Phenomenology of QCD and electroweak processes

A phenomenological study is made of several aspects of the standard model (and beyond) in the context of collider physics. These calculations are performed in the framework of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) and the standard Elec-troweak theory in an attempt to understand the underlying gauge theory more fully. In chapter 2, a precision QCD and electroweak calculation is performed to predict the high transverse-momentum distribution of the intermediate vector bosons produced in pṕ collisions. Calculated cross-sections are compared with data from the CERN collider and predictions are made for the Tevatron, LHC and SSC. Theoretical uncertainties, due to scale and structure function ambiguities, are estimated. In chapter 3, the equivalent photon approximation (or EPA) is studied at high energies to determine the accuracy of the approximation. An exact calculation of the process e + q → e + q + γ is performed and compared with an approximate calculation of the process γ+q → γ+q , where the initial-state photon is produced (using the EPA) from an initial-state electron. The test is carried out for the cases where the final-state electron are tagged and untagged. At high energies, the approximation is accurate to within 10%. In chapter 4, deep inelastic Compton scattering is investigated at energies of the HERA ep collider. A study of the production rate is made to determine the feasibility of measurement at HERA and it is clear that for pT < 50 GeV/c the cross-section will be measurable. In addition, studies are made to determine the efficiency of this process as a probe of the proton structure functions. The cross-section is only weakly dependent on the structure functions. In chapter 5, the production of charged Higgs scalars is considered at hadron colliders. The fully inclusive cross-section for charged Higgs scalars is calculated and compared with the associated W boson cross-section. The generic process g+b →b+t + t, which may proceed through an intermediate charged Higgs (or W) or through QCD processes, is studied and the Higgs cross-sections are compared with the W and QCD cross-sections

Clinical psychology training in South Africa: a call to action

With the profession of clinical psychology and its formal training programmes less than 40 years old in South Africa, it is important that efforts are made to critically examine its challenges and the extent to which it is meeting the prevailing mental health needs. The profession has gone through a chequered history in South Africa and needs to look at how it realigns its goals and practices, to be in tune with the imperatives of democracy, and to ensure that mental health benefits accrue to all of the country’s people, rather than a minority. To this end, the authors examine training issues, such as recruitment, curricula, and future directions. We assert that a clinical psychology that draws from current resources and foregrounds a primary health-care orientation can start to address some of the challenges facing training in South Africa.Department of HE and Training approved lis

Impact of Automated Financial Accounting System on Audit Processes of Selected Companies in Nigeria

The study was carried out to assess the impact of automating financial accounting system on audit processes of selected companies in Nigeria. The objectives were to assess the relationship between an automated data capturing system and audit planning and also identify the influence of an automated data capturing system on gathering of audit evidence.  Four companies, made up of two companies each from manufacturing and telecommunication sectors were selected using purposive sampling technique. Four audit firms were also selected purposively being auditors of these companies. The population of the study was the entire staff of these companies and staff of the audit firms. The study used primary source of data. Product-Moment Coefficient Correlation and Simple Percentage were used for data presentation and analysis. The result revealed a weak positive relationship between automated data capturing system and the duo of audit planning and audit evidence. The study among others recommended that audit firms should improve on their staff competency through training and retraining, workshops and seminars so that auditors can deal with this type of activities with high degree of professionalism and competency. It also recommended the need for constant enlightenment of management of various organizations about risks associated with Automated Accounting System and how to deal with it during audit processes. Key words: Automated Accounting System, Audit Processes, Automated Data Capturing, Audit Evidence and Audit Plannin

THE STUDY OF THERMAL EFFECT ON THE SURFACE PROPERTIES OF GAMMA-ALUMINA SYNTHESIED FROM KANKARA KAOLIN.

Gamma alumina is a good material for catalyst support and its surface properties is of great importance. In this study the gamma-alumina (γ-Al2O3) synthesized to be used as catalyst support for zeolite catalyst was obtained by calcination of ammonium alum an intermediate product prepared from kaolin which was sourced from Kankara, Katsina, Nigeria. The surface properties were determined using BET technique. BET specific surface area of gamma alumina produced at 825°C for soaking time of 3h was 120m2/g while at 850°C for soaking time of 4h the surface area was 140m2/g. The pore size and pore volume range from 15nm to 25nm and 0.5cm3/g to 0.8cm3/g respectively. The XRD pattern obtained at 825°C and 875°C calcination temperatures conformed to the standard pattern of gamma-alumina, having the strong peaks at Bragg angles of 67, 46, 39 and 38°. The SEM image showed clearly the plate-like structure of gamma alumina. Thus kankara kaolin is a promising material for the production of gamma alumina. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i1.1

ALUMINA PHASE TRANSFORMATION FROM THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF AMMONIUM ALUM SYNTHESIZED FROM KANKARA KAOLIN

Thermal stability of transitional alumina phases produced from ammonium alum using Kankara kaolin as starting material was studied. Wet beneficiation method was employed to purify the starting material, after which it was calcined and dealuminated with sulphuric acid. The elemental composition, mineralogical, and physiological analyses were carried out using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) techniques respectively. The ammonium alum was thermally treated by varying the calcination temperature from 700 to 1200°C and varying the time of calcination from 1 to 4 h. The formation of gamma alumina began at calcination temperature of 825°C for calcination time of 3 h, which was found to be lower than reported works of 900°C. It was found to be stable at higher temperature of 1125°C, above which phase transformation to alpha alumina was observed. The observed wide range of thermal stability of the gamma alumina phase gives it good advantage to be used for high temperature applications, such as support for catalyst promoters. Alpha alumina phase formation began at 1150°C and was fully formed at 1200°C. BET specific surface area of 166 m2/g was obtained for the gamma alumina phase which was high enough for it application as support for catalyst, catalyst and adsorbent. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i3.2

Synthesis of Gamma-Alumina from Kankara Kaolin as Potential Zeolite Active Matrix

Commercial fluid catalytic cracking catalysts are manufactured using zeolites dispersed on an amorphous matrix, which is mostly alumina. Alumina is widely used as catalyst support in many heterogeneous catalytic processes owing to its high surface area, superior chemical activity and low cost. In compounded zeolite catalyst it serves as the active matrix which aids the conversion of the bulkiest molecules in the feed owing to its larger pore size than zeolite. Large specific surface area gamma-alumina (γ-Al2O3) was synthesized by hydrothermal method using Kankara kaolin as starting material. Thermal treatment of ammonium alum prepared from the filtrate of the dealuminated metakaolin was employed to obtain the alumina. Crystalline aluminum sulfate with 39 wt% Al2O3 was obtained at calcination temperature of 800°C with 3 h soaking. Gamma-alumina was produced at 850°C with 3 h soaking time, having specific surface area of 166 m2/g. The weight percent of Al2O3 content in the synthesized and commercial gamma-alumina were 85% and 89% respectively as obtained from the XRF analysis. Good comparison was also observed in the diffractogram of the synthesized and commercial gamma-alumina from the XRD analysis. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image showed the platy hexagonal shape of the gamma-alumina.Keywords: Gamma-alumina, zeolite, kaoli

Effect of Capital Structure on Performance of Listed Consumer Goods Companies in Nigeria

Managers of corporate entities are mostly in a confrontation with the problem of; what combination of capitalstructure (equity and debt) will maximizereturns and value of their firms? The study,therefore, aims at assessing the effect of capital structure on the financial performance of listed Consumer goodscompanies in Nigerian. All consumer goods companies quoted on the NigerianStock Exchange are considered the population for this study while seven (7) out of these firms whose accounting year-ends31 December are considered as the sample.Secondary data was utilized from theannual financial reports of the sampled firms from the year 2008 – 2013, which was obtained from African Financial websiteand official website of Nigerian Stock Exchange. The study used ex-post factoresearch design to examine the relationship between independent and dependentvariables while controlling for other variables. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and hierarchical multipleregression analyzes were carried out to test the hypothesesdeveloped in the study. The study found that there is a positive and significant relationship between firm’s capitalstructure and corporate financial performance. The study specifically foundthat short-term debt (STD) has no significance positive effect on return onequity (ROE) while Long-term debt (LTD) has positive relation and significantlyeffect on ROE. The study recommends that firms should consider the mixture ofequity and debt since they are major determinants of corporate performance.Authorities concerned should create an enabling business environment forcompanies (especially those with low capital) so as to have access to long-term debt to finance their operations andimprove performance in the short-run, instead of using high short-term debts,to cushions for financing and profitability problems.Keywords:Capital Structure, Firm Performance, Short-term debt, Long-term debt,Return on Equit

DEVELOPMEMT OF PILOT SCALE DEALUMINATION UNIT OF 2.5 kg METAKAOLIN PER BATCH CAPACITY

A pilot-size dealumination unit to handle 2.5kg of metakaolin per batch was designed and fabricated and test run. The metakaolin was prepared from Kankara kaolin. The metakaolin was completely split into silica and alumina. The silica component which was inert to the sulphuric acid used during the reaction and was obtained as a solid product. While the alumina which reacted with the sulphuric acid was obtained in liquid form as aluminum sulphate, known as alum. The dealumination unit comprises of the dealumination reactor, known as dealuminator, acid holding tank and metakaolin slurry mixing tank. The material of construction selected for the dealumination reactor was stainless steel type 304 lined internally with glass to withstand the corrosive environment of the concentrated sulphuric acid at the reaction temperature &gt; 140°C. The capacity of the componentsare; acid holding tank 5 liters;metakaolin slurry mixing tank 20 liters, with 70 W capacity motor and the dealuminator 50 liters, which had pressure relief valve, pressure gauge (0-10 bars) and temperature gauge (0 - 300°C) on the cover. Woven glass fiber cloth was used as lagging material to minimize heat lossto the surrounding. The purity level of the silica obtained from the reaction was above 95%.The endothermic nature of the dealumination process was void of external heating. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i3.2

Peste des petits (PPR) vaccination campaign (2021) : women rear project

Livestock vaccines are more accessible to male farmers partly due to existing gender inequalities, inadequate veterinary technicians, and the lack of female veterinarians. The Women Rear Project aims to determine what is necessary to develop a vaccine delivery system that improves the livelihood of women farmers rearing livestock. Under the peste des petits (PPR) vaccination campaign most of the 1,523 participants were women farmers (99%). This policy brief outlines the project activities and challenges. Findings show that the successful implementation of women’s livelihood improvement programs requires men/husbands’ engagement