82 research outputs found
Igbo Folktales and the Evolution of the Idea of Chukwu as the Supreme God of Igbo Religion
No full textThis analysis of Igbo folktales reveals eight distinct phases in the evolution of the idea of Chukwu as the supreme God of Igbo religion. In the first phase, dating back to primeval times, the Igbo recognized several supreme nature deities in various domains. This was followed by a phase of the undisputed supremacy of)Ud (the Earth Goddess) as supreme deity. Traces of that primeval dominance persist till today in some parts of Igboland. The third phase was one of rivalry over supremacy · between Earth and Sky, possibly owing to influences from religious traditions founded on the belief in a supreme sky-dwelling God. In the fourth and fifth phases, the idea of Chukwu as supreme. deity was formally established by the Nri and Ar? respectively in support of their.hegemonic'enterprise in Igbo-land. The exploitativeness of the ArC? powez- seems to.have resulted in the debasement of the idea of Chukwu as supreme God in the Igbo mind, hence the satiric. and. ~ images of the anthropo
Dark Is Not Fair
No full textOverview: Colorism is when individuals with darker complexions are faced with prejudice and discrimination because of their skin. Colorism is an issue that affects dark skinned people all around the world and is commonly perpetrated by people of the same race. Dark-skinned Black girls face a disadvantage from birth due to their skin tone. They feel a heavy burden to be accepted and valued by others as they grow up in a society that thinks of them as inferior. Unfortunately, the darker you are the more inferior you get. Toni Morrison’s novel, The Bluest Eye, hauntingly captures this reality by embodying all of the physical characteristics that are seen as ugly or lesser by both White and Black people in a character named Pecola. By examining Pecola and the circumstances she is in, we can see that negative attitudes toward dark skinned Black females are ingrained in our society and that from young ages, dark-skinned Black girls share feelings of low self-worth brought on by things like the media, beauty standards, and traumatizing relationships which ultimately ruin mental health.
Author\u27s reflection: My name is Rachael Chukwu and I am currently a sophomore and majoring in nursing and minoring in Spanish. My second semester of freshman year was when I took the ENGL 1299 research writing class called Race in America with professor Reagan. At first I did not know what I was going to write about but when we read The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison in class I knew immediately what I wanted to write about. I am very passionate about the topic of colorism as I’ve seen instances of it growing up and even experienced it a couple of times. Although I am also Black I know colorism affects darker skinned people at an even greater rate than people who are my complexion. I really wanted to unravel the mental and emotional distress that colorism causes. This is the first research paper I’ve written and it was an enlightening experience to think deeply about a topic and find so many different peer-reviewed journal articles and learn even more along the way. My writing skills have definitely improved from taking this class as well as my research skills. Professor Regan supported me and was a good mentor throughout my time in the class. ENGL 1299 made me realize that writing can be an interesting process when it is about something you resonate with
Recurrent glomerulonephritis after renal transplantation
No full textPurpose of reviewThe current understanding of the incidence, predisposing factors, pathophysiology and effective treatment of recurrent glomerulonephritis (RGN) in renal transplants remains at best patchy and at worst, completelylacking. Current reports have been limited by inconsistencies in study design, sample populations and lengths of follow-up. Making sense of the available evidence will provide the tools to support transplant nephrologists in their management of allograft donors and recipients.Recent findingsWith better survival of renal allografts, RGN has become a dominant factor influencing allograft survival. Evidently, the risk of recurrence is proportional to the incremental time posttransplantation. The proposed risk factors for RGN include but are not limited to the severity of primary glomerulonephritis (PGN),younger recipient age, live-related donor allograft, minimal HLA mismatch, steroid avoidance and nonuse of induction therapy. Unfortunately, these findings are derived from retrospective cohort and registry studies; hence, true causality for RGN is hard to prove.SummaryThe management of RGN is improving, as we gain greater understanding of its pathophysiology, including the genetic, alloimmune and autoimmune contributions to recurrence. With better pretransplant risk stratification, posttransplant surveillance, novel biomarkers and new treatment strategies, we hope the transplant community will eventually have the tools to predict risk, prevent recurrence and personalise treatment of RGN
The Impact of Treasury Single Account (TSA) on the Economic Growth: The Case of First Bank Nigeria Plc
No full textThis research looked at effect of Federal government Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy on economic growth and development in Nigeria. This policy has succeeded in re-domiciling government account from Commercial Banks to the Central Bank and made the Commercial Banks to be charging their interests on remittances to this account. The study evaluated the following objectives: to know the effect of treasury single account on bank liquidity: to evaluate the effect of treasury single account on bank deposit; to assess the effect of treasury single account on bank interest rate; to know the effect of treasury single account on bank loans. Evidence from analysis suggests that interest rate and treasury single account are positively related. Bank liquidity, bank deposit and bank loans are found to be negatively related with treasury single account. The following are hereby recommended: Banks should imbibe the culture of increasing customer deposits by aggressive marketing; Bank should give loans to businesses that have high expected monitory returns, interest rate of banks should consider the nature of business and ability to pay so that borrowers would not be discouraged, government should implement treasury single account to the letter, so that banks would sit up to their traditional functions
Participatory evaluation: an action research intervention to improve training effectiveness
No full textAbstract
Author: Gosim Martin Onu Chukwu
Title of Thesis: “Participatory evaluation: an action research intervention to improve training effectiveness”
Background: The managers of Zenith Medical Centre, a Nigerian hospital, desired to experiment a change to a process of evaluation that could improve training effectiveness for all stakeholders. Concern about evaluating training for effectiveness is not new. The past 50 years have witnessed a growing number of evaluation methods developed by scholars and practitioners to provide human resource development (HRD) professionals with alternatives for measuring training outcomes. However, investigation on the uses of evaluation data to improve training outcomes from the perspectives of divergent stakeholders is limited. Participatory evaluation (PE) through action research (AR) intervention was particularly considered as a viable means of improving training effectiveness by increased use of evaluation data.
Aims of the Investigation: The aims of the intervention were to deepen insight and understanding of PE from the perspectives of stakeholders, practically implement a change of the evaluation system and produce new knowledge for the action research community.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The action research approach was used from a social constructionist perspective to engage training stakeholders in the organization as participants. This perspective required working in the participatory action research (PAR) mode. Therefore, the project followed a cyclical process model (CPM) of the AR iterative process of constructing, planning, acting and evaluating. The CPM model was to accommodate the quality principles for using theory to both guide issue diagnosis and reflection on the intervention. Data on participatory evaluation were generated through focus groups and one-on-one interviews and analyzed using template analysis.
Findings: By identifying and discussing their stakes, contributions and inducements in training, participants were able to reflect on their own learning, gain insight into their own work situation by sharing experiences and these facilitated peer and management support. The results were deeper insight into training evaluation; change in behavior and perceptions; and the use of quality data to improve training design, delivery and participation. The participatory process also enabled participants to learn self-direction and self-management by becoming aware of discussing problems or issues of concern to them in the workplace, group coherence and social support. Profoundly, all levels of stakeholders tried actively to change their working conditions by participating in action research activities.
Implications: The study has implications for research and practice in three perspectives: First-person implications of deepening the researcher’s understanding and knowledge and providing professional development for his practice; second-person implications of deepening understanding and knowledge and providing improved day-to-day practice for the participants, practical solutions to the issue and organizational learning for the client; and third-person implication of providing specific knowledge for the wider action research community.
Limitations: The research does not cover the political implications of the findings and opportunities they create for further research. It is limited to evaluation process while leaving out organizational decision making which is another factor affecting the utilization of evaluation data. Future studies should consider the question of what happens if the process of evaluation is right but the organizational politics or decision making structures hinders evaluation use.
Word count: 50,881 (excluding appendices and references) Abstract: 503
Keywords: Action research; focus group; participatory action research; participatory evaluatio
Nuclear-based hydrogen production with a thermochemical copper-chlorine cycle and supercritical water reactor: equipment scale-up and process simulation
No full textIssues related to equipment scale-up and process simulation are described for a thermochemical cycle driven by nuclear heat from Canada's proposed Generation IV reactor (Super-Critical Water-Cooled Reactor; SCWR), which is a CANDU derivative using supercritical water cooling. The copper–chlorine (Cu-Cl) cycle has been identified by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited as the most promising cycle for thermochemical hydrogen production with SCWR. Water is decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen through intermediate Cu-Cl compounds. This article outlines the challenges and design issues of hydrogen production with a Cu-Cl cycle coupled to Canada's nuclear reactors. The processes are simulated using the Aspen Plus process simulation code, allowing the cycle efficiency and possible efficiency improvements to be examined. The results are useful to assist the development of a lab-scale cycle demonstration, which is currently being undertaken at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in collaboration with numerous partners
Managing recurrent urinary tract infections in kidney transplant recipients using smartphone assisted urinalysis test
No full textBackgroundUrinary tract infection is the most frequent infectious complication in allograft recipients with poor outcomes. The study aimed to assess the effect of self-testing urine dipsticks at home, with the assistance of smartphone technology, on the occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI)-associated complications and frequency and length of hospital admissions.MethodWe performed a retrospective cohort study of kidney transplant recipients with a history of recurrent UTI who used a newly introduced smartphone-assisted dipsticks urinalysis test for self-monitoring. Participants self-administered the home urinalysis test with symptom onset. Antibiotics were prescribed if an infection was suspected, and home urinalysis was positive. The incidence of urinary infections, hospitalisations, and complications was evaluated before and during the home urinalysis period. Remote and face-to-face interactions with healthcare personnel were also assessed (cases acted as their controls).ResultsNineteen participants were included in the study. A total of 89.5% were females. Ninety home urinalysis tests were conducted over a mean period of 7 months. Sixty-one of these were pre-antibiotic. A total of 42.2% of all tests and 47.5% of the pre-antibiotic tests were positive. UTI-related hospitalisations were lower by 75% during the home urinalysis period; mean 1.26 (0.8–1.6) versus 0.32 (−0.01–0.6). The incidence of infection-related complications was also 65% lower; mean 1.52 (0.8–2.2) versus 0.52 (−0.2–1.2) during the same period. The number of face-to-face interactions was slightly lower; mean 1.9 (1.1–2.2) versus 1.7 (0.6–2.8), with more remote interactions; mean 6.0 (3.7–8.5) versus 10.4 (6.5–14.3), during smartphone urinalysis. Fifty per cent of antibiotic-treated UTI episodes had antibiotics within 24 h, rising to 82% within 48 h of a test.ConclusionSmartphone-assisted home urinalysis enabled remote management of UTI in a high-risk population. Outcomes point to a reduction in UTI complications and hospitalisations
Screw Shaft Flywheel Stabilizing Hydro Turbine for Run of River Installations
No full textAbstract: Energy demand is on a steady increase due to population growth and economic pursuits which depend critically on energy. Nigeria boasts of many large and small rivers, but many rivers with low head and good flow are just flowing without being used for power generation for many years. The practice hitherto has been the procurement and installation of very costly gigantic hydropower stations requiring dams to hold water and create very enormous heads to drive the high capacity turbines. The Energy Commission of Nigeria, through its Centres in Bauchi and Nsukka devices a design to harness energy from flowing rivers without dam installations. This project proposes a run off river system and employs a reaction turbine of the version used in Archimedean screw pumps to proffer a holistic contraption to harness the energy of flowing water as the water continuously pushes the baffles all along the length of the screw shaft. A flywheel is incorporated at the shaft end to cushion fluctuations and maintain steady motion. This is a novel technology for energy provision especially in the rural areas where small rivers abound.
Keywords: Power, Hydro, River, Turbine, Reaction, Screw, Shaft.
Title: Screw Shaft Flywheel Stabilizing Hydro Turbine for Run of River Installations
Author: Izuchukwu F. Okafor, Bappah A. Umar, Uche P. Chukwu, Michael C. Amonye
International Journal of Novel Research in Engineering and Science
ISSN 2394-7349
Vol. 10, Issue 1, March 2023 - August 2023
Page No: 13-20
Novelty Journals
Website: www.noveltyjournals.com
Published Date: 22-August-2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8272765
Paper Download Link (Source)
https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/Screw%20Shaft%20Flywheel%20Stabilizing-22082023-4.pdfInternational Journal of Novel Research in Engineering and Science, ISSN 2394-7349, Novelty Journals, Website: www.noveltyjournals.co
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