Significance of Pattern Composition on the Carnival Calabar King and Queen Costumes

The term ‘pattern’ involves decorative designing. It is a common principle of design used in textiles to reinforce and enhance the fabrics with different visual sensations that help to stimulate interest, provide visual enrichment and enjoyment, and communicate thoughts through symbols. In patterning, surfaces are vitalized with rich variety of symbols to captivate the eyes; whether large or small, the intricate patterns contribute to the richness of a surface appearance. The focus of this paper is on the significance of the patterns and symbols used in the design of the Seagull Band Junior and Senior King and Queen Costumes for the 2013 Carnival Calabar. To achieve this, the theme ‘ain’t no stopping us’ was interpreted to include the ‘Achiever’ as the junior king, ‘Bliss’ as the junior queen, ‘Genius’ as the senior king, and ‘Creativity’ as the senior queen. Costumes were designed and constructed by a team of experts with appropriate patterns and symbols to give credence to character. These costumes were used for the king and queen competitions in both the junior and senior categories. The competition was assessed by an international panel of judges. The judges adjudged the costumes and the interpretation of their patterns as best depictions of the theme in all categories of the competition. The paper reiterates that the conscious use of appropriate patterns and symbols in costume design can achieve a certain effect vis-à-vis that of enhancing the character during theatrical performances. Keywords: Carnival Calabar; Costume Design; Patterns; Symbols; Characterizatio

Mycoremediation Potential of Edible Mushroom (Lentinus squarrosulus Mont) for Reduction of Physicochemical Properties and Microbial Load of Landfill Leachate obtained from Choba Dumpsite, Rivers State, Nigeria

Dumpsite leachate samples are characterized by high concentration of pollutants that pose several environmental health risks in both short and long term. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the efficacy of mycoremediation capacity of edible mushroom (Lentinus squarrosulus Mont.) for reduction of physicochemical properties and microbial load of landfill leachate obtained from Choba dumpsite, Rivers State, Nigeria using mycofiltration technique and standard methods. Data obtained after a 24-48 hours mycofiltration treatment, revealed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the concentration of pH from 7.4 to 7.7, Colour 227 to 108, Turbidity 152 to 50 (NTU), Electrical conductivity 415 to 201(µS/cm), Total Dissolved Solid 560 to 218 (mg L-1), Total Suspended Solid 22 to 20 (mg L-1), Nitrite 0.124 to 0.120, Nitrate 0.130 to 0.125, Phosphate 1.4 to 1.1, Dissolved Oxygen 8.64to 1.52 (mg/L-1), Biological Oxygen Demand 7.2 to 1.52 (mg/L-1), Chemical Oxygen Demand 4.96 to 1.32 (mg/L-1) and microbes at the end of the filtration process.  The findings from this study showed that mycofiltration technique could be a useful, efficient and affordable technology for toxicity reduction in dumpsite leachate

Dance Aesthetics and Cultural Implications: A Case Study of Ekombi Dance and Asian Uboikpa Dance

Dance is an active tool in the society because it not only expresses the feelings and aspirations of the people but it also showcases the cultural values that are entrenched in the people's culture. Interestingly, our traditional dances possess all these qualities thereby making these dances an instrument of communicating social values. This study attempts to appraise the Ekombi and Asian Uboikpa dances of the Efiks and Ibibios in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. It also tries to situate that these dances have huge cultural values that define the socio-religious beliefs of these localities. This study states that the growth of our traditional dances, especially the Ekombi and Asian Uboikpa dances under review will rely on the ability of the choreographers to really understand the socio-cultural and religious standpoints of these dances. Keywords: Dance aesthetics; Traditional Dances; Ekombi; Asian Uboikpa; Dance Educatio

Management Strategies Employed by Master Blaster Band in the 2014 Carnival Calabar

Carnival is a festive activity. It typically involves public celebrations combining some elements of circus with masks, public street party and displays of folklore. This study tends to investigate, identify and evaluate the different management strategies that were employed in the management of the Master Blaster Band in the Carnival Calabar 2014. Information about the band and details that are not in public domain was revealed through interviews with the band personnel, Carnival Commission and some members of the Band. It is pertinent for the Band to have in their employ, creative managers in the different categories. Keywords: Carnival Calabar; Management skills, Performance Arts; Band management; Master Blaster Ban

Hobbes’ Leviathan, Contemporary Global Society, and a Possible Outcome of the United States of America’s 2016 Presidential Election

This paper takes a comparative analysis of the circumstances of men in a “stateless” society which Thomas Hobbes calls a “state of nature” in his book Leviathan and the prevailing global security challenges facing mankind. In both circumstances, the essay notes, the “human condition” of mankind is the same:  life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”. Just as Hobbes draws the conclusion from this state of affairs to the inescapable need for a “strongman”, a powerful and frightening body, a State or Leviathan, to overawe and subdue the belligerent urge of men in order to establish a peaceful and ordered society, so does this paper see that factor as not only responsible for the success of Donald Trump’s United States of America Presidential campaign so far but may also eventually determine the outcome of the United States Presidential election in November 2016. Keywords: Human condition, state of nature, strongman, contemporary global societ

Effects of Different Concentrations of Biocides on Fungal Populations, Isolated from Biofilms of Corroded Oil Pipelines, Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Microbiologically influenced corrosion is a problem commonly encountered in facilities in the oil and gas industries. The present study described fungal enumeration and identification in biofilms of oil pipelines in Oshie flow station in Rivers State and Irri flow station in Delta State, Nigeria using traditional cultivation technique.  The fungal species isolated in biofilms from the two sites are as follows Verticillium dahlae, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Penicillium corylophilum, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus paradoxus, Humicola grisae, Aureobasidium pullulans, Monilia balanitis, Hormoconis resinea, Asperillus flavus and Helimenthosporium maydis. The study also focuses on the use of three biocides to inhibit or eliminate the identified organisms in order to minimize the material and financial losses encountered by oil and gas companies, because of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). The performance of three biocides (ozone, sodium hypochlorite and formaldehyde) at the concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% in eliminating the fungal species isolated from biofilms of oil pipelines in Rivers and Delta States, Niger Delta, Nigeria. It is shown, that formaldehyde, ozone exhibited the best biocidal characteristics and concentrations of 1 and 2 % eliminated almost all the fungal species after 72 hours of contact time. This study is relevant to the problem of microbiologically influenced corrosion as the data may contribute to elucidate which fungal species contribute to the MIC process and to gain a better understanding of the fungal community of biofilms. This study will give us better understanding of the biocide capable of eliminating fungal species in biofilm of oil and gas pipelines. Keywords: Concentration, fungal population, biocides, microbiologically influenced corrosion, biofilm

Thoracic epidural anaesthesia for major abdominal surgeries: experience in private hospital setting in Uyo, South-South Nigeria

Background: Thoracic epidural anaesthesia (TEA) has many benefits over general anaesthesia in major abdominal surgeries including avoidance of endotracheal intubation.Aims: To evaluate the feasibility of TEA for major abdominal surgeries in the private hospital setting. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective study of all major abdominal surgeries performed under TEA in two private hospitals in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria over a two-year period. All thoracic epidural anaesthesia was performed under aseptic conditions at the T8/9, T9/10, or T10/11 interspinous space using a size 18G Tuohy epidural needle and catheter inserted as appropriate. A test dose of 3 ml of 1% lidocaine with adrenaline was used in all patients, after which a loading dose of 10–15 ml of 2% lidocaine with adrenaline was injected at 5 ml every 5 minutes till a block height of approximately T4–L1 was obtained. Anaesthesia was maintained with 5 ml of 2% lidocaine with adrenaline every 45 minutes till the end of surgery. The operative condition was assessed on the basis of sedation and analgesic requirement, as well as response to mesenteric traction. The pulse rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation were monitored throughout the procedure and recorded. Data were obtained from the patients’ folders and operation register. Information obtained included: age, gender, ASA status, diagnosis and type of surgery performed. Data analysis was performed using SPSS®, version 16.Results: Twelve patients underwent major abdominal surgeries under TEA. The mean age (range) was 49.58 (20–78) years, with a male to female ratio of 1:1.4. TEA was adequate in 10 (83.3%) patients, while two (16.7%) patients developed total spinal anaesthesia and were successfully resuscitated and their surgeries completed under general endotracheal anaesthesia.Conclusion: TEA for major abdominal surgeries is feasible. However, careful patient selection, a meticulous approach and preparation for resuscitation is required to prevent and manage complications.Keywords: major abdominal surgeries, private hospital, thoracic epidural anaesthesi

Bose Einstein Condensation and Thermodynamics Properties in Bose-Einstein Distribution

The calculation of the thermodynamic properties in the Bose-Einstein distribution is presented. The behaviour of the Bose-gas in the Bose- Einstein distribution is analysed based on high and low temperature dependence. At... More details can be found in the full paper

Problems and strategies for private sector development in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria

Akwa Ibom State – Nigeria’s leading oil bearing state – is populated with over four million people, 72 percent of whom live below the poverty line. The state which is the 7th poorest nationwide, and the poorest in the South-South region of the country is usually referred to as a civil service state due to the absence of industrial activities in the area. Most salary earners in the state are employed in the civil service. This study was carried out to determine the causes of the underdevelopment of entrepreneurship in the state, as well as strategies that can be employed to stimulate private sector activities. Two hundred indigenous entrepreneurs were included in the study which took a survey design. Data were collected with the use of a questionnaire. The findings of the study show that inadequate capital, lack of experience, noncooperation among entrepreneurs, and inadequate governmental support were the major causes of the underdevelopment of the private sector in the state. It was recommended that a special business enhancement agency to fast-track private sector development in the state should be established by the government. Keywords: Economic development strategies, Infrastructural development, Private sector, Development, Indigenous entrepreneur