Taming the Wind: Cryptocurrency, International Law, and Nigeria’s National Security

This study aimed at exploring how international law can be extended to the cryptocurrency space and the plausible effects that this may have on the national security of Nigeria by reviewing relevant sources of information. The research questions that were addressed in this paper included: “In what ways can international law be used to regulate the cryptocurrency market?” and “How will such regulations impact national security in Nigeria?” The study found that Nigeria presents a case where cryptocurrency was banned and yet, its adoption has been increasing and its prohibition has worsened its use for illegal activities that threaten national security and economic health. Individuals and organisations have found ways to trade and own cryptocurrencies in the country without getting detected by relevant authorities in the country. By implication, Nigeria needs to re-consider its stance on cryptocurrency regulation. Most importantly, the development of an international regulatory framework that facilitates the successful extension of international law to the regulation of cryptocurrency can help Nigeria to improve its national security by tackling terrorist and other crime funding and tackling the use of cryptocurrency for corrupt practices such as money laundering and tax evasion

Nutritional Evaluation of Calabash Gourd (Lagenaria Siceraria) Seeds and Oil

The nutritional, anti-nutritional contents of calabash gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) seed flour and some nutritional values of its oil were evaluated using standard analytical methods. The proximate analysis ranged from 3.9 (ash) – 46.2% (fat). Phosphorous (554 mg/100 g) was found to be the most abundant mineral in the seed flour. Antinutrients recorded for the seed flour were 10.2% (saponin), 0.794 (cyanide), 1.31 (tannin), 10.3 (oxalate) and 19.3 mg/100 g (Phytate). The amino acids composition of the seed flour ranged from 0.746 (methionine) – 18.6 g/100 g cp (glutamic acid). The total PUFA and the total SFA contents of the seed oil were 63.6% and 20.6% respectively. The total phospholipid content of the seed oil was 987 mg/100 g while the total sterol value was 257 mg/100 g. The seeds of calabash gourd could be utilized as an alternative source of stable vegetable oil, mineral elements and protein for culinary and industrial applications

Cement degradation in CO2 storage sites: a review on potential applications of nanomaterials

© 2018 The Author(s) Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) has been employed to reduce global warming, which is one of the critical environmental issues gained the attention of scientific and industrial communities worldwide. Once implemented successfully, CCS can store at least 5 billion tons of CO2per year as an effective and technologically safe method. However, there have been a few issues raised in recent years, indicating the potential leakages paths created during and after injection. One of the major issues might be the chemical interaction of supercritical CO2with the cement, which may lead to the partial or total loss of the cement sheath. There have been many approaches presented to improve the physical and mechanical properties of the cement against CO2attack such as changing the water-to-cement ratio, employing pozzolanic materials, and considering non-Portland cements. However, a limited success has been reported to the application of these approaches once implemented in a real-field condition. To date, only a few studies reported the application of nanoparticles as sophisticated additives which can reinforce oil well cements. This paper provides a review on the possible application of nanomaterials in the cement industry where physical and mechanical characteristics of the cement can be modified to have a better resistance against corrosive environments such as CO2storage sites. The results obtained indicated that adding 0.5 wt% of Carbon NanoTubes (CNTs) and NanoGlass Flakes (NGFs) can reinforce the thermal stability and coating characteristics of the cement which are required to increase the chance of survival in a CO2sequestrated site. Nanosilica can also be a good choice and added to the cement by as much as 3.0 wt% to improve pozzolanic reactivity and thermal stability as per the reports of recent studies

CHARACTERIZATION, CLASSIFICATION, AND MAPPING OF USER PASSWORDS TO MITIGATE IDENTITY THEFT

<p><strong><span>SUMMARY</span></strong></p> <p><span>User identity remains the most sought-after piece of information for hackers. This is because it has proved to be effective in their attack efforts. It is nothing new that compromised passwords have been attributed to data breaches for years. Despite the continuous reports and efforts to curb the menace, success in this area remains elusive. <span> </span>Identity theft is usually linked to stolen or compromised passwords. What else can be done to help in addressing issues related to compromised passwords? Compromised passwords are related to multiple algorithms associated with creating passwords. The question of interest is, how can password management algorithms be improved?</span></p&gt

Effects of feed forms, levels of quantitative feed restriction on performance, carcass quality and cost benefit of broiler chickens

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of feed forms and levels of feed restriction on growth performance, carcass quality and feeding cost of broiler chickens. One hundred and ninety-two day-old broiler chicks were divided into eight groups of twenty four birds each. Each group was further divided into three replicates of eight birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Birds were fed mash and pellets and restricted at 0, 10, 20 and 30% levels of feed restriction. Data were collected on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and cost benefits were calculated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance. The results showed significantly higher (p<0.05) final weights and weight gain in birds fed pellets (1624.42 g and 1571.72 g) compared to mash (1540.00 g and 1487.26 g). Feed intake of broiler chicken was significantly influenced by interaction between feed forms and levels of feed restriction. Feed conversion ratio was best in birds fed pellets (2.35) and at 30% level of restriction (2.09). Retail cuts parts were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by feed forms and levels of restriction. Gizzard weights increased (p<0.05) with increasing levels of restriction. Abdominal fat decreased (p<0.05) with increasing levels of restriction. Birds restricted at 30% level showed a better feed cost savings compared with ad libitum feeding. It can be concluded that feeding pellets to broiler chickens improved weight gain and feed conversion. Feed restriction at 30% level of restriction reduced feeding cost and abdominal fat.Keywords: Broilers, carcass, performance, quantitative feed restrictio

Effects of duration and level of feed restriction on performance and meat quality of broiler chickens

Two hundred and sixteen unsexed 14 days- old Marshall broiler chicks were used in a 3×3 factorial experimental design to test the effect of restricting feed intake of birds by 0 %, 20 % and 40 % levels for 2, 4 and 6 weeks after two weeks of the starter phase. The unrestricted (control) treatments were fed ad libitum throughout the experiment. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Data were collected and calculated on weight gain, feed:gain, feed intake, mortality, proximate composition of meat and cost-benefit analysis. Data obtained were subjected to a 2-way analysis of variance. Results showed significantly higher (p<0.05) final weights in the unrestricted birds (control) compared to the restricted birds. Interaction between duration of restriction and level of restriction indicated that weight gain and feed intake significantly (p<0.05) reduced as duration and level of feed restriction increased. Feed:gain was significantly (p<0.05) different across the treatments with birds restricted at 40 % for 6 weeks having the best feed:gain (1.91). The mortality recorded was not significant (p>0.05) across duration and level of restriction. Abdominal fat decreased with increasing duration and level of restriction with birds on 40 % level and 6 weeks duration of restriction having the lowest fat content (0.20 %). Crude protein content of the breast muscle significantly increased while crude fat content of the breast muscle significantly decreased with duration and level of restriction. Crude fat content was lowest at 40 % level and 6 weeks duration of feed restriction. As level and duration of feed restriction increased, feed cost/ kg reduced. Birds restricted at 40 % level for 2, 4 and 6 weeks durations respectively had better cost benefit than birds restricted at 0 and 20 % levels for 2, 4 and 6 weeks durations. It can be concluded that the best feed:gain, lower abdomi- nal fat, higher protein and better cost benefit was achieved in birds restricted at 40 % for 6 weeks.Durante 42 días, 216 pollos broiler Marshall, de 14 días, fueron empleados en un diseño experi- mental factorial 3x3 para estudiar el efecto de la restricción de la ingestión de alimento en 0, 20 y 40 %, durante 2, 4 y 6 semanas en la fase de iniciación. El tratamiento control (no restringido) recibió alimentación ad libitum durante todo el experimento. Se obtuvieron datos sobre ganancia de peso, alimento/peso, ingestión, mortalidad, composición de la carne y relación coste benefi- cio. Los datos obtenidos se sometieron a un análisis de varianza de dos vías. Los resultados mostraron mayor peso final (p<0,05), en las aves sin restricción, la interacción duración*nivel de restricción indicó que tanto la ganancia de peso como la ingestión, se redujeron cuando aumenta- ron la duración y nivel de restricción. La relación alimento/ganancia fue diferente (p<0,05) entre tratamientos siendo la mejor (1,91) en las aves con restricción de 40 % durante 6 semanas. No hubo diferencias (p>0,05) en la mortalidad registrada. La grasa abdominal disminuyó al aumentar la duración y nivel de restricción, alcanzando el menor contenido (0,20 %) en los niveles más intensos de restricción. El contenido proteico de la pechuga aumentó y su contenido graso se redujo al aumentar el tiempo y nivel de restricción. El contenido graso fue igualmente menor en los niveles mas intensos de restricción. Cuando la restricción se hacía mayor, el coste por kg produ- cido se reducía. Las aves con restricción del 40 % tuvieron en todo el tiempo mejor relación coste beneficio que las de control y las de restricción del 20 %. Se puede concluir que con la restricción del 40 % durante seis semanas se consigue mejor transformacion de alimento, menor grasa abdomi- nal, mayor cantidad de proteína, y mejor relacion coste beneficio

Voltage-Based Stabilization of Microporous Carbon Electrodes for Inverted Capacitive Deionization

Inverted capacitive deionization (i-CDI) is examined using microporous Spectracarb carbon electrodes in 10 mmol L^–1 NaCl solution without deaeration. i-CDI testing shows that using conventional operational methods, i.e., <i>V</i>_ch = 0.8 V and <i>V</i>_dis = 0 V (0.8/0 V), cannot stabilize salt separation after approximately 409 h with an averaged salt adsorption capacity (SAC) of 6.0 ± 0.8 mg g^–1. The cycled anode possesses a collapsed cyclic voltammogram due to an increase in the sheet resistance by the formation of a surface oxide layer. This layer eventually suppresses electronic charge utilization in the i-CDI cell causing degraded salt separation. By analysis of potential distributions incorporated with the modified Donnan model, an improved i-CDI operational method is proposed by reducing <i>V</i>_ch to 0.4 V and <i>V</i>_dis to −0.4 V (0.4/–0.4 V) while maintaining a voltage window (<i>V</i>_ch–<i>V</i>_dis) of 0.8 V. The improved i-CDI testing demonstrates that not only is the separation process stabilized up to approximately 420 h but the SAC also increases to 7.2 ± 0.3 mg g^–1. Additionally, operation at 0.4/–0.4 V possesses more stable pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) responses than that at 0.8/0 V. We believe that such improved performance stems from a reduced <i>V</i>_ch mitigating carbon oxidation at the anode and DO reduction at the cathode while the reduced <i>V</i>_dis compensates for salt removal capacity

Complementary surface charge for enhanced capacitive deionization

Commercially available activated carbon cloth electrodes are treated using nitric acid and ethylenediamine solutions, resulting in chemical surface charge enhanced carbon electrodes for capacitive deionization (CDI) applications. Surface charge enhanced electrodes are then configured in a CDI cell to examine their salt removal at a fixed charging voltage and both reduced and opposite polarity discharge voltages, and subsequently compared to the salt removal of untreated electrodes. Substantially improved salt removal due to chemical surface charge and the use of a discharge voltage of opposite sign to the charging voltage is clearly demonstrated in these CDI cycling tests, an observation which for the first time validates both enhanced CDI and extended-voltage CDI effects predicted by the Donnan model [Biesheuvel et al., Colloids Interf. Sci. Comm., 10.1016/j.colcom.2015.12.001 (2016)]. Our experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that the use of carbon electrodes with optimized chemical surface charge can extend the CDI working voltage window through discharge voltages of opposite sign to the charging voltage, which can significantly enhance the salt adsorption capacity of CDI electrodes. Thus, in addition to carbon pore size distribution, chemical surface charge in carbon micropores is considered foundational for salt removal in CDI cells.</p

Blood profile, carcass yield and offal weight of growing rabbits subjected to four hours feed withdrawal period

The early-life fast growth rate of modern strains of domestic animals comes with a number of problems which may include high body fat deposition, incidence of metabolic disorders and skeletal diseases, mortality and morbidity. Short term feed restriction might reduce the occurrence of these problems. To this effect, this study was carried out to investigate the effect of four hours feed withdrawal period on blood profile, carcass yield and offal weight of growing rabbits raised in a hot humid environment. Twenty four (24) 6 weeks' old rabbits were randomly assigned to two treatment groups of 4 replicates with three rabbits per replicate. Rabbits on treatment one were fed ad-libitum while those on treatment two were offered their daily ration at 07:00 hour and later withdrew during the hot hours of the day (12:00-16:00 hours) for eight weeks. Data obtained were subjected to Studentized T-test. Haematological and serum biochemical indices considered were not significantly (P? 0.05) influenced by four hours feed withdrawal period. The mean values obtained for packed cell volume, haemoglobin, white blood cell, neutrophil and heterophil:lymphocytes were higher in rabbits on four hours feed withdrawal period compared to ad-libitum fed rabbits whereas, total protein, albumin, glucose, ghrehin and cortisol showed higher values in rabbits fed adlibitum. Four hours feed withdrawal period had no effect (p&gt;0.05) on carcass yield, retail cut and offal except kidney weight. It was concluded that four hours feed withdrawal period could be adopted since welfare indices and carcass characteristics of rabbits were not compromised.Keywords: Ad-libitum, haematology, rabbit, restriction, welfar