PHYSICAL SCIENCE

This study investigates the influence of phenol-based oxidative discoloration on the raw rubber properties of natural rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). Three fresh latex samples namely samples A, B and C (control) were collected randomly on the Rubber field at the Rubber Research Institute, Benin City, Nigeria and processed. The discoloration was observed immediately after tapping, resulting from the oxidation of naturally occurring phenolic compounds present in the latex upon exposure to air. Evaluation of the three samples’ raw rubber properties - dirt content, volatile matter, ash content, nitrogen content, initial plasticity (P₀), plasticity after 30 minutes (P₃₀), and plasticity retention index (PRI) – were done and compared with the standard ISO procedures. Results showed that the phenol-oxidized samples A and B exhibited a slight increase in volatile matter (0.34–0.41%) and nitrogen content (0.47–0.56%), alongside a reduction in PRI values (76–82%) compared to the control but all three samples remained within the acceptable ISO acceptable range for the raw rubber properties. However, dirt (0.020.05%) and ash (0.39–0.43%) contents remained within the acceptable limits specified by ISO standards. These findings indicate that natural oxidative discoloration caused by phenolic compounds slightly reduces the oxidative stability and elasticity of raw rubber but does not significantly compromise its conformity to industrial quality standard

Welfare schemes provide essential financial support to their members, offering services like lowinterest loans, retirement benefits, and end-of-year incentives. However, many of these schemes struggle with inefficiencies caused by outdated processes, leading to delays, errors, and frustration for both members and administrators. This project aims to develop a user-friendly financial management system to address these challenges. The system will allow members to easily track their contributions, loans, and benefits while providing administrators with tools to manage resources more effectively. By simplifying operations and improving transparency, this solution seeks to enhance the experience for all users, fostering trust and ensuring the welfare scheme runs smoothly for years to come.

This paper presents the development of a Web-based Accommodation Allocation System (WAAS) designed to efficiently and transparently match flood victims with available temporary housing resources. Current disaster response efforts often struggle with manual, chaotic, and slow processes for housing assignment, leading to delays and inefficient resource utilization. The WAAS utilizes modern web technologies (e.g., cloud hosting, responsive design, and database management) to create a centralized, real-time platform. The system allows authorized relief agencies to rapidly input and manage available housing options (shelters, vacant properties, host families) while simultaneously registering and categorizing victims based on their immediate needs, family size, and specific vulnerabilities. A core algorithmic component ensures optimal, rule-based matching, prioritizing the most vulnerable populations and minimizing relocation time. The implementation demonstrates a significant improvement in the speed, accuracy, and accountability of post-disaster accommodation management, offering a critical tool for enhancing humanitarian aid logistics and victim support.

This research gives attention to the non-energy use of Lignite samples collected from Ohordua town of Edo State and Azagba-Ogwashi in Delta State. A total of six composite Lignite samples,from ten sampled points were subjected to analytical study, with a view to determining their humic content and properties for use in soil beneficiation and conditioning.Proximate and Ultimate analytical technique was used to characterize the lignite from which humic acid was extracted under alkaline condition, and precipitated using acidic medium of 6M HCl.X-Ray Diffraction and X-Ray Fluorescence analytical methods were employed to determine the mineralogical and elemental composition of the samples respectively,while Ultra-Violent visible spectroscopy was used for organic characterization of
the humic acid. Proximate analyses of the Lignite show percentage composition of Ohordua and Azagba-Ogwashi Lignite respectively,Fixed Carbon (65.22 wt% and 67.16wt%),Moisture Content (26 wt% and 25.4wt%) and Ash (5.02 wt% and 4.5 wt%).Ultimate analyses shows Hydrogen (6.60 wt% and 6.22wt%), Nitrogen (1.34 wt% and 1.19wt%,) Sulphur (0.77 wt% and 0.70wt%), Oxygen (26.07 wt% and 24.73 wt%), for Ohordua and Azagba-Ogwashi respectively. The analytical results suggest the existing lignite with varying thickness is of Lignite rank. The Ultimate analyses of the extracted Humic acid show Carbon (57.5wt% and 55.8wt%)%, Hydrogen (5.1 wt% and 3.9wt%), Nitrogen (2.5 wt% and 1.1wt%), Sulphur (Nil and 0.3wt%) and Oxygen (34.9 wt% and 38.9wt%,) for Ohordua and Azagba-Ogwashi, respectively.The mineralogical composition in the lignite samples shows Kaolinite was the main clay mineral identified. Non clay minerals such as anorthite, drierite, yeelimite, spurite, belite, wollastonite, hematite, pyrite, bauxite and quartz were detected.For Ultra-Violent visible spectroscopy characterization of the Humic Acid, E2/E3 and E4/E6 absorption values for Ohordua (21.69 and 4.50) respectively, while Azagba- Ogwashi reveal (19.39 and 4.6) respectively. The humic substance has percentage aromaticity values of 33.90% and 34.06%, total acidity has 10.4% and 10.1%, COOH has 3.4% and 3.3%, Phenolic has 7.0% and 6.8% and acidity ratio has 0.49% and 0.48%, for Ohordua and Azagba-Ogwashi, respectively which depicts the Humic Acid has a high degree of Humification and a very good total acidity ratio. Results from this research indicate that the Lignite from both locations are similar in geochemistry, mineralogy and organic properties. Although,humification is high in both samples, Ohordua Lignite with lesser aromaticity and E4/E6 ratio, higher E2/E3 ratio and higher acidity ratio is more suitable for beneficiation
and conditioning than that of Azagba-Ogwashi.