EFFECTS OF COVERINGS ON RADIATION EXPOSURE RATE IN SOME INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

The effects of covering materials used for the interior building surfaces; the walls, ceilings and floors of some buildings in Ogbomoso on the radiation exposure rates have been investigated in this work using an accurately calibrated scintilometer. The combinations of covering materials assessed in this work are of three categories: A – tex-coat paint, asbestos and carpet; B – emulsion paint, asbestos and bare floor and C – ceramic tiles, asbestos and carpet. The dose rate values obtained varied between 4.04±0.05 x 10-5 µЅv h-1 to 5.12±0.05 x 10-5 µЅv h-1 for A, 4.04±0.04 x 10-5 µЅv h-1 to 5.60±0.04 x 10-5 µЅv h-1 for B and 4.61±0.04 x 10-5 µЅv h-1 to 6.66±0.05 x 10-5 µЅv h-1 for C. The data obtained showed that the dose rate values are highest in the C – type buildings while the lowest values are obtained in the B – type buildings. The mean effective dose for A, B and C buildings are 0.3400±0.0018 µSv y-1, 0.3520±0.0019 µSv y-1 and 0.3735±0.0019 µSv y-1 respectively

Electron Tunneling, Performance Analysis and Prospect of Micro-energy Generation in Ringwood (Syzygium Anisatum) Dye-sensitized Solar Cell

Energy continues to be the currency that drives all technology. Thus, the quest for energy remains vital to energy sustainability. In the wake of several adverse consequences of indiscriminate combustion of fossil fuel, there is an urgency to exploit our natural environment for ecologically benign alternatives. Ringwood also known as S. anisatum or Aniseed is a common sight in many ornamental gardens. It provides the customary thick layer of plush greenery typical of such settings. In addition, its characteristic aromatic leaves are capable of attaining a height of 45 metres. These attributes consolidated in the choice of Ringwood as a suitable candidate with a rich and viable store of solar energy. This gave the impetus to convert this S.anisatum store of photons of sunlight to electricity. Preliminary phytochemical screening results revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids and protein, a wide chromophore selection for charge transport. The study of S.anisatum absorbance-wavelength properties with UV/VIS spectroscopy shows S.anisatum dye extract having multiple peak absorbances with its optimum in the near ultraviolet region although, it absorbs optimally in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This is a Porphyrin dye characteristic, a desirable attribute that facilitates wider spectrum of solar energy absorption. The outpu

Effect of Bandgap Vs Electron Tunneling on Photovoltaic Performance of Ringwood (Syzgium Anisatum) Dyesensitized Solar Cell

The quest for more energy remains vital to energy sustainability. In the wake of several adverse consequences of indiscriminate combustion of fossil fuel, there is an urgency to exploit our natural environment for ecologically benign alternatives. This search led to S. anisatum dye being investigated for its prospective application in dye-sensitized solar cells. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids and protein, presenting a wide repertoire of chromophore selection for charge transport. UV/VIS spectroscopy showed that S.anisatum dye exhibits multiple peak absorbances of radiation within the near ultraviolet and the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum of light. The consequent adsorption of its chromophores into titanium structure, amplitude of interatomic vibrations of the novel structures formed in S. anisatum dye were subject of our investigation. The outcome shows TiO2/S.anisatum dye interface reveals the impact of orientation on output photovoltaic performance of S.anisatum dye-sensitized solar cells with a short circuit current of 0.07 mA, open circuit voltage of 68.8 mV, fill factor value of 0.84 and the output efficiency was 0.027 % using KBr electrolyte. This is a comparatively good result considering previous records of dye-sensitized solar cell photovoltaic performance. The significance of these results was re-analyzed from molecular perspective with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A need to boost the efficiency necessitated the interpretation of SEM micrographs using Gwwydion software program. These presented possible areas for charge transport within the electron shells of S.anisatum dye nanocomposite, and regions where tunneling occurred providing a much needed insight for future studies. Consequently, this study was expanded to accommodate the influence of bandgap on electron occupancy in S.anisatum shells. This elucidation captures the molecular dynamics of charge transport versus tunneling, consequent upon output performance of dyesensitized solar cell technology explained with quantum principles. The application of this work is particularly relevant in modelling, photovoltaic simulations and building energy efficient models

Community perception of school-based mass drug administration program for soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosomiasis in Ogun State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Neglected tropical diseases, such as soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosomiasis, are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Ogun State, Nigeria. School-based mass drug administration program is the primary control intervention, but the coverage and uptake of this intervention have been inadequate. This study aimed to investigate community perceptions of school-based mass drug administration programs for these infections in Ogun State, Nigeria, and identify the barriers to their uptake and coverage. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The study used a qualitative research approach involving focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with community members and stakeholders engaged in neglected tropical disease control programs in Ogun State, Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire guided the exploration of ideas, and the data were analyzed using the QRS Nvivo 12 software package. The study found several barriers, such as the influence of parents, lack of sufficient knowledge, and side effects. The study recommended strategies such as improving community sensitization and engagement, drug distribution and performance, and enhancing partner collaboration and coordination to improve the school-based mass drug administration programs. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The study revealed correct perceptions of transmission but some misconceptions about disease causation, transmission, and drug safety. Participants expressed a desire for better sensitization campaigns and more assurances of their safety. The study recommends strengthening health education messages and increasing the visibility of on-site medical personnel. The findings have implications for improving the performance of these programs and reducing the burden of intestinal parasitic infections in the community. The study highlights the need for community engagement and education, health system support, and partner collaboration to successfully implement mass drug administration programs

Access and utilisation of primary health care services comparing urban and rural areas of Riyadh Providence, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has seen an increase in chronic diseases. International evidence suggests that early intervention is the best approach to reduce the burden of chronic disease. However, the limited research available suggests that health care access remains unequal, with rural populations having the poorest access to and utilisation of primary health care centres and, consequently, the poorest health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the factors influencing the access to and utilisation of primary health care centres in urban and rural areas of Riyadh province of the KSA

Groundwater Exploration in Aaba Residential Area of Akure, Nigeria

Groundwater plays a fundamental role in human life. Despite its indispensable characteristics, it is unfortunate that groundwater is often associated with low yield. The expanding demand for water and the cost involved in drilling boreholes therefore require the application and the proper use of groundwater investigation techniques to locate high yielding aquifers. A geophysical investigation involving an electrical resistivity method using a Schlumberger electrode array was conducted around Aaba residential area, a basement terrain of southwestern Nigeria. Sixteen Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) stations were applied across the study area using a maximum current electrode separation of 100 m. The geoelectrical imaging from this study revealed that the lithologies are divided into topsoil, lateritic soil, Sandy clay/clayey sand/clay/weathered rock and the bedrock. Subsurface geoelectrical maps (overburden thickness, weathered layer isothickness, weathered layer isoresistivity, bedrock relief, bedrock resistivity, and correlations from geoelectric sections) were used to generate information about the groundwater potential of the study area. It was inferred that the eastern (VESs 1, 2, 8, 10, and 11) and the southwestern (VESs 13 and 14) regions are associated with high groundwater yield. Boreholes can be drilled to an average depth of 22.0 m (72.6 ft) on these axes. The groundwater potential of the northern (VES 5), central (VES 9), and southern (VES 12) parts of the study area were inferred to be of medium potential. The borehole drilling along these axes can be extended to the depth of 30.0 m (99.0 ft), with medium groundwater yield. However, the northeastern (VES 3 and VES 4) and the western (VESs 6, 7, 15, and 16) zones are characterized by low groundwater potential. This present study has been able to detect the drillable zones and depths for optimum groundwater yield in a crystalline terrain of Aaba residential area, Akure using VES. The resistivity sounding is efficient in characterization of aquifers for groundwater exploration

Socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants in the KIIs and FGDs.

Socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants in the KIIs and FGDs.</p

Composition of Key Informant Interview and Focused Group Discussion.

Composition of Key Informant Interview and Focused Group Discussion.</p