Evidence of Heavy Metals Distribution in Placenta in Association with Residual Levels in Some Dams’ Organs from Bodija abattoir, Oyo State, Nigeria

Heavy metals have been known to be causing serious detrimental effect on the health of livestock and human populace in general. However, little study had been carried out on the ability of heavy metal to cross placental barrier, which has already been bio-accumulated in the dam. Therefore, this study aimed at showing the evidence of placental barrier crossing by selected heavy metals. The study was carried out in Bodija abattoir, Ibadan, Oyo-state, Nigeria, located on latitude 70020N, longitude 3005E. A cross-sectional study design was adopted and lasted for 6 weeks. Samples were collected from kidney cortices, apical lobe of dam’s liver and a portion of fetal placenta. 12 sample each from liver, kidney and the placenta which were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results were subjected to descriptive statistics, t-test and correlation using SPSS17.0 package.From this study cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) residues were not found in the samples, while chromium (Cr) was found in all the samples (100% prevalence) and the total prevalence for the heavy metals in the study was 33.4%. The mean chromium (Cr) residual values in placenta, kidney and liver were 0.89±0.66mg/kg, 1.32±0.94mg/kg and 1.00±0.87 mg/kg respectively. The correlation between chromium (Cr) in the dam’s kidney and placenta was 0.3, while for the dam’s liver and placenta was 0.6.  In comparison with permissible limit, the residual level in kidney 1.32±0.94, liver 1.00±0.87 and placenta 0.89±0.66, were within the permissible limit. The study revealed that chromium (Cr) residue was a major challenge in the organs sampled. Liver of the dam had the highest level of bioaccumulation and stronger correlation in the distribution to the placenta. It is therefore recommended that attention should be paid on the disposal of chromium (Cr) residues on the grazing floor where the bulk of the residues were from. Keywords: Heavy metals, Liver, Kidney, Placenta and cattle

Prevalence of malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency in Nigerian preschool children subsisting on high intakes of carotenes

The prevalence of malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency was determined in 204 preschool children of both sexes aged 3–57 months. The children were recruited from 2 rural communities of Atakumosa Local Government Area of Osun State in South West Nigeria. Dietary vitamin A intake was estimated from frequency of consumption of locally available vitamin A containing food items. Vitamin A status of the children was assessed from concentration of retinol in plasma. Nutritional status was assessed from height and weight compared with international reference standards. The results indicate widespread malnutrition among the children. The prevalence of stunting (low height for age) was 60.8% while prevalence of wasting (low weight for height) was 7.4% and of underweight (low weight for age) 27.5%. Dietary vitamin A intake appeared to be adequate in the children. Intake of vitamin A is predominantly from plant sources. At least 43% of the children consumed the carotene rich red palm oil 6 or more times per week in contrast to less than 1% who consumed eggs or milk for 6 or more times per week. Vitamin A deficiency was low in the children. Only 11.3% of the children had plasma retinol concentration <0.70µmol/L. The results indicate that childhood malnutrition of public health magnitude can coexist with adequate dietary vitamin A intakes or vitamin A status

A Review of Recent Application of Machining Techniques, based on the Phenomena of CNC Machining Operations

study of different machining operations cannot be over emphasized due to its importance in the area of manufacturing and production companies. Therefore, this paper has study various application of this CNC machining techniques such as minimum quantity lubricant, cryogenic cooling, flood cooling, dry, high pressure coolant, compressed air / vapour /gas as coolant, solid lubricant/cooling and vegetable oil and their effect during machining for sustainable development and the study concluded that researcher still need to carry out more research on a single unique technique that can operate with multi-delivery lubrication method

Experimental Analysis of the Influence of Depth of Cut, Time of Cut, and Machining Speed on Vibration Frequency during Turning of AL1060 Alloy

Machining vibration is a significant concern in the manufacturing industry, as vibration cannot be eliminated during metal to metal turning operations. It can be controlled to the minimum when a proper study is carryout before the turning process. This study aims to experimentally analyse the effect of the individual parameters such as depth of cut (DOC) and cutting speed have on the machining vibration during turning of AL1060 alloy. A computer numerical control (CNC) program was applied to investigate the effects of the different depths of cut such as 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3 mm. Moreover, cutting speed of 200 m/min, 350 m/min, 500 m/min, and 600 m/min with a constant feed rate of 5 mm/rev have on the machining vibration during the turning process. DTO 32105 frequency analyser an MXC-1600 digital frequency counter was employed to measure the machining vibration for a specific time between 15 seconds to 500 seconds. The result shows that as the depth of cut continually increases, the machining vibration increases and the minimum machining vibration of 131.8 Hz was obtained at cutting speed of 600 m/min, depth of cut of 1 mm, and cutting time of 15 sec. The Pareto chart was further used to analysis the average vibration frequency at the optimised cutting speed of 600 m/min. The surface quality and the cutting tool life can be significantly enhanced with the study of the individual machining parameters

Performance Evaluation of Hydrocarbon based Nanorefrigerants Subjected to Periodic Door Openings

Domestic refrigerators are required to be energy efficient and environmentally safe. In this work, a slightly modified domestic refrigeration system was infused with various concentrations (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/L) of TiO2 nanolubricants and R600a refrigerant with a mass charge of 40g. The average energetic characteristics of the test rig at different door openings intervals (0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 minutes) were evaluated. The energetic characteristics studied were coefficient of performance (COP), refrigeration capacity, power consumption and cabinet temperature recovery time. The results obtained showed that the use of nanolubricants significantly affect the energetic performance characteristics of the system. Overall, the utilization of 0.6g/L concentration of TiO2 nanolubricant gave the best performance. The COP of the system improved by 22.39 %, while the power consumption decreased by 23.5 % when compared with pure R600a refrigerant

Effect of Oil Bean Stalk Filler on the Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Developed Aluminium Dross Composites for Building Ceilings

Standard quality building material is the demand of this present age. It is a good attempt to draw some ideas about the use of composites in modern building materials. This study experimentally investigates the effect of varying oil beanstalk (OBS) filler and Portland cement (Cmt) additives on thermo-mechanical properties of aluminium dross (Aldr)-Portland cement oil bean-reinforced composites. The specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, thermal resistivity, thermal diffusivity, thermal effusivity, and compressive strength were determined at a different variation of filler content to investigate its effects on the developed composites' behaviour building ceilings application. Result shows that the physical and mechanical properties of triad 0.6Aldr0.3Cmt0.05G0.05OBS, 0.6Aldr0.32Cmt0.05G0.03OBS composites are better than 0.6Aldr0.34Cmt0.05G0.01OBS composites. Developed samples with Portland cement binders were observed not supporting combustion in the combustion calorimeter, confirming their flame-retardant characteristics. Thermal analysis indicates that reduced additive results in poor thermal performance despite an increment in Portland cement content. The least thermal conductivity value (0.0195 W/m2K) was obtained for sample 2 produced with 60% aluminium dross, 32% Portland cement and 3% oil bean stalk. The developed ceiling materials specific heat capacities increased by 10.33–386.83% compared to asbestos. Compared to Polyvynylchloride (PVC) ceiling material gave a 40.81% reduction in sample 2. The calorific value of oil bean stalk obtained using the combustion calorimeter is 17.80 MJ/kg, lower compared to pulverized coconut shells. It is observed that the best performance of the composite is achieved at moderate Portland cement and filler ratios. A new method of curbing fire spread and providing thermal comfort is essential in this new age of building composite, sustainable cities, and communities; this will come to the fore when inbred exceptional thermal, combustion, and mechanical properties are found in developed building ceilings. The percentage variation of filler on the matrix material necessitates improvement in their behaviour in performance

An approach to heroin use disorder intervention within the South African context: A content analysis study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The field of heroin use disorder intervention has been in transition in South Africa since the outbreak of the heroin epidemic. Yet despite growing evidence of an association between heroin users' use of supplementary intervention services and intervention outcomes, heroin use disorder intervention programmes in South Africa generally fail to meet international research-based intervention standards.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Semi-structured interviews with ten heroin use disorder specialists were conducted and the interviews were subjected to content analysis.</p> <p>Results and Discussion</p> <p>In terms of theory and practice, findings of the study suggest that the field of heroin use disorder intervention in South Africa remains fragmented and transitional. Specifically, limited strategic public health care polices that address the syndromes' complexities have been implemented within the South Africa context.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although many interventions and procedures have begun to be integrated routinely into heroin use disorder clinical practice within the South African context, comorbidity factors, such as psychiatric illness and HIV/AIDS, need to be more cogently addressed. Pragmatic and evidence-based public health care policies designed to reduce the harmful consequences associated with heroin use still needs to be implemented in the South African context.</p

Context and culture associated with alcohol use amongst youth in major urban cities: A cross-country population based survey

Background: Alcohol consumption patterns are dependent upon culture and context. The aim of this study was to interview people aged 18–34 year old living in four cities in different regions of the world to explore differences in a range of alcohol measures to assist in determining culturally appropriate alcohol initiatives for this age group. Method: Multistage random sampling was consistent across the four cities (Ilorin (Nigeria), Wuhan (China), Montevideo (Uruguay) and Moscow (Russia)). The questionnaire was forward and back translated into relevant languages and face-to-face interviewing undertaken. The data were weighted to the population of each city. Uni-variable analysis (ever consumed, first time consumed, age when drunk for first time, number of days consumed, type consumed) and logistic regression modeling were undertaken. The final model for each city was adjusted for age, sex, marital status, highest education and employment status. In total 6235 interviews were undertaken (1391 in Ilorin, 1600 in Montevideo, 1604 in Moscow and 1640 in Wuhan). Results: Alcohol was consumed by 96.4% in Montevideo, 86.1% in Moscow, 53.4% in Wuhan and 33.3% in Ilorin. There was very little difference by gender except Ilorin males were more likely to consume alcohol than females. Alcohol was consumed on more days for Ilorin males; Wuhan females consumed alcohol on the least number of days; Ilorin had the most abstainers; Montevideo and Moscow the highest proportion of light drinkers; Ilorin and Montevideo the highest proportion of heavy drinkers. Differences by type of alcohol were also apparent. The final logistic regression model provided different models including higher alcohol consumption rates for males, 25–34 years of age, divorced/separated marital status and employed part time for Ilorin respondents; males and higher educated for Montevideo; males, 25 to 29 years of age and higher educated for Moscow; and 25–29 years of age, non-married and vocationally trained for those in Wuhan. Conclusion: Alcohol consumption in these four cities does not increase with age as found in most high income countries. The alcohol consumption patterns during this stage of the life cycle are important to assess so that high level, as well as country-specific, planning and interventions can be implemented

Analysis of Water Well Quality Drilling Around Waste Disposal Site in Makassar City Indonesia

Abstract. Clean water is one of human need which is very important in carrying out its life. Therefore, this article analyzes the quality of the well water dug around the landfill. The method used is a well water well sample taken from 4 wells around a landfill taken by a purposive sampling at a different distance. The parameters measured are physical, chemical, and biological properties. The results of the analysis were then compared with the standard of drinking water quality criteria allowed under The Regulation of Health Minister of Indonesia No. 416 year 1990 on the Terms and Supervision of Water Quality of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. The result of the research shows that there are two wells whose water quality does not meet the physical requirement i.e Location of Points II and III, based on the construction of wells also does not meet the requirements of the wells in general. While at the well Locations Point I and IV the quality of water physically, chemically and biologically as well as well construction qualify. From the result of this research, the researcher give suggestion of the need to improve the physical condition of dug wells, it is necessary to do the extension to the well water user community for drinking water about the physical condition of the dug well, the need to monitor and supervise the quality of drinking water, and should involve the community to independently meet the needs absolute i.e clean water to drink

A media framing analysis of urban flooding in Nigeria: current narratives and implications for policy

© 2017, The Author(s). A critical element of current flood management is the importance of engaging key policy actors when policy decisions are to be made. However, there is still only limited understanding of how narratives of flood management actors may influence flood management policies, even though there is a suggestion that actors can strategically use their narratives to influence policy directions. In a developing country like Nigeria, there are still questions around lessons that can be learnt from understanding the narratives of policy actors, to unravel the complex nature of strategies and policy directions in managing urban floods. To help fill these gaps, this paper uses quantitative content analysis to explore the frame of five policy actor groups (government, local communities, business, multilateral organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs)) as expressed in local and national newspapers between 2012 and 2016 to understand their narratives of causes and strategies to solve the problem of urban flooding in Nigeria. The narratives of government, local communities and businesses align with the premise that flooding can and should be prevented whilst that of multilateral and business actors champion adaptation strategies on the basis that flooding is inevitable and hence more energy should be directed at ‘living with water’—emergency response, damage reduction and the aftermath. The study also identified areas of potential consensus and conflict between direct actors such as government and local communities on the one hand and funders on the other. Better discussion among actors aiding understanding of contemporary thinking and local realities will aid policy-making and policy implementation in the Nigerian context. An important step will be in the collaborative design of an urgently needed ‘Nigerian policy on flooding’ which currently does not exist