A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE IDEA OF THE ‘IDEAL MAN’ IN CONFUCIAN AND YORUBA THOUGHT

The comparative analysis of Oriental and African thoughtis starting to grow. This is not surprising because there aremany similarities as well as interesting differences betweenAfrican thought and Oriental thought. One concept whichis worthy of examination is the concept of the ideal orperfect man. This work sets to compare the idea of theideal man or the ‘perfect man’ in Confucianism and inthe Yoruba Thought Systems. The work considers theeducational, historical and sociological factors that lead tothe development of the ideal man. In Confucian thought theterm used is Junzi and in Yoruba thought it is Omoluabi.This work will consider the similarities and differencesin these cultural approaches. The work also reflects onhow this formation of the ideal man is increasingly lessobtainable in today’s world

Heat Transfer Analysis in Internal Combustion Engine Piston Using Comsol Multiphysics: A Case Study of Tri-Cycle

This present study is aimed at analyzing the heat transfer rate of an internal combustion engines piston using finite element methods (FEM).The transient nature of heat flowing involving more than single variable, complicated method of measuring temperature across the length of the liner and ambiguous boundary conditions pose serious problems for the analysis of heat transfer rate on the piston of an internal combustion engine using FEM (Finite Element Method). This present study analyzed the heat transfer rate on the piston of a Tri-cycle engine. The studied piston was selected based on its applications in automobile and other engineering applications. The analysis was basically on the transient state forced-convection and conduction heat transfer. As initial condition, the temperature distributions were considered along the piston at a range of 523K – 673K. The parameter used for the simulation were liquid (Gasoline), Gases (Air) and Aluminium silicon UNSA96061 (Piston). The modeling and simulation were performed by using COMSOL-Multiphysics 4.3a software. The mesh optimization was undertaken by using FEM techniques to predict the maximum and mimimum temperature on the piston at every stages of simulation with time dependent. It was discovered that the temperature along the piston of the try-cycle varies with respect to time. The transient analysis revealed that the temperature of the piston at the TDC (Top Dead Center) in the first power stroke is higher compare to the subsequent power strokes, which is an indication that more heat is transfer at subsequent power strokes. Probable recommendations were later made.Self-sponsore

BIOCIDAL POTENTIALS OF STEM BARK EXTRACTS OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA (LINN.) ON PANEL OF BACTERIAL STRAINS ASSOCIATED WITH DIARRHEA AND DYSENTERY

Objective: Investigations were carried out on cidal effects of crude extract and fractions obtained from stem bark of Psidium guajava against a panel of 74 strains of Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae implicated in diarrhea and dysentery infections. Methods: Powdered sample of the stem bark was extracted in methanol/distilled water (3:2) and then partitioned into different organic solvents. The fractions obtained were subjected to antibacterial tests against a panel of bacterial strains. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined using agar dilution method while the mode of action of the active fractions was investigated through time-kill dynamics and leakages of proteins and potassium ions from the cells. Results: All partitioned fractions except the aqueous fraction exhibited antibacterial activities against the panel of bacterial strains at a final concentration of 10 mg/mL. The MIC exhibited by the crude extract against susceptible bacterial strains ranged between 1.56 mg/mL and 12.5 mg/mL, while the MIC for the four fractions ranged between 0.31 mg/mL and 5.0 mg/mL. The MBC ranged between 3.13–12.5 mg/mL and 0.63–5.0 mg/mL for the crude extract and fractions, respectively. The time-kill assay revealed that the percentage of the cells killed increase with an increase in the concentrations of the fractions as well as contact time intervals. Proteins and potassium ions leakages from the bacterial cells followed the same trend with that of time-kill assay. Conclusion: The stem bark extracts of P. guajava exhibited appreciable bactericidal effects on bacterial strains associated with diarrhea and dysentery in humans

Influence of secondary aluminum dross (SAD) on compressive strength and water absorption capacity properties of sandcrete block

Secondary aluminum dross (SAD) is a hazardous by-product of the aluminum smelting industry. Among various recycling options of this waste, construction and building materials applications is one of the value-added options to end dumping. The present study, thereby, investigates the influence of SAD on the mechanical and durability properties of sandcrete blocks (SBs). Five partial replacements 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of river sand with SAD were experimented at constant water–cement ratio of 0.45. Sixty-three SB samples of size 150 mm × 225 mm × 450 mm were molded and cured at different ages of 7, 14 and 28 days before the hardened blocks were subjected to water absorption and compressive crushing tests. The study results revealed that the water absorption of SAD-blended samples was found to rise with increasing percentage replacement with SAD. Also, the study revealed that beyond 10% replacement with SAD, the investigated properties fall below the required limits as stated in relevant standards. SBs blende

Effect of Superplasticizer on Workability and Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete

From recent issues of stability, particle suspension, particle segregation, flow characteristics and cohesiveness in concrete, Superplasticizer has played an important role in this part. This research examined the effect of superplasticizer on workability and properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC). Three types of superplasticizers Conplast SP 561, Conplast SP 430 and Conplast SP 264 at different percentages (0, 10, 20 and 30%) with the same water cement ratio of 0.3, with M30 grade of concrete. The workability slump, v-funnel and l-box the test carried out on fresh concrete. Compressive strength test was carried out on the hardened concrete. All mix were satisfactory but the mix with conplast SP 430 had better workability and strengt

Entrepreneurship Education In Nigerian Universities: A Tool For National Transformation

Nigeria is faced with myriad of problems among which are graduate unemployment, poverty, crime, and other social vices, which are as a result of economic meltdown or unsustainable development in the country, which needs urgent attention. In order to overcome this menace, this position paper examines the nature and concept of entrepreneurship education and its application for graduates of Nigerian universities. The specific impact of entrepreneurship education on the society for national transformation among which are the provision of employment opportunities, increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), improved standard of living as well as under-dependency on white collar job by the universities’ graduates are discussed. The paper comes up with a model of how public and private partnership can be enhanced through entrepreneurship education in Nigerian universities towards national transformation. The challenges of entrepreneurship education which include inadequate trainers or little knowledge of entrepreneurship by the universities’ lecturers, inadequate fund for the program by the universities administrators as well as challenges in the area of curriculum development and implementation were also pointed out and recommendations were made on how such challenges can be overcome towards the practical realisation of entrepreneurship education in our higher institutions

Financial Hardship from Purchasing Prescription Drugs Among Older Adults in the United States Before, During, and After the Medicare Part D “Donut Hole”: Findings from 1998, 2001, 2015, and 2021

BACKGROUND: Cost-related nonadherence compromises successful and effective management of chronic disease. The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) and Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) aimed to increase the affordability of outpatient prescription drugs for older adults (older than age 64 years). The Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance coverage gap (“donut hole”) created by the MMA was fully closed in 2020 by the ACA. OBJECTIVES: To (1) describe prescription drug coverage and financial hardship from purchasing prescription drugs among older American adults for 2021, (2) compare these results with findings from data collected before the MMA and during the progressive elimination of the Medicare Part D coverage gap, and (3) compute the likelihood for financial hardship from purchasing prescription drugs using variables for year, prescription drug insurance coverage, health-related information, and demographics. METHODS: Data were obtained from 4 nationally distributed, crosssectional surveys of older adults to track coverage for and financial hardship from purchasing prescription drugs. Surveys in 1998 and 2001 were mailed to national random samples of US seniors. Of 2,434 deliverable surveys, 700 (29%) provided useable data. Data were collected in 2015 and 2021 via online surveys sent to samples of US adults. Of 27,694 usable responses, 4,445 were from older adults. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses described relationships among financial hardship and demographics, diagnoses, and daily prescription drug use. RESULTS: Five percent of older adults lacked prescription drug coverage in 2021, continuing a downward trend from 32% in 1998, 29% in 2001, and 9% in 2015. Contrastingly, 20% of older adults reported financial hardship from prescription drug purchases in 2021, bending an upward trend from 19% in 1998, 31% in 2001, and 36% in 2015. Financial hardship from purchasing prescription drugs was more likely to be reported by older adults lacking prescription drug insurance, taking multiple medications daily, and having a low annual household income across all survey years. The latter 2 of these 3 factors were still predictive of financial hardship from purchasing prescription drugs among older adults with prescription drug insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Financial hardship from purchasing prescription drugs is still experienced by many older adults after the full implementation of the MMA and ACA. Lacking prescription drug coverage, taking more than 5 prescription drugs daily, and a low annual household income may increase the likelihood of experiencing this financial hardship. Pharmacists can be a resource for older adults making choices about their prescription drug coverages and purchases. DISCLOSURES: Funding was provided by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy New Investigator Program, the University of Minnesota Grant-in-Aid of Research Program, the Peters Endowment for Pharmacy Practice Innovation, the Chapman University Research Program, and the University Minnesota Research Program. Plain language summary Almost all older adults in the United States have prescription drug insurance, but many still cannot afford them. This is most true for those who take many daily prescriptions, do not have prescription insurance, and have a low income

Analysis of auto-purification response of the Apies River, Gauteng, South Africa, to treated wastewater effluent

The assimilative capacity of water bodies is an important factor in the integrated management of  surface water resources. The current study examined the auto-recovery processes of the Apies River from wastewater discharged into it from a municipal wastewater treatment facility, using a series of equations, including the modified Streeter-Phelps equation. Field data obtained include dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, stream velocity, depth, and width. Water samples were also obtained at 10 sampling stations for the determination of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) using standard methods. It was observed that the DO and BOD level (5.59 mg/L and 8.5 mg/L respectively) of the effluent from the wastewater treatment facility indicated better water quality than the Apies River background DO level (5.42 mg/L) and BOD level (13 mg/L). Also, at 270 m downstream of the effluent discharge point, another effluent stream (Skinnerspruit) adversely impacted on the Apies River with DO and BOD levels of 6.5 mg/L and 9.0 mg/L, respectively, compared to the Apies River background values of 6.81 mg/L and 8.0 mg/L, respectively. The stream, however, recovered well from both the background and imposed pollution sources as it had a computed positive auto-recovery factor of 1.74. Furthermore, the measured DO deficit was plotted against predicted DO deficit. The plot revealed a close match between the measured and predicted DO deficit, indicating that the model could be used for predicting DO deficit along other segments of the river. To further improve on the natural  auto-recovery processes of the Apies River, it was recommended that flow along the Skinnerspruit should be enhanced by clearing the observed aquatic plants growing within the channel. Also,  suspected pollution activities taking place further upstream on the Apies River should be investigated and appropriately addressed.Keywords: de-oxygenation; re-aeration; auto-purification; dissolved oxygen; biochemical oxygen  demand; strea

Isolation and evaluation of Candida species and their association with CD4+ T cells counts in HIV patients with diarrhoea

Background: Gastrointestinal infection is one of the most common infections among HIV patients. Candida spp have been implicated in the aetiology of chronic diarrhoea in HIV patients, but little is known about this in Nigeria.Objectives: We determined the prevalence of faecal candidiasis in HIV patients in relation to diarrhoea, CD4 counts, and other socio-demographic factors and the spectrum of Candida isolates involved.Methods: One hundred and fifty four HIV patients were investigated. Candida species were identified by standard techniques. Socio-demographic and clinical information was obtained from the patients using a structured questionnaire. The CD4 count was estimated using a single platform flow cytometer.Results: Candida overgrowth was detected in 61 (39.5%) HIV patients, and diarrhoea was associated with candidiasis in the subjects (P=0.001). Candidiasis was commonly detected among subjects in the 29-39 years’ age group. A CD4 count below 200 cells/mm2 (62.3%) was a risk factor for acquiring candidiasis among HIV patients (P=0.001). Candida albicans (65.6%) was the most frequently recovered species followed by Candida krusei (16.4%) and Candida tropicalis (14.8%).Conclusion: Candidiasis is an important opportunistic infection in HIV-patients in Ile-Ife. There is need for regular checks for opportunistic infections, including candidiasis in HIV patients to monitor disease progression and prevent subsequent complications.Keywords: Candida species, CD4+ T cells counts, HIV, diarrhoe