Nigeria’s Niger Delta: Understanding the Complex Drivers of Violent Oil-related Conflict

This paper explores the complex roots and dimensions of the NigerDelta conflict which has escalated from ethnic minority protests againstthe federal Nigerian State-Oil Multinationals’ alliance in the 1990’s tothe current insurgency that has attracted worldwide attention. It alsoraises some conceptual issues drawn from ‘snapshots’ taken fromvarious perspectives in grappling with the complex roots of the oilrelatedconflict in the paradoxically oil-rich but impoverished region asan important step in a nuanced reading of the local, national andinternational ramifications of the conflict and its implications for Nigeria’sdevelopment. The conflict is then located both in the struggle of ethnicminority groups for local autonomy and the control of their naturalresources (including oil), and the contradictions spawned by thetransnational production of oil in the region. The transition fromresistance – as-protest – to insurgency, as represented by attacks onstate and oil company targets by the Movement for the Emancipationof the Niger Delta (MEND), is also critically analyzed

Effect of ageing on phase evolution and mechanical properties of a high tungsten super-duplex stainless steel

Peer reviewedPostprin

Developing quantitative models for contraction at wound edges using finite element analysis

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2005.Includes bibliographical references (leaf 18).Finite element analysis was applied to develop a quantitative tool for studying contraction at wound edges. Two models showing contraction at the edges of a cylindrical liver wound were employed. The first model assumed that contractile cells applied forces to the wound only at the top and bottom surfaces of the liver; the second model assumed that the contractile forces occurred along the entire wound surface. Assumptions based on prior studies on skin wound contraction where used to obtain the magnitude and direction of the contractile forces applied to the wound edges and the material properties of the models. The magnitudes of deformations in all three planar coordinates were obtained, and mathematical expressions describing the deformation gradients viewed at the edges were derived. The deformations on Model B where found to be three orders of magnitude larger than those on Model A. The deformations in Model A were found to change exponentially with respect to the y- and z-axis, while the deformations in Model B fit 2nd-degree polynomials with respect to both the y- and z-axis. Displacements with respect to the x-axis were zero in both models. The applications of these quantitative models to current studies on contraction and scaffold fabrication were discussed.by Chidinma C. Obi.S.B

Euro Currency Trends In The Global Market

This study presents preliminary evidence on the long-term relationship between the euro and major international financial and non-financial assets. A secular relationship, if it exists, should provide the impetus for the new European currency to not only sustain itself over the long haul but also become a commanding international currency just like the U.S. dollar. Empirical results show that the pricing of crude oil is inversely related to the value of the euro, priced in U.S. dollars. Unit root tests show that series are stationary after first differencing, and cointegrated. However, Granger causality tests reveal that the euro does not Granger-cause crude oil price.  Also, there is no reverse causality from oil to euro. Nonetheless, a two-way causality exists between the euro and the U.S. stock market. Contrary to the findings in earlier studies, there is no evidence of causality from the U.S. stock market to leading European financial market series

Removal of Ni (II) and Pb (II) ions from aqueous solutions by grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) Mesocarp Biomass

The surface characteristics of Citrus paradisi (grapefruit mesocarp biomass) on the biosorption of Ni (II) and Pb (II) ions from aqueous solution were studied adopting a batch reactor technique. The dried  grapefruit mesocarp biomass was characterized using phytochemical screening and Fourier Transform  Infra – Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy. The results of the characterization revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, cyanogenic glycosides. Furthermore, the FTIR spectrum pattern of the biomass  showed broad and sharp absorption peaks indicating the existence of functional groups like – OH, C=O, C-H, C-O, N-H, etc. The biosorption process was found to be pH, time and concentration dependent. The rate of biosorption was higher in Ni (II) ion than Pb (II) ion. The result of the  equilibrium modeling showed that the biosorption process fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm equation indicating a muiltilayer biosorption. The mechanism of the biosorption process followed pseudo – second – order kinetic model equation with correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.999 for Ni (II) ion and 0.991 for Pb (II) ion  respectively. Thermodynamic parameters determined showed that the biosorption of Ni (II) and Pb (II) ions on the surface of the biomass was an exothermic and spontaneous process. The rate of biosorption was found to decrease with increasing temperature. The results showed that the dried grapefruit mesocarp biomass was efficient and effective in the biosorption of Ni (II) and Pb (II) ions and is recommended to be applied in wastewaters.Keywords: Citrus paradisi, biosorption, metal ions, characterization, mechanism

Corrosion Inhibition Behaviour of Enantia chlorantha Extract on Pipeline Steel Corrosion in Acidic System

The corrosion inhibition capacity of Enantia chlorantha bark (ECB) extract on the corrosion of pipeline steel in an acidic environment was studied using the gravimetric method. The result revealed that weight loss obviously increased with the rise in temperature though trend lines were not parallel. The results obtained from the evaluation showed that the corrosion inhibition efficiency of the extract increased with extract concentrationattaining an efficiency of 89.02% with 2.5 g/L concentration at 30 ºC. The corrosion inhibition efficiency, however, decreased with increase in temperature, while the corrosion rate decreased. The significant achievement in this study was the ability of Enantia chlorantha extract to reduce the corrosion rate constant, increase its surface coverage with consequent longer material half-life in an acidic environment. Keywords: Inhibition efficiency, surface coverage, plant extract, weight loss, half-lif

Kinetic Evaluation of Naphthalene Removal using Acid - Modified and Unmodified Bentonite Clay Mineral

Kinetic evaluation of naphthalene onto acid – modified and unmodifiedbentonite clay mineral was investigated by means of the effects of  concentration, contact time and pH. The amount of naphthalene adsorbed was determined spectrophotometrically. The optimum pH value and  equilibrium contact time for the adsorption of naphthalene onto acid –modified and unmodified samples were found to be 6.0 and 30 minutes, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity (qm) for acid – modified and unmodified adsorbents was found to be 10.52 mg/g and 5.56 mg/g. These values were close with the experimental data (qe) obtained from the adsorption of naphthalene onto acid – modified (9.0 mg/g) and  unmodified (4.0 mg/g) adsorbents. The adsorption isotherm fitted well with Langmuir equation model for the acid – modified than the unmodified adsorbent. Kinetic evaluations of the adsorption showed that the process followed the pseudo – second – order equation model. The results obtained showed that modified bentonite clay mineral was reasonably effective adsorbent for the removal of naphthalene (organic contaminant), which is an important source for environmental pollutant. ©JASEMKEYWORDS: Naphthalene, equilibrium, kinetics, sorption, acid – modified bentonite.

Impacts of service user involvement in mental health nurse training on management of aggression: a qualitative description research

The involvement of mental health service users in a Higher Institution prevention and management of violence and aggression (PMVA) team’s training delivery is a recognition of the contribution that the unique insights of people’s lived experience can make to the development of practitioners. This research aimed to determine whether or not their contribution to PMVA training delivery influenced the staff management of patients’ anger or aggression on mental health wards. The qualitative description research design was adopted for the study. Focus group interviews were used to collect data from final year mental health students and new trust staff, while semi-structured interviews were employed to collect data from experienced trust staff. A sample of feedback from previous training records was reviewed. The findings showed that: the students and new trust staff were determined to translate lessons learnt into practice; the experienced staff were reflecting lessons in ward practices; the feedback records held expressed intentions to translate lessons into practice; there were hindrances in practicing as discussed with service users. The findings confirmed those from other studies claiming that service user involvement in the education of professionals has the potential to improve practice

Oxalate Content of Some Spices and Seasonings of South-Eastern Nigeria

The oxalate content of fresh and dry samples of local spices and seasonings were determined. Oxalate contents were for fresh weight of the spices and seasonings: African red pepper (119.07 mg/100g); ginger (132.07 mg/100g); fermented melon (315.19 mg/100g); garlic (199.72 mg/100g); beet leaves (514.80 mg/100g) and for pepper fruit, the riped seed (78.30 mg/100g), riped coat (126.75 mg/100g), unriped seed (229.69 mg/100g), unriped coat (153.37 mg/100g). The oxalate contents for the dry weights were: African red pepper (130.03 mg/100g); ginger (138.82 mg/100g); fermented melon (486 mg/100g), garlic (210.28 mg/100g); beet leaves (600 mg/100g) and for pepper fruit, the riped seed (227.67 mg/100g), riped coat (330.34 mg/100g), unriped seed (400.49 mg/100g) and unriped coat (238.14 mg/100g). This revealed that the oxalate contents of dry samples were higher than those of the fresh samples. Therefore, it is safer to eat high oxalate foods fresh to avoid the risk of hyperoxaluria, goitre and all attendant consequences of oxalate poisoning. Keywords: Spices, seasonings, oxalate, fresh weight, dry weight. Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences Vol. 4 (2) 2006: pp.133-13

Cultural Sensitivities and Health

Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and other capabilities acquired by man as a member of the society. Its components include knowledge, beliefs, norms, techniques, folkways, mores, laws, values, material culture, and universal culture. Health programs and interventions are more effective when they are “culturally appropriate” for the populations they serve. Each medical encounter provides the opportunity for the interface of several different cultures: the culture of the patient, the culture of the physician, and the culture of medicine. Peripheral, evidential, linguistic, constituent involving, and sociocultural strategies enable the health worker practice culturally sensitive healthcare delivery. Cultural targeting and cultural tailoring are applied to groups and individuals, respectively, by taking their peculiarities into account in making health care available to them. A combination of both approaches is recommended for optimal health outcomes. Cultural competency is the answer to the need for previously lacking cultural consideration in planning and delivering care. It enables the health worker overcome organizational and clinical barriers which continually impede efficient and effective healthcare delivery