A study of the physico-chemistry and mineralogy of Agbaja clay for its industrial application

Agbaja clay was analyzed for its physico-chemical and x-ray properties to ascertain its suitability for ceramic, refractory and other industrial applications. The clay was found to be predominantly composed of Al2O3 (38.68%), SiO2 (39.47%) alkali oxides (0.61%). It had a pH value of 6.61, an Atterberg Plasticity Index of 15.45%. X – ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis showed kaolinite as the main mineral phase while Halloysite and Illite were the accessory minerals present. Agbaja clay is suitable for use in the production of super-heat duty refractory materials and vitreous ceramic wares. It is also suitable for use in the paper, rubber, plastic and pharmaceutical industries. The clay color changed from milk white to light grey upon firing.Keywords: Agbaja Clay, Atterberg Plasticity Index, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffractio

Quality of Life among Married Individuals in Nigeria: Does Marital Abuse and Marital Satisfaction Matter?

With a steady increase in abuse within marriages and the rate of dysfunctional marriages on the rise, this research aims to examine the influence of  marital abuse and marital satisfaction on couples’ quality of life. Two hundred and fifty-eight (258) married individuals purposefully selected through  accidental sampling participated in the study. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. Composite Abuse Scale, Index of Marital  Satisfaction, and Quality of Life Scale were used to collect data from the participants. The t-test and multiple regression results revealed a significant  difference between the mean score of abused (=65.29, SD=13.64) and unabused (=83.75, SD=21.81) couples on quality-of-life measures {t  (258) = 4.79, P<.05}. There was also a significant difference between maritally satisfied (=84.62, SD=24.31) and maritally unsatisfied (=76.00,  SD=15.75) couples on quality-of-life measures {t (258) = -03.14, P<.05}, and marital satisfaction and marital abuse jointly predicted couples’ quality of  life (F (2, 255) =25.668, p<.05, R²=.168). The study concluded that marital abuse and satisfaction influence a couple’s quality of life. We  recommend a need for awareness among couples or intending couples on the implications of our findings.&nbsp

Groundwater potential assessment in a sedimentary terrain, southwestern Nigeria

Geoelectrical resistivity techniques are increasingly being applied in addressing a wide range of hydrological, environmental, and geotechnical problems. This is due to their effectiveness in near-surface characterization. In the present study, a suite of vertical electrical soundings (VESs) was integrated with 2D geoelectrical resistivity and time-domain induced polarization (IP) imaging to characterize the nearsurface and delineate the underlying aquifer in a sedimentary terrain. The geophysical survey was conducted as part of preliminary studies to evaluate the potential of groundwater resource in Iyana-Iyesi and Canaan Land area of Ota, southwestern Nigeria. A high-yield confined sandy aquifer overlain by a low-yield aquitard was delineated; overlying the aquitard is a very resistive and thick layer that is predominantly composed of kaolinitic swelling clay intercalated with phosphate mineral

Near-real time foF2 predictions using neural networks

This paper describes the use of the neural network (NN) technique for the development of a near-real time global foF2 (NRTNN) empirical model. The data used are hourly daily values of foF2 from 26 worldwide ionospheric stations (based on availability) during the period 1976–1986 for training the NN and between 1977 and 1989 for verifying the prediction accuracy. The training data set includes all periods of quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions. Two categories of input parameters were used as inputs to the NN. The first category consists of geophysical parameters that are temporally or spatially related to the training stations. The second category, which is related to the foF2 itself, consists of three recent past observations of foF2 (i.e. real-time foF2 (F0), 2 h (F−2) and 1 h (F−1) prior to F0) from four control stations (i.e. Boulder (40.0°N, 254.7°E), Grahamstown (33.3°S, 26.5°E), Dourbes (50.1°N, 4.6°E) and Port Stanley (51.7°S, 302.2°E). The performance of the NRTNN was verified under both geomagnetically quiet and disturbed conditions with observed data from a few verification stations. A comparison of the root mean square error (RMSE) differences between measured values and the NRTNN predictions with our earlier standard foF2 NN empirical model is also illustrated. The results reveal that NRTNN will predict foF2 in near-real time with about 1 MHz RMSE difference anywhere on the globe, provided real time data is available at the four control stations. From the results it is also evident that in addition to the geophysical information from any geographical location, recent past observations of foF2 from these control stations could be used as inputs to a NN for near-real time foF2 predictions. Results also reveal that there is a temporal correlation between measured foF2 values at different locations

Neural network-based prediction techniques for global modeling of M(3000)F2 ionospheric parameter

In recent times neural networks (NNs) have been employed to solve many problems in ionospheric predictions. This paper illustrates a new application of NNs in developing a global model of the ionospheric propagation factor M(3000)F2. NNs were trained with daily hourly values of M(3000)F2 from various ionospheric stations spanning the period 1964–1986 with the following temporal and spatial input parameters: Universal Time, geographic latitude, magnetic inclination, magnetic declination, solar zenith angle, day of the year, A16 index (a 2-day running mean of the 3-h planetary magnetic ap index), R2 index (a 2-month running mean of sunspot number), and the angle of meridian relative to the subsolar point. The performance of the NNs was verified by comparing the predicted values of M(3000)F2 with observed values from a few selected ionospheric stations and the IRI (International Reference Ionosphere) model (CCIR M(3000)F2 model) predicted values. The results obtained compared favourably with the IRI model. Based on the error differences, the result obtained justifies the potential of the NN technique for the predictions of M(3000)F2 values on a global scale

Geomagnetic Activity Control of Irregularities Occurrences Over the Crests of the African EIA

Abstract This paper investigated the behavior of ionospheric irregularities over the African equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crests during intense geomagnetic storms that occurred from 2012 to 2015. Irregularities were monitored using the rate of change of TEC index along with variations of the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field (H) and ionospheric electric current disturbance (Diono). The predictive capability of the Prompt Penetration Equatorial Electric Field Model (PPEFM) was assessed by comparing prompt penetration electric field (PPEF) inferred from interplanetary electric field and Diono with PPEF derived from the PPEFM, with emphasis on how well the model reproduced enhancement/reduction in the prereversal enhancement (PRE). Eastward PPEF triggered short duration irregularities on 23 April 2012, 17 March 2013, and 20 February 2014 while westward electric field reduced them thereafter. The PPEFM rightly predicted enhancement (reduction) in PRE on 17 March 2013 (19 February 2014) when irregularities were triggered (inhibited). It, however, showed no change in the PRE on 23 April 2012 and 20 February 2014. During the storms recoveries, irregularities were always inhibited/reduced over the trough by westward disturbance dynamo and the inhibition lasted longer during the superstorm of March 2015. Also, there was a hemispheric asymmetry in irregularities over the African EIA crests. On 16–17 July 2012, 15 November 2012, and 19 March 2013, there were differences in irregularities behavior. On these days, the asymmetry of the postsunset crests was pronounced in both hemispheres

World Cancer Day 2021: building a coalition for cancer control in a high-risk state in Nigeria

Objective: World Cancer Day (WCD) observed annually every 4th February has become a rallying point to create awareness and galvanise action globally to fight cancer. This paper describes the activities carried out in the oil-rich Bayelsa State of Nigeria to commemorate WCD 2021. Materials and Methods: Two non-governmental bodies collaborated to organise a series of campaign activities. These included health talks in clinics and on air, and a road walk that enjoyed the participation of other stakeholders in cancer control in the state. Results: Health talks and screening for the leading cancers were carried out in clinics and religious houses in all the eight districts of the state. Radio and television stations hosted talks on cancer prevention and control and over a hundred persons participated in the road walk. A large audience was reached with key messages of the day through the different media deployed for the campaign. Conclusions: WCD 2021 was able to sensitise residents of Bayelsa State to the growing burden of cancer and stimulated them to action. With sustained effort and commitment of all stakeholders, the state may soon have a well-established Cancer Control Programme and set the pace for other states in Nigeria

Electrical resistivity and induced-polarization imaging for groundwater exploration

Electrical methods of geophysics are widely used in addressing a variety of hydrologic problems including groundwater exploration, groundwater quality and contamination studies. This study presents the integration of electrical resistivity techniques with time-domain induced polarization (IP) imaging for groundwater exploration in a sedimentary terrain, southwestern Nigeria. The subsurface was characterized to identify the lithologic units and delineate the underlying aquifer