Biosorption of heavy metals in industrial wastewater using micro-organisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa)

Heavy metal ions are often present in industrial wastewater, and sometimes there is the need to reduce their concentrations to some certain minimum. Biosorption is one of the methods by which this reduction can be achieved. The purpose of this study is to explore the biosorption technique as an alternative to conventional methods such as reverse osmosis, electro dialysis, ultra filtration, ion-exchange and chemical precipitation in the removal of heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater. Biosorption of the heavy metals namely cadmium, zinc and silicate were conducted using Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Samples of wastewater from an industrial source were collected in a 2L container and poured into six containers. Measured quantities of the biomass were then introduced into the samples. The concentrations of heavy metals in the samples were determined with an atomic absorption spectrometer. The results yielded a significant reduction in the heavy metal ion concentrations in the samples, with even the highest initial concentration greatly reduced. Biosorption technique can be a very good alternative to conventional methods in terms of availability of materials, cost-effectiveness and absence of precipitates and slurry

SLUDGE DEWATERING SUBJECTED TO CONSTANT VACUUM PRESSURE: A MODELLING APPROACH

Sludge is often generated from the treatment of wastewater and it is essential to reduce its volume before disposal into the environment through dewatering. This helps to reduce the cost of final sludge disposal. This study was therefore aimed at developing a model for the draining time of sludge through the application of vacuum pressure. A vacuum filtration experiment was performed on sewage sludge collected from the wastewater treatment plant situated at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The sludge sample was poured into Buchner funnel apparatus and the volume of the filtrate collected was noted at a certain time interval until the end of the experiment. The specific resistance values were obtained using the newly derived-, modified-, and Carman’s-equation, respectively. A comparative study was carried out on the three values obtained and the results showed that the newly derived equation gave the best result. Overall, the newly derived equation demonstrated conformity with Carman’s equation and can be used for sludge dewatering investigation. This paper covers a relevant subject within the field of waste treatment processes, namely the dewatering of sludge from wastewater treatment system and on a large scale, can aid in producing cost effective mechanism that makes it more possible for developing nations to incorporate adequate and effective sanitation

Effects of Livelihood Sustenance Activities on Off-Farm Income of Poultry Farmers in IMO State, Nigeria

The study analysed the off farm income and its effect on livelihood sustenance of poultry farmers in Imo state.Multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents. Data for the study were obtained with the aid of structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and ordinary least square bivariate regression model. Results showed that: the mean off-farm income of poultry farmers was N410223 per annum. Livelihood sustenance activities of poultry farmers positively and significantly affected their off-farm income. It is recommend that government should come up policies that will center on establishment of more livelihood sustenance activities for poultry farmers that will generate increased off-farm income and promote agricultural development simultaneously

The trend of collapse of buildings in concrete materials in Lagos State, Nigeria (2013-2019)

t. In recent times, efforts are channeled towards limiting the impact of waste plastic pollution on the environment. This study examines the beneficial utilization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) wastes, which is a non-biodegradable waste materials as a partial substitute for sand in the production of non-load bearing hollow sandcrete blocks. The physical and mechanical properties such as density and compressive strength of the hollow sandcrete blocks using PET waste as a replacement for fine aggregate at 5%, 10%, 30% and 50% were determined. Tests results show that the density of the produced sandcrete blocks decreases as the waste PET content increases. Results showed that the density varied from 1391.33 kg/m3 for 50%PET content to 1954.54 kg/m3 for 5%PET content, while the density of the reference sandcrete was 2002.15 kg/m3 for 7 days. The values of densities ranged between 1453.88 kg/m3 for PET 50% and 1851.09 kg/m3 for PET 5% and the density of reference sandcrete was 1991.77 kg/m3 at 28 days. The sandcrete blocks also demonstrate a similar reduction trend in compressive strength as the PET content increases. The compressive strength ranged between 1.140 N/mm2 for 50%PET and 2.564 N/mm2 for 5%PET content and 1.510 N/mm2 for 50%PET to 2.991 N/mm2 for 5%PET respectively, as the curing age increases from 7 to 28 days. The hollow sandcrete block containing an optimum 5% replacement percentage of sand with PET waste showed comparable strength to the conventional sandcrete blocks. This will help to mitigate the menace of marine plastic pollution and promote responsible consumption

The trend of collapse of buildings in concrete materials in Lagos State, Nigeria (2013-2019)

Buildings are essential structures that provide mankind with accommodation in the form of offices, factories, residences, etc. Building Infrastructure aid to increase the Gross domestic product of nations by meeting the present needs as well as helping in the reduction of future deficiencies. Unfortunately, in developing countries like Nigeria, regular occurrence of collapse of buildings in concrete materials have dealt a terrible blow to the nation, leading to losses in the form of death and damage to properties. This study aims to show the trend within the period of 2013 to 2019. This study used statistical methods to assess the fatality rate, types of buildings affected, frequency of occurrences and the causative factors. The result indicates that the year2017 witnessed 14 collapse incidences making it the highest within the study period in Lagos state. Furthermore, 204 persons lost their lives in 2014, making it the highest within the period. The results obtained showed that the risk of collapse and fatality rises as the building height goes up and when unauthorized floors are added to an existing building

Entrepreneurs’ mental health and well-being:A review and research agenda

Interest in entrepreneurs’ mental health and well-being (MWB) is growing in recognition of the role of MWB in entrepreneurs’ decision making, motivation, and action. Yet relevant knowledge is dispersed across disciplines, which makes what we currently understand about entrepreneurs’ MWB unclear. In this systematic review I integrate insights from 144 empirical studies. These studies show that research is focused on three research questions: (1) Do different types of entrepreneurs differ in their MWB? What are the (2) antecedents and (3) consequences of entrepreneurs’ MWB? The review systematizes evidence on known antecedents and consequences of entrepreneurs’ MWB but also reveals overlooked and undertheorized sources and outcomes of entrepreneurs’ MWB. The review provides a mapping and framework that advance research on entrepreneurs’ MWB and help to position entrepreneurs’ MWB more centrally in management and entrepreneurship research. It calls for researchers to go beyond applying models developed for employees to understand entrepreneurs. Instead, the findings point the way to developing a dedicated theory of entrepreneurial work and MWB that is dynamic, socialized, and open to considering context and acknowledges variability and fluidity across entrepreneurs’ life domains, as well as the centrality of work for entrepreneurs’ identity

Variations in the prevalence of point (pre)hypertension in a Nigerian school-going adolescent population living in a semi-urban and an urban area

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hypertension has been shown to start in early life and to track into adulthood. Detecting adolescents with hypertension and prehypertension will aid early intervention and reduce morbidity and mortality from the disorders. This study reports the point-prevalence of the two disorders in a semi-urban and an urban population of school-going adolescents in Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 843 adolescents from two places of domicile were studied. Their blood pressures and anthropometric indices were measured using standard protocol. Point-hypertension and point-prehypertension were defined with respect to each subject's gender, age and height. The prevalence of the disorders was calculated and reported age-wise and nutritional status-wise.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of point-prehypertension in the semi-urban area was 22.2% (20.7% for girls and 23.1% for boys) while it was 25.0% (21.8% for girls and 29.2% for boys) in the urban area. The prevalence of point-hypertension was 4.6% (4.1% for girls and 4.8% for boys) in the semi-urban area and 17.5% (18.0% for girls and 16.9% for boys) in the urban area. Point-prehypertension was not detected among the thin subjects of both places of domicile. The prevalence of point-prehypertension was similar in both the urban and semi-urban areas among the subjects who had normal BMI-for-age, and over-weight/obese subjects respectively. From the semi-urban to the urban area, the prevalence of point-hypertension increased approximately 3-folds among thin and normal BMI-for-age subjects, and 10-folds among overweight/obese subjects. Systolic hypertension was more preponderant in both the semi-urban and urban areas.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The prevalence of both disorders is considerably high in the studied populations. Urgent pediatric public health action is needed to address the situation.</p

Life Cycle Management of Infrastructures

By definition, life cycle management (LCM) is a framework “of concepts, techniques, and procedures to address environmental, economic, technological, and social aspects of products and organizations in order to achieve continuous ‘sustainable’ improvement from a life cycle perspective” (Hunkeler et al.\ua02001). Thus, LCM theoretically integrates all sustainability dimensions, and strives to provide a holistic perspective. It also assists in the efficient and effective use of constrained natural and financial resources to reduce negative impacts on society (Sonnemann and Leeuw\ua02006; Adibi et al.\ua02015). The LCM of infrastructures is the adaptation of product life cycle management (PLM) as techniques to the design, construction, and management of infrastructures. Infrastructure life cycle management requires accurate and extensive information that might be generated through different kinds of intelligent and connected information workflows, such as building information modeling (BIM)

FinTech revolution: the impact of management information systems upon relative firm value and risk

The FinTech or ‘financial technology’ revolution has been gaining increasing interest as technologies are fundamentally changing the business of financial services. Consequently, financial technology is playing an increasingly important role in providing relative performance growth to firms. It is also well known that such relative performance can be observed through pairs trading investment. Therefore pairs trading have implications for understanding financial technology performance, yet the relationships between relative firm value and financial technology are not well understood. In this paper we investigate the impact of financial technology upon relative firm value in the banking sector. Firstly, using pairs trade data we show that financial technologies reveal differences in relative operational performance of firms, providing insight on the value of financial technologies. Secondly, we find that contribution of relative firm value growth from financial technologies is dependent on the specific business characteristics of the technology, such as the business application and activity type. Finally, we show that financial technologies impact the operational risk of firms and so firms need to take into account both the value and risk benefits in implementing new technological innovations. This paper will be of interest to academics and industry professionals