This study looks into the axial strength of round concrete columns that are reinforced with GFRP bars and spirals. Even though a clear consensus has developed on using FRP bars for flexural and shear strengthening of concrete structures, the role of FRP as longitudinal reinforcement in columns subjected to axial compressive stresses is not well understood. The research assesses how well these columns function when a force acts along their axis using an approach with the help of a software called Abaqus which is a finite element software. Twelve large-scale RC columns were initially tested under concentric axial loads are simulated to study their behavior under different configurations of reinforcements. The researchers in this study simulated the behavior of concrete material with the use of a Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) model which opted a failure criterion based on tensile and compressive damage. The experimental results were compared based on the maximum axial load capacity (Pmax) achieved before failure. The numerical and experimental results were found to give good agreement with a ratio of 0.92. The research discovered that the axial load capacity of GFRP-reinforced columns is the same as that of conventional steel-reinforced columns, with the longitudinal GFRP bars carrying 5% to 10% of the maximum load. Also, it was observed that closely spaced smaller GFRP spirals can confer a better ductility and confinement efficiency as compared to larger diameter spirals with widely spaced. According to Study, a Numerical Model for a GFRP-reinforced concrete column can effectively predict the axial strength of GFRP-reinforced concrete columns. According to the study, GFRP bars should be accounted for in design calculations as their exclusion causes an underestimation of the column’s ultimate capacity. Further refinement of the model's accuracy needs a focus on the role of diverse loading conditions, GFRP material properties, and column sizes in due course.
This research delves into the pervasive issue of food insecurity among university students, with a specific focus on Canada's Maritime Provinces.The study elucidates the intricate relationship between household food insecurity and critical factors that influence a student's academic performance, financial stability, and overall well-being.Additionally, it reveals a disconcerting underutilization of Campus Food Banks (CFBs), particularly among students facing severe food insecurity.This emerging trend is worrisome, given the crucial role that CFBs play in addressing this crisis.Various factors significantly impact a student's likelihood of utilizing CFBs, including stigma, awareness, perception, and the governance structure of these food banks.
L-Lysine, an essential amino acid crucial for both human and animal nutrition, serves as a valuable medicament and additive in animal feed. Nigeria annually imports significant quantities of L-lysine to support its animal feed industry. In developing countries like Nigeria, a viable biotechnological approach for L-lysine production involves solid-state fermentation. This method not only offers environmental advantages but also facilitates the simultaneous production of beneficial feed enzymes. Key words: L-Lysine, solid-state fermentation, Nigerian market, Corynebacterium glutamicum.
To assess the level of knowledge of the farming population and the ecological importance of Jatropha curcas, ethnobotanical surveys were carried out among the local population in three villages in the province of Logone Oriental, namely Bébédjia, Miandoum and Komé. A total of 250 people of different sexes were surveyed. The results of these surveys showed the socio-economic importance of this species for the local population. Some of the people surveyed have a very good botanical knowledge of the species and its qualities, and have developed systems for managing the species in agrosystems that could facilitate its domestication and conservation. In addition to its medicinal uses, the plant is used in agrosystems as a hedge, to combat erosion and as firewood. In medicine and traditional pharmacopoeia, various plant parts are used to treat several illnesses. Key words: Jatropha curcas, ethnobotany, farming, Chad.
Air pollution is one of the main risk factors for human health.It is the deadliest form of environmental pollution, which the World Health Organization has recognized as a significant indicator of the status of the environment.Therefore, there is a need for monitoring of air pollution to reduce health hazards associated with it.In this study, Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System were used to examine the spatiotemporal distribution of air pollutants in Ogui New Layout, South-East, Nigeria so as to advise the populace and relevant agencies on the steps and needs in reducing air pollution.Based on dense industrial clusters, heavy traffic and increasing human population density, strategic places were sampled between two peak hours (8 am and 4 pm).A Haze-dust particulate monitor and a Gasman Air Monitor were used to measure the amounts of PM 10 , CO, SO 2 , and NO 2 .The global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the sampling spots were recorded using the portable Germin-300 GPS device analyzer which was also used in data processing for creating spatial interpolation maps in ArcMap.ArcGIS 10.5 Erdas Imaging 9.5 software was used to analyze the spatial distribution of contaminants from a source using remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) methods. Results showed that duringthe dry season, the air pollutants (PM 10 , CO, SO 2 , and NO 2 ) had maximum values of 225, 10.72, 1.74, 1.93 respectively and minimum values of 184, 8.86, 0.82, and 0.45 respectively.During the wet season, PM 10 , CO, SO 2 and NO 2 had maximum values of 202, 16.66, 1.65, 0.73 respectively and minimum values of 108, 11.85, 0.69 and 0.26 respectively.Based on the study, it is advised that the local people of Ogui New Layout reduce their exposure to the outdoors especially during the dry season.
This paper compared the signatures of shock activity and magnetic clouds (caused by geoeffective interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs)) on the diurnal variability of the magnetospheric convective electric field (MCEF) from 1996 to 2019. The investigation is done as a function of the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). The temporal variabilities of the MCEF of the two geomagnetic activities are different but both show a dependence on the phase of the solar cycle. For a given phase, the daily mean value of the MCEF on shock days is higher than on magnetic cloud days. Similarly, at all times, at phase minimum and at the falling phase, the hourly MCEF values during shock days are higher than those during days of magnetic cloud activity. The same result is observed in all phase periods (regardless of the phase). At phase minimum, there is a night reconnection during shock days, whereas during magnetic cloud activity days the MCEF ends the day with a northward oriented IMF. At phase maximum, there is magnetic reconnection at the lobes of the Earth's magnetosphere for both types of activity. During the downward phase there is (1) reconnection at the magnetospheric lobes in days of shock activity (2) the IMF maintaining a southerly direction from 1000 UT to 2400 UT. Key words: Magnetosphere convection electric field, interplanetary magnetic field, interplanetary coronal mass ejections, shock activity, magnetic cloud activities.
The present investigations were focused on the systematic analysis of surface water quality of the Thamirabarani River from upstream (Pechiparai dam to Gnaramvilai) to downstream (Vettuvenni to Thengaipattinam estuary) during the period from September 2020 to January 2021. The different hydrochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, EC, TDS, fluoride, turbidity, nitrate, phosphate, sulphate, chloride, calcium, magnesium, total hardness, DO, BOD, bicarbonate, carbonate, sodium and potassium were determined upstream (S1-S5) and downstream (S6-S10) of the river water samples. The results showed that the weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI) values designated two sampling stations out of ten sampling stations ‘Good’ category and another eight sampling stations ‘poor - unsuitable’ category. The results obtained were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis using Correlation matrix the significant relationship among the parameters (significance level with 0.01 and 0.05) PCA and Cluster was also calculated to determine the high pollution loads in the water sample. The mean values of the respective major ions determined are represented in the Schoeller-Berkaloff diagram. From this study the water quality was severely polluted both upstream and downstream region the water quality index and multivariate techniques can be employed for monitoring river resources which can help inadequate planning and management of the Thamirabarani river system.
Cell phones and mobile devices have been an integral part of life over the past 30 years. In parallel with the intensity of use of mobile phones, the number of base stations has also increased. The increasing number of base stations has caused an intensity of electromagnetic pollution in the GSM band. The issue of electromagnetic pollution has become increasingly remarkable due to the claims that it can cause diseases and scientific studies carried out in this field. The number and variety of studies carried out in the last 30 years in this regard has also increased. Base stations are established with various features. While some kinds of base stations use radial antenna type, some of them use directional antennas. Depending on the region where it is established, the cell types it uses may also differ. Therefore, multiple measurements are required to analyse the impact of a base station. However, it is practically not possible to make an infinite number of measurements. Within the scope of this study, it is aimed to refine and clarify the electromagnetic pollution maps by using artificial intelligence methods. As a result of the studies carried out in this area, electromagnetic pollution maps have become much more detailed.
An experiment to determine the effect of poultry manure (PM) application rates on growth and yield of S. senegalensis was conducted at the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The experiment was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) of four rates of poultry manure (0, 10, 20 and 30 t ha–1) replicated three times. Analysis of variance results indicated that PM significantly (p < 0.05) influenced most of the growth attributes measured with 20 t ha-1 having the longest vine (106.5 and 140.3 cm) at 4 and 5 MAT, respectively. It also produced more leaves (77.9, 132.1, 175.9 and 250) at 2, 3, 4 and 5 MAT, respectively and had the highest number of branches of 13.85, 22.70, 27.6, 39.2 and 61.1 across the months. Most of the phenological traits were positively influenced by PM rates. Earliest days to 60% (138.0 days) and 100% (167.0 days) flower bud formation, flower bud break (191.0 days) and fruit formation (194.3 days) were associated with 30 t ha–1 of PM. Poultry manure had no significant effect on all the yield components and yield measured. Although, PM applied at 20 t ha–1 had the earliest days (706) to harvest and had the tendency to increase S. senegalensis yield. Further increase of PM rate beyond 20 t ha–1 decreased growth and yield traits taken. The use of PM at 20 t ha–1 appeared optimum and could be recommended for the cultivation of S, senegalensis in the study area. Key words: Saba senegalensis, poultry manure, food insecurity, growth, yield.
Earth's magnetosphere is a magnetic shield that protects the Earth from the energetic emissions of the high-speed Solar Wind (HSSW). We perform a statistical analysis of the response of Earth's magnetosphere inner part under the impact of HSSW over 40 years of data encompassing solar cycles 20-23. With misidentified events or events interacting with interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) removed, only 23552 events were identified. The results we obtained show that more than 85% of the events recorded from 1964 to 2009 are generated by coronal holes (CHs). Almost all observations were confined between 250-800 km/s and show a unimodal distribution per solar cycle: (1) 93% of the solar wind (SW) velocities are on the order of 567.77 ± 2.46 km/s for solar cycle 20, (2) 81% of the SW velocities are worth 524.30 ± 2.69 km/s for cycle 21, (3) 92% of the SW velocities progress to 565.15 ± 2.72 km/s for cycle 22, and (4) 75% of the SW velocities show a value on the order of 530.38 ± 2.22 km/s for cycle 23. Furthermore, our analysis shows a lower electron density at the beginning of the cycle (48%) than at the end of the solar cycle (52%). Thus HSSWs are more frequent at the end of solar cycles, while the magnetospheric electric field (EM) instead shows dominant features during the upward phase of odd cycles and the downward phase of even cycles. Therefore, the stability of the inner magnetosphere is more significant during the decline of solar cycles.
The solar sources of 884 geomagnetic storms have been studied for the solar cycles 23 and 24 (1996-2019), regardless of their size ranges; using the Kp index and the NOAA G criteria (minor to extreme storms). It claims from our investigation that fast solar wind streams (HSSWs) is the main factor of small (G1) and medium (G2) storms and occur mostly on the descending phase of the solar cycle. Fast solar wind has contributed to about 59% of G1 storms; 50% of G2; 29% G3; and 10% G4 storm. Large storms (G3 to G5) are the effects of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and they are observed mainly during the maximum and the descending phases of the solar cycle. About 10% of G1 storms, 26% of G2 storms, 59% of G3 (strong) storms, 87% of G4 (severe) storms, and 100% of G5 (extreme) storms were the effect of CMEs. Magnetic clouds contributed 11% of G1 storms, 15% of G2 storms, 9% of G3 storms, and 3% of G4 storms. A comparative statistical occurrence shows that the number of storms decreased during solar cycle 24 when compared with the solar cycle 23. These results showed that the magnetospheric energy transfer decreased in solar cycle 24 and that the magnetosphere was under the influence of intense solar magnetic fields in solar cycle 23. The phenomenon observed in these investigations highlight a drop in solar plasma geoeffectiveness since the long minimum that followed the solar cycle 23. Key words: Magnetic storms, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), high speed solar winds stream (HSSWs), magnetic clouds (MCs), solar cycle.
Prostate cancer is the leading cause of mortality in men worldwide, and dietary fat influence its incidence. This study investigated the effect of feeding Tetracarpidium conophorum seed oil (TCSO) on 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) induced prostate cancer in Wistar rats, the expression of cyclooxygenase2 (COX-2) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR-ɣ) in the prostatic tissues. The TCSO was extracted with n-hexane in a Soxhlet apparatus and characterized by gas chromatography. Forty-eight male wistar rats (4 weeks old) were divided into three groups of 16 rats each and fed for 12 weeks. Group A and B animals were fed with diet containing TCSO extract. The animals in Groups A and C received intraperitoneally a dose of MCA (150 mg/kg) after 30 days of feeding. Groups A and B rats were fed with diet containing 10% of extracted TCSO throughout the period of the experiment. Results showed that COX-2 activity significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in Group A (0.71±0.07) and B (0.60±0.05) when compared with Group C (1.17±0.10) with increased COX-2 expression. PPAR-gamma activity was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in Group A (1.89±0.13) and B (2.30±0.15) in comparison with Group C (1.16±0.10) which has the lowest PPAR-gamma expression. TCSO extract delayed latency period in Group A where lumps were observed after 4 weeks of 3-methylcholanthrene induction in comparison with Group C where lumps were observed in less than 2 weeks of MCA induction. Gammalinoleic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and myristoleic acid were higher in the liver cell membrane of animals in Group A compared to animals in Group C. This work therefore showed that TCSO contains bioactive components that may oppose prostate carcinogenesis induced by MCA.
Green economy is a sustainable concept that has set the pace for industrial innovations across the globe. This is reflected in manufacturing, processing, and production industrial processes. There is a paradigm shift in the definition and understanding of green economy (GE) linkages to industrial symbiosis (IS), industrial ecology (IE) and clean development mechanism (CDM). We hypothesize in this study by responding to the question, "How is green economy defined in the model of eco-friendly industrial processes and their links to circularity? “We use systematic review design with the reporting system reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) and the Publish or Perish review tool for qualitative analytical synthesis. A total of (N = 1264) review articles were screened, and from the total, only (n = 56) articles were qualitatively synthesized. Based on previous research, we believe there are significant linkages and paradigms along the industrial symbiosis and circularity aspects. We conclude by recommending that research should explicitly inculcate incompatibilities of the green economy nexus on industrialization, the development of industrial policies that foster circularity and the combination of multiple solutions that inculcate sustainable innovations in industrial circularity.
The development of countries is now mostly dependent on their research and how fast they can convert the results into tangible products and services.Employment of research for industrial development is not being encouraged in developing countries.Developing countries must engage more in research that will contribute positively to their economy.Encouraging collaboration and entrepreneurship within and across different disciplines will serve as impetus to create alternative local products as well as chart a course for a competitive future.The transfer of innovative research and technology from our universities and research centers into the economy can be driven by university lecturers and researchers from institutes.
The emergence of the Industry 4.0 has been driven by technological advances that brought the need for evolution in the educational sector. Education 4.0 proposes a restructuring of teaching methods to include the socio-emotional skills highly demanded within the current job market. Engineers traditionally have a technical-scientific-based training; they focus on the development of core competencies such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and logic, while the socio-emotional competencies are taken for granted. Among these skills, teamwork stands out, as it includes leadership, networking and multiculturalism, essential for the work performance of the 21st century engineer. The purpose of this research is to propose a training to expand and develop the teamwork soft skills. The research was developed through a systematic bibliographic review (SBR), resulting in 33 base articles. The application method used the studies of Chiavenato and Kirckpatrick as a reference. The study data were collected through a questionnaire that compared the level of this competence before and after the application of the training. The data collected were treated with Bardin's Content Analysis. The results suggest there has been an improvement in skills, and additional fourteen competencies were identified. The improvement in the development of these skills meets the desire of the engineers' job market, which needs professionals trained in soft skills to deal with the demands inherent to teamwork.
In recent years, Nattrassia mangiferae has received tremendous attention as a destructive plant pathogen that may potentially infect humans and animals.The pathogen was isolated from 61 species belonging to 47 genera and 30 family plants but was most frequently isolated from Cactaceae, Rosaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Anacardiaceae, and Rutaceae hosts.To systematically and comprehensively describe the progress, trends, and hotspots of N. mangiferae research, the 376 related publications from 1966 to 2022 were collected from the Scopus database.The bibliometric characteristics including publication output, countries/region of focus, author's productivity, most prolific authors, authorship pattern, citation frequency, institutes, most prolific journals, and research focus were evaluated by using Excel 2013 and VOSviewer.Out of 376 original articles, there are 139 plant and 237 human studies.The leading countries based on the number of publications were the United States, the United Kingdom, and Brazil.A sharp increase in the number of studies related to the pathogenicity of N. mangiferae during 2018 to 2021 was observed, coinciding with an increase in the number of short reports and outbreak reports worldwide.The journal and subject categories with the most significant publications are Plant Disease and Medical Mycology, respectively.The most common document types were article, note, review, and letter.N. mangiferae is a thermophilic fungus, and warming temperatures may weaken trees and affect their susceptibility to this pathogen.The increase in reports of the pathogenicity of this pathogen on various plants and humans from 70 different countries in recent years shows the importance of this pathogen as a sever threat to the world.Our bibliometric analysis reveals the current research hotspots and topic trends on N. mangiferae, thus offering potential clues for further examination.
The report focused on phytochemical tests and evaluation of the antiradical activity of seed extracts of Staudtia kamerunensis var. gabonensis. The successive extraction of seed powders from S. kamerunensis var. gabonensis was carried out by maceration at room temperature with solvents of increasing polarities: Cyclohexane, trichlorethylene, acetone, ethanol and distilled water. The antiradical activity was measured by trapping the radical cation of 2,2'-azinobis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] (ABTS•+) with gallic acid as reference antioxidant. The total extraction yields were the order of 44.6%. Phytochemical tests demonstrated the presence of secondary metabolites of alkaloids, tannins, polyphenols types, reducing compounds, free anthracene derivatives, anthraquinones, total sugars, coumarins, free quinones, sterols and triterpenes, carotenoids, flavonoids, mucilages and traces of cardiac glycosides and saponins. The results of the anti-free radical activity showed that the polar extracts were much anti-free of the free radicals than the non-polar extracts. The ethanolic extract was the most active with an IC50 of 20 µgmL-1, followed by the aqueous and acetone extracts with IC50 of 25 µgmL-1. The cyclohexane and trichlorethylene extracts have lower antiradical activities with IC50 of 400 µgmL-1. Gallic acid, the reference antioxidant, showed an IC50 of 0.37 µgmL-1. Key words: Staudtia kamerunensis var. gabonensis, oilseeds, extracts, phytochemical screening, antiradical activity, ABTS, gallic acid.
