Evaluation of Properties of Makurdi Lateritic Clay-Rice Husk Ash Bricks for Pavements.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) on the burnt properties of the Makurdi lateritic clay. Three (3) to 15 % RHA was blended with the clay. Compressive Strength and Water Absorption test were conducted on each admixture. The clay bricks were burnt at three different temperature levels 7000C, 8000C and 9000C to ascertain the compressive strength property of the clay with temperature variation.  The result showed that the plasticity index reduced gradually and had a minimum value of 19.23% at 9 % RHA. The average compressive strength and water absorption of burnt bricks at 7000C attained a maximum value of 4.79 MN/m2 and minimum value of 16.36 % at 0 % RHA. Keywords: Rice Husk Ash, compressive strength, clay brick, water absorption

Deconstructing African History from Western Historicism

If a people were to write their own history to be solely accepted as an ideal, it would not be abnormal for them to do so in their own favour. The history of the African peoples as documented by Western literatures, mostly comprises the exaltation of European culture through various stereotypical labellings of African history and culture.In the same vein, most Africans would be tempted to rewrite African history in favour of the cultures/ traditions of the African people themselves. Western historicism, however, has gradually denied the African an identity, primarily by eulogising its vindictive colonial presence in Africa, with the purpose of creating a cultural superstructure for the West. Through critical analysis and the conversational method, we submit that a balanced reordering of history in a sane manner is quickened when informed African scholars in their various disciplines take up the task of historiography to create their own peculiar narrative that will provide both the scholarly agenda and its related content, to set the African people on a course of wholesome prosperity

The question of African communalism and the antithesis of democracy

In this paper, we argue that communalism is not uniquely African. It comes in different forms of social and psychological thinking which can be found in any culture and society whether capitalistic or socialistic where the notion of social belongingness through reasoned reflection transcends the desire for personal gratification. We claim that some values of communalism such as altruism, mutual cooperation, complementarity etc., can be useful in shaping a viable system of democracy for Africa, not because communalism is unique to Africa, but because it is not. We contend that part of the challenges of democratic practice in Africa is the inclination to extreme form of individualism embedded in its capitalist roots. We show that the structure of democracy can evolve to adapt to changes mediated by communal values. Using the methods of hermeneutics and conversational thinking, we will argue that democratic practice in Africa can profit from communalism and should be restructured to admit relevant communal values.Keywords: African, Communalism, African Communalism, Democracy, Communalistic Democrac

Galectin-2 in Health and Diseases

Galectin-2 is a prototype member of the galactoside-binding galectin family. It is predominately expressed in the gastrointestinal tract but is also detected in several other tissues such as the placenta and in the cardiovascular system. Galectin-2 expression and secretion by epithelial cells has been reported to contribute to the strength of the mucus layer, protect the integrity of epithelia. A number of studies have also suggested the involvement of galectin-2 in tissue inflammation, immune response and cell apoptosis. Alteration of galectin-2 expression occurs in inflammatory bowel disease, coronary artery diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and pregnancy disorders and has been shown to be involved in disease pathogenesis. This review discusses our current understanding of the role and actions of galectin-2 in regulation of these pathophysiological conditions

Lipolytic Activity Of Some Fungal Species On Castor Oil

Castor seed is important because of the castor oil content (40 – 57%). The oil enjoys tremendous world demand in the pharmaceutical, paint, cosmetics, textile, leather, lubricant, chemical, plastic, fibre, automobile and engineering industries. Castor oil, aside being a renewable resource, it is biodegradable and eco-friendly. Agricultural products are natural habitats of fungi and these materials contain cellulose, hemi-cellulose, starch, oils and other complex organic compounds. The ability of the fungi to exist in these environments largely depends on their ability to produce enzymes capable of breaking down the various organic materials to provide their nutrients. Castor seeds and castor oil are good sources of nutrients for fungal growth and development. Fungi are capable of producing lipases which can hydrolyze fats or oils to fatty acids thereby increasing the free fatty acids of the produce and this is a deteriorating effect. Lipid degradation takes place when seeds or their oils are damaged by improper storage conditions or are exposed to certain microorganisms. Studies were carried out on the ability of nine fungal species namely: Aspergillus tamarii Aspergillus chevallieri , Penicillium chrysogenum , Cephaliophora irregularis , Syncephalastrum racemosum , Aspergillus flavus , Aspergillus ruber , Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus niger to produce extracellular lipases in stationary liquid medium using quantitative and qualitative indices including, dry mycelia mass, free fatty acid and peroxide values. These studies showed that all the mould species exhibited lipolytic activity to varying levels as confirmed by formation of blue halo round the fungal colonies. The highest level of lipolytic activity (96.88% ± 1.12%) was produced by Aspergillus tamari. which was also characterized by highest mycelia dry yield (2.54 mg/40ml ± 0.20 mg/40ml), while Cephaliphora irregularis produced the least lipolytic activity (3.10 % ± 0.18%). The highest peroxide value (38.1 meq/kg ± 1.17meq/kg) was obtained in the medium inoculated with Aspergillus tamarii while the least (6.20 meq/kg ± 0.58)meq/kg was with Aspergillus terreus after 30 days of storage. The study showed that Aspergillus tamarii and Aspergillus flavus grew well and readily caused lipolytic activity when cultured in medium containing castor oil as the only carbon source, suggesting that these fungal species contributed significantly to castor oil bio-deterioration

Assessing small hydropower sites in Nigeria for sustainable development using ArcGIS

This paper focuses on the prospects of small hydropower plants (SHP) in Nigeria and utilizes ArcGIS software for analyzing the country’s hydropower energy potential. The analysis conducted using ArcGIS reveals the significant SHP potential in various states across Nigeria. By overlaying water areas and waterline data on maps, potential sites for SHP are identified, particularly in states such as Borno, Niger, Edo, Anambra, and Jigawa. Further analysis was done using data for water lines in Nigeria converted into shaped files for the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, with the various states and local government areas, to provide expanded views for different possible schemes for SHP. Data set were built up for the different geopolitical zones and statistical analyses were done for SHP potentials. Interpolations were performed using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) tool on ArcGIS to show areas ideally suitable to site dam schemes for hydropower production and other schemes that require less water storage for small hydropower production. The strengths of each state in the various zones with regard to water inlands and lands subject to inundation were also identified. Some major challenges and opportunities in using ArcGIS in assessing small hydropower schemes in Nigeria, were also highlighted

Understanding the mechanics of complex topology of the 3D printed Anthill architecture

The present work aimed to investigate the deformation behavior of complex ant mound architectures under compression. We have used the cement casting method to extract four different ant nest morphologies. These casted cement structures were digitalized using a 3D micro-computer tomography scan. The digitized structures were simulated under different loading conditions using finite-element methods (FEMs). In order to supplement the numerical understanding, the digital architectures were 3D printed and experimentally tested under uniaxial loading conditions. Ants produce a variety of complex architectures for adapting to the surrounding environment and ants' needs. Ant mound consists of at least one pillar with a broad base tapered toward its tip. Anthill architectures have unique topological features. Mechanical strength of ant mould can be 600 times enhanced by tuning topology. Thickness and angle of pillars have huge effect on load-bearing property. The branched structures can endure larger stress and deform in the process under a volumetric pressure application, making them sacrificial units for extreme disasters like floods and earthquakes. The 3D printing experiments and FEMs simulations are needed to tackle the complex ant mound architectures and appear in good agreement, suggesting a robust design and thus the possibility of constructing anthill-inspired civil buildings with a tree-trunk-like geometry.C.S.T. acknowledges Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development (AOARD) grant nos. FA2386-19-1-4039 and FA2386-21-1-4014, Ramanujan fellowship and core research grant of SERB, India, the Naval research board of India and the funding received from STARS project by MHRD, India