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In this study, the thermal treatment of two types of waste from the paper industry was investigated, paper mill sludge and sewage sludge from biological wastewater treatment plants. Hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) and torrefaction were investigated as sustainable alternatives for solid biofuel production. Untreated samples and samples chemically pre-treated with alcoholic vinegar were subjected to torrefaction at 350 °C in N2 atmosphere, and the exhaust gases were analysed. HTC was performed at 250 °C with a residence time of 4 h. The feedstocks and the biochars produced were characterised by different analytical methods, and the effects of pre-treatment on fuel properties were studied. Both processes, HTC and torrefaction, showed inspiring results in the production of biofuels from paper industry wastes under the tested experimental conditions. A positive influence of pre-treatment on fuel properties (higher heating value, carbon content) of the obtained char was observed, and changes in the gas phase during torrefaction were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is based on a study that examined authorship and collaborative research among scholars in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions with a focus on prospects for Africa. The study involved intensive documentary desk review of conference book of abstracts and conference proceedings to examine authorship and collaborative research. The study reviewed a total of 10 conference books of abstracts and proceedings organized or hosted by universities including ODL institutions in Africa. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise some thematic areas of interest. It is revealed in this paper that authorship in terms of co-authorship is high in some conferences but low in others in relation to collaborative research. Furthermore, authorship between two scholars was higher compared to three or more authors in collaborative research. This implies that co-authorship is trending in relation to collaborative research thus raising collaboration prospects for Africa. It is therefore recommended that ODL scholars should be encouraged to do more co-author publications from collaborative research in order to promote teamwork and comparative studies in knowledge production for socio-economic development relevant for Africa and beyond.

Education, being a process of teaching and learning is evaluated through examination at the end of the learning period. Examination not only serves as a feedback for the trainer to ascertain the level of knowledge acquisition but also serves as a measure of knowledge retention by the trainee. Any misconduct or irregularity distorts this feedback mechanism and gives a false outcome of the learning process. This paper examines the causes and forms of examination malpractice in Nigeria, the consequences on the national development, previous efforts made at curbing it and recommended ways of eradicating examination malpractice in the country. Relevant journals and conference papers consulted, and the writers' personal experiences during examination invigilation were the sources of data used in the paper. It is discovered that the perennial lack of political will on the part of government to enforce the Decree 20 of 1984 and now, Examination Malpractice Act 33 of 1999 has caused the examination misconduct to remain on the increase in Nigeria. This paper recommends strongly that the Examination Malpractice Act of 1999 should be amended to incorporate that section of Decree 20 of 1984 which stipulated twenty-one years imprisonment without option of a fine for a convicted culprit. And the Act should be diligently enforced no matter whose ox is gored.

There is an increasing trend toward regionalization as higher education adapts to openness and globalization. In response, East African countries formed networks and partnerships that strengthened business, higher education, student and staff mobility, and research. This is because regionalization is embedded in East Africa's economy, politics, culture, and social norms. In addition, regionalization is influenced by internationalization and globalization. It promises development opportunities, although challenges are inevitable. This paper examines the contributions of regional student mobility to East Africa's development. We use neoliberal and world systems theories to illuminate the advantages and disadvantages of regionalizing higher education and explain how partner states can maximize opportunities and minimize challenges. Data was collected through convenience sampling of two hundred international students and two staff members in international students' offices. Data analysis revealed that the regionalization of East African higher education reflects historical power relations; it has benefits though founded on inequalities.

Money is defined as any asset that is acceptable as a medium of exchange in payment for goods and services. Finance is a part of money and all the activities are related to obtain it and to use it effectively. Financial market is an area where the sources of finance are available in two format i.e. Long term & Short term. By understanding to these subjects and financial market, the further emphasis can be laid on to its sub-part i.e. money market (Short term). EVERY country with a monetary system of its own does have some kind of market in which dealers in short-term credit can buy and sell. It is a market of short-term funds with maturity ranging from overnight to one year and includes financial instruments that are deemed to be close substitutes of money. One of the major components or instrument of Indian Money Market is Commercial Papers. This paper examines the trend and growth of Commercial papers in Indian economy over a period of 10 years. It emphasize on how the share of this particular instrument has grown with respect to the changes in interest rates over the same period and to analyse the reasons behind such changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study explains the material flow of paper from households to containers and ultimately to landfills. Moreover, it shows different behavior of various households towards the consumption of different paper products and the way they reuse them. Sampling was carried out from households, kerbside containers and landfills where material flow of paper was studied. Percentage composition was calculated on different waste items including paper. Six major paper items were segregated namely glossy paper, cardboard, tissue paper, boxboard, office paper and newspaper. Moreover, proximate analysis was carried out to find out the values for fixed carbon, ash content, moisture content and volatile organic compounds (VOC's) for different paper items mentioned above. Material flow of paper from households to kerbside containers and then to landfills was observed. The results showed that waste paper from the households is of very fine quality and before reaching to the landfill site it is either sold, reused or recovered. Today in Pakistan, the act of recovering paper from the waste stream is carried out by the informal sector which if followed by the formal sector too can raise profits and economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]