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Simulation study of typical auto-mechanics tasks
Get PDFThis study evaluates the heart rate of healthy non-mechanics handling
predetermined loads, in postures typically used by roadside auto-mechanics
during repair. The heart rate for different age groups and work postures of
roadside auto-mechanics were determined from the assessment of healthy
non-mechanics of the same age limit using a digital premium pressure
monitor. Regressions were then developed to predict the heart rates of the
auto-mechanics. The result indicated that load and posture adopted by
roadside auto-mechanics, accounts for 2.74% and 4.51% of increase in their
heart rate respectively, while age accounts for 65.78%. It further revealed that
heart rate increases with age and load handled, and also showed that heart rate
is highest in bending posture, followed by stooping. In conclusion the
developed regression algorithms were sufficiently adequate in predicting the
heart rate of roadside auto-mechanics and it also indicated that older roadside
auto-mechanics need not engage in arduous tasks
Full Length Research Paper-Occurrence and growth potentials of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria on the phylloplane of some tropical plants
Get PDFThe surface of leaf samples from ten tropical plants, Anthocleista, Sarcophrynium, Canna, Colocassia, Musa, Cola, Citrus, Mangifera, Terminalia and Annona were cultured for the estimation of total heterotrophic and hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria. The total heterotrophic bacteria ranged from 0.75 x 107 to 0.98 x 107 (cfu/cm2) while the hydrocarbon utilisers ranged from 0.86 x 106 to 2.12 x 166 (cfu/cm2). The percentages of hydrocarbon degraders were highest on Mangifera and lowest on Colocassia. Hydrocarbon degraders identified as Acinetobacter, Flavobacterium, and Micrococcus were obtained. Most of the organisms grew well on diesel. Pseudomonas sp. grew luxuriantly on diesel and kerosene while Bacillus sp. did not grow on kerosene. Optimal growth on the hydrocarbon occurred between the 8th and 14th day. It was therefore concluded that bacteria with ability to utilize hydrocarbons could be obtained from leaf surfaces. Such organisms could serve as seeds for bioaugmentation during remediation of polluted environments
CASH FLOW AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF INSURANNCE COMPANIES: EMPRIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA
No full textThe study examines the relationship between cash flow and financial performance of insurance companies in Nigeria using time series data for the period 2009-2014. Twenty seven (27) listed insurance firms were selected as sample size. The study uses both descriptive and inferential statistics to determine the relationship among the variables. It also employs the series of diagnostic tests to ensure stability of the time series used as well as to ensure the model meets the assumption of OLS. The findings reveal that Cash flow was observed to determine insurance firms’ financial performance and is statistically significant. Cash flow from operating activities was observed to significantly increase financial performance of the insurance companies in the period examined. Cash flow from financing activities was found to increase the financial performance of the sampled insurance firms, but was not statistically significant. The size of the insurance company did not increase the financial performance of the insurance firms and was also not statistically significant. The paper recommends that managers in insurance firm should regularly change the extent of the cash outflows under each activity to avoid negative cash flow position as well as financial crisis. Adequate investment appraisal is really a concern that insurance firms need to take into consideration when customers are taking up insurance coverage. The costs have to be weighed against the benefits accruable therefore
The Metagenomics and Metadesign of the Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB) International Consortium Inaugural Meeting Report
Get PDFThe Metagenomics and Metadesign of the Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB) International Consortium is a novel, interdisciplinary initiative comprised of experts across many fields, including genomics, data analysis, engineering, public health, and architecture. The ultimate goal of the MetaSUB Consortium is to improve city utilization and planning through the detection, measurement, and design of metagenomics within urban environments. Although continual measures occur for temperature, air pressure, weather, and human activity, including longitudinal, cross-kingdom ecosystem dynamics can alter and improve the design of cities. The MetaSUB Consortium is aiding these efforts by developing and testing metagenomic methods and standards, including optimized methods for sample collection, DNA/RNA isolation, taxa characterization, and data visualization. The data produced by the consortium can aid city planners, public health officials, and architectural designers. In addition, the study will continue to lead to the discovery of new species, global maps of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) markers, and novel biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Finally, we note that engineered metagenomic ecosystems can help enable more responsive, safer, and quantified cities
Influence of pH, temperature and nutrient addition on the degradation of atrazine by Nocardioides spp. isolated from agricultural soil in Nigeria.
Get PDFAims: To effectively exploit the atrazine degrading capabilities of Nocardioides spp. isolated from agricultural soil samples in Nigeria and ascertain the effect of pH, temperature and nutrient addition on the degradation process. Methodology and results: Isolates were cultivated on atrazine mineral salts medium at a temperature range of 4 °C - 45 °C and a pH range of 3-10. An optimum atrazine degrading activity was observed in the isolates between temperatures of 25 °C and 37 °C and between pH 5 and 8. Different carbon sources (glycerine, glucose, chitin, cellulose and sodium citrate) and nitrogen sources (urea, biuret, cyanuric acid, potassium nitrate and ammonium chloride) were also added to the medium. The addition of carbon and nitrogen sources did not increase degradation rates although urea and glycerine repressed the degradation ability of the isolates. Statistical analyses of variance at P < 0.05 showed no significant differences in the growth and degradation rates by both bacterial isolates under these conditions. Conclusion, significance and impact study: Atrazine degradation by Nocardioides spp. is pH and temperature dependent, and requires no additional sources of carbon and nitrogen. Hence, its use in bioremediation of atrazine contaminated agricultural soil should be explored
Microbial Quality of Public Swimming Pools in Lagos
Get PDFThe microbial quality of some public swimming pools in Lagos State, Nigeria was investigated to determine possible risks of infections to swimmers. Ten swimming pools (Pools AJ) were investigated for their microbial and physico-chemical qualities. The pH of the pools ranged from 5.24-8.71 and the residual chlorine ranged from 0.01-0.07. Water samples from the pools were cultured on differential and selective media. The microbial loads varied with different swimming pools. The fungal population ranged from 0-4.7× 10 4 cfu ml-1, while the bacterial population ranged from 0-1.12 x 10 5 cfu ml-1. Eight bacterial isolates were obtained and identified using Microbact 24E kit. Fungal isolates (6) were identified by microscopy, Gram’s staining and chloramphenicol test. The isolates include Aeromonas hydrophila (4), Burkolderia pseudomallei (2), Serratia marcescens (1), Enterobacter agglomerans (1), Candida albicans (3), Saccharomyces spp.(2) and Aspergillus flavus (1). Antifungal sensitivity test showed 50% susceptibility to nystatin and 50% resistance to voriconazole, while the bacteria were resistant to most of the antibiotic tested. The Multiple Antibiotics Resistance (MAR) index for the isolates ranged from 0.125 to 1.000. The feedback from the questionnaires administered, showed that unhygienic practices and maintenance of pools could contribute to low levels of swimming pool water quality. The high microbial loads and the types of microorganisms isolated from the pools show that contaminated swimming pools can constitute a serious public health hazard to the users
Parametric Studies on a Mitchell-Ossberger Turbine (Numerical Approach)
Get PDFThis present study focuses on some selected parameter towards designing an efficient MOT hydro turbine via MOT-model formulation, parametric analysis for optimal performance, as well as development of computational interface with Visual Basic 10 programming software.The parametric studies play important role when it comes to performance optimization of the locally manufactured Mitchell-Ossberger Turbine (MOT). Several literatures on hydro-turbine had discussed extensively on the design of MOTs as well as their advantages over the other types of hydro-turbines. But none had ever discussed extensively, the parametric studies involved in optimizing an efficient MOT. This present study focused on some selected parameter towards designing an efficient and optimal MOT. This was achieved via formulation of a turbine parametric model, development of turbine computational interface (module) and decoding of the obtained data with Visual Basic (VB) 10. The algorithm, which contains step by step solution to the problem, was developed for the program. The flow formed was designed to have a data grid view which displays data loaded into the application. The flow interface had eight buttons based on certain parametric entries. The strength of this interface lied in its codes and after data which were sorted on descending order has been loaded to the memory via Visual Basic programming software. It was discovered from the obtained results that as the angle of attack increases, the turbine power developed and the efficiency decreases marginally. The effect of the flow rate was that, it increases as other parameter increases. Then, all necessary recommendations were made.Self-sponsore
In vivo Evaluation of Microorganisms Isolated from Peels of Selected Carbohydrate Rich Tubers
Get PDFAims: To detect the effect of microbes isolated from peels of Carbohydrate-rich tubers on Albino
rats.
Study Design: The study was a comparative and descriptive study. Cassava and cocoyam peels
were bought from Obanla market, Federal University of Technology, Akure. Those samples were
put into a sterile polythene bag and transported to microbiology laboratory for microbiological
analysis.
Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Laboratory, Elizade University, Department of Animal
Production and Health Research Laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.
The study was performed between September, 2015 and March, 2016
Methodology: Two gram of the samples was grounded in a mortar with pestle. The serial dilution
method was aseptically used to reduce the microbial load present in the collected samples. Nutrient
agar and potato dextrose agar were used to isolate the bacteria and fungi respectively from the
samples under aseptic condition. Biochemical tests and sugar fermentation were carried out on the
bacterial isolates after pure culture was obtained. Results: The isolated bacteria were Streptococcus faecalis, Corynebacterium fascians,
Micrococcus luteus, Alcaligenes faecalis and Aeromonas hydrophila. Fungal isolates were
identified using lactophenol cotton blue. Fungi isolated includes: Articulospora inflata, Aspergillus
fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Geotrichum albidum, Torula herbarum and Halosporangium panum.
All the bacteria isolates were used to infect Albino rat. The uninfected rats were used as control.
The histopathological and haematological analysis carried out on liver and intestine of the albino
rats showed that the microorganisms caused a pathological change that ranges from necrosis of
the liver hepatocytes, hepatocellular drainage and hemorrhage to vacuolation and inflammatory cell
infiltrations of the intestinal wall.
Conclusion: This study has shown that cassava and cocoyam peels can act as vehicles for
disseminations of pathogenic microorganisms and should therefore be properly disposed
THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN CURBING ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA
Get PDFThe Nigerian state since independence has been bedeviled by electoral
violence. The use of security forces and advocacy in the media by
government and its agencies, and other measures have so far failed in
stemming electoral violence in the country. This study therefore attempts
to situate the role of traditional rulers in curbing electoral violence in the
country. Using the structural functionalism theoretical framework and
relying on personal observation as a primary source of data as well as
secondary sources of data, the study found out that the major causes of
electoral violence in the country are a consequence of the failure of
contemporary security measures, media advocacy and also lack of
mentoring of its citizens by relevant institutions and government's present
methods. The study recommends that giving traditional rulers and their
institutions this role of mentoring their subjects on the dangers of
electoral violence, and also establishing an 'indirect homeland security
system' will assist in curbing electoral violence in the counhy. It also
recommends that traditional rulers should withdraw and refuse honours
to people who indulge in electoral violence as well as call to order
perpetrators and sponsors of electoral violence
Improved Unified Flow Regime Transition Criteria
No full textMajority of existing flow regime transition models do not identify the existence of plug and mist flows. Also, these models are applicable to either vertical or horizontal flow. Further, experimental data in literature show that the model of Taitel and Dukler (1976) under predict transition from stratified to annular flow. Present work aims at developing a unified flow regime transition model applicable to all inclination angles. The objectives of this study include: to improve transition from stratified to annular flow, to provide criteria for the existence of plug and mist flow, to develop new criteria for the existence of dispersed bubble flow, and to ensure consistent identification of flow regimes for inclination angles between horizontal and vertical. A modified model to Taitel and Dukler (1976) is proposed to identify transition from stratified to annular flow. A new flow dependent criterion is proposed for the existence of mist flow. Two models are proposed for the existence of plug flow. The first plug model is an exact criterion for the existence of bubble flow. The second plug model is based on experimental data published in literature. A new criterion for the existence of dispersed bubble is developed for vertical flow, and combined with Taitel and Dukler (1976) model for horizontal flow, to obtain a unified transition criterion for all inclination angles. Comparison with experimental data for stratified to annular flow show that present unified flow regime transition model accurately predict 83% of stratified flow, corresponding prediction of Taitel and Dukler (1976) model is lower at 73%. Present model accurately predict 84.6% of experimental data available in literature. First plug model identified 50% of experimental data, while second plug model identified all plug experimental data. Flow regime identification has been carried out for horizontal, vertical, and inclined flows at 30 degrees and 80 degrees, without discontinuities. The major significance of the present study is that better prediction of flow regime would result in application of flow regime specific mechanistic models for better prediction of pressure gradient and liquid holdup. Also, present flow regime transition model can be applied to all inclination angles