193 research outputs found

    Effect of Selected Antiretroviral Drugs on Malondialdehyde (MDA)and Catalase Levels in Healthy Rat Tissues

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    The study assessed the effect of selected antiretroviral drugs used in the management of HIV/AIDS on the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (as TBARs) and the antioxidant enzyme, Catalase, of the liver and kidney tissues of healthy albino rats. 0.43, 0.43, 0.27, and 0.21mg/kg of Efavirenz, Abacavir, SNP 40 and Lamivudine respectively, were orally administered to four different groups of albino rats for seven days. The control group received normal saline. On the eighth day, the rats were sacrificed and the liver and kidney tissues were collected for Lipid peroxidation and Catalase activity analysis. Efavirenz and Lamivudine caused significant decrease (P0.05) compared to the control. All the drugs caused significant increase (P<0.05) in Catalase activity in the liver and a significant decrease (P<0.05) in Catalase activity in the kidney. Taken together, the present observation suggests that the effects of antiretroviral drugs on oxidative stress markers (such as MDA) and on antioxidant enzymes (such as catalase) in healthy as well as in HIV infected humans (by way of extrapolation) may vary from drug to drug and from organ to organ. We therefore advocate for extensive clinical research to investigate the influence of antiretroviral drugs on antioxidants enzymes in HIV and HIV/AIDS patients. Keywords: antiretroviral drugs, lipid peroxidation, liver, kidney, catalase

    APPLICATION OF GEOPHYSICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL METHODS FOR SOIL CHARACTERISATION IN SUSTAINABLE PRECISION AGRICULTURE IN SELECTED FARMS

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    All soils have potential for high yield for specific crops. Nigerian soils have potential for medium to high yield, but poor farming practices including the misuse of chemical fertilizers result in a number of constraints such as soil salinity, degradation and declining fertility, which militate against high crop yields. Nigeria, currently battling with food insecurity because population growth is not commensurate with agricultural production. Thus, there is need for urgent intervention in the agricultural sector. The aim of this study was to integrate geophysical and geochemical methods for sustainable precision agriculture in two farm sites of Covenant University and Landmark University, Nigeria. In this study, electrical resistivity, geochemical and satellite imagery methods were used for soil characterisation in farm sites at Covenant University, Ota, Southwest and Landmark University, Omu-Aran, North-central Nigeria between June, 2018 and January, 2019. The electrical resistivity data were processed using RES2DINV and Win-Resist software. Geochemical analysis of soil samples from the sites was conducted using ICP-MS in ACME laboratory, Canada. Monthly MERRA satellite data was used to determine the soil temperature and soil moisture content while soil salinity was estimated from Landsat-8 satellite imagery. The study showed that electrical resistivity of the topsoil in Covenant University farm ranged from 120 -500 Ωm, while that of Landmark University farm ranged from 345-527 Ωm. The soil types delineated at the Covenant University farm were clayey sand and lateritic clay; sand/lateritic gravelly sand was delineated at Landmark University farm. Potentially toxic elements were detected in the soil samples of both sites; arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) exceeded FAO/WHO recommended standard limits in Covenant University farm. The pollution indices of Co, Cr, Ni, Pb and Mn in the Covenant University farm were within low to high contamination, while As was within medium to high contamination. In Landmark University farm, the pollution indices of Pb, Cu, Zn, Co and Cd ranged from low to medium, while As has pollution index within low to high contamination. Results showed elevated concentrations of As in all samples. Ca-Mg, P-Mg, Fe-Al, Ca-K, Mg-K and Na-K paired nutrients were positively correlated at 5% level of significance in both farmlands, indicating similar increase in both farmlands. Also, the geospatial maps revealed zones of high and low accumulation of essential macro nutrients within the farmlands. Landmark University farmland indicated higher soil salinity than Covenant University farm land. Soil temperature (ST) data at Covenant University farm ranged from 296 - 314 K, while ST at Landmark University farm ranged from 289 - 317 K. Soil moisture content data for both farms ranged from 23 – 113 3 3 mmand 10 - 110 3 3 mmin Covenant and Landmark University farms, respectively. The sandy gravelly soil of Landmark University farm is suitable for the planting of root and tuber crops such as carrot, yam, potatoes, turmeric and beets. Cabbage, leafy vegetables and lemon grass can be grown successfully in Covenant University farm. The ecological risk assessment of toxic metals, showed that arsenic may present a moderate to very high biological risk to both plants and animals that feed on the soil of both farm lands. The site-specific information of the farm sites has been provided. This study provides database that can serve as useful guide in soil management decision making for better yiel

    Lead-cadmium accumulation in agricultural soils and health implications

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    The use of pesticides in farms has made agricultural soils often contaminated with heavy metals, excess of which the soils could pollute the environment and potentially damage human health through accumulation in the food chain. The geochemical compositions in agricultural soils from two commercial farms were analysed using ICP-MS. Trace elements are needed in minute quantities in soils but can be toxic to plants and humans with health implications at elevated rates. Soil samples from the study area were analysed and the result revealed that lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations in the study sites were within the FAO/WHO standard limits. The implications of elevated rates on crops and humans alike are highlighted in this paper

    Residual Soils Derived from Charnockite and Migmatite as Road Pavement Layer Materials

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    Suitable soils for road pavement layer construction are getting depleted. Highway Engineers are consistently in search of locally-available and suitable soils for road construction. This paper investigates the potential use of residual soils derived from charnockite and migmatite as road pavement layer materials. Natural moisture content, sieve and hydrometer analyses, specific gravity, Atterberg limits, compaction, California bearing ratio (CBR), and permeability characteristics of soil samples collected from six different locations in Ekiti State, Nigeria were determined. The soils derived from charnockite have their average unsoaked CBR, soaked CBR and permeability to be higher than those of the soils derived from migmatite by 64.7%, 73.5% and 1750.9%, respectively. Consequently, some of the soils derived from charnockite satisfy the requirements by the Nigerian General Specification for use as subgrade and subbase materials, while those derived from migmatite generally have poor geotechnical properties. The soils derived from charnockite are recommended for use as pavement layer materials, while those derived from migmatite need to be stabilized before being used

    Offshore Field Development in Cold Climate with Emphasis on Terminals

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    It is estimated that 25% of the remaining oil and gas reserves worldwide are held in Arctic regions. The combined effects of a global resource depletion, climate change and technological progress, mean that this natural resource area is now increasingly interesting and commercially attractive. However, numerous challenges are present when it comes to hydrocarbon production in cold climate, not only related to suitable technology, but also to social and environmental issues. Any hydrocarbon development in the Arctic represents, thus, a balance between opportunity and risk. This thesis analyzes a broad range of aspects influencing offshore hydrocarbon field development scenarios in cold climate, emphasizing on terminals as a major building block necessary in the development of a petroleum field. Feasible, safe and cost effective terminal concepts for cold climate areas, face challenges that need specific assessment of technical solutions and operational aspects. Many of these challenges can be managed, though at additional cost, through the application of customised solutions. After having presented and gained the necessary knowledge and insight in the main issues influencing a cold climate terminal, an assessment of different development schemes is carried out, using for this purpose three case studies located in the Barents Sea: Johan Castberg, Snøhvit and Goliat fields. In this context, a quantitative assessment of breakwater stability in cold climate environments have been an important part of the discussions. Finally, given the complex and often unique risk challenges present in cold climate regions, risk assessment arise as an important part of the decision making process, and thus, has been used to understand the sensitivity of different development schemes. The Master thesis, therefore, provides an insight in the following aspects: - Aspects influencing offshore hydrocarbon field development scenarios in cold climate. - Technical issues influencing a cold climate terminal, with a thorough quantitative discussion of breakwater stability and design in cold climate. - Operational issues influencing a cold climate terminal. - Assessment of the sensitivity of different schemes through case study analysis. - Risk assessment for identification and evaluation of the main risks involved, applied to the case studies.CoMEM - Coastal and Marine Engineering and ManagementHydraulic EngineeringCivil Engineering and Geoscience

    Technische fabricage van zuiver silicium

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    Document(en) uit de collectie Chemische ProcestechnologieDelftChemTechApplied Science
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