The Effect of Sizing and Wet-Strength Agents on the Ease of Ink Removal in Reclaiming of Ink Printed Waste Paper

Introduction The new call for conservation of resources inherent in ecological movement has put a spotlight on the recycling of materials. Not the least of these materials are paper and paperboard on which some 58 million tons were used in the United States in the year 1969. About 40 million tons of this was discarded which resulted in a severe trash removal problem. Paper accounts for 35% of the total solid waste collected and disposed of in most municipalities

Effect of Drying Methods on the Nutritional Composition of Some Selected Yam Varieties Cultivated in Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

Yams are widely grown and consumed in various forms; these tropical food crops are abundant at a particular period. Since these food crops are highly perishable after harvest, drying is a common practice for preserving them. White yam (Dioscorea rotundata) and water yam (Dioscorea alata) were collected from (National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike) yam barn. The study investigated the effect of sun-drying and oven-drying methods on the nutritional composition of water yam and white yam varieties. Oven-drying was done at 60°C for 72 hrs, while sun drying was for 3 days, until a constant weight was obtained.  The functional properties, proximate composition, mineral contents and pH were determined to investigate the effect of dry methods on the nutritional value of the yam flour. It was observed that all parameter examined were affected by the dry methods as they varied in composition with two different processed samples (sun and oven dried). The result showed that the proximate composition for samples sun dried were 5.01%, 3.45%, 1.93%, 0.65% and 85.63%, while samples oven dried were 6.46%, 1.23%, 2.26%, 1.60%, 0.77% and 87.35% respectively. Bulk density, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, swelling power and gelation temperate for samples sun dried were 0.66%, 3.54%, 2.73%, 4.22% and 70.58b% respectively. The results of the experiment shows that sun dried yam flour retained the highest value in protein, ash, fiber, CHO and bulk density, and also in minerals (Ca, Mg and P), compared to oven dried method except moisture content which had a higher value than samples sun dried. Therefore, sun dried yam flour had the highest value, thereby retaining the best nutritional composition of the samples

Intrapartum antibiotics for prolonged rupture of membranes at term to prevent Group B Streptococcal sepsis

Background: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the most common cause of neonatal sepsis in United Kingdom (UK). Early onset sepsis (EOS), but not late onset sepsis (LOS) can be prevented by providing intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). In spite of national guidelines since 2003, the incidence of neonatal GBS infections is increasing in UK. Aim: To assess the incidence of culture proven GBS infections before and after a change of practice on antepartum management of GBS in babies <3 months of age, born at Sunderland Royal Hospital between 1st Jan 2008 and 31st December 2017. Setting: Tertiary neonatal unit Study design: Retrospective cohort study Methods: Babies presenting with signs of sepsis from birth up to 3 months of age were included. Data regarding risk factors, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis and outcome of babies were collected. Results: 29 cases were identified and presented in two epochs – before and after changing guidelines for antepartum and intrapartum management. There was a statistically significant reduction in EOS rates and no difference in LOS rates

Excess Crude Account And Sovereign Wealth Fund As Strategic Tools For Sustainable Development In Nigeria

The rapidly changing dynamics and volatility of oil market have underscored the need for building material fiscal savings. Hence, the wisdom behind the establishment of Excess Crude Account (ECA) and Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) by the Government of Nigeria in 2004 and 2011 respectively. These two funds serve as buffer to sustain developmental strides of Nigeria in the present and in the future. The SWF is a state owned investment fund comprising financial assets that include stocks, bonds and other financial investments aimed at effectively managing the proceeds from oil exports for the benefits of both present and future generations in Nigeria. The thinking behind the ECA and SWF is to ensure that excess crude oil revenues are made productive in times of fiscal difficulties. Sustainable development ensures that a country is in charge of its economics in order not to unfairly mortgage the interests of the present and future generations. It must, however, be averred that without the mobilization of short-term and long-term savings to support the consolidation of present and future growth and development there cannot be sustainable development. Keywords: Excess Crude Account, Sovereign Wealth Fund, Strategic, Tools, Sustainable Development

Palm Oil Mill Effluent Effect on soil fertility: a longitudinal assessment of Zea mays plant

Background: This research evaluate the growth of maize (Zea mays) on palm oil mill effluent (POME) contaminated soil. The physiochemical properties and heavy metal loads of the soil samples and POME were determined. The growth rates of Zea mays was evaluated on shoot length, leaf length, root length, chlorophyll content, germination time, germination percentage and biomass.Materials and Methods: The palm oil mill effluent were mixed with the contaminated soil, the un-mixed soil was used as control. Soil dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities were assayed in contaminated and un-contaminated soil using standard methods. The plants were irrigated by serially diluting POME samples.  Results: The K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, cation exchange capacity and phosphorus content of the POME contaminated soil were significantly (P 0.05) lower than the control. There was no significant P 0.05 difference in the C, N, Na+ and organic content of the soil samples. The heavy metals in the POME showed Zn, Cu, Ni and Fe, but Pb, Cd and Cr were absent. POME contaminated soil and the control showed Pb, Zn, Ni and Fe, while Cd and Cr were not detected. The activities of dehydrogenase (0.13±0.57) and phosphatase activity (0.38±0.22) in POME contaminated soil decreased significantly p ≤ 0.05 compared to the dehydrogenase (0.76±0.11) and phosphatase activity (1.35±0.36) in control soil.Conclusion: POME is a potent pollutant that inhibits the growth of Zea may

Evaluation of suitability of substituting wheat flour with sweet potato and tiger nut flours in bread making

The study was carried out to assess the nutritional quality and palatability of bread after partially substituting wheat flour (WF) with sweet potato (SF) and tiger nut (TF) flours. Sweet potato (yellow fleshed) and tiger nut flours were used to substitute wheat flour at 5, 10, 15 and 20% level each. The bread quality of each of these composite flours evaluated on the basis of their nutritional quality, physical properties and acceptability by consumers. The findings indicate slight decrease in the protein content of the bread samples with increasing sweet potato and tiger nut supplementation (6.97% in 100% wheat flour to 3.80% in 20% level of substitution) while crude fibre content increased with increased sweet potato and tiger nut substitution (2.29% in 100% WF to 2.80% in 20% substitution) but there was no significant change (<0.05) in the ash and fat contents. Carbohydrate which was the major component ranged from 73.47 – 79.42%. Findings on the study on the functional properties showed that water absorption capacity increases with increase in the level of sweet potato and tiger nut substitution (0.54g/ml in 100% WF to 1.12g/ml in 20% level of substitution). The loaf volume and specific volume of the bread samples decreased significantly with increase in the level of substitution with sweet potato and tiger nut and it ranged from 320cm3 (in 100% wheat flour) – 216cm3 (in 20% substitution) and 1.55cm3/g (in 100% wheat flour) to 0.98cm3/g (in 20% level of substitution) respectively. Bread from 100% wheat flour scored the highest in all the sensory properties evaluated. There was no significant difference between the control and bread from 5% level of substitution in terms of all the sensory parameters evaluated however bread from higher levels of substitution varied significantly with the control. All the bread samples were acceptable in all the parameters evaluated except bread from 20% level of substitution. The study concludes the potential health and sensory benefits of partial substitution of sweet potato and tiger nut to wheat flour in bread making through improved fibre content, improved taste and to promote sweet potato and tiger nut utilization

Data on the Economic Lifelines and Environmental Impacts of Home-Based Enterprises in Nigeria: Evidence from Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria.

This data set is on the economic and environmental impact of home-based enterprises at Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.THIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

Investigation of the relationship between f0f2 and the TEC using single station neural network models

The relationship between the ionospheric critical plasma frequencies (f0F2) and GNSS-TEC (Global Navigation Satellite System –Total Electron Content) measurements was investigated using an artificial neural network method. About 20 pairs of ionosonde-GNSS receiver stations from 2000 to 2016 were used. Results from this work indicate that the relationship between f0F2 and TEC is mostly affected by the seasons, followed by the level of solar activity, and then the local time. Geomagnetic activity was the least significant of the factors investigated. The relationship between f0F2 and TEC was also shown to exhibit spatial variation; the variation is less conspicuous for closely located stations. Single station models predicted the f0F2 more accurately at their particular localities and clearly overestimated values of the f0F2 ionosonde observations when used at different localities. This finding indicates that model predictions are better (in terms of reduced prediction errors) for the stations for which they are developed than for a different station. Our result visibly point out that models developed for a particular station cannot be effectively applied in another station located farther apart in space. The new approach described in this study represents an important contribution in space weather prediction

Rapid spatial growth of cities and its planning implications for developing countries: a case study of Abuja, Nigeria.

Accelerated spatial growth of urban areas is a key driver to land use/land cover change with its concomitant effect on environmental sustainability. The dearth of data on the rate of urban expansion, especially in many developing countries, including Nigeria has continued to hinder effective land use planning and sustainable development. The study aims to identify and analyze the settlement patterns and trends in urban growth at ten years intervals and their planning implications in Abuja, Nigeria. It relied on data generated via remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems to create the map and examine the land cover change in the study area. Classification of land cover using LANDSAT data and land cover transitions for 29 years (1990 to 2019) were mapped and the net land cover change was computed. The results showed the settlement pattern and an increase in the urban built-up area ranging from 1.8% in 1990 to 19.3% in 2019. The dispersion pattern revealed a large concentration of the built-up spaces to be in the eastern region and that the expansion continued from east to south and south-west. The bare land cover types were found to have increased while vegetation land cover decreased rapidly by 30.4% from 1990-2019. The study recommends the need for city planners to decentralize urban planning and development control with adequate provision of affordable urban facilities at the peripheries of cities in Nigeria. Furthermore, massive integration of green infrastructure in built-up areas is required to mitigate the effects of vegetation loss in cities