Beyond Integration: An inquiry into the lived experiences of immigrants in Ireland.

This inquiry is an exploration of the lived experiences of five immigrants who are effectively functioning in the four life domains in Ireland under which the integration process is monitored. In this chapter, I outline my reason for carrying out this study. I also set out the research question and research hope and define my philosophical stance and dual positioning as insider and outsider. The chapter ends with a description of all the chapters. In Chapter two, I consider previous work on integration focusing on the Irish context, the complexity of the process and challenges in adopting a definition. I argue that the role of the host community is more of a decider for the outcome of contact with new cultures. I pose a constant question: if to be, is to be like? In Chapter three I describe how I carried out the research through a small group interview where five immigrants had a conversation about two fictionalised stories (Jane and Paul‟s stories) which I wrote in order to start a conversation. I also discuss the ideas which influenced my choices. I tell the story of how the study progressed and what changes were adopted. In Chapter four, I present the research findings in three main themes and subthemes Acceptance, Positioning and Multiple identities are the emergent themes. I critically 7 analyse the findings through the theoretical perspective of Maslow‟s theory of motivation, Social Identity and positioning as a conversational phenomenon. In Chapter five, I conclude that the complexities involved in the integration process are in-depth. I engage with Freire‟s pedagogy focusing on the oppressive aspects of integration, using my experience as supporting evidence where my voice finds a release and speaks for me. I summarise the conclusions of the study and contribute to available knowledge on working with immigrants based on the insight gained

The importance of coastal environment in promoting human health and wellbeing

http://www.ester.ee/record=b4420090~S1*es

Investigating the Kinetics of Biodesulfurization of Diesel

The technology of biodesulfurization requires that reactors, where the reaction can take place, must be designed. In order to do this, the kinetics of the process must be thoroughly understood. This work aims to investigate the kinetics of biodesulfurization of diesel. This was done by simulating the kinetics of the process alone and then with and without the effect of mass transfer. The kinetic parameters, maximum rate constant, νmax, and the Michaelis-Menton constant, KM, were estimated using the linear equations of Hanes, Lineweaver-Buck and Eadie-Hofstee. The values obtained for each of the parameters from the linear equations were close but are not the same. This necessitated the need to carry out a non-linear regression analysis on the substrate concentrationtime data. The analysis was done using Marquardt’s algorithm of non-linear regression analysis. The obtained results were then compared with experimental data, they both showed good correlation with the experimental data although the mass transfer influenced kinetics showed a better agreement with the experimental data. Based on the aforementioned findings, one may conclude that mass transfer played an important role in the kinetics of biodesulfurization of diesel

Budgeting as an Instrument for Planning and Control in a Manufacturing Industry

This paper attempts to determine and highlight the problems that militate against the application and utilisation of budgeting as a tool for planning and control in a manufacturing industry. Management is often confronted with the problem of how to deploy available scarce resources to achieve the objective of profit maximisation.  An empirical investigation was undertaken, using the chi-square test. 250 questionnaires were administered. Tables and simples percentages were used in data presentation. Three hypotheses were formulated. Based on  the findings, managers and  business operators should pay more attention to their budgetary control system, for those without an existing budgetary control system, they should put one in place, and those with a dummy and passive budgetary control system, it is  time  they  re-establish  a  result-oriented  budgetary  control  system  as  it  goes  a  long  way  in repositioning  the  manufacturing  industry  from  its  creeping  performance  level  to  an  improved  high capacity utilization point

Pre-Treatment of Heavy Crude Oils for Refining

The economic unattractiveness of heavy crude oils in the global oil market scene is fast changing due to the looming scarcity of light oils. There are huge reserves of heavy oils to which refiners are being reluctantly attracted. The fully developed conventionally available refineries are, however, incapable of processing these heavy crudes without some major modifications of both process and equipment, which will be capital intensive. This thrust promises to be very viable and yield great benefits since heavy oil is relatively cheap. Process and equipment modification begins with the required pre-treatments of these heavy crudes to facilitate efficient and cost-effective refining. Low API gravity, high amounts of impurities, and high viscosity are the major challenges addressed in the pre-treatment section. An option for a unit for the removal of some impurities for some special heavy oils is proposed. This should be followed by a multi-stage desalting unit that may be replaced with a centrifuge and a preliminary hydrotreating unit

The Impact of Nigerian Flood Disaster on the Soil Quality of Farmlands in Oshimili South Local Government Area Of Delta State, Nigeria.

Soil samples from flood disaster affected farmlands in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria, were collected and analyzed for their physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal levels, in order to assess the impact of the flood disaster on the soil quality of the farmlands. The pH values in all the sites ranged from 5.20 to 6.10 with mean value of 5.45 indicating that the soils were moderately acidic. The electrical conductivity values which ranged from 52.80 to 89.40 with mean value of 69.70µScm-1 imply significant presence of soluble inorganic substances with their respective ions. Total Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen values ranged from (%) 0.38 to 1.76 and 0.021 to 0.143 with mean values of 1.08 and 0.09% respectively suggesting presence of some organic matters and compostable materials in the soils. Phosphorus content of the soil samples ranged from 17.21 to 37.20mgkg-1 with mean value of 24.68mgkg- which may be attributed to some submerged food crops like cassava tubers lost to the flood. Cation Exchange Capacity values ranged from 5.50 to 16.24 with mean value of 12.83Cmolkg-1, which are suggestive of the soil capacity to adsorb metals. The mean heavy metal concentrations were (mgkg-1) 33.57 for Fe, 5.03 for Zn, 5.99 for Cu, 12.78 for Mn, 3.91 for Co, 0.55for Ni, 0.40 for Cr and 0.43 for Pb. The levels were in the abundance trend of Fe > Mn > Cu, Zn > Co > Ni > Pb > Cr. The geoaccumulation index values of the metals in the soils revealed that the soils were practically uncontaminated by Ni, Cr, and Pb, slightly contaminated by Fe, Zn and Co and generally slightly contaminated by Cu. Contamination/Pollution index values indicate that all the metals studied were in the range which showed very slight contamination except Cu and Mn whose values were generally in the range of slight contamination. The over all results from the study indicated that the soils in all the sites were contaminated with heavy metals. However, the metal concentration levels found in this study do not pose any health hazard since the levels were below DPR target limits, and common range for agricultural soils. Keywords: Nigerian flood disaster, soils, farmlands, heavy metals, physicochemical characteristics, pollution

Forensic Accounting and Fraud Detection in Public and Private Sectors in Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria

This study explores the impact of forensic accounting on fraud detection in public and private sectors in Abuja metropolis, Nigeria, from the accountants’ perspective. To execute this study, one research question was raised and one null hypothesis was tested. The study adopted descriptive survey design.  Findings of the study revealed that accounting officers in the private and public sectors strongly agreed that forensic accounting has an impact on fraud detection. The study further disclosed that accountants from the public sectors and private sectors do not differ significantly in their mean ratings on the impact of forensic accounting on fraud detection in Abuja metropolis.The study concluded that genuine compliance of forensic accounting principles by internal and external auditors will not only reduce corporate frauds but also improves the financial reporting quality of accountants in the public and private sectors of the business world. It was recommended among others that government should establish an independent forensic accounting agency with legal provisions that will enable them to detect, monitor and report fraudulent activities in the business environment in Nigeria.

Comparative Media Systems in China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Australia

This paper explores the nature, operations and propellers of media systems across five countries: China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Australia, based on their political, socio-cultural and economic foundations and identifies the theoretical and regulatory framework that determine the nature of the Media system in those nations. Anchored on the trans-cultural perspective of Comparative media research, the findings depict an increased environment of liberalism in some specific areas especially with regard to Information and communication technology platforms and an unpretentious blend of various normative media theories especially the strangle hold of authoritarianism in some of the countries and concerted independent efforts by the media to promote sanity and dignity of media practice while promoting democratic values and national development. Keywords: Comparative Media Systems, China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Australi

KINETIC ANALYSIS OF AROMATIZATION OF N-HEXANEON PLATINUM/ALUMINA CATALYST USING THE TIKHONOV REGULARIZATION TECHNIQUE

Tikhonov regularization, which is a new technique for converting time-concentration data into concentration-reaction rate data, was applied to the kinetic analysis of n-hexane aromatization on Platinum/Alumina Catalyst.The technique was used for the conversion of the experimental concentration-time data to rate-concentration data. Due to the ill-posed nature of the problem of obtaining of reaction rates from experimental data, conventional methods will lead to noise amplification of the experimental data. Hence, Tikhonov regularization technique is preferably employed because it is entirely independent of reaction rate models and it also manages to minimize noise amplification, thus, leading to more reliable results. The kinetic parameters obtained by the application of the Nelder-Mead simplex optimization technique to formulated mechanistic models was used to discriminate among rival kinetic models based upon physicochemical criteria and thermodynamic tests to give the rate of conversion of adsorbed hexene-1 to adsorbed methylcyclopentane when hydrogen is adsorbed as a bi-molecular specie as the rate determining ste

Physicochemical Characteristics and Levels of Some Heavy Metals in Soils around Metal Scrap Dumps in Some Parts of Delta State, Nigeria

Some physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal levels in soil samples around metal scrap dumps at Abraka and Agbor vicinities of Delta State, Nigeria, were analysed in order to assess the effects of the dumps on the soils. Conventional analytical methods were employed for the determination of these physicochemical parameters while heavy metals in the soil samples where analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that the pH values in all the sites ranged from 7.01 to 7.99 indicating neutrality to slight alkalinity of the soils. The Total Organic Carbon values ranged from 0.38 to 0.54% indicating presence of some organic matter and some microbiological activities in the soil samples. The high conductivity values ranging from 165 to 201μs/cm indicated significant presence of some soluble inorganic salts in soils studied. For all the physicochemical values recorded, the soil samples at Agbor had slightly higher values than those of Abraka. The heavy metal levels for the soils in Abraka and Agbor respectively were (mgkg-1) 1.50 and 1.52 for Cd, 5.10 and 4.48 for Ni, 1431 and 1411 for Fe, 74.26 and 97.21 for Zn, 14.31 and 34.21 for Cu, 24.0 and 18 for Cr, 9.73 and 10.54 for Co, and then 12.24 and 14.47 for Pb. The levels were all higher than those recorded in the control sites. A consistent trend showing a decrease in the concentration of heavy metals was observed for soil samples at increased distances from the impact points for the two towns studied. Metal was observed for soil samples at increased distances from the impact point for the two towns studied. The results from the contamination index indicated a significant degree of soil contamination for Pd, Cd, Co, Cu and Zn in the soils studied showing a higher degree of contamination for these metals. These soils therefore constitute a major health risk to the local population. This study successfully related and attributed the presence of heavy metals with anomalous concentration in the soils to anthropogenic inputs from the metal scrap dumps. @JASEM.J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. December, 2010, Vol. 14 (4) 57 - 6