Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journals
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Production of Non-Wood Paper from Palm and Coconut Husks
No full textThe demand for sustainable alternatives in pulp and paper manufacturing necessitates exploring non-wood raw materials. This study investigates the production of eco-friendly paper from palm and coconut husks using the Bio-Thermo-Mechanical Pulping (BTMP) model, integrating physical, thermal, and biochemical treatments to enhance fiber quality. Fungal isolates facilitated delignification and fiber modification, while controlled fermentation improved fiber elongation and smoothness. Chemical additives such as starch and silica gel enhanced pulp characteristics, yielding paper with high opacity (>90%) and notable water retention capacity (2.85 mL), though its tensile strength (1.5 kPa) remained below A4 paper standards. Statistical analysis (ANOVA, F = 1.0021, p = 0.3554) showed no significant differences among experimental groups, highlighting BTMP\u27s consistency. The BTMP model offers economic and environmental benefits by reducing reliance on capital-intensive machinery and promoting a scalable, energy-efficient process. This approach supports sustainability by reducing deforestation, improving agricultural waste management, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions through the valorization of residues. The findings confirm palm and coconut husks as viable raw materials for sustainable paper production. Future research should focus on optimizing microbial treatments, refining fiber reinforcement, and conducting pilot-scale studies to validate scalability. This study advances sustainable paper manufacturing by transforming agricultural waste into industrial resources, fostering environmental conservation, and promoting a circular economy
Rice Husk Biomass-Derived Nanoparticles: A Green Strategy for Tetracycline Removal
No full textThe abundant tetracycline in water bodies as a result agricultural and pharmaceutical activities presents significant health and environmental risks. This work investigates a green approach for treatment of tetracycline from aqueous solutions using rice husk biomass-derived nanoparticles. Rice husk was carbonized, activated, and further processed to synthesize nanoparticles, which were characterized using XRD, SEM, and FTIR. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of pH, temperature, contact time, initial concentration, and adsorbent dosage on tetracycline removal. Results showed that adsorption was pH-dependent, with maximum efficiency (92%) at neutral pH. Adsorption followed the Langmuir isotherm model (R² = 0.98), suggesting monolayer adsorption, while kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model (R² = 0.99), indicating chemisorption. Thermodynamic studies confirmed the spontaneity and endothermic nature of the process. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited an adsorption capacity of 150 mg/g, surpassing conventional adsorbents such as activated biochar. The presence of functional groups such as hydroxyl (-OH) and carbonyl (C=O) contributed to strong adsorption interactions. While the high efficiency of rice husk nanoparticles makes them a promising eco-friendly adsorbent, the presence of heavy metals like lead in the synthesized material necessitates further refinement to ensure safe environmental applications. This study shows the potential of agricultural waste valorization in sustainable wastewater treatment and provides insights into optimizing green nanoparticle synthesis for enhanced pollutant removal
Morphological and Water Absorption Properties of Encapsulated Epoxy/Cellulose Nanofibrils/Nanoclay Coatings for Water Barrier and Anticorrosion Applications
No full textThe effect of water absorption properties of encapsulated nanoclay and cellulose nanofibrils on epoxy coating for barrier and anticorrosion applications was investigated. Epoxy-based nanocomposite coatings were fabricated using solution blending, with cellulose nanofibrils and nanoclay as nano-reinforcements. The nanofillers were encapsulated using the interfacial polymerization method. In this method, a polymerization reaction occurs at the interface of two immiscible phases, usually an oil phase and a water phase, to create polymeric capsules. The impact of encapsulated nanofillers on the nanocomposite coatings\u27 water absorption and corrosion properties was investigated. The chemical constituents and nanostructure of the nanomaterials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The encapsulated nanofillers were incorporated into the epoxy-based coating and applied to steel substrates. The anticorrosion performances of the epoxy-based nanocomposite coatings were investigated through water absorption and immersion tests in NaCl solution. The TEM results demonstrate that a nanoclay of a 7 – 15 nm diameter was obtained. The water absorption study revealed that epoxy/CNF absorbed more water than epoxy/nanoclay. The sample containing 5 wt% clay and 2.5% CNF has the lowest water absorption. The water immersion test demonstrates that the plain epoxy coating, followed by the epoxy/CNF-coated metal, has greater water absorption and exhibits greater corrosion under visual inspection. The results demonstrate that the water absorption properties of epoxy-based coating can be improved by incorporating nanofillers
Evaluation of the geothermal potential of Okigwe and environs using aeromagnetic method
No full textInvestigation of geothermal potential in Okigwe embraced the use of aeromagnetic methods. Okigwe is found between the latitudes of 5 ̊ 56̍ 24̎ N and 5 ̊ 42̍ 19̎ N and the longitudes of 7 ̊ 12̍ 58̎ E and 7 ̊ 24̍ 02̎ E. The LGA is bordered to the North by Orumba South LGA in Anambra and Umunneochi LGA in Abia, to the East by Isikwuato LGA in Abia, to the South by Umuahia North LGA also in Abia and to the West by Onuimo and Ideato North LGA̕s in Imo State. The aeromagnetic data sheet 312 which covers Okigwe and its environs was used in the study and it reveals the presence of both magnetic sources and non-magnetic sources as inferred from the total magnetic intensity values ranging from -61.3 nT – 182.9 nT. The magnetic analyses done include regional anomaly, residual anomaly, reduction to equator, analytical signal, vertical derivatives, source parameter imaging and tilt derivative which show a result range of -198.4 nT to – 161.4 nT, -19.4 nT to 16.6 nT, -49 nT – 167.8 nT, 0.003 nT to 0.04 nT, -3.4 x 10-5 nTm-1 to 1.5 x 10-5 nTm-1, 0.0947 km to 2.27 km and -1.40 to 1.10 respectively indicating the presence of magnetic bodies in the study area. Spectral analyses were also done with the study area being divided into 25 spectral blocks to obtain deep depth and shallow depth of the magnetic sources, Curie depth, geothermal gradient and heat flow for each of the spectral blocks and an average was thereafter obtained. It was observed that the study area has geothermal potential with a geothermal gradient range of 80 0Ckm-1 to 170 0Ckm-1 and an average value of 125.67 0Ckm-1. From the study it was inferred that Okigwe has magnetic sources with a Curie depth of about 4.7 km and has geothermal heat potential and it is most likely to be a zone for mineral exploration as well as geothermal sources
The impact of social media on cybersecurity awareness
No full textThe rapid growth of social media in Nigeria has transformed communication and business but also introduced cybersecurity threats like phishing and identity theft, with limited awareness of their impact. This study assessed social media’s influence on cybersecurity awareness among Nigerian users, evaluating awareness levels, information dissemination, and behavioral changes. Using a descriptive survey design, 1,000 adult social media users were selected via stratified random sampling. Data was collected through questionnaires on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square tests). Findings showed most respondents understood basic cybersecurity concepts, such as malware and multi-factor authentication. Over 65% encountered cybersecurity content on social media, with more than half improving their online practices due to this exposure. Gender significantly influenced awareness, suggesting a need for gender-sensitive strategies, while age, education, and usage frequency showed no significant correlation. Social media effectively promoted awareness but also posed risks like misinformation. The study concludes that social media is a valuable tool for enhancing cybersecurity awareness and safer practices if challenges like trust gaps and content overload are addressed. Recommendations include interactive, gender-sensitive campaigns, ensuring credible information, and fostering collaborations between social media platforms and cybersecurity organizations
Optimal allocation and sizing of renewable energy distributed generation using a modified particle swarm optimization method for power loss reduction
No full textIn this paper, a modified PSO (MPSO) technique was used to determine the optimal size and location of Distributed Generation (DG) in Onitsha distribution system in the Nigeria power network. This technique mitigates the drawback of the conventional PSO method by speeding up the convergence, ensuring that the search algorithm does not get trapped in local optima thereby reducing the computational time. The algorithm was implemented using the MATPOWER 5.1 toolbox. The results showed that an optimal DG unit size of 5.5103MW when placed in Market-bus in the Onitsha distribution system reduced the power losses significantly from 3.9176MW to 2.444MW, the voltage profile improved from 0.8825p.u to 1.0155p.u with a faster convergence at the 15 th iteration. Thus, installing DG unit using the proposed MPSO method assures better system characteristics when compared to other methods
Bio-accumulation and dose-response modeling of heavy metals in human tissues
No full textSeveral cases of cancer have been connected to exposure to heavy metals as a result of bioaccumulation of these metals and their toxic effects. Understanding how these metals accumulate in tissues and the resultant biological reactions is of great importance for public health policymakers and the development of preventive measures. This study models the bioaccumulation and dose-response behaviour of four carcinogenic metals, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) in malignant human tissue, using ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in MATLAB. This simulation examines their concentration dynamic over time and their respective carcinogenic risk profiles. Using a first-order ODE model, the bioaccumulation in human tissue was simulated for exposure over 100 days. The uptake of heavy metals and their elimination rate constants were collected from peer-reviewed literature. A Hill-type dose-response model was used, and MATLAB\u27s ode45 solver was used for the numerical integration. Accumulation of cadmium (cd) and lead (Pb) was the highest in the tissue, and both metals were also the highest to be associated to cancer risk, which reached over 70% bio-response during the simulation window. Arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) showed the slowest bio-accumulation rate as well as dose-response levels. Due to high bio-accumulation and steep dose-response slope of Cadmium, its risk is amplified. Cadmium and lead pose a greater risk to human tissue health under severe exposure. The findings from this study contributes to environmental health policies and cancer prevention remedies among people who are exposed to heavy metals
Impacts of the Just-in-Time Management System in Construction Projects in Nigeria
No full textThe construction industry is a very robust sector of any nation as it is responsible for all the infrastructural developments. In order to better achieve these, it is important to use the Just-In-Time (JIT) management system as construction projects rely on large inventories of materials, leading to high storage costs, wasted resources and the risk of obsolescence or material damage. Therefore, this study assesses the impacts of JIT management system in construction projects in the Nigerian construction industry, focusing on Edo and Delta States, with a view to improve efficiency and reduce construction wastages within the construction industry. For the methodology, the convenience sampling technique was used to elicit information from construction professionals in the study area. A well-structured questionnaire was distributed to the 324 conveniently selected respondents with 203 of them returned, representing a 62.65% return rate. Descriptive tools such as percentages and statistical tools such as mean score, standard deviation, factor analysis and t-test were employed for the study. It was discovered from the study that there are significant positive impacts of the adoption of JIT in construction projects as acknowledged by the construction professionals in the study area. It is therefore recommended that there should be the incorporation of technology in construction activities to further improve the inherent impacts
Predictive Modelling of Self-Compacting concrete (SCC) properties produced with the inclusion of with Ceramic tile powder
No full textPredictive models are the up-start trend in concreting technology, most especially green concrete. The predictive model of self-compacting concrete SCC properties that integrate ceramic tile powder (CTP) as an admixture on some properties is the target of this study. Taguchi L9 optimization technique was adopted to optimize the applied process parameters that involved CTP, water to binder (W/B) and superplasticizers (SP). The percentages of CTP added were 0.0%, 10.0 %, 12.5% and 15.0 % of the cement mass. Three level were assigned to three parameters of CTP, W/B ratio and SP each in the L9 ( ) Taguchi mixed level orthogonal array, as the design of experiment (DoE). The results from the Taguchi optimization method were compiled and a machine leaning algorithm (ML), known as gene expression programming GEP was used to obtain models for the bulk density (BD), beam bulk density (BBD) and water absorption capacity (WAC) parameter
Breaking the Bug Barrier: Exploring Cultural and Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Youth Resistance to Edible Insect Consumption in Ibadan, Nigeria
No full textThis study investigated the resistance to edible insect consumption among youth in Ibadan, Nigeria, with a focus on cultural and socioeconomic barriers. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 385 participants aged 18-35 years through stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire evaluated respondents\u27 awareness, willingness to consume, and previous experiences with edible insects. The findings indicate that although 94% of participants were aware of edible insects, actual willingness to consume them was low: only 9.7% in the 18-25 age group and 18.6% in the 26-35 age group expressed a willingness to try. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the youth, 82% in the younger group and 77.9% in the older group, reported no prior experience with edible insects. Among those with prior experience, the willingness to consume insects again was minimal, with only 5.6% of the younger group and 13.7% of the older group showing renewed interest. Logistic regression analysis identified significant predictors of willingness to consume, including age group, level of awareness, and previous experience. These results highlight the critical need to address cultural and socioeconomic barriers through targeted educational programs and community engagement initiatives. Such efforts are essential for improving the acceptance of edible insects, which could contribute to enhanced food security and sustainability as non-timber forest products