Development and optimization of zeolite synthesis route from natural koalin for adsorption of dyes

Synthesis of zeolite using kaolin as the main source of alumina and silica has been identified as a novel zeolite production process, which could reduce the cost of using the synthetic reagents and the high energy consumption. A low grade kaolin was used for studying the most suitable synthesis route and operating parameters for producing a high yield and pure phase zeolite. The study adopted the alkaline activation and microwave assisted heating as modification techniques of the conventional hydrothermal synthesis process. Calcination and crystallization proceses were identified as the bottleneck operations within the process. Hence, this study employed 2k factorial design of experiment to study the relationship of metakaolinization temperature of 600 – 800 oC with calcination time of 1 – 5 hours. And that of crystallization time of 9 – 16 hours with aging treatment time of 12 – 36 hours. Central Composite Design (CCD) is used for optimization with axial and center point for factors evaluation towards the responses; yield percent (%) and crystallinity (%) for crystallization process. Based on the Response Surface Methodology (RSM), with desirability value of 98.67 %, the significant parametric aging condition is 27 hours and crystallization time is 9 hours were suggested to yield an optimum product for 80.47 yield percent and 76.92 crystallinity. Three confirmation runs were performed based on the suggested optimum parameter and the calculated error value was found to be below 10 %. The synthesized zeolite-A from the confirmation runs was characterized through XRD. The results were then corroborated with the analytical results from SEM, BET and FTIR. The activity of the synthesized zeolite A was confirmed by a structural refinement analysis, that identified the product as a member of the cubic crystalline systems, belonging to a Fm3c space group with lattice cubic structure values where

A New World Monetary System: Keynes' view revisited

This essay critically examines the view of Keynes on the reform of the international monetary system. We then apply modern monetary and banking theory, where money is redefined as a pure numerical vehicle in contrast to money being defined as a net asset, to appraise those elements that are required for a functioning and efficient international monetary system. It is suggested that Keynes’ view are still very much relevant today if the world is to move from the present non-system of international monetary arrangements to a system where currencies would no longer be perceived as net assets and countries would no longer be grouped as key and non-key currency countries.Monetary System; Bank Money; Absolute Exchange Rate

Domestic Debt Dynamics and Fiscal Sustainability in Nigeria: An Empirical Evidence

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between domestic debt dynamics and fiscal deficits over the period 1970-2006. We pretest the variables for stationarity by carrying out unit root tests. However, a variable may appear to exhibit non-stationary behavior when in actual fact it is stationary. Testing for unit root in the presence of structural break sometimes results in a stationary process. Thus a test for unit root utilizing ADF statistic may be insufficient to justify classifying a variable as stationary or non-stationary. Testing for unit root in the presence of structural break may give a clearer indication. This is what we have done in this study. As a result of these tests we find that all the variables of our model are integrated of order zero, that I(0). This led to the estimation of a multiple regression model. The results of our estimation show that all the variables significantly affect the debt dynamics while the inflation rate bears no significant relationship with the debt dynamics. The empirical results indicate that deterioration of primary fiscal balance account for the worsening of the debt dynamics as domestic debt outstanding continue to grow even in the face of modest economic growth. We recommend that government should take all necessary steps to implement the Fiscal Responsibility Act and intensify its efforts in utilizing the capital market whenever it is in need of funds.Fiscal Deficits; Debt sustainability, Structural Break

Conceptualizing ethnicity and nation building in Malaysia: A lesson from Nigeria

Conflict of ethnic origin keep presenting its ugly consequences to most of the developing and developed societies, with no much lessons learned. This ethnic conflicts usually starts with a mere complain or grievance that is most of the time ignored, this minor issues if not well tackled could metamorphosed into a widespread genocides, killings, maiming, destruction of valuable properties or in a form of social vices, like addiction, armed robbery, prostitution and host of other vices. Hence this paper presents a catalogue of the various ethnic confl icts that occurred in Nigeria from 1999-2002, immediately after the coming up of a democratically elected government in the country. The paper concluded that, the unassuming right provided by the Nigeria democracy might have contributed to the escalation of the conflicts, that has direct relationship with ethnicity. It also presumed that, the conflicts may also be associated with long military dictatorship in the country, which likely socialised the citizens to learn the act of intolerance, hostility and the act of violence. The lessons drawn from Nigeria experience were married with the recent happening in Malaysia, so that it will serve as a lesson to Malaysia to act fast not to allow its issue degenerates to an uncontrollable stage. This paper, therefore, make use of documented records from both official documents and eyewitnesses records to generates all its data and argument for this presentation. “Tribalism is the bane of independent Africa...There are 2,000 language Groups of which 50 are prominent, and countless more subdivisions of tribe and clan.This complex heritage has been only slightly eroded by inter-marriage and the drift to the cities. Nor have the eff orts of African leaders to impose a national identity on their diverse peoples, assembled within borders inherited from colonial days, worked well. African state builders tread a narrow path between the fact of tribal loyalties and the need to minimize inter-tribal hostility.” “Tribalism in Africa,” The Economist (September 10, 1994), pp. 46, 48

Resource Use Efficiency In Poultry Egg Production In Maiduguri And Environs Of Borno State, Nigeria

Poultry enterprise is significant to Borno State and the Nigerian economy as whole because it provides a good source of animal protein in form of meat and eggs. The study estimated resources use efficiency in poultry egg production in Maiduguri and Environs of Borno State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: examine the socio-economic characteristic of poultry farmers; examine the poultry egg production system practiced by farmers; and estimate the efficiency of resource used in poultry egg production. Purposive sampling technique was employed for the study. Ten (10) wards were purposively selected out of the existing fifteen (15) wards in the area. These are areas where poultry egg producers are predominantly found. From each of the ten (10) wards, five (5) poultry egg producers were randomly selected, giving a total sample size of fifty (50) respondents for the study. Data were obtained with the aid of structured questionnaire administered to fifty (50) poultry egg producers. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression model were used as analytical technique. The finding shows that majority (82%) of the respondents were male, 68% were married, 62% were within the age group of 31-35 years, while 42% had between 11-20 persons in their households in the study area. The result also indicates that 46% of the respondents had secondary education, 58% of the respondent had between N51, 000- N100, 000, while 52% of the respondents had flock sizes ranging from 101-200. The finding shows that 26% of the respondent practised free range system, about 40% practised battery cage system while, 34% practised deep litter system of poultry production in the study area. The total sum of the elasticties of poultry egg production of the resources was 1.748. The finding also reveals that the ratios of the MVP to the MFC were less than unity (1) for all the inputs. It was recommended among others that: poultry egg producers should reduce the quantities of farm inputs such as family labour, hired labour, flock size, feed, depreciating cost of equipment and operating expenses to ensure increase in poultry egg production; and extension agents in the state should be properly trained and provided with all necessary technological packages required to teach and guide farmers on improved poultry egg production. Keywords: Resource Use,  Efficiency, Poultry Egg, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeri

Ethno-Religious and Political Conflicts: A Study of North-Eastern Region of Nigeria

Nigeria is a multi ethno-religious society with a great potential for social and economic development, although this development is seen by many people as an easy way to enjoy the democratic dividends; others see it as a way to express their grievances. Therefore, the result is the persistence occurrence of ethno-religious and political conflicts. Since the return of democracy in May 1999, more than one hundred ethno-religious and politically motivated conflicts have occurred in the country. The purpose of this study therefore is to examine the root cause and the persistent occurrence of ethno-religious and political conflicts from 2000-2007 and the threat they pose to the democratically elected government. The study investigates the history of ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria and argues that the foundation of ethno-religious and political conflicts was laid by the issue of colonialism, and which has been supported by the Nigerian military dictatorship, followed by the contradictions compounded in the Nigerian federalism. During the study, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ninety respondents, and a session of focus group discussions with participants from the six states of north-east region. An interview guide based on a conceptual frame work was established based on literature review. These data were then analyzed qualitatively. The study also outlines the general background of ethno-religious and political conflict in Nigeria, with particular reference to north-east region. It also discusses its origin and highlights the key concepts used in the dissertation. The study revealed that ethno-religious intolerance, poverty occasioned by unemployment, corruption, illiteracy and ignorance, economic hardship, and poor leadership are the most significant hindrances to the peace process, unity and political stability in the area. The study concludes that good governance, accountability, alleviation of poverty and unemployment, education reform and the restructuring of federalism in Nigeria are most important issues to be addressed in order to control the impact of ethno-religious and political conflicts

Comparison between First and Second Order Angstron Type Models for Sunshine Hours of Katsina, Nigeria

In this paper a set of constants for Angstrom-type correlation of the first and second order has been determined to estimate monthly average daily global solar radiation using sunshine hours for Katsina (Lat 12° 59’ 52” N, Long 7° 35’ 5” E). The predictive efficiencies of the models are compared with the actual efficiency. It is discovered that the second order model is better than the first order because R=0.702 while R=0.345 for the first order. SPSS software is used to determine the regression coefficients.Keywords: Angstrom, correlation, monthly average Solar Radiation, Sunshine hours, Efficiencies, regression coefficients

Working capital management and firm profitability during and after the economic crisis among Malaysian listed companies

The aim of the study is to explore the working capital management components and examine their relationship with firm profitability among Malaysia listed companies during and after the global financial crisis of 2008-2009. Based on the descriptive results, Malaysian firms practice conservative working capital management techniques due to the fact that current ratio is high and debt ratio is low compared with prior studies.The multiple regression analysis on the 260 listed Bursa Malaysia companies shows a negative relationship between working capital management components (i.e. average collection period and average payment period) and firm profitability during and after the crisis periods. Moreover, cash conversion cycle negatively relates with firm profitability after the crisis. Inventory turnover days indicate a positive and significant relation with firm profitability during the crisis period. These findings suggest that Malaysian firms should try and collects cash from customers faster, pay bills as soon as possible and minimise the gap between initial investment and the time cash is collected from customers during both crisis and noncrisis periods. Nevertheless, management should maintain considerable level of stock to avoid shortage and supply interruption during the crisi