Thermal behavior, surface area, oxide, mineralogical composition, and structural functional groups of raw and thermally treated five local kaolin clays [Ijero-Ekiti (IJ), Ikere-Ekiti (IK), Isan-Ekiti (IS), Abusoro (AB) and Odigbo (OD)] from two states in SouthWest Nigeria were studied in order to determine their potential uses. These properties were measured using thermogravimetric analysis coupled with differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), surface area and porosity analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD) and Fourier Transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) respectively. The TGA/ DTA showed major mass losses and broad endothermic bands at temperatures 390-700 °C, which were associated with dehydroxylation of kaolinite and other clay minerals. Thermal treatment increased the surface area of the raw clays. The XRF results showed oxides of kaolinite, illite, quartz, feldspar, hematite, anatase and the phases were confirmed by XRD. The FTIR spectra displayed the characteristic absorption bands of the minerals. Combining the obtained results, Ijero-Ekiti clay was identified as feldspar (albite)-quartz containing clay, Ikere-Ekiti and Isan-Ekiti clays as kaolinite-dominated clays, Abusoro clay as kaolinite-illite-montmorillonite-containing clay and Odigbo clay as kaolinite-illite-containing clay. The TGA/DTA, XRD and FTIR indicated that crystalline kaolinite in the clays were converted into amorphous metakaolinite after thermal treatment. Based on the properties displayed, clays from IK, IS, AB and OD deposits can be thermally treated to form useful supplementary cementitious and geopolymer materials to make binders in building and construction while clay from IJ deposit can be a potential raw material for ceramic production.

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Geopolymer, an inorganic polymer is a greener alternative to Portland cement because of less CO2 emissions generated during its synthesis. Main precursors needed for its formation is silica and alumina. Geopolymer source materials are primarily fly ash, blast furnace slag, calcined kaolin clays. Ijero-Ekiti kaolin clay that is rich in silica and alumina is relatively abundant in Nigeria. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop geopolymer binder and mortars using Ijero-Ekiti calcined clay, blast furnace slag and river sand. Chemical and structural characterisation of source materials was determined. Geopolymer binders were synthesised at varying proportions of clay and BFS. The binder that gave the optimum compressive strength was used to prepare geopolymer mortars with sand at varying mix ratios with 8M NaOH/NaSi2O3 solution at ambient temperature. Mechanical, structural and durability properties of the geopolymer products were investigated. FTIR spectrum of Ijero-Ekiti calcined clay showed a disappearance of surface OH groups when compared to its raw clay, confirming the transformation of kaolinite to metakaolinite. The calcined clay was composed mainly of silicon oxide and aluminium oxide. Si-O stretching vibration decreased as the BFS content increased in the binders. The water absorption values substantiated the low porosity of the binders. The geopolymer mortars compressive strength was in accordance with ASTM standard. The results confirmed the suitability of Ijero-Ekiti calcined clay as a geopolymer precursor and its combination with blast furnace slag can be used as a greener alternative to Portland cement.

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This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, influencing factors as well as suggested strategies to reduce academic dishonesty among healthcare students.A cross-sectional design that employed a self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect data among healthcare students in Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting the respondents. Knowledge was categorised into poor (< 50% of total score), fair (50–69% of total score) and good (≥ 70% of total score) while perception was classified as positive (≥ 50% of total score) and negative (< 50% of total score). Association between student demographics, and perception of academic dishonesty was analysed using Chi-Square and Fisher Exact tests. Differences in knowledge between demographics was analysed using independent sample T-test and One way Analysis of variance.Three hundred thirty-five students were enrolled in this study of which 83.3% were female and the mean age of the respondents was 19.33 years. 29.8% and 94.9% of the students showed good knowledge and positive perception of academic dishonesty respectively. There was a significant difference in knowledge based on students’ level of study (p < 0.001) and departments (p < 0.001). Fear of failure (77.0%), social stigma and peer pressure (37.0%) were commonly identified reasons for academic dishonesty among students while strict punishment (18.3%) and proper invigilation (16.2%) were the most suggested strategies (n = 178) to control academic dishonesty among students.Poor to fair knowledge and positive perception towards academic dishonesty was shown by majority of the students. Educational intervention in form of training and proper implementation of suggested strategies is warranted to improve knowledge, reduce misconceptions and ultimately reduce academic dishonest behaviours among students.

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, influencing factors as well as suggested strategies to reduce academic dishonesty among healthcare students. A cross-sectional design that employed a self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect data among healthcare students in Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting the respondents. Knowledge was categorised into poor (< 50%), fair (50–69%) and good (≥ 70%) while perception was classified as positive (≥ 50%) and negative (< 50%). Association between student demographics, and perception of academic dishonesty was analysed using Chi-Square and Fisher Exact tests. Differences in knowledge between demographics was analysed using independent sample T-test and One way Analysis of variance. 335 students were enrolled in this study of which 83.3% were female and the mean age of the respondents was 19.33 years. 29.8% and 94.9% of the students showed good knowledge and positive perception of academic dishonesty respectively. There was a significant difference in knowledge based on students’ level of study (p < 0.001) and departments (p < 0.001). Fear of failure (77.0%), social stigma and peer pressure (37.0%) were commonly identified reasons for academic dishonesty among students while strict punishment (18.3%) and proper invigilation (16.2%) were the most suggested strategies (n = 178) to control academic dishonesty among students. Poor to fair knowledge and positive perception towards academic dishonesty was shown by majority of the students. Educational intervention in form of training and proper implementation of suggested strategies is warranted to improve knowledge, reduce misconceptions and ultimately reduce academic dishonest behaviours among students.

Antiplatelet agents have been utilized to enhance outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome for decades and are increasingly valued for their antithrombotic as well as anti-inflammatory characteristics. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is a combination of aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor. Different modes of action are employed by these drugs. Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory medication that also has antioxidant characteristics, while P2Y12 inhibitors act by inhibiting thrombocytes activation/aggregation. There are two types of P2Y12 inhibitors: thienopyridines and nucleoside/nucleotide compounds. Nucleoside/nucleotide derivatives are reversible direct-acting P2Y12 receptor antagonists that do not need hepatic metabolism, whereas thienopyridines are competitive and irreversible P2Y12 inhibitors. In patients with acute coronary syndrome or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for stable coronary artery disease, dual antiplatelet therapy, which contains aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, has consistently been shown to reduce recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events compared to aspirin monotherapy, but at the cost of an increased risk of major bleeding. This chapter is meant to elaborate on dual antiplatelet therapy highlighting the current guidelines and recent evidences on the indications, dosing, and duration of treatment using dual antiplatelet therapy.