331 research outputs found
What the latest science on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability means for cities and urban areas
No full textAdelekan, I., Cartwright, A., Chow, W., Colenbrander, S., Dawson, R., Garschagen, M., Haasnoot, M., Hashizume, M., Klaus, I., Krishnaswamy, J., Lemos, M.F., Ley, D., McPhearson, T., Pelling, M., Kodira, P. P., Revi, A., Sara, L. M., Simpson, N. P., Singh, C., Solecki, W., Thomas, A., Trisos, C.</p
Characterization of the Germania Spraberry unit from analog studies and cased-hole neutron log data
No full textThe need for characterization of the Germania unit has emerged as a first step in the review, understanding and enhancement of the production practices applicable within the unit and the trend area in general. Petrophysical characterization of the Germania Spraberry units requires a unique approach for a number of reasons ?? limited core data, lack of modern log data and absence of directed studies within the unit. In the absence of the afore mentioned resources, an approach that will rely heavily on previous petrophysical work carried out in the neighboring ET O??Daniel unit (6.2 miles away), and normalization of the old log data prior to conventional interpretation techniques will be used. A log-based rock model has been able to guide successfully the prediction of pay and non-pay intervals within the ET O??Daniel unit, and will be useful if found applicable within the Germania unit. A novel multiple regression technique utilizing non-parametric transformations to achieve better correlations in predicting a dependent variable (permeability) from multiple independent variables (rock type, shale volume and porosity) will also be investigated in this study. A log data base includes digitized formats of gamma ray, cased hole neutron, limited resistivity and neutron/density/sonic porosity logs over a considerable wide area
Nutritional, microbiological and sensory characteristics of malted soy- kunu zaki: an improved traditional beverage
No full textCopyright © 2013 Aminat O. Adelekan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution Li-cense, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The nutritional, microbiological and sensory characteristics of improved kunu-zaki produced from malted cereals en-riched with malted soymilk at different substitution levels (0 %- 30%) were investigated. Enrichment with soymilk and malting increased the protein, amino acid, ash and moisture content of the improved kunu-zaki. Malting resulted in a decrease in carbohydrate and fat content. The protein content of the malted samples ranged between 2.79 % and 3.82% while that of unmalted was 2.36%. There was decrease in the concentration of phytic acid and trypsin inhibitor after malting but the concentration increased as soymilk was added. Microbiological analyses showed that microbial load of samples increased with the addition of soymilk. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the sensory attributes, acceptability decrease with increase in soymilk addition because of the beany flavor
A Study of the Expectation vs Experience of International Students at UK Universities
No full textThe background of higher education has been changing over the past two decades. In 2009, the estimated number of students registered outside their country of citizenship was almost 3.7 million (OECD, 2011). The international activities of universities in the United Kingdom (UK) have increased dramatically in volume, scope and complexity over the last decade. In addition, the knowledge of risen tuition fees, university funding cuts and doubts of declining student numbers has all contributed to the change. Therefore, achieving a sustainable competitive advantage in the higher education sector is important and at the forefront of many universities. In response, an “action research” method is agreed primarily using an adapted SERVQUAL instrument to examine expectations and experience of service quality among a sample of postgraduate international students at four leading UK universities. Study into service quality in a higher educational environment is insufficient, and where studies have been undertaken, very little has been done among postgraduates. The research findings suggest that the instrument utilised is suitable in a postgraduate context, and the statements load on the adapted SERVQUAL dimensions of Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry (1985, 1988). In an attempt to improve service quality at UK universities and to add to the knowledge base, several recommendations are obtained, and some trend for future research is suggested
Investigation of ethanol productivity of cassava crop as a sustainable source of biofuel in tropical countries
No full textThe ethanol productivity of cassava crop was investigated in a laboratory experiment by correlating volumes and masses of ethanol produced to the masses of samples used. Cassava tubers (variety TMS 30555) were peeled, cut and washed. 5, 15, 25 and 35 kg samples of the tubers were weighed in three replicates, soaked in water for a period of a day, after which each sample was dried, crushed and the mash mixed with 500 ml of N-hexane (C 6 H 14 ). This crushed mash was then allowed to ferment for a period of 8 days and afterwards pressed on a 0.6 mm aperture size and sieved to yield the alcohol contained in it. The alcohol was heated at 79°C for 10 h at intervals of 2 h followed by an h cooling. Ethanol yield was at average volumes of 0.31, 0.96, 1.61 and 2.21 litres, respectively, for the selected masses of cassava samples. Quantitative relationships were obtained to relate the masses of cassava used to the masses and volumes of ethanol produced. These were used to relate known production values of cassava from tropical countries to ethanol that can be potentially produced. The ethanol had boiling point of 78.5°C and relative density of 0.791. The dried mash was found to contain 61.8 calories of food energy per 100 g. This study found that a total of 6.77 million tonnes or 1338.77 million gallons of ethanol are available from total cassava production from tropical countries. The production and use of ethanol from cassava crop is recommended in the cassava-growing tropical countries of the world
Cassava as a Potent Energy Crop for the Production of Ethanol and Methane in Tropical Countries
No full textA prospective analysis of in-patient consultation-liaison psychiatry in a Nigerian teaching hospital
No full textObjectives: To determine the pattern of psychiatric referrals over a six-month period categorise the psychiatric referrals into clinical syndromes and describe the nature of psychiatric intervention and outcome of such intervention on discharge and within the first three months after discharge.
Design: A descriptive prospective study.
Setting: University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin Nigeria.
Subjects: Forty seven inpatients (26 females and 21 males) referred to the psychiatric department from other specialist units of the hospital between May and October 2001.
Results: The mean (+/-SD) of patients was 33.9±18 years. The highest rate of referral came from the internal medicine department. The most common psychiatric disorders referred were acute organic brain syndrome (32%) and neurological disorders (15%). Psychiatric interventions included medication in about two-thirds of the patients and counselling in about a quarter. Half of the discharged patients out rightly defaulted on their first outpatient clinic department appointment.
Conclusion: The study indicate the need for greater inter-departmental liaison learning and training activities, the need to emphasize training in organic psychiatry, as well as the need to establish community-based outreach services as a means of ensuring continuity of care for discharged patients.
East African Medical Journal Vol.81(12) 2004: 620-62
Circular Economy strategies of social enterprises in Lagos: a case study approach
No full textThe circular economy (CE) framework has the potential to play a vital role in facilitating a different kind of development in low and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts, due to its promise of improving resource productivity, creating jobs and minimizing environmental degradation from human and economic activities. This thesis addresses how the CE is conceptualized and how its principles can be established in an African context, such as Lagos Nigeria, focusing on social enterprises (SEs) as the object of study, thereby responding to calls that links SEs to sustainable development and that explores the socio-institutional or behavioral changes necessary for achieving circularity. It explores the overarching research question:
How are social enterprises establishing a circular economy in Lagos?
Following a case study strategy, nine SEs operating in the waste sector in Lagos were studied by triangulating the data obtained from in-depth interviews, documents, and archival records. This study demonstrates practical CE implementation examples as findings from the data analysis shows how SEs are organizing differently to collect, aggregate and upcycle waste materials, while also engaging in clean-up and advocacy programs to retrieve more recyclables from the environment. It highlights volume-drivers, core-transformers, and clean-advocates as examples of new circular models that can be advanced and adapted to make a living from waste in low-income and resource scarce environments.
By demonstrating how commercial, social, and environmental objectives are being pursued, this thesis contributes to the understanding of hybrid organizing in a LMIC context and shows how the CE embraces the social dimension of sustainable development beyond only job creation. Additionally, this thesis shows how institutional logics and institutional work can be combined to study the CE, contributing to calls on the concept’s underexplored institutional perspectives. It highlights institutional work in an African context by showing that establishing the CE in Lagos requires disrupting the logic of waste mostly seen as a thing to be thrown away. By changing existing and legitimating new waste practices, while maintaining a formal organizational structure, SEs are disrupting the logic of waste and establishing the CE in Lagos. The effect of their purposive activities on informal waste pickers in Lagos were discussed, while also drawing out policy and practice implications of the findings for advancing CE initiatives in Lagos and Nigeria, as well as in other LMICs
THE RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF THREE FRENCH TEXTBOOK METHODS ON SELECTED OUTCOMES IN FRENCH
No full textA THESIS IN THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION (ICEE) INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF IBADANThe purpose of this study was two-folds (1) to investigate the relative effectiveness of three textbook methods of teaching French on the achievement, motivational and attitudinal levels of selected secondary school students of French in Nigeria, and (2) to investigate whether there was a significant difference in performance between male and female students on the same variables. The sample was taken from a population of first year secondary school students located in Abeokuta, Ogun State of Nigeria. The three experimental intact classrooms were taken from three different schools that were newly established in 1960 and still bad no French programme at the time of this experiment (1982). A 3 x 2 pretest-posttest factorial design was used in this study. The pretest posttest analysis of variance and covariance applying the "F" test for the three independent samples was applied to analyze and compare the data. A further analysis was made by applying the Scheffe test of comparison to determine exactly which group significantly outperformed the others. It was found that (1) the group taught through "Methode I” Contacts achieved significantly higher posttest scores on the French achievement test and on the student assessment Questionnaire than the other two groups of students using "Methodes II and III” respectively, (2) on all three independent variables males outperformed Females but not significantly so, and (3) there was no significant difference between groups on the attitude and motivation measures. It was concluded that: "Methode I" (Contacts) was more effective in teaching elementary French to this particular sample (Class I) than "Methode II" (Practical French) or "Methode III" (France Afrique). The results of the present research have several implication for professionals in education, for students, for policy makers and for textbook writers. They suggest that quality textbook preparation can produce a significant effect in the cognitive and affective domains of language learning. Moreover, it is recommended that more textbooks be written and field tested by Nigerians or inhabitants whose desire it is to produce quality "methodes" for Nigerians. It is further recommended that this comparative study be carried out in various parts of the country in order to be able to generalize the findings
RELATIVE EFFECTS OF SELECTED COMMUNICATIONAL STRATEGIES IN SOME BIOLOGY TEXTBOOKS ON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’LEARNING IN BIOLOGY
No full textA THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF TEACHER EDUCATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADANTextbooks have consistently been accepted as an important companion of science teachers and students,, With apparent inadequacies of laboratory equipment and facilities, coupled with the unwillingness of Science teachers to explore their environment sufficiently, most science teachers had struck faithfully to textbooks as an easily accessible instructional aid in shaping their knowledge in science. Today, textbooks have been seen as a critical component of courses than contact with actual living material. In addition to their roles as an instructional aid, textbooks have for sometime remained as a source of information. In many developing Countries, particularly in Africa and Asia, science has been largely held as a foreign knowledge whose understanding can best be appreciated and understood only by reading textbooks. This great dependence on books places a premium on the value, quality and significance of textbooks in impacting scientific knowledge and understanding. The pertinent and crucial question is, "To what extent should textbooks serve as facilitators of scientific knowledge and learning in terms of effective incorporation of desirable communicational strategies?" This study had attempted an answer to this complex and multi-faceted issue. In seeking an answer, an attempt was made in identifying desirable communicational strategies expected in a biology textbook. Further efforts were also made to find out if four commonly used biology textbooks in Nigeria are indeed within the comprehension level of students. Having identified the various communicational strategies in the four textbooks, the relative effects of selected strategies on secondary school Students’ learning was consequently focussed upon. Form four secondary school students (N = 154) drawn from three (two for experimental, and one for control groups) selected schools in Oyo State, Nigeria were involved in the study. In addition, 50 people (which included teachers, students, education officials, publishers and authors) were involved in a survey relating to desirable communicational strategies in a biology textbook. For the experimental setting, cognitive achievement in biology, the level of development of scientific attitudes and the level of acquisition of practical skills were the dependent variables of the study. The independent variables included the textual communicational strategies, age and sex of the subjects. The Solomon—3 design was used for the data gathering. All the subjects were pretested, treated for six weeks and post- rested on all dependent measures. The result of the study revealed the following: 1. There were significant differences in the number of factual, leading, probing and terminal questions in the four biology textbooks examined. 2. There were significant differences in the number of technical terms defined at; first occurrence, immediately after occurrence, later in the text and those not defined in the four biology textbooks examined. 3. There were significant differences in the number of local and non-local specimens, labelled/ unlabelled diagrams, labelled and unlabelled pictures contained in the four biology textbooks examined. 4. There were significant differences in the number of evolutionary, ecological, economic importance, inquiry, historical and knowledge themes in the four biology textbooks. 5. There was no significant difference in the number of traditional world-view themes represented in the four biology Textbooks. 6. There were significant differences in the number of simple, specific, general and challenging practical exercises contained in the textbooks examined. 7. There were significant differences in the views of authors, teachers, publishers, ministry officials and students in their preferences for questioning styles, specimens, pictures/diagrams, practical exercises, major themes and physical characteristics of biology textbooks. 8. There were significant differences in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor performances of the experimental and control group subjects with respect to questioning styles, technical terms, specimens, pictures/diagrams, major themes and practical exercises. On the basis Of the findings, the following recommendations were made; 1. To promote cognitive effective and psychomotor performances in biology, teachers should identify the merits of communicational strategies in biology textbooks, and make these textbooks available for teachers' and pupils' use. They should also use in planned sequence, identified strategies in their teaching. 2. Authors and publishers should make use of a variety of communicational strategies in the preparation of biology textbooks. They should be conscious of the comprehensibility of the learning material they are presenting. A constant review of published textbooks should be made along identified merits. 3. Ministry officials should involve practioners in the education sector in the selection of textbooks for students’ use. 4. School libraries could be supplemented by the location of community/district libraries for a number of schools that do not have libraries. 5. A regular forum (Seminars, workshops) should be organised for officials, publishers, authors, teachers and students where exchange of ideas on the merits of identified communicational strategies in textbooks can be discussed
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