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The world is facing declining liquid fuel reserves at a time when energy demand is exploding. As the supply decreases and costs rise, everyone will be forced to adopt the alternative energy resources. In order to achieve a secure and stable energy supply that does not cause environmental damage, renewable energy sources must be explored and promising technologies should be developed. This study investigates the effects of exhaust gases of diesel-Cadoba farinosa forskk bio-ethanol blended fuel samples run on a compression ignition engine. The test fuels were prepared; BDE2 (97% Diesel and 2% bio-ethanol volumetric proportion), BDE4, BDE6, BDE8 and BDE10 with 1% biodiesel (palm oil methyl esters) was maintained throughout to prevent phase separation of the ethanol and diesel respectively. The engine performance and exhaust gas analysis were also conducted to investigate the effect of bio-ethanol as diesel fuel extender, with a TD110-115 single-cylinder, four-stroke and air-cooled, compression ignition engine test rig, under different loading conditions, and incorporated with an SV-5Q automobile exhaust gas analyzer was used to monitor and measure the concentration of gaseous emissions, such as; exhaust gas temperature (EGT), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and unburned hydrocarbon (HC) from the engine tail pipe. Results of the test revealed an appreciable increase in exhaust gas temperature of 16.66% due to the rise in cylinder pressure and temperature respectively. An appreciable decrease in HC, CO and CO2 (15.7%, 37.5% and 15% respectively) emissions was recorded for all blended fuel samples with the exception of diesel. While, the least CO and CO2 emission levels were observed for BDE10 fuel samples. On the account of its satisfactory engine performance behavior, fuel conservation advantages, and inherent greenhouse gas mitigation potentials, the candidacy of Cadoba Farinosa Forskk bio-ethanol and diesel blends, offers the promise of a prospective fuel for compression ignition engines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-diesel has proven to be a better alternative to fossil diesel due to its eco-friendly, ease of production, high cetane rating and sustainability (renewable) which are the major drawback of fossil fuel. In this study, a non-edible avocado seed oil was used to formulate biodiesel. The avocado seed oil was extracted using cold press mill. The seed oil was then subjected to esterification to reduce the acidic value to <1mgKOH/g using sulphuric acid catalyst (H2SO4). Subsequently, the optimisation of the transesterification process was carried out by investigating the effect of different blend of molarity of oil to methanol (1: 6, 1.5:6, 2: 5, and 2.5:4.5) concentration of KOH catalyst % weight (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2), reaction time in minutes (55, 65, 75, and 85) and reaction temperature (55,60,65 and 70) °C on the yield of ASO biodiesel (%). The study revealed that highest ASO biodiesel yield (%) was observed with KOH 1% weight concentration; 75 min reaction time, 650C and 1: 6 molarity of oil to methanol. The physicochemical parameters of ASO biodiesel assessed were in conformity with ASTM standard and with literature. The assessment revealed that ASO biodiesel has some improved properties over fossil diesel. Therefore, it can be used solely or as a blend in diesel engine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africa's pursuit of inclusive and sustainable economic growth is impeded by many challenges, including climate change, whose effect is most apparent in the continent's tropical regions. To this end, this study investigates the impact of climate change on achieving pro-poor economic growth in Africa. Predicated on poverty-inequality-climate analysis, the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimator is used to analyse data from 1996 to 2020 covering 51 African countries. The results reveal that climate change significantly impedes inclusive growth. Furthermore, evidence of a long-lasting negative effect of climate change on inclusive growth, which could be attributed to a lack of coping mechanisms among the poor and vulnerable groups, is found. Finally, the findings show a marginal impact of institutional quality and government spending on inclusive growth in the face of climate change. The study recommends more climate mitigation efforts and enhanced adaptation mechanisms, especially for the poor, as they are most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, Africa has experienced remarkable economic growth; nonetheless, this advancement remains far from being considered inclusive, given the persistently high levels of poverty and income inequality across the continent. To this end, this study investigates the role of fiscal policy measures on inclusive growth using absolute and relative pro-poor measures of growth. The study utilizes panel data from 48 African countries spanning the period 1996 to 2020 and employs the Panel System Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) technique for analysis. Estimation results reveal a concerning trend where public debt service exacerbates both poverty and income inequality, underscoring the adverse consequences of mounting public debt pressures in the region. Interestingly, while government expenditure reduces inequality and worsens poverty, an increase in taxation reduces poverty but worsens income inequality. Further, an increase in taxation negatively affects the income shares of the bottom and middle-income groups while the top-income groups benefit. The findings of this study have significant policy implications for improving inclusive growth in the continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on developing and characterizing an emulsion paint formulated from a copolymer binder of polyvinyl acetate-hydroxylated guna seed oil (PVAc/HGSO) and compared with paint made from conventional polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) binder. Seed oil from guna was extracted mechanically using cold press method, and the extracted guna oil were successively subjected to epoxidation and hydroxylation reaction processes. The hydroxylated guna seed oil (HGSO) was copolymerised with conventional polyvinyl acetate in different ratio of 10 to 70% of hydroxylated oil, to formulate a novel PVAc/HGSO copolymer binder. The formulated copolymer binder was characterised, and compared with the standard inorder to ascertain the better blend ratio that will be suitable for paint production. The better blend copolymer binder was used in production of an emulsion paint. The physico-chemical parameters on the formulated emulsion paint were compared with paint formulated using only PVAc as a binder and acceptable value in the coating industry. The novel formulated emulsion paint found to be increased in gloss, adhesion and flexibility, which are major setback in paint produced using conventional PVAc only as a binder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to isolate and identify Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. from raw-meat samples, on retail in the Sokoto central market and test their susceptibility to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Meat samples (n=40) were randomly collected from selected retail spots within the Sokoto metropolis, pre-enriched in buffered peptone water and incubated at 37°C for 12 hours. Pre-enriched samples were streaked on MacConkey agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. The isolates were subjected to a series of biochemical tests for characterization and subsequent antimicrobial sensitivity testing using the disc diffusion method. Of the 40 samples collected, 7 were contaminated with E. coli and Salmonella spp. Antibiotic sensitivity testing showed that E. coli and Salmonella spp isolates were both resistant to chloramphenicol (10µg), ampicillin (30µg), amoxicillin (30µg), cefuroxime (30µg) and norfloxacin (10µg) In conclusion, this study showed that E. coli and salmonella spp. isolates from raw beef sold in Sokoto open market were multiple drug resistant strains which underscores a public health concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mango and neem leaf extract were prepared by soaking the measured leaves into 100ml of distilled water under appropriate conditions. Consequently, biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles was carried out by distinctly adding the mango and neem leaf extract to prepared solution of silver nitrate (AgNO3) to produce aqueous dispersion of silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles produced were investigated using FTIR, UV-Visible and AFM Spectroscopy at 15 minutes, 24 hours and 48 hours respectively. Reduction in OH absorption proves chemical interaction of mango extract with AgNO3. UV/Visible also revealed colour changes from faint yellow to brown to reddish brown within 15 minutes and 24 hours of incubation at room temperature. Atomic Force Microscopy revealed that the sizes of mango-based dispersion are smaller than that of neem-based dispersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]