Democracy and Economic Development in Nigeria from 1960 to 1999

This research examines democracy and economic development in Nigeria between 1960 and 1999. It discusses various democracies in Nigeria and various economic development efforts, including some of the shortcomings in their implementations. It also discusses the relationship between democracy and economic development. It is qualitative research which uses historical/content analysis to descriptively analyze both civilian and military regimes as they affected democracy and economic development in the country via secondary data collected from books, journals, magazines, newspapers and government reports. The importance of this research is to help policy makers in carrying out policies that will strengthen the standard of living of Nigerian citizens, to improve leadership iii qualities and good governance which will foster and consolidate democratic values and economic development in the nation. Evidences from findings show that democracy and the economy have failed to triumph in Nigeria due to reasons emanating from corruption, bad governance, lack of democratic values and wrong economic policies. This research contends that Nigerian democracy and economy have failed to develop because both economic and democratic policies are influenced by the West and this made this work adopted dependency theory. We are of the view that if all the findings in this work are properly put into cognisance by the Nigerian policy makers, it will go a long way in sustaining democratic values and economic development in Nigerian states

ANTI-CORROSION POTENTIALS OF FRESH EXTRACTS OF OLD PERSEA AMERICANA VAR. AMERICANA SEED IN 0.5 M H2SO4 ON MILD STEEL

An experiment to determine effective corrosion inhibition of fresh extracts from matured seed of Persea Americana var. Americana on mild steel in 0.5 M H2SO4 conditions was carried out using gravimetric and electrochemical methods. The tests were carried out at room temperature for 24 hours, and also for higher temperature from 40oC to 70oC for 3 hours.  The results showed that the seed extracts have appreciable corrosion inhibition potentials which decreased with increase in temperature. Inhibition efficiency showed that it increased with increase in inhibitor concentration across the same temperature, and similarly decreased with increase in temperature within the same concentration range. The experimental data fitted in with the Langmuir isotherm which is an indicator that the extract constituents were adsorbed on the steel surface. The Arrhenius equations showed a general increase implying that physisorption rather than chemisorptions is prevalent. The values of the heat of adsorption are all negative for temperatures at 40oC, indicative of the fact that inhibition efficiency decreases with rise in temperature, a proof that the inhibition trend was physisorption.  At temperatures of 70oC, the values are mixed, some negative and some positive.  This indicates that both physisorption and chemisorptions abound at higher temperatures.  The result from potentiodynamic tests shows that reduction in current potential in the presence of the inhibitor at both concentrations implies that it is a mixed inhibitor. Keywords: Corrosion inhibition; Fresh; Higher temperatures; Langmuir isotherm; Matured; Persea Americana var. Americana. DOI: 10.7176/CMR/13-2-03 Publication date:June 30th 202

Development of nanoparticulate forms of tin-based alloy materials for high energy density anodes in lithium-ion batteries

Los compuestos intermetálicos de estaño y metales de la primera serie de transición han sido contemplados como posibles materiales anódicos para las baterías de ion litio, dado que pueden mejorar el rendimiento del estaño puro. Estos sólidos dispersados a escala nanométrica proporcionan un comportamiento particularmente interesante. Se han preparado nanopartículas basadas en compuestos de estaño y aleaciones mediante los métodos del poliol y sonoquímico. Así se obtuvieron nanopartículas de FeSn2 y disoluciones sólidas Fe1-xCoxSn2 (x = 0.25, 0.3, 0.5, 0.6 y 0.8) por el método de ¿one-pot¿; una reducción secuencial de sales de Fe y Sn usando NaBH4 como agente reductor a bajas temperaturas. Para las nanopartículas de CoSn2, se aplicó una combinación del método ¿one-pot¿ y sonoquímico. Además, se prepararon partículas microcristalinas de MSn2 a 500°C siguiendo el método cerámico para comparar el comportamiento de la muestra masiva. El FeSn2 nanocristalino y superparamagnético proporciona capacidades reversibles de unos 600 mAhg-1 por formación de fases LixSn y nanopartículas de hierro superparamagnéticas. Una comparación entre las propiedades de nano-FeSn2 y micro-FeSn2 muestra de manera concluyente un mejor comportamiento electroquímico y estabilidad del electrodo para el material nanocristalino. Para las disoluciones sólidas Fe1-xCoxSn2 con x = 0.25, 0.3, 0.5, 0.6 y 0.8, se obtuvieron partículas de diámetros de unos 20 nm y diferentes morfologías. La sustitución de hierro por cobalto induce una contracción del volumen de celda unidad y los parámetros hiperfinos de los espectros de Mössbauer de 57Fe revelan un comportamiento superparamegnético. Las composiciones intermedias exhiben mejor comportamiento electroquímico que las composiciones límites CoSn2 y FeSn2. Para mejorar el comportamiento de los intermetálicos FeSn2 y CoSn2, se usaron compositos en los que el material nanocristalino está embebido en una matriz amorfa basada en el polímero poliacrilonitrilo (PAN). El tamaño de particula muy pequeño y la matriz orgánica (PAN) contribuyen a estabilizar las fases intermetálicas durante el ciclado electroquímico

Compuestos intermetálicos nanodispersos: nuevos materiales de electrodo

II Encuentro sobre nanociencia y nanotecnología de investigadores y tecnólogos de la Universidad de Córdoba. NANOUC

Effect of soy protein isolate on the functional, pasting, and sensory acceptability of cassava starch-based custard

Open Access JournalFortification of custard powder (CP) with protein from cheap sources such as soybean could potentially improve its nutritive value but may alter its functional and sensory properties. This study was therefore conducted to determine the effect of soy protein isolate (SPI) inclusion (0%–20%) on some functional and sensory properties of cassava starch-based CP. Functional, pasting, and sensory acceptability were determined using standard methods. Increase in soy protein isolate significantly (p < .05) decreased dispersibility, packed bulk density, swelling power, peak, trough, breakdown, final, and setback viscosities, but increased least gelation concentration, water absorption capacity, and solubility index. This study further showed that despite increasing addition of SPI up to 20%, sensory acceptability of the cassava starch-based CP formulations did not differ significantly, and most of them had very similar acceptability when compared to that of corn starch-based CP

Democratic consolidation in Ghana and Nigeria : understanding the role of the political elites.

Despite several approaches to the study of democratic consolidation, launching democracy consolidation in consociational democracies has been considered problematic due to the fragmented nature of such societies which is not conducive to democratic stability. Notwithstanding the logjams confronting democracy consolidation in divided countries, this thesis considers an alternative approach through which the consolidation of democracy can be attained in Africa, particularly in Ghana and Nigeria. The choice to compare Ghana and Nigeria emanates from their histories and geographical locations. The two countries are from the West African continent; both are British government colonies, had histories of long military regimes cum counter coups, had various ethnic groups and had their independence almost at the same in 1958 and 1960 respectively. While the political elites in the two countries don’t differ in their coherence, their area of difference on democratic consolidation is inherent in elite commitment to democracy

The success and shortcomings of democratic development in Nigeria from 1960 to 1999: An overview.

This paper examines democratic development in Nigeria between 1960 and 1999. It discusses various democracies and some of the shortcomings inherent in their implementations. This work adopts a qualitative approach using both content and historical analysis to analyze secondary sources gathered on both civilian and military regimes as they affected democratic performances in Nigeria. This paper aims at helping policy makers in carrying out policies that will help strengthen the electoral bodies/conducts, respect the rule of law/constitution, ensure good governance which will improve leadership qualities and cement democratic values in the nation hence evidence from findings indicate that democracy have failed to triumph in Nigeria due to reasons emanating from bad governance and lack of democratic values. The paper provides some plausible recommendations that will be of particular benefit to policy makers and to general interest of Nigeria if properly implemented

Contamination and Dietary Intake Risks Assessment of Heavy Metals in Some Species of Wild Edible Mushrooms Grown in Southern Nigeria

In this study, wild edible mushroom collected from Rivers and Imo state Nigeria were evaluated for heavy metals and dietary intake risks assessment. Four species of edible mushrooms were collected each in Imo (Lentinus squarrosulus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Lenziles betulina and Grifola polypilus frondosa) and River state (Lentinus squarrosulus, Pleurotus tuber-regium, Lenziles betulina, Auricularia aurucula) and metals extracted using HNO3 before analysis using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS) in Varian AA 240 FS apparatus. Results showed that all metals showed concentrations lower than the permissible limits of World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) while Pb was not detected in all samples analyzed and Cd in samples collected from Rivers state. However, Cd was only detected (0.003 mg/kg) in one sample (Lenziles betulina) collected from Imo state. Fe exceeded recommended values in Lentinus squarrosulus, Pleurotus ostreatus and Lenziles betulina in Imo State. Bioaccumulation factors for all mushrooms were generally low (< 3). However, the potential tolerable weekly intake and target hazard quotient values for the four mushroom species were usually extremely low except for Fe (2.24) in Lenziles betulina. Consumption of mushrooms from these areas might pose no potential risk in terms of heavy metals except for Fe content in Lenziles betulina from Rivers state. However, in general, it can be concluded that the consumption of the studied mushroom species from all sites does not present any health risk arising from their regular consumption

Nanocrystalline Fe1-xCoxSn2 solid solutions prepared by reduction of salts in tetraethylene glycol

In an effort to improve the electrochemical performance of tin intermetallic phases as electrode active material for lithium-ion batteries, Fe1?xCoxSn2 solid solutions with x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.3, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.8 were prepared by chemical reduction in tetraethylene glycol. Precise control of the synthesis conditions allowed single-phase nanocrystalline materials to be prepared, with particle diameters of about 20 nm and cubic, nanorods, and U-shaped morphologies. The substitution of iron by cobalt induced a contraction of the unit cell volume. The hyperfine parameters of the 57Fe Mössbauer spectra were sensitive to the Co/Fe substitution and revealed a superparamagnetic behaviour. In lithium cells nanocrystalline Fe1?xCoxSn2 active materials delivered reversible capacities above 500 mAh g?1 that depended on the composition and cycling conditions. The intermediate compositions exhibit better electrochemical performance than the end compositions CoSn2 and FeSn2

Nanocrystalline Fe1-xCoxSn2 solid solutions prepared by reduction of salts in tetraethylene glycol

In an effort to improve the electrochemical performance of tin intermetallic phases as electrode active material for lithium-ion batteries, Fe1?xCoxSn2 solid solutions with x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.3, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.8 were prepared by chemical reduction in tetraethylene glycol. Precise control of the synthesis conditions allowed single-phase nanocrystalline materials to be prepared, with particle diameters of about 20 nm and cubic, nanorods, and U-shaped morphologies. The substitution of iron by cobalt induced a contraction of the unit cell volume. The hyperfine parameters of the 57Fe Mössbauer spectra were sensitive to the Co/Fe substitution and revealed a superparamagnetic behaviour. In lithium cells nanocrystalline Fe1?xCoxSn2 active materials delivered reversible capacities above 500 mAh g?1 that depended on the composition and cycling conditions. The intermediate compositions exhibit better electrochemical performance than the end compositions CoSn2 and FeSn2