International Journal of Science for Global Sustainability
International Journal of Science for Global SustainabilityNot a member yet
578 research outputs found
Sort by
Prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Its Effects on Some Haematological Parameters among Blood Donors in North-Western Nigeria
Get PDFHepatitis B is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world and a majorproblem. In addition to the hepatic pathology, extra-hepatic abnormalities are not unusual. One of the most frequently identified extra-hepatic abnormalities often seen at the time of diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis is the haematological abnormality. This is because every patient with acute viral hepatitis of necessity will require a full blood count to exclude bacterial sepsis as a cause of liver disease. This study was carried out to determine the haematological abnormalities associated with viral hepatitis.About 5mls of blood was collected from each of the 450 blooddonors recruited for the study across the three geo-political zones of Kaduna state, Nigeria.All 450 blood samples were screened for HBsAg and haematological parameters.The percentage prevalence for HBsAg was 14.2%.The result of the haematological parameters revealed that monocytes had statistical significance to HBsAg positivity (p =0.02). Leucopaenia was highly associated with the blood donors positive for HBsAg.The prevalence of HBsAg found from this study indicates that hepatitis B is still highly endemic in the study area despite the availability of an effective vaccine. The study also found that differential cells count has no statistical association with HBV infection though the infection influences the proliferation of these haematological cells. The study recommends that patients with leucopaenia should be followed for early detection of serious haematological complications even after recovery from the acute state
A Review on the Effects of Radio Refractivity and Atmospheric Parameters on Signal Quality at Ultra High Frequency (UHF)
Get PDFRefractivity is an important factor in predicting the performance of radio link. The structures of the refractive index of the troposphere are responsible for many complicated mechanisms such as, multipath effects, absorption, scattering of radio signals, etc. and these mechanisms can cause a lot of propagation impairment such as, loss of signal for mobile communication, the accuracy of tracking radio source (such as stars) with radio telescopes, radar system etc. Understanding the effects of the weather on radio wave propagation will help to improve the quality of radio signals, as the Weather variables are useful ingredients in the predictions of refractivity distributions and the anomalous radio wave propagation conditions of the atmosphere. This study contends that refractivity variations significantly affects received signal strength at Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and gave a brief theoretical background on Electromagnetic wave, Atmospheric effects on radio propagation anomalous propagation condition and the mathematical expression for refractive index and refractivity of the troposphere. Also, the paper review related articles in the following area; refractive index and refractivity of the troposphere, effects of weather variables and refractivity of troposphere. The analysis of the review articles summits that, refractivity reveals seasonal variations with high value in rainy season and low values in dry season. Also observed from the review articles, is that the diurnal variations are influenced by three atmospheric parameters; water vapour has the greatest effect on refractivity variations followed by temperature and pressure. Furthermore, the Refractivity is function of local meteorological parameters. Eventually, the study suggests that, the effect of Atmospheric parameters and consequently the Radio Refractivity should be compensated for when designing wireless communication links in an environment
Awareness of Climate Change and its Dangers among Local Farmers of Katsina State, Nigeria
Get PDFCampaign for climate change awareness, mitigation and adaptation is inevitably a global strategy for consideration. Therefore, investigations on the level of farmers’ commitment in this direction will be very helpful in terms of policy design and implementation. This study therefore targeted farmers in Katsina state as respondents. Five hundred (i.e.500) farmers across five (5) local government areas of the study state (i.e. Katsina state) were targeted and interacted with for the purpose of this investigation by administering pre-designed and eco-evaluated questionnaires. The results showed that most of the farmers have poor prior knowledge of the situation. However, those with good knowledge of climate change are applying fundamental adaptation and mitigation strategies to elevate their agricultural outputs. We are recommending an intensified government campaign towards situation awareness and effective policy design
Farmers’ Climate Change Understanding and Mitigation Strategies in Kebbi State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe challenges of climate change are increasingly becoming major issues of concern to many regions in the world. Despite reduction in agricultural outputs, rapid diseases outbreak, shortage of rainfall and desert encroachment are serious negative consequences associated with climate change. In local communities in Nigeria, farmers adapt certain fundamental strategies as an approach toward enhancing farm production despite the menace. The research therefore surveyed the understanding of climate change, its causes and consequences among 500 farmers in Kebbi state located in north-western Nigeria. The results of this study found that many farmers are not aware of the tragedy but experienced its negative impacts. However, among farmers with good understanding of the problems, fundamental steps were been applied to ensure land protection and boost agricultural outputs. The study further explained the measures required to elevate situation awareness among respondents as a key to addressing climate change
Exploring the Potential Failure Modes in the Software Development Process
Get PDFThis study was conducted to contribute to the practice of risk management in software development project by identifying other important risk dimension that was overlooked in the literature. The focus is on identification of risky potential failure modes in the Software Development Process. To achieve this objective, an exploratory case study involving 15 purposefully selected software development practitioners from 5 software organizations in Abuja Nigeria was conducted to identify and suggest the likely causal factors of the potential failure modes that may exist in the 5 studied stages of the SDP. Multiple research instruments like focus group discussion, audio/video tapes, post-mortem analysis of artefacts were used in this research to gather the required data. The method used to analyse the collected data collected was based on the Miles and Huberman (1994) method of analyzing qualitative data. The findings of this study revealed that the risky potential failure modes that exist in the studied stages of the SDP relatively vary in nature and possess different causal factors characterized with specific inherent symptoms. The relative information about the risky potential failure modes in the SDP is expected to expand project managers understanding of other important risk dimension that can adversely influence project outcome. The study suggested a further qualitativestudy on the research findings to assess the risk factors associated with the identified potential failure modes that will inform project managers of their likely effect on project outcome
Current Status in the Conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Liquid (BtL) Biofuels
Get PDFPetroleum and other liquid fuels are currently the dominant source of global transportation energy. However, the rapid increase in energy demand, the extensive use of fossil fuels and the urgent need to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) have raised concerns in the transportation sector. This brings lignocellulosic biomass into limelight to sustain the supply liquid biofuels as potential substitutes for conventional fossil fuels in the in the transportation sector. Currently, a growing number of liquid biofuels are evaluated for commercial exploitation, such as bioethanol, biodiesel, biomethanol, and reformulated gasoline components. This article reviews the existing conversion technologies and most recent developments for the production of second-generation liquid biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass. There are two basic conversion routes for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels thermochemical (pyrolysis, liquefaction, torrefaction and gasification) and biochemical (fermentative pathways). Syngas fermentation has been presented as an advanced biomass conversion technology that converts syngas to higher alcohols in the presence of mesophilic and thermophilic microorganisms
Infrastructure and Spatial Concentration of Cattle in Wudil Market, Kano State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study aims at examining infrastructure and spatial concentration of cattle in Wudil market, Kano State. Data collection was done using focus group discussion with nine market participants that included market leaders and some elderly traders. The discussion centered on number of cattle, market sectors and market infrastructure. There was also field observation and records of coordinates and physical organization of the market. The coordinates were used to determine the size and produce the map of the market using ARCGIS software. Location quotient, Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve were used to analyze spatial concentration of cattle in the market with the aid of Microsoft Excel 2007. The findings showed that the facilities in the market are for storage, water supply, public convenience, health, parking/loading, administration and praying (mosques). Absolute spatial concentration (number of cattle) fluctuates seasonally. The peak period which has the highest number (about 5000) is in the dry season. Also, relative spatial concentration fluctuates between high in the peak period, low in the lean period and medium in the moderate period. However, the market has generally low cattle concentration. The study concluded that the low concentration indicates efficiency and relative importance of the market to the area. However, the inadequacy and non-functionality of some infrastructure serve as limitation to the efficiency especially in the wet season. It is recommended that there is the need to provide of adequate and functional infrastructure, especially for drainage
Phytochemistry and Proximate Composition Of Fruit Pulp And Seed Of Desert Date, Balanites aegyptiaca (Del.)
Get PDFFruit pulp and seed nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca Del.) was carried out using standard biochemical procedure. The samples were collected from various locations within the premises of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto main campus. Percentage moisture of the ripe samples (seeds and pulp fruit) was analyzed for proximate, minerals, anti-nutritional, ascorbic acid as well as the physicochemical parameters of the seed oil. The results revealed that the seeds and fruit pulp contained high amount of crude protein (9.35% and 3.97%), lipid (25.0% and 20.0%), ash (6.0%), available carbohydrates (56.31% and 75.53%) with calorific value of (487.67 kcal/100 g and 498.0 kcal/100 g) and the pulp contained high moisture content (60.17%). The mineral elements analyzed show that, the fruit (seeds and pulp) is rich in potassium (383.33 mg/100 g and 256.33 mg/100 g), magnesium (23.67 mg/100 g and 10.67 mg/100 g ), iron (5.97 mg/100 g and 9.77 mg/100 g), zinc (21.47 mg/100 g and 28.73 mg/100 g), and manganese (3.67 mg/100g and 2.50 mg/100 g) were present relatively in large quantities. The pulp content appreciable concentration of ascorbic acid is 17.97 %. Results of anti-nutritional analysis revealed high content of total oxalate (26.25% and 48.75%) and phytic acid (858.95 mg/100 g and 242.91mg/100 g). The oil has saponification value (151.20 mg KOH/g oil), iodine (14.53 g/100 g), acid (14.55 mg KOH/g oil) and peroxide (8.06 meq/kg oil) values. The values of various nutrient and mineral elements varied significantly among the fruit parts (seeds and pulp), which implies potential of different parts can be harnessed to better the lotsof humanity. This is subject to further validation as the fruits, possessed anti-nutritional factors like oxalate and phytic acid, which need to be tackled appropriately while considering the fruits for value addition as health food
Urinary Schistosomiasis Among School Aged-Children in Some Selected Local Government Area of Kogi State: Prevalence and Risk Factors
Get PDFSchistosomiasis is largely a water-snail related disease that mostly affects school aged children in developing countries. The disease is also related to poverty and lack of health education among other factors. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for Schistosomiasis among school-aged children in three selected riverine local government of Kogi State. Schistosomiasis burden among school-aged children in Kogi is not well documented in the literature. This study used field research (in the form of a snail survey), laboratory work (urinalysis and microscopy for parasite identification), and questionnaire-guided interviews to determine the prevalence and risk factors for Schistosomiasis among school –aged children. Contact with infested water putthese children and the general population at risk of infection and reinfection. Inclusion of school children in treatment programmes should be considered imperative, along with safe treatment guidelines. To prevent infection, the population in these areas should be provided with health education and safe alternative water sources
Studies on Dermestes Maculatus Infestation of Smoked - Dried Fish at Uke Fish Market, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Get PDFThree smoke-dried fish, Clariasgariepinus, Oreochromisniloticus and Protopterusannectens were procured from Uke fish market to assess the effects of insect infestation. The fish samples were taken to the Department of Zoology Laboratory of Nasarawa State University Keffi. Percentage weights of the fishes were determined before and after insect pest infestations. The samples were stored in three different cartoons for a period of four weeks. Proximate analysis of the samples was carried out at the Animal Feed Analysis and Quality Control Laboratory Nyanya. The protein, moisture and fat contents for Clarias gariepinus before infestation were (73.40%, 9.70% and 15.70%), forOreochromisniloticus(72.30%, 10.40%, and 11.60%), for Protopterusannectens (63.50%, 12.60%,and 8.30%). After infestation, the protein, moisture and fat contents for Clarias gariepinus were (72.50%, 6.00%, and 12.80%). for Oreochromisniloticus(71.90%, 5.80%,and 11.60%), for Protopterusannectens(60.80%,10.30% and 7.70%). Itwas observed that insect pest infestation causes great loss and reduces the economic and market value of smoke -dried fish because it degrades and damaged the fish thereby reducing it protein, fat and moisture contents. The result of the study showed that Dermestesmaculatus infestation was higher in Clarias gariepinus compared to Oreochromis niloticus and Protopterusannectens with the highest infestation rate of 35%, 30% and 30% respectively in the three species. However, there was no significant difference between the number of insect pests found in the fish samples at (p>0.05), the proximate analysis shows that the data collected after insect infestation was significance at p=0.05 with p value 0.00005