International Journal of Science for Global Sustainability
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Micropolar Fluid Flow with Hall Effect and Mass Transfer in a Porous Medium
Get PDFThe unsteady flow of a micropolar fluid in a porous medium has been studied, taking the effect of Hall parameter and mass transfer into account. The resulting dimensionless partial differential equations were solved analytically using perturbation technique with a view to obtain solutions for the velocity, angular velocity, temperature and concentration distributions, as well as the Skin friction. The influence of various parameters governing the flow such as; the thermal Grashof number, Hartmann number, mass Grashof number, Schmidt number, Prandtl number, permeability Parameter, time and Hall parameter on the flow field. We observed that, the velocity increases with the increase in mass and thermal Grashof number and it decreases with increase in magmetic parameter, Hall current, permeability parameter, Schmidt number, and Prandtl number. Temperature decreases with increase in Prandtl number and concentration decreases with the increase in Schmidt number
Comparative Analysis of Road Traffic Accidents Occurrence between FCT Abuja and Kogi State, Nigeria
Get PDFIn view of the fact that road traffic accident has become a major cause of deaths in Nigeria, this study was set out to analyse the spatial variation in the occurrence of the phenomena, using two contiguous geographical territories that are politically different in terms of roles. Data on reported cases of road traffic accidents was obtained from the Federal Road Safety Commission and was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, particularly the student’s t – test. The findings revealed that there was indeed a significant difference between Abuja (the Federal Capital Territory -FCT) and Kogi state in terms of the frequency of accidents, with the former having a higher rate of occurrence. Again, it has revealed that while the casualty rates (i.e. those either injured or killed) has remained fairly stable in Kogi state, the figures have been increasing around the FCT, over the period of study
Prospect of Defatted Cake of Balanite Aegyptiaca and Lageneria Vulgaris Seed as Feedstock for Bioethanol Production
Get PDFEfficacy of the defatted seed cakes of Balanite aegyptiaca and Lagenaria vulgaris as feedstocks for bioethanol production was studied. The cakes were found to contained carbohydrate and crude protein contents of 43.81%, 16.19% and 48.41%, 17.59% for Balanite aegytiaca and Lagenaria siceraria respectively. Hydrolysis of the cakes with both dilute and concentrated teraoxosulphate (VI) acid yielded syrups which upon fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae gives bioethanol. The percentage bioethanol yield of 53.33 and 64.25% (v/v) were obtained from syrup of Lagenaria vulgaris seeds cakes hydrolyzed with dilute and conc. H2SO4 respectively. The hydrolysate of Balanite aegyptiaca seed cake obtained using dilute and conc. H2SO4, yielded 47.71 and 62.30 % (v/v) ethanol respectively. The distillates gave positive test for alcohols implying that defatted seed cake of Balanite aegyptiaca and Lagenaria vulgaris could be use as raw materials for bioethanol production.  
Comparison in Trend Analysis of Annual Rainfall Variability on Grain Yield Pattern in Gusau Station, Zamfara State, Nigeria
Get PDFRainfall is a major determinant of agricultural production in any agro ecological zone like Gusau. Its seasonal and annual characteristics such as the onset and intra- seasonal rainfall distribution that promote good crop yields are, however, characterized by marked fluctuations. This study compared 15 years (1996-2010) trend in annual rainfall variability on three grain crops yields (millet, sorghum and maize) in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Annual rainfall records for 15 years (1996–2010) for Gusau station were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Services Department, Lagos. Grain yield data for Millet, Sorghum and Maize from 1996-2010 were also obtained in kilogram per land hectare from the Zamfara State Agricultural Development Project (ZADP). The results of the various statistical tests were shown using graphs and statistical tables. The study revealed that both the five-year and ten-year moving averages for annual rainfall series showed lengthy and dry periods below the long-term mean from 1996-2001 with steady increases above the mean. In comparing the trends in the annual rainfall totals and pattern of grain yield within these periods, each grain yield pattern for the period was plotted in percentages against the years and it was observed that millet and sorghum were drought resistant because their values fell close or above normal indicating that they were able to cope with a decline in rainfall amount while maize was below normal. The Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Pentad Sub-periodic Frequency of Significance at alpha= 0.05 also proved that millet and sorghum were positively correlated and appreciably significant to rainfall while maize was negative and insignificant except during the 3rd period (2006-2010). The findings of this study concluded that millet and sorghum yields in the area have been economically appreciable and effectively able to cope with irregularities in rainfall attributes as low as 850 mm within the period. The study recommends that the research institutes should produce better adapted varieties of millet and other grains and government should subsidize the seeds to the farmers. Furthermore, there should be adequate provision for fertilizers, irrigation, weather forecasting and other agricultural technological infrastructure, modern knowledge on climate change adaptation and strengthening of the extension services
Pharmacognostic Evaluation of the Leaves of Mitracarpus Scaber Zucc
Get PDFMitracarpus scaber is a small herbaceous plant found ubiquitously in the Sahel Savannah region with great utility by the locals for its therapeutic activity. Earlier studies have reported its inhibitory actions as antibacterial and antifungal agents. On these bases the plant was evaluated firstly, to establish its pharmacognostic profile and secondly to reinvestigate its phytoconstituents, in inline with its antimicrobial records, so as to furnish information that will assist in the establishment of a monograph for the plant. Fresh powdered and anatomical sections of the leaves were examined macroscopically and microscopically under the microscope followed by physicochemical investigations using standard established methods. Phytoconstituents chemicals of the plant was determined by the wet test method on three extract fractions of pet ether, chloroform, and methanol as well as their TLC profiles. Pharmacognostic studies revealed the presence of anomocytic type of stomata, non-glandular trichoms and cork cells. Physicochemical study gave moisture content, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and alcohol extractive and water extractive values of 8% ±0.313, 27.5% ±0.550, 19.5% ±0.523, 3.4% ±0.134 and 6.8% ±2.221, respectively. The TLC profile also revealed a consistent number of spots within an Rf value of 0.2-0.8. These findings can serve as a relevant reference in the proper identification and establishment of standards, and also the provision of additional scientific information to validate the folkloric and other therapeutic claims of M. scaber
Health Care Seeking Behavior of Pregnant Women in Gusau Metropolis of Zamfara State, Northern Nigeria
Get PDFPurpose: The objectives of the study were to determine the health care seeking behavior and the barriers to hospital delivery of pregnant women in Gusau metropolis of Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria. Also the study was to identify those factors that prevent women from delivering at the hospital and access care. Methods: The study used both survey and qualitative technique. In the survey a descriptive cross sectional survey involving with patients based on a structured questionnaire format with answer sets was used to ask about (N=826) pregnant women attending antenatal care at some clinics in Gusau metropolis about how, why, where and when they seek care and how they perceive certain illness during pregnancy. While about 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted at the health facilities targeting the pregnant women in order to understand their illness behavior and perception to facility delivery. During the FGDs notes were taken and answers recorded using a tape recorder and video. Results: 87.9% of the respondents said they attend Antenatal care clinics (ANC) regularly and many of the respondents have some knowledge of complications during pregnancy, N=177 reported having headache, N=221 and N=227 reported having fever and swelling of legs respectively.87.1% of those attending ANC indicated that they will seek care at hospital or clinic. Though, responses in the FGDs, many of the respondents indicated that they seek care at health facility but will however not want to deliver at the hospital. Conclusion: There is a remarkable improvement in attendance of ANC by pregnant women but yet the hospital delivery is very low and not exciting as many women wished to deliver at home rather than in the hospital. Also many of the women’s perception about their health or illness during pregnancy are that they think it is normal to be sick and therefore not necessary to visit the clinic. There is still high preference for home delivery among the pregnant women in Zamfara State, with a consequent increased in maternal deaths unreported
Comparative Assessment of Groundwater Suitability for Irrigation and Drinking Purposes in Agbara and Ota area of Southwestern Nigeria
Get PDFThe quality of water is measured in terms of its physical, chemical and bacteriological characteristics. Agbara and Ota area of southwestern Nigeria hosts many industries. These industries generate effluents which are discharged into the environment without any form of treatment, hence the need to ascertain the quality of water in the area for domestic and irrigation purposes. Water samples were collected and analyzed using standard laboratory techniques for physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters and the results were subjected to geostatistical analysis. The result revealed that the pH in the area is slightly acidic (5.70-6.90). The concentration of the major cations and anions falls within the permissible limit postulated by WHO. The high concentration of BOD. COD, total coliform and E.coli in water are testimonies the water in the area is poor bacteriologically and an indication of the presence of human faeces in the water. Prolong drinking of such kind of water can result to water borne diseases in the area. The high concentration of manganese in the water may be attributed to the industrial effluent from the in the area. The water index for irrigational suitability (SAR, SSP, PI, RSC, MAR and KR) suggest that the water in the area to be fairly good. The overall water quality index calculated also confirmed the poor quality status of water in the area. Good sanitary habit and proper treatment of industrial effluent before discharge into the environment is advocated. Boiling of water before use is recommended to ameliorate the effect of bacteriological contamination of the water
Malaria Attributable Fraction and some of its Predisposing Factors
Get PDF Malaria parasites occur in endemic areas such as the detection of parasites in a blood film from a febrile individual does not necessarily indicate clinical malaria, the fraction that has malaria symptoms and is attributable to malaria has been a major concern especially when symptomatic patients presume that they have malaria before confirming from laboratory test. The aim of the study is to determine the proportion of the patients that actually has malaria among the symptomatic patients. The objectives are to determine the predisposing factors that will tell us if a patient has malaria before laboratory test and a model that is clinically interpretable to describe the relationship between an outcome (malaria or no malaria) and a set of independent variables. As a result of high rate of malaria cases, there is a need to conduct research on factors influencing malaria. Logistic regression was used to analyse the secondary data collected from University of Ilorin Clinic from 1st January, 2015 to 30thJune, 2015. The attributable fraction for malaria was 49.2% and 50.8% was attributable to other diseases though they have identical symptoms. Males are 2.899 times likely to have malaria than females even after controlling for genotype. Patients of AA are 4.212 times likely to have malaria than the SS patients, patients of AS are 3.991 times likely to have malaria than the SS patients
Spatial Vulnerability Assessment of Flood in Niger State
Get PDFThis study used remote sensing applications in Flood Vulnerability Assessment of Flood in Niger State. Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission Satellite Image, Soil analysis, curve number flood model and Quantum GIS software were used to provide baseline information for the monitoring of flood disaster in Niger State. The SRTM image was used to analyse proximity of Niger State to rivers and create a Digital Terrain Model of Niger State based on elevation. Soil analysis was conducted to determine the types of soil in different locations in the state, using integrating curve number model to calculate run-off values. The research revealed two major causes of flood in Niger State namely primary causes such as soil type, rainfall intensity and duration; and secondary causes which include reservoir operations and building of structures along flood plains. Out of about 76,000km2 covered by Niger State, 40% (30,000km2) was found to be highly vulnerable, 45% (34,000km2) was moderately vulnerable and the remaining 15% (11,400km2) had low vulnerability to flood. The study advocates evolvement and enforcement of an environmental policy to curtail unstainable agricultural activities on and discourage wanton destruction of environmental sensitive areas for unapproved developments
Determination of Heavy Metals Pollution in Grass and Soil along Major Highways in Kano
Get PDFPollution caused by traffic activities is increasingly becoming a great threat to urban environmental quality and human health in many cities of the world. Therefore, in this study grass (Paspalum Orbiculare) and soil samples were collected from four major highways in Kano, at distance interval of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 meters away from the edge of the road. The samples were analyzed for Cu, Ni and Cr using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The levels of Cu, Ni and Cr in grass were found to be 3.20±0.84 - 4.60±0.55µg/g, 5.20±1.79 -6.40±1.82µg/g and 1.20±0.57 - 3.00±0.79µg/g dry weight respectively. The ranges of concentrations in soil were from 1.80±0.84 - 2.60±1.14µg/g, 2.20±0.84 - 3.20±1.30µg/g and 0.90±0.42 - 1.30±0.82µg/g dry weight for Cu, Ni and Cr respectively. Heavy metals in the four major roads were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those on the reference site. The results showed that the levels of Ni and Cr exceeded the EU limit levels (0.20 - 5.00-µg/g for Ni and 0.02µg/g -0.50µg/g for Cr) and signify that metal dynamics up the food chain is highly possible.