Influence of Fluid Pressure and Effective Stress on Quartz Cementation in Clastic Reservoirs

It is well established that the development of shallow overpressure within sedimentary basins reduces vertical effective stress (VES) and inhibits mechanical compaction, thus preserving porosity. However, the influence of vertical effective stress on chemical compaction/pressure dissolution and related quartz cementation in sandstones has been under-appreciated in many clastic reservoir studies that have favoured temperature as the key control on quartz cementation. These models suppose that quartz cementation is controlled by temperature-related precipitation kinetics and that the supply of silica is largely irrelevant. However, it is commonly considered that the main source of silica for quartz cement is from intergranular pressure solution, the rate of which is influenced by VES. This study integrates quantitative petrographic data, high spatial resolution oxygen isotope analyses of quartz cement, basin modelling, and a kinetic model for quartz cementation to understand the relevance of VES to quartz cementation by investigating clay-poor sandstones of the Upper Jurassic Fulmar Formation from Clyde, Elgin and Fulmar fields in the UK Central Graben and Paleocene-Eocene Wilcox Group from Lake Creek and Rotherwood fields in the Texas Gulf Coast. These sandstones have distinctly different histories of vertical effective stress (VES) and temperature. The study not only shows that most or all the silica for quartz cement can be derived from intergranular pressure dissolution, but that the extent of intergranular pressure dissolution and related quartz cementation correlated strongly with VES and poorly with temperature. Oxygen isotope data obtained from the quartz cements yield temperature ranges for quartz precipitation which are taken to indicate that the rate of quartz cementation is more strongly related to the history of VES rather than the history of temperature. This analysis suggests that it is the vertical effective stress history, rather than the temperature history, that exerts the greatest influence on quartz cementation. This work has significant implications for understanding how overpressure and VES influence porosity preservation in high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) reservoirs, and would also aid the development of better reservoir quality predictive models for prospective HPHT reservoirs

Influence of Facebooking and social media use on academic performance among Nigerian undergraduate social sciences students

Text in EnglishAnyone using the Internet is likely to use Facebook and anyone using Facebook is likely to use it just about every day. The prevalent uses of the Internet and related technologies is a sign-showing that they have become a part of human life. On any student’s academic side of life, the use of social media (taking Facebook as a case) has become commonplace, but their influences over the academic engagement and performance of students requires deeper understanding. In Africa, the need for studies on the interplay between social media and education is growing. This study focuses on the influence of Facebook on the academic performance of undergraduate social sciences students using three federal Universities in Nigeria, West Africa as research sites. The study shows that Facebook use did not significantly influence the academic performance of the surveyed students at these universities and that its use can, however, be harnessed for augmenting student academic performance and for advancing education in general.SociologyM.A. (Sociology

Employment Strain and Job Satisfaction in Nigeria: An overview

Employment strain at work, hierarchical dedication and job satisfaction among employees have, as of late, become the general wonder that specialists are currently eager to contemplate. The quintessence of each organization's work is evolving as it is driven by rapid, creative developments, globalization and monetary interest for improved operational skills. These progressions also benefit both individuals and organizations as they appear to result in increased work pressure and decreased job satisfaction. Based on the assertions therefore, this study examined employment strain and job satisfaction in Nigeria. Employment strain model provided the conceptual framework. The designs were descriptive and exploratory, a qualitative methodology and secondary method of data collection were used to generate information. The study revealed that employment strain has immediate negative impact on job satisfaction. It indicates a conflict of interest between the employer, who wants the employee to work hard, and the employee, who wants the compensation with the minimum effort required. Employment strain has been seen as an antecedent of job satisfaction, which can be induced by work overload, competition, self-esteem and impossible responsibilities; high employment strain has created negative psychological effects (depression), physiological effects (headaches, heart disease) and behavioral effects (absenteeism, substance use) on employees; also a depreciation of job satisfaction will have an effect on the organizational engagement, which will have an impact on the efficiency of their jobs

Livelihood opportunities amongst adults with and without disabilities in Cameroon and India: A case control study.

Proven links between disability and poverty suggest that development programmes and policies that are not disability-inclusive will leave persons with disabilities behind. Despite this, there is limited quantitative evidence on livelihood opportunities amongst adults with disabilities in Low and Middle Income Countries. This study adds to the limited evidence base, contributing data from one African and one Asian Setting. We undertook a population-based case-control study of adults (18+) with and without disabilities in North-West Cameroon and in Telangana State, India. We found that adults with disabilities were five times less likely to be working compared to age-sex matched controls in both settings. Amongst adults with disabilities, current age, marital status and disability type were key predictors of working. Inclusive programmes are therefore needed to provide adequate opportunities to participate in livelihood prospects for adults with disabilities in Cameroon and India, on an equal basis as others. These findings are of crucial importance at this stage of the Sustainable Development Agenda, to ensure that the mandate of inclusive development is achieved

Maternal Environmental Factors as Predictors of Occurrence of Gastroenteritis among Under-five Children in Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State

Aim: To examine maternal environmental factors as predictors of the incidence of gastroenteritis among under-five children in Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in two state-owned hospitals between April and August 2019 using a purposive and convenience sample of 120 mothers of under-five children. Data collected were analyzed using PPMC and regression to test the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. Results: The study shows that three out of four environmental predictors were potent predictors of the incidence of gastroenteritis. They include: quality of water source (β = .387, t = 7.638, P 0.05) was not a potent predictor. Area of residence, quality of water source, hygienic practices and method of sewage disposal had a significant joint contribution used to predict the incidence of gastroenteritis. Conclusion: Area of residence, quality of water source, hygienic practices and method of sewage disposal all increase the incidence of gastroenteritis when proper attention is not paid to them. Education about handwashing is necessary for mothers and environmental health workers in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Environment should ensure that every house has the proper means to dispose of sewage, especially a septic tank (flush toilet); this will help reduce the disposal of feces in the environment

Prevalence and causes of hearing impairment in Fundong Health District, North-West Cameroon.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and causes of hearing impairment in Fundong Health District, North-West Cameroon. METHODS: We selected 51 clusters of 80 people (all ages) through probability proportionate to size sampling. Initial hearing screening was undertaken through an otoacoustic emission (OAE) test. Participants aged 4+ years who failed this test in both ears or for whom an OAE reading could not be taken underwent a manual pure-tone audiometry (PTA) screening. Cases of hearing impairment were defined as those with pure-tone average ≥41 dBHL in adults and ≥35 dBHL in children in the better ear, or children under age 4 who failed the OAE test in both ears. Each case with hearing loss was examined by an ear, nose and throat nurse who indicated the main likely cause. RESULTS: We examined 3567 (86.9%) of 4104 eligible people. The overall prevalence of hearing impairment was 3.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.8-4.6). The prevalence was low in people aged 0-17 (1.1%, 0.7-1.8%) and 18-49 (1.1%, 0.5-2.6%) and then rose sharply in people aged 50+ (14.8%, 11.7-19.1%). Among cases, the majority were classified as moderate (76%), followed by severe (15%) and profound (9%). More than one-third of cases of hearing impairment were classified as unknown (37%) or conductive (37%) causes, while sensorineural causes were less common (26%). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of hearing impairment in North-West Cameroon is in line with the WHO estimate for sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of cases with known causes are treatable, with impacted wax playing a major role

Barriers and Facilitators to Accessing Health Services: A Qualitative Study Amongst People with Disabilities in Cameroon and India.

Background: Article 25 of the UNCRPD stipulates the right of people with disabilities to the highest attainable standard of health, and the timely uptake of appropriate health and rehabilitation services. This study seeks to explore the factors which influence access to health care among adults with disabilities in Cameroon and India. Methods: A total of 61 semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of adults with vision, hearing or musculoskeletal impairments, using data from an earlier cross-sectional disability survey. In addition, 30 key informants were interviewed to provide contextual information about the local services and context. Results: Key themes included individual-level factors, understanding and beliefs about an impairment, and the nature of the impairment and interaction with environmental factors. At the community and household level, key themes were family dynamics and attitudes, economic factors, social inclusion and community participation. Intersectionality with gender and age were cross-cutting themes. Trust and acceptability of health service providers in India and poor understanding of referral processes in both countries were key service-level themes. Conclusions: The interaction of environmental and personal factors with the impairment and their levels of participation and inclusion in community structures, all contributed to the take up of services. This study illustrated the need for a multi-faceted response to improve access to health services for people with disabilities

Toward a New Technology and Policy Program (TPP) Curriculum

The mission of the MIT Technology and Policy Program (TPP) is: “Provide an integrative education to scientists and engineers who wish to lead in the development and implementation of responsible strategies and policies for exploitation of technology for the benefit of their communities” (Hastings, 2000). Embedded in the TPP mission statement are several educational requirements: (1) a comprehensive and diverse set of solid analytical skills needed to develop and assess strategies and policies, (2) the flexibility to manage the conflicting interests and values that are present at all stages of the policy process, and (3) the ability to provide leadership at each stage in the policy process. With these concepts in mind, the TPP Curriculum Development Committee will work to place TPP at the forefront of educating the “leaders (researchers and practitioners) of the fields of technology and policy studies” (Hastings, 2000)

Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment in Fundong District, North West Cameroon: Results of a Population-Based Survey.

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in Fundong Health District, North West Cameroon. METHODS: A total of 51 clusters of 80 people (all ages) were sampled with probability proportionate to size and compact segment sampling. Visual acuity (VA) was measured with a tumbling "E" chart. An ophthalmic nurse examined people with VA<6/18 in either eye. The presence of hearing and physical impairments were assessed using clinical examination, and self-reported visual problems using the Washington Group Short Set. RESULTS: In total, 4080 people were enumerated of whom 3567 were screened (response rate 87%). The overall prevalence of visual impairment was 2.3% (95% CI 1.8-3.0%) and blindness was 0.6% (0.3-1.0%). The prevalence of both blindness and visual impairment increased rapidly with age, so that the vast majority of cases of visual impairment (84%) and blindness (82%) were in people aged 50+. Posterior segment disease and cataract were the main causes of blindness and visual impairment, with refractive error also an important cause of visual impairment. Cataract surgical coverage (proportion of all cataracts that had received surgery) was relatively high (87% of people at VA<6/60). Post-surgery outcomes were poor, with 31% of operated eyes having VA<6/60. Among the 82 people with visual impairment, 22% had a physical impairment or epilepsy and 30% had a hearing impairment. Self-reported difficulties in vision were relatively closely related to clinical measures of visual impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmic programmes in Cameroon need to incorporate control of posterior segment diseases while also working to improve outcomes after cataract surgery

Community participation in crime prevention and control in rural Nigeria

The rural areas in Nigeria have become notorious with all kinds of crime. Inadequate amenities such as good roads and communication infrastructure in rural areas in Nigeria have made it difficult for the Nigeria Police to effectively detect and prevent crimes in rural Nigeria. It is consequent on these escalations of criminal activities that rural communities in Nigeria have evolved community policing to protect their neighbourhoods. This article presents the benefits of using qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection to unravel the potentials inherent in informal crime prevention and control in rural localities in Nigeria. The social capital theory was used to bring out the benefits of community participation in crime control in rural Nigeria. Findings from the study indicated high theft cases as common crime in rural Nigeria. Youths were observed to constitute greater percentage of suspects at police stations for crime. Unemployment and poverty among the rural populace especially youths were responsible for these criminalities. The absence of social infrastructure, inade�quate police presence and government support to unemployed youths made the crime situations worse in rural areas. There was low level of community interactions with the police in crime prevention and control in rural Nigeria. The study recommended increased police-public partnership in crime prevention and control in rural Nigeria