Some physical and mechanical properties of African birch (Anogeissus leiocarpus) timber

The use of locally manufactured or waste materials in structural buildings without loss of performance is very crucial to the growth of developing countries. This report provides the results of some physical and mechanical property tests carried out on air dried African birch (Anogeissus leiocarpus) timber grown in Nigeria. Samples of the African birch timber were procured, naturally seasoned and their properties determined, in accordance with British Standard BS 373, for moisture content, specific gravity, and density while mechanical tests carried out are for tensile, compression and static bending. Strength values were obtained and further converted to 18% moisture contents (MC) which is the acceptable moisture content of timber to be used in Nigeria. The result of this experiment revealed that African birch timber possess a tensile strength of about 16% the strength of high yield steel and about 31% the strength of mild steel at 18% MC. Also, strength properties of African birch timber perpendicular to grain were found to be much lower than its strength properties parallel to grain.Keywords: African birch; Grain; Property; Strength; Timbe

Knowledge and practice of quality assurance programme of X ray equipment among radiographers in Kano Metropolis

The main goal of quality assurance programme is to consistently provide diagnostic information at the lowest possible cost, and at the least possible exposure of the patient to ionizing radiation. The study aims at evaluating the knowledge and practice of ray equipment among radiographers in Kano metropolis. The study design was prospective and cross sectional conducted among radiographers in the Kano metropolis from April 2019 to October 2019. Non-probability sampling meth used in the selection of the respondents. An ethical clearance to conduct the study was obtained from the Human Research and Ethics Committee of the Kano State Ministry of Health, and informed consent was obtained from every selected respondent. A s questionnaire was designed and used an instrument for data collection. The questionnaire was validated by experienced colleagues, using a pilot study the reliability was rested and the chronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient was found to be 0.7 one questionnaires were administered to the consented radiographers in Kano metropolis. The obtained data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Out of the 41 (100%) administered questionnaires 36 (87%) were returned, and all the returned naires were properly filled. Only 3 (8.3%) known the meaning of quality assurance programme, only 12 (33.3%) know the components of quality assurance programme and only 6 (16.7%) know the frequency of computed radiography system average score for knowledge among radiographers in Kano metropolis is 44.9% and that of practice is 47.9%. The study concludes that radiographers in Kano metropolis have poor knowledge and pactice of quality assurance programme

Contribution of Acacia nilotica products to the rural livelihood of people in Wamako Community of Sokoto State, Nigeria

The study examined the contribution of Acacia nilotica products to the rural livelihood of people in Wamako community of Sokoto State. Structured and open ended questionnaires were distributed to respondent. Twelve (12) villages were purposively selected from eight (8) Districts. Simple random sampling was used to select ten (10) respondents from each village giving a total sample size of 120 respondents. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the study indicated that, average age of the respondents was between 36 to 55 years with 73%, 93% male and 91% married. 58% had 6 to 10 members in their homes and majority of them are farmers (85%) while 74% obtained Qur’anic education. In contribution to livelihood, Acacia nilotica serves as source of income (33%) and medicinal (64%) purposes. About 73% of respondents source Acacia products from the farm land, while 65% obtained income of N4001 – 6000 monthly. 70% of the respondents sold their products at the local market, while 72% indicated that Acacia nilotica helped them in the control of erosion. However, apart from medicinal values, 67% used Acacia nilotica as fuel wood. The major problems faced by the respondents in the study area include deforestation, infestation and lack of storage facilities. The paper recommended regeneration of Acacia nilotica through afforestation, reforestation and social forestry for an improved livelihood of people in the study area.Keywords: Indigenous tree, species, Acacia nilotica, rural livelihood and developmen

Removal of Basic Dye From Aqueous Solution By Adsorption On Melon Husk In Binary And Ternary Systems

The adsorption behaviour of a cationic dye (methylene blue)   in binary and ternary solutions on the husk of melon (Citrullus lanatus) seed was investigated in order to elucidate the effects of competitive adsorption on the kinetics and thermodynamics of the sorption process.  The experimental findings showed that adsorption equilibrium was reached within 120 min either in single, binary or ternary mixtures; and the   adsorption processes in all the systems studied were described by the pseudo-second order kinetics with the initial rate constant increasing as the  concentrations of the competing dyes were increased.  Five different equilibrium isotherm models ( Freundlich, Temkin, Langmuir, Harkin-Jura and Dubinin-Radushkevich) were applied and  Langmuir was the best-fitting one for the adsorption of methylene blue dye in single system (R2 > 0.99), while the binary and ternary systems were best described by Freundlich model (R2 > 0.99). The sorption processes were thermodynamically feasible as ?G values were negative. Adsorption in both single and binary systems was exothermic while that of ternary system was endothermic. Keywords: melon husk, binary dye system, ternary dye system, methylene blue,                       Competitive adsorption, isotherms, thermodynamics, basic dy

Determination of temperature profile of the lithosphere between zero and 150 km penetration at Itagunmodi, Nigeria

In this work the temperature profile for the lithosphere was determined using data from radiogenic heat source and heat from other sources from 0 to 150 km depth was determined using a suitable mathematical expression. The temperature at the base of the lithosphere was given between 1200℃ to 1600℃. The Fourier’s law was applied and the results showed that the profile range from 27.0℃ to 1483.3℃. These results compared favourably well with existing literature values.Keywords: Temperature Profile; Lithosphere; Radiogenic Heat; Heat Flu

Anomalous renal artery is potential cause of resistant hypertension in a 53 year old patient: case report

Background: Drug-resistant hypertension can be attributable to secondary hypertension and other causes. Anomalous renal artery is uncommon but can be a potential cause of resistant hypertension.Case Report: We highlight the challenges in management of resistant hypertension and describe its unusual association with renal artery anomaly in 53 years old man who was referred to our nephrology clinic from a peripheral general hospital on account of poorly controlled hypertension. At presentation, BP was severely elevated at 208/100mmHg but no remarkable findings in the rest of the examination. Several investigations done including abdominal ultrasound scan and Computerised Tomography (CT) Renal angiogram revealed a Left anomalous renal artery. Patient declined all suggested urologic interventions and he was then managed conservatively.Conclusion: We found that anomalous renal arteries can be a potential cause of resistant hypertension. We therefore recommend ultrasound scan of the abdomen as a screening modality due to its being non-invasive.Keywords: Renal artery, anomalous, resistant hypertension, stenosi

Oestrus synchronisation in Red Sokoto does treated with prostaglandin F2α and progesterone pessaries

Comparative oestrus synchronisation was carried out in 52 Red Sokoto does with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness and tightness of synchrony of prostaglandin F2- alpha (PGF2α) and progesterone pessaries for clinical application. Does were randomly divided into PGF2α treated (n = 18), progesterone pessaries treated (n = 18) and control (n = 16) groups. A double injection protocol of PGF2α, 12-days apart, and progesterone pessaries inserted for 12-days were used to synchronise oestrus, with no treatment to the Control group. Six sexually active bucks were used as heat detectors. Intensive and non-intensive oestrus detections were employed using visual observation and apronisation. Standing to be mounted was used as the main sign of oestrus. Oestrus response rate was 88.9 %, 33.3 % and 37.5 % for PGF2α, progesterone pessaries and Control groups respectively. Tightness of oestrus synchrony for PGF2α was within four days, while that of progesterone pessaries was within three days. Progesterone pessaries retention rate was 94.4 %. It was concluded that PGF2α double injection, 12-days apart, synchronised oestrus in Red Sokoto doe was more effective with a tighter synchrony and recommended for clinical use than progesterone pessaries inserted for 12-days.Keywords: Oestrus, Progesterone, Prostaglandin F2-alpha, Red Sokoto doe, Synchronisatio

Progesterone profile of red Sokoto does treated with prostaglandin F2-alpha and progesterone sponges for clinical application

Progesterone profiles of Red Sokoto does were evaluated for clinical application. Fiftyone Red Sokoto goats does were assigned into three groups: (a) prostaglandin F2-alpha (n = 17), and given double injection of prostaglandin F2-alpha at 12-days interval; (b) progesterone sponges (n = 17), and administered progesterone sponges, inserted for 12-days; and (c) control (n = 17), no treatment. Blood samples were collected from all groups from day 0 to 6, day 9, day 12 to 15, day 19, and day 21 to 23 for progesterone profile. Group A had four profiles: 1) does in luteal phase at first and second injections; 2) does in luteal phase at first injection but insensitive at second; 3) does in follicular phase at first injection but luteal phase at second; 4) does, insensitive at first and second injections. Group B profile were: 1) does in luteal phase at sponge insertion; 2) does in luteal phase with decreased progesterone concentration; 3) does in follicular phase at sponge insertion; 4) does with insensitive corpus luteum at sponge insertion. It was concluded that progesterone profile assisted in describing exhibitions and nonexhibitions of behavioural oestrus in Red Sokoto does

Some Aspects of Reproductive Performance of Red Sokoto Goat Does Post Synchronization with Prostaglandin F2-Alpha And Progesterone Sponges

A study on reproduction of 52 Red Sokoto Goat (RSG) does was conducted to evaluate some aspects of their reproductive performance for clinical application and as an update. Does were randomly divided into 18, 18 and 16 as prostaglandin F2-alpha (PGF2α),  progesterone sponges (P4S) and control groups respectively. Double injection protocol of PGF2α, 12-days apart, and P4S inserted for 12-days were used to synchronize oestrus, while the control group received no treatment. Thirteen bucks were used, seven as breeders and six as heat detectors. Oestrus detection employed visual observation and apronisation. Standing to be mounted was the cardinal  sign of oestrus. Breeding was by hand-mating and at detected oestrus. Results indicated heterosexual and homosexual mounting, thin stringy clear mucous discharge and standing-to-be-mounted as signs of oestrus. Oestrus response rate was 100 %, 94.4 % and 75.0 %  for PGF2α, P4S and Control respectively; P4S retention rate was 94%. Effect of synchronization agent on on-set of oestrus was 15.86 + 0.73 h (PGF2α), 15.08 + 0.84 h (P4S) and 17.73 + 0.85 h (Control), while parity on on-set of oestrus was 12.12 + 1.87 h (first), 17.77 + 0.77  h (second) and 18.79 + 1.95 h (third). Effect of synchronization agent on duration of oestrus was 44.76 + 2.13 h, 45.78 + 2.46 h and 42.40 + 2.50 h for PGF2Α P4S and Control respectively, while parity on duration of oestrus was 42.26 + 5.48 h (first), 45.02 + 2.27 h (second) and 45.67 + 5.73 h (third). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) for oestrus on-set and duration. Overall pregnancy and  conception rates were 65.4 % and 72.3 % respectively, kidding rate was 76.5 %, abortion rate was 23.5 % and late embryonic mortality rate was 26.5 %. Mean gestation were 146.29 + 1.59 and 146.63 + 1.64 for single and twin births respectively. Age, parity and body condition score of dam had significant effect on litter size (P < 0.05). It was concluded that some aspects of the reproductive  performance of the RSG does studied following oestrus synchronization with PGF2α and P4S had clinical application, good and acceptable. Key Words: Reproductive, Red Sokoto, Does, Prostaglandin F2-alpha and Progesterone

Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from groundnut and egg shells as viable precursors for adsorption

This study was carried out to prepare groundnut shell (GS) and eggshell (ES) into activated carbon (AC) and characterize the AC using Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and American Standard for Testing and Materials (ASTM) methods. The AC produced was characterized for: pH, moisture content, volatile matter, ash content, fixed carbon, bulk density and surface area. Surface functional groups and surface morphology were also determined using Fourier Transformed Infrared (FT-IR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) respectively. The ranges of the following results were achieved for the biomasses: Groundnut shell Activated Carbon (GSAC) and Eggshell Activated Carbon (ESAC) respectively: pH (6.80±0.101−7.80±0.011); moisture content (14.10±0.101−12.90±.110%); volatile matter (9.20±0.112−9.90±0.012%); ash content (8.98±0.111−5.80±0.111%); fixed carbon (67.70±0.010−71.40±110%); bulk density (370.00±0.000−380.00−0.000 g/L); surface area (880.00±0.100−800.00±0.000 m2/g). The agro-wastes have high carbon contents and low inorganic which make them viable adsorbents. FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of oxygen surface complexes such as carbonyls and OH groups on the surface of the ACs in addition to good pore structures from SEM studies revealed that the agro-wastes could be good precursors for ACs production. The overall results showed that the AC produced from the agro-wastes can be optimally used as good and effective adsorbents, thereby ensuring cheaper, readily available and affordable ACs for the treatment of effluent, waste water and used oils