Relative Contributions of Talent, Interest and Exposure to Artistry

This research sets out to find the relative contributions of Talent, Interest and Exposure, three important artistic factors, to artistry.  The experiment was applied to students of Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, Nigeria who did not have prior knowledge of Fine and Applied Arts but were offered admission to study the course as a beginners-course in the college. 20 students were randomly selected from the 2007/2008 set. Five drawings and five paintings of each student were chronologically selected from their first semester. Another set of five drawing and painting was selected at the end of their course in 2009/2010. Standard coefficient was used to, first, weigh the composite contributions of the independent variables (talent, interest and exposure) to the dependent variable (artistry).  A sociometric marking of the works were done by 3 teachers of art. The result showed that the joint contribution of the independent variables to the dependent variable was significant and that other variables not included in this model may have accounted for the remaining variance. The result of the sociometric marking showed that the students have developed almost professional artistic skills compared to when they were admitted. The standard regression coefficients was used to determine the relative contributions of the independent variables for the explanation of the dependent variable, Interest, (B=0.446, t=4.064, P<0.05) is the most potent contribution to the prediction, followed by Talent (B=0.373, t=2.718, P<0.05) and Exposure (B=0.0397, t=0.436, P>0.05) in that order. Keywords: Fine and Applied Arts, Talent, Interest, Exposure, Artistr

Local Stability of Equilibrium Points of a SIR Mathematical Model of Infectious Diseases

In this paper, we studied a SIR mathematical model of infectious diseases. We formulate a theorem on existence and uniqueness of solutions and establish the proof of the theorem We showed that the model has two equilibrium points: disease-free and endemic equilibrium. Local stability of the equilibrium points was obtained using reliable Jacobian matrices and basic reproduction number (R0). The analysis reveals that the disease- free equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable if R0 lt1, the infection is temporalwill disappear with time. On the other hand, if nbspR0 gt1, the number of infections rises, an epidemic results and the nbspendemic equilibrium is locally stable.nbspnbs

Comparison of Two Hospital Stroke Scores with Computerized Tomography in Ascertaining Stroke Type Among Nigerians

Background: Stroke, a major cause of morbidity and mortality is on the increase in Nigeria, routine Computerized Tomography (CT) for all Nigerians with stroke is not available to most doctors, and this poses management problems. We compared two available clinical scores with brain CT for the differential diagnosis of cerebral ischemia and hemorrhage among adult Nigerians with first-ever acute stroke. Methods: The study was conducted at the State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri. Ninety-five adult Nigerians presenting with first-ever acute stroke onset within 48 hours were evaluated with the Siriraj Hospital Stroke (SHS) score on presentation and the Guy's Hospital Stroke (GHS) score 24 hours after admission. CT brain scan was considered as gold standard. These two stroke scores were compared with the results of CT brain and sensitivity, specificity; positive predictive and negative values were calculated. Results: Applying the recommended optimum cut-off points for the 2 scores, diagnoses were classified by the Guy's Hospital Stroke and Siriraj Hospital Stroke score as probable hemorrhagic strokes (49% and 25% respectively) and probable ischemic (40% and 65% respectively). The remainder were classified as "uncertain." The prevalence of hemorrhage diagnosed by gold standard (CT) was 29.5% while the prevalence of ischemic stroke diagnosed by CT was 54.7%. The CT brain was normal in 15.8%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for cerebral hemorrhage was 0.64, 0.48, 0.4 and 0.71 for Guy's Hospital Stroke score and 0.35, 0.73, 0.4 and 0.68 for Siriraj Hospital Stroke score. Conclusion: It is evident from the study that these clinical scoring systems alone are not sufficient and one has to employ the use of computerized tomography scan in establishing stroke type in Nigerians with stroke.Fond: La course, une cause importante de la morbidit\ue9 et la mortalit\ue9 est en augmentation du Nig\ue9ria, la tomographie automatis\ue9e par routine (CT) pour tous les nig\ue9riens avec la course n'est pas \ue0 la disposition de la plupart des m\ue9decins, et ceci pose des probl\ue8mes de gestion. Nous avons compar\ue9 deux points cliniques disponibles au cerveau CT pour le diagnostic diff\ue9rentiel de l'isch\ue9mie et de l'h\ue9morragie c\ue9r\ue9brales parmi des nig\ue9riens d'adulte avec la premi\ue8re course aigu\ueb. M\ue9thodes: L'\ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 entreprise \ue0 l'h\uf4pital Maiduguri de sp\ue9cialiste en \ue9tat. Quatre-vingt-quinze nig\ue9riens d'adulte se pr\ue9sentant avec le premier d\ue9but aigu de course dans un d\ue9lai de 48 heures ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9valu\ue9s avec les points de la course d'h\uf4pital de Siriraj (SHS) sur la pr\ue9sentation et les points de la course de l'h\uf4pital du type (GHS) 24 heures apr\ue8s admission. Le balayage de cerveau de CT a \ue9t\ue9 consid\ue9r\ue9 comme \ue9talon or or. Ces points de deux courses ont \ue9t\ue9 compar\ue9s aux r\ue9sultats du cerveau de CT et de la sensibilit\ue9, sp\ue9cificit\ue9 ; des valeurs pr\ue9dictives et n\ue9gatives positives ont \ue9t\ue9 calcul\ue9es. R\ue9sultats: Appliquant les points optima recommand\ue9s de coupure pour les 2 points, des diagnostics ont \ue9t\ue9 classifi\ue9s par les points de course de l'h\uf4pital du type et de course d'h\uf4pital de Siriraj en tant que les courses h\ue9morragiques probables (49% et 25% respectivement) et isch\ue9mique probable (40% et 65% respectivement). Le reste ont \ue9t\ue9 classifi\ue9s comme \uab incertain. \ubb La pr\ue9dominance de l'h\ue9morragie diagnostiqu\ue9e par l'\ue9talon or or (CT) \ue9tait 29.5% tandis que la pr\ue9dominance de la course isch\ue9mique diagnostiqu\ue9e par CT \ue9tait 54.7%. Le cerveau de CT \ue9tait normal dans 15.8%. La sensibilit\ue9, la sp\ue9cificit\ue9, la valeur pr\ue9dictive positive et la valeur pr\ue9dictive n\ue9gative pour l'h\ue9morragie c\ue9r\ue9brale \ue9taient 0.64, 0.48, 0.4 et 0.71 pour les points de course de l'h\uf4pital du type et 0.35, 0.73, 0.4 et 0.68 pour des points de course d'h\uf4pital de Siriraj. Conclusion: Il est \ue9vident de l'\ue9tude que ces seuls syst\ue8mes de notation cliniques ne sont pas suffisants et on doit utiliser l'utilisation du balayage automatis\ue9 de tomographie en \ue9tablissant la course saisissent des nig\ue9riens avec la course

Determination of Vanadium, Nickel, Copper and Iron as Complexes of Bis-Acetylpivalyl Methane (Ethylene Diamine) in Nigerian onshore and offshore Crude Oils Using HPLC

Higher performance liquid chromatographic determination of vanadium, nickel, copper and iron was conducted from Nigerian Crude oil samples obtained from Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC). The procedure was based on complexation of the analytes with bis (acetyl pivalyl methane) ethylenediamine (H2APM2en) followed by solvent extraction and HPLC separation on a reverse phase, C18, 5µm column. The complexes were eluted with methanol : acetonitrile : water (60:20:20) at a flow rate of 1cm3/min. and uv detection at 260nm.The results show that nickel  had the highest concentration while copper had the least concentration. The concentration levels of these elements in the crude oil samples range from 210 – 1620 ppb for Ni, 975 – 1125ppb for Fe, 225 – 1060ppb for V, and 54  – 138ppb for Cu. The pattern of occurrence for each element agreed with earlier studies using Niger Delta oils. The results indicate that trace metal data compliment well with the organic geochemical data and trace metals are useful in oil classification. It was obvious from this study that Nigerian crude have low metal content. However, despite the low concentrations, they could still pose an intrinsic health hazard considering their cumulative effect in the environment. Keywords: key words, Crude oil, Heavy metals, HPLC

Computing systems in a pseudomarine operational environment: design and initial test results

Contemporary research recognizes the need to reduce the cooling costs of data centre systems. This is beneficial and also reduces the operational costs. The operational costs can be reduced by using water for cooling instead of relying on conventional cooling systems comprising airconditioners, chillers and cooling towers. The cooling effect of water can be leveraged by siting the underwater data centre in a marine or pseudomarine environment. A pseudomarine environment is considered here since it overcomes the operational challenges associated with obtaining the regulatory permits required to access the marine environment. In addition, the discussion in the paper presents the design of a desktop computing system that uses water for cooling in a pseudomarine environment. The performance test of the desktop computing system is conducted in Oyo, Oyo State Nigeria. This is done to examine the viability of designing and using minidata centres sited in a pseudomarine environment in Nigeria. The initial results indicate that a personal desktop computer in the role of the mini data centre is able to support the execution of software installation without the use of conventional cooling i.e fans for a period exceeding 25 minutes. In this case, the cooling is realized using the emulated pseudo marine environment

Effects of Heat Treatment Techniques on the Fatigue Behaviour of Steel Gears: A Review

Heat treatment of gears are fundamental to efficient and reliable gear production because of its contribution to the overall cost of manufacturing. Different heat treatment techniques are targeted to improving hardness, ductility and strength to minimize material degradation or wear. However, several heat treatment methods had led to gear tooth distortion such as shrinkage of tooth thickness which eventually affects the contact angle. The study therefore focused on some selected heat treatment on gears and their effects on gear applications. from the reviewed heat treatment techniques, distortion is a common occurrence that result to gear fatigue. Also, it was noted that most times, the medium for quenching and most importantly, variation in the concentration affects the gear accuracy. Thus, local fracture and material loss ensue. Nevertheless, the study further suggested the use of empirical model and simulation approach for stress prediction

Determination of Hardness and Tensile Properties of Dissimilar Phase Structured Steel Weld

This work involves the use of submerged arc welding (SAW) technique in joining heat treated steel in alternate arrangement. The selected as-received steel was initially cut, machined and heat treated to develop a conventional microstructure prior to joining operation. All samples were subsequently characterized to investigate the effect of the process on the mechanical behaviors. 3360 Instron Universal Tensile testing machine was used for the tensile properties evaluation; Vickers’ microhardness testing machine was also used for the hardness evaluation at various zones. From the result, it was found that interchanging arrangement of the microstructures during welding yield better combined properties of the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and with improvement in the strain-to-fracture of some of the samples. The adopted mechanism was also observed to yield better hardness property on the sample. This led to the recommendation of this technique to the oil and gas industry that need to transport their products via the giant water bodies to clients

Assessment of iron Parameters and Transient Elastography (FibroScan) Pattern amongPatients with Chronic Viral Hepatitis Infection in Jos, Nigeria

Background:The long-termeffect of excess iron deposition in the liver include fibrosis and cirrhosis which may progress to hepatocellular carcinoma. We assessed iron parameters among patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C infection (CVHBI; CVHCI) to determineif any correlation existed with the degree of fibrosis in the liver. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 186 patients, made up of 132 patients withCVHBI and 54 patients with CVHCI. Serum ferritin and C-reactive protein were done by ELISA, serum iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) by colorimetric technique while transferrin saturation (Tsat) was calculated using serum iron and TIBC values. Liver fibrosis was assessed using fibroscan.Obtained data wereanalysed using SPSS version 20 and p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.  Results: The mean values for serum ferritin, iron, TIBC and Tsat were 218.1±325.6µg/L, 25.1±22.8µmol/L, 71.13 ± 35.92µmol/L and 45.2 ± 49.9% respectively. There were no significant differences in iron parameters between patients with CVHBI and CVHCI. Elevated serum ferritin was found in 15.2% and 20.4% of CHBVI and CHCVI patients respectively; while an elevated Tsat was seen in 22.7% and 24.1% of CHBVI and CHCVI patients respectively. Using a combination of elevated serum ferritin and Tsat, the prevalence of iron overload was found to be1.6%. Fibroscan scores did not differ significantly between patients with orwithout elevated iron parameters. Conclusion:Chronic viral hepatitis infection is associated elevated iron parameters though withminimal effect on liver fibrosis. Conflict of interest: Ni

Cost of Corrosion of Metallic Products in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

The cost of corrosion has been increasing drastically due to the degradation of the metallic materials. This study was carried out to estimate the “Cost of Corrosion of Metallic Products in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)”. Questionnaires were administered and interviews were also conducted to gather necessary information. The cost of corrosion from 2013-2015 was estimated and analysed with the aid of engineering economy method and statistical analysis method. For the cost of corrosion prevention methods, cleaning gave the highest cost contribution (69%), followed by the use of oil (30%), use of grease (1%), and painting gave zero percent of the total cost. While on the cost of corrosion maintenance methods, repair gave the highest cost contributions (66%), and prevention gave (34%) of the total cost. The overall cost of corrosion from (2013-2015) gave an upward trend, but a downward trend in future value and the annualized value. While the forecast cost from (2013-2016) at (95%) confidence level and (5%) significance level gave an upward trend. The present value, future value, and annualized value from (2013-2016) increased by (66%, 43%, and 75%) respectively. The total cost and the total annualized value of corrosion from (2013-2015) were estimated to be N 166,955,641 and N 93,791,024, and with the forecast (2013-2016) were found to be N 277,650,388 and N 163,672,460 respectively. Under the corrosion prevention methods and corrosion maintenance methods, cleaning and repair gave highest cost contribution respectively. Corrosion prevention methods need to be added to bring down the repair cost of those facilities for saving cost

Corrosion Behavior of Mild Steel in Different Concentrations of Ethanol Beverages

Corrosion behavior of mild steel was investigated in different blends of ethanol solution. Potentiodynamic polarization tests and weight loss analysis were carried out to study the corrosion polarization tendency of the various blends of the solution on mild steel using water as a control medium. Scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive spectroscopy was employed to characterize the surface morphologies as well as the elemental composition of each material subjected to corrosion tests. The result of the potentiodynamic polarization curves showed that water contributed to the corrosion rate of the material. Further to this, ethanol samples behaved passive against corrosion degradation. The result of the weight loss indicated that corrosion of the mild steel actually took place. More so, the SEM/EDS revealed the microstructural behavior of the surface oxides, spots, cracks and corrosive pits at the interface with the ethanol environment. This study will help in improving the mechanical properties of mild steel material employed to produce spur gear that will reliably function in an ethanol environment