Trend of neonatal mortality in Nigeria from 1990 to 2017 using time series analysis

The study examined the incidence of the rate of Neonatal Mortality in Nigeria. The incidence tested with use of Time Series Analysis (ARIMA). The trend plot of the incidence shows that there has been steady decrease in the incidence rate over the years. The series was stationarity using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) Test, the result found to be stationary. The Correlogram of the incidence also supports the stationarity of the series at 1% level of  significance. The model that best describes the incidence was tested using the Box-Jenkins four step procedures, which involve identification, explanation, diagnostic and forecasting. ARMA (1, 1), and ARIMA (1, 1, 1) models were tested, and ARIMA (1, 1, 1) model happens to be the best model that best fits the series. The time series analysis shows that neonatal mortality rate has reduced by 17.8% from 51. 7% in the year 1990 to 33. 9% in the year 2017.Keywords: Auto regression, Moving average, Mortality, Stationarity, Correlogra

Assessment of some key issues that affect the acceptance of Building Information Modelling (BIM)

The study evaluated how technological integration affects Building Information Modelling (BIM) acceptance. Quantitative research design was used, whereby survey was employed using questionnaire as a means of data collection. A total of 190 questionnaires were distributed to the professionals in the Nigerian construction industry, 170 questionnaires were retrieved; SPSS software was employed for analysis with descriptive statistic and multiple regression as tools for the analysis. The finding shows that there is positive relationship between rapid change in technology, cost of integration, government policy and BIM acceptance. It means that rapid change in technology and cost of its integration in conjunction with lack of government enforcement affects BIM acceptance. Therefore, government should formulate and enforce policies that can control the adoption and implementation of a new or integrated technology.Keywords: Building Information Modelling; Integration; Technolog

DFT, RHF and MP2 based study of the thermodynamic, electronic and non-optical properties of DNA nucleobases

Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA is a molecule that contains the instructions an organism needs to develop, live and reproduce. These instructions are found inside every cell, and are passed down from parents to their children. In this study, the DNA nucleobases, that is. Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Cytosine(C) and Thymine (T) have been investigated by employing quantum chemical methods calculation. The thermodynamic parameters such as entropy, enthalpy, heat capacity and zero point vibrationional energy, non optical linear properties (dipole moment and mean polarizability) and Mullikan charges were calculated using Restricted Hartree–Fock (RHF), Moller-Plesset Second Order Perturbation Theory (MP2) and Density FuTheory (DFT), B3LYP and LSDA methods with 3- 21G, 3-21+G and 6-31G basis set . In addition, HOMO-LUMO energy gap of each of the molecules was calculated. The high value of HOMO-LUMO energy gap indicates the high stability of the molecules in chemical reaction. Of the four molecules, guanine has the highest value of HOMO- LUMO energy gap which implies that it is the most stable molecule in chemical reaction. The values of the dipole moment obtained were in agreement with the experimental values. For instance, the dipole moment of guanine at B3LYP/6-31G was calculated as 7.2D while the experimental value is 7.1D. Gaussian 03 package was used to perform all the calculations. Results from comparison of the DFT, MP2 and RHF methods shows close results and can be seen to support one another.Keywords: DNA, Nucleobases, HOMO-LUMO, DFT, RHF and MP

Comparative study of thermal insulation boards from leaf and bark fibres of camel’s foot ( Piliostigma thonningii L.)

Plants and agricultural wastes with high degrees of fibrous content in form of lignocellulose compounds have been identified as main ingredient in composites, making them suitable for manufacturing of insulation boards and panels. Thus, several researches have succeeded in using these plants and agro waste fibres in developing renewable and environmentally friendly thermal insulation products. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of insulation boards made from leave and bark fibres of Pilios tigma thonningii L.in terms of density, water absorption, apparent thermal conductivity, specific heat and thermal diffusivity. The leave and the bark fibres were prepared in form of squared boards of 200 mm x 200 mm and thickness of 20 mm using natural ru bber latex as a binder. The fibre to binder ratio was varied with a composition of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4. The LFB recorded densities between 528.6 kg/m 3 and 538.4 kg/m3 while in the BFB the densities are between 558.3 kg/m3 and 711.8 kg/m3 at various compositions. The Percentage water absorption for the LFB is between 36.51% and 12.03% while the BFB is between 25.02% and 13.23%. Similarly, the apparent thermal conductivity values for LFB are between 0.032096 W/mK and 0.040855 W/mK while that of the BFB are between 0.039439 W/mK and 0.043406 W/mK. The specific heat values of the LFB are between 2901.88 J/kg.K and 3656.48 J/kg.K and that of the BFB are between 2044.46 J/kg.K and 2512.61 J/kg.K while the thermal diffusivity is between 2.05E-8m2/s and 8.07E-9m2/s for the LFB and 1.57E-8m2/s to 2.68E-8m2/s for BFB. The boards recorded thermal properties that are comparable to those of the commercially available products with LFB performing consistently better than the BFB. Key words: Thermal Insulation, Leave fibres, Bark fibres, apparent thermal conductivity, Lignocellulose compounds, Fibrous conten

Formation of magnetic minerals at hydrocarbon-generation conditions

In this paper, we report the pyrolysis and formation of magnetic minerals in three source rock samples from the Wessex Basin in Dorset, southern England. The experimental conditions in the laboratory recreated the catagenesis environment of oil source rocks. Magnetic analysis of both the heated and the unheated samples at room temperature and at very low-temperatures (5 K), coupled with transmission electron-microscopy imaging and X-ray analysis, revealed the formation of nanometre-sized (<10 nm), magnetic particles that varied across the rock samples analysed, but more importantly across the pyrolysis temperature range. Magnetic measurements demonstrated the formation of these magnetic minerals peaked at 250 °C for all rock samples and then decreased at 300 °C before rising again at 320 °C. The newly formed magnetic minerals are suggested to be primarily pyrrhotite, though magnetite and greigite are also thought to be present. The sizes of the magnetic minerals formed suggest a propensity to migrate together with oil potentially explaining the magnetic anomalies observed above and within oil fields

Influence of climate variability and change on natural hazard in selected states in northern Nigeria

The study examined the climate variability and change using temperature record (1951-2014) over Kano, Maiduguri, and Sokoto to depict the spatiotemporal influence on natural hazards across the states. Shiroro hydrologic records for thirty seven years (1975-2012) were collected and analyzed in addition, 300 structured questionnaires were administered to the residents of Gurmana downstream settlement for the purpose of generating their responses arising from flooding and its related problems. The result affirmed temperature changes between 1950 - 1981 and 1982 – 2014; it reveals positive changes in April mean, maximum and minimum temperature values of between 0.4 to1.5°C across the study area. Similarly, the observed oscillation and positive trend of inflow and outflow from shiroro reservoir constitute a major and unprecedented shift in stream flow across the downstream communities. Intensified warmer temperature, inflow and discharge trends have continued to aggravate seasonal rainfall related hazards which are threats to sustainability of human livelihood across most rural communities. Consequently, there is need for systematic development and application of policies, strategies and adoption of best practices as pathway towards disaster risk reduction

A review on perception of genetically modified foods in Nigeria

Genetically modified foods (GMFs )), GMOs or engineered foods refer to foods produced from genetic ally modified plants or animal s who se DNA have undergone modifications either by an inherent or a foreign DNA (transgenes) for improvement of the targeted o rganism. Genetically modified foods were introduced to  Nigeria by National Biotechno logy Development Agency ( to combat food security issues and other agricultural challenges . After the introduction, the Nigerian Government believed that the products can be release d to the m arket. This brought persistent argument s by Nigerians on the perception and acceptance of the GM foods. The basis for the arguments were made on factors such as safety , environmental threat, price , means of colonization, food security, family size, potentiality , awareness of GM foods. These arguments were by individuals and organizations within various areas /fields in Nigeria. The perception led to the division of Nigerians to protagonists and antagonist s with regards to GMOs. The article reviewed the introduction, perceptions and views of factors on GMFs acceptance among Nigerians

Appraisal of Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection Losses in Nigerian Electricity Distribution System

From a practical point of view, no power system is free of losses. Power system losses, especially in distribution systems are usually high and result in increasing the cost of operations to the electric utilities and the price tag of electricity to the consumers. Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses is a reliable parameter that reveals the true energy and revenue loss conditions of distribution systems. In this paper, mathematical models were developed for the determination of billing efficiency, collection efficiency, and ATC&C losses using Life Camp Area Office’s network of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc Nigeria, as a case study. The average billing efficiency, collection efficiency and ATC&C losses for the period under review were found to be 89.73%,84.80%, and 23.79% respectively. An understanding of appraisal of these losses is important to the power system Engineers, energy policy makers, and the power firms as it enables areas of high losses in the network to be identified, which will give room for credible investment plans and subsequent monitoring of the losses. Keywords: ATC&C losses, billing, energy, distribution system, revenu

Geospatial Mapping and Multi-criteria Evaluation of Surrounding Flood Risk Communities of Usman Dam Abuja-Nigeria

There is concern of flood increase in recent decades due to its effect on human life and man’s environment. This study thus mapped and analysed flood risk communities around the Usman dam in Abuja, Nigeria, using geospatial techniques. Spatial data were captured which included positional coordinates, Landsat enhanced thematic mapper (ETM), soil map, and shuttle radar topographic mission (SRTM). The factors of flooding and their effect on the area under study were identified. The results of the study revealed based on the criteria weights that, slope (0.24) and elevation (0.24) were the most important factors contributing to flooding in the study area followed by drainage proximity (0.16), land use land cover (LULC)(0.12), and soil (0.08), respectively. The results also showed that, the built-up area, farmland, forest, grassland, rock outcrop and water body covered about 278.0 km2, 306.9 km2, 1406.6 km2, 1635.8 km2, 387.5 km2 and 386.9 km2, respectively of the study area. Moreover, it was found out that 6.41% of the settlements were located in the highly vulnerable areas, while 64.02% were located within the areas moderately vulnerable to flooding. However, the remaining 29.57% were located in the low vulnerable areas. It was suggested based on the results of the study that settlements close to the river course and dam reservoir, and along the flood plains should be relocated to the low vulnerable areas (eastern parts of the study area) in order to prevent future flood hazard. Keywords: Environment, Flood Risk Management, Geo-spatial Mapping, Hazard, Multi-criteria Analysi

Sustainable use of natural and chemical coagulants for contaminants removal from palm oil mill effluent : a comparative analysis

This article aimed at determining the optimum coagulant dose for various coagulants. This is to ascertain coagulant with the potential for higher removal of contaminants. By fixing the initial pH, settling time, coagulant aid dose, rapid mixing speed & time, slow mixing speed & time as constant parameters, the study assessed the process efficiency in terms of percentage removals for TSS, oil & grease, COD, NH3-N, turbidity and colour. The results indicated that the optimum dosage for FeCl3, moringa oleifera, aluminum sulphate, chitosan and zeolite was found to be 1000, 2000, 4000, 400 and 1000 mg/L, respectively. Results were analysed using the one-way analysis of variance (One-Way ANOVA) of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 17 where P-values for all contaminants tested across various coagulants and their dosages found to be <0.05. Thus, the null hypothesis is discredited which indicate there is significant improvement in the removal efficiencies