Mining and Infrastructure Development in Nigeria: Appraisal of the Legal and Policy Framework for Investment and Sukuk

This research study focuses on the extractive minerals sector as limited current research exists on the Nigeria‟s mining sector, compare to oil and gas which has been extensively researched. Nigeria has distinctive opportunities and challenges in relation to its extractive industries. Over the years, Nigeria has recorded significant fortunes in terms of revenue generated from oil and gas sector. However, failure to manage these resources effectively, diversify the economy and invest in infrastructure to create inclusive growth, has kept the country entangled in development challenges. Furthermore, the recent instability in global oil markets has resulted in considerable drop in Nigeria‟s revenue and thereby compounded the problem, hence, diversification is necessary. While Nigeria‟s mining sector is considered to be a potential alternative source of revenue, poor regulatory and policy frameworks, inadequate infrastructure and lack of investment create a serious setback to the sector. This study seeks to investigate the factors that can improve foreign direct investment and enable the use of innovative financial instruments for financing mining projects in Nigeria. Overall, the study explores key issues underpinning debates on mining and development. It finds that reviving the mining industry in Nigeria requires integrated reform to address issues of investment, industrial infrastructure and effective regulation. Adopting a three-pronged approach of analysis through legal, spatial and economic dimensions, this thesis interrogates how foreign direct investment and Islamic Finance instruments, particularly Sukuk could stimulate Nigeria‟s mining sector

Degré d’impact des aménagements hydrauliques sur le ruissellement et le transport solide dans une région semi aride : cas des micro-bassins dans le haut Isser, Algérie

L’érosion est un ensemble de processus variables dans le temps et dans l'espace. La variation se fait en fonction des conditions écologiques et des mauvaises conditions de gestion de la terre par l'homme. C’est pourquoi la lutte antiérosive intéresse divers acteurs dont les intérêts ne sont pas forcément compatibles. Ses effets sont conséquents sur les ressources en eau par la réduction de la capacité de stockage des barrages et la mauvaise qualité de l’eau, d’une part, et sur le sol par la perte de sa fertilité, d’autre part. En Algérie septentrionale, ce phénomène est crucial. De nombreux chercheurs se sont penchés pour traiter ce problème ; que ce soit dans l’aspect de quantification que dans celui de la lutte anti-érosive. Nous avons tenté d’approcher le phénomène dans ces deux aspects, en prenant comme zone d’étude les micro-bassins 'expérimentaux de Beni Slimane, dans le bassin versant de lOued Isser. L’intensité de l’érosion hydrique sur ce bassin versant s’explique par la prédominance des terrains marneux, des ruissellements concentrés et un couvert végétal quasi inexistant. L’impact des aménagements  hydrauliques sur le ruissellement a été démontré sur les micros bassins expérimentaux. C’est dans cette optique que s’inscrit l’objectif de ce travail, vu l’importance que revêt la région par rapport à son alimentation en eau potable de la capitale, d’une part, et à une agriculture florissante, d’autre part.Mots-clés : capacité de stockage, érosion, ruissellement, impact, micros bassins expérimentau

A novel vacuum ultra violet lamp for metastable rare gas experiments

We report on a new design of a vacuum ultra violet (VUV) lamp for direct optical excitation of high laying atomic states e.g. for excitation of metastable rare gas atoms. The lamp can be directly mounted to ultra high vacuum vessels (p <= 10^(-10) mbar). It is driven by a 2.45 GHz microwave source. For optimum operation it requires powers of approximately 20 W. The VUV light is transmitted through a magnesium fluoride window, which is known to have a decreasing transmittance for VUV photons with time. In our special setup, after a run-time of the VUV lamp of 550 h the detected signal continuously decreased to 25 % of its initial value. This corresponds to a lifetime increase of two orders of magnitude compared to previous setups or commercial lamps

A novel vacuum ultra violet lamp for metastable rare gas experiments

We report on a new design of a vacuum ultra violet (VUV) lamp for direct optical excitation of high laying atomic states e.g. for excitation of metastable rare gas atoms. The lamp can be directly mounted to ultra high vacuum vessels (p <= 10^(-10) mbar). It is driven by a 2.45 GHz microwave source. For optimum operation it requires powers of approximately 20 W. The VUV light is transmitted through a magnesium fluoride window, which is known to have a decreasing transmittance for VUV photons with time. In our special setup, after a run-time of the VUV lamp of 550 h the detected signal continuously decreased to 25 % of its initial value. This corresponds to a lifetime increase of two orders of magnitude compared to previous setups or commercial lamps

Remote sensing of water constituent concentrations using time series of in-situ hyperspectral measurements in the Wadden Sea

This study aimed to investigate the capability of the two-stream radiative transfer model 2SeaColor for the simultaneous retrieval of Chlorophyll-a (Chla), Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) concentrations from remote sensing measurements under various conditions (i.e., solar zenith angle values (SZAs) and water turbidity levels). For this evaluation, a time series of diurnal in-situ hyperspectral measurements of remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) concurrent with in-situ measured Chla and SPM concentrations between 2008 and 2010 by the NIOZ jetty station (the NJS), located in the Dutch part of the Wadden Sea, was used. Validation of the model retrievals against in-situ measurements showed an acceptable accuracy (Chla: R2= 0.80 and RMSE = 2.98 [mg m−3]; SPM: R2= 0.89 and RMSE = 2.53 [g m−3]) with good agreement between the temporal trends of measured and retrieved concentration values over multiple years. However, the model inversion results yielded less good estimates at SZA > 60° during winter. Furthermore, the effect of the tide on the variation of daily time series of Chla and SPM concentrations was analyzed. At the particular NJS location, the tidal effects on the concentrations of SPM and Chla were found to be small. The capability of the 2SeaColor model to retrieve reliable estimates, and the favorable location of the NJS, which is little influenced by tidal phase variations, contribute to a better understanding of the long-term variability of Chla and SPM concentrations. The results of this study may support the ongoing efforts on Sentinel-3 Ocean and Land Color Instrument (OLCI) calibration and validation at the Dutch Wadden Sea

Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Primary Thyroid Lymphoma with Coexisting Lymphocytic Thyroiditis

Background: Primary thyroid lymphoma is an uncommon neoplasm frequently associated with lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT). Once the pathologic diagnosis of primary thyroid lymphoma is established, imaging plays an important role in tumor staging and evaluating treatment response. The present case discusses the role of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET)/computed tomography (CT) in this clinical setting along with the potential diagnostic challenges. Patient Findings: A 44-year-old man with a history of LT and hypothyroidism presented with an enlarging goiter. Initial imaging evaluation showed markedly enlarged gland with bilateral cervical and mediastinal adenopathy. Histopathologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of primary thyroid lymphoma on a background of LT. An 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed increased uptake in the gland and lymph nodes. Follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT after chemotherapy showed interval decrease in FDG uptake in the thyroid gland associated with interval decrease in the size and metabolic activity of the cervical and superior mediastinal lymph nodes. Conclusions: The frequent association of LT with primary thyroid lymphoma and the overlap of their clinical and pathologic findings pose a significant diagnostic challenge. While other imaging techniques are helpful in evaluating anatomic local and regional extent of primary thyroid lymphoma, 18F-FDG PET/CT can be of an added value in evaluating its metabolic activity and detecting regional and distant disease as well as in assessing response to treatment.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90467/1/thy-2E2011-2E0064.pd