Data Analysis and Neuro-Fuzzy Technique for EOR Screening : Application in Angolan Oilfields

This study is sponsored by the Angolan National Oil Company (Sonangol EP) and the authors are grateful for their support and the permission to use the data and publish this manuscriptPeer reviewedPublisher PD

From the polling booths to the courtrooms : challenges of strict application of time frame in judicial contestation of election disputes in Nigeria

After her longest military interregnum spanning almost two decades since 1984, Nigeria returned to a democratic system of government in May 1999. By May 2019, five presidential and other national and sub-national elections were held in the country. Virtually all of these elections were characterized by intense political strives and electoral malpractices of varying degrees, leading to the challenging of elections in the election petition tribunals and other courts, long after the conclusion of the polls. This challenge has heightened the spate of judicialization of politics-the practice of excessive utilization of the courts for adjudication of core political matters in the country. But a significant by-product of judicialization of politics in Nigeria is the apparent relegation of substantial justice and possible miscarriage of justice arising from a resort to a technicality in the strict interpretation and enforcement of time frame for such adjudications. This paper, using a doctrinal research methodology of relying on primary and secondary sources of information, shows that the current strict interpretation of the constitutional provisions on the time limit for adjudication of electoral disputes defeats the essence of substantial justice and impacts negatively on the role of the judiciary in social engineering. For comparative constitutional purposes, the paper also juxtaposes the practice in Kenya, another country in Africa with electoral disputation experiences, with the practice in Nigeria. The paper concludes that a review of the law is imperative and then makes somerecommendations

Histomorphology of germ cell tumors at various anatomic sites: a 5 years study at a tertiary care centre

Background: Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, which occur in the gonads, and at extra gonadal sites of the body. The aim of the study was to observe the different histopathological patterns of various GCTs in the body at all possible sites and to know their IHC staining patterns.Methods: The study was conducted for a period of 5 years from 2015 to 2019 and was an observational study. The recorded data was compiled and entered in a spreadsheet and then exported to data editor of SPSS Version 20.0. Continuous variables were expressed as mean SD and categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages. Graphically the data was presented by bar and pie diagrams Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was applied for comparing categorical values. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. All p values were 2 tailed.Results: A total of 93 cases were analyzed and the mean age of the patients was 27.8 years. Mature cystic teratoma was the most common histopathological variant and was mostly seen in the ovaries. There was a difference in age predilection of benign and malignant tumors. Most of the malignant GCTs were gonadal while EGCTs were likely to be benign. MGCTs (mixed GCTs) were mostly testicular in origin with only one MGCT being extragonadal.Conclusions: Mature cystic teratomas were the most frequent GCTs with frequent site being in ovaries. Out 0f 18 EGCTs only 2 were malignant, rest all were mature cystic teratomas.

Application of artificial intelligence for technical screening of enhanced oil recovery methods

Acknowledgment This study is sponsored by the Angolan National Oil Company (Sonangol EP) and the authors are grateful for their support and the permission to use data and publish this manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The effect of formulation additives on the properties of films prepared using Terminalia randii Baker F Gum

Background: Natural polymers are becoming useful excipients in pharmaceutical formulations due to their non-toxic and biodegradable properties. One of their common uses is in the manufacture of polymeric films.Objective: This present work is to evaluate the effect of plasticizer type and polymer type on the properties of Terminalia films.Method: Films were prepared by solvent casting method using Terminalia, xanthan gums and hydroxylpropy lmethylcellulose (HPMC). Terminlia was also combined with xanthan, HPMC at different ratios using propylene glycol and glycerol as plaasticizers. The films were characterized using adherence, folding endurance and mechanical properties were determined using tensile strength and percent elongation. Disintegration was carried out in a disintegration apparatus using distilled water, 0.1M HCl (pH 1.2) and phosphate buffer pH 6.8.Result: Films prepared with Terminalia and those prepared by combining Terminalia and xanthan gums showed adherence. Films plasticized with glycerol had higher folding endurance and tensile strength. When HPMC was combined with Terminalia, the disintegration of the films produced was significantly (p&lt;0.05) reduced at pH 6.8Conclusion: Glycerol plasticizer produced films with optimal properties, while combination of Terminalia gum and HPMC, produced films with optimal properties. Therefore, plasticizer and polymer must be carefully chosen for film formulations.Keywords: Film, Plasticizer, Terminalia gum, Polymers, Tensile strength, Fold enduranc

Properties of Asphalt Concrete Containing Waste Foundry Sand (WFS) as Filler Material

The high cost of primary construction materials such as cement, and increase in waste generation due to human activities coupled with environmental concerns has led to the incorporation of wide range of waste materials into asphalt concrete. Waste foundry sand (WFS) which is a by-product of ferrous and non-ferrous metal casting industry, has accumulated in stockpiles and landfills, occupying valuable space and causing nuisance in the environment. Consequently, it is imperative to devise a safe and economical solution to manage and utilize the waste. One way of achieving this is by recycling and using it for asphalt concrete production. This study investigated the strength and durability properties of asphalt concrete containing waste foundry sand (WFS) as alternative filler material in asphalt concrete. Marshall design method was adopted for the sample preparation and testing. Fifteen (15) compacted samples were prepared for strength and volumetric properties testing at varying bitumen contents of 4.5%, 5.0%, 5.5%, 6.0% and 6.5%, in accordance with Asphalt Institute and Nigeria General Specification for Road and Bridges to determine optimum bitumen content (OBC). OBC of 5.5% was obtained and used for the asphalt concrete mixes in the study.&nbsp; Eighteen (18) other briquettes were prepared to determine the optimum WFS content in asphalt concrete necessary for strength and durability of wearing course of flexible pavement. Cement as filler in asphalt concrete was partially replaced with WFS using the obtained OBC in the order of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60%. A total of thirty-three (33) standard specimens were prepared. From the Marshall stability-flow and void-density results, the sample prepared with 60% WFS as filler with OBC of 5.5% satisfies the provision of the Nigerian General Specification for Road and Bridges (NGSRB) for use in wearing course of flexible pavement. Based on the analysis of results obtained in this study and a logical comparison made with standard specifications, addition of up to 60% waste foundry sand (WFS) in asphalt concrete would lead to significant conservation of primary construction materials, divert substantial quantities of waste from landfills and present a cheap alternative of filler material necessary for sustainable asphalt concrete construction