African Languages and Scientific Terminologies: The Hausa Example

This paper presents a picture of how scientific and technological words can be created in Hausa through compounding and derivational processes. In compounding process, two words or bound morphemes of two different languages, Hausa on one hand, and English and Arabic, on the other hand are combined to generate new words to refer to scientific or technological concepts. As for derivational, Hausa bound morphemes such as ‘maga', ‘na', and ‘ta' are used to derive new words in Hausa relating to science and technology Samaru Journal of Information Studies Vol. 6 (1&2) 2006: pp. 33-3

FDI Flows in resource-rich countries: does the quality of institutions matter?

Relevance. Foreign investment is likely to be attracted to resource-rich countries because of their wealth of natural resources. However, the fact that foreign direct investment (FDI) contributes less than 10% of these countries’ GDP indicates that FDI has a non-proportional impact when compared to the size of the natural resources. Hence, it is critical to identify the missing link impeding resource optimization through FDI.Research objective. Given the significance of FDI, the study seeks to ascertain whether the quality of institutions in resource-rich countries influences FDI inflows. This is significant because resource-rich countries may have other factors that encourage FDI but do not result in resource optimization.Data and methods. The study employed panel data analysis to analyze the impact of FDI on economic growth in resource-rich countries and the role of institutions in attracting FDI. The study relies on the Augmented Mean Group Estimator and on the annual data from the World Bank's World Development Indicator and the World Bank's World Governance Indicator for the top ten resource-rich countries.Results. Our preliminary evidence indicated that FDI had a positive and significant effect on economic growth in resource-rich countries. The extent of the influence, on the other hand, is minimal for all categories of countries. Our main results revealed that institutional quality has a significant pull effect on FDI, with trade openness playing a key role, particularly in resource-rich nations with well-developed institutions.Conclusions. We found that institutional quality plays a critical role in attracting FDI, which could have hampered natural resource optimization. Furthermore, countries with high institutional quality and less restrictive investment policies attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) than countries with low institutional quality and with investment policies ranging from moderate to restrictive. In general, resource-rich countries, particularly those with weak institutional qualities, should address the gap in institutional quality to attract more inward investment

Comparative Study of the Compressive Strength of Cement Laterite Brick Produced with Rice Husk Ash and Wood Ash as Partial Replacement Of Cement

The paper presents an outcome of experimental comparative study on the compressive strength of laterite brick made with rice husk ash and wood ash as partial replacement of cement. First, Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Wood Ash (WA) were prepared and subjected to the following tests: specific gravity, density and bulk density. This was followed by the production of three types of bricks viz cement laterite-bricks(control), cement-laterite bricks produced using RHA as partial replacement of cement and another brick made with WA as partial replacement of cement. Replacement levels range from 0 - 30% at 10% intervals. The samples were cured by water sprinkling, before testing them for compressive strength at 7, 14, 21 and 28 curing days. Result of the tests showed that the specific gravity of RHA and WA are 2.20 and 2.13 respectively. The Absorption capacity of all the samples is in the range of 4.5 – 9.1%which is within the allowable value of 25% set by the Nigerian Industrial Standard. Compressive strength for 10 % replacements range from 0.75N/mm2 for 7days to 3.7N/mm2 for 28 days for RHA, as against 2.6 N/mm2 for 7days to 5.3N/mm2 for 28days curing for WA. This shows that bricks produced using WA are relatively higher in strength than those made with RHA. Though it is concluded that RHA and WA, can be used as partial replacements of cement in the production of laterite brick. Also, laterite brick produced with 20% and 30% partial replacements of cement with RHA and WA, respectively,, have, satisfied the minimum requirement as contained in BS 6073, and are recommendable.Keywords: Cement, compressive strength, rice husk ash, laterite brick, partial replacement levels, wood ash

Aqueous extract of Terminalia avicennioides (Guillperr) ameliorates some pathological conditions in T. bruceibrucei-infected rats

The study was designed to investigate the ability of the aqueous extract ofthe stem bark of Terminaliaavicennioides(ATA) to alleviate some pathological conditions in rats experimentally infected with Trypanosomabruceibrucei. The treatment groupsconsisted: Extract treated group [rats (n=9) were infected (104 parasite per rat) intraperitoneally (i.p.) with the parasite and treated with 200 mg/kg b.w. of ATAfor six consecutive days; Negative control [rats (n=9) were not infected but administered 300 μL 100mM phosphate buffer saline pH 7.2, for six consecutive days]; Positive control group [rats (n=9) were infected with about 104 T. bruceibrucei and left untreated but given 300 μL 100mM phosphate buffer saline pH 7.2, as placebo for six consecutive days]; Standard drug group [rats (n=9) were infected (104 parasite per rat) and given (i.p.) 3.5 mg/kg b.w. Diminazineaceturate] and the Extract control group [rats (n=9) in this group were not infected but were treated (i.m.) with 200 mg/kg b.w. of ATA for six consecutive days].Both extract and standard drug were administered intramuscularly (i.m.) and the mean values of the haematological and organ parameters in ATA/drug groups were compared with those of the control groups. Results revealed significant (p<0.05) suppression of parasitaemia by the extract. Comparative analysis of PCV, Red Cells and White Cells counts showed slight alleviation of anaemia and leucopenia. There was no variation seen with respect to the Mean ratios of kidneys and liver obtained from experimental rats relative to animals’ body weights when compared among all experimental groups.However, splenomegaly seen to accompany the infection were alleviated in the extract-treated group as well as the group of infected rats treated with the standard trypanocide. Distortion of parasite morphology was seen in Giemsa-stained thin film smear of blood obtained from extract treated rats as seen via oil immersion microscopy. The findings suggest that interactionwith parasite membrane could be an early step in the mechanism of action of ATA when used as component of herbal concoction in the traditional management of African Trypanosomiasis.Keywords: Terminaliaavicennioides, Trypanosomabruceibrucei, Albino Rats, Anaemia, Leucopenia, Splenomegaly, Traditional medicine

Influence of curing methods on some properties of rice husk ash concrete

The paper investigated the most appropriate curing method for rice husk ash (RHA) concrete. The study confirmed the strength performance of concrete with 5% replacement of RHA at 7, 14, 28 and 56 days of curing under three curing methods namely spraying, immersion and covering with polythene; with the targeted concrete strength value of 30N/mm2 at 28 days. After curing, 29.6 N/mm2, 29.2 N/mm2 and 29.2 N/mm2 were obtained for RHA concrete under spraying, immersion and polythene methods at 28 days and 31.6 N/mm2, 36.4 N/mm2 and 24.0 N/mm2 at 56 days respectively. The overall results suggest that RHA concrete cured by immersion in water produced a better compressive strength just as in normal concrete. Therefore, based on the findings, immersion in water is recommended as the most suitable curing method for RHA concrete at 5% replacement level.Keywords: Concrete, Curing method, Rice husk as

Investigating geothermal energy resource potential in parts of south western Nigeria using aeromagnetic data

The investigation of geothermal energy resources potential in this study involves delineating targets areas of the earth’s crust where geologic processes have raised temperatures near the surface, such that the heat contained can be utilised. A high-resolution aeromagnetic (HRAM) data of part of south-western Nigeria on longitude 3.5° 5.5° and latitude 7.0° 9.0° consisting of 16 half degree sheet was used for this research work. Spectral analysis was applied in processing HRAM data, which transforms the spatial data into the frequency domain, and provides a relationship between the two-dimensional spectrum of the magnetic anomalies. Results indicates that the average Curie point depth (CPD) within the study area is 8.5 km followed by the average geothermal gradient of 42.5℃−1 and an average heat flow 55 −2. The equitable promising geological results useful for geothermal exploitation is within longitude 4.2° 4.6° and latitude7.8° 8.2°, where the lowest CPD (5.5km), highest geothermal gradient (75℃−1) and highest heat flow (190−2) bounded by Oshogbo and Ogbomosho as indicated on the maps. The paper suggests that such an area can be considered for geothermal energy exploitation since the demagnetized of magnetic rocks confirms a hot rock who’s temperature of about 580℃

Acute Toxicity Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Terminalia avicennioides on White Albino Rats

Lorke’s method was used to study the acute toxicity effect of aqueous extracts from the stem bark of Terminalia avicennioides (ATA) on white albino rats. The study involved intraperitoneal administration of different doses of the extract to groups of male rats. Signs accompanying toxicity and possible death of animals were monitored for two weeks to ascertain the median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract. At the end of the two week study, all the animals in all the dose groups were sacrificed and the mean internal organ-body weight ratios (OBR) were determined and compared with values from those of the control group. The LD50 was found to be > 5000 mg/Kg body weight. There was no significant weight decrease (P>0.05) among dose groups up to 1000 mg/Kg body weight. Liver congestion was observed with 100 mg/kg body weight dose group. The OBR mean values for Kidney, liver and heart were not significantly (P>0.05) different from that of the control group. The safety usage of extracts from this plant in traditional medicine vis-à-vis phytochemical consideration is discussed.Key words: Acute toxicity, Terminalia avicennioides, Albino Rats, Traditional medicine

Service Quality and Customer Retention: A Study of Microfinance Customers in Kaduna North Local Government Area, Nigeria

The study examined the effect of aspects of service quality (Tangibility, Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance and Empathy) on customer retention among customers of Microfinance Banks (MFBs) in Kaduna North Local Government Area. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire administered on the 378 sampled respondents in the study area with a total population of 25,000 customers. Area random sampling technique was used in the selection of sample subjects across the local government area. Descriptive statistics in the form of frequency and percentage was used to analyze the demographic data about the respondents. Inferential statistics in the form of multiple regressions was used to determine the effect of service quality on customer retention in MFBs. The findings of the study reveal that among the aspects of service quality, empathy has the highest effect on customer retention in MFBs. Based on the finding, it is recommended that the various Managements of the MFBs in the study area should pay much attention on aspects of empathy comprising individualized attention, show of care, show of respect, show of love and friendliness to customers by staff of the MFBs. Keywords: Service Quality, Customer retention and Microfinance banks. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-14-04 Publication date:May 31st 202

Integrating ICT in Library Management: Design and Development of an Automated Library Management System for Cavendish University Uganda

This study intended to solicit requirements for a proposed library information system and develop it for CUU as a step to automate its library services.  The study employed prototyping method to come up with the system. The system met most of the objectives by enabling the library staff keep track of its clients and resources they manage.  Report generation was made easy as all the information has become easier to manipulate due to the nature of electronic storage.   Searching for reading material has been made easy since different criteria may be used to accomplish the task. The interfaces were user friendly and there was no need for retraining other than orientation. The researcher recommends that this system be continuously built to take care of other library services which include management of the serials and periodicals, book reservations, automatic email notification for reminders, use of bar codes, scanners and labels;  and use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification ) tags to mitigate book thefts.  It is also recommended that the library system, go online so that books and lecture notes are accessed over the internet by users. Keyword: Library Management, network, Service Deliver

Space-Time Variation in the Perception and Patronage of Traditional Medicine in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This paper presents findings on the Space-Time Variation in the Perception and Patronage of Traditional Medicine in Kaduna State Nigeria. The aim of the study is to examine the space-time variation in the perception and patronage of traditional medicine in Kaduna state. Data from the study was derived from the administration of a structured Questionnaire, Focus group discussion, In-depth interview and data from herbal clinic medicine records. Data were collected from a questionnaire survey of a sample of 400 respondents of the study area to determine their space-time variation in perception and patronage of traditional medicine. Time devoted to patronage of traditional medicine vary significantly on different days of the week and different hours of time of the day. One way ANOVA result obtain shows that there is significant space and time variation in the time of the day for patronage of traditional medicine among the sampled LGAs (F = 15.147, P < 0.05). This means that the time of the day for patronage of traditional medicine varies across space and time. The findings also confirm that patronage of traditional medicine is fixed in time and space. Key words: Space-Time, Traditional Medicine, Patronage and Perceptio