduced the incidence to 33% and the mean UI to 10.15 ± 0.55 (p<0.01); E. utile (50 mg kg-1) prevented ethanol induced  hemorrhagic gastric mucosal damage (p<0.005).Conclusion: E. utile protected the gastric mucosa against acute noxious assault.Keywords: Peptic ulcer, anti-ulcer, E. util

Assessment of the iron status of school children aged 7-12 years in selected schools in Ogun State

Background: Iron deficiency as a public health problem is based on the seriousness of its consequences on human health and there may be need for certain measures to curb the menace of such deficiency. Objectives: This study assessed the iron status of rural and urban school age children in selected Local Government Areas in Ogun State. Methods: A structured pre-tested questionnaire was used to obtain information on the socio economic characteristics and blood samples of the selected children were analysed for biochemical parameters (heamoglobin (Hb), White blood cells and differentials, Serum ferittin (SF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Reticulocyte count) using standard procedures. Data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviation, correlation, and Ttest with SPSS software. Result: Results showed that 36.3% of the respondents’ families earned less than two hundred thousand naira annually. Also 40.1% (rural) and 59.4.0% (urban) of the mothers had secondary and tertiary education, respectively. The study further revealed that the prevalence of iron deficiency was 23.7%, anaemia was 16.3% while 13.1% of the anaemic children were due to iron deficiency with significant sector (p=0.003) and gender (p-0.032) differences. The range of Neutrophills, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Basophils and Eosinophils were 3.31 to 3.88, 3.03 to 4.38, 0.53 to 0.59, 0.03 to 0.04, 0.33 to 0.38, respectively while that of heamoglobin, CRP and reticulocyte range from 11.73 to 12.14 (p=0.000), 3.92 to 3.32(p=0.002) and 0.83 to 0.89 respectively. Correlation revealed a significant relationship between annual income and hemoglobin (r= 0.132), mothers education and PCV (r=0.180), mothers age and serum ferritin (r=0.159), also childs age and heamoglobin(r=0.144). Conclusion: The study concluded that a significant relationship exist between socio economic status and the markers of iron status in the children. Hence, the study recommended a policy to improve school feeding programmes coupled with better access to basic social services including education and health care

Nutrient Intakes and Nutritional Status of Mothers and their Under-Five Children in a Rural Community of Oyo State, Nigeria

Malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa contributes to high rates of childhood morbidity and mortality which make it a public health concern in Africa. This study assessed the nutrient intakes and nutritional status of mothers and their under-five children in a rural community of Oyo State, Nigeria. A total of 500 households with a mother and child pair were sampled using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Information on household socio-economic status, hygiene practices, breastfeeding practices and clinical observation for signs of malnutrition were collected using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires by trained interviewers. Weight for age (WAZ), weight for height (WHZ), and height for age (HAZ) for underweight, wasting and stunting, respectively were calculated and assessed by Epi Info software using the NCHS/WHO international reference values. BMI (weight/height2) of mothers were also constructed from the measurements of mothers’ weights and heights. The waist/hip ratio of mothers was also determined. An interactive 24 h recall repeated for three days was used to obtain data on food and nutrient intakes of the women. Information on foods consumed was converted into quantitative data of nutrients using Food Composition Table. The result showed a high proportion (81%) of mothers ate three times daily while 14% ate twice and 5% ate more than thrice daily. The mean daily intakes of calcium, vitamins A, B6, B12, niacin, and folate were found to be inadequate compared with the Recommended Intakes. The WHR of the mothers indicated that majority had low risk. Most of the mothers (69.2%) were normal, underweight 9.6%, overweight 15.8% and obese 5.4%. About 37% of the children were stunted, 18% were underweight and 14.3% were wasted. BMI correlated negatively with age (r = -0.41; p <0.05), and positively with education (r = 0.22; p<0.05) and income (r = 0.45; p <0.05). Clinical observation revealed PEM prevalence in 12% children while eyes pallor and palm pallor were present in 15% and 20% respectively. The nutritional status of mothers and their under-five children is poor with respect to the overall food consumption and micronutrient intake. Consequently, nutrition programmes in this area should include effective measures to promote nutritional status of mothers and children