Influence Of Electrode Diameter On The Corrosion Rate Of Welded Mild Steel in Cassava Juice

Welding is the major form of assemblage of cassava processing machines.  It has been observed that most of the machines often fail in service due to corrosion. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of electrode diameter on this phenomenon.  The mild steel samples used in this study were welded with electrodes of gauges 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.0mm respectively.  Cassava juice was used as corroding medium.  An electronic weighing balance was used to take the weights at 4 days interval progressively for 32 days.  The least weight loss was obtained in gauge 2.5mm sample (3.45g), followed by 3.5mm (4.96g) and greatest loss was recorded for 4.0mm sample (11.46g).  This shows that corrosion rate in cassava processing plant can be minimised through the choice of electrodes.  In this case, gauge 2.5mm is recommended for the construction of cassava processing machines. &nbsp

DAYLIGHTING STRATEGIES AND VISUAL COMFORT IN THE DESIGN OF A COLLEGE OF ARTS AND CRAFTS, ILARO

The integration of daylight in the design of educational buildings can preserve the use of resources, enhance the health, visual comfort, and efficiency of its users. However there is little study on how daylight affects art and craft learning environment, buildings and structures. In a country such as Nigeria, where art and craft is experiencing a decline, a well designed art and craft learning environment would help provide better art and craft practitioners. This study seeks to identify daylighting design strategies that can improve visual comfort and promote a suitable learning environment in the design of an art and craft college. The study investigated the effects of daylighting strategies and features that were adopted in selected art and craft schools in South-western Nigeria. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used in conducting the study. The data collection instruments included structured questionnaires and observation schedules. Data were analysed using the descriptive statistical tools of frequency and percentages of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results showed that considerations were not given to daylight designs. However, some elements of daylight designs were seen, such as the use of properly positioned windows, louvers, and the overhang from the roofs to act as a shading device. This study recommends that for future designs of art and craft schools, adaptaton of top and side lighting strategies should be used, such as light shelves, louvers, laser-cut panels, etc. in order to provide adequate visual comfort in the learning spaces. This would improve the performance of art and craft students and therefore improve the quality of art and craft practitioners in this region

Internal Audit and Fund Misappropriation in the Public Sector of Nigeria

The preceding unusual in the financial activities of the government revealed by the auditor-general on the financial health of the country has drawn the attention of the public of the wrongdoing and audit queries observed the audit. The study investigated the roles of internal audit in the misappropriation of public funds. Primary data was our main source of data and structured questionnaire was designed to collate data from the audit and account department of the selected ministries. The descriptive statistics and least square regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses premise. From the analytical output, our study found that Effectiveness of Internal Audit (EIA) is negatively statistical not significant with the misappropriation of funds (MF) in the public sector. On the other hand, Internal Control System (ICS) was positive and statistically significant which implies that an efficient internal control system help to fight against misappropriation of funds in public place. Our study recommended that management and top executives saddle running an entity/managerial function should upgrade the competency of the audit/account department personnel for proper effective internal control Audit system in other to avoid the misappropriation of resources; There should be a good feedback mechanism and whistle blowing system. Keywords: Misappropriation, Internal Audit, Internal Control System, Public Sector DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-16-08 Publication date:August 31st 2020

Patterns of Hostility and its Effects on Conflict Resolution

Parent-adolescent relationships are one of the first relationships an adolescent has, and can be very influential. Conflict in this relationship is inevitable and hostility is perceived to be counterproductive in conflict resolution. Literature shows that parents who demonstrated less hostility and focused more on the conflict were more likely to resolve the conflict with their adolescent (Marceau et al., 2015). However, there is a lack of literature on the possible benefits of hostility in conflict resolution. This study aims to analyze how nonverbal hostile behaviors influence conflict resolution while examining the temporal patterning of these behaviors. We predict that any hostility during the conflict will signal to the adolescent that their parent is becoming uncooperative, which may increase the adolescent’s efforts to resolve a conflict. Additionally, we predict that parents who demonstrate low hostility levels at the beginning of the conflict are more likely to resolve the conflict with their adolescents than parents who exhibit low hostility levels towards the end of the conflict. 42 dyads were examined using previously recorded videos and the acts of hostility were coded based on an established coding manual. We found that the parental hostility scores obtained in the four conflict resolution groups were significantly different from one another. Additionally, the mean hostility scores obtained by No Resolution were significantly higher than those of Complete Resolution and No Conflict. These results show that hostility is not completely counterproductive and destructive to conflict resolution. We recommend for hostility in conflict to be studied further to understand the behaviors parents display during conflict resolution

Users’ Perception of Compliance of Security Features with Defensible Space Principles in Selected Secondary Schools in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

The idea of preventing crime by strategically using the environment as tool has been explored for decades. Defensible space provides architectural strategies for effectively preventing crime by reorganizing the physical environment and giving inhabitants control over their surroundings. This study seeks to examine the security features allaying with defensible space in four selected secondary schools in Ota, Ogun state, Nigeria, with a view to making contributions on how to improve security in such environments for users. The study identifies areas for further improvements based on users' perception, towards enhancing security in the academic environments in Nigeria. Four selected secondary schools in Ota, publicly and privately owned was used for the study. The study used quantitative and qualitative research methods to obtain data from 149 students, in addition with 33 teachers from four secondary schools. The collected data were descriptively analysed with the use of SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) software. Results showed that there are evidences of elements of defensible space strategies, which are Territoriality and Natural surveillance that were adequately perceived and being implemented by the respondents. Deterioration of school buildings and poor road construction were seen. These were evidences of the elements of Milieu and Image, an indication of defensible space perception. Students dissatisfaction with overall school security was also revealed. The study further shows that appropriate maintenance strategies can help enhance the physical and security conditions of school environment in Nigeria

Satisfaction and perceived impact of virtual learning during COVID-19 lockdown: A case study of an online nursing research conference

Aim This study aimed to assess nurses' satisfaction and perceptions of the impact of virtual learning. Design A descriptive cross-sectional survey. Method 236 nurses attending an online conference from several parts of Nigeria participated in the study. Analysed data were summarized and presented in tables and graphs, while linear regression was used to measure the associations. Results Most of the respondents perceived the programme as highly impactful. All three domains: learner-content interaction (p?=?0.020), learner?instructor interaction (p?=?0.000) and learner?learner interaction (p?=?0.000), were found to be statistically significantly associated with the perceived impact of the programme, and thus statistically significant predictors of the effects of online learning (p?=?0.02), (F?=?5.471). Conclusively, the Interaction of learners with learning content, lecturers and other learners was seen as determinants of an effective and impactful online education. It is recommended that nursing training institutions embrace online learning either as the leading platform or as an adjunct to a face-to-face method

Pulmonary functions of children with sickle cell anaemia in steady state in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Respiratory disorders are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). Spirometry is a useful tool for the detection and monitoring of respiratory disorders, but it is under-utilized by healthcare workers who care for children with sickle cell anaemia. Most of the studies assessing pulmonary functions in sickle cell anaemia were conducted among adults. Objective: To describe the lung functions profile of children with sickle cell anaemia in steady state. Methodology: In this study, spirometric indices of 100 children with SCA (HbSS) aged five years to 12 years were compared with 100 matched normal children (HbAA) in the control group. Results: Irrespective of gender, the mean Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) values were significantly higher among the HbAA controls than their HbSS counterparts. The mean Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) values of males and all subjects irrespective of gender were also significantly higher among the controls compared to HbSS subjects. The mean Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) values were higher among HbSS subjects than the HbAA controls, but the observed differences were not significant. The mean FEV1/FVC values were also not significantly different between the SCA subjects and the controls. The overall prevalence of restrictive pulmonary abnormalities among the HbSS group was 6.0% whereas none of the HbAA group had restrictive pulmonary disorders. Conclusion: Children with SCA, irrespective of gender, have significantly lower PEFR and FEV1. Restrictive lung abnormalities occur exclusively among subjects with SCA

Sistema híbrido para tomada de decisão em investimentos no mercado de criptomoedas / Hybrid system for decision making in investments in the cryptocurrency market

Os mercados de criptomoedas vem chamando a atenção e atraindo todo tipo de investidores, desde pessoas até instituições financeiras, buscando altos retornos resultado de la significativa variação dos preços e a sua rápida valorização. No entanto, esse mercado é caracterizado pelo nível de volatilidade e incerteza, levando os preços a níveis muito altos e também a níveis baixos, estas características geram uma grande dificuldade para a toma de decisões dos gestores de investimentos. Este artigo propõe um sistema híbrido para a tomada de decisões no gerenciamento de investimentos no mercado de criptomoedas, considerando um perfil de investimento conservador, que busca reduzir o risco e maximizar o retorno do investimento. A metodologia visa, com base no preço histórico das criptomoedas, estabelecer níveis de retorno e estimar as probabilidades de transição dos retornos para cada nível, isso é feito com base na análise das cadeias de Markov, que são integradas nas múltiplas árvores de decisão para identificar a criptomoeda que projeta o maior retorno futuro, considerando que será vendida em um ou dois períodos após a aquisição. Os resultados são comparados com os dados reais e comprova-se a eficiência da metodologia

A Systematic Review of the Integration of Ultrasound into Medical School Curriculum

We identified different ways ultrasound was being taught in medical schools and the feedback of medical students concerning what was learnt. From the articles we reviewed, different teaching methods were identified and most institutions used surveys to get feedback from students. The feedback yielded mostly positive results as the students showed eagerness to learn and participate more in ultrasound based learning. It was also shown to have enhanced their knowledge of courses like Anatomy, Pathology and Physiology amongst others.It is of great benefit to teach ultrasound to students all through medical school. It will not only boost the confidence of the students in being able to identify the normal from the abnormal while viewing the inside of a human body, but also prepare them for any challenges they will face in their clinical practice especially while handling ultrasound investigated cases.The use of ultrasound imaging has been quite beneficial in the medical field especially in diagnosing a wide range of conditions affecting different systems in the human body. It enables medical practitioners to view the inside of a human, ranging from various organs and tissues to a growing fetus. It is therefore important for medical students to have the adequate knowledge on the use and interpretation of ultrasound imaging and this should be incorporated in the curriculum all through the years in medical school. Therefore, the aim of this research is to analyse the benefits of introducing ultrasound through the years of medical school in order to facilitate proper acquisition of ultrasound technique by the students.We searched various databases such as Medline and EBSCO for articles that discussed the teaching of ultrasound in medical schools. We reviewed 12 articles from 2008-2015 that described the teaching of the use and interpretation of ultrasound, its incorporation into different subjects and into the medical school curriculum. We compiled our findings, identifying the key benefits of teaching ultrasound in medical school and how medical students agreed that the knowledge of ultrasound and its continuous teaching all through medical school contributed greatly to their medical education

Outcomes from a mechanistic biomarker multi-arm and randomised study of liposomal MTP-PE (Mifamurtide) in metastatic and/or recurrent osteosarcoma (EuroSarc-Memos trial)

The phase III clinical study of adjuvant liposomal muramyl tripeptide (MTP-PE) in resected high-grade osteosarcoma (OS) documented positive results that have been translated into regulatory approval, supporting initial promise for innate immune therapies in OS. There remains, however, no new approved treatment such as MTP-PE for either metastatic or recurrent OS. Whilst the addition of different agents, including liposomal MTP-PE, to surgery for metastatic or recurrent high-grade osteosarcoma has tried to improve response rates, a mechanistic hiatus exists in terms of a detailed understanding the therapeutic strategies required in advanced disease. Here we report a Bayesian designed multi-arm, multi-centre, open-label phase II study with randomisation in patients with metastatic and/or recurrent OS, designed to investigate how patients with OS might respond to liposomal MTP-PE, either given alone or in combination with ifosfamide. Despite the trial closing because of poor recruitment within the allocated funding period, with no objective responses in eight patients, we report the design and feasibility outcomes for patients registered into the trial. We demonstrate the feasibility of the Bayesian design, European collaboration, tissue collection with genomic analysis and serum cytokine characterisation. Further mechanistic investigation of liposomal MTP-PE alone and in combination with other agents remains warranted in metastatic OS. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09697-9