Nigerian Newspaper Coverage of Militancy in the Niger Delta

The study analyzed Nigerian newspaper coverage of militancy in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Content analysis was used to generate data for the study. Four purposively selected Nigerian national dailies: THISDAY, The Guardian, Vanguard, and The Sun published between January 1, 2006 and October 4, 2009 were content analyzed. The population was 5,532 issues from where a sample of 553 was systematically selected. The units of analysis for the study include straight news, feature article, editorial opinion, interview, and letter to the editor that made reference to militancy in the Niger Delta. Coding was by two independent coders based on frequency, prominence, portrayal of militancy, format of presentation, and language of reports. The results showed that Nigerian Newspapers covered militancy in the Niger Delta in a fair, balanced and responsible manner, even though there were a few instances when confrontational languages slipped into reports. It also found that the dailies accorded low prominence to reports on militancy in the Niger Delta and did not endorse militancy as the preferred option for resolving the conflict in the region. Rather, they advocated a peaceful resolution of the conflict as is evident in the high score (77.88%) of the use of conciliatory tone in their reports. On the downside, the preponderance of straight news indicated that not much of conflict analysis and interpretative reporting was done in the coverage to help readers grasp thoroughly the dominant issues involved in militancy. The conclusion is that by presenting a balanced coverage, the dailies have helped in setting the right agenda and mediating in the conflict. This may have contributed in some degree to the management of the problem of militancy in this region. Accordingly, it is recommended, among others, that reporters and editors should include more of feature articles, editorials, and interviews with conflict experts, victims, and local residents in their coverage. This will help create proper understanding of the issues at stake in order to facilitate early conflict resolution

An Analysis of the Urban Canopy Heat Island (UCHI) of Kano Metropolis during the Warm/Wet Season

Urbanization has had a profound impact on our local, regional and even global climate, through the modification of the natural environment by replacing it with artificial surfaces, canyons and materials. This study seeks to assess the nature of Urban Canopy Heat Island (UCHI) intensities in Kano metropolis during the Wet/Warm season. The study involved the measurement of temperature within the period and determination of the UCHI within Kano metropolis. The study measured the temperature data using an automatic temperature data logger and determined the UCHI from the data collected. The different sample stations were determined using the canyon zoning system known as the Urban Climate Zone (UCZ). Temperature and UCHI variation for the study were also determined for two periods that showed its diurnal distribution. The study area was categorized into 13 stations and all the classes of the UCZ fit into the study area. The UCHI Characteristics shows a generally warm profile during the day time and night time periods, suggesting that most of the stations had high temperatures. This can be attributed to the high amount of clouds found in August, which provides a green house effect for the out going long wave radiation, there by conserving the heat within the UCZ

Provision of Reference Services and Use of Information Resources by Undergraduate Students in University Libraries in Bayelsa State

This study investigated the provision of reference services and use of library information resources by undergraduates in universities in Bayelsa state, Nigeria. The study used a correlational survey research methodology, and the instrument for gathering data was a questionnaire. 17451 undergraduate students from the four universities in Bayelsa State made up the study\u27s population, with a sample size of 349 representing 20% of the total population. 349 copies of the questionnaire were distributed and 346 were retrieved and found usable. Data were analyzed with frequency count, simple percentages, mean, and standard deviation while Pearson\u27s product moment correlation coefficient was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 significant level. The study\u27s findings showed a strong positive link between responding to reference requests and undergraduate students\u27 use of library information resources at universities in Bayelsa State (r =.598; p 0.05). The usage of library information resources by students is significantly positively correlated with the referral service (r =.168; p 0.05), user education (r =.482; p 0.05), and current awareness services (r =.236; p 0.05). Undergraduate students\u27 use of library information resources at universities in Bayelsa State is significantly positively correlated with selective information distribution (r =.127; p 0.05). According to the study\u27s findings, reference services provided by librarians are still essential for university libraries to achieve their primary goals. The study concluded that librarians and libraries urgently need to prioritize offering reference services to undergraduates in light of their favorable impact on library use

Critical success factors (CSFs) influencing the implementation of industrialized building Systems (IBS) in Nigeria

Conventional method of construction hinders the actualization of triple success project objectives of time, cost and quality delivery of construction projects while IBS method is used for closing these negative effects. Hence, this study aimed at examining critical success factors (CSFs) influencing the implementation of industrialized building systems (IBS) in Nigeria. Adopting a cross-sectional survey design, a close-ended questionnaire was purposively administered online to construction professionals who have distinct knowledge and experience on projects where IBS has been implemented. The data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics using IBM SPSS v. 21. The study findings showed that good working relationship, training of skilled workforce, effective communication route and financial capacity are the CSFs furthering the implementation of IBS in a developing country like Nigeria. The implication for practice is for construction stakeholders to develop these competencies to maximally improve the implementation of IBS projects. The study developed a framework that the project stakeholders can implement for an efficient industrialized building system on construction projects

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CONCRETE STRENGTH UTILIZING QUARRY-CRUSHED AND LOCALLY SOURCED COARSE AGGREGATES

The use of two types of course aggregates for different works is examined in this study. Typical strength concrete is being made from various aggregates and their impact on various characteristics to the subsequent concrete. Compressive strength is the most vital property of a concrete. In this paper, two forms of coarse aggregates, crushed stone(granite) and unwashed gravel were utilized. Sharp sand is the fine aggregate. Initial laboratory examination was carried out to establish the appropriateness of utilizing the aggregates for construction purpose. Particle size distribution (sieve analysis) and slump test were investigated. Mix ratio (1:2:4) was used for this work and mix structures were analyzed by absolute weight technique. A total of 32 cubes (150×150×150mm) were cast to permit the compressive strength to be observed at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Test results revealed that concrete produced from unwashed gravel has a better workability than crushed granite. Higher compressive strength at all period was observed with concrete produced from granite aggregate. Compressive strength patterns were suggested as a result of age at curing

Smile outcomes when using masseteric nerve-based nerve transfers versus direct muscle neurotization in facial palsy patients

Background: When dealing with a weak smile, nerve transfer is a viable strategy. We evaluated outcomes of masseteric nerve to facial nerve transfers and compared them with direct muscle neurotization (DMN). Methods: In a retrospective cohort study of 20 patients (n = 20), we compared nerve transfer versus DMN over a 6-year period (2016–2021). Outcomes were measured using the validated Sunnybrook score, Ackerman Smile Index, and Terzis scores. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon sign rank and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Comparing pre- versus postoperative scores after nerve transfers, there was a significant improvement in median overall Sunnybrook score (24 versus 47, P = 0.043), lip elevation (1 versus 2, P = 0.046), open mouth smile (1 versus 3, P = 0.003), and Terzis scores (1 versus 3, P = 0.005), with no difference in resting symmetry (−15 versus −5; P = 0.496). Compared with DMN, there was no difference in median Terzis score improvement from preoperative to postoperative state (2 versus 1, P = 0.838), median smile improvement (2 versus 2, P = 0.838), resting symmetry (10 versus 5, P = 0.144) or overall Sunnybrook score (23 versus 21, P = 1.000). Lip elevation improvement was in favor of nerve transfers (1 versus 0, P = 0.047). Conclusions: This is the first study evaluating nerve transfer neurotization of smile-mimetic muscles and comparing the outcomes with DMN, with masseteric nerve as donor. Nerve transfer leads to improved facial mimetic function, smile excursion and open mouth smiles, as does DMN, with improvement in lip elevation in favor of nerve transfer. Nerve transfer was preferred for more severe smile weakness

Assessment of Concrete Durability in Buildings: the Effects of the Quality of Cements Available in Lagos, Nigeria

This paper presents an investigative research that aims to find the effects of the cements available in Lagos, Nigeria on the durability of concrete within the study area. This is in an attempt to stem the rate of building failures in Lagos, Nigeria. The physical, the mechanical and the microstructural properties of the cements have been determined and compared with the standard properties as specified in relevant standards. 150mm cubes have been cast with these cements and all the sources of aggregates within the study area. Laboratory findings have discovered that all the cements investigated have fallen short of the expected strengths specified in standards but the labelled brands had values close to the strength standards but the unlabeled ones have fallen far short of the standard strength. The chemical analysis has complied with standard requirements except for their loss on ignition (LOI) values and the chemical properties have been complemented by the microstructural morphology as determined with the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) though the unlabeled brands have tendencies for alkali silica reactivity due to higher levels of alkali present in them. In assessing their performance in concrete, the concrete cube strength has met the expected 20MPa except for the unlabeled brands that have fallen a little short of it. The effects of these cements have been discovered to be very significant on the concrete durability within the study area. It is thereby recommended that the Nigerian regulatory agencies on cements make more efforts in order to ensure that cement manufacturers in Nigeria improve the quality of their cement brands in order to standard strength specification. All cements should be temporarily used as a 32.5 strength class, despising the labelled 42.5, pending when the manufacturers would fully comply their products to standard. Copyright © 2019 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved

The Effect Of Embedded Super Hard Composite On The Production Of Super Hard Materials: Necessity

Super alloys or high performance alloys are alloys that exhibit perfect mechanical strength and creep resistance at high temperatures,better corrosion stability and oxidation resistance.Super alloys are generally used in many industrial applications that need to operate at elevated temperatures and pressures applied static and dynamic stresses and aggressive environment due to their extraordinary mechanical properties and surface stability. They have the characteristic of an austenitic face-centered cubic crystal structure with a base alloying element of nickel,cobalt,or nickel-iron. To develop a super alloy that will be driven by the aerospace and power industries. Chemical and process innovations are the two aspect of development of decent super alloy.It is also a known fact that super alloys are developed through solid solution strengthening.In this contribution,sufficient knowledge of a close review of the impact of super alloy on corrosion,microstructure and mechanical characterization developed by composite embedded modifier agent will be examined.Their characteristics will be reviewed and tailored toward material application

Comparative Assessment Of The Microhardness And Plastic Degradation Mechanism Of deposited Modulated Coatings On Mild Steel

Zinc based coatings modified with aluminium and tin inclusions were electro deposited in chloride zinc sulfate electrolytes containing a metallic powder of titanium.It was found that presence of these particulates is suitable to obtain Zn AI Sn-Ti composites coating that could help in crease the micro hardnesss characteristics and wear properties. The hardness and wear properties of the deposited coatings were examined with diamond base micro-hardness tester and CETR reciprocating sliding tester respectively. The structural properties were examined with the help of scanning electron microscope.lt was observed that structural coating surface impact on the hardness propagation with increases from 33.4 to 299 kgf mm-~(HVN4o),and shows a considerably higher wear resistance from 2.351 g/min to 0.002g/min. lt is obvious that plastic deformation of the working steel structure is dependent on protective coating and the concentration of the individual particulate

A comparison of outcomes between finger and pulp replantation/revascularization in a single centre

Background: Supermicrosurgery has allowed the replantation/revascularization of the pulp, but how does this currently compare with more proximal digit replantation/revascularization? Methods: In a retrospective case study over a 5-year period at our institute, a total of 21 patients (n = 21) had either finger or pulp replantation-revascularization posttrauma. All pulp replants had a single-vessel anastomosis viz., “artery-to-artery” or “artery-to-vein” only, with venous outflow dependent on the skin-shave technique, while more proximal replants had both arterial and venous anastomoses. Age, sex, ischemic time, handedness, smoker status, and injury-replant interval were compared between the two groups, with all procedures performed by a single surgeon. The outcome parameters studied were length of hospital stay, timeline for wound healing, viability, and functional outcomes. Results: Our patients consisted of 18 men and three women, of which 14.3% were smokers and 85.7% were right-handed. There were 11 finger replantation/revascularizations (n = 11) versus 10 pulp replantation/revascularizations (n = 10). The average age of digit replantation/revascularization patients was 44.8 years compared with 26.4 years in pulp replantation/revascularization patients (Student t test, P = 0.04). Mean ischemia time in digital replants was 67 minutes versus 32.3 minutes in pulp replantation/revascularization (Student t test, P = 0.056). Digital replantation/revascularization was viable in 72% of cases versus a 90% viability in the pulp subcohort. Conclusions: In our patient cohort, pulp replantation/revascularizations produced better postoperative viability. Where supermicrosurgery expertise is available, pulp replantation/revascularization should be considered a worthwhile option when compared with digital replantation/revascularization