Herbal teas are receiving increasing attention from consumers because of their perceived nutritional and health benefits. Current study evaluated the formulation of guava leaf teas supplemented with Moringa oleifera and dry ginger powder as supporting and activating herbs respectively. The formulated herbal combinations were packed as dip tea bags designated M1 and M2. Nutritional composition, functional properties and anti-nutritional factors were investigated using standard analytical methods of Association of Official Analytical chemist. Data was analyzed by ANOVA and results expressed as mean and standard deviation. Result of proximate composition indicates that ash and moisture content were within Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) recommended standard. The result also revealed that the formulations contain appreciable amount of all essential amino acids. Functional properties indicate that bulk density range from (0.39 - 0.36 g/cm3 ), swelling index (2.8 - 3.7 ml/g), reconstitution index (6.6 - 6.8 g/ml), water absorption capacity (83.52 - 89.65 ml/g) and pH (6.11- 6.22). Selected micro nutrient estimated suggested that the composite blends are good sources of minerals like Zn, Ca and Fe which are of public health importance. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that guava leaf tea supplemented with moringa and ginger are good reservoir of macro and micro-nutrients with potential nutritional health benefits

A double boost converter integrated with voltage multiplier cell for photovoltaic (PV) application and other renewables that requires DC-DC step-up control is presented in this work. The new topology was constructed using two conventional boost converters incorporated with voltage multiplier cell and it adopts only one active power switch. The merits of the converter are higher voltage transfer ratio can be obtained at the expense of low duty-cycle and voltage stress across the semiconductor devices is reduced to minimum. The operating principle and steady-state analysis of all the active components of the reported converter were analyzed and presented in details. The simulation and theoretical analysis was done using 10 V DC input and 115 V DC output. Laboratory prototype of the proposed circuit was developed and tested with PV panel.

The timing of maturity-development and hydrocarbon generation with respect to structuring is a primary factor controlling oil and gas accumulation. Hydrocarbon generation is largely a temperature-dependent process and in order to predict accumulation it is necessary to reconstruct thermal history. In this study of the Wessex Basin, direct thermal history data are obtained from Apatite Fission Track Analysis (AFTA) on samples from wells, shallow boreholes and outcrops, enabling the key facets of a complex thermal and tectonic history to be reconstructed. Several distinct styles of thermal history are recognized, with clear differences across the region in the time of cooling from maximum palaeotemperatures. In most wells, AFTA and Rock Eval data define low or non-linear palaeogeothermal gradients indicative of an element of heating due to fluid movement in addition to heating due to burial, making quantitative estimation of erosion difficult, but any reasonable model requires kilometre-scale uplift and erosion over a wide region. West of Portland in Lyme Bay, a key question is whether maturation history is dominated by early Cretaceous or by mid- to late Tertiary events. At present there are not sufficient data to extrapolate confidently from the area of well control east of Portland. No parts of the basin are currently generating hydrocarbons, implying that surface seepages are from previously reservoired accumulations.

The effects of variation of time, adsorbent dosage, concentration and solution pH on the adsorption of Cd solution were determined using standard methods of analysis. Results indicate that 83.49 % of Cd minutes interaction time and 0.- g adsorbent dosage with concentration and pH kept at 10 mg/dm 9-.11 % Cd-+ was removed from solution when adsorbent dosage was increased to 1.0 g while time, concentration and pH remained unchanged. The effect of adsorbent dosage on adsorption of Cd concentration and pH were -6.6-- and -4.53- respectively (negative effect). The experimental and calculated (pre for each run were close to the straight line with residual value solution were determined using standard methods of analysis. Results indicate that 83.49 % of Cd-+ was adsorbed after 30 minutes interaction time and 0.- g adsorbent dosage with concentration and pH kept at 10 mg/dm3 and 4 respectively was removed from solution when adsorbent dosage was increased to 1.0 g while time, concentration and pH remained unchanged. The effect of adsorbent dosage on adsorption of Cd-+ positive and high (7.438) while the effects of 4.53- respectively (negative effect). The experimental and calculated (pre to the straight line with residual value of ≤ -.00 indicating a good fit of the model. was adsorbed after 30 and 4 respectively. Similarly, was removed from solution when adsorbent dosage was increased to 1.0 g while time, concentration and pH positive and high (7.438) while the effects of 4.53- respectively (negative effect). The experimental and calculated (predicted) value The effects of variation of time, adsorbent dosage, concentration and solution pH on the adsorption of Cd solution were determined using standard methods of analysis. Results indicate that 83.49 % of Cd minutes interaction time and 0.- g adsorbent dosage with concentration and pH kept at 10 mg/dm 9-.11 % Cd-+ was removed from solution when adsorbent dosage was increased to 1.0 g while time, concentration and pH remained unchanged. The effect of adsorbent dosage on adsorption of Cd concentration and pH were -6.6-- and -4.53- respectively (negative effect). The experimental and calculated (pre for each run were close to the straight line with residual value solution were determined using standard methods of analysis. Results indicate that 83.49 % of Cd-+ was adsorbed after 30 minutes interaction time and 0.- g adsorbent dosage with concentration and pH kept at 10 mg/dm3 and 4 respectively was removed from solution when adsorbent dosage was increased to 1.0 g while time, concentration and pH remained unchanged. The effect of adsorbent dosage on adsorption of Cd-+ positive and high (7.438) while the effects of 4.53- respectively (negative effect). The experimental and calculated (pre to the straight line with residual value of ≤ -.00 indicating a good fit of the model. was adsorbed after 30 and 4 respectively. Similarly, was removed from solution when adsorbent dosage was increased to 1.0 g while time, concentration and pH positive and high (7.438) while the effects of 4.53- respectively (negative effect). The experimental and calculated (predicted) value of ≤ -.00 indicating a good fit of the model.

n this research, I examined the Wessex Basin, southern Englandgeochemically, I investigated Potential hydrocarbon migration pathways from the hanging wall of the Purbeck fault into Sherwood Sandstone reservoir at Wytch Farm using geochemical characterisation of oils extracted from core materials from the Wessex Basin. These revealed oilsfound at Stoborough and Waddock Cross are less mature than oils at Wytch Farm, which likely indicates spillage from the top of the reservoir at Wytch Farm due to regionaltiltingand faulting. In addition, the geochemical data from the core materials also show probable migration paths for oils found at Chickerellcontrolled by the two main faults in the Wessex Basin

Indigenous knowledge is sum of facts that are known or learned from experience or acquired through observation and study and passed down from generation to generation. Indigenous knowledge of drought forecasting is among the local knowledge gained by the present generation from the past generation. This work attempts to investigate the indigenous knowledge used by the communities of semi-arid areas of Katsina state in forecasting/predicting the risk of drought disaster. Data were collected through semi-structured interview with purposefully selected respondents and Focus Group Discussion. It was found that indigenous knowledge of disaster monitoring, prediction and early warning is based on the observation of behaviors of animals, birds, insects, shrubs, trees, wind, temperature, and cloud among others. Even though, the communities of northern Katsina state face many natural hazards challenges, drought is among the major disaster experience over the years by the communities, hence, they have evolved indigenous ways that helped them not only in predicting these natural disasters but also in devising techniques and mechanism of dealing with them. Documentation of disaster risk reduction information and development of disaster risk reduction policy were recommended to deal with the situation.

Lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic analyses were carried out on ditch cuttings samples from Amansiodo-1 well, Anambra Basin Nigeria. The lithostratigraphic description revealed the lithologies to be mainly shales, sandstones, clays, mudstones coal and siltstone. Biostratigraphic analysis shows a total of thirty benthonic foraminifera species recovered (twenty-six arenaceous and four calcareous) as a result three benthonic foraminiferal zones Ammobaculites amabensis/Miliammina pindigensis concurrent range zone, Haplophragmoides saheliense interval zone and Haplophragmoides talokaense interval zone was proposed for the well. The study also revealed shallow marine depositional environment based on the triangular plot of foraminifera suborders, paleobathymetric and paleo-oxygenation studies suggested the studied portion of the well belong to the Mamu Formation in the Anambra Basin. The well sediments are dated Maastrichtian based on the presence of Haplophragmoides saheliense an index fossil for Campanian –Maastrichtian.

Aluminum (Al) and Zinc (Zn) levels was compared in three commonly eaten fishes;, African cat fish (Herterobranchus longifilis), tilapia fish (Tilapia niloticus) and cat fish (Synodontis clarias) to ascertain leaching from foil wrappers leading to toxicity. The fishes were washed, wrapped in aluminum foil and stored in the refrigerator (40C) for 1.5 hr, some were roasted in the oven at about 1500C. The fishes were chopped (fresh and roasted) and then homogenized into slurry. The slurry were transferred into test tubes, centrifuged at 3000 G for 10 minutes and clear supernatant were collected aseptically and labeled (A1, 2, 3, B1, 2, 3 and C1, 2, 3). The condiments used were weighed about 800 g/850 – 1200 g per fish, grinded into slurry, with a blender. The slurry was further centrifuged at 3000 G for 10 minutes and the clear supernatant ascetically collected into clean test tubes (D1, 2, 3) and analyzed. Three cone shaped foil (E1, 2, 3) holding 10 ml of distilled water were allowed to stand for 3 hrs and carefully placed in an oven and heated (1200C) for 1.5 hr, was cooled and then analyzed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Varian AA240). The results obtained showed significant (p˂0.05) increase in Al and Zn levels, possibly due to temperature and pH factors. The Al and Zn levels in the fish slurries was (0.127 ± 0.02 - 0.146 ± 0.03 mg/g) and (0.148 ± 0.03 – 0.180 ± 0.03 mg/g), respectively. These were extremely below WHO recommended value of 1mg/day and 15 mg/day for Al and Zn respectively. This study contradicts the media hype about toxic amount of Al and Zn leached into roasted fish in foil wrappers. Hence, the amount of Al and Zn in the tested species of fish are below the acceptable WHO value and thus, not poisonous.

Field mapping, granulometric and micropaleontological analyses were employed to examine the lithostratigraphy and re-construct the palaeo-depositional environments of the Cretaceous Pindiga and Yolde Formations within the Gongola sub-basin of the Northern Benue Trough. The Yolde Formation is characterized by fine-grained, tabular and cross stratified sandstones intercalated with silty-mudstone; with disharmonic, non-cylindrical folds which are consistent with soft sediment deformation that may be result of hydroplastic slumping of unlithified sandstone beds in energized depositional environment. Grain size analyses indicate a fluvial depositional environment with proximal sediment source. The Pindiga Formation is made up of mainly shales and fossiliferous limestone. Foraminiferal assemblages from the Pindiga Formation are mainly of agglutinated benthic taxa dominated by Haplophragmoides and Ammobaculites, which indicate brackish water, marsh to lagoon environment. However, their diversity as well as abundance is low compared to the Ostracods, of which Ovocytheridea symmetrica with smooth shells and lack of ornamentation suggest shallow marine depositional environment. The presence of both hypersaline (Cytherella sp.) and hyposaline (Brachycythere ekpo) species in the study area also indicate a brackish water depositional environment.

Twelve crude oil samples from eight Tertiary reservoir units in Trinidad were analysed by using gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GC-MS)) to achieve their geochemical characterization. The specific objectives were to establish genetic relationships between the oils; determine their maturity and source lithology; and unveil the environment of deposition and extent of biodegradation. The biomarker characteristics established is an indication that the oils were generated from open marine source rocks deposited in a reducing environment. This is consequent upon, the moderate pristane/phytane ratio (1.0- 2.0); carbon preference index (CPI) and odd over even preference (OEP) close to 1; low dibenzothiophene/phenanthrene ratios; absence of 18α(H)-oleanane and; abundance of tricyclic terpanes. The oils are also characterised by high relative abundances of regular steranes, diasteranae and hopanes compared to tricyclic terpanes and correlation between the set of analysed oils also made possible. Overall, a single genetic type was established for the oils based on aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions contained. Biodegradation was clearly evident in the majority of samples analysed as demonstrated by the presence of unresolved complex mixture and high Pr/nC17 and Ph/nC18 values. Thermal maturity assessment based on saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon maturity parameters showed that the oils are at least marginally mature and corresponds to the early oil generation window.

From the research, a total of 132 isolates of 14 different fungal species belonging to 7 genera were isolated using dilution plate technique on Potato dextrose agar incorporated with 1% streptomycin, from the upland and lowland agricultural fields of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. Aspergillus, Fusarium, Rhizophus, Alternaria, Saccharomyces, Trichoderma and Trichophytum were identified microscopically using lacto-phenol cotton blue method and macroscopically by comparing the cultural and morphological features with the help of authentic fungal manual and taxonomic key. Highest occurrence was obtained in Aspergillus species (34.85%), followed by Fusarium spp. (20.45%) and the least was obtained in Alternaria spp. having only 2.27%. It was found that, the soil pH and Mg (pH= 8.3, Mg= 1.33cmol/kg) were significantly higher (P< 0.05) in lowland cultivated soil sample (C) when compared with upland cultivated (A), upland (B) and lowland uncultivated (D). No significant difference was observed in soil pH and Mg among the Upland cultivated (A), Upland (B) and lowland uncultivated soil samples. Organic carbon (OC), Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) values differ significantly (P<0.05) among the treatments. A strong negative significant correlation between fungal abundance and pH (-0.63) was observed at P<0.05, and also a negative, moderate and non- significant correlation observed with sand availability (-0.43), while a weak and negative correlation exists between the fungi, magnesium (Mg) and clay availability with -0.31 and -0.35 respectively. However, a very strong positive correlation exists between the moisture contents (MC) 0.62, sodium (Na) 0.62 and the fungal abundance, with a moderate one between the fungi and organic carbon (OC) 0.55, potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) with 0.51 all at P<0.05 significant level.

Sedimentary facies (clastic lithofacies and carbonate microfacies) and clay mineralogy (clay mineral facies) studies were conducted on Sekuliye Formation sediments from Yola Sub-basin with aim of re-interpreting the paleodepositional setting. Based on this study, three (3) lithofacies and three (3) microfacies were recognised. Lithofacies and microfacies therefore, suggests deposition in coastal-shallow marine/shelf (ramp) environment underlow-energy condition. Body fossils such as bivalves, crinoids, brachiopods and bryozoans dominates the sediments which indicate shelf or ramp depositional setting. Kaolinite, montmorillonite, glauconite and illite are the major clay minerals which indicates deposition in continental shelfor open marine shore settings.

Diffusion of chemical and microbial contaminants from pit latrines to groundwater is believed to affect human health negatively. In this study, the effect of pit latrines on ground water quality and their physicochemical properties in was assessed. Non probability sampling was employed in selecting twenty households with well or borehole for water sample collection. Lateral distance between water sources and the nearest latrine in a household were determined. Ten water samples were collected from ten different sources, 5 each from wells and boreholes in the Doubeli and Shinko wards, Yola North Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Distance of dug-out wells to pit latrines were used to compare the physicochemical parameters of water samples from the study area. Other parameters studied include pH and Turbidity between wet and dry seasons, respectively. Results obtained shows that most water sources are closer to pit latrines. The mean pH (6.3) obtained is within the standard range of pH 7.2. While overall mean conductivity (512.1) of ground water in both locations and across seasons was far beyond the recommended (7.8) for standard conductivity, the mean Total Dissolved Solids (256.2) of ground water in both locations and across both season is still above the standard (3.6.l). These variation from the standard may be due to the relatively close distance of water sources (Wells and boreholes) to pit latrines, hence the reason for contamination observed.

Pyrites are usually indicators of paleoredox conditions and hydrocarbon generation from organic matter. This study investigates the mineralogy, chemical composition and reservoir quality of the pyritic sandstones found in Lambir Formation of Onshore West Baram Delta, Sarawak Basin, which was selected because the prolific occurrence of hydrocarbon in the adjacent Miri Formation has not been equally reflected in the Lambir Formation, despite their similarity in age (Miocene). X-ray diffraction of the collected samples identified the presence of quartz, hematite and pyrite, while X-ray fluorescence confirmed the silicate, iron and sulfate composition. The petrographic analysis shows the lithic samples are friable and highly porous (27%).The unstable more soluble reduced or ferrous iron (Fe2+), indicated by the pyrite content, suggest water-logged soils, euxinic marine and organic-rich saline waters, all denoting anoxic environments. The pyrite hinders quartz cementation, as indicated by the friability of the rock samples. It also fills the pore spaces and reorganizes the detrital grains in a preferential alignment to create micro-laminations. Based on the high content of syngenetic pyrite, it can be inferred that the thermochemical generation of sulfate could have led to the destruction or depletion of hydrocarbon in the Lambir Formation.

Heavy metals in surface sediments from Badagry Creek in southwest Nigeria were studied to evaluate their spatial distributions, degree of contamination and possible ecological risk. Aqua regia technique was used for digestion of the pulverized sediments (< 63 m) and, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was used for quantification of the heavy metals. Contamination indices including modified degree of contamination (mCd), pollution load index (PLI), geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) were used to assess the extent of contamination of the creek sediments. The results showed that the overall average concentrations (ppm) of heavy metals of concern are 14.6 (Cu), 9.8 (Pb), 49.9 (Zn), 19.3 (Ni), 18.9 (Co), 702.5 (Mn), 1.8 (As) and 0.7 (Cd). The decreasing order of heavy metal enrichment in sediments is Cd > As > Co > Zn > Pb > Cu ≥ Ni. The resulting Pearson’s correlation matrix and dendrograms from cluster analysis identified aluminium as a conservative tracer to differentiate natural (lithogenic) and anthropogenic components. Also, the values of threshold effect level (TEL) and probable effect level (PEL) were used to assess the ecotoxicological potential of heavy metal concentrations in sediments. Results indicated that metal concentrations are below the threshold effect level (TEL), except, cadmium in all stations and; Ni, in western segment and 33.3 % of stations in eastern segment of the creek. Interestingly, Cd and Ni are not near the probable effect level (PEL), therefore, all the heavy metals examined are not likely to produce harmful effects on sediment-dwelling organisms.