Investigating Nigeria Local Clay for its Marsh Funnel Viscosity and Gel Strength: A Study of Irhodo Bentonite

Due to the daily increasing demand for crude oil fuel for its various capacities of energy production and utilizations, a twin respond of exploration for more hydrocarbon reserves and drilling activities was accompanied. As a result, rate and cost of importing drilling clay (Wyoming Bentonite), a major raw material in drilling mud becomes so high that hundreds of millions of dollar is incurred on company budget (Arinkoola, et al., 2020). Thus, the Federal Government of the federal republic of Nigeria, on sensing the benefits of local content development, then clamour for its use as drilling mud. This therefore becomes the bed-rock which this paper is belt on to investigate local clay for some its properties, like viscosity-gel strength. This paper also reviews the formulation of an equivalent one barrel of a laboratory drilling mud using Irhodo bentonite. This paper report two methods and devices used to determine viscosities; the marsh funnel viscosity method using Marsh Funnel and Fann Viscosity-Gel method using the Rheometer. The result of the experiment for the determination of viscosity using marsh funnel apparatus, for both local and bentonite drilling mud, and show 27.12 and 37.17sec/qt (seconds per quart). And when additives, CMC and guar-gum were added, 27.23sec/qt, 29.47sec/qt and 23.19sec/qt and 29.47sec/qt respectively obtained.

Phytochemical Screening and in vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Cyperus rotundus Leaf Extracts

Cyperus rotundus, a member of family Cyperaceae is a perennial, stoloniferous herb. The study investigated the secondary metabolites present in the leaf of Cyperus rotundus and antimicrobial activities of the hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, tannins, steroids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and terpenoids. The qualitative test of the extracts show the presence of steroid only in the hexane extract; flavonoid, cardiac glycoside in both the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts; saponin and tannin and phenolics in just the methanol extract. While alkaloid was present in all the extracts, terpenoid was absent in all. Antimicrobial activity of plant extracts were monitored using the agar disk-diffusion method against strains gram-positive bacterial: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli, Salmonela typhi, and strains of fungi: Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was monitored at different concentrations of 50, 25, 12.5 and 6.25 mg/mL prepared from the stock concentration (100mg/mL) by serial dilution; with standard drugs: ciprofloxacin and fluconazole. The inhibition of the test organisms were concentration dependent. The methanol extract showed significantly higher Inhibition Zone (IZ) and Activity Index (AI) against the microbes at all concentrations compared to the ethyl acetate and hexane extracts due to the much phytochemicals (saponins, tanins, phenols, flavonoids, cardiac glycocides and alkaloids) found present in its extract. The overall study results signify the potential of Cyperus rotundus as a source of therapeutic agents. The methanol extract showed the best activity against both bacterial and fungal pathogens at the highest concentration of 100 mg/mL, especially the most susceptible bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (IZ of 25.0±1.5; AI of 0.96) and Candida albicans (IZ of 25.5±0.5; AI of 0.91). At MIC, MBC and MFC of 6.25 mg/mL and 12.5 mg/mL, the plant extracts showed effective bactericidal and fungicidal effect against the test microbes.

Flood Disaster and the Vulnerability of Households to Crime in Urban Areas in Nigeria

This study explores whether natural disasters, especially flooding, would lead to a rise in violent and property crime rates, and the implications that these crimes could have on the victims. A total of 100 victims of flood induced crime in flood prone areas were selected using purposive sampling technique. The data collected using questionnaire, and records from security agency comprised of socio-economic characteristics of affected households, violent and property crime rate rise, and implications of flood induced crime as perceived by affected communities. Also reported cases of crime in affected areas were collected from Police divisional headquarters and State Police Command of flood affected areas. Data collected were analysed using percentages, frequency count. Likert scale method was used to measure increase in crime during the flood incidence in the affected areas. Using a ‘before, during and after’ approach, the study revealed that flood disaster increased the vulnerability level of households to crime and at the same time crime increased during flood disaster and decreased significantly after the disaster in urban areas in Nigeria. Also, the implication of flood induced crime include anxiety and depression (ADI=2.73), Social dysfunction (SDI=2.36) and loss of confidence (LCI=2.72). Therefore, there is need for disaster prone areas and disaster management agents in the country to incorporate security measures in disaster preparedness, coping and recovery strategies in order to minimize security challenges ensuing from natural disaster in the country during flooding

Survey of insects and Mites Associated with Stored Rice in Nigeria

Insect pest infestation causes quantitative or qualitative losses in stored Rice. Proper identification of the insect species infesting stored Rice is critical for making pest management decisions. This study assesses the species composition and abundance of insect pests of stored Rice in Nigeria. Imported and Local Rice samples each weighing one kilogram were obtained every 6 months from three randomly selected vendors in randomly selected markets in 14 towns in 14 states in Nigeria. 50g were weighed from each sample and kept in vials, covered, strapped with rubber band and kept in the laboratory. The Rice samples were sieved to collect all adult insects present after Six months in storage. Sampling lasted for two years (2016-2017). There were 11 species of insect pests and one Mite species in the stored Imported and Local Rice samples. Most of the species were from the order Coleoptera with the percentage occurrence of 80.9% in Imported Rice and 82% in Local Rice. The insect species composition includes Sitophilus oryzae, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Sitophilus zeamais, Psocids, Sitotroga cerealella, Ahasverus advena, Tribolium castaneum Oryzeaphilus surinamensis, Oryzaephilus mercator and Rhyzopertha dominica. The Psocid and mite species could not be identified. Sitophilus oryzae was the main insect pest of Rice with the percentage occurrence of 39.23% in Imported Rice and 26.87% in Local Rice. The outcome of this study is very important in planning control measures as the knowledge of the species composition and abundance of insect pests is an important component of pest management in stored Rice in Nigeria.

Comparative Study of Proximate and Phytochemical Analysis of the Roots of Justicia carnea Lindi. and Justicia secunda Vahl

Proximate and phytochemical analyses of the root extracts of Justicia carnea and Justicia secunda in the Acanthaceae family were investigated using standard procedures and compared. The result of the proximate analysis indicated that the roots of both species contain nutrients in varying levels. Protein (11.38±0.01), lipid (4.81±0.01) and moisture content (17.01±0.01) were higher in the roots of J. carnea than in J. secunda (8.32±0.01, 2.01±0.01, 11.22±0.02) respectively, while Carbohydrate (6.62±0.00), Ash (16.75±0.05) and Fibre (55.18±0.01) were higher in J. secunda than in J. carnea (4.73±0.02, 9.81±0.01, and 52.29±0.00) respectively. Qualitative phytochemical analysis showed the presence of tannin, flavonoid, alkaloids, saponin, phytate and cyanogenic glycosides whereas the result for the quantitative analysis showed that the quantity of phytochemicals in Justicia carnea and Justicia secunda were: tannin (46.75±0.00 and 41.01±0.01), flavonoid (2.72±0.01 and 3.21±0.00), alkaloid (10.16±0.00 and 11.21±0.01), saponin (3.31±0.01 and 2.7±0.00), phytate (30.54±0.01 and 33.86±0.00) and cyanogenic glycoside (100.01±0.00 and 500±0.00) respectively. Justicia carnea contained higher quantity of tannin and saponin while Justicia secunda contained higher amount of flavonoid, alkanoid, phytate and cyanogenic glycoside. These results conceivably indicated that the two species are good sources of essential nutrients which could be used in diets to supplement the daily nutrient needs in humans and animals, and phyto-nutrients which possess strong pharmacological activities, providing scientific credence for its therapeutic usage in folklore medicine.

Radionuclide Content of Aerosols within the Lower Atmosphere of Major Towns in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Radioactivity analysis of aerosols within the lower atmosphere of some selected towns in Plateau state, North central Nigeria was carried out using Respirable Dust sampler (APM 460NL) and Gamma Ray Spectroscopy technique to ascertain their radiological safety and radiation dose to the general public. The mean mass concentration of fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10) aerosols were found to be 234.4 and 390.6 (ug/m3) respectively for Pankshin; 381.3 and 312.5 (ug/m3) respectively for Shendam, and 208.3 and 250.0 (ug/m3) for Jos. The mean activity concentration of Potassium- 40, Radium-226 and Thorium-232 in the selected towns were found to be 510.82,52.16 and 29.76 Bq/kg respectively. Average values of the following radiological parameter Da, AEDE, HEX and AGED were 4.3439 nGy/yr, 0.0053MSv/yr,0.025Bq/kg, and 30.3470 mSv/yr respectively.The activity concentration of Potassium-40 was beyond the permissible limit at Shandan while that of Radium-226 was beyond the set limit in Jos and Pankshin. The concentration of Thorium-232 in the study areas was below permissible limit. Continuous exposure to these radionuclides and their progenies including their synergetic effects with trace metals in the aerosols may pose several risk to public health. This work is useful in regional environmental radiation monitoring and is part of efforts geared towards generating baseline data for environmental radioactivity levels within North Central Nigeria .

Analytical study on Fungal Cellulase Produced by Penicillium Expansum grown on Malus Domestica (Apple Fruits)

The rise in world industrialization and the cost of importing enzyme by local industries have led to arise in the search for novel and native enzyme producing microorganisms. Cellulase is an enzyme that catalyzes the breaking down of carbon chains in cellulose and hemicellulose, this research therefore aimed at studying fungal cellulase produced by Penicillium expansum grown on malus domestica (apple fruits). Fresh apple fruit was allowed to deteriorate under laboratory condition until there was visible mould growth. The mould with desired features of the organism of interest was subcultured by direct plating on PDA plates to which 10 % streptomycin has been added to prevent bacterial contaminants. The plates were incubated at 28±2 0C for 7 days until a visible mass of blue mycelia appear. The isolate was further subcultured onto freshly prepared media until pure culture was obtained. Characterization and identification of isolate were done using macroscopy and microscopy techniques. The isolate was re-inoculated into healthy apple fruits and the fruits were incubated at temperature of 28±2 oC for 8 days. Cellulolytic activity was examined every day throughout the incubation period. Crude enzyme was extracted each day using standard methods. Carboxyl methyl cellulose was used as standard for the crude cellulase activity assay after extraction from the infected apple fruits using Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA). Culture parameters like pH and temperature were also optimized to determine their effect on cellulolytic activity of the fungus. Cellulase activity was defined as the amount of glucose produced in μmol/mg/min under the assay condition. The highest cellulase activity of 86.84±0.52 μmol/mg/min was observed on day 6 of incubation at 28±2 oC and at pH 7. In conclusion, it is evident from this research that P. expansum isolated could be used as potential novel organism for industrial production of cellulase under optimized fermentation conditions.

Econometric Assessment of the Impact of Exchange Rate Depreciation on Inflation in Nigeria (1981-2017)

The present reality of the Nigerian economy is the fact that inflation has remained unabated in spite of all exchange rate measures that have been adopted by the monetary authority. This calls for investigation into the extent to which exchange rate impact on inflation in Nigeria. The research paper examined the impact of exchange rate depreciation on inflation in Nigeria for the period 1981–2017, using Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Bounds Test Cointegration Procedure. The research shows that inflation rate in Nigeria is highly susceptible to lagged inflation rate, exchange rate, lagged exchange rate, lagged broad money, and lagged gross domestic product at 5% level of significance. A long run relationship was also found to exist between inflation rate, gross domestic product and general government expenditure, indicating that the model has a self-adjusting mechanism for correcting any deviation of the variables from equilibrium. Therefore, this study concludes that exchange rate is an important tool to manage inflation in the country; thus, this paper recommends that policies that have direct influence on inflation as well as exchange rate policies that would checkmate inflation movement in the country, should be used by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Also, monetary growth and import management policies should be put in place to encourage domestic production of export commodities, which are currently short-supplied. In addition, policy makers should not rely on this instrument totally to control inflation, but should use it as a complement to other macro-economic policies.

Ordinal regression Assessment of orange Postharvest loss determinants among Orange Farmers in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State

Orange wastage through postharvest losses has contributed to food scarcity, economic loss and massive importation of food items in Nigeria. The research was mainly carried out to investigate the determinants of orange postharvest losses among orange farmers in Konshisha Local Government of Benue State, North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Primary data was collected from the orange farmers using structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Descriptive statistics and Ordinal Regression model were used to analyse the data collected. The quantity lost was perceived at six (6) categories. The results revealed that most (63.7%) of the farmers were above 34 years of age. Also the majority (95.1%) were male, while 55.3% of the respondents’ farm size was relatively large with 200 and above stands of orange. The farmers’ literacy level was 73.6%. Those that belonged to farmers groups were 39.5. Further results established the use of probit link function in the ordinal regression modelling and that the significant factors affecting orange postharvest losses in the area are farmer’s lack of education and farmers not belonging to any association or group. The only significant covariate with the postharvest loss quantity of orange is farm size. The test of parallel lines established that, the location parameters (slope coefficients) are the same across response categories.

Modeling Fire Spread in a Real-Time Coupled Atmospheric-Vegetation Fire: An Analytical Approach

The ability to analyse the rate of fire spread outbreak in a real-time coupled Atmospheric-vegetation fire has become increasingly vital as forest fire fighters are building diverse kinds of models to combat the dangers/effects of fire spread across a given fire vicinity. This paper theoretically examines the analysis of fire spread in a real fire environment. A partial differential equations (PDE) governing the phenomenon is presented. The analytical solution of the model is obtained via direct integration and eigenfunction expansion technique, which displays the influence of the parameters involved in the system. The effect of change in parameters such as Frank-Kamenetskii number, Radiation number, Peclet energy number and Activation energy number are presented graphically and discussed. The results obtained show that Frank-Kamenetskii number, Radiation number, Peclet energy number, and Activation energy number all reduced transient state temperature.