Modified palm oil fuel ash (pofa) as quartz replacement for the production of porcelain

Utilization of silica rich ash such as palm oil fuel ash (POFA) in the ceramic industry due to the increasing demand for porcelain with improved performance is inevitable. Wastes are produced from the industry in form of empty fruits bunches, kernel and fibers. Palm oil industries burned the waste to produce heat to the boiler and generate electricity, the ash produced is known as palm oil fuel ash. POFA has similar chemical property with quartz, thus can be used as quartz replacement. The objectives of this research are to modify POFA, determined its effect on physico-mechanical properties of porcelain and develop a formulation model. To remove the moisture of POFA, the powder was dried in an oven at 110 °C for 24 hours and ground to a sufficient fineness ≤ 50 μm for 12 hours at 250 rev/min. POFA powder underwent heat and HCL acid treatments. Standard porcelain of 50 % clay, 25 % feldspar and 25 % quartz was adopted. Quartz was substituted with POFA at 0, 15, 20 and 25 wt.% and mixed homogeneously with the composition of porcelain, dry pressed into pallets at 91 MPa and sintered at 1100 °C, 1150 °C, 1200 °C and 1250 °C for 2 hours soaking time. Modified POFA (SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, CaO, and P2O5) were then added to the optimum composition (1150 °C, 15 wt.% of POFA and 2 molar HCl acid treatment) at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 15 wt. % mixed homogeneously, dry pressed and sintered at 1150 °C to identify their effect on physico-mechanical properties of porcelain. Densification was achieved at lower sintering temperature by addition of POFA. Due to formation of mullite and crystalline phase, the highest values of bulk density, compressive strength, and Vickers micro hardness were found to increase by addition of Fe2O3 at 5 wt. % as 2.515 g/cm3, 177.08 MPa and 829 HV respectively. The results of developed polynomial regression models show a very good prediction similar to the experimental value. Hence, POFA has a greater future in ceramic industry due to its flexibility and chemical properties. It is therefore evidently concluded that, addition of Fe2O3 at 5 wt. % enhanced both physical and mechanical properties of porcelain

The Use of the ASSIM Model for Technology Integration in Instructional Delivery by Faculty Members and Pre-Service Teachers

This chapter presents an instructional model that promotes and facilitates the changing role of both the learner and the teacher in a twenty-first century teaching-learning environment that is technology driven. The model provides a pedagogical approach that is student centred with the teacher assuming the role of a facilitator in the student learning process. Qualitative methods of data collection were used in collecting the data that were used in the development of the model. Document analysis and focus group interview were used for data collection at the preliminary stage of the study while developing the model. The model was tested for a period of 3 years. Interview and observation were used for data collection during and after the testing period. Document analysis was used in analysing the data collected from documents while content and thematic analysis were used in analysing the data collected from interviews and observations. Findings from the study indicated that the use of the model facilitates the development of inquiry skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills among the pre-service teachers who participated in the study

Edge Detection: A Collection of Pixel based Approach for Colored Images

The existing traditional edge detection algorithms process a single pixel on an image at a time, thereby calculating a value which shows the edge magnitude of the pixel and the edge orientation. Most of these existing algorithms convert the coloured images into gray scale before detection of edges. However, this process leads to inaccurate precision of recognized edges, thus producing false and broken edges in the image. This paper presents a profile modelling scheme for collection of pixels based on the step and ramp edges, with a view to reducing the false and broken edges present in the image. The collection of pixel scheme generated is used with the Vector Order Statistics to reduce the imprecision of recognized edges when converting from coloured to gray scale images. The Pratt Figure of Merit (PFOM) is used as a quantitative comparison between the existing traditional edge detection algorithm and the developed algorithm as a means of validation. The PFOM value obtained for the developed algorithm is 0.8480, which showed an improvement over the existing traditional edge detection algorithms.Comment: 5 Page

Mapping of Water Distribution Network using GIS Technology in Bauchi Metropolis, Nigeria

Increase in Population as well as demand for portable pipe-borne water in most of the cities of developing countries and the activities of the people greatly affect the pipes networks quietly laid beneath the ground. Locating such pipes and the features installed in them has been a task to tackle. Therefore to ensure proper surveillance and monitoring of laid down pipe around the metropolis need to be properly guided with modern technology like the use of Geographic Information Technology.  Hence, to solve these problems analogue data was acquired from the Bauchi State Water Board (BSWB) and converted to digital map (Raster format). (GPS) coordinate was used to locate pipes within the network, the nodes, valves, water hydrants, and busters). Finally, the position of each of the identified features within the network was obtained and recorded in the events table. Digital map of water distribution network of the metropolis was produced and queries were raised while the node valves or pipes underground were easily located using GPS coordinates by navigating from the surface. The study recommends the use of GIS as a decision making tool for municipal water system authorizes or agencies for proper management and evaluation of their installations. Keywords; GIS, GPS Coordinates, ArcGIS, Bauchi Metropolis and Water distribution networ

The Effect Of Ict Integration In The Use Of Inquiry Method On Pre-Service Teachers’ Achievement In Social Studies (Citizenship) Education In Nigerian Colleges Of Education

Ilham untuk kajian ini tercetus daripada kebimbangan terhadap kurangnya minat dan penggunaan ICT dalam amalan pendidikan oleh guru-guru di sekolah Nigeria. This study was inspired by a concern over the low level of interest and usage of ICT in educational practices by teachers in Nigerian schools

Laboratory Assessment of Metakaolin Effect on the Volumetric Shrinkage of Black Cotton Soil for Flexible Pavement Construction

A dark grey Black Cotton soil treated with up to 24% Metakaolin content was compacted using British standard light (BSL),West African standard (WAS) or “intermediate”and British standard heavy (BSH) compactive efforts at moulding water contents -2,  0, 2, 4 and 6% of optimum moisture content. Specimens where extruded from compaction moulds and allowed to air dry on the table in the Laboratory in order to assess the effect of Volumetric Shrinkage on the material for use in Flexible Pavement construction. Results recorded showed that Volumetric Shrinkage strain (VSS) values were large within the first 5 days of drying; VSS values increased with higher moulding water content,water content relative to optimum. Generally, the Metakaolin improves the Shrinkage properties of the expansive soil irrespective of the compactive effort. Volumetric Shrinkage potential reduced by about 76%, 61% and 42% at 24% Metakaolin for the WAS, BSL and BSH compactive efforts respectively, as compared to the Virgin soil. It can be concluded that the Metakaolin had shown promising influence on the Shrinkage properties of expansive soil, thereby giving an advantage in improvement of problematic expansive soils. Keywords: Expansive soil, Volumetric Shrinkage Strain, Metakaolin, Compactive effort,Moulding Water content, Flexible Pavement

COMPARATIVE QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF DIFFERENT BRANDS OFAMOXICILLIN (500mg) TABLET MARKETED IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

The study involves comparative quantitative study of eight (8) different brands of Amoxicillin, using UV Spectrophotometry and High Performance Liquid Chromatography. All the samples of Amoxicillin tested using UV analysis failed the test as all are above the specified range of 90-120% as stated by USP, 2007. Using the HPLC analysis, only 3 of the Amoxicillin samples passed the test, Healmox (108.3%), Barbimox (117.5%) and Cimoxil (114.98%) while Nemoxil, Amox 500, Cikamox, Climox and Lamox failed the test with 47.17%, 39.7%, 139.4%, 139.4%, and 74.5% respectively using the standard of 90-120% as specified by USP, 2007. KEYWORDS: Amoxicillin, UV, HPL

Over-Dependence On Oil Revenue In Nigeria: Consequences Of Covid-19 On Budgetary Allocation Of Federal Government Of Nigeria

This study examines the consequences of Covid-19 pandemic on budgetary allocation of Federal Government of Nigeria in view of over-dependence on crude oil and natural gas as the major source of revenue for public service delivery. Despite the emergence of the disease in December, 2019 in China and its spread globally gradually; Nigeria recorded the first case of the disease on the 27th February, 2020. Efforts to contain the spread of Coronavirus necessitated implementing some measures that led to disruption of economic activities within and across national boundaries. Consequently, global oil prices declined and that has severely affected Nigeria as one of the producers. Nigeria’s budget with price of crude oil as the major indicator for projection becomes unrealistic for achieving the recurrent and capital expenditure components of the 2020 budget. Due to that, 2020 Appropriation Act was amended and 2021 Appropriation Bill was presented based on this economic reality. This study employed Documentary Research Method (DRM) and applied document analysis as a technique of analyzing qualitative research data. The study found that Covid-19 pandemic led to global economic meltdown which by extension responsible for Nigeria’s economic downturn characterized by declined in oil production and oil price resulting to drop in oil revenue and increasing budget deficit. Out of the 2021 federal budget of N13.08 trillion; N5.20 trillion will be financed mainly by borrowing and that can widen the budget deficit and by extension accumulation of debt. The study also established positive correlation between declined in oil price/revenue and the increasing budget deficit of the FGN. Based on this, government should sustain the economic diversification drive and implement Post Covid-19 Recovery measures such as the Economic Sustainability Plan

Digital technologies and emerging educational objectives: The need for transformational changes in teacher education and training

The institutionalization of information technology in human society has necessitated the emergence of new educational goals and objectives.This study identifies the emerging educational goal and objectives of the twenty-first century and examines the challenging role of higher education in the information age.This article introduces four models that can guide and fast-track the integration of new knowledge domains in the curriculum structure and the development of new instructional and pedagogical designs in higher education to facilitate the attainment of the educational goal and objectives of the twenty-first century. The article also introduces a structural model of providing the foundation needed for higher education in the twenty-first century in the present information and technology-driven world of globalization. Based on existing studies, this article considers the role of teacher education as being critical in addressing the various challenges associated with the transformation changes needed for higher education in the twenty-first century