Application of remote sensing method for geological interpretation of Sokoto Plain, Nigeria

Landsat-8 OLI imagery of Sokoto, Nigeria, was processed to emphasize the geology features and mineral potential of the area. Band ratios (4/2,5/6,6/7) were assigned to RGB. Band ratio 4/2 highlights ferric ion minerals, 5/6 emphasizes ferrous minerals, and 6/7 distinguishes iron oxide minerals from carbonate minerals. In a second technique, band ratio 6/7 was replaced with 7/5 in order to accentuate clay minerals with high reflectance within band 7. The last technique evaluated in this study used spectral information from minimum noise fraction image to map surface geology. Supervised classification training sites were selected using five classes (clay, ironstone, alteration zone, water and vegetation). The band ratio classification using maximum likelihood classification was fairly accurate and matched the geologic map of the area, also showing an alteration zone that coincided with the migmatite-quartz/mica schist contact. The classified image was finally passed through a filtering effect for generalization of the data. This filtering effect was helpful in discriminating the pixels of ironstone and those of the alteration zone on the classified map. This study shows the distribution of classified earth-surface materials in Sokoto plain with the aid of supervised classification of Landsat-8 multispectral bands interpreted to reflect in-situ features.Keywords: Landsat-8 imagery, Sokoto, mineral potential, supervised classificatio

Allocation of financial resource to enhance educational productivity and students’ outcomes in Nigeria

This study examines the allocation of financial resource to the education industry and how it enhances productivity and students‘ outcomes of the secondary schools‘ students in the Unity Colleges in Ogun state. It adopted ex-post factor research design and purposeful sample and sampling technique for the study. Scholars‘ opinion on financial resources allocation was cited in the study literature reviewed. In addition, a brief history of financing education was made in the study which was traced to the pre-colonial era, colonial era and the present dispensation. Few recommendations were made regarding how to allocate resources to the education industry in Nigeria.Keywords: Allocation, Financial resources, Educational, Productivity, Students‘ learning outcomes, Federal Unity Colleges, Nigeria

Analytic signal, depth and multispectral interpretation of areas within the Continental Terminal, North-western Nigeria

This study utilized the ability of remote sensing and aeromagnetic data of the Continental Terminal, Northwestern Nigeria, to accentuate structural and lithological geologic features as well as depth estimation and mineral potential for exploitation purposes. The analytic signal and source parameter imaging filtering techniques on the magnetic data helped to identify causative magnetic bodies and space-depth relationship, two important indices in regional and ore body modelling. Depth interpretation result ranged from 120m to 2000m in the entire regolith cover where the basement rocks are overlain by clastic materials. Areas of deeper depths coincided well with regions of higher magnetic anomalies while areas of shallow depth coincided well with regions of lower magnetic anomalies with magnetic values ranging from 33121nT to 32980nT suggestive of a likelihood of having the magnetic unit of the basement at the top of the basement surface. The study identified the structural trend from the aeromagnetic map, showing a perfect agreement with the geologic map and Landsat-8 imagery. The Landsat-8 data was used for structural and lithological mapping and in general geological interpretation. Single band combination of 764 representing Red, Green and Blue were processed from the false colour composite image and pan-sharpened using the pan chromatic band to enhance structural features on the map. The study area showed no promise of hydrocarbon accumulation from the structural interpretation for economic benefits. However, economic-grade minerals were inferred due to magnetic anomalies that suggested accumulation of magnetic materials located within the proximity of lineaments

Corruption in Nigeria: An Impediment to Achieving the Millennium Development Goals

This study explores the channels through which corruption acts as an impediment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria. The Structural Vector Auto Regression (SVAR) estimation technique is used to test this relationship. The variables used include Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate, initial GDP (1970), Secondary School Enrollment rate, life expectancy, government expenditure, investment and corruption perception index and inflation and oil exports. The scope covers the period 1970 to 2010.   It was discovered that corruption impacted negatively on the achievement of the MDGs in Nigeria. The impulse response results indicate that corruption accounts for negative shocks in the variables, while the Forecast Variance Decomposition show that corruption accounts for a substantial portion of the variance decomposition of the variables under study. Hence, there is need to tackle corruption seriously if the country must achieve its  aim in 2015. Keywords: Corruption, MDGs, Investment, Life Expectancy, Corruption Perception Index

Comparative Study of Biochemical and Nutritional Status of Breast Cancer Patients on Chemotherapy/radiotherapy in Ibadan

A comparative study of BCA patients on chemotherapy/radiotherapy and immune booster supplements (combination of essential vitamins and minerals) with apparently healthy controls was investigated by assessing the lipid profile, hepatic transaminases (plasma AST, ALT) total bilurubin, lipid peroxidation and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and plasma vitamins C and E respectively. There was no significant difference (p0.05) in total cholesterol, but we observed a significant increase in triglyceride level in BCA patients compared to control. Protein concentration decreased significantly (p0.05) in BCA patients, compared to control. SOD and vitamin C levels were not significantly different while vitamin E decreased significantly (p0.05) in BCA patients compared to control. Lipid peroxidation increased (p0.05) in BCA patients compared to control. We observed an increase in AST, a decrease in ALT and total proteins in BCA patients that were significant and a non-significant decrease in the bilirubin level when compared with control.The results support the fact that BCA patients on chemotherapy have altered dietary intake and the enhanced metabolism of lipids and proteins may increased oxidative stress

The magnetic response of hydrothermal alteration in iron-oxide basement complex, NW Nigeria

Aeromagnetic data was processed in order to delineate structural trends which may be indicative of potential gold mineral traps in the Watari hill gold prospect located between longitude 5°8''and 5°16'', and latitude 11°24'' and 11°30'' in Garin Hawal district, northwest Nigeria. Landsat-8 OLI data was processed to produce colour composite, band ratio and minimum noise fraction images that mapped the hydrothermal alteration zone in the study area. The multispectral images which were displayed in Red-Green-Blue colours were subsequently pan-sharpened to display a greater image resolution of the area. The application of enhancement algorithms such as an analytic signal to the aeromagnetic data over the alteration zone helped in mapping the mafic metavolcanics, felsic metasediments and intruding granitoid complexes. Further reductions using the second vertical derivative and tilt angle derivative filters aided in delineating fracture/faults and the contact zones of the formations, especially the metasediments-metavolcanic boundary that delineates the shear zone. This study showed that the low-angle geologic structure between the metasediments and metavolcanics where hydrothermal alteration is present is likely to accommodate veins of gold mineralization in the study area

Ferulic acid and derivatives: molecules with potential application in the pharmaceutical field

Ferulic acid is a phenolic acid widely distributed in the plant kingdom. It presents a wide range of potential therapeutic effects useful in the treatments of cancer, diabetes, lung and cardiovascular diseases, as well as hepatic, neuro and photoprotective effects and antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Overall, the pharmaceutical potential of ferulic acid can be attributed to its ability to scavenge free radicals. However, recent studies have revealed that ferulic acid presents pharmacological properties beyond those related to its antioxidant activity, such as the ability to competitively inhibit HMG-CoA reductase and activate glucokinase, contributing to reduce hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia, respectively. The present review addresses ferulic acid dietary sources, the pharmacokinetic profile, antioxidant action mechanisms and therapeutic effects in the treatment and prevention of various diseases, in order to provide a basis for understanding its mechanisms of action as well as its pharmaceutical potential

Conflict management in school organisation in Nigeria

Conflict is inevitable in any given organisation where there are human beings, which constitute the human resources of such organisation. However, organisation is a union of people with similar experiences that find themselves in one way or the other working together as a team for a purpose of achieving common goal which the organization is established for. Inevitably, disagreements and differences in opinions can occur from time to time. Conflict is a word which encompasses two segments, positive and negative. When conflict is not well managed or handled, it will result to crisis. Therefore, this paper examined conflict management in school organisation in Nigeria. It identified the causes/sources and types of conflicts in an organization, be it schools, industries or government offices. There are many management techniques for ameliorating the phenomena called conflict in school organisation. Management being one such technique is an art of putting an event or phenomenon under considerable control through the use of various methods, strategies and techniques at the disposal of the managers that manage the school organisation. Thus, this study enumerates management strategies that can be adopted in reducing conflict in school organisation. The study will also contribute meaningfully to the existing body of knowledge on conflict management in school organisation and open the understanding of school managers and administrators to techniques of managing conflicts in their schools. The study is a theoretical one. And it recommends that the school managers/administrators should always endeavour to identify some factors responsible for conflict situation among their staff both the teaching and non-teaching, even among the students/pupils of the school.Keywords: Conflict management, School organization, Nigeri