Structural analysis and surface morphology of quartz

The structural analysis and surface morphology of quartz has been studied. Quartz has long been known to be a source of silica. X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to observe the surface and internal structure of the quartz. The results among other things revealed that the quartz consist of mainly silica (SiO2), with crystalline structure, microscopic examination showed that the quartz has a porous cellular structure and consists of irregular-shaped particles. This study implies that quartz is good candidate for various applications by ceramic industries.Key words: Quartz; XRF;XRD; SEM; TG

Mechanical properties of ceramic tiles by replacement of quartz by RHA and POFA

Rice husk ash (RHA) and palm oil fuel ash (POFA) have a great potential to replace the quartz element in porcelain composition. RHA and POFA were mostly used by construction industries, and only a few researchers studied its applications in ceramics industries. It is due to the mechanical properties of porcelain are strongly affected by the generated thermal stress during processing because of the deleterious effects of quartz. In this work, the quartz is being replaced by RHA, POFA and the combination of RHA and POFA. The sample's composition was mixed for 90 minutes and pressed at different mold pressures (31, 61, 91 and 121 MPa) and then sintered at the sintering temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1300 οC at different soaking times ranging from 1 to 3 hours respectively. The samples were measured the physical and mechanical properties and then the microstructure observation. It was found that the RHA, POFA and the combination of RHA and POFA have tremendous effects on the properties of porcelain tiles. For the RHA, the highest bulk density (2.42 g/cm3) and compressive strength (44 MPa) were recorded on 20 wt% of RHA at the sintering temperature of 1200 οC and the soaking time of 2 hours. For the POFA, the highest bulk density (2.45 g/cm3) and compressive strength (46 MPa) were achieved on 15 wt% of POFA at the sintering temperature of 1100 οC and the soaking time of 2 hours. For the combination of RHA and POFA, the highest bulk density (2.43 g/cm3) and compressive strength (45 MPa) were recorded on 20 wt% of RHA and POFA at the sintering temperature of 1200 οC and the soaking time of 2 hours. It was observed that the microstructure was enhanced by increasing the sintering temperature, mould pressure and soaking time. It can be concluded that samples containing POFA attained vitrification stage at lower temperature and exhibited higher mechanical properties. Thermal expansion and thermal conductivity measurement are some of the areas that could be explored for further research

LECTURERS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS, COMPETENCE AND UTILIZATION OF RESULT COMPILER SOFTWARE (RCS) IN NIGER STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, MINNA, NIGERIA

This study was carried out to investigate lecturers’ attitudes towards, competence, and utilization of result compiler software in Niger State College of Education Minna, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. One hundred and twenty lecturers form the sample for the study. A combination of proportionate stratified and simple random sampling techniques was used to select respondents for this study. The instrument used for the study was a Researchers-designed questionnaire that was divided into three sections; attitude, competence, and utilization. The questionnaire was validated by experts and Cronbach Alpha’s formula was computed to ascertain the internal consistency. The reliability coefficients of the questionnaire were obtained as 0.84, 0.76, and 0.82 for the three variables (attitude, competence, and utilization). The collected data were analyzed using Mean and Standard deviation with a criterion mean of 2.5 as the basis for judgment. Findings revealed that lecturers have a positive attitude toward result compiler software (RCS), lecturers are competent in the use of result compiler software (RCS) to some extent and have a high level of utilization of result compiler software (RCS). Hence, it was recommended among others that college management should continue to motivate lecturers to sustain their attitude toward result compiler software and organize routine training in the area of result compilatio

Sustainability Practices and Supply Chain Resilience in the Development of a Circular Economy: A Study of Nigeria

Sustainable Supply Chain Management has become an essential portion of business strategy for almost all sectors. However, not so much is understood about the wider effects of sustainability practices on the ability of the SC to endure disruptions. The aim of this study was therefore to scrutinize the effect of sustainability practices on supply chain resilience in the development of a circular economy in Nigeria. This study was steered within the horizon of qualitative method with a philosophical research paradigm of constructivism. The study used twenty-one (21) Consumer Goods Firm in Nigeria as population and sample. Primary data was explored using key informant interview. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data collected. The study reveals that sustainability practices contribute to supply chain resilience in the development of a circular economy. The research concluded that, cradle to cradle practice, environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, and social sustainability play a major role in ensuring resiliency of consumer goods firms’ supply chains especially in developing a circular economy. The outcome of this research is expected to lead to the development of a circular economy in Nigeria. The study will be of significance to Nigerian government, consumer goods companies, practitioners, regulatory bodies, and researchers

External Debt and Economic Growth: Evidence from Nigeria

This study investigates the contribution of external debt to the economic growth of Nigeria. The study employed data from 1970 to 2010 which were sourced from Statistical Bulletin of Central bank of Nigeria and Annual Reports of the Debt Management Office. It used real gross domestic product as the proxy for economic growth being the dependent variable and external debt, debt service payment, export, inflation and exchange rate as the explanatory variables. The augmented Dickey Fuller Unit Root test and Johansen Co-integration test are used to ascertain the Stationarity and the long run equilibrium relationship between the variables respectively. The econometric technique of Ordinary Least Square (OLS) was used for the data analysis. The findings of the study reveal that external debt contributes positively to the economic growth of Nigeria. Therefore, the study recommends that external borrowings should be channeled to the real sectors of the economy for the impact to be felt in the country. Keywords: External Debt, Debt Service Payment, Economic Growth, Real Gross Domestic Product

Development of Implicit Rational Runge-Kutta Schemes for Second Order Ordinary Differential Equations

In this paper, the development of One – Stage Implicit Rational Runge – Kutta methods are considered using Taylor and Binomial series expansion for the direct solution of general second order initial value problems of ordinary differential equations with constant step length. The basic properties of the developed method were investigated and found to be consistent and convergent. Keywords: Implicit Rational Runge Kutta scheme, Second Order Equations, Convergence and Consisten

Audit Quality and Financial Performance of Quoted Cement Firms in Nigeria

The financial statement audit is an important tool for reducing information asymmetries and maintaining an efficient market environment. However, if the audit is to improve financial performance, there must be credibility and reliability as regards audited financial information. This research work was designed to examine the impact of audit quality on financial performance of quoted firms in Nigeria. The study is descriptive in nature and the correlational and ex-post facto designs were adopted in carrying out this research. Data were obtained basically from the published annual reports and accounts, and notes to the financial statements of the four firms that represent the sample of the study. The data collected were quantified and presented in tables. Multiple regression analysis using the SPSS Version 15.0 was employed in analyzing the data and testing the stated hypotheses. The results of the findings shows that auditor size and auditor independence have significant impacts on the financial performance of quoted cement firms in Nigeria. However, auditor independence has more influence than auditor size on financial performance. The study recommends that the management of quoted cement firms in Nigeria increase the remuneration of auditors in order to improve their financial performance. The study further recommends that management should employ the services of audit firms whose character and integrity is beyond question