The thermal conductivity of some selected tropical wood samples were experimentally studied using modified Lee’s apparatus. The specimens were prepared from three (3) species of both hard and soft wood widely available and used in Nigeria. The samples were oven dried and analyzed to record the density and to determine the thermal conductivities of the woods along the longitudinal axis parallel to the grain direction and normal to the growth rings.  It was discovered that hardwood milicia excelsa (iroko) has the highest heat conductive strength with thermal conductivity of 0.0938W/mK while, Ricinodendro heudelotii (okwe) has the least conductive strength among the selected samples with thermal conductivity of 0.0805W/mK. This indicated that the woods are generally good insulators of heat. Results showed that, the thermal conductivity varied directly with density. Hard woods with high densities and thermal conductive power are suitable for places where strength is needed like construction of bridges, seats etc, while, soft woods with low thermal conductive strength should find application where cool temperature is required, such as construction of fridge, ceilings, building walls, etc.

Effect of supplementing diets with groundnut pod in partial replacement of maize on carcass and organs weight of finishing broilers was investigated using 80 ANAK strainsof four weeks old broilers. The birds were randomly assigned to four treatments (A: control diet 0% groundnut pod, B: 5% groundnut pod, C: 10% groundnut pod and D: 15% groundnut pod) the feeds were formulated and offered in mash form to the respective birds from day 21untill week 8. At day 56, six birds from each treatment were selected and sacrificed for the determination of carcass characteristics, Gizzard weight was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for birds on dietary treatment D than the values recorded for the birds on dietary treatment A, B and C. However,the values observed for the heart and liver were significantly affected by the treatment (p<0.05) the values observed for these parameters increased linearly (p<0.05) from the control to the 10% level of GNP after which the values declined at 15% inclusionThe final body weight and breast weight for the birds on treatment A was not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the values recorded for the birds on dietary treatment D. However, the birds on treatment B and C had higher values which differed significantly (p < 0.05) from the values observed for the birds on treatment, A and D. The dressing weight of the birds on dietary treatment D was significantly lower (p<0.05) than values observed for the birds on treatment A, B and C. The same trend was observed for the thigh weight and Head and neck. The birds on dietary treatment D differed significantly (p<0.05) from the values observed for the birds on treatment A, B and C. The eviscerated weight observed for the birds on dietary treatment A, B, C and D had no significant difference (p > 0.05). The value observed for the residual weight for the birds on dietary treatment B was significantly lower(p < 0.05) than the birds on treatment A,C and D. In conclusion, the result of this study showed that Ground nut pods can be incorporated at 10 per cent level in diet of finishing broiler chickens without compromising carcass performance.

Background- The reduction and elimination of pregnancy-related mortality remain a challenge in most low income countries. For this reason, many African countries have either reduced or eliminated delivery fees to promote health facility delivery service utilization. Healthcare seeking behavior is a central issue in service delivery. Cost has been highlighted as a major hindrance to utilization of medical services especially among the poor people. It has been shown that removal or reduction of user fees results to increased utilization of services. However, some studies have shown the opposite to be true. Following the free maternity services policy in Kenya, uninterrupted time series study was conducted in Nakuru County referral hospital to examine the effects of the policy on utilization of maternity services at the hospital and the effects on maternal and neonatal deaths. The impact of delivery fees exemption policy on maternal death rates at Nakuru County Referral Hospital. Data was collected from facility-based records using a predesigned standard data extraction form. The study used Interrupted Time Series Analysis (ITSA), a strong longitudinal quasi-experimental design with a single group to assess the effects of the Free Maternity Service Policy to maternal health. The three indicators were observed 24 months pre (June 2011–May 2013) g a total of and 24 months post (June 2013–May 2015) free maternity service policy implementation, giving 48 observations. There was a statistically significant increase in the number of skilled deliveries, significant reduction in neonatal mortality rates and a non-significant reduction in the maternal mortality ratio. These findings suggest that cost significantly limits access to skilled deliveries in Kenya thus the free maternity policy can successfully promote utilization of facility deliveries. However, free maternity alone cannot address maternal and neonatal mortalities thus there is needed to address other determinants of maternal and neonatal deaths such as the health service infrastructure and cultural practices.

The aim behind this research work was to develop a suitable Al-Si-Fe alloy as an alternative material to scrap aluminum used by foundry artisans for casting aluminum cookware in some West African metropolitan areas. Samples from five cast-fabricated 10mm-diameter and 300mm-length Al-Si-Fe alloy rods named A, B, C, D, and E of compositions within 85.4-96.7%Al, 3-13%Si, and 0.3-1.6%Fe were similarly subjected to natural and artificial time-aged heat-treatments. Tests indicated marked improvement in hardness of the heat-treated samples, and their corrosion resistances in 12.1-pH NaOH solution. The hardness and corrosion resistances were greater and increased with the silicon and iron contents relative to the as-fabricated rod samples and pure aluminum. Average maximum hardness value of 370.8HV was obtained with the artificial time-aged heat-treated samples from rod E which contained 85.4%Al, 13%Si, and 1.6%Fe. The least average corrosion weight loss of 0.068g and penetration rate of 0.0594mm/yr were obtained with artificial time-aged heat-treated samples from rod D which contained 87.7%Al, 11%Si, and 1.3%Fe. In totality, rod D with artificial time-aged heat-treated hardness value of 306HV was found to be the best potential raw stock for aluminum cookware out of the five Al-Si-Fe rods in terms of hardness and corrosion resistance.

This study examined the relationship between cultural diversity and organizational performance of 3-star hotels in South-South, Nigeria. Primary data was generated through self- administered questionnaire. The target population of the study is all the 3- star hotels in South-South, Nigeria registered with the Nigeria Tourism Development Commission. Five managers were selected from each of the 60 hotels in the South-South giving a total of 300 managers. The sample size of 171 was determined using the Taro Yamane’s formula for sample size determination. The reliability of the instrument was achieved by the use of the Cronbach Alpha coefficient with all the items scoring coefficients above 0.70. The hypotheses were tested using the Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Statistics. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between cultural diversity and organizational performance of  3-star hotels in South- South, Nigeria. The study concludes that cultural diversity significantly predicts organizational performance of 3-star hotels in South- South, Nigeria. The study recommends that it is important for 3-star hotels should put in place effective workplace strategies and policies be designed, implemented and monitored, in order not only to eliminate racial discrimination but also to support a more diverse workforce. Employing a diverse workforce – and managing it effectively – not only satisfies legal, ethical obligations, but is also good for business.

The ongoing spread of COVID-19 has become one of the biggest threats to the global economy and financial markets. To contain the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are trickling down to major sectors of the Indian economy, with manufacturing, auto, retail, aviation and hospitality bearing the brunt of the lockdown. This in turn has affected fast-growing digital payments which are closely linked to the aforementioned sectors. Demonetization in November 2016 and constant push by Government and regulators for less cash economy have propelled the growth trajectory. The digital payments market in India was valued at INR1,638.49 trillion.The industry has been equally supported by technological innovations. In the last 10 years, the country has seen many unique and state of the art product innovations  in the digital payment industry. The advent of a younger population who has grown up with mobiles and data, has enabled faster adoption of  technological advancements in digital payments. In this paper the author study about the impact of covid 19 pandemic on the digital payments. The objective of this study is to explain the challenges faced by different sector in covid pandemic.