In this study, nano-scale microstructural evolution in 6061-T6 alloy after laser shock processing (LSP) was studied. 6061-T6 alloy plate was subjected to multiple LSP. The LSP treated area was characterized by X-ray diffraction and the microstructure of the samples was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Focused Ion Beam (FIB) tools were used to prepare TEM samples in precise areas. It was found that even though aluminum had high stacking fault energy, LSP yielded to formation of ultrafine grains and deformation faults such as dislocation cells, stacking faults. The stacking fault probability (PSF) was obtained in LSP-treated alloy using X-Ray diffraction. Deformation induced stacking faults lead to the peak position shifts, broadening and asymmetry of diffraction. XRD analysis and TEM observations revealed significant densities of stacking faults in LSP-treated 6061-T6 alloy. And mechanical properties of LSP-treated alloy were also determined to understand the hardening behavior with high concentration of structural defects.

Cucumber Variety ‘Drite L108’ (Cucumis sativus L. Cv. Derit L108) was selected as the test material. In the solar greenhouse, different days (1, 3, 5, 7, 9 d) of light (PAR < 200 µmol·m^-2·s^-1) and normal light conditions were designed with shading nets to observe the growth indexes of cucumber plants and the changes of antioxidant enzyme activities in leaves. The results showed that: (1) continuous low light increased the SPAD (relative chlorophyll) value of cucumber leaves and decreased the net photosynthetic rate. The longer the continuous low light days are, the smaller the net photosynthetic rate of cucumber leaves and the worse the photosynthetic recovery ability would be. (2) The plant height, stem diameter and leaf area per plant were lower than CK, and the above indexes could not return to the normal level after 9 days of normal light recovery; the yield and marketability of cucumber fruit decreased under continuous low illumination. (3) The activities of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and POD (peroxidase) in cucumber leaves increased, the activities of CAT (catalase) first increased and then decreased, and the content of MDA (malondialdehyde) continued to increase. The longer the days of continuous light keep, the more seriously the cucumber leaves were damaged by membrane lipid peroxidation. After continuous light for more than 7 days, the metabolic function of cucumber leaves was difficult to recover to the normal level.

BiVO₄ was hydrothermally synthesized under different preparing conditions and characterized by XRD, SEM, Raman spectrum and BET specific surface area. The influence of different pH value and annealing temperature and hydrothermal time on the morphologies and structures of the BiVO₄ samples was investigated systematically. It can be found that annealing would eliminate the effects caused by the pH of precursor, heating temperature and heating time, but preparing conditions still influenced the size and specific surface area of samples. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activities of the fabricated BiVO₄ were also evaluated by the degradation of methyl blue in aqueous solution under UV and visible light irradiation.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can be an effective way of delivering infrastructure. However, achieving value for money can be difficult if government agencies are not equipped to manage them effectively. Experience from OECD countries shows that the availability of finance is not the main obstacle in delivering infrastructure. Governance—effective decision-making—is the most influential aspect on the quality of an investment, including PPP investments. In 2012, the OECD together with its member countries developed principles to ensure that PPPs deliver value for money transparently and prudently, supported by the right institutional capacities and processes to harness the upside of PPPs without jeopardizing fiscal sustainability. Survey results from OECD countries show that some dimensions of the recommended practices are well applied and past and ongoing reforms show progress. However, other principles have not been well implemented, reflecting the continuing need for improving public governance of PPPs across countries.

This study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Landmark University, Omu-Aran. Treatments consisted of 3 levels of cocoa pod husk ash (0, 2 and 4 tonnes CPHA ha^-1), 3 levels of cocoa pod husk powder (0, 2 and 4 tonnes CPHP ha^-1), NPK and the control. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated four times. The following parameters were taken plant height, number of leaves (at 2, 3, and 4 weeks after sowing), total plant weight, root weight, leaf weight, roots girth and roots length. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Using S.A.S, 2000. Treatment means were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 0.05 level of probability. Results showed that chemical analysis of cocoa pod ash and powder contained plant nutrients as N, P, K, Ca, Mg and some other micronutrients in varying proportions. Application of CPHA 4 + CPHP 2 gave higher values for all the vegetative parameters. The implication of this study is that high level of cocoa pod husk powder in combination with high level of cocoa pod husk ash is detrimental to radish cultivation. In the same vein, the nutrition of radish was incomplete when NPK fertilizer was applied. It can therefore be recommended that the use of combined application of cocoa pod ash and cocoa pod powder at CPHA4 + CPHP2 was sufficient for the cultivation of radish (Raphanus sativus) in the study area as it compete favorably with application of NPK fertilizer.