Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

About: Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is a education organization based out in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 2786 authors who have published 3066 publications receiving 36850 citations. The organization is also known as: Oyo State University of Technology & LAUTECH.

Biosorption of Lead from Industrial Wastewater Using Chrysophyllum albidum Seed Shell

Abstract: The shell of the seed of Chrysophyllum albidum carbon was used to adsorb lead (Pb) from aqueous solution, the sorption process with respect to its equilibria and kinetics as well as the effects of pH, contact time, adsorbent mass, adsorbate concentration, and particle size on adsorption were also studied. The most effective pH range was found to be between 4.5 and 5 for the sorption of the metal ion. The first-order rate equation by Lagergren was tested on the kinetic data and the adsorption process followed first-order rate kinetics. Isotherm data were analyzed for possible agreement with the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms; the Freundlich and Langmuir models for dynamics of metal ion uptake proposed in this work fitted the experimental data reasonably well. However, equilibrium sorption data were better represented by Langmuir model than Freundlich. The adsorption capacity calculated from Langmuir isotherm was 72.1 mg Pb (II) g− 1 at initial pH of 5.0 at 30°C for the particle size ...

Prevalence and associated factors of Plasmodium falciparum and soil transmitted helminth infections among pregnant women in Osun state, Nigeria

Abstract: Background: Plasmodium falciparum and soil transmitted helminth (STHs) infection are widespread in sub-Sahara Africa, where co-infection is also common. This study assessed the prevalence of these infections and their risk factors among pregnant women in Osogbo, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 200 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic were recruited. Plasmodium falciparum was detected using thick and thin film methods, while formol ether concentration method was used for STHs detection. A questionnaire was used to investigate the possible risk factors associated with acquisition of malaria and helminth infections. Results: The prevalence of P. falciparum, STHs and their co-infection was 29.5%, 12% and 5% respectively. P. falciparum, STHs and P. falciparum + STHs co-infection was significantly higher in primigravidae (52.5% vs 58.3% vs 80%) than in secongravidae (18.6% vs 25.0% vs 20%) and multigravidae (28.8% vs 16.7% vs 0%) (p=0.02). Prevalence associated factors identified for P. falciparum was age (p=0.0001) while gravidity (p=0.02) was identified for P. falciparum + STHs co-infection. Conclusion: High prevalence of P. falciparum and helminth infections was observed among the pregnant women with primigravidae being the most susceptible to co-infection. There is an urgent need to implement an effective malaria and STHs preventive method for this high risk population.

Public perception of climate change and its impact on health and environment in rural southwestern Nigeria

Abstract: Background Climate change (CC) has received extensive media attention recently, and it is currently on the international public health agenda. A study of knowledge and attitudes to climate change, most especially from rural Nigerian communities, is important for developing adaptation strategies. This is a study of public perceptions of CC and its impact on health and environment in rural southwestern Nigeria. Methods This was a community-based descriptive cross-sectional study of 1,019 rural respondents using a multistage sampling method. The research instrument used was a pretested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. χ2, Cramer's V, and Kendall's τ-c statistics were employed in addition to fitting the data to a logistic regression model to explore associations found significant on bivariate analysis. Results Mean age of respondents was 36.9 (±12.4) years. About 911 (89.4%) of respondents opined that there has been a change in climate in the last 10 years. Supernatural reasons were prominent among respondent-reported causes of CC. Identified risky behavior contributing to CC included smoking (10.7%), bush burning (33.4%), and tree felling (41.0%). Poor knowledge of causes but good knowledge of effects of CC were found in this study. About two-thirds of respondents had a positive attitude to causes of CC, while half had a positive attitude to the effects of CC. A significant association was found between educational status (P˂0.001, Kendall's τ-c=-0.042), occupational status (P˂0.01, Kendall's τ-c=0.088), and attitude to causes of CC. Further analysis using logistic regression showed that occupational status was significantly associated with likelihood of having a positive attitude, but educational status and marital status were not. Conclusion Rural areas of Nigeria are vulnerable to the adverse effects of CC. Respondents' poor knowledge but positive attitude to CC calls for dissemination of adequate information on CC in sustained health-promotion programs.

Investigation on thermal properties of rice husk ash-blended palm kernel shell concrete

Abstract: The contribution of buildings to climate change as a result of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions necessitates the use of agro-industrial by-products as alternative construction materials. The present study examines the thermal properties of Rice husk ash-blended Palm Kernel Shell Concrete (RHA-blended PKSC). Three control concrete mixes with mix ratios of 1:1½:3, 1:2:4 and 1:3:6 using water-to-cement (w/c) ratios of 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7, respectively were made with cement, river sand and granite. For each mix ratio with the respective w/c ratio, five concrete mixes containing RHA fixed at 15% as replacement for cement and PKS at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% as replacement for crushed granite were produced. The oven-dry density, compressive strength and thermal properties (thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, volumetric heat capacity and thermal resistivity) were determined. The results showed that the oven-dry density and compressive strength of concrete declined with increasing PKS content. Nevertheless, the compressive strength increased with curing age and the gain in strength of RHA-blended PKSC were higher than the control at the later age. The thermal conductivity and diffusivity decreased with increasing PKS contents but increase with curing age while volumetric heat capacity and thermal resistivity increased as PKS content increases but decreased with curing age. In addition, concrete with 1:3:6 mix ratio exhibited the lowest thermal conductivity and diffusivity but higher volumetric heat capacity and thermal resistivity than those with 1:1½:3, 1:2:4 mix ratios. RHA-blended PKSC with 40% PKS and 15% RHA for 1:1½:3 mix ratio attained the compressive strength and thermal conductivity values recommended for lightweight aggregate concrete which is suitable for structural and insulation purposes. It was concluded that the combined use of PKS and RHA as raw materials in concrete is effective in improving concrete's thermal and insulation properties.