LCS Tool : A Computational Platform for Lagrangian Coherent Structures

We give an algorithmic introduction to Lagrangian coherent structures (LCSs) using a newly developed computational engine, LCS Tool. LCSs are most repelling, attracting and shearing material lines that form the centerpieces of observed tracer patterns in two-dimensional unsteady dynamical systems. LCS Tool implements the latest geodesic theory of LCSs for two-dimensional flows, uncovering key transport barriers in unsteady flow velocity data as explicit solutions of differential equations. After a review of the underlying theory, we explain the steps and numerical methods used by LCS Tool, and illustrate its capabilities on three unsteady fluid flow examples

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A MOTORIZED GINGER JUICE EXPRESSION MACHINE

A motorized ginger juice expression machine (GJEM) was designed and developed using locally available materials. The developed machine was tested for juice yield, juice expression efficiency, juice expression loss and juice throughput capacity. Fresh ginger rhizomes at 78.69% moisture content was used for the test. The result revealed a juice yield, expression efficiency, expression loss and throughput capacity of 53.77 %, 78.78 %, 25.5% and 7.5kg/hr respectively. The GJEM is powered by a 3 hp single-phase electric motor and is affordable. Drying of ginger rhizome deteriorates the oleoresin content and hence, the value and quality of ginger. The motorized ginger juice expressing machine offers an affordable and simple method of processing fresh ginger without drying

THE EUROPEANISATION PROCESS AND THE PRE-ACCESSION DYNAMICS IN ROMANIA

In recent years a substantial part of literature that covers topics on European integration has turned its attention to how the membership of the European Union (EU) has generated and contributed to domestic reform, a process commonly known as Europeanisation. This process represents the reform of institutions, structures and policies in compliance with the requirements, policies and dynamics of the European integration mechanisms. Following the national - European interaction, countries internalise European legislation and adapt institutionally. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the Europeanisation process and also to what extent it has influenced the political and economic reform in Romania throughout the pre-accession period. Despite its essential contributions, the Europeanisation effects were less significant in Romania (especially in the early years of negotiations with Brussels) compared with other Eastern European countries. And this has not been caused by the Europeanisation lack of efficiency, but mainly because of the Romanian political class reluctant to change that largely undermined the dynamics of the accession process.European Union, Europeanisation process, EU membership, Romania

ASSESSMENT OF RURAL COMMUNITY EFFORTS IN GULLY EROSION CONTROL IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined rural community efforts in gully erosion control in Imo state, Nigeria. The study identifiedthe erosion control activities, ascertained the level of participation in gully erosion control activities, examinedthe perceived effects of gully erosion on rural community development and identified factors militating againstthe efforts of rural communities in gully erosion control. Multistage random sampling procedure was used insampling 180 respondents. Data for the study were collected with the use of a well structured questionnaire. Datacollected were analyzed with descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation).Findings showed that long ridges across slope or the ground (55.0%) was the major gully erosion control activity.Respondents participated poorly in erosion control activities (1.7) and strongly perceived the effect of gullyerosion on community development (3.26). Factors militating against rural community efforts on gully erosioncontrol were soil properties (81.1%), topography (80.0%), and shape and size of watershed (72.8%). The studyalso showed that the rural communities participated poorly in efforts to control gully erosion menace as only longridges across the slope was their major effort in controlling gully erosion. The study therefore recommends thatwater should be properly channeled by constructing drainages especially within the residential areas

Type B triorchidism in an adult indigenous fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Sokoto, Nigeria- Case report

This paper presents a possible first case of triorchidism in an indigenous fowl in Sokoto, northwest Nigeria. Triorchidism is an exceptionally rare congenital abnormality which has been observed in other wild birds which could be ascribed to faulty embryological development with developmental cause that are distinct from testicular asymmetry. During a comparative investigation of the reproductive tract of cock (gallus gallus domesticus) drake (Anas platyrynchos) and guinea fowl (numida meleagris) in Sokoto and her environs, three testes were observed in a cock following abdominal laparatomy. The third testis which was smaller when compared with the right and left testes was attached to the proximal end of the right testes with which it shared the same epididymis. The right, left and third testes weighed 7.40, 7.20 and 2.10gm respectively while the length of the right, left and third testes were 3.60, 3.40 and 1.40cm respectively. When the three testes were cut open, similar whitish fluid oozed out. The causes and implications of this anomaly are suggested

Morbid risk of alcohol and cannabis use disorders among relatives of probands in a Nigerian Psychiatric Hospital

The generation of genetic epidemiological data in Africa to drive public education on the biological basis of substance use disorders  (SUDs), which has been popularly misconstrued as a moral failure, has become imperative, in order to encourage access to formal care by patients. This study aimed to determine the morbid risks of SUDs among the first-degree relatives (FDRs) of probands with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and cannabis use disorder (CUD), in comparison with the families of healthy control group. The study elicited information on the morbid risk of SUDs among FDRs of probands with AUD and CUD and relatives of a healthy control group through direct interview or by proxy interview of relatives using the Family Interview for Genetic Studies (FIGS). The best-estimate method was used for the diagnosis in the relatives of the probands and a comparison group. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the differences in proportion of the affected versus unaffected FDRs, while the Weinberger method was used to estimate morbid risks. The morbid risks among FDRs of probands with AUD and CUD were 17.5(95% CI, 17.1-17.9) and 11.6(11.2-12.0), respectively, in comparison with 7.8(95% CI, 7.6-8.0) and 5.7(95% CI, 5.5-5.9), respectively, for the FDRs of the controls. The increased  familial risk of SUDs among FDRs of probands with alcohol and cannabis use disorders in an African population is similar to that in the Western population. Therefore, preventive strategies involving the family may be useful

Parental Involvement in Higher Education: Understanding the Concerns and Expectations of the Parents of College Students

Parental involvement in higher education has become more prevalent on college campuses as evidenced by increased reports in news media, journalistic articles, and academic publications. Parents who play an active role in their children\u27s day to day college experiences present a new challenge for college administrators who often find themselves attempting to address parents\u27 concerns while being mindful of student development goals as well as complying with federal laws like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which protect college students\u27 privacy. Using Nietzsche\u27s \u27perspectivism\u27 as a conceptual rationale and employing a sequential explanatory mixed methods design, this study set out to understand a) the common concerns and expectations of parents during their children\u27s transition to college; (b) how parents view their role during their children\u27s college experience; (c) how institutional structures such as programs and policies mediate parental involvement on college campuses. Results from this study support the notion that parents consider themselves consumers, involved partners and investors in their children\u27s college experience. Parental involvement in this study was driven by specific concerns parents had for their students\u27 academic or social well being. Institutional policies were ineffective in mediating parental involvement and parents\u27 expectations were mediated more by their student\u27s ability to address parent\u27s concerns than by institutional structures. An effective institutional response to parental involvement requires institutions of higher education to meaningfully engage parents in a manner that is developmentally appropriate for the student and respective of the aims and ends of the institution

Effects of Fungi on The Spoilage and Nutritional Composition of Coconuts (Cocus nucifera) Harvested in Yenagoa Local Government Area and Its Relative Health Implications

Background and Objective: Fungal inversion of coconut endosperm is a factor that grossly reduces the economic, consumption value and the proximate composition of the coconut meat. The proximate composition of fresh and spoilt coconut endosperm and the most pathogenic fungi associated with the spoilage of coconut endosperm were evaluated in this study. Materials: Three mature fresh Coconut fruits were harvested from a subsistence coconut farm in Yenagoa city. Result: This study revealed that the proximate content of protein (9.80±0.02), lipids (38.75±0.02) and dry matter (92.72±0.02) in the fresh coconut are higher than the proximate content of protein (8.75±0.02), lipids (36.84±1.16) and dry matter (92.18±0.02) of the spoilt coconut endosperm. Minerals such as Ca (2.74±0.01), Mg (3.68±0.02), Na (3.75±0.02), K (6.76±0.02), Mn (0.250±0.002), Cu (0.58±0.02), Zn (5.85±0.02) and PO4 (2.56 ±0.02) in the fresh coconut endosperm are higher than Ca (2.72±0.02), Mg (3.66±0.02), Na (3.57±0.02), K (6.72±0.02), Mn (0.244±0.002), Cu (0.54±0.02), Zn (5.77±0.03) and PO4 (2.48±0.02) of the spoiled coconut endosperm. A significant difference between the proximate composition of fresh and spoiled coconut endosperm was observed. The endosperm (meat) of the coconuts were heavily invaded and decayed by a variety of fungi within 24 hours after cracking the shell and exposing the meats to open air. Fungal growth observed after exposure to open air are: Mucor, Rhizopus, Aspergillus and Penicillium. Conclusion: With the present of Aspergillus and penicillium in the samples evaluated in the laboratory, it implies that there are health implications associated with the consumption of spoilt coconut meat