Degradation Behaviour of Polyester/Nano-Locust Bean Pods Ash (LBPA) composite

An assessment of the degradation characteristics of LBPA reinforced polyester composite after soil burial was investigated. Nano-LBPA was prepared using a Sol - gel technique. The composite were subjected to soil burial test; the role of this test was to study the degradability, effect of microorganism present in the soil and moisture absorption on the mechanical properties of the composites. Impact, tensile, hardness and flexural properties of the composites were determined before and after soil burial tests for 30, 60 and 90days.  Water absorption of the composite was studied for 24hours and their weight loss evaluated. The percentage drop in impact, tensile, flexural and hardness values after 90days exposure were approximately 42%, 34%, 65% and 23% respectively. Tensile modulus decreased approximately up to 57% and flexural modulus decreased approximately up to 41% after 90days. It was generally observed that the weight loss and percentage moisture absorption increases with increase filler loading

Determinants of Knowledge and Use of Information Communication Technology at Eco-destinations in Old Oyo National Park, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Lacampagne Tropicana in Nigeria

Information Communication Technology has become significant to the development and growth of modern tourism. This study aimed to examine the knowledge and use of information and communication at Old Oyo National Park, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Lacampagne Tropicana by using structured questionnaire directed at fifty percent of the total members of staff at the sites. Data indicated that majority of the staff at Old Oyo National Park (82.9%), Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort (95%) and Lacampagne Tropicana (88.9%) were knowledgeable about the use of information and communication technology especially the use of internet and social media. The staff were also a little competent with the use of Information and Communication Technology at Old Oyo National Park (45.7%), Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort (50%) and Lacampagne Tropicana staff (44.4%). Furthermore, the socio-demographic characteristics of the staff has a significant relationship with their knowledge on the existence of Information Communication Technology at the sites. The management need to organize proper trainings for the staff on the use of Information and Communication Technology so as to improve satisfaction of tourists

Modelling Water Productivity of Selected Grain Crops in Rain-fed and Surface Irrigated Fields in Northern Nigeria

Field trials of selected grain crops (rice, wheat and maize) were conducted for three years under rain-fed and surface irrigated systems to evaluate their water productivity and model same. A completely randomized design (CRD) experiment was used at the Irrigation Research Station, Kadawa, Kano State. Rice yield was 11.6, 9.9 and 5.3 tons/ha; wheat yield was 1.46, 1.92 and 2.0 tons/ha, while Maize yield was 0.8, 0.4 and 0.91 tons/ha in the 2009/2010, 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 cropping season, respectively. ANOVA revealed a highly significant difference in the yield of paddy rice, wheat and maize at both 1 % and 5% significant levels (Fcalc>Ftab), with p-value of 0.0002, 0.004 and 0.001 for rice, wheat and maize respectively. Crop – water productivity models developed revealed that optimum crop yield of 12.8 tons/ha of paddy rice, 2.7 tons/ha of wheat and 0.94 tons/ha of maize is achievable with 58.3 cm of rainfall, 34 cm and of 29.8 cm of irrigation water respectively

Evaluation of chloride mass balance and recharge in agricultural lands in Nigeria

Groundwater salinization studies and recharge estimation was carried out at the Irrigation Research Station, Kadawa, Nigeria. Groundwater samples from fifteen randomly selected piezometer locations were analyzed monthly for chloride using Mohr’s method for three years while recharge was estimated using the chloride mass balance (CMB) method. Groundwater chloride range from 22 - 91.4 mg/l, seasonal trend was identified with the hot dry season (April – June) having higher values than the wet season (July – October). Correlation analysis revealed chloride status that is not associated with one another in all soil types while salt build up was observed at the south western tip of the farmland indicating potential reduction of agricultural productivity. CMB revealed a mean annual recharge of 869 mm; the method was found to underestimate recharge because it does not account for lateral flow contribution, hence should be discouraged as a stand-alone methodology for recharge studies. Salt build-up was exacerbated by the collapse of the drainage system. Reconstruction of the drainage systems using tile drains should be executed to control the rising water level in the area; conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water is recommended to maximally utilise available water in order to ensure ecological sustainability and free some water for other uses

Genetic Programming: Principles, Applications and Opportunities for Hydrological Modelling

Hydrological modelling plays a crucial role in the planning and management of water resources, most especially in water stressed regions where the need to effectively manage the available water resources is of critical importance. However, due to the complex, nonlinear and dynamic behaviour of hydro-climatic interactions, achieving reliable modelling of water resource systems and accurate projection of hydrological parameters are extremely challenging. Although a significant number of modelling techniques (process-based and data-driven) have been developed and adopted in that regard, the field of hydrological modelling is still considered as one that has sluggishly progressed over the past decades. This is majorly as a result of the identification of some degree of uncertainty in the methodologies and results of techniques adopted. In recent times, evolutionary computation (EC) techniques have been developed and introduced in response to the search for efficient and reliable means of providing accurate solutions to hydrological related problems. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the underlying principles, methodological needs and applications of a promising evolutionary computation modelling technique – genetic programming (GP). It examines the specific characteristics of the technique which makes it suitable to solving hydrological modelling problems. It discusses the opportunities inherent in the application of GP in water related-studies such as rainfall estimation, rainfall-runoff modelling, streamflow forecasting, sediment transport modelling, water quality modelling and groundwater modelling among others. Furthermore, the means by which such opportunities could be harnessed in the near future are discussed. In all, a case for total embracement of GP and its variants in hydrological modelling studies is made so as to put in place strategies that would translate into achieving meaningful progress as it relates to modelling of water resource systems, and also positively influence decision-making by relevant stakeholders

Fruit and vegetable consumption and all-cause, cancer and CVD mortality : analysis of Health Survey for England data

Background Governments worldwide recommend daily consumption of fruit and vegetables. We examine whether this benefits health in the general population of England. Methods Cox regression was used to estimate HRs and 95% CI for an association between fruit and vegetable consumption and all-cause, cancer and cardiovascular mortality, adjusting for age, sex, social class, education, BMI, alcohol consumption and physical activity, in 65 226 participants aged 35+ years in the 2001–2008 Health Surveys for England, annual surveys of nationally representative random samples of the non-institutionalised population of England linked to mortality data (median follow-up: 7.7 years). Results Fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with decreased all-cause mortality (adjusted HR for 7+ portions 0.67 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.78), reference category <1 portion). This association was more pronounced when excluding deaths within a year of baseline (0.58 (0.46 to 0.71)). Fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with reduced cancer (0.75 (0.59–0.96)) and cardiovascular mortality (0.69 (0.53 to 0.88)). Vegetables may have a stronger association with mortality than fruit (HR for 2 to 3 portions 0.81 (0.73 to 0.89) and 0.90 (0.82 to 0.98), respectively). Consumption of vegetables (0.85 (0.81 to 0.89) per portion) or salad (0.87 (0.82 to 0.92) per portion) were most protective, while frozen/canned fruit consumption was apparently associated with increased mortality (1.17 (1.07 to 1.28) per portion). Conclusions A robust inverse association exists between fruit and vegetable consumption and mortality, with benefits seen in up to 7+ portions daily. Further investigations into the effects of different types of fruit and vegetables are warranted

Mapping and Identification of Suitable Dumping Sites for Solid Waste Management in Gwagwalada Area Council of the F.C.T. Nigeria

Urban solid waste is one of the major threats to global environment in the world today. As global civilization keeps improving, there is increase in commercial, residential and infrastructural development due to the population growth which has a negative impact on the environment if not properly planned, monitored and maintained. One of the negative impacts is the problem of waste disposal which if not properly managed could lead to environmental problems and to avoid the negative repercussion of improper waste disposal, an area has to be put in place for solid waste disposal and management also referred to as dump site. Geographical Information System and Remote sensing Techniques were used in the process of site selection which is accurate, less expensive and less time consuming compared to the conventional method. The aim of this study was to identify a suitable sites for solid waste disposal in Gwagwalada town of the Federal Capital Territory (F.C.T), Abuja. An image of the study area was digitized to identify the different features on the ground and also the Digital Terrain Model (DTM) to show differencse in surface elevation. The Digital terrain model shows that the lowest elevation point is 176m while the highest point is 226m above the sea level. Three Data analysis types were used and this includes Buffering, Overlay and Query. The analysis was carried to ascertain that the proposed dump sites pose no threat to agriculture, life and property. The result of all analysis carried out shows that the location of the proposed dump sites is 184m in elevation and 1km off the exit route of Gwagwalada along the Gwagwalada- katse road. It is highly recommended that urban settings should have an open space for dump site on remote areas of little or no economic importance far from the residents and should be monitored properly. Concerned Environmental Maintenance Authorities can now used the knowledge of GIS and Remote Sensing Application in monitoring the environment and improve management. Keywords: Solid Waste, Management, Dump Site, Mapping, Urba

Management of Family’s Finances and Family Wholeness: Evidence from Ilishan-Remo Community, Ogun State, Nigeria.

This paper examined the extent to which couples are involved in the management of their family’s finances: Evidence from Ilishan-Remo Community. The study was driven by the fact that finance is one of the major complex factors leading to suspicion, disagreements, fighting, or worst still divorce in the home and many families have been shattered by lack of/ineffective management of it because of their misconception about the family’s financial officer. As a result of this, many questions have been raised: should couples maintain joint account? who manages the family’s finance for family wholeness? Could ineffective management of the family’s finance lead to couples unfaithfulness? In order to achieve the set objective(s) and answer the research questions, an explanatory survey research design was adopted. The study utilized the primary source of data by administering 80 questionnaires out of which 71 were duly completed and returned. Secondary data sources were consulted as well. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the result showed that although the husband is seen as the head of the family, decisions concerning the family (including management of family finances) should not be taken solely by him, but by both parties. If the family finance is not managed in an effective and efficient manner, it could lead to couples unfaithfulness to one another. Therefore, the husband or wife should not see the money which he or she earns as his or her personal money but the family’s finance/income which should be pooled together based on their agreement and also spent together.  However, they should not spend all their earnings no matter how little but, save some for the rainy day. This can only be achieved by proper planning/ budgeting. Keywords: family finance; financial management; family wholeness; planning and budgetin

Methanol fraction of Calliandra portoricensis root bark activates caspases via alteration in mitochondrial viability in vivo

Introduction: Dysregulated apoptosis is associated with a number of disease conditions. Traditionally, Calliandra portoricensis is used in the management of prostate enlargement. This study investigates the in vivo effect of potent methanol fraction of C. portoricensis (MFCP) on mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) pore, an important pharmacological target in treatment of various diseases, and examines the toxicities associated with its oral administration. Methods: Forty-two male Wistar strain rats (70-80 g) were divided into 6 groups of 7 animals each. Each group was orally administered 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg MFCP and the control group received distilled water for 21 and 30 days, respectively. mPT, assay for serum enzymes and hematological parameters were assessed spectrophotometrically while activation of caspases 3 and 9 was done by ELISA technique. Histological assessment of vital organs (liver, kidney, prostate) was carried out according to standard procedures. Results: There were no significant effects on mPT pore at all doses administered after 21 days of oral administration. However, after 30 days of administration, MFCP induced mPT pore opening at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg with induction folds of 2.6 and 3.3, respectively while there was no induction of mPT pore opening at lower doses of 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg. Furthermore, significant (P < 0.05) increases in serum enzymes (ALT, AST) were observed at all doses administered when compared with control after 30 days of oral administration. Cell counts (Hb, PCV, RBC, WBC) were adversely affected at the highest dose (200 mg/kg) compared with control and other treated groups (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) after 30 days of administration. Similarly, activation of caspases 9 and 3 were observed in rat liver homogenate at high doses of the fraction while histological evaluation showed degeneration and distortion of organs at the highest dose. Conclusion: MFCP contains phytochemicals that elicit the opening of the pore and induction of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. This would be relevant in treatment of degenerative diseases that results from down-regulation of apoptosis. However, caution should be exercised in using high doses of the plant

Quantitative Leaching of a Spent Cell Phone Printed Circuit Board by Hydrochloric acid

This paper presents a kinetic data on the hydrometallurgical recovery of some metal ions from a printed circuit board (PCB) of a spent cell phone by hydrochloric acid leaching. The effects of acid concentration, temperature and particle diameter on the dissolution efficiency at various leaching time intervals were examined. The results of the leaching investigations showed that the powdered cell phone dissolution increases with increasing acid concentration, system temperature with decreasing particle diameter at 360 rpm. With 2M HCl solution, about 88.49% of the sample was dissolved within 120 minutes using 0.075-0.112 mm particle diameter at 800 C. The results of the study indicated that the dissolution reaction could be represented by a shrinking core model with surface chemical reaction. A value of 0.61, 60.67 kJ/mol and 12.9s-1 were calculated as reaction order, activation energy and frequency factor, respectively for the dissolution process.http://dx.doi.org/10.5937/metmateng1402119