This study involves the preparations, elemental analysis, characterization and evaluation of acetylpyridine-2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazone as chromogenic reagents for UV/Vis spectrophotometric determination of heavy metals in environmental samples. The hydrazone was synthesized by single step condensation method. The yield of the product obtained was 84% with melting point of 211-214°C, the nitrogen content yielded 17.62 %. The infrared spectrum data obtained from the measurement of acetylpyridine-2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazone was characterized by absorption bands around 3451 cm-1 due to NH stretch, 1602 cm-1 due C=N, 1599 cm-1 due C=C stretch and 1334, 1468 cm-1 due to the –NO2 groups. The presence of the hydrazones functional groups in the infrared and Nuclear magnetic resonance indicates the successful preparations of the said compound and also the data from the results of the experimental, IR and NMR analysis, suggested it to be the composition of the prepared hydrazones. The analytical properties of the reagent APGH on the metals Cd, As, Pb, and Cr revealed a maximum absorption at a wavelength range of between 385.0 (Cr) to 440.0nm for (Pb) at a working pH of 6.5 to 7.5 room temperature (37°C). The reagent had a molar absorptivities (L mol-1 cm-1) ranging from 2.006 x 104 (Pb) to 2.407 x 104 (Cd), a mole ratio of metal to ligand of 1:1, a detection limit (µg/g) ranging from 0.3272 (As) to 0.4456 (Cd) and the metal-ligand complex was stable spectrophotometrically for 0-36 hours. The reagent had a Beer’s law validity range (mgL-1) of 0.001 to 100. The preliminary investigations on APDH as possible chelating reagents for the UV-Vis spectrophotometric determination of lead (Pb) on waste water and soil from tannery water was carried out, and the result were compared with results from Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) methods. The results obtained were satisfactory with good precision and accuracy for the APDH  method.    

The optimization of dry compressive strength of groundnut shell ash (GSAp) and ant hill powder (AHp) was investigated. Ratio of: 2/0, 4/5, 6/10, 8/15, 10/20, 12/25, 14/30% GSAp/AHp was used in the formulation.  Taguchi method was used to determine the optimization condition. The work shows that the maximum baked compressive strength of 356.7, 355.0, 335.3 kN/m² was obtained at 5, 2, 1h and 100, 200, 300^oC at 14/30% GSAp/AHp addition. GSAp/AHp has the greatest effect (97.61%), followed by time (2.03%) and the least temperature (0.35%). The shear strength of 78.12, 110.00, 123.00, 145.60, 154.67, 158.90 and 168.9 kN/m² were obtained at 2/0, 4/5, 6/10, 8/15, 10/20, 12/25, 14/30% GSAp/AHp respectively. The optimal condition for the dry compressive strength for the selected factors and levels was achieved at GSAp/AHp level L3, time L2 and temperature L1. At optimum quantities of GSAp (14%) and AHp (30%) added to silica sand, the results obtained showed that groundnut shell ash and ant hill powder-bonded sand can be suitable for use in the foundry industry for preparation of moulds and cores.

Agbo which is the Yoruba name for herbal medicine, is an aqueous decoction produced from mixtures of several plant parts such as leaves, stems, roots and barks that is used in treating illnesses and diseases. The study was carried out to ascertain the microbial load, level of heavy metal contamination and antibiotics sensitivity of bacteria isolated from agbo sold in Warri, Delta State. A total of twenty –five (25) agbo samples collected from five (5) locations were analyzed. The pH values of the various agbo samples ranges from 3.38 ± 1.05 to 7.23 ± 1.02. Concentration of Iron ranges from 6.085 ± 1.00 - 21.904 ± 3.04 mg/l, Lead ranges from 0.006 ± 0.00 - 0.021 ± 0.08 mg/l, Cadmium ranges from 0.028 ± 0.10 - 0.102 ± 0.11 mg/l, Mercury ranges from 0.003 ± 0.00 - 0.010 ± 0.08 mg/l, Arsenic ranges from 0.002 ± 0.00 - 0.007 ± 0.05 mg/l and Chromium ranges from 0.012 ± 0.03 - 0.034 ± 0.01 mg/l respectively. The mean total viable count ranges between 25 ± 1.03 X 104 - 44 ± 0.06 X 104 cfu/ml, total coliforn count ranges between 0.15 ± 0.51 X 104 – 0.30 ± 0.11 X 104 cfu/ml and total fungal count ranges between 25 ± 1.06 - 49 ± 1.05 X 104 cfu/ml respectively. S.auerus (29.4%) was the predominant bacteria. This was followed by Klebsiella species (23.5%), E.coli (17.6%), Salmonella species (11.8%), Proteus mirabilis (11.8%) and Enterobacter species (5.9%). Aspergillus species (23.8) was the predominant fungi. This was followed by Candida species (19.0%), Penicillium spp (14.3%), Mucor (14.3%), Botrytis (9.5%), Fusarium spp (9.5%), Geotrichum spp (4.8%) and Phoma spp (4.8%). All the isolates were resistant to ampicillin.  S.areus was susceptible to augmentin, gentamycin and ceporex, E. coli was susceptible to ciprofloxacin, gentamycin and nalidixic acid. Klebsiella spp was susceptible to ciprofloxacin and getamycin, Salmonella spp was susceptible to ciprofloxacin, P.mirabilis was susceptible to ciprofloxacin and gentamycin, and Enterobacter spp was susceptible to pefloxacine, augmentin and gentamycin.

Examines party politics and internal democracy in Nigeria ,specifically  the Anambra State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Elite theory was used as the theoretical framework , also the study relied mainly on primary sources of data,  descriptive survey design was adopted. The study was analyzed using  Simple Percentage and Chi-Square.  The  study  revealed that .there is a significant relationship between political ‘godfathers’ and internal party democracy in PDP in Anambra State; Also is the decision on the composition of party leadership among other manipulations against the interest of the majority of party members.

 The study concludes that Internal   democracy is the foundation for real expansion of democracy in a developing society like Nigeria. It, therefore, calls for concern when members violate party constitution and display executive arrogance within the party, this act has not only torn many parties apart but also occasioned the decampment of many party stalwarts and crippled internal party democracy in Nigeria.

Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made; hence  the influence of godfathers in party politics in Anambra state is alarming, it is, therefore, necessary to adhere to party financial guidelines, re-defining of the legislative framework governing party registrations, functioning, and device measures to limit the role of godfathers and barons in party politics. There is also the need for reform of political financing, that is, the introduction of measures to strengthen parties to raise their own funds and also enhance their capacity to be more accountable and transparent in matters of party and campaign financing.

Background      Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)are used for health promotion and disease treatment. Many options of CAM are exist.

Methods             Comparative cross-sectional studyamong residents of Yoruba and Hausa ethnicity in Ibadan, Nigeria.WHO modified cluster sampling technique wasused to select 800 respondents, 400 from each study groups. Data were collected using semi-structured, interviewer administered questionnaire.

Results               Lifetime CAM use was reported by 88.5% of Yoruba and 95.8% of Hausa respondents (p < 0.05) while 75.0% of Yoruba and 88.0% of Hausa were current CAM users (p < 0.05). The most commonly used CAM were unprocessed herbal preparations by 64.0% of Yoruba and 79.5% of Hausa respondents (p < 0.05). Conditions for which respondents used unprocessed herbal preparation included febrile illnesses (Yoruba 45.1%, Hausa 41.9%), gastrointestinal conditions (Yoruba 4.9%, Hausa 4.7%), musculoskeletal conditions (Yoruba 2.8%, Hausa 2.2%) as well as for health promotion (Yoruba 4.9%, Hausa 1.6%); there was no statistical difference.

Predictors of lifetime CAM use were: being currently married [OR 2.22; 95% CI 1.46 – 3.39], Islamic religion [OR 1.63; 95% CI 1.02 – 2.62] and Hausa ethnicity [OR 2.24; 95% CI 1.02 – 4.93]. Similarly, the predictors of current CAM use were being currently married [OR 2.77; 95% CI 1.49 – 5.16], Islamic religion [OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.35 – 5.41] and Hausa ethnicity [OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.00 – 2.13].

Conclusion        A high prevalence of CAM use was reported in both study groups. The conditions for which CAM was used were not significantly different.

The paper present the  experimental study of the flexural strength and deformation of concrete beams containing 10 mm (3/8’’) all – in gravel aggregate concrete, reinforced with glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) bars, steel bars and hybrid combination of steel and GFRP bars in diameters of 10 mm, 12 mm and 16 mm. A total of 18 standard cubes and 39 reinforced beams specimens were produced and tested for compressive and flexural strength after 28 days wet curing.

Results showed that plain concrete exhibit brittle failure. The failure mechanism of beam reinforced with steel and hybrid combination was predominantly ductile characterized by inclined tensile cracks due to a combination of shear and flexural failure. The higher ductility and tensile strength exhibited by beams with hybrid bars was principally responsible for the delay in flexural failure. The ultimate strength of the plain concrete beam was increased by about 5, 7 and 8 times in beam reinforced with steel, GFRP and hybrid bars.

The performance of two oil production platforms was investigated with the aim of establishing acceptance criteria for structural performance of offshore platforms located in the benign-sea environment of offshore Nigeria. The platforms were modeled using the Bentley SACS software program with the material characteristics and condition data of two existing 4-legged and 8-legged platforms, located at depths of 8 m and 24 m respectively. In-place linear and pushover non-linear structural analyses were performed on the models and the results, combined with those from structural reliability analysis, formed the basis for the formulation of the acceptance criteria for structural performance. To capture the planes of least resistance, the platforms were subjected to 8-directional environmental loading which yielded the true reserve strength ratio of 1.8 and 1.5 against the values of 2.6 and 1.8, calculated from the traditional broadside load application practice. Furthermore, the results of structural reliability analyses show that for optimum structural performance, a target reserve strength ratio (RSR) value of 2.1 is required for the platforms to achieve a probability of failure of . Consequently, the two platforms, having RSR values less than the recommended threshold, are recommended for strengthening to shore up their reserve strength capacity and guarantee their continued fitness-for service.

An amplifier is an electronic device that amplifies the weak signal or increases the strength of a weak signal. It can either be a separate piece of equipment or an electrical circuit contained within another device. Every device or circuit, be it analog or digital requires signal amplification at one level or the other during their functioning. Considering the most basic amplifiers i.e. single-stage amplifiers which are the basic building block of all the amplifiers, be it a multi-stage amplifier or a differential amplifier. This paper presents the analysis of the parameter of a single stage signal transistor amplifier using 2N2222A transistor base on maximum rating of the transistor. A Complete Common Emitter Transistor Amplifier   was design ,the battery voltage(V_CC), collector resistor (R_C), emitter resistor (R_E), bias resistors R₁ and R₂, additional resistor Rg between the emitter resistor and the transistor , values of capacitors ( input, output and emitter) were calculated. Actual performance of the complete circuit was tested using Multisim  9 Soft ware, the resistance at which the amplifier instantaneously generates Gain, the range of the Input Voltage at which the amplifier has different Output Voltage and different Gain, the  saturation point of amplifier, the cut-off frequencies, the Passband or Bandwidth (BW) of the amplifier, the relationship between additional Resistor (R_g), Input Voltage(V_in), frequency respond and Gain were determined and presented graphically.

This study investigated personality characteristics as predictor of preventive health behaviour. Two hundred research participants were used in the course of this study. Two instruments were used which include Big five inventory developed by John(1991) which aim to assess personality characteristics and preventive health behaviour scale developed by Karls and Cobb (1995) to measure individual perceived health behaviour. Six hypotheses were tested in the study using regression analysis and Analysis of Variance statistical test. The first hypothesis states that agreeableness will predict preventive health behaviour and it was observed from the study that agreeableness predicts preventive health behaviour. Hypothesis two states that conscientiousness will predict preventive health behaviour and it was observed from the study that conscientiousness does not predict preventive health behaviour. Hypothesis three states that extraversion will predict preventive health behaviour and it was observed from the study that extraversion does not predict preventive health behaviour. Hypothesis four reported that openness to experience will predict preventive health behaviour and it was observed from the study that openness to experience predicts preventive health behaviour. Hypothesis five states that neuroticism will predict preventive health behaviour and the result of the study revealed that neuroticism does not predict preventive health behaviour. Hypothesis six states that age will influence preventive health behaviour and it was reported that age does not have a significant influence on preventive health behaviour (F(2 195) = .294 p >.05). Findings are discussed according to literatures, relevant conclusions were drawn and it was recommended that government should formulate policy that will enhance preventive health behaviour among individuals and organisation.

The issue of quality education is very critical when it comes to overall performance of pre-primary schools. Despite this tremendous increase in access rate in the sub-sector, provision of quality pre-primary education remains a challenge across the country. The main purpose of this study was to find out whether teachers’ qualification influences quality of Pre-primary school education in Nairobi City County. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study targeted ninety (90) ECDE teachers and fifteen (15) principals. Random sampling procedure and purposive sampling procedure will be used to sample 40 ECDE teachers and 14 principals. Validity of research instruments was measured through content validity.  Reliability of the research instruments was determined by carrying out a pilot test of the instruments using another similar group with the same characteristics as the one targeted in the study. The collected data was analyzed using quantitative data analysis approach. Descriptive analysis such as frequencies and percentages was used to present quantitative data collected from teachers and principals.The collected data was analysed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0.  Findings indicated that teachers who were well motivated performed their duties with minimal supervision.

The study recommended that head teachers should try as much as possible to recruit qualified staff for effective curriculum implementation and encourage the stakeholders to motivate the ECDE teachers to increase their efficiency.

Life expectancy as stated by WHO, and UNDESA for Nigeria in the last decades indicated that persons in Nigeria does not live up to 55 years. But over the years we have observed that there are persons that live more than WHO, and UNDESA life expectancy report. According to WHO and UNDESA the modifiable lifestyle factors such as exercise, alcohol status, smoking status and diet contribute greatly to longevity but are poorly practice by Nigerians. The study is therefore set to assess the health practices of those who live long: a study of elderly persons in Vandeikya LGA of Benue State, Nigeria. The cross- sectional survey design was use. The snowball and accidental sampling technique was adopted in all the twelve wards of the Local Government Areas. Using these methods, a total of 183 participants were used in administering structured questionnaire. Twelve elderly persons including village heads of the age 60 years above was selected for focus group discussion. Data collected were analyzed through descriptive statistics and chart using statistics package for social science (SPSS). Results of the findings revealed that 34% of the respondents are from the age range of 76-80 years, 24.7 % from 65-69 years which is above 52.7 and 53.8 years life expectancy of Nigeria as listed by WHO, and UNDESA. The study also revealed that people did not eat balance diet and majority of them drink water from the stream or river, majority 82.5% did not take part in exercise and carried out medical check-up (80.3%). The correlation was used to interpret the perceived level of influence of educational background and religious affiliation on longevity. From the correlation, there was a significant relationship between educational backgrounds, religious affiliation on longevity. Based on the finding of the study, it is recommended among others that WHO, and UNDESA should update their finding on life expectancy in Nigeria for proper documentation, and intensive health education should be carried out in the area to improve the awareness on best health practices among elderly persons in the area to enhance their longevity.

Paper The paper presents a study of existing methods for motion and face detection algorithms and their application to the on-board miniature Raspberry Pi computer. The algorithms realized by OpenCV functions were modified to optimize their operation on the mentioned platform, which could be used as an embedded surveillance system. The paper also mentions the training of a custom classifier for hand detection, what could be further used as a basis for detecting hand gestures.