Confirmation of Climate Change in Southwestern Nigeria through Analysis of Rainfall and Temperature Variations over the Region

Understanding the variability of precipitation and temperature of a region over a long period gives one an idea about the climate and climate change of such region. The study investigated rainfall and temperature variability in four meteorological stations, namely, Abeokuta (lat.7.01o N, long.3.2o  E, alt. 67m) , Ibadan (lat.7.43o N, long.3.9o E, alt. 227m), Ikeja (lat.6.58o N, long.3.33o E, alt. 39m )  and Ondo (lat.7.1o N, long.4.83o E , alt. 287m) in the south-western region of Nigeria.Monthly rainfall, minimum temperature and maximum temperature data were obtained from Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) for the period of thirty one years (1980 to 2010) for the study.Descriptive Statistics were deployed to determine the mean, confidence levels, coefficient of kurtosis, skewness and coefficient of variations. A fairly “M-shaped” pattern was observed in the monthly mean rainfall distribution with bi-modal peaks in June and September, with slight dryness experienced in August, referred to as “August break”. Analyses of annual trends over a long period revealed a sequence of alternately decreasing and increasing trends in mean annual rainfall and air temperature in region. Generally however, gradients of the trend lines are positive. There is a negative relationship between annual total rainfall and annual average temperature

SYNTHESIS, MODIFICATION, AND CHARACTERISATION OF FUNCTIONAL POLYURETHANE COATING SYSTEMS FROM CASTOR OIL

Environmental challenges have driven production science towards using biodegradable and sustainable feedstocks for product development. Developing sustainable and high-performance coating materials to address the environmental concerns and technical demands of modern industries has become so critical that plant seed oils are considered viable renewable feedstocks capable of substituting petrochemical-based materials in polymeric material preparation. This study reports the synthesis and characterisation of functional organic polyurethane coatings from castor bean seed oil (CSO) (Ricinus communis seed oil). Graphene nanoparticles were modified into graphene oxide and incorporated within the polyurethane polymer matrix in a one-pot synthesis. Also, aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) was used to alter silica nanoparticles and was incorporated into the polyurethane system. Bisphenol A and trimethylolpropane (TMP) were used as extenders, and their influences on the coating properties were also examined in the urethane systems. Physicochemical analysis of the feedstock and prepared coating formulations was conducted. Structural evaluation of synthesised materials was performed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Synthesised urethane coatings were cured on silicon resin mould and mild steel. Thermal stability and crystallinity of pristine and composite films were studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyse surface morphology. Water contact angle analysis revealed the hydrophobicity of the synthesised urethane films. Solubility, anticorrosive, and antimicrobial properties of prepared materials were evaluated. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed the structure of modified nanomaterials, pristine, and composite films. Surface morphology and photographic images showed successful incorporation of nanomaterials (graphene oxide and hybrid APTMSmodified silica) within the polymer matrix. Thermal stability, anti-corrosive, and antimicrobial properties of the coating films were enhanced with increasing percentages of nanomaterials in the polyurethane systems. Coating films exhibited improved hydrophobicity with rising percentages of modified nanoparticles. Film photographic retention tests showed no particle agglomeration and high transparency at 0.5% graphene oxide composition (0.5% PU-GO). It also shows that the polymer with 0.5% PU-GO is the most thermally stable. Similarly, composite films of modified silica in CSO showed enhanced thermal stability, hydrophobicity, antimicrobial activity, and corrosion resistance. The polymer with 5% PU-SNP was the most thermally stable at high temperatures. It also has the highest water contact angle and lowest corrosion rate, hence the most hydrophobic and corrosion resistant. In conclusion, the 0.5% loading of modified graphene oxide (0.5% PU-GO) nanoparticles is the optimum loading in applications requiring low and high temperatures. At the same time, 5% loading is the optimum loading of APTMS-modified silica (5% PU-SNP) in applications that require high temperature. These results present a viable, sustainable alternative for various industrial applications

Determination of thermal properties of some ceiling material commonly used in Ijebu- Ode, Nigeria

The study investigates the thermal properties of different insulating material used in building construction in Ijebu Ode, a tropical rainforest region, south western, Nigeria. Five insulating material; asbestos, Plaster of Paris (P.O.P), PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC), hardboard and paperboard, were subjected to thermal investigation using Lee’s disc electrical method. The result obtained showed that the thermal conductivities obtained are within the range of values specified for good insulating materials. Asbestos was found to be associated with the least thermal conductivity of the value . --while PVC had the highest thermal conductivity values of . --. This may be associated with the temperature and the heat flux on the surface of the material. The results obtained for thermal conductivity, thermal resistivity and thermal diffusivity correlated favourably when compared with those of previous work from other locations. Asbestos being the material with the lowest thermal conductivity is therefore recommended for use as the suitable insulating ceiling material in the study area. Keywords: thermal conductivity, diffusivity, resistivity, Lee’s dis

Understanding and reducing sexual prejudice in Jamaica: Theoretical and practical insights from a severely anti-gay society

Jamaica has earned an international reputation for severe sexual prejudice: perhaps disproportionately so compared to other severely anti-LGBT societies. Until recently, however, no quantitative empirical research had investigated Jamaica’s sexual prejudice, leaving the prejudice poorly understood and methods of reducing it unclear. This article reviews the past 15 years of empirical research on Jamaican anti-LGBT prejudice. It situates Jamaica within the global context, explains the current understanding of the severity and nature of the problem, evaluates solutions currently being explored and suggests promising strategies based on available evidence. Importantly, this article also reflects on lessons learned from Jamaica that are relevant for other severely anti-LGBT societies

Investigating temparature effects on hte rainy season daily electric load

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Physics Vol. 17 (Supplement) 2005: pp. 227-23

Decolonizing Human Trafficking: A Case Study of Human Trafficking in Edo State Nigeria

Every year, governments and globally acclaimed international organizations alike develop policies, sanctions and other control mechanisms in terms of prevention, protection and prosecution in an attempt to abate the current human trafficking problem which appears to be worsening by the year. This thesis will explore the relationship of colonial legacies to the current human trafficking dilemma, assessing the impact of post-colonial cultural and structural practices that continue to persist and proliferate the movement of human beings across borders and facilitates their sub-human treatment. By analyzing the underlying elements that have caused the current international system to operate and be structured the way it is today, this thesis hopes to fill a gap in the academic conversation in regards to cultural narratives, the lag between legislation and effective implementation and demand, as well as the role played by religious and ethnic groups outside of the typical Western lens in facilitating and understanding human trafficking

Comparison of Return Stroke Current Profiles for Transmission-Line-Type and Traveling-Current-Source-Type Models

Abstract: The study is aimed at determining the dependence of the current along a channel on the model used, assuming the same base current. We compared three transmission-line-type models, namely: Transmission Line (TL), Modified Transmission Line with Linear decay, Modified Transmission Line with Exponential decay and two traveling-current-source-type models: Bruce-Golde (BG) and Traveling Current Source (TCS) models. The current profiles along the channel at different heights predicted by these models are presented and discussed. Comparison is based on the assumption that all the models have the same base current. It was found that at low heights and within a time window frame of 15 :s, the currents of the transmission-line-type models predict a zero value at one time or the other with a maximum turning point following some 1:s after. A linear relationship is predicted between the current peak and the channel height. A discontinuity of current peak was observed at high heights. No zero value of current was recorded in case of TCS both at low and high channel heights