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This research was conducted to study temperature variation in grain metal silo using Finite Element Method (FEM). A mathematical model was developed, based on conductive heat transfer expressed in Poisson and Laplace Differential models, by discretising the actual temperature variation at 8 hours storage interval for 153 days (May to September). The temperature variations were measured from specified radii (0, 3.25 m and 8.25 m) and at depth of 1.2 m from the base of the grain silo. The results of the simulation were compared with the ambient and measured values, and this agreed with each other. The pattern of temperature at the depth of 1.2 m from the radii of the metal silo did not differ from each other. This may imply that the silo will need aeration at an interval of 8 hours to curtail excessive heat buildup that may lead to deterioration of stored grains and possible structural failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental issues resulting from production and application of wood charcoal can be addressed by using biomass briquettes as alternative. This research was undertaken to develop and evaluate briquette from jatropha, groundnut and melon seed residues. Samples of the briquette were formed from mixtures of 0.32-0.39 kg carbonised residues, 0.30-0.40 kg starch and 0.02- 0.04 kg water. Physical and mechanical properties of the briquette samples including calorific value, bulk density and breaking force were determined using standard methods. Box-Bekhen Design Methodology was used to determine the optimum briquette blend. The results showed that the optimal briquette blend gave values of 4711.87 kcal.kg-1 calorific value, 282.59 kg m-3 bulk density and 1.36 kN breaking force, with a desirability index of 61.5%. A comparative analysis of the properties of the optimal briquette with that of a wood charcoal indicates no significant difference (P<0.05). This implies that the briquette can serve as an alternative energy source for cooking in rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2015, Nigeria's estimated 317,700 stillbirths accounted for 12.2% of the 2.6 million estimated global stillbirths. This suggests that Nigeria still makes substantial contribution to the global burden of stillbirths. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and identify the causes and factors associated with stillbirth in eight referral hospitals in Nigeria.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of all deliveries over a period of 6 months in six general hospitals (4 in the south and 2 in the north), and two teaching hospitals (both in the north) in Nigeria. The study population was women delivering in the hospitals during the study period. A pre-tested study protocol was used to obtain clinical data on pregnancies, live births and stillbirths in the hospitals over a 6 months period. Data were analyzed centrally using univariate, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The main outcome measure was stillbirth rate in the hospitals (individually and overall).Results: There were 4416 single births and 175 stillbirths, and a mean stillbirth rate of 39.6 per 1000 births (range: 12.7 to 67.3/1000 births) in the hospitals. Antepartum (macerated) constituted 22.3% of the stillbirths; 47.4% were intrapartum (fresh stillbirths); while 30.3% was unclassified. Acute hypoxia accounted for 32.6% of the stillbirths. Other causes were maternal hypertensive disease (6.9%), and intrapartum unexplained (5.7%) among others. After adjusting for confounding variables, significant predictors of stillbirth were referral status, parity, past experience of stillbirth, birth weight, gestational age at delivery and mode of delivery.Conclusion: We conclude that the rate of stillbirth is high in Nigeria's referral hospitals largely because of patients' related factors and the high rates of pregnancy complications. Efforts to address these factors through improved patients' education and emergency obstetric care would reduce the rate of stillbirth in the country.Trial Registration: Trial Registration Number NCTR91540209. Nigeria Clinical Trials Registry. http://www.nctr.nhrec.net/ Registered April 14th 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]