| 1 |
Author(s):
Benedict Uvun Markus , Yusuf Inuwa Muhammed, Jamilu Ya’u.
Page No : 1-9
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Assessment of the Properties of Compressed Earth Bricks Stabilized with Locust Bean Pod Powder.
Abstract
The high cost of the cement and the associated environmental impact has necessitated many researchers to conduct investigations on alternative stabilizers. The research was aimed at assessing the properties of compressed earth bricks stabilized with locust bean pods powder LBPP. It involved addition of LBPP in 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% for a curing periods of 3, 7, and 14 days. The laterite used has Sand 58%, Silt 31%, clay 10.0%, and organic matter 1 %. Liquid limit was 30.13%, plastic limit 15.46%, plasticity index of 14.67%, shrinkage 1.7%, maximum dry density of 1.7 g/cm3 and optimum moisture content of 10%. Chemical oxide composition shows SiO2 16.3%, CaO 13.6%, K2O 35.8%, SO3 4.18%, Cl2 3.16, Fe2O3 16.6%, P2O5 7.64%. Results obtained from stabilized bricks shows that the compressive strength improves from 0.52 N/mm2 for 0%LBPP content at age 3 days to 2.7 N/mm2 for 10% LBPP content at 14 days. The bending strength also increases from 0.02 N/mm2 for 0% LBPP content at age 3days to 0.25 N/mm2 for 10% LBPP content at 14 days curing age. The researcher concludes that LBPP contains cementitious properties and chemical oxides similar to that of Portland cement, and that it improves the compressive and bending strengths of CSEB. The researcher recommends 10% LBPP content and 14 days curing periods for practical applications.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Oderinde E. O., Adeoti O. A..
Page No : 10-22
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Statistical Analysis of the Prevalence and Predictors of Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis in Nigeria.
Abstract
The incidence and prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis have increased worldwide over the past ten years and it places a burden on already poorly financed healthcare systems. This article explores the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis in Nigeria, utilizing statistical analyses to investigate the prevalence, demographic predictors, and familial associations. Objectives include determining average ages of diagnosis, identifying significant predictors, examining the relationship between asthma and allergic rhinitis, and investigating familial associations. The study employed the use of statistical tools like logistics regression, chi-square test of independence, cross-tabulation, and descriptive statistics. The analysis reveals an average age of 22 for asthma and 28 for allergic rhinitis. Significant predictors influencing asthma include age, body mass index, years of smoking, level of education, and the number of cigarettes smoked per day. The study establishes a positive correlation between asthma and allergic rhinitis, emphasizing their interconnected nature. Importantly, a highly significant relationship is identified between a family history of asthma and individual diagnoses. The prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis in Nigeria is influenced by various demographic factors that should be looked into, emphasizing the importance of considering demographic factors and age in developing effective approaches to address and manage asthma in the Nigerian population.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Ifekanandu Chukwudi Christian (Ph.D.), Obinna Christian Ojiaku, Asagba Samuel.
Page No : 23-41
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Logistics Technology Adoption and Delivery Performance of Shipping Companies in South-West Nigeria.
Abstract
This study explored logistics technology adoption and delivery performance of shipping companies in South-West Nigeria. The study used a positivist research philosophy and correlational design to analyze data from 65 shipping companies in South-West Nigeria, with 20 managers selected purposefully and a structured questionnaire used as the primary instrument. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics while the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) was used to test the formulated hypotheses. SPSS software program version 24 was used to perform the bivariate analysis. The findings revealed that Artificial Intelligent adoption has a significant relationship with on-time delivery of shipping companies. The study revealed a significant correlation between the adoption of Artificial Intelligent, transportation technology, and warehouse automation, as well as the on-time delivery of shipping companies. The study concluded and recommended that the adoption of logistics technology can significantly enhance the delivery performance of shipping companies in South-West Nigeria.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Gnilane Thiam (Ph.D.), Ndeye A. Sene, Pascale Balland, Alpha O. Touré.
Page No : 42-54
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Properties and Mechanical Performance of Cement Mortars Incorporating Coffee Grounds Residues.
Abstract
Current advances in sustainability and innovation have led to research and development of new eco-friendly construction materials. Recycling or transforming waste materials, which are unlikely to end up on landfill sites, into usable materials for construction applications, will significantly, reduce the demand for virgin quarry materials. Used coffee grounds, for example, are a by-product of the brewing process, an unavoidable waste product these days. Coffee production and consumption are on the increase worldwide, and particularly in Senegal with the advent of 'Touba' coffee. His coffee is specific and its use generates a significant amount of waste. The usual disposal of this organic waste in landfill sites constitutes a risk for humans and the environment. The aim of this article is to use coffee grounds to produce new, environmentally-friendly building materials. The residues were used at 2 %, 3 % and 5 % partial cement replacement to assess the mechanical and microstructural performance of the mortars produced. The main results showed that a small quantity of coffee waste led to a reduction in the apparent density of mortars and a drop in mechanical performance (while still maintaining acceptable values).
| 5 |
Author(s):
Omotayo Mayowa Emmanuel, Adegbite Ismaila Olawale.
Page No : 55-65
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Design, Development and Testing of Electronic Class Attendance using Fingerprint.
Abstract
Electronic Class Attendance System (e-CAS) is an easy way to keep track of attendance of students and lecturers in School. It will cover the requirements of the personnel department in terms of day-to-day monitoring of students' and lecturers activities. Hence, students’ attendance is an important issue every institution must take into consideration to be productive. Hence, this research aims to design, develop and test using fingerprints. The methodologies used were miniature techniques and image processing techniques for design and development. This target was mainly decomposed into image preprocessing, feature extraction and feature match. For each sub-task, some classical and up-to-date methods in literatures were analyzed. Based on the analysis, an integrated solution for electronic class attendance was developed for demonstration. However, Poison probability process, Biometrics as well as NP-chart of Quality control were adopted for classical statistical analysis of quality and functionality of the e- Class Attendance System (e-CAS). The project on electronic class attendance system was coded by PHP and the hardware was developed with ATMEGA series of microcontroller. The result when experimented achieved the objective of improving the performance and consistent of electronic class attendance system based on template matching techniques as well as class attendance for both students and lecturers.
Keywords: e-CAS, Fingerprints, Atmega, Microcontroller and Template-Matching
| 6 |
Author(s):
Abdullahi Sammani, Hanafi Junaidu.
Page No : 66-78
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Effect of Suction/Injection on Unsteady MHD Natural Convection Flow of Heat Mass Transfer in Porous Channel in the Presence of Soret Term.
Abstract
This research paper explores the effect of suction/injection on unsteady MHD natural convection flow of heat mass transfer in porous channel in the presence of Soret term. The governing partial differential equations are converted to non- dimensional forms and solved numerically by using unconditionally stable and convergent implicit finite difference method. A parametric study illustrating the influence of various physical parameters is performed. It is reported that the velocity profile increases as Soret term, Grashof number, Solutal Grashof number and Porous parameters values increase, while Magnetic field parameter decreases the velocity profile. The temperature profile rises by the influence in increasing values of Variable Thermal Conductivity and decreases by increasing values of Prandtl number and Radiation parameters. While concentration profile increase by the increasing values of Soret term and Chemical reaction. The dependence of the skin friction coefficient, rate of heat transfer and mass transfer on these parameter has been discussed.
KEYWORDS: Soret term, MHD, Unsteady, Heat transfer, Mass transfer, Natural convection.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Nseabasi Uchacha, Godwin Usoh, Ololade Olatunji , Afangideh C. B., Sam E. O..
Page No : 79-91
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A Comparative Study of the Effects of Dumpsites on Groundwater Quality in Uyo Metropolis of Akwa Ibom State.
Abstract
The study was conducted to compare effects of dumpsites on groundwater quality in Uyo Metropolis of Akwa Ibom State. It aimed at examining the effect of dumpsites from physicochemical and heavy metal content of borehole water and determining the water quality rating of boreholes in the study areas. Three (3) dumpsites namely Uyo Village Road Dumpsite (UVD), Atiku Road Dumpsite (ARD) and Ediene Uyo Dumpsite (EUD) were used for the study. The triangular sampling method was used to select three boreholes in each dumpsite area giving a total of thirty-six (36) samples on replication for the three dumpsites and control. The water samples were collected in well-labeled pretreated 1-litre plastic bottles and were immediately transported to the laboratory for analysis. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and means of significant parameters were separated using the Duncan multiple range test at 5% level of probability. Result showed that mean pH was 7.49 in control significantly lower than 8.22- 8.66 in the study areas. Electrical conductivity was 245.33 - 580.67 μs/cm with 335.00 μs/cm as control. Mean temperatures were 28.53-28.67 oC and 28.0 oC for control. Also, values obtained for turbidity were 3.47 - 4.21 and 3.47 in control. DO in control borehole water was 3.07 mg/l while that of dumpsites were 3.18 - 3.37 mg/l. The calculated water indices were 1871.92, 33492.86 and 32288.10 for UVD, ARD and EUD. The findings revealed that mean values in water quality parameters like Magnesium, dissolved oxygen, lead, cadmium, Nickel and Zinc were above the permissible limit of World Health Organization for drinking water indicating higher evidence of ground water pollution in the study area. The study generally showed that borehole water samples from the three dumpsites were unsuitable for drinking. Public awareness among borehole owners and users within dumpsite environment on ground water contamination by dumpsites was recommended among others in the study area and the water should be treated before human consumption.
| 8 |
Author(s):
Jackson Efiong Ante , Samuel Okon Essang, Okoi Okoi Itam, Etorti Imoke John.
Page No : 92-110
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On the Existence of Maximal Solution and Lyapunov Practical Stability of Nonlinear Impulsive Caputo Fractional Derivative via Comparison Principle.
Abstract
This paper examines the existence of maximal solution of the comparison differential system and also establishes sufficient conditions for the practical stability of the trivial solution of a nonlinear impulsive Caputo fractional differential system with fixed moment of impulse using the vector Lyapunov functions. First, it was discovered that the vector form of the Lyapunov function was majorized by the maximal solution of the comparison system. From the results obtained, it was established that the main system is practically stable in the sense of Lyapunov.
| 9 |
Author(s):
Chukwudi Anderson Ugomma.
Page No : 111-124
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On the Distribution of the Mixed-Lognormal-Weibull Option Pricing Model.
Abstract
This paper intends to test whether Mixed-Lognormal-Weibull Distribution (MLWD) option pricing model come from the same distribution and whether the model is a good fit in Black-Scholes option pricing model. The data for this study were obtained from Australian Clearing House of Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) which consist of 50 enlisted stock as products of monthly market summary for long term options collected from January, 3rd 2017 to December, 31st 2017comprising of 720 trading days arranged in accordance to 25, 27, 28, 29 and 30 maturity days. Maximum Likelihood Estimate was used to obtain the parameters of both the lognormal and Weibull distributions which were applied in Black-Scholes model. The data were test Wilcoxon Rank Sum test since the mixture model became distribution and Chi-square goodness-fit-test for the model fit and the result shows that the mixture model does not follow any of the lognormal or Weibull distributions. The result also shows that the mixture model is a good fit in Black-Scholes option pricing model with the P-value>0.05 when they are shorter maturity days with small sample sizes than longer maturity days with larger sample sizes. Hence, the model is recommended to be used for financial practitioners who are interested in modeling option pricing.
| 10 |
Author(s):
Emmanuel Okon Sam, Victor I. O. Ndirika, Enobong O. Umoh, Godwin Akpan Usoh.
Page No : 125-138
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Determination of the Optimum Moisture Content for the Whole Kernel Recovery During the Cracking Process of Oil Palm Nuts.
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of moisture content on palm nut cracking and kernel production using a locally fabricated palm nut cracker. Palm nuts of mixed varieties (Dura, Tenera, and Pisifera) were manually cleaned and dried at different moisture content levels ranging from 8.53% to 26.82%. The palm nut cracker designed with four major units: the in-feed unit, cracking unit, discharge unit and the driving unit. The cracking efficiency was determined by calculating the ratio of completely cracked nuts to the total nuts fed into the hopper. Results show that the whole kernel recovery varies considerably with moisture content and cracking speed. At the lowest moisture content of 8.58%, the whole kernel recovery is generally low across all the cracking speeds. As the moisture content increases, there is a significant improvement in whole kernel recovery at all the cracking speeds. The highest whole kernel recovery was obtained at intermediate moisture contents of around 14% to 18%, and at the cracking speeds of 1000 rpm to 1400 rpm. The ANOVA table shows that both the cracking speed and moisture content have a significant effect on whole kernel recovery. Optimizing these parameters could lead to higher whole kernel recovery. However, it is important to note that other factors such as the cultivar of the nut and the equipment used may also affect the whole kernel recovery.
| 11 |
Author(s):
Madu A. N., Paul Rachael C., Maduako K. N., Mbakwe I. E., Anyaorie C. N., Madu J. N..
Page No : 139-153
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Extraction, Stabilization and GC-MS Characterization of Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Aloe Vera Gel and Rind.
Abstract
Aloe vera gel and rind have been examined for their phytochemical properties as well as their chemical composition using GC-MS and the results in general showed that the matured aloe leaf plant is composed of approximately 55–70%, inner leaf and 30 – 45% rind by weight. The inner leaf contains about 98.5–99.5% water and 0.5 – 1.5% solids; the rind contains 88–91% water and 9–12% solids. The whole leaf contains total solids of about 3.5 - 4.5 %, while the extractable solid of the whole leaf was approximately 1%. The main components in these analyzed samples were found to be the ash, free sugars, organic acids, and polysaccharides. The protein contents are relatively high in fresh plants, in the range of 3.8–8.3%, and higher in rind than in gel. Protein content is low in the juice powders, assuming proteins were removed in the filtering and decolorization process. The GC analysis of ethanolic extract of aloe vera (EEAV) resulted in 31 significant retention time (RT) peaks revealing more than 25 phytochemical compounds (approximately 25 compounds/peak) present in the EEAV. In the GC-MS analysis, 21 bioactive compounds, based on their peak area percentage, Retention Time (RT), molecular weight and molecular formula were identified including 2-methyl 1-butanamine, n-hexadecyl acetamide, 2-methyl isobutylamide, glycyl-di-alanine. The ethanolic extract of aloe vera Rind indicated the presence of 3-aminopropionitrile, Adenosine 2-methyl acetic acid and 4-(3-acetylamino-2-oxopropyl) phenyl ester), 1,3-dichloro-4,6-dinitrobenzene, Adenosine,2-methyl alanine, Ethyl-2-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-oxy-3,3,3-trifluoropropanoic, 2-methyl-ethyl,5-(furan-2 yl)-1,2-oxazole-3-carboxylate, 1-butanamine and 2-methyl,1-butanamide, 2-methyl acetic acid, 2-butyn-1-ol, N-hexadecyl acatanamide, 2-methylisobutanamide and isobutanamide. The gel is mostly used for the preparation of various products like juice, makeup items, tissue papers, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, incense, shaving cream, and shampoos. The identification of compounds like Hexanoic Acid, Citronellyl Butyrate, Phytol, Myristic Acid, Palmitic acid, Palmitoyl Chloride and Octadecanal in the present study is important since they are known to be used in flavoring and fragrance, moisturizing creams, shaving creams, shampoos, bathing oils lipsticks and perfumed products.
