Modification of coconut shells by polyether ether ketone for high-presure adsorption of methane and natural gas

Application of natural gas (NG) as a transportation fuel introduces the possibility of reducing the dependency of liquid based petroleum fuel and emissions of greenhouse gases. At present, compression and liquefaction are the most used technology used for transportation system. For transportation use, compression requires high pressure (200–300 bar) while liquefaction is impractical. A relatively low pressure of 30-40 bar is achievable by adsorbed natural gas to store nearly compressed natural gas. In this study, adsorbents for high-pressure adsorption of methane (CH4) and NG were prepared from coconut shells and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) using potassium hydroxide (KOH) and microwave-assisted activation. The role of KOH was to modify the properties and structure of the adsorbent to suffice better adsorption applications. Design expert software version 7.1.6 was used for optimization and prediction of preparation conditions of the adsorbents for CH4 and NG adsorption. Effects of microwave power, activation time and quantity of PEEK on the adsorbents performance toward CH4 and NG adsorption were investigated. The adsorbents were characterized by pH, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric, mechanical property, nitrogen adsorption, bulk density, scanning electron microscopy, and ultimate and proximate analyses. The ideal CH4 and NG adsorption capacities of adsorbents were determined using volumetric method at pressures of 5, 7.5, 11, 17, 25, 30 and 35 bar at ambient temperature, while at 5 oC, the adsorption was carried out at 5, 17 and 35 bar. Isotherm and kinetics models were used to validate the experimental results. The optimum preparation conditions were found to be 15 wt % of PEEK, 3 minutes activation time and 300 W microwave power. The highest CH4 uptake of 9.7045 mmol CH4 adsorbed/g adsorbent was recorded by adsorbent (M33P15) (300 W of microwave power, 3 minutes activation time and 15 wt % amount of PEEK) among the sorbents at ambient temperature and 35 bar. Similarly, the highest NG uptake of 9.9432 mmol NG adsorbed/g adsorbent was also achieved by the same sample under the same adsorption conditions. The CH4 and NG equilibrium data were well correlated with Sips, Toth, Freundlich and Langmuir. Isotherms revealed that the Sips isotherm has the best fit, while the kinetics studies revealed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model best describes the adsorption process. In all scenarios studied, a decrease in temperature led to an increase in adsorption of both gases. The M33P15 maintained its stability even after seven adsorption/desorption cycles. The findings revealed the potential of coconut shell-PEEK as CH4 and NG adsorbent

Kriptosporidioza u divljih sisavaca i ptica držanih u zatočeništvu u sušnom području sjeveroistočne Nigerije.

The prevalence of cryptosporidial infection among captive wild animals and birds in Sanda Kyarimi Park, Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria, was evaluated by faecal examination for oocysts using three different staining techniques: the modified Ziehl-Neelsen, Giemsa, and Safranin-methylene blue. A total of 66 captive wild animals and birds were examined based on age and sex differences. Fifteen (22.7%) of the animals examined were young and 51 (77.3%) were adults; 36 (54.5%) were males and 30 (45.5%) were females. Age and sex were found to have no significant effect on the prevalence of infection among the different age and sex groups. A total of 15 (22.7%) positive samples were recorded using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, while Giemsa and Safranin-methylene blue stains recorded 12 (18.2%) and 8 (12.1%) positive cases, respectively. Captive wild animals and birds could play an important role in the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis as a zoonotic infection.Kriptosporidioza u divljih sisavaca i ptica držanih u zatočeništvu u sušnom području u parku Sanda Kyarimi u Maiduguriju u sjeveroistočnoj Nigeriji određena je koprološkom pretragom dokazivanjem oocista različitim metodama bojenja. Rabljeno je preinačeno bojenje po Ziehl-Neelsenu, po Giemsi te bojenje safraninmetilenskim plavilom. Ukupno je pretraženo 66 divljih sisavaca i ptica. Za sve su životinje zabilježeni podatci o spolu i dobi. Pretraženo je 22,7% mladih te 77,3% starih životinja te 54,5% mužjaka i 45,5% ženki. Nije dokazano da dob i spol utječu na učestalost kriptosporidioze u pretraženih životinja. Preinačenim postupkom po Ziehl-Neelsenu dokazano je ukupno 15 (22,7%), bojenjem po Giemsi 12 (18,2%) te bojenjem safranin-plavilom 8 (12,1%) pozitivnih uzoraka. Istraživanje je pokazalo da različite divlje životinje i ptice mogu imati značajnu ulogu u epidemiologiji kriptosporidioze

Modeling of lead (II) adsorption on sodium hydroxide treated rice husk: fixed-bed studies

Sodium hydroxide treated rice husk was explored as an adsorbent for the removal of lead (II) ions from aqueous solutions in a column studies. This paper evaluate the effect of flow rates of 3 mL/min and 9 mL/min; bed depth of 0.9 cm, 1.8 cm and 2.8 cm and influent lead concentration of 5 mg/L and 20 mg/L on the adsorption capacity of the sample in fixed-bed mode were investigated. The highest adsorption capacity of 78 % using 20 mg/L initial lead (II) ions solution was achieved at flow rate of 9 mL/min and bed depth of 2.8 cm. The experimental results obtained from the adsorption studies were correlated with the Thomas, Adams– Bohart and Yoon–Nelson models. The results of the adsorption parameters showed that, Adams–Bohart model fitted the adsorption studies well over all the other models

Assessment of probability of pulmonary arterial hypertension among HIV-1 infected patients on haart and its relationship with Cd4 cells Count and viral load

HIV patients are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than the general population and have a 2500-fold increased risk of developing pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). HIV associated pulmonary hypertension was said to be more severe and is associated with higher mortality. Methodology: Across-sectional conducted among consecutive HIV patients age greater than 18 years receiving treatment at the antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic of the Federal Medical Centre Nguru Yobe State Northeastern Nigeria. Results: One hundred and twenty (120) subjects were recruited into the study, thirteen had incomplete data and were excluded from the analysis. There was a significant negative correlation between CD4 cells count with tricuspid regurgitant flow velocity (TRv), pulmonary regurgitant flow velocity (PRv), pulmonary artery trunk diameter (PATd), right ventricular to left ventricular internal diameter (RV/LV) ratio, left ventricular eccentricity index (LVEI), and right atrial area (RAA), while the correlation between CD4 cells count and right ventricular acceleration time (RVAT) was positive and significant. On the other hand, the correlations between viral load and TRv, PRv, PATd, RV/LV ratio, and RAA were positive and significant while that between viral load and RVAT was negative and significant. Conclusions: This study revealed that HIV patients with low CD4 cell count and high viral load had a high probability of developing PAH (significant negative relationship between variables associated with the probability of PAH with CD4 cell count and significant positive relationship with viral load), In HIV patients the probability of developing PAH decreases with adequate treatment (that suppress viral replication and increases CD4 count). We, therefore, recommend routine assessment of the probability of PAH in patients with HIV infection particularly those with low CD4 cell count and high viral load and encourage early commencement of HAART to prevent the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Anaerobic co-digestion of palm oil mill effluent with cow manure for biogas production

Palm oil mill effluent and cow manure are excellent substrates for biogas production in anaerobic digesters though the biogas yield from a single substrate is not high. However, mixing palm oil mill effluent with cow manure (CM) or any other kind of waste materials in co-digestion can optimize the production of biogas. In this research work, the biogas potentials from palm oil mill effluent and cow manure as a single substrate as well as co-substrates was investigated. In addition the effect of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and volatile solids (VS) removal efficiencies towards biogas production and its methane content was also investigated. Anaerobic batch digesters were used for the digestion and were operated at room temperature (28oC to 34°C) for 21 days. The digesters were operated at different POME – CM compositions, they are; 100% POME, 100% C.M, 60% POME + 40% C.M, 70% POME +30% CM and 80% POME + 20% CM. Approximately 717 mL, 443 mL, 864 mL, 1875 mL and 1504 mL of the biogas yields could be obtained, respectively, after 21 days of digestion. Average methane content of the biogas was 44.17%, 40.59%, 46.12%, 61.13% and 50.56%, respectively. Maximum cumulative biogas production after 21 days of digestion was obtained as 1875ml with maximum methane content as 61.13% in the mixture containing 70% POME + 30% CM. Co-digestion of 70% POME + 30% CM improved the removal efficiency up to 75% COD & 68% VS with its corresponding methane content of 61.13% which has been recognized as the optimum for biogas production as well as methane content. Biogas yield was improved by 21%, 162% and 110% v/v using the co-digestion as compared to the digestion of POME alone and 95%, 323% and 240% v/v as compared to the digestion of CM alone respectively. These results showed that biogas and its methane content production can be enhanced efficiently through co-digestion process

Social networking sites usage as learning platform for business education students in Federal Colleges of Education in Northeast, Nigeria

AbstractThis study assessed social networking sites usage as a learning platform for business education students in Federal colleges of education in Northeast Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted a structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The area of the study comprises three Federal Colleges of education in Northeast Nigeria they are: Federal College of education Technical Gombe, Federal College of education Technical Potiskum, and Federal College of education Yola. The population of the study comprised 709 NCE II business education students. 253 students were selected and used as sample of the study Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection and was validated by three experts. To determine the internal consistency of the instrument, Cronbach alpha technique was used and a reliability coefficient of 0.79 was obtained and found to be reliable. The instrument was administered by the researcher with the help of three research assistants. Mean and standard deviation were used for the analysis of data collected. The Mean statistic and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. The findings of the study showed that: social networking tools are not used for accessing educational materials among students and the sites has negative effect among students in Federal Colleges of education in Northeast Nigeria. The study therefore, recommended among others that: Students should through various means learn and used social networking tools to access and share different educational materials among themselves, negative usage of social networking sites among students should be avoided

Biogas production through co-digestion of palm oil mill effluent with cow manure

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) and cow manure (CM) are excellent substrates for biogas production. Biogas production potentials from POME and CM as a single substrate were extensively researched by many researchers. In this work, the biogas potentials from POME and CM as a single substrate as well as co-substrates were investigated. In addition, the effect of removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and volatile solids (VS) towards biogas production and its methane content were also investigated. Batch anaerobic digesters used for the digestion were operated at ambient temperature (28oC to 34°C) for 21 days. The digesters were operated at different mixing ratios. Maximum cumulative biogas yield and its methane content were obtained as 1875ml and 61.13%, respectively in the mixture containing 70: 30 (POME: CM). Co-digestion of 70% POME + 30% CM improved the removal efficiency up to 75% (COD) and 68% (VS). Biogas yield from digesters D3, D4 and D5 were improved by 21%, 162% and 110% v/v using the codigestion as compared to the digestion of POME alone and 95%, 323% and 240% v/v as compared to the digestion of CM alone respectively. These results show that biogas and its methane content production can be enhanced efficiently through co-digestion process

Morbidity and mortality of childhood illnesses at the emergency pediatric unit of a tertiary hospital, north-eastern Nigeria

Background: Under-five morbidity and mortality from childhood preventable diseases are still very high in most of the developing countries, especially Nigeria. We describe the morbidity and mortality of childhood illnesses at the Emergency Pediatric Unit (EPU) of the Federal Medical Centre, Azare. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of Emergency Pediatric Unit admissions over a 1-year period. Epi-info statistical software was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 1,161 patients, aged 1 month to 13 years with a mean age (±1 SD) of 9.8 ± 2.6 years were admitted into EPU during the period. There were 576 (49.6%) males and 585 (50.4%) females and 1,034 (89.1%) patients were children under 5 years of age. The major causes of admission were malaria (44.8%). There were 103 (8.9%) discharges, 886 (76.3%) transfers to pediatric wards, 38 (3.3%) referrals to other hospitals, and 11 (0.9%) discharges against medical advice. There were 123 (10.6%) deaths during the period of the study with 107 (87.0%) of the deceased being children ≤5 years of age. Severe malaria 61 (49.6%) was the major cause of deaths in the unit, followed by Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and pneumonia occurring in each of 10 (8.1%) patients. Conclusion: Malaria, PEM, and pneumonia remained the major causes of morbidity and mortality, especially among the under-five children

Prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among captive wild animals and birds in the arid region of north-eastern Nigeria

cryptosporidiosis among captive wild animals and birds in the arid region of northeaster