Benue State University Institutional Repository
Benue State University Institutional RepositoryNot a member yet
592 research outputs found
Sort by
SOLID PARTICLES AND FLUID INTERFACES: EMULSIONS, LIQUID MARBLES, DRY OIL POWDERS AND OIL FOAMS
No full textThe behaviour of different particle types at oil-water, oil-oil and liquid (and/or oil)-air interfaces in terms of the type of materials they stabilise has been studied. For the oil-water interfaces, oil-in-water o/w Pickering emulsions (composed of tricaprylin or Miglyol 812N and water) were stabilised using rod- and cube-shaped CaCC>3 particles. For the oil-oil interfaces, oil-in-oil o/o and oil-in-oil-in-oil o/o/o Pickering emulsions, comprising solely of sunflower/olive/rapeseed oil and PDMS 20-100 cS, were prepared using fluorinated and hydrocarbon-coated fumed silica, fluorinated ZnO, fluorinated clay (sericite and bentonite), polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE, Bentone 34, rod-shaped CaCC>3 and Calofort SV particles as the stabilising agents. Finally, for the oil-air interfaces, oil liquid marbles, dry oil powders and oil foams were prepared using the fluorinated particles mentioned above as stabilisers. The following summary can be made about these particle-stabilised materials:
The rod- and cube-shaped CaCC>3 particle-stabilised o/w emulsions were white, basic (pH = 8 to 9) and were composed of pm-size polydisperse and flocculated tricaprylin and Miglyol 812N droplets. The stability of the emulsions, containing equal volume fraction of oil and water, to creaming and coalescence increased with increasing concentration of the rod-shaped CaCC>3 particles. Those stabilised by 3-5 wt. % of the particles remained completely stable to creaming for over 3 years, but released a relatively small fraction of the oils. No such stable emulsions were obtained regardless of the particle concentrations when the volume fraction of oil 3 particles), it was observed that addition of electrolyte and pH adjustment induce coalescence and creaming or sedimentation in the emulsions. The stability of these emulsions was also affected by the method of emulsion preparation and particle shape.
The o/o and o/o/o emulsions were white, polydisperse and unflocculated with the average droplet size ranging from a few mm to pm. The type of emulsions obtained depends on the particle type and % SiOH for the fumed silica particles. Some of the emulsions were kinetically stable for over a month. The kinetic stability of the emulsions increased with increasing particle concentration. At relatively high particle concentrations (> 1 wt. %), some of the o/o emulsions (equal volumes of oil) remained stable to creaming/sedimentation and coalescence for over a month. No stable o/o emulsions were obtained when the volume fraction of oil in the emulsions (composed of sunflower oil and PDMS 50 cS) was varied from 0.05 to 0.9 at constant particle concentration (1 wt. %). However, a catastrophic phase inversion was observed as expected. Transitional phase inversion was observed in some cases. The inversion occurred if the viscosity of the PDMS oils in a vegetable oil is varied in the presence of 75% SiOH fluorinated fumed silica particles or the % surface SiOH on the hydrocarbon-coated fumed silica particles in a vegetable oil-PDMS oil combination is varied from 100-14% SiOH. For the hydrocarbon-coated fumed silica particles, multiple emulsions were observed near the point (23 and 20% SiOH) of inversion in some cases. The multiple emulsions occurred before or after inversion. The vegetable oil-PDMS oil-glass three-phase contact angle 0oo values were measured and were seen to correlate with the type of emulsions stabilised by the 100% SiOH and 14% SiOH fumed silica particles.
Many of the liquid marbles stabilised by the fluorinated fumed silica particles remained stable for more than 90 min whilst some of the oil foams remained kinetically stable for up to a year. The formation of these materials was seen to depend on the surface tension yia of the oils, the degree of particle fluorination or apparent surface energy ysa of the particles and energy input. An oil dispersion of particles forms in liquids of relatively low yia with particles of low fluorine content where the apparent advancing particle-liquid-air contact angle 6ia 32 mN nf1) and particles of moderate fluorine content. The oils of lower tension (e.g. 27 mN rrf ) and particles of high fluorine content also formed foams. For foams, the apparent advancing 6ia was between 82-145°. In many of the oil-particle systems forming foams by vigorous agitation, oil liquid marbles were also stabilised with particles of highest fluorine content encapsulating oils of lower yia.
Unlike the fluorinated fumed silica and fluorinated bentonite clay particles, the fluorinated sericite and fluorinated ZnO particles were able to stabilise dry oil powders in addition to oil liquid marbles and oil foams. Upon vigorous agitation, oil dispersions were obtained in oils of relatively low tension ( 27 mN m”1 and particles for which apparent advancing Qm > 65°, oil liquid marbles and dry oil powders were obtained. The dry oil powders did not leak oil for over 2 years. The dry oil powders inverted to ultra-stable oil foams above a critical oil: particle ratio COPR.SOLID PARTICLES AT FLUID INTERFACE
EVALUATION OF GENDER RELATIONS IN SELECT AFRICAN AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN NOVELS
No full textThis research work evaluates gender relations in African and African-American female and male authors, which include Naguib Mahfouz’s In the Time of Love, Beverly Jenkins’s Indigo, Sheneska Jackson’s Li'l Mama’s Rules, Nuruddin Farah’s Knots, Eric Jerome Dickey’s The Wither Woman, and Akachi Adimora-Ezeiegbo’s Children of the Eagle. Theoretically, the work perspectivises and contextualises gender dialectics in the texts from the lenses of Alice Walker’s womanist paradigm and espouses constructive dialectics of female and male perspectives in black culture and literary imagination to promote gender harmony in the Black world. In this wise, the work foregrounds the overarching themes of Black consciousness, love, unity and complementarity (the central tenets of Walker’s Womanism) that run through all the texts. Womanism as a sub-theory of Feminism engages us in a dialogue between traditional patriarchal norms and the Womanist vision of a gender complementarity, harmony and equilibrium. The key findings of the research work are that the select African and African-American novels are found I be connected by their themes and narrative techniques, therefore, reflecting the common concerns and origins of the authors. Also, women display excellent qualities in performing roles required of them as do their male counterparts. Through realistic and positive characterisation in his work both African and African-American female and male authors have espoused and enhanced gender harmony. The authors repudiate human rights issues and gender violence that are a common concern for the African and African-American women and men. In this regard, the Hitherto gender bias in literary imagination that existed in early Black male writings has been addressed. In conclusion, the gender parity canvassed in this work has enhanced complementarity, harmony, and balance between Black women and men for national, global nee and development.EVALUATION OF GENDER RELATION
NEWSPAPER POLITICAL CARTOONS AND READERS' PERCEPTION OF POLITICAL ISSUES IN NIGERIA
No full textResearchers have established that cartoons enjoy open access to freedom of expression which the text counterparts hardly enjoy in conventional journalism. Hence, because of the comics and satire used in cartoon, they dare to appraise various socio-political issues, unearth societal ills and set the motion for agenda setting and discussions in the Nigerian political landscape. Consequently, this study- Newspaper Political Cartoons and Readers’ Perception of Political Issues in Nigeria set out to investigate the extent to which political cartoons communicate and how readers perceive newspaper political cartoon messages. The study was anchored on agenda setting theory and supported by relief and incongruity theory. The study employed content analysis and survey as the research design. Coding sheet and questionnaire were used as instruments for data collection. A sample of 360 editions of The Nation, Daily Sun and Daily Trust were used for the content analysis and a sample size of 398 newspaper readers was statistically drawn using Taro Yamane’s formula. The study found that political cartoons significantly influence newspaper readers’ political behaviour in Nigeria. The various issues addressed by political cartoons centered on election, economic state of the nation, security and corruption in the country. The cartoon themes include those that are informative, explanatory, those that centered on attack and those that entertain. The artistic techniques used to persuade readers are humour, caricatureor satire, symbols and sarcasm. The methods of packaging political cartoons by cartoonist were basically found to be single panel (gag), multiple panels (comic strips) and animation. The study further found among others that political cartoons influenced respondents by unveiling secrets on a particular political discourse, it always raises salient issues and sets agenda for public discussion as they criticize and et agenda that will bring the authorities to order therefore influencing respondents to read and know on topical political issues. The study thus, concludes that political cartoons are symbolic artistic illustrations making a witty or humorous point containing comments on social issues, events or personalities. The study recommends, amongst others, that cartoons in newspapers should be utilized to the fullest to set positive agenda and provoke reactions that will bring about positive change in the democratic process of Nigeria; and that political cartoons should provide substantially more relevant themes to influence public agenda.NEWSPAPER POLITICAL CARTOON
ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES ON ORANGE FRUITS WATER CONTENT IN MATA AREA, USHONGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
No full textAn assessment of the influence of soil physical properties on orange fruits water content was carried out in the citrus orange growing communities of Mata area of Ushongo LGA, in Benue State. The aim was to assess the influence of soil physical properties on citrus orange fruits water content levels. Laboratory and survey research design with mixed data sampling methods were adopted in which soil samples were obtained by purposive sampling of eighteen soil profile pits distributed among the citrus orange farms and the data was analyzed in the soil laboratory to determine the levels of the distribution of the soil physical properties in such citrus orange farms. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was conducted on soil particle size distribution collected from locations of two different categories, one with orange tree fruits suffering water content stress and the other without fruits suffering water content stress. Correlation coefficient was also used. Variation of the soil particle size distribution was found significantly different between the categories. The findings show that soil particle size distribution variation among sand, silt and clay on bulk-density and moisture content showed a strong relationship to account for the orange fruits water content variation between the different categories as it was physically observed on the field. When bulk densities of the study locations between the categories were determined, the bulk density of locations with fruit water content in stress sand was 1.36mg/m3sand. That of locations without fruit water content in stress sand was 1.57 mg/m3 against the given mean value bulk-density of 1.60mg/ m 3. The bulk density determined for the locations with fruit water content in stress clay was 1.41 mg/m3 and 1.70mg/m3 in locations without fruit water content in stress as against the given mean value of 1.4 mg/m3 clay. The farm locations with fruit water content in stress, was determined to have a water stress vulnerability index of (-0.23). Strategic mulching of orange orchards, consideration of the orange variety during planting and the harvest of citrus orange fruits just when they begin to ripen have been suggested as remedies to manage orange orchards in areas likely to suffer fruits water content with stress.ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES ON ORANGE FRUITS WATER CONTEN
TIV ETHNIC LANGUAGE LITERATURE AND THE PRESERVATION OF TIV CULTURE: A STUDY OF SELECTED TEXTS
No full textThe literature of a given people in their language is a very powerful instrument towards the sustenance and maintenance of the peoples* tradition and customs as well as transmission of their values and folklores. With abundant literature in their language, a people can be sure of the transmission of their history, traditions and patterns of behaviour from generation to generation. It is on this account that European governments strive by all means to protect their languages that have sufficient body of written literature. This, however, is not the case with African languages that hardly have a body of literature written in them. The need to write in these languages and make them functional instruments for indigenous people to understand and appreciate the cultural value of literature in their language must be taken seriously. It is on the above premise that the thesis has focused on three texts written in Tiv language which are; Suemo Chia's Adan-wade Kohol Ga. Ason Bur’s Aondoakaa Yem Shin Aluebem and Sebastine Baaji’s Izaamo. A literary analysis of the selected texts has been carried out to expose aspects of culture of the Tiv people as well as the instrumentality of Tiv language as a tool for literary expression. The work employs the translation method to analyse the selected texts. The research has, therefore, challenged the age long tradition of criticism that largely overlooked writings in indigenous languages by demonstrating that African literatures written in indigenous languages are as significant as those written in European languages. The findings of this research reveal that, the abundance of Tiv ethnic language literature guarantees the preservation and transmission of the people’s culture, history and traditional patterns of behaviour.PRESERVATION OF TIV CULTUR
A SOCIO-POLITICAL STUDY OF SELECTED PLAYS OF FEMI OSOFISAN, TUNDE FATUNDE AND TESS ONWUEME
No full textIn this research, class struggle is explored using Marxism as a literary theory. The nature of this class structure is the exploitation of the ruled by the ruling class as seen in Nigerian political economy system. This ruling class occupying the upper echelon of the political system, while the lower class are the down trodden, the upper class group wilds both political and economic power which places it perpetually at the helm of affairs and thus, the capacity to exploit and manipulate the ruled. This creates a gap between the rulers and the ruled, the rich and the poor. This is because as far as Nigeria/African politics is concerned, those at the helm of affairs are most often than not, making their symptoms living at the expenses of the ruled. These are some of the socio-political quagmires that Tess Onwueme, Tunde Fatunde and Femi Osofisan explore in their works. The ruled see the ruling class as agents of neo-colonialism and agents of exploitation. The exploitation of both the working class and the nation form the bases of much of the struggle is envisaged in the drama of the day, especially those that preach revolution. These dramatists tends to overthrow the so called status quo in favour of the down trodden or the dominated class by advocating for a fair and just society. It is however, necessary to note that the propelling force of this study in hinged on chosen works with revolutionary tendencies. Thus, Soyinka opposes political anarchy and self esteemed leaders in plays like Kongis Harvest and A play of Giant, in the same manner, Osifisan, Fatunde and Onwueme leftists suggest the revolutionary overthrow of the oppressors by the masses in No More the Wasted Breed, Morountodun, No Food, No Country, Blood and Sweat, No More Oil Boom, The Desert Encroaches, Go Tell it To Women, The Broken Calabash and Once Upon Four Robbers. The works of Femi Osofisan, Tunde Fatunde and Tess Onwueme that form the core of this study stresses or campaigned the need for unity in diversity as a Corrective Measure for Solving Nigeria Social, political, economic and religious problems. These writers also believe that revolution by the proletariat has to be Collective in order to succeed. They all fought for the emancipation of the poor masses from their continued suffering.SOCIO-POLITICAL STUDY OF SELECTED PLAY
CAMPAIGN AGAINST STIGMATISATION OF PLWHA IN GWER-EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA: THEATRE FOR DEVELOPMENT APPROACH
No full textThe problem of stigmatization of PLWHA is found in many communities. In Gwer east Local Government Area, it was observed that people perpetuate stigmatization against PLWHA thereby causing injustice against human rights, spreading the virus and also causing premature deaths, which in turn results into underdevelopment. The efforts of Governments, Non-Governmental Organisation and individuals to combat stigma in this area hardly yield the desired positive result. This is because, the approaches employed are alienated from the people. It was in search of a more people oriented approach that this research work was undertaken to determine how TfD approach can conscientise people about the damaging effects of stigmatization. To achieve this, the sociological research approach was used with sampling and random techniques however; Kidd and Byran methodological tools of PRA/PLA were adopted as sources of conducting the research. Since the research aimed at conscientisation and development of the community, the research was influenced by Boal’s Theory. The findings from community revealed that HIV/AIDS has health, social, economic, cultural and political implications. It was also established that stigmatization against PLWHA manifests in different forms ranging from gossips to isolation and has formed a strong cause of the spread of HIV, causing premature death to many PLWHA and has also brought underdevelopment in the community. The information gathered were analysed, synthesized, scored and ranked, after which community drama was formed and acted to challenge the presence of HIV/ AIDS and the stigmatizing attitudes of the community members. Their reactions towards the performance showed a strong desire for reformation and transformation of their past positions. The researcher finally advocates for ownership and sustenance of the programme since there is a clear possibility of redressing stigmatization against PLWHA using a TfD approach.CAMPAIGN AGAINST STIGMATISATION OF PLWHA IN GWER-EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARE
EFFECTS OF PROGRAMMED INSTRUCTION STRATEGY AND TARGET TASK APPROACH ON JUNIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS'ACHIEVEMENT AND RETENTION IN ALGEBRA
No full textThis research work investigated the effect of Programmed Instruction Strategy (PIS), Target Task Approach (TTA) and Conventional Teaching methods on students’ achievement and retention in Algebra. Pre-test, post-test non-equivalent group, quasi-experimental design was adopted. Two hundred and twenty two JSS2 students made up of three respective groups; PIS (71), TTA (77) as experimental groups and conventional method - CM (74) as the control group were the subjects of the study. The students were taught using carefully developed teaching packages on each of the methods for 4 weeks. The instrument used for measuring students’ achievement was the Algebra Achievement Test (AAT) and the shuffled version of AAT for measuring retention. The instrument was validated by experts. The reliability was established using split-half method (odd and even numbers) was used. The coefficient was confirmed using Pearson Correlation Coefficient V and Spearman Brown Prophecy formula. The result showed r=0.71 and Spearman Brown Prophecy formula for establishing reliability was 0.83. Four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The first hypothesis tested the significant difference in the mean achievement scores of students exposed to PIS, TTA and CM using ANCOVA. The result showed a significant difference with F= 200.311 at (P=.0001; P 0.05) and F = 0.015, (P=.903; P>0.05) respectively. The result also showed that students exposed to TTA retained the algebraic knowledge more than those taught using PIS and CM with mean difference of 13.740 and 10.718 respectively in favour of TTA. It was therefore recommended that mathematics teachers should use PIS and TTA more frequently than CM in the mathematics classrooms.EFFECTS OF PROGRAMMED INSTRUCTION STRATEGY AND TARGET TASK APPROACH ON JUNIOR SECONDARY STUDENT
ASSESSMENT OF HOUSEHOLDS’ ACCESS TO BOREHOLE WATER SUPPLY IN VANDEIKYA L.G.A OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA.
No full textWater is considered to be one of the most important natural resources to man and it is the essence of life on earth. For this reason, the United Nations declared access to water a basic human right. Unfortunately, majority of the world’s population still lack access to portable water supply. This study assessed households’ access to borehole water supply in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State. The study adopted the survey research design with the questionnaire as the main data collection instrument, though unstructured interviews with key informants and fields observations were also used. The study employed multi-purpose sampling techniques; purposive sampling was used in the first instance to select six out of the twelve council wards that make up the Local Government Area. Simple random sampling and systematic random sampling were then used to select households for questionnaire administration in dispersed and clustered (and planned) settlements respectively. A questionnaire was administered to 385 respondents who were household heads (both male and female). The study employed frequencies, percentages, Fisher’s Exact statistic and a four point Likert scale rating for data analysis. Based on the template adopted for measuring access to water, findings show that 56.3% of respondents do not have access to borehole water supply; 31.8% have basic access, 10.6% have intermediate access, while 1.6% have optimal access. Findings further show that the Fisher’s Exact test of significance has a p-value (0.998). Since this is more than the significant value 0.05, the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference in level of access to borehole water supply across the sampled communities is accepted. Majority of the respondents perceived that the limited number of functional boreholes in the study area is the major factor limiting household access to borehole water supply. The study concludes that there is a gap in water supply and that government and development partners should make concerted efforts to bring water closer to the people. It is recommended among other things that Government should involve the local communities in the planning, execution and management of water supply projects. It is believed that in this way, the people would see the projects as their own so they manage it better.HOUSEHOLD ACCESS TO BOREHOLE WATER SUPPLY IN VANDEIKYA LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARE
NATIONAL ADAPTATION STRATEGY AND PLAN OF ACTION (NASPA) POLICY AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN NIGERIA, 2008-2018
No full textThe work examined implementation of National Adaptation Strategic Plan of Action (NASPA) Policy on Climate Change in Nigeria, 2008-2018. The central problematique of this study is to ascertain the extent to which the implementation of NASPA policy has aided Nigerians to adapt to the adverse effect of climate change. The theoretical argument of this study stems from the fact that the Federal Government formulated NASPA but it has not effectively curbed Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change due to inherent complexities involved. This is exemplified by the inability of adaptation implementers to utilize human and material resources to achieve the goals of the blueprint. The study adopted a survey technique as the means of gathering data. Data were collected and analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The method used in data collection included interviews, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and personal observation method from a sample population of 380 respondents which were purposively selected from different Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) from the six (6) geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Data were collected and analysed using simple percentages. The complexity theory was used as the theoretical framework. The study adopted the Complex Adaptive System (CAS) variant popularized by Stuart Kaufaman as the theory underpinning this work. The theory believes that many complex systems are systems within larger complex systems, within still larger complex systems with these nested systems constituting a system whole. The dynamics of complex systems arise from each element that makes up the system being influenced by, and in turn influencing, each other’s constituent. The data generated was to ascertain NASPA effectiveness in adaptation to climate change. This objective has been confirmed and achieved as can be observed in the structure of both primary and secondary data analysis carried out in the work. The study discovered that climate change and other socioeconomic, political and geophysical factors exist in a network of interconnected agents with the interrelatedness of these agents in multiple levels involving series of systems and sub-systems which are influencing each other. Thus, they are stifling NASPA effectiveness in reducing Nigeria’s susceptibility to climate change impact. Institutional mandate dominate the NASPA policy space making different MDAs compete for policy leadership thereby creating a coordination hiatus. This, in turn, is affecting other facets of the policy implementation. The study concludes that dynamic network of interconnected agents in the climate change space are acting in parallel, constantly reacting to what adaptation professionals are doing which, in turn, influenced the outcome of the policy as a whole. This therefore confirms the validity and assumptions of the CAS adopted for this study. The work recommends amongst other things: decentralization of NASPA to address region specific autonomous adaptation actions which should be mainstreamed into the national blueprint, the prudent use of resources, inclusive strategy that builds adaptive capacity, and establishment of a regulatory body to tackle NASPA related issues at all levels of government.NATIONAL ADAPTATION STRATEGY AND PLAY OF ACTIO