Large eddy simulation of turbulent flow in Rayleigh-Benard configuration

This work undertakes a numerical study of turbulent incompressible flows in Rayleigh-Benard configurations using Large Eddy Simulation and two sub-grid scale models, i.e., the WALE (Wall Adapting Local Eddy-viscosity) model and the corresponding dynamic sub-grid model (DSGS). In the process of using DSGS, an optimal value of constant  of the WALE model was determined for the envisaged Rayleigh number (Ra=6.3.105). The computed numerical results (on a relatively coarse grid) showed good agreement with those Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) results found in the literature. It is observed that the profiles obtained are highly dependent on the time interval over which the statistics are made (equivalent to the Interval of Statistical Analysis (ISA)). Keywords -Turbulent natural convection, Finite volume method, Large eddy simulation

Developing Teachers’ Capacity for Teaching Pupils’ Initial Reading Skills: Research Report

The research stemmed from literature that revealed that most pupils in the public primary schools in Nigeria cannot read and write. Some researchers attributed this to poor foundation in teaching initial reading due to teachers’ lack of skills in teaching initial reading and their use of ineffective methods. Based on this, the researchers decided to build the capacity of 40 teachers of Primary 2 classes on the use of the multisensory approach in teaching initial reading which lasted for three weeks. Before the training commenced, a pre-test was administered on the pupils taught by these teachers and eight weeks after the treatment(training) a post-test was administered on the pupils to determine the effects of the treatment. The results of the pre-test and post-test were analysed using t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The t-test results showed a significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores of the pupils and this difference was attributed to the treatment given to the teachers t- calculated value of 24.6 and t-value of 1.984 at 0.05 level of significance with degree of freedom 98. Also the t-test t-test comparison of the mean scores of male and female pupils shows that male students performed better on IRMAT than their female counterpart t-calculated 10.80 at 0.05 level of significance and degree of freedom 98. In addition, when ANOVA was used the result shows that the treatment given to the teachers had a significant impact on the pupils, F-cal =426.29 and f- crit =6.90 (F1, 98 =6.90, P = 0.05). Based on this result, some recommendations were made among which are, the need to retrain all teachers in the lower basic education level, on the use of the multi-sensory approach in teaching initial reading and the use of Jolly phonics technique in teaching initial reading.Key words: Developing, Teachers’ Capacity, Teaching, Initial Reading, Multisensory Approac

Effects of creating physical learning spaces on the reading comprehension skills performance of primary four pupils

Literacy development in education has been an issue of global concern. In Nigeria, learners in primary schools generally struggle to learn due to poor literacy skills which manifests in their inability to comprehend concepts in the school subjects. It is against this background that several research studies have been carried out on ways of improving the literacy skills of pupils in order to enhance their academic performance, social skills and survival skills. In spite of these efforts, not much has been achieved as reflected in current research findings on literacy skills’ performance of pupils in primary schools. This study examined the effects of creating physical learning spaces on the reading comprehension performance of primary four pupils. It is a quasi-experiment using two intact groups: one experimental and one control.  The study was guided by two research questions and two hypotheses. All the primary four pupils in Alvan Ikoku Staff Primary School, Owerri, totalling 120 made up the population for the study. A 50-item researcher-made (Literacy Learning Centres Test, LLCT) reading comprehension test was used as pre and post-tests, to establish statistical equivalence. The pre-test was given to the pupils and the outcome was used to assign 40 subjects to each of the two groups. This experiment lasted for 6 weeks. The result was analysed using t-test and ANOVA. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the mean scores of the pupils taught using Literacy Learning Centres (LLC) and Normal Classroom Environment (NCE) and no significant difference was noted between male and female students taught using LLC. The recommendations include a suggestion that English Language teachers should use local resources to create learning centres for the teaching of the reading in order to enhance comprehension.Keywords: classroom practices, learning space, comprehension skills, teaching spac

ASSESSMENT OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF BRIQUETTES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE OPTION AMONG RICE PROCESSORS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

The study on the assessment of the knowledge and use of briquettes for climate change option among rice processors in Anambra State, Nigeria investigated the level of rice processor’s knowledge and perception on the use of briquettes, perceived advantages of renewable energy, as well as the socio-economic characteristic influence on the processor’s perception and the perceived challenges to the production of briquettes. Data were collected from 974 randomly selected rice processors and analyzed with descriptive statistics and Tobit regression model. The study shows that the majority (62.2%) of the processors are female with mean age, processing experience and a monthly output of 43 years, 15 years and 4.5 tons respectively. Also, the processors were fairly knowledgeable on the use of briquettes but perceived renewable energy as economically viable, and climate-smart among others. The socioeconomic variables influencing their perception were Age, marital-status, enterprise size, experience, monthly income, and rice residues. Finally, the likely challenges that will constrain briquettes production include; high initial cost, high maintenance cost etc. furthermore, policymakers must swing into action to sensitize processors on the need to adopt renewable energy for environmental sustainability

EMPIRICAL ESTIMATES OF ADOPTION OF IMPROVED CASSAVA VARIETIES AMONG FARMERS IN AKWAIBOM STATE

The study is aimed at estimating and explaining the parameters of the adoption process of the disease-resistant new improved cassava varieties, by farmers in Akwa Ibom State. The main purpose for the development of the varieties is to increase the yield of cassava, which is a famine-reserve crop and rural staple food in Nigeria. Like any other innovation, improved cassava varieties must endure a phase of dissemination. Innovators and policy makers need knowledge of the expected rate of adoption. In this study, a conceptual framework was developed for the decision to adopt or not to adopt and econometric analyses of the diffusion process are presented, using Logistic regression model. The study used a multi-stage sampling procedure to select 112 farmers from the sampled 120 for analyses. Important factors enhancing adoption were education, extension contact and access to improved varieties. To increase the rate of adoption in the study area, emphasis should be on the availability of the improved cassava stems to the farmers and provision of free and affordable education to enhance access and processing of innovations for increased adoption

Surgical Management of A Gigantic Fibrous Dysplasia In A Nigerian Setting – Case Report

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Validation Of Mannheim Peritonitis Index (A Nigerian Study)

Peritonitis is a serious intra-abdominal infection with poor prognosis despite application of aggressive surgical techniques like laparostomy, on-demand reoperations, and irrigations with/without antibiotics. There is need to categorise patients to select those who will benefit from these aggressive surgical techniques and to help compare results from different centers. We studied and assessed the Mannheim Peritonitis Index as a reliable and achievable technique in our environment. Sixty-seven consecutive patients with generalized peritonitis were studied. The clinical data and Mannheim Peritonitis Index score for each patient was collated manually after surgery. The Mannheim Peritonitis Index was graded into 3 categories: I = MPI 30. These were related to mortality; and length of in-hospital stay was used as a test of morbidity for survivors. The mean MPI score for non-survivors was 30.6 and survivors 19.7. There was 92.3% mortality in MPI >30. MPI score of 25 gave the highest degree of accuracy and should be used as a cut-off mark for assessment of poor prognosis in our environment. The Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI) is an easy and reliable scoring system that can be used in our environment. The score of 25 is an acceptable cut-off above which we should expect severe peritonitis. Keywords: Mannheim, Peritonitis, mortality, prognosis Ebonyi Medical Journal Vol. 6 (1) 2007 pp. 3-

Prognostic factors in generalized peritonitis in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Generalised peritonitis is a more severe form of intra-abdominal infection with mortality rates of 30 – 50%. We studied the prognostic factors in generalized peritonitis with a view to documenting the current pattern of peritonitis and to determine the parameters affecting morbidity and mortality in all cases of peritonitis in LUTH. Sixty-seven consecutive patients with generalized peritonitis were recruited into the study. The biodata, clinical data, and intra-operative findings were manually collated in a proforma and subsequently analysed using EPI-INFO 2002. Forty-five patients were below the age of 30 years. Typhoid ileal perforation and ruptured appendicitis were the commonest causes accounting for 17.9% each. The most important independent prognostic factors were age, malignancy, colonic involvement, pre-operative duration of illness, characteristics of exudates and organ failures. Infective causes like typhoid ileal perforation and ruptured appendicitis are still the highest causes of generalized peritonitis in our environment. Age, malignancy, colonic involvement, pre-operative duration of illness, character of exudates and organ failure are the main prognostic factors in our study. Keywords: Generalised,Peritonitis, Secondary, Prognosis, Lagos Ebonyi Medical Journal Vol. 6 (1) 2007 pp. 37-4

The Role of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Triple Assessment of Patients with Malignant Breast Lumps

Background: Breast cancer is the leading female malignancy in the world and now the most common cancer in Nigeria. The evaluation of patients with breast cancer requires stepwise diagnostic approach to achieve a combined diagnostic information required to make an enhanced decision on how best to approach management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the triple assessment of patients with malignant breast lumps in our center. Patients and Methods: This is a descriptive prospective study of patients with palpable breast lumps over an eighteen-month period. The patients were sequentially subjected to FNAC and open biopsy. Those whose lumps were malignant were further evaluated. Results: There were 88 (44.9%) and 108 (55.1%) biopsy confirmed breast cancers and benign lumps, respectively. From cytology reports, there were 12 (6.1%) unsatisfactory (C1), 96 (49%) benign (C2), 8 (4.1%) atypical (C3), 10 (5.1%) suspicious of malignancy and 70 (35.7%) unequivocally malignant (C5) smears. FNAC performed better than clinical examination in the validity tests for breast malignancy. The diagnostic results for breast malignancies were 97.2% (sensitivity), 98.9% (specificity), 1.4% (false positive rate []), 2.1% (false negative rate), 98.6% (positive predictive value), 97.9% (negative predictive value), and overall diagnostic accuracy of 98.2%.  Conclusion: Considering the high performance of diagnostic cytology noted above, FNAC has proved itself to be useful and significantly accurate in making diagnosis of breast cancers in our center