Strategic Approach for Controlling Soil and Groundwater Contamination in Urban and Rural Areas of Nigeria

Soil pollution and groundwater contamination are rampant in urban and rural areas of various developing countries including Nigeria. The quality of groundwater is a vivacious concern for human beings since it is directly associated with the human welfare and it is needed to conserve water resources. This paper x-rays strategic approach for controlling soil and groundwater contamination to enhance the efficiency of civil and environmental engineering design through recent trends and practice which will play a vital role in handling environmental pollution. Strategic approach highlighted involves the formulation and implementation of the major goals and initiatives based on consideration of resources and an assessment of the internal and external environments in which the organization competes. One or more of these approaches are often combined for more cost-effective treatment. The field studies for assessment of contamination comprised of detailed hydro-geological investigations which include geophysical investigations, borehole drilling, development of monitoring wells, followed by collection and analysis of existing field samples (dumpsite, subsurface soil and groundwater) are very critical for efficient handling of environmental pollution. It has been concluded that basic necessities for a healthy environment and public health include clean air, safe and sufficient water Safe and adequate food, safe and peaceful settlements, stable global environment in order to achieve excellent public health without soil pollution and groundwater contamination. Strategic approaches to remediation of contaminated soils include isolation, bioremediation, immobilization, toxicity reduction, physical separation and extraction

Cognitive approaches to enabling people to live well with dementia

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Optimization of the Operational Conditions for Cross Flow Turbine Developed for Power Generation

In a bid to optimize the performance of a Cross Flow Turbine designed and fabricated by Oyebode (2014), the performance evaluation of the turbine at various conditions was carried out using a portion of the overflow from the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) dam. The Dam has a net head of 4 m, flow rate of 0.017m3 and hence theoretical hydropower energy of 668W. The turbine was tested and the optimized value of operating conditions namely; angle of inclination of the water jet (15o above tangent, tangential and 15o below tangent), height of water jet to impact point (200mm, 250mm and 300mm) and length of the water jet to impact point (50mm, 100mm and 150mm) were pre-set at their various levels while testing the Turbine. The measured outputs were Turbine Speed, Turbine Torque, Alternator Speed as well as the output voltage. The optimum values of the process output or measured parameters were determined statistically using a 33X2 factorial experiment in three replicates. An optimum turbine speed of 330.09 rpm was achieved by pre-setting 250mm height to impact point, 100mm length to impact point and the water jet 15º below tangent. Same combination also yielded an optimum turbine torque of 39.07kNm. During loading (i.e. when the alternator becomes connected to the turbine), an optimum Turbine Speed of 197.66rpm was achieved by pre-setting 250mm height to impact point, 100mm length to impact point and the water jet 15º below tangent. Same combination also yielded an optimum Turbine Torque of 25.02kNm, optimum Alternator speed of 879.24rpm and an optimum output voltage of 4.05V. The results therefore show that the turbine must be set at these operational conditions for it to perform optimally. Key words: Micro hydropower, Cross Flow turbine, Power generation, Dam overflo

Development of Hydropower Turbines Powered by Dam Overflow

The epileptic power supply in most rural areas in Nigeria and its attendant negative impact on the economy of the Nation, Agricultural productivity and huge rural emigration, is a serious source of concern. This necessitated the development of two hydro-power turbines powered by the overflow (which was rather considered a waste) from University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) dam. A portion of the overflow was channeled into a Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipe and the flow rate was calculated to be 0.017m3/sec using the bucket method. The change in elevation between the overflow and the point of usage was reported to be 4m. The flow (Q) and Head (h) were typical values for many streams and rivers in different rural areas of Nigeria, hence its suitability and adoption for this study. Two turbines viz: Pelton Wheel (PW) and Cross Flow (CF) were developed and tested. The PW generated a speed of 538.4rpm and a torque of 46.2kNm at off load condition while the CF generated a speed of 330.1rpm and a torque of 39.07kNm at the same condition. During loading – when the alternator had been connected to the turbine - the PW turbine speed and torque became 392.0rpm and 36.5kNm respectively, while that of the CF became 197.7rpm and 25.0kNm respectively. A belt and pulley mechanism was used to deliver the rotational speed to the alternator and this increased the alternator speed from the PW and CF turbines to 1768.6rpm and 879.24rpm respectively. The speed from the PW was enough to power the alternator as the alternator only requires 1500rpm to function optimally. The PW was thus adjudged the most suitable for use

The need to “carer proof” healthcare decisions

yesPopulation ageing and fiscal austerity are set to increase the reliance on family carers, who already provide much of the support for people with long term health conditions. Although most carers are willing, providing care can be hugely stressful, affecting mental and physical health1 and resulting in social isolation and financial hardship.2 When under strain, carers are less likely to be effective, increasing the risk that the care recipient is admitted to hospital or a care home.3 Health systems could reduce strain on family carers by routinely considering carers’ needs alongside patients’ needs in everyday healthcare decisions—a concept we term “carer proofing”.non

Receiving a diagnosis of young onset dementia: a scoping review of lived experiences

Objectives: Personal experiences of receiving a diagnosis of young onset dementia (YOD) are often overlooked in a complex assessment process requiring substantial investigation. A thematic synthesis of published until November 2018 qualitative studies was completed to understand the lived experiences of younger people. This informed a Delphi study to learn how diagnostic processes could be improved, identify the strengths and weaknesses of current approaches, and help educate professionals concerning key issues. Method: Systematic searches of bibliographic databases were conducted involving self-reported experiences of diagnosis of YOD. Eight out of 47 papers identified were quality assessed using Walsh & Browne's criteria for methodological appraisal. Results: The review emphasises that delays in diagnosis can often be attributed to (1) delays in accessing help, and (2) misattribution of symptoms by the clinician. The impact of diagnosis is influenced by the clinician's use of language; and reactions to diagnosis varied from feelings of reassurance (in that their symptoms are now explained), to shock and destabilisation. Conclusion: This review suggests that improving the recognition of presenting symptoms, reducing diagnostic errors, and identifying the emotional needs arising from diagnosis are required to improve the diagnostic experience for younger adults, and to promote future engagement with services

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

Establishing and sustaining high-quality services for people with young onset dementia: The perspective of senior service providers and commissioners

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to understand the facilitators to developing and sustaining high-quality services for people with young onset dementia (YOD) and their families/supporters. DESIGN: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with commissioners and service managers, analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. SETTING: A purposive sample of providers was selected from diverse areas and contrasting YOD services. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen senior staff from YOD services and two dementia service commissioners took part. MEASUREMENTS: For commissioners, key interview topics were experiences of commissioning YOD services, perceived facilitators or barriers, and how future guidance should be structured for ease of use. For service providers, key topics explored experiences of delivering YOD services; what was achievable or challenging; how the service was funded; how it linked with broader provision for YOD in the area; and how guidance should be structured. RESULTS: Recorded interviews lasted 30–40 minutes. Seven key facilitators to the development and sustaining of YOD services were identified: having knowledgeable, committed local champions; involvement of people living with YOD and family supporters; initial delivery within existing resources; partnership working within and between sectors; having a reflective, supportive organizational culture; gathering evidence of impact; and having wider support and guidance. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in provision for those with YOD and their families need to be built on understanding of service-level and interpersonal influences as well as on understanding of YOD itself. Our findings highlight a set of facilitators which need to be in place to establish and sustain high-quality YOD services that fit the local context

Choice architecture modifies fruit and vegetable purchasing in a university campus grocery store : time series modelling of a natural experiment

Background In developed countries, adolescent and young adult diets have been found to be nutritionally poor. The aim of this study was to examine whether a choice architecture intervention, re-arrangement of produce within a grocery store to increase the accessibility of fruit and vegetables, affected purchasing behaviour on a university campus. Methods A database of daily sales data from January 2012 to July 2017 was obtained from a campus grocery store. Two changes to the layout were made during this time period. In January 2015, fruit and vegetables were moved from the back of the store, furthest from the entrance, to the aisle closest to the entrance and an entrance-facing display increasing their accessibility. In April 2016, the entrance-facing display of fruit and vegetables was replaced with a chiller cabinet so that fruit and vegetables remained more accessible than during the baseline period, but less accessible than in the period immediately previously. A retrospective interrupted time series analysis using dynamic regression was used to model the data and to examine the effect of the store re-arrangements on purchasing. All analyses were carried out both for sales-by-quantity and for sales-by-money. Results The first shop re-arrangement which made fruit and vegetables more prominent, increased the percentage of total sales that were fruit and vegetables, when analysed by either items purchased or money spent. The second rearrangement also had a positive effect on the percentage of total sales that were fruit and vegetables compared to baseline, however this was not significant at the 5% level. Over the five year period, the percentage of sales that were fruit and vegetables declined both in terms of items purchased, and money spent. Conclusions Increasing accessibility of fruit and vegetables in a grocery store is a feasible way to improve the diet of students in tertiary education. There is evidence of declining fruit and vegetable consumption among the studied population, which should be further investigated

Current UK clinical practice in diagnosing dementia in younger adults: compliance with quality indicators in electronic health records from mental health trusts

Objectives: To examine current UK practice in diagnosis of patients under 65 with young onset dementia, within 5 years of date of diagnosis, identified from electronic health records of 8 NHS mental health trusts. Methods: Patients diagnosed with young onset dementia were assembled from the UK-Clinical Record Interactive System, (UK-CRIS) using diagnosis of dementia as the index date. A pre-designed proforma, derived by international Delphi consensus from experts in the field in previous work, was used to assess components of the diagnostic assessment in 402 electronic health records across 8 NHS sites. Information was extracted on key aspects of clinical and physical examination according to both a minimum and gold standard. Results: Percentage compliance rates analysed by NHS site and statement, including compliance for site for minimum standard (11 statements), the additional 20 statements required for Gold standard, and the complete Gold standard set (31 statements) show that the additional 20 statements in the Gold standard had consistently higher compliance rates for every site compared to the minimum set. Conclusion: Findings confirmed variation in clinical practice and identified commonly missed items in examination and enquiry compared to expert consensus. This suggests that a template proforma, which contains the key indicators for comprehensive assessment of dementia in young adults according to a quality standard could help support clinicians to improve record keeping and reduce gaps in knowledge