HEAVY-OIL PRODUCTION USING EMULSION FLOODING

In recovery of heavy crude oil by a sufficient means other than thermal recovery methods has been a great concern to researchers. Several researchers have found it difficult to achieve oil in-water (O/W) emulsion stability status. In an effort to minimize the viscosity, heavy crude needs modification.  The morphology and stability of oil-in-water emulsions were studied as a function of aqueous phase salinity. In reducing the viscosity of the heavy-oil, brine solutions were selected as alternative in forming oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. The aim of this research is to investigate the various salinity levels that influence viscosity and stability of oil-in-water emulsion. From observation, the loose emulsions were discovered through bottle test which showed complete separation on low salinity concentration. Optical microscope assembled with a digital camera was used to investigate the oil droplets of the stable and non-stable emulsion. Results indicated that phase separation appears more easily on low concentration at room temperature, and larger size droplets in the high concentrations. Therefore, using low salinity oil in water flooding, it reduces the viscosity of heavy crude oil. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i2.1

Studies on anti-ulcer, analgesic and antipyretic properties of the ethanolic leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium in rodents

The ethanol extract of Gongronema latifolium leaves were evaluated for anti-ulcer, analgesic and anti pyretic activities in rats and mice. Ethanol-induced gastric ulceration, acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced nociception were used. Yeast-induced hyperpyrexia was used to investigate the antipyretic activity. The extract produced a significant ulcer protective activity in rats. The extract also decreased pain induced both by acetic acid in mice and early phase of formalin test in rats. A significant reduction in hyperpyrexia was also produced by the extract in rats. This present studyprovides a strong evidence of anti-ulcer, analgesic and antipyretic activities of G. latifolium

Anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of the methanolic extract of Bombax buonopozense leaves in rats and mice

Methanolic extract of Bombax buonopozense was evaluated for possible anti-nociceptive, antiinflammatory and anti-pyretic activities in mice and rats. Acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction test in mice and formalin test in rats were used to investigate the antinociceptive effect of the extract. Studies were carried out on yeast-induced pyrexia and egg albumin-induced anti-inflammatory activity in rats. The extract produced a significant decrease in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and inhibition of late phase of the formalin pain test in rats. The methanolic extract of B. buonopozense leaf also produced a potent antipyretic effect and significant inhibition of egg  albumin-induced antiinflammatory activity in rats. The result suggests that B. buonopozense contains biologically active substances with potential values for the treatment of fever, painful and inflammatory conditions.Keywords: Bombax buonopozense; analgesic, inflammation, pyrexia

Inhibition of HCV 3a genotype entry through Host CD81 and HCV E2 antibodies

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>HCV causes acute and chronic hepatitis which can eventually lead to permanent liver damage hepatocellular carcinoma and death. HCV glycoproteins play an important role in HCV entry by binding with CD81 receptors. Hence inhibition of virus at entry step is an important target to identify antiviral drugs against HCV.</p> <p>Methods and result</p> <p>The present study elaborated the role of CD81 and HCV glycoprotein E2 in HCV entry using retroviral pseudo-particles of 3a local genotype. Our results demonstrated that HCV specific antibody E2 and host antibody CD81 showed dose- dependent inhibition of HCV entry. HCV E2 antibody showed 50% reduction at a concentration of 1.5 ± 1 μg while CD81 exhibited 50% reduction at a concentration of 0.8 ± 1 μg. In addition, data obtained with HCVpp were also confirmed with the infection of whole virus of HCV genotype 3a in liver cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data suggest that HCV specific E2 and host CD81 antibodies reduce HCVpp entry and full length viral particle and combination of host and HCV specific antibodies showed synergistic effect in reducing the viral titer.</p

Comparative Study on Three Major Internet Search Engines

This work is a comparative study o n three major Int ernet search e ngines; Yahoo, Google and ask.com search engines. Experimental method was used with ten reference questions which were used to query each of the search engines . Yahoo obtained the highest results (521,801,043) among the three Web search engines while Google had 96,752,900 and ask.com got the lowest one (19,935,810). It is recommended that t his methodology be applied to a wider scope with the hope that it will help Web users to select a search engine appropriate for their specific search needs, and help Web search engine developers design even better ones for the Internet community and users.Key Words: Internet search, engines

Geochemical assessment of toxic metals stocking in top-soil within the area of limestone quarry in Gombe of North-eastern Nigeria

This work presents an assessment of geochemical toxic metal stocking in top-soil within the area of a limestone quarry in Gombe State. Samples of topsoil from the area of a limestone quarry in Gombe (North-eastern Nigeria) were collected to analyse levels of hazardous substances such as of Hg, Fe, Zn, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cr, Cd and Pb. A total of 24 topsoil samples were collected around the radius of 0.5 km from the blasting arena. Additionally, six background samples were also collected from an unexploited reserved area that was ~6 km far from the main sampling location. Two rocks of limestone samples from blasting area were also collected and analysed for heavy metals as a reference. All the samples were processed and extracted with nitrate acid solution and analysed using smart spectrophotometer methods. The results suggested varying organic contents in soil, sand, silt, clay and pH. All these parameters are correlated with those of unexploited samples. Limestone rocks samples displayed a high concentration of Fe and Mn improvement. Toxic metals concentrations (mg/kg) in top-soil with background levels were discovered in Hg, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr and Pb. Residual phases exhibited the lowest enrichment for most metals possibly, because of high loamy sand content. The situated enrichment advocates influence from mining activities. The results especially geoaccumulation index assessment exhibit below detected limit to 0.20 mg/kg for Pb which is uncontaminated by Lead when compared with the USA threshold limit of particulate metal concentration. Conversely, the other hazardous metals ranged from 1 to 2, indicating the area is contaminated moderately. The exposure to dust containing high silica in quarry workers leads to deterioration of pulmonary function and hence suggesting a need for protective measures of the quarry workers