ASSESSMENT OF LEAD AND CADMIUM CONTENTS IN SELECTED COSMETICS PRODUCTS SOLD IN GASHU’A TOWN.

Ibrahim Yusuf, Mohammed Kabir & Lauwali Tafida

Department of Chemistry and Agricultural Science

Umar Sulaiman College of Education, Gashua, Yobe State.

Email= ibrazuby@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Samples of some commonly used cosmetic products (white powder, brown powder, lipstick, lip gloss and eye liner) were collected and analysed for their lead and cadmium contents using atomic absorption spectrophotometer after digestion. The results obtained showed the presence of lead and cadmium in all the samples, with cadmium ranging from 3.70-6.34mg/kg while lead contents ranged from 0.1-0.19mg/kg. The results also revealed that all the samples have higher concentration of cadmium when compared with the standard of 3.00 mg/kg set up for cadmium in cosmetics by FAO, with lead having concentration of less than 10.00mg/kg set up by FAO in all the samples.

Keywords: Cadmium, Lead, Cosmetics, Yobe.


PASSIVE DESIGN PRINCIPLES: A TOOL FOR ENHANCING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF A MALL

Okwandu, Azubuike Chukudi

Department of Architecture,

Rivers State University,Npkolu, Oruworukwo Port Harcourt,

Email: aokwandu@yahoo.com, PG: 2018 /321533

ABSTRACT

Proper integration of all passive strategies as it regards sustainability will be a giant stride to optimizing energy usage in building with absolute mechanical dependant. Passive Design regards the particular way to construct a building using the natural movement of heat and air, passive solar gain and cooling in order to maintain a good internal comfort. Usage of passive strategies in the building sector enhances sustainability measures predominantly through mitigating building’s negative environmental impacts besides optimizing its energy performance. Building a passive home takes careful planning, which includes the introduction of five Basic principles: Orientation, Overhangs and shadings, Insulation, Double or triple glazing, Thermal mass, Through the use of passive solutions it is possible to mitigate, or at least reduce, the use of mechanical systems and the energy demand by a measurable percentage as well as the CO2 emissions. The aim of this paper is to avoid solar radiation, promote ventilation from the prevailing wind and ensure daylight into the building. This journal however demonstrates the importance of an alternative usage of energy in buildings as it regards the sustainable building through careful analysis of related journals, articles, and books. The study is useful for various resource persons involved in construction activities who wishes to imbibe all strategies for the achieving an eco-friendly building.

Obsolescence is commonly regarded as the beginning of the end-of-life phase of buildings. Sources  about  the  life  cycle  of  buildings  show  a  variety  of  terms.  The  building  and development trade commonly refers to the development cycle, consisting of the development phase, including the design and the construction phase, and the usage phase, consisting of the actual  use  and  the  reuse  or  end-of-life  phase  (de  Jonge  and  Arkesteijn,  2008).  Sources regarding the life span, building pathology and mortality of buildings more often refer to the physical life or real life, being the period of physical existence, including the usage and end-of-life phase. This is in line with most national building stock statistics that in general only state withdrawal from  the residential stock, in some countries subdivided by withdrawal  by demolition  and/or  disaster,  merging  with  other  buildings  and  loss  of  function  (Dol  and Haffner, 2010).

Keywords: Passive Design, Passive Strategies, Energy Efficiency Sustainable building


EFFECTIVE DESIGN STRATEGY TO ENHANCE THE NEED OF NATURAL LIGHTENING AND VENTILATION IN A CULTURAL FACILITY

Alabi, Muhamammed Kehinde & Warebi,  Bresibe Gabriel

Department of architecture

Rivers State University, Npkolu, Oruworukwo, Port Harcourt

ABSTRACT

The incorporation of culture into developmental policies and projects of rural- urban dwellers is apt at this period in our history as this offers various advantages. Culture is the be all and end all of development (Senghor, 2001) and as such the successful design of a Proposed Delta state cultural centre will satisfy the quest to achieve development. Design strategies that encourage community participation needs to be meticulously explored and employed; a deviation from this will result into a failed approach at taping into the wealth of benefits culture provides. This journal therefore seeks to highlight architectural ways of resolving the issue of ventilation and lighting by adhering to natural principles that will give functional and enhanced design actualization. This study uses analytical approach of research into past innovations; its successes and failures and by extension propose workable solutions.

Keywords: Culture, Development, Strategies, Design, Participation.


PHYTOREMEDIAITON OF CHROMIUM CONTAMINATED SOIL BY AFRICAN SPINACH (Amaranthus hybridus) IN JOS, NIGERIA

Ayodele Owonubi1 and Blessing Akayi Abimiku2

1Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria; Federal College of Forestry, Jos; 2Department of Horticulture and Landscape Technology, Jos,Nigeria

Email: ayowonubi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Phytoremediation involves the use of living green plants for in situ risk reduction and or removal of contaminants from contaminated soil. The objective of this study therefore was to evaluate the effectiveness of African spinach (Amaranthus hybridus) in extraction of chromium (Cr) from contaminated soil. The research consisted of the following treatments: 0, 38, 76, 114, 156, and 190 (Cr mg/kg). Potassium dichromate was used as the source of chromium. The plant data collected were leaf count, plant height, stem diameter, shoot weight, the root weight and chromium concentration in shoot and roots which were analyzed using analysis of variance and the Fisher’s pairwise comparisons. The result showed that there was no significant effect of treatments on growth parameters. However, there was significance difference in chromium concentration in the shoots of Amaranthus hybridus among the various treatments when compared to the control. Mean maximum extraction of chromium were within the range 58.0 to 63.0 mg/kg. This indicates that Amaranthus hybridus possess great potential in phyto-extraction of chromium and other heavy metals from contaminated soil.

Keywords: phytoremediation, chromium, African spinach, Amaranthus hybridus


DETERMINATION OF SCHWARZSCHILD’S RADIUS OF SOME PLANETARY BODIES IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM USING NEWTONIAN MECHANICS

Ahmadu, Muhammad Aliyu &  Jamaludeen Sambo

Department of Physic

Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria

Email: hafizmohd2@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The need to understand black hole formation, property and absorption of other celestial bodies is an interesting issue in Astrophysics and Astronomy. In this short article we avoided complex mathematical difficulty to obtain Schwarzschild’s radius of some planetary bodies, and this radius was computed using Newtonian expression for escape velocity. Results obtained shows that among the planets Jupiter requires a very large amount of gravitational pull to reduce to black hole and was found to be exactly the same with that using Schwarzschild’s metric.

Keywords and phrases: Black hole, Schwarzschild’s radius, Newtonian expression, escape velocity                                                  


INSINCERE AND DECEPTIVE PROMISES BY POLITICIANS: CITIZENS’ PERCEPTION OF ITS EFFECTS ON VOTING DECISION

Olayiwola A. Sojobi

Department of Statistics and Mathematics

 Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

E-mail:  olayiwolasojobi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This paper has investigated the effects of insincere and deceptive promises by politicians on citizens’ voting decision. It starts with a discourse on the promises usually made by politicians during electioneering campaign, the objective of such promises and the deceptiveness inherent in the promises. An empirical study was carried out whose main objectives are: to determine the purpose of making election promises; whether politicians make insincere and deceptive promises or not; if politicians and their parties keep their campaign promises once elected; and the impact that deceptive political promises have on the electorate. Field survey was conducted within four Nigerian cities, Abeokuta, Ago-Iwoye, Ibadan, and Ikeja. Cluster sampling technique was adopted in selecting distinct clusters- campuses, offices, households, and markets, from the population. In all, 300 people were selected for the research while a structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The empirical study confirms the assertion that some promises made by politicians are bogus and/or mostly exaggerated, and insincerely made, with the main purpose of deceiving the electorate to vote for them. The study also shows that women are more influenced by insincere and deceptive political promises than men in their voting decisions. Also, less educated people are more influenced by deceptive political promises than the more educated people. The paper therefore recommends among others that: the public should hold politicians accountable for their promises and appropriate Federal and State laws should be promulgated to make this recommendation effective; politicians should make sincere, realistic, and feasible promises in their election campaign. The paper also recommends that we should make fulfilment of freely-made election promises legally binding on our politicians.

Keywords:  Deception, insincerity, politician, promise, voting decision.

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AN EXPLORATIVE STUDY ON THE SUITABILITY OF SESAME PLANT MUCILAGE (SESAMUM INDICUM) AS ADMIXTURE IN CONCRETE

1Zakka, P.W, 3Bako, W, 4Yohanna, H.S, 2Bang, D.P, 1Agboju, S.E, 1Goh, D.J., 1Williams, F.N., 1Okala, D.E., and 1Alaku, P.O

1Department of Building, University of Jos, Nigeria.

2Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Jos, Nigeria.

3ECWA College of Health Technology Kagoro

4Department of Building Technology, Bells University of technology, Ota

ABSTRACT

Concrete’s durability and strength are the most important features of structural design and are required for compliance in the construction industry. Ordinary concrete may not meet the desired quality, strength, or durability in certain circumstances. Admixture is used in these situations to change the properties of ordinary concrete to make it more suitable for any situation. The suitability of sesamum mucilage as an admixture in concrete was investigated in this research along with its chemical composition and specific gravity which was calculated to be 2.25. A mix ratio of 1:1.84:2.88, water cement ratio of 0.60 and a target mean strength of 20.65 was used. Concrete cubes, Cylinders and Beams were cast, in which sesamum mucilage was added in 0%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%. 0%(control) had a slump of 35mm and a compacting factor of 0.95 which makes it workability low, 1% had a slump of 10mm and a compacting factor of 0.89 which makes it workability very low, 1.5% had a slump of 4mm and a compacting factor of 0.89 which makes it workability also very low while 2% had a slump of 58mm and a compacting factor of 0.95 which makes it workability low. Results for the hardened properties of concrete made with sesamum mucilage in 0%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% at 28 days of hydration were found to be 0%(28.00N/mm2), 1%(31.30N/mm2), 1.5%(32.20N/mm2) and 2%(30.80N/mm2) for the compressive strength, 0%(3.34N/mm2), 1%(3.39N/mm2), 1.5%(3.77N/mm2) and 2%(3.50N/mm2) for the split tensile strength test, 0%(4.33N/mm2), 1%(5.42N/mm2), 1.5%(6.33N/mm2) and 2%(5.58N/mm2) for the flexural strength test. However, for the rate of water absorption, all the concrete specimen made with sesamum mucilage have low water absorption capacity compared to the plain concrete with result of 0%(4.93%), 1%(4.52%), 1.5%(3.52%) and 2%(3.69%). Concrete specimen subjected to heat at 1000oC had a result of 0%(5.30N/mm2), 1%(5.50 N/mm2), 1.5%(6.70 N/mm2) and 2%(5.70 N/mm2). There was a general increase in the strength properties of concrete which includes compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and compressive strength of concrete cubes after being subjected to heat at different temperature due to increase in percentage content of the sesamum mucilage and increase in the hydration period. However, 2% had a slight decrease in strength, it was still higher than 0% and 1% but not high as 1.5%. This study shows that sesamum plant


MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PIGEON PEA [CAJANUS CAJAN (L.) MILLSP.] TREATED WITH SODIUM AZIDE AND GAMMA RADIATION

1Mathew, B. A, 2Louis, U. 3A. A. Omachi, 4Ibrahim, A.A. & 5Mohammed, R.O.

1*5Department of Integrated Science, 3 5Department of Chemistry, 2 & 4 5Department of Biology

1,3 & 4Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, Nigeria

2Federal College of Education, Katsina, Nigeria

5Kogi State College of Education Technical, Kabba, Nigeria

E-mail; matthewaledare44@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the morphological responses of pigeon pea Cajanus cajan (L) Millspaugh to treatments with sodium azide and gamma radiation. This was performed by exposing the seeds of landraces pigeon pea to gamma rays at Centre for Radiotherapy and Oncology Department, ABUTH, Zaria at doses of 0(control), 50, 100, 150 and 200Gy. These seeds were further treated with sodium azide (NaN3) concentrations at 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04% SA, giving a total of 25 treatments. The growth parameters were recorded at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 Weeks After Planting (WAP). The parameters measured include germination percentage, Leaf and branch number, plant height and root length. The result of these treatments showed a symmetric reduction in germination percentage with respect to most of the mutagenic treatments. There was a higher leaf number with those that received 100Gy + 0.03% SA (41.93 leaves). Also, the branch number of treated plants showed an increase over the R0A0 (control) treatment; Similarly, the mean comparison of the plant height presented showed 150Gy + 0.02% SA (190.93 cm), produced the highest plant height and data recorded on root length indicated that the highest root length due to 100Gy + 0.01% SA (43.13 cm), was significantly higher than those of other treatments. It is, therefore, concluded that the two mutagens affected the pigeon pea plant population morphologically as prominent Tall, High yield, Early flowering and profusely branchingmutants were observed by exposing pigeon pea to single and combined treatments of gamma ray (50Gy – 150Gy) and Sodium azide (0.01% – 0.04%).

Keywords: Pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan, sodium azide, gamma radiation, seed germination, root length, plant height, morphological response, mutagenic treatment.


A STUDY OF WAYFINDING AND CIRCULATION IN MALL DESIGN

Ihunwo Wisdom Chiyeruigo & Anthony Dornubari Enwin

Department of Architecture

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Rivers State University, Npkolu, Oruworukwo, Port Harcourt

Email: ihunwowisdom@gmail.com, PG.2018/00550

ABSTRACT

Malls are places where the influx of people is on the high side especially during peaks periods or festive seasons. Therefore, in other to avoid stampede during exit and entering of mall design, is imperative that every section of the mall should have a defining way that can allow easy identification. To this end, proper movement within and around this facility should be kept simple and should be made easy for users to find their way through this facility. This Journal therefore seeks to examine and highlight through the use of secondary data the possible ways wayfinding and circulation can be enhanced in mall designs.

Keywords: Wayfinding, Circulation, Mall Design, Movement.


MULTI-LEVEL PARKING FOR SHOPPING MALLS IN PORT HARCOURT

TAMUNOSEIPRIALA Noble Okumgba

Department of Architecture

Post Graduate School, Rivers State University, Nigeria

Email: nob4fresh@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Due to the socio-economic advantages of shopping malls and the rise of the middle class and advancement in the retail sector of Nigeria, the development of shopping malls has been on the increase in Nigeria. While locating shopping malls in city centres on the positive achieve high visibility and accessibility, on the negative it attracts heavy traffic, which congests the transportation network and also generates a high number of accidents due to the necessarily large number of turns. Addressing this challenge is to use alternative parking to surface parking in shopping malls. Owing to the topographic and climatic condition of Port Harcourt metropolis, multilevel parking is best alternative to address the traffic congestion created by shopping mall traffic.


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