Ferruginised metapelites of the Kazaure Schist belt, northwestern Nigeria

Field, petrographic and geochemical evidence shows the occurrence of  ferruginised metapelites (FMP) in the Kazaure Schist Belt (KZSB). The KZSB consists predominantly of quartzites, pelitic metasediments, and  metaconglomerates. Minor rocks includes metavolcanics and iron  formations (Banded Iron Formation and ferruginised metapelites). The FMP occurs as narrow bands associated with quartzites and phyllites. Magnetite as euhedral to subhedral crystals together with subordinate anhedral  hematite forms the Fe band. The Fe content of the FMP (14.54 – 82.8 %) is comparable to that of banded iron formations in the schist belt. It contains lesser amounts of Mn (0.07 – 17.83 %), Ca (0.067 – 1.25%), and the lithophile elements average values: K (1.21 ppm); Rb (89.89 ppm); Sr (190.78 ppm). It is envisaged that the FMP developed from the alteration of the metasediments entrapped as a kind of tectonic mélange as a result of late tectonic brittle deformation and activity of fluids rich in iron.Keywords: Banded Iron Formation, ferruginised metapelites, Oxide facies, Tectonic mélange, Silicate facies

Global risk factors affecting performance of construction firms in Abuja, Nigeria

The study assessed the Global Risk Factors (GRFs) affecting performance of Nigerian construction firms, with a view to identifying the most severe and appropriate risk response techniques. In order to achieve this aim, the severity of GRF across different categories of firms, and the risk response techniques most suitable for each GRF were examined. A total of 105 questionnaires were administered out of which a total of 49 were fully completed and returned. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data collected using Likert scales, while Analysis of variance was used to evaluate the similarities/differences in the views of different categories of construction firms. The findings show that most construction firms consider payment delays (mean = 2.65), poor project scope (mean = 2.40) and inadequate design information (mean = 2.39) as the most severe GRF affecting the performance of Nigeria construction firms. It was also discovered that, despite the high likelihood and impact of GRF such as; payment delays, design changes, and inflation/bank Interest rates amongst others, most firms still opted to “accept” them. On the other hand, poor project scopes, strikes, failure to meet clients need and all factors related to unethical practices were “avoided”, while all legal related risk factors were “mitigated”. It is hoped that these findings will help construction firms in developing countries such as Nigeria to be more aware of the effect of GRF in order to be able to assess them effectively before embarking on construction projects.Keywords: Global Risk Factors, Probabiity-Impact Metrix, Negative Risk, Risk Management, Semi-Quantitative Techniqu

Cumulative abiotic stresses and their effect on the antioxidant defense system in two species of wheat, Triticum durum Desf and Triticum aestivum L.

The combined effects of heat and UV-B on the antioxidant system and photosynthetic pigments were investigated in the leaves of T. durum Desf. and Triticum aestivum L. The photosynthetic pigment content, in vitro evaluation of the antioxidant system activities including DPPH radical scavenging activity, and super oxide anion radical scavenging activity were determined. In addition, the antioxidant enzyme activities, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), were determined. Heat and UV-B irradiation alone caused a significant decrease in the photosynthetic pigment content, radical scavenging activity and super oxide radical scavenging activity in the two studied plants. The antioxidant enzymes SOD and GPX were stimulated in response to UV and/or heat stresses. The elevation of enzyme activities was higher under heat than under UV-B, especially in T. aestivum. According to our findings, it can be concluded that combined heat and UV-B provided cross-tolerance; otherwise, single stress was found to aggravate the responses

On comparison of Aunu permutation pattern and generalized permutation patterns using Wilf-equivalence

A large number of articles have been published in the last decade studying pattern avoidance on permutations. From the point of view of enumeration, one tries to examine permutations avoiding certain patterns according to their lengths. We tackle the problem of refining this enumeration by considering the statistics “first/last entry” in the case of generalized patterns as well as “first entry unity” in the case of Aunu patterns. We give results for classical patterns of type  (Aunu patterns) as well as for at least one of the mentioned statistics for every generalized pattern of type

Promoting Industrialization Through Commercialization of Innovation in Nigeria.

In recent decades, innovation has become the focus of economic research as a long term factor of economic development.   Continuous innovation improves a firm’s performance by increasing demand for its products and services and to reduce cost. In Nigeria while the Science, Technology and Innovation system is massive and expansive and contains about 125 universities, 125 poly-techniques, 98 colleges of education and over 300 institutions composed of research institutes, innovation agencies, policy implementation departments, multinational companies and large pool of skilled labour, including a sizeable Diaspora, the economy is still technologically weak with a very high national poverty incidence.  These have not resulted in significant industrial activities and national economic prosperity.  Thus, Nigeria currently stands at 66 out of 73 countries ranked on the basis of innovation activities.  One of the major problems limiting contribution of innovation to industrial development in Nigeria is  the low level of fund available for innovation activities. While government is the sole sponsor of R&D activities in Nigeria, the funding level is abysmally low at about 0.11% of the GDP.  In addition, there is lack of trust by the private sector on innovation from public research institutes and the universities as a result of inadequate infrastructural facilities. Also little or no interaction exists among major actors in the innovation system leading to high level of duplication.  To obviate some of the problems and set stakeholders in the Science Technology and Innovation system on the right path, government should encourage linkage between the public RIs and universities,  increase funding of R&D innvovation from the meagre 0.1% to a minimum of 1% of GDP in line with UNESCO reccommendations and upgrade the facilities at the public research institutes and the universities.  It has become germain that public RIs and universities contribute at least 30% of their running costs through patenting and commercialization of research results. This will ecourage entreprenureship development among research scientists in addition to fostering linkage between the public research institites, universities and the private sector. Keywords: innovation, commercialization, industrialization, research and developmen

Advances in Pulp and Paper Technology and the Implication for the Paper Industry in Nigeria

The technology of pulp and paper production has advanced considerably since the discovery of paper in AD 105.  The improvements in technology have also increased the environmental impact of the processes through air and water pollution.   Efforts are being made to reduce the enviromental impact of the processes through development of substitute raw materials.   The increasing pulping of non wood raw materials, development of organosolv pulping methods, total chlorine free bleaching  and introduction of nanotechnology in pulp and paper production aim at addressing these problems. The impact of the recent technological developments on the obsolete pulp and paper production facilities in Nigeria dictate that new investments are required in the sector if the country is to remove itself from being a perpetual paper importer. Keywords: organosolv, nanotechnology,  chlorine, kraft pulping, efluen

Imperatives for Bamboo Textiles Production in Nigeria

The Nigerian textile industry is currently undergoing serious decline in production as a result of its total dependence on cotton as its primary raw material.  Cotton production has dwindled considerably in the country, thereby, placing serious stains on capacity utilization in the sector.  One of the ways capacity utilization can be boosted is to introduce the utilization of bamboo as an alternative or complimentary raw material for textiles production locally.  Bamboo fibre consists of 99.51% cellulose, 0.25% ash and 0.24% wax.  The cellulose is the most important component required for textiles production.  Bamboo currently grows in 23 states of the federation and its utilization in the textiles sector has been perfected in China, India, Europe and the United states.  The production process is simple and consists mainly of cooking the bamboo leaves and the soft inner pith from hard bamboo trunk in a solution of 15 to 20% sodium hydroxide at a temperature between 20 to 25oC for 1 to 3 hours to form alkali cellulose which is  crashed by a grinder and left to dry for 24 hours After this, carbon disulphide is added to form a viscose solution which is forced through spinneret nozzles into a diluted sulphuric acid solution form a reconstructed and regenerated bamboo fabric.  As bamboo is available in Nigeria, the utilisation of bamboo fabric will save Nigeria an excess of 500 billion naira in foreign exchange equivalent annually. Keywords: bamboo, fibres, textile, enzymes, investmen

Variations in Axial and Ray Parenchyma Cells in Ten Hardwood Species Growing in Nigeria

The optimal industrial utilisation of lesser used wood species globally require knowledge of the wood properties of the various species. One of the important properties of wood is the percentage composition of parenchyma cells. The distribution of axial and ray parenchyma cells of most of the indigenous hardwood species growing in Nigeria have not been studied.  This study centered on the distribution of axial and ray parenchyma cells of ten indigenous hardwood species in Nigeria. The mean lumen diameter vary from 11.0% in Anogeissus leiocarpus to 32.9% in Sterculia  setigera. The mean cell wall constituent of the axial parenchyma cells of the studied species also vary from 1.60% in Daniella oliverii to 12.5% in Mitragna inermis. The total axial parenchyma element of the wood species vary from 16.3% in Parinarium kerstingii to 45.4% in Sterculia  setigera. The ray parenchyma cells also vary within the species. The mean lumen content varies from 7.0% in Anogeissus leiocarpus to 15.8% in Daniella oliverii. The mean wall percentage of axial parenchyma cells also varies from 3.17% in Sterculia setigera to 15.29% in Anogeissus leiocarpus. The total axial parenchyma in the studied species vary from 12.37% in Sterculia setigera to 30% in Parinarium kerstingii.  The total parenchyma cells in all species vary from 41.6% in Prosopis africana to 59.32% in Detarium senegalense.  Available information  in literature showed that the higher the percentage of parenchyma cells the lower the quality of the wood species for pulp and paper production as parenchyma cells does not contribute significantly to strength development during pulp and paper making. In most cases, the parenchyma cells dissolve in the pulping chemicals. Thus, species such as Mitragyna inermis, Prosopis africana, Parinarium kerstingii and Anogeissus leiocarpus may perform better as wood for pulp and paper production on the basis of their low total parenchyma cell constituents. This may be due to the trade-off between higher fibre lumen constituents and parenchyma cells. This assumption may also be true for structural applications as parenchyma cells also influence wood density. Keywords: Axial parenchyma, ray parenchyma, hardwood, lumen, wal

Advances the in Utilization of Bamboo for Paper Production and the Implication for Countries with Bamboo Resources

The fibrous raw materials for pulp and paper production have expanded considerably since paper was discovered in China in 105 AD.  Today, apart from hemp, rags and the bark of mulberry tree that were used during this period, many wood and non-wood fibres including agricultural residues are used for pulp and paper production.   While wood continue as a major fibrous raw material for paper production, bamboo utilization for pulp and production is also expanding.  While bamboo has challenges such as silica deposition, it also has a number of advantages that are promoting its utilization in the pulp and paper industries.  Among the advantages of bamboo include its high fibre length compared with hardwoods and other non-wood fibres, high growth rate and generation good chemical composition.  This is gradually leading to expansion in bamboo pulp and paper production globally.  Counties with adequate bamboo resources could take the advantages inherent in bamboo production and pulping to develop their pulp and paper industries. Keywords: bamboo, pulping, kraft, atnthraquinone (AQ), pulp and paper DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/83-03 Publication date:March 31st 202