Pedo-Transfer Functions for Predicting Total Soil Nitrogen in Different Land Use Types under Some Tropical Environments

 Nitrogen pedo-transfer functions were developed for different land use types, soil depths and agro-ecologies across eight states in Nigeria. The results showed that total nitrogen had a good relationship with the soil organic carbon; therefore, the functions developed were based on the relationship between organic carbon and total nitrogen as other soil parameters (pH, and particle size distribution) had little contribution and no significant correlation (p>0.05) with total nitrogen. Correlation and forward stepwise regression and Kendall’s Coefficient Concordance were used to fit and validate the developed model with datasets other than those used for the model formulation. The R2 of the best fitted regression models varied from 0.77 to 0.85. We obtained a generalized fitted model (TN = 0.0736*OC, R2 = 0.83) which is independent of the agroecology and the land use types. Significant fitted models were also obtained for the arable farms (TN = 0.08*OC, R2 = 0.85) and the plantation farms (TN = 0.0698*OC, R2 = 0.83). It was discovered that variations in agro-ecology, land use, and soil depth did not significantly affect the model performance

Effects of PID Controller on Performance of Dish Antenna Position Control for Distributed Mobile Telemedicine Nodes

Introduction of telemedicine into developing nation’s healthcare delivery scheme could be a solution to a number of challenges facing the scheme including acute shortage of medical personnel. Because of distribution and mobility nature of the system combined with Nigeria’s large land mass, the resulting propagation delay will be large which may lead to system poor quality of performance or instability if the system is not compensated. This study aimed at assessing the effects of introducing Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller into the control of the position of dish antenna mounted on distributed mobile telemedicine nodes within Nigeria when the link is via Nigcomsat-1R. The system closed loop composite transfer function was obtained and subjected to unit step forcing function which then yielded time domain parameters. There was reduction in the value of system time domain parameters obtained for PID controller compensated system compared to uncompensated system. Based on the value of the system time domain parameters obtained from the simulation, introduction of PID controller into this system has improved the system response significantly

Perception of Skin Bleaching Among Female Secondary School Students in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Despite the social, pathological, physiological and psychological effects that skin bleaching presents, it has become a popular practice among individuals of different age groups, gender and religious affiliations in Nigeria. An objective observation would identify a particular group as being mostly involved in the practice than the others. Upon this backdrop, this study investigated the perception of female secondary school students on skin bleaching practice in Ibadan metropolis. The sample comprised six hundred female students across ten secondary schools in Ibadan metropolis. The instrument employed for the study is titled “Perception of Skin Bleaching Questionnaire” (POSBQ) designed by the researchers. The data collected were analyzed using percentage, mean and t-test statistical measures. The major findings revealed that young girls engaged in skin bleaching as a method of receiving desired attention and relationship from the opposite sex and attract the desired marriage partners. The study revealed that religion has no significant influence on the perception of the respondents as regards skin bleaching while age has significant influence. Therefore, counsellors should enlighten female students on best practice in body beautification and guide them on life building skills such as assertiveness, decision making and healthy living. Keywords: Beautification, Perception and Skin bleachin

Kinematics of Lower Limb Segments during Cycling Session

This paper presents the kinematics of the leg-bicycle five-bar linkage system mechanism including foot segment. Kinematics is very important in the analysis of rigid bodies system whenever theoretical analysis is being sought especially in bicycle-leg linkage mechanism. A lot of experimental works has already been carried out on lower limbs segments biomechanics during cycling which involved the use of positions of the lower limb segments, but there has not been a complete theoretical analysis of the lower limb segments positions in the literature. Therefore, there is need for a complete kinematics of the bicycle-leg linkage mechanism which includes the position analysis of the lower limb segments. The position, velocity, and acceleration equations were derived and the profiles of the thigh, shank and foot segments were plotted against crank angles. It was found that the profiles obtained are reasonable and agrees with experiments. Keywords: Cycling; Five-bar linkage; Kinematics Analysis; Lower Limb Segments

Pectinolytic activity of aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus grown on grapefruit (citrus Parasidis) peel in solid state fermentation

The present study was aimed at studying pectinolytic activity of resident fungi isolated from decomposing grapefruit (Citrus parasidis) peels in solid state fermentation. Grape fruit peel was subjected to natural fermentation and the fermenting fungi were isolated, characterized and identified using standard microbiological methods. The isolated fungi were in turn used for fermentation to determine their pectinolytic activity through solid state fermentation technique. Culture parameters such as incubation period, temperature, moisture content and addition of salts supplements were optimized during the research for five days. The identified fungi were Aspergillus Niger and Aspergillus flavus. The peak of pectinolytic activity was at day three of fermentation when the highest pectinase activity of 13.32 μmol/mg/min was recorded for A. Niger and 11.32 μmol/mg/min for A. flavus. Optimum temperature and pH for pectinase activity by A. Niger and A. flavus was at 40 0C and pH 7.5 and 7.7 respectively. The use of salt supplemented substrate did not alter enzyme activity. In conclusion, the isolated fungi could be promising organisms for pectinolytic enzyme production on grape peel as substrate. Keywords: Grapefruit, Pectinolytic Activity, Fungi, Fermentation, Aspergillu

PID controller for microsatellite yaw-axis attitude control system using ITAE method

The need for effective design of satellite attitude control (SAC) subsystem for a microsatellite is imperative in order to guarantee both the quality and reliability of the data acquisition. A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller was proposed in this study because of its numerous advantages. The performance of PID controller can be greatly improved by adopting an integral time absolute error (ITAE) robust controller design approach. Since the system to be controlled is of the 4th order, it was approximated by its 2nd order version and then used for the controller design. Both the reduced and higher-order pre-filter transfer functions were designed and tested, in order to improve the system performance. As revealed by the results, three out of the four designed systems satisfy the design specifications; and the PD-controlled system without pre-filter transfer function was recommended out of the three systems due to its structural simplicity, which eventually enhances its digital implementation

Division of Labour and Job Specialization as Catalysts for Better Job Performance among the Staff of a Nigerian University Library

This study brought into fore some salient discoveries about the strength and weaknesses of division of labour and job specialization on the overall job performance of the staff of a Nigerian university library. A descriptive survey method was adopted to elicit information from the respondents. A questionnaire was designed with 30 structured questions including the demography of the respondents. Fifty (50) copies of questionnaires were distributed among the library staff of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and forty five (45) were returned. Forty two (42) out of these were found usable. This study finds that majority of respondents agree that job specialization makes their work easier and faster, enhances their job performance and they are fully satisfied with their present area of specialization, while a sizable number were dissatisfied because their training does not correspond with their present posting. The study also finds that library and information centres still cannot do without division of labour and job specialization even with the emergence of ICT infusion into library and information services provision. The respondents also preferred the present division of labour although a paltry number disagreed. Recommendations were made based on the findings of the study and conclusions drawn

Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from apparently healthy individuals in Malete, Kwara state, Nigeria

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common and continuously growing cause of nosocomial and community-acquired staphylococcal infections around the world. Screening for colonization with MRSA is a major aspect of control and limiting the spread of infections cause by this organism. We investigated the carriage of MRSA among apparently healthy individuals in four rural villages: Eleburu, Tapa, Atere and Apo all around semi-urban town-Malete, in Moro Local Government of Kwara State, Nigeria.Methods: Nasal swabs were collected from volunteered individuals and were cultured on mannitol salt agar and blood agar for isolation and identification of Staph aureus using standard microbiological techniques. Susceptibility to cefoxitin disc (30 ag) was used to determine MRSA status of the isolates. Molecular method was used to detect the gene responsible for resistance among MRSA isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility test to commonly prescribed antibiotics was carried out using discs diffusion method.Results: Total number of individuals carrying Staph aureus in their nostrils was 42 (37.2 %). Antibiotics susceptibility profile of Staph aureus isolates showed 100 % resistance to cefuroxime, cefotaxime, cloxacillin and augmentin, and were 87 %, 81 %, 69 % and 23.8 % and 19 % resistant to tetracycline, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, ofloxacin and gentamicin respectively. A total of 6 (14%) Community –Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) isolates were recovered from individuals living in these villages. Molecular method detected muc and mecA genes in all the 6 (100%) CA-MRSA isolates and lukS-lukF was detected in 3 (50%) of the isolates.Conclusion: Detection of CA-MRSA strains among these rural dweller indicates that they are harbouring enhance virulence organism that may manifest a more severe disease condition. The danger associated with high prevalence of multidrug resistant Staph aureus and CAMRSA; and its consequential effects of poor drug administration in Nigeria was discussed. There is need to establish a more strict legislation and enforcement on drug control; and a body that would monitor production and appropriate use of antibiotics in the Nigeria.KEYWORDS: CA-MRSA, Staph aureus, Antibiotics, Rural Villages and Molecular Characterizatio

Itaconic Acid Production from Date Palm (Phoenix Dactylifera L) Using Fungi in Solid State Fermentation

This study evaluates the potentials of Phoenix dactylifera L (Date fruits) as possible alternative raw materials for itaconic acid production using naturally occurring fungi. Date fruit (pulp) was used as a substrate in solid state fermentation for the production of itaconic acid using naturally occurring fungus.The date fruit (pulp) was de-capped from its seed manually with the aid of a knife and dried in an oven at 60 0C and was grounded using an Excella Mixer grinder. The fungus used was naturally isolated by fermentation of substrate (date pulp) and was identified as Aspergillus niger. Proximate analysis was carried out on the substrate using standard methods. Parameters such as substrate concentration, inoculum size and fermentation period were varied using standard methods to determine its effect on itaconic acid production. Assay for itaconic acid production was carried out using standard methods at a wavelength of 385nm. Amount of itaconic acid produced was derived by translation of absorbance values on the itaconic acid curve. The substrate had a high carbohydrate content of 72.29%. The fermentation results showed maximum production of itaconic acid of 20.75±0.25mg/ml using 40g substrate, 15.13±1.13mg/ml using 2 ml inoculums size of spore suspension (2×105 spores/ml) and a maximum yield of 16.88±0.13mg/ml at day 1 of fermentation period. On optimization with 40g substrate and 2 ml inoculums for 3 days a maximum yield was observed at day 2 of fermentation with a maximum yield of 25.00±1.00mg/ml. The highest acidic level throughout the fermentation period was observed to be at pH 4.2. From the study it was concluded that date pulp is a promising substrate and could be utilized by Aspergillus niger for the production of itaconic acid