Pretreatments and energy potentials of Appalachian hardwood residues for biofuel production

Continuous increase in crude oil price and environmental issues related to toxic emissions from the use of petroleum products has necessitated the need to find an alternative renewable source of energy in woody biomass. Accordingly, properties, chemical pretreatments, and enzymatic hydrolysis of logging residues to fermentable sugars were evaluated in this study. Logging residue specimens of yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) and red oak (Quercus rubra) were collected from fifteen previously harvested sites across West Virginia and then analyzed for their physical, chemical, and thermal properties. Results indicated that logging residues of yellow-poplar and red oak were dried in nature to a moisture content that ranged from 7.4% to 39%. Chemical analysis showed higher extractives and lignin contents for decayed wood samples collected in 2005 harvested sites. Heating value showed no significant difference between sapwood and heartwood residues of undecayed and decayed logging residues.;The effects of low alkali mixtures and hydrogen peroxide solutions at 80°C over variable cook time were evaluated on sound and decayed wood residues of yellow-poplar and red oak using two chemical treatments: (1) ammonium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide (ASO) and (2) hydrogen peroxide/ammonium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide (PASO) mixture. Effects of ultrasonication, microwave and hydrogen peroxide prior to enzymatic hydrolysis was also evaluated on yellow poplar residue. Results indicated wood hydrolysis rate increases with an increase in sodium hydroxide concentration and cook time for ASO and PASO chemical treatments on all wood residues. All observed alkali treatments showed little or no effect on the decomposition of lignin content of wood residues. Measured sugar content after alkali treatments and enzymatic hydrolysis ranged from 50 to 81 mg/ml from ASO/PASO treated yellow poplar and red oak residues. Enzymatic hydrolysis of ASO and PASO treated residues hydrolyzed approximately 61% of the original wood content, while over 80% of hardwood pulp fibers and paper wastes were digested to sugar.;Ultrasonication reduced wood particles into nano scale sizes. During the chemical pretreatment wood, constituents were progressively hydrolyzed (ranged from 20--100%) with increases in temperature within 10 minutes of cook time in the microwave into high molecular weight sugars. Hydrolysis of wood particles in the pretreatment chemical was directly proportional to temperature and time, regardless of particle size. Sugar production via enzymatic hydrolysis from pretreated yellow-poplar residue gave comparable glucose yield range of 80 to 110 mg/ml when compared to lignin free cellulose

Utilitarianism and the Challenges of Insecurity in Nigeria from 2015 to 2019

One defining character of Nigeria federalism is the heterogeneous nature comprising of over two hundred and fifty ethnic nationalities with diverse culture, religion and values. The current population of Nigeria is 199,617,970 based on the latest United Nations estimate. The country experienced a chequered history due to incessant military intervention after independence in 1960.The military finally relinquished power on the 29th May, 1999 and since then, Nigeria has been plunged into one form of insecurity or the other. Hopes of better days ahead grow dim everyday and in 2015, insecurity was the campaign slogan against the then incumbent government and the political party that assumed power on 29th May, 1999(The Peoples Democratic Party). The need for change was hinged on insecurity in view of the spate of violence causing deaths and destruction of properties from the acts of terrorism, banditry, ethnic clashes etc. The event from 2015 to 2019 has shown a geometric rise of the level of insecurity in Nigeria while other forms of insecurity have emerged. There are laws, security outfits as well as a legitimate government in place and yet the lives and properties of people are daily in danger. The objective of this study is to proffer solutions to the challenges of insecurity. The challenges of insecurity are placed at the doorstep of the government and the process of decision-making. The study recommends the application of the utilitarian ethics as a compass to chart the path of security to avoid senseless carnage that is a threat to the corporate existence of the nation. Keywords: Utilitarianism, insecurity, terrorism, banditry, altruism etc DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/86-07 Publication date:June 30th 201

Effects of Digital Accounting on Financial Reporting and Accountability of Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria

The digital capability of a business is fundamental to the competitiveness in today’s market. It is rapidly changing and evolving, which in turn increases competition and the need for companies to innovate quickly. This study therefore examines the effects of digital accounting on financial reporting and accountability of manufacturing firms in Nigeria. A total of ten (10) listed firms in Nigeria were selected as the sample for the study. Structural equation model and multiple regression analysis were applied to test the research relationships. The results of the study show that financial reporting and accountability are significantly related to digital accountings in manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Hence, there is effectiveness of digital accounting on financial reporting and accountability of manufacturing firms in Nigeria.It was therefore recommended that the executives of the firms should invest, apply and utilize digital accounting as a valuable tool in business operations through allocating assets, resources, and capabilities to achieve the success of digital technology usage.Digital accounting should be encouraged at the various stages of financial reporting as this will also have impact on the level of companies’ accountability in Nigeria. Keywords: Accountability, Financial Reporting, Digitalization, Digital Accounting, Manufacturing Firms DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/15-12-06 Publication date:June 30th 202

Bioenergy Properties of Juvenile Hybrid Poplars and Their Parent Species

Bioenergy properties of poplar species Populus trichocarpa (PT), Populus deltoides (PD), and their hybrid were evaluated. Hybrid poplar trees from the cross between PT and PD presented different anatomic, physical, chemical, and thermal properties from their parent species. Anatomic results tended to suggest that hybrid poplar, with fewer vessels per unit area, had more resemblance to PT. Extractive content ranged from 10.64-11% for PD, PT, and first-generation hybrid poplar, whereas it varied from 8.8-9.5% for backcross offspring (BC2-BC5). PD had the greatest average lignin content of 25.6% followed by first-generation offspring and backcross offspring with lignin content of approximately 25%. Holocellulose content of hybrid poplar species was higher than that of their parent species. Observed stem/stump proximate results ranged from 72-74.7%, 25-28%, and 0.80-1.7% for volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash content, respectively. Heating values observed along the stem were slightly higher than at the stump, ranging from 7498-8356 kJ. TGA-FTIR analysis indicated that H2, CO2, CH4, and CO were the dominant gaseous components from wood pyrolysis

DOCUMENTATION AND DISSEMINATION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE BY LIBRARY PERSONNEL IN SELECTED RESEARCH INSTITUTES IN NIGERIA

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and practices are usually unwritten; relying on oral transmission and human memory. As a result, this study investigated the documentation and dissemination of Indigenous Knowledge by library personnel at five selected research institutes in Ibadan, Nigeria. Using the descriptive survey design, six (6) questions raised to achieve the stated objectives. Structured questionnaire and interview were used for data collection. The population comprised of professionals and para-professionals library staff at Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Institute of African Studies (IFRA), Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Purposive sampling method was used to select samples considering the resources to be expended and time involved for the study. Data were analyzed with the use of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 16) while simple frequency count of percentage distribution was used to present the results of findings in table. Some of the findings of the study revealed that Indigenous Knowledge documented at the research institutes were on: Agriculture; kingship system in different towns; traditional medicine; general traditional culture; as well as traditional politics and governance. In addition, Indigenous Knowledge practices were documented with recordings and visual documentation among other methods, and these are being done by all the library personnel. Meanwhile, Indigenous Knowledge practices are being disseminated through: video, library website, print media, direct mail, public lectures, exhibitions and displays, and exchange. Certain recommendations were made based on the findings of this study

Effect of Ammonium on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Kaolin and Bentonite as Clay Liners

: Landfill liners are underlying materials with low permeability whose main function is to mitigate the infiltration of toxic contents into ground water lying beneath. Landfill liners are primarily made of bentonite clay. Bentonite has a very low hydraulic conductivity, that might not be readily accessible, unlike kaolin which is found to have a lower hydraulic conductivity compared to that of bentonite and can be extensively obtained from numerous different sources. Explored, for the purposes of the present research paper, were various ratios of bentonite and kaolin and their hydraulic conductivity, in particular ratios of 90:10 kaolin to bentonite, 80:20 kaolin to bentonite, 70:30 kaolin to bentonite, 60:40 kaolin to bentonite and 50:50 kaolin to bentonite in an effort to achieve an acceptable barrier suitable as a liner / where tap water and ammonium solution were used as permeants. It was concluded that the ratios not lower than 20% bentonite (80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50) all had their hydraulic conductivity value reduced compared to the 100% kaolin

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF WATER SOURCED FROM ODO ONA RIVER, IBADAN, SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

The water samples were collected at three different periods of the year from locations around the Oluyole Estate Industrial hub housing many industries and located in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria. The observed values of the concentration of Aluminium, Chromium, Iron and Sodium show varied concentrations for Sodium (3.01 – 38.02) mg/L, Iron (0.8 – 28.68) mg/L, Chromium (0 – 0.38) mg/L, Arsenic (Not detected) and Aluminium (0 - 0.24) mg/L. The results were compared with standard values of the parameters under consideration as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)

Mobility of the Poor in Akure Metropolis: Income and Land Use Approach.

Nigeria being a developing economy still has a high percentage of low income earners. Mobility and modal choice affect us all in our daily life whether we are commuting to work or for recreational purpose. Catering for the effective and efficient mobility of this unique set of low income earners is a task for transport planners. This research assessed the mobility of the poor using land use and level of income. The study area was divided into six zones based on the land use configuration.Income level, frequency of trip and the predominant modal choice for both work and business trip were evaluated. The result showed that the use of taxi and motor cycle in the study area is high. The low income group has the highest frequency of trip base on the level of income and land use. The result of this research will aid the government at all levels and policy makers in formulating a good transportation scheme for the low income earners now and in the foreseeable future. It will also provide policy makers with an improved understanding of the travel behavior of the poor and their preferred modal choice. Keywords: (Poor, Low Income Earners, Modal Choice, Land Use, Income

Assessment of Appalachian Hardwood Residue Properties and Potentials for Bioenergy Utilization

Logging residue specimens of yellow-poplar and red oak were collected from 15 previously harvested sites across West Virginia. Sites were selected with respect to the varying soil compositions based on a USDA soil survey as well as to the average annual precipitation regions. Wood specimens were then analyzed for their physical, chemical, and thermal properties. Results indicated that logging residues of yellow-poplar and red oak were dried in nature to 7.4 - 39% MC. Yellow-poplar sapwood-specific gravity reduced by 15 and 26.5% on average after 2 and 3 yr of ground contact, respectively. Red oak sapwood-specific gravity was lower than its heartwood by 26.6, 25.3, and 8.2% for the 2005, 2006, and 2007 harvest years, respectively. Chemical analysis showed higher extractives and lignin contents for decayed wood samples collected in 2005 harvested sites. Heating value showed no significant difference between sapwood and heartwood residues of undecayed and decayed material. Our analysis on the potential sugars available showed that about 85 - 90% of 1.02 billion kg of sugars derivable from wood residues in West Virginia could be fermented to ethanol or butanol

Inhibition of rubella virus replication by the broad-spectrum drug nitazoxanide in cell culture and in a patient with a primary immune deficiency

Persistent rubella virus (RV) infection has been associated with various pathologies such as congenital rubella syndrome, Fuchs's uveitis, and cutaneous granulomas in patients with primary immune deficiencies (PID). Currently there are no drugs to treat RV infections. Nitazoxanide (NTZ) is an FDA-approved drug for parasitic infections, and has been recently shown to have broad-spectrum antiviral activities. Here we found that empiric 2-month therapy with oral NTZ was associated in the decline/elimination of RV antigen from lesions in a PID patient with RV positive granulomas, while peginterferon treatment had no effect. In addition, we characterized the effects of NTZ on cell culture models of persistent RV infection. NTZ significantly inhibited RV replication in a primary culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and Vero and A549 epithelial cell lines in a dose dependent manner with an average 50% inhibitory concentration of 0.35 mu g/ml (1.1 mu M). RV strains representing currently circulating genotypes were inhibited to a similar extent. NTZ affected early and late stages of infection by inhibiting synthesis of cellular and RV RNA and interfering with intracellular trafficking of the RV surface glycoproteins, E1 and E2. These results suggest a potential application of NTZ for the treatment of persistent rubella infections, but more studies are required.Peer reviewe