PREDICTION OF CRUDE OIL VISCOSITY USING FEED-FORWARD BACK-PROPAGATION NEURAL NETWORK (FFBPNN)

Crude oil viscosity is an important governing parameter of fluid flow both in the porous media and in pipelines. So, estimating the oil viscosity at various operating conditions with accuracy is of utmost importance to petroleum engineers. Usually, oil viscosity is determined by laboratory measurements at reservoir temperature. However, laboratory experiments are rather expensive and in most cases, the data from such experiments are not reliable. So, petroleum engineers prefer to use published correlations but these correlations are either too simple or too complex and so many of them are region-based not generic. To tackle the above enumerated drawbacks, in this paper, a Feed-Forward Back-Propagation Neural Network (FFBPNN) model has been developed to estimate the crude oil viscosity (μo) of Undersaturated reservoirs in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The newly developed FFBPNN model shows good results compared to the existing empirical correlations. The μo FFBPNN model achieved an average absolute relative error of 0.01998 and the correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.999 compared to the existing empirical correlations. From the performance plots for the FFBPNN model and empirical correlations against their experimental values, the FFBPNN model's performance was excellent

CHARTERING FUNDING AND RETURN ON ASSETS OF GUARANTEE CURRENCY STORES

The study set out to examine the chartering funding and return on assets of Guarantee Currency Stores. The study adopted the ex-post facto research design. The main purpose of the study was to generally evaluate the extent to which chartering funding could be considered as a better option amongst the various options of funding and extent which chartering funding affect the return on assets of guarantee currency stores. Data were collected from the annual reports of the selected Guarantee Currency Stores and the data were analyzed using regression method. The findings revealed that there is positive and significant relationship between funding charter, debt funding and return on asset respectively. Based on the findings, it was concluded that funding charter is one of the major sources of funding any asset as this option of funding ensures ample return on asset. The policy and economic implications are that; Guarantee Currency Stores should think through and judiciously appraise funding charter alternative in the construction of their capital structure as this increases return on asset more than others sources of capital while Machinery Charter Union of Nigeria should create more awareness on the significance of funding charter to encourage those Guarantee Currency Stores seeking for funds to use either funding charter or debt capital taking into reflection the benefits of the two options in terms of improved corporate return on asset.  Article visualizations

Giant simple hepatic cyst: a case report and review of relevant literature

Background: Giant cysts of the liver are uncommon. Symptoms are related primarily to the mass effect of the enlarging cyst.Objective: To highlight the challenges of management of giant simple hepatic cyst in a resource limited setting.Case report: Presented is a 58-year-old seamstress with a 5-year history of an enlarging abdominal mass with easy satiety. Surgery revealed an exophytic giant simple hepatic cyst arising from liver segment IV that drained 4.6 litres of serous fluid.Conclusion: Simple hepatic cyst can attain giant dimensions and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intra- abdominal masses.Keywords: Laparotomy, giant hepatic cyst, drainage, wide excisio

A comparison of prevalence of unethical tendering practices at national and subnational levels in Nigeria

Nigeria has recently renewed efforts towards stamping out corruption in every area of its national life. Given that construction procurement is particularly prone to corrupt practices, this study investigated the prevalence of unethical tendering practices in the Nigerian public sector. In particular, a comparison to bare the similarities or differences in the prevalence of unethical tendering practices at national and subnational levels is scarcely available in literature. This study’s objective was to determine and compare the prevalence of unethical tendering practices at the national and subnational levels in Nigeria. The data analysis was based on 120 acceptably filled questionnaires obtained from contractor, client and consultant organisations previously involved in public sector projects. The unethical tendering practices were analysed using prevalence indices and Mann–Whitney U tests. Findings include that the three most prevalent unethical tendering practices are contractor-based, namely: (1) competitors offer bribes to gain access to confidential tendering information (C1); (2) competitors overstate their capacity, experience and qualifications to secure construction contracts (C2); (3) the same owner(s) use different firms to tender for the same project (C3), in descending order of prevalence. No significant difference exists between unethical tendering practices in federal and state government projects. The findings of the study will help the Nigerian government and other stakeholders to better understand unethical practices at the tender stage of construction procurement in the public sector and to evolve better strategies for dealing with them. The study contributes to existing knowledge by separately identifying the prevalent unethical tendering practices in the Nigerian context and comparing unethical tendering practices at national and subnational levels within a country

Awareness and Utilization of e-Learning Resources by Trainee Counsellors of Counselling Education in Calabar, Nigeria

In Nigeria, electronic-learning (e-learning) resources have emerged as a modern tool for enhancing the quality of delivery and acquisition of education content. Yet, hardly has there been any meaningful research report on the application of this innovative and invaluable tool to counselling education service delivery efforts. This study, ‘awareness and utilization of e-learning resources by trainee Counsellors in counselling education in Calabar, Nigeria’ was designed to fill this literature gap. A structured questionnaire with reliability index of 0.83 titled “Awareness and Utilization of E-learning Questionnaire (AUEQ)” was used to collect data from a sample of 300 students and analyzed using t-test statistics. The results of the study indicate that while the awareness of e-learning resources by trainee Counsellors was generally high, their rating in terms of availability, currency, adequacy and quality of these resources within their schools was rather very low. The results also indicated that the extent of utilization of e-learning was also very insignificant. Furthermore, the outcomes of the study show inter-class, inter-school and inter-gender differences with regards to both awareness of availability and utilization of e-learning resources. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Universities and other higher education settings should be equipped with current, functional and adequate e-learning resources for enhanced service delivery. It was also recommended that both counsellor educators and trainees should be systematically trained in appropriate skills required for the use of e-learning facilities. It was further recommended that assurance of constant and adequate power supply should be improved upon to enhance the use of e-learning in our Universities

Skin Cancers Among Albinos at a University Teaching Hospital in Northwestern Tanzania: A Retrospective Review of 64 Cases.

Skin cancers are a major risk associated with albinism and are thought to be a major cause of death in African albinos. The challenges associated with the care of these patients are numerous and need to be addressed. The aim of this study was to outline the pattern and treatment outcome of skin cancers among albinos treated at our centre and to highlight challenges associated with the care of these patients and proffer solutions for improved outcome. This was a retrospective study of all albinos with a histopathological diagnosis of skin cancer seen at Bugando Medical Centre from March 2001 to February 2010. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 64 patients were studied. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The median age of patients was 30 years. The median duration of illness at presentation was 24 months. The commonest reason for late presentation was financial problem. Head and the neck was the most frequent site afflicted in 46(71.8%) patients. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histopathological type in 75% of cases. Surgical operation was the commonest modality of treatment in 60 (93.8%) patients. Radiotherapy was given in 24(37.5%) patients. Twenty-seven (42.2%) of the patients did not complete their treatment due to lack of funds. Local recurrence following surgical treatment was recorded in 6 (30.0%) patients. Only thirty-seven (61.7%) patients were available for follow-up at 6-12 months and the remaining patients were lost to follow-up. Skin cancers are the most common cancers among albinos in our environment. Albinism and exposure to ultraviolet light appears to be the most important risk factor in the development of these cancers. Late presentation and failure to complete treatment due to financial difficulties and lack of radiotherapy services at our centre are major challenges in the care of these patients. Early institution of preventive measures, early presentation and treatment, and follow-up should be encouraged in this population for better outcome

Comparative Study of Neuronal Degenerative Potentials of Ethanolic Root Bark and Leaf Extracts of Rauwolfia Vomitoria on the Cerebellum of Adult Wistar Rats

Rauwolfia vomitoria has been used for centuries in India and Africa for treatment of a variety of disorders including snake bites and sting, insomnia and insanity. Neuronal degenerative potentials of ethanolic root bark and leaf extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria on the cerebellum of adult wistar rats was investigated. Thirty wistar rats weighing between 170-240g were divided into six groups, each consisting of five rats. Groups A served as the normal control that received distilled water while group B served as the olive oil control that received 0.5mls of olive oil. Experimental groups C and D received 200mg/kg, 300mg/kg of ethanolic root bark extracts while groups E and F received 200mg/kg, 300mg/kg of the leaf extract orally respectively for seven days.  In this study, the treatment groups showed a dose-dependent degree of silver impregnation of the cell bodies and axons. The sections of the cerebellar cortex of the treated group C, D, E and F showed various degrees of neurodegenerative changes highlighted by the silver stain impregnation which was more intense in groups C and D that received 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg ethanolic root-bark than in the groups E and F that received 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg of ethanolic leaf extract. These changes may result in cerebellar dysfunction Keywords: Ethanolic extracts, Root-bark extract, Leaf extract, Rauwolfia vomitoria

Treatment of Schistosomiasis Haematobium with Praziquantel in Children : Its Effect on Educational Performance in Rural Nigeria

Schistosoma haematobium infection is highly endemic in Adim, a rural rice-farming community located within the rain forest of South-eastern Nigeria. With support from Rockefeller Foundation we initiated a treatment programme among the pupils of the only primary school in the community. All children in the school were screened yearly for infection using reagent strips and light microscopy. Infected children were treated with praziquantel (40 mg/kg body weight). To determine the effect of repeated treatment on the educational performance we followed up children (aged 8.0 - 8.9 years) who were in the same school grade through a three-year period. The prevalence of infection in the cohort measured at 12-monthly intervals with a session of treatment in between the screening were 69.1% at the beginning of the programme then 45.2% and 21.6% at the second and third yearly evaluation respectively. The school attendance rate in the cohort decreased from 86.7% at onset of treatment programme to 81.1% by the third yearly evaluation (p=0.24). Standardized, teacher-made educational tests were given to the pupils in between the treatment exercises. The pass rate among the cohort improved following the first treatment session from 81.4% to 90.7%, latter declined to 84.2% following the second treatment session but the net improvement in performance was statistically significant (x^2=7.20; p=0.027). The possibility of enhancement of educational performance as observed in this study should make regular, periodic treatment of children in communities with endemic schistosomiasis a more cost-effective and beneficial public health intervention strategy than was previously assumed

Skin cancers in albinos in a teaching Hospital in eastern Nigeria - presentation and challenges of care

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Albinism is a genetic disorder characterized by lack of skin pigmentation. It has a worldwide distribution but is commoner in areas close to the equator like Nigeria. Skin cancers are a major risk associated with albinism and are thought to be a major cause of death in African albinos. Challenges faced in the care of these patients need to be highlighted in order to develop a holistic management approach with a significant public health impact. The aim of the study was to determine the pattern of skin cancers seen in Albinos, and to highlight problems encountered in their management.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Case records of albinos managed in Imo state University teaching Hospital from June 2007 to May 2009 were reviewed. The data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>In the period under review, albinos accounted for 67% of patients managed for primary skin cancers. There were twenty patients with thirty eight (38) lesions. Sixty one percent of the patients were below 40 years. Average duration of symptoms at presentation was 26 months. The commonest reason for late presentation was the lack of funds. Squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest histologic variant. Most patients were unable to complete treatment due to lack of funds.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Albinism appears to be the most important risk factor in the development of skin cancers in our environment. Late presentation and poor rate of completion of treatment due to poverty are major challenges.</p

Source Evaluation and Trace Metal Contamination in Benthic Sediments from Equatorial Ecosystems Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques

race metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb) concentrations in benthic sediments were analyzed through multi-step fractionation scheme to assess the levels and sources of contamination in estuarine, riverine and freshwater ecosystems in Niger Delta (Nigeria). The degree of contamination was assessed using the individual contamination factors (ICF) and global contamination factor (GCF). Multivariate statistical approaches including principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis and correlation test were employed to evaluate the interrelationships and associated sources of contamination. The spatial distribution of metal concentrations followed the pattern Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd>Ni. Ecological risk index by ICF showed significant potential mobility and bioavailability for Cu, Cu and Ni. The ICF contamination trend in the benthic sediments at all studied sites was Cu>Cr>Ni>Cd>Pb. The principal component and agglomerative clustering analyses indicate that trace metals contamination in the ecosystems was influenced by multiple pollution sources