Comparative study on utilization of charcoal, sawdust and rice husk in heating oven

Segun R. Bello1, T. A. Adegbulugbe2, P. S. N. Onyekwere1(1. Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal College of Agriculture P.M.B 7008 Ishiagu, Ebonyi State Nigeria;2. Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan Nigeria)Abstract: Three biofuels, charcoal, sawdust and rice husk were used in furnace and their thermal capacities and efficiency were measured.  0.01 m3 of each fuel used in the tests were measured to and fired in the heating chamber until all the material completely burn out.  Air is supplied into the furnace by natural convection through air ducts.  The drying chamber was lagged (insulated) by a 25.4 mm air space between inner wall and the outer casing to prevent heat loss.  Three tests were replicated on each fuel and the mean values were used to evaluate heat flow by conduction, radiation and the thermal efficiency of the oven.  The performance characteristics of the machine, including overall efficiency, drying chamber efficiency and thermal capacities of each fuel were evaluated.  The results indicated that charcoal exhibit the highest combustion properties producing 2.54 kJ of energy per hour, sawdust produced 2.68 kJ while rice husk produced the least energy of 1.96 kJ per kg of burnt the products per hour.  The overall furnace efficiency of the oven was 75%, and drying chamber efficiency was 62%.  Characteristic temperature curves observed in the drying chamber indicated that charcoal attained very high thermal value within a short period than other fuels, while saw dust and rice husk had much lower heat buildup and longer temperature rise response time.  By these results, charcoal is suitable for short time heat processes such as baking and roasting, rice husk could be suitable for milk and fruit juice pasteurization, which require heat processing conditions between 63–85℃ for about 15 to  30 minutes.  Sawdust can be used in sterilization of meat, fish; soup etc.  Charcoal is more environmentally friendly than the other products because of the smokeless burning process thus suitable for indoor cooking.Keywords: Thermal capacity, heat process, thermal efficiency, differential, temperatureCitation: Segun R. Bello, T. A. Adegbulugbe, P. S. N. Onyekwere.  Comparative study on utilization of charcoal, sawdust and rice husk in heating oven.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(2): 29-33.&nbsp

Epidemiological profile of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Nigeria, July-September 2014

Introduction: In July 2014, Nigeria experienced an outbreak of Ebola virus disease following the introduction of the disease by an ill Liberian Traveler. The Government of Nigeria with the support of Technical and Development Partners responded quickly and effectively to contain the outbreak. The epidemiological profile of the outbreak that majorly affected two States in the country in terms of person, place and time characteristics of the cases identified is hereby described. Methods: Using field  investigation technique, all confirmed and probable cases were identified, line-listed and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2007 by persons, time and place. Results: A total of 20 confirmed and probable cases; 16 in Lagos (including the index case from Liberia) and 4 in Port Harcourt were  identified. The mean age was 39.5 ± 12.4 years with over 40% within the age group 30-39 years. The most frequent exposure type was direct physical contact in 70% of all cases and 73% among health care workers. The total case-fatality was 40%; higher among healthcare workers (46%) compared with non-healthcare workers (22%). The epidemic curve initially shows a typical common source outbreak, followed by a propagated pattern. Conclusion: Investigation revealed the size and spread of the outbreak and provided information on the characteristics of persons, time and place. Enhanced surveillance measures, including contact tracing and follow-up proved very useful in early case detection and containment of the outbreak

Effect of Photoperiod on the Germination and Seedling Development of Some (Acha) Digitaria Species

A glass house study was conducted at the Botanical garden, University of Jos, Jos Nigeria to study the effects of photoperiod on germination and seedling development of three Digitaria species (D. exilis, D. barbinodis, and D. iburua) using the Completely Randomized Design (CRD).The three species were subjected to photoperiods of 6, 8, 10, and 12hrs for 21 days. Results show that D. iburua had 30% germination while D. exilis and D. barbinodis had 80% germinatio

The risks and benefits of long-term use of hydroxyurea in sickle cell anemia: A 17.5 year follow-up.

A randomized, controlled clinical trial established the efficacy and safety of short-term use of hydroxyurea in adult sickle cell anemia. To examine the risks and benefits of long-term hydroxyurea usage, patients in this trial were followed for 17.5 years during which they could start or stop hydroxyurea. The purpose of this follow-up was to search for adverse outcomes and estimate mortality. For each outcome and for mortality, exact 95% confidence intervals were calculated, or tests were conducted at alpha = 0.05 level (P-value \u3c0.05 for statistical significance). Although the death rate in the overall study cohort was high (43.1%; 4.4 per 100 person-years), mortality was reduced in individuals with long-term exposure to hydroxyurea. Survival curves demonstrated a significant reduction in deaths with long-term exposure. Twenty-four percent of deaths were due to pulmonary complications; 87.1% occurred in patients who never took hydroxyurea or took it for \u3c5 years. Stroke, organ dysfunction, infection, and malignancy were similar in all groups. Our results, while no longer the product of a randomized study because of the ethical concerns of withholding an efficacious treatment, suggest that long-term use of hydroxyurea is safe and might decrease mortality

A global research priority agenda to advance public health responses to fatty liver disease

Background & aims An estimated 38% of adults worldwide have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). From individual impacts to widespread public health and economic consequences, the implications of this disease are profound. This study aimed to develop an aligned, prioritised fatty liver disease research agenda for the global health community. Methods Nine co-chairs drafted initial research priorities, subsequently reviewed by 40 core authors and debated during a three-day in-person meeting. Following a Delphi methodology, over two rounds, a large panel (R1 n = 344, R2 n = 288) reviewed the priorities, via Qualtrics XM, indicating agreement using a four-point Likert-scale and providing written feedback. The core group revised the draft priorities between rounds. In R2, panellists also ranked the priorities within six domains: epidemiology, models of care, treatment and care, education and awareness, patient and community perspectives, and leadership and public health policy. Results The consensus-built fatty liver disease research agenda encompasses 28 priorities. The mean percentage of ‘agree’ responses increased from 78.3 in R1 to 81.1 in R2. Five priorities received unanimous combined agreement (‘agree’ + ‘somewhat agree’); the remaining 23 priorities had >90% combined agreement. While all but one of the priorities exhibited at least a super-majority of agreement (>66.7% ‘agree’), 13 priorities had 90% combined agreement. Conclusions Adopting this multidisciplinary consensus-built research priorities agenda can deliver a step-change in addressing fatty liver disease, mitigating against its individual and societal harms and proactively altering its natural history through prevention, identification, treatment, and care. This agenda should catalyse the global health community’s efforts to advance and accelerate responses to this widespread and fast-growing public health threat. Impact and implications An estimated 38% of adults and 13% of children and adolescents worldwide have fatty liver disease, making it the most prevalent liver disease in history. Despite substantial scientific progress in the past three decades, the burden continues to grow, with an urgent need to advance understanding of how to prevent, manage, and treat the disease. Through a global consensus process, a multidisciplinary group agreed on 28 research priorities covering a broad range of themes, from disease burden, treatment, and health system responses to awareness and policy. The findings have relevance for clinical and non-clinical researchers as well as funders working on fatty liver disease and non-communicable diseases more broadly, setting out a prioritised, ranked research agenda for turning the tide on this fast-growing public health threat