Integrative Humanism: Extensions and Clarifications

When we talk of African philosophy as a different philosophical tradition we do not wish to suggest that it studies different range of realities from those that concern the other philosophical traditions. What we demonstrate is the difference that arises in approach or method naturally informed by the resident logic. Thus in African philosophy we study ultimate reality of which being is at the center. What being and even nothingness mean for us is not the same with what they mean in other traditions. Unity: we sometimes say that being is one single whole without wishing to say that this view is monistic. In this light we hold that being is complete with both physical and spiritual aspects. Duality: we also share the view on the duality in nature without insisting that this is strict and permanent. Duality for Africans is essentially a point of inferential departure not a terminal point. The dual arrangement of things in nature is to necessarily lead to a tripartite conception. Triadic conception: this is the terminal point of all inferences in African thought. Yes, there is duality in nature but they exist as fragments and contraries i.e. incomplete in themselves but capable of coming together to form a whole. Obtaining this fusion of contrary fragments represents an inference from duality to triadic conception of reality. What this African conception is all about is not that being is tripartite or dual but that the coming together of two aspects of being is necessary for the formation of being

Architectural design response to population issue in sub-Saharan cities

Overpopulation is a serious global problem, and it is predicted to get worse in future if unchecked; accompanied with threat of dwindling resources. The increase in population and its effect on the housing sector is surfacing as clog in the wheel of efforts at reducing Africa’s housing deficits. How then can urban life continue to thrive in the existing housing issues in colonial, sub-Saharan city of Enugu, exploiting architectural design strategies is what the study investigates. It utilized a qualitative research approach of survey and participant observation in which data were collected and analysed based on thematic content analysis. Gross housing deficit, increased housing rent, emergence and expansion of squatter settlement, Land use conversion and slum conditions are some observable effects of population growth due to urbanization and rural-urban drift in the city; Statistics of public housing provision between 1999-2020, showed an over focus on high-income earners, neglecting the majority low-income population. Therefore, architect’s intervention in the housing sector should be strategic, holistic and proactive and encourage use of local materials, vertical development, dry construction and stakeholder’s participation in delivery process. The study concludes that futuristic architecture holds the key to humanity’s continued stewardship on earth and a sustainable housing delivery

An Evaluation of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) As a Modern Trend in English Language Teaching (ELT)

English Language Teaching (ELT) has come a long way, moving from grammatical or linguistic approach to communicative approach (which ESP is all about). This study looked into the origin, and development of ELT, the concept of English for specific purposes (ESP) as an approach to language teaching, and the differences between ESP and General English. Effort was also made at highlighting the steps in this modern trend in ELT which distinguishes from other trends, ranging from needs analysis, statement of goals and objectives of the language course, converting the needs into syllabus, and the evaluation of the teaching process. ESP was shown as a learner/learning-centred approach to the English language pedagogy

Comparative study of the hypoglycemic and biochemical effects of Catharanthus roseus (Linn) g. apocynaceae (Madagascar periwinkle) and chlorpropamide (diabenese) on alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The effect of the aqueous extracts of Catharanthus roseus and chlorpropamide (Diabenese) on the levels of serum cholesterol, total protein, lipid peroxidation, blood glucose and liver enzymes were compared in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Four groups namely A, B, C and D comprising of nine rats each were used. A and B were administered with chlorpropamide and C. roseus extracts respectively, while C and D served as diabetic and non-diabetic controls respectively. The results showed comparatively significant reductions (P�0.05) in the levels of glucose, protein, cholesterol, lipid peroxidation and liver enzymes in the groups administered C. roseus extracts and chlorpropamide relative to the controls. The reductions were higher in the groups treated with C. roseus extract than in the groups treated with diabenese

Addressing the Current Pedagogical Challenges of Architectural Education in Nigeria; a Study of Curriculum Contents and Factors Affecting Physical Learning Environment

The current curriculum design, program and the state of the physical learning environment in the Nigerian schools of architecture seem inadequate and ineffective. The study examined the teaching of architecture in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The aim is to ascertain the state of the present curriculum contents and learning facilities. Major Challenges identified in this study include dearth of learning facilities, inability to reform the curriculum contents and limited financial resources allocation to run the schools. Also increasing unemployment for architecture graduates and unskilled nature of practicing graduates were also included. Highlighted in the discussion for necessary intervention by stakeholders of Nigerian tertiary institutions includes review and upgrading of existing curriculum, efficient time-management skills and collaborative teaching and learning techniques. For physical learning environment, literature points that a clean, bright, organized and open-plan ventilated space strengthens learning by motivation. The result from the survey carried out on physical classroom environment among students of tertiary institutions, indicates that the level of satisfaction was fairly satisfactory and that the students expressed that large halls, large corridors were the most available facilities (63.2% and 52.8% respectively). The major equipment in the classroom were whiteboards (100%), personal computers (47.2%) and digital projector or smart board (30.4%), while the available facilities for pleasant environment were attractive surroundings (100.0%). Adjustment of training methodology, improving training skills, retraining the trained, upgrading infrastructure and facilities; expansion of the curriculum and training program were recommended in order to comply with the current global trends

CONVERGENCE THEOREMS ON ASYMPTOTICALLY GENERALIZED Phi-PSEUDOCONTRACTIVE MAPPINGS IN THE INTERMEDIATE SENSE

In this study, we introduce the class of asymptotically generalized Phi-pseudocontractive mappings in the intermediate sense and prove the convergence of Mann type iterative scheme to their fixed points. Our results improves and generalizes the results of Kim et al. [J. K. Kim, D. R. Sahu, Y. M. Nam, Convergence theorem for fixed points of nearly LLipschitzian mappings, Nonlinear Analysis 71 (2009) 28332838] and several others

APPROXIMATION OF FIXED POINTS OF SOME CLASSES OF NONLINEAR MAPPINGS

We introduce a new class of nonlinear mappings, the class of generalized strongly successively Phi- hemicontractive mappings in the intermediate sense and prove the convergence of Mann type iterative scheme with errors to their fixed points. This class of nonlinear mappings is more general than those defined by several authors. In particular, the class of generalized strongly successively Phi- hemicontractive mappings in the intermediate sense introduced in this study is more general than the class defined by Liu et al. [Z. Liu, J. K. Kim and K. H. Kim, Convergence theorems and stability problems of the modified Ishikawa iterative sequences for strictly successively hemicontractive mappings, Bull. Korean Math. Soc. 39 (2002), No. 3, pp. 455-469]

The solitary and cnoidal waves in shallow water

The problems associated with shallow-water waves has received considerable attention in the recent years. In the case of solitary and cnoidal waves, it is often assumed that the nonlinear and dispersion effects balance whilst dissipation is slight or totally neglected in the areas of the shallow water concerned. As a follow-up, this model attempts to provide a description of the classical solitary waves and the related cnoidal oscillations using the traditional shallow-water equations (WHITHAN G. B., Linear and Non-Linear Waves (Wiley and Sons) 1973, pp. 460-470). The derivations in this case do not involve any series expansion; and thus, they differ significantly from the approach using the Korteweg-de Vries (KDV) equations (WHITHAN G. B., Linear and Non-Linear Waves (Wiley and Sons) 1973, pp. 460-470; ZABUSKY N. J. and GALVIN C. J., Shallow waves. The KDV equation and solitons, J. Fluid Mech., 47 (1971) 811-824). Consequently, this model attempts to describe the wave pattern even when the wave height grows as high as very close in magnitude to the depth of the corresponding undisturbed water layer or before breaking begins. In this consideration, realistic shallow-water parameters are used to examine the structure of the wave processes concerned