Effect of Job Status, Gender, and Employees’ Achievement Motivation Behavior on Work Performance: a Case Study of Selected Local Government Employees in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of job status, gender, and employees’ achievement motivation behavior on work performance. Two hundred and seven (207) local government employees’ opinions were sampled using the achievement motivation questionnaire and the perceived work performance questionnaire. Seven hypotheses were developed and tested using 2 x 2 x 3 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics. Results confirmed that job status [F (2,206) =5.05, p05]. A significant interaction effect of gender and job status; gender and level of achievement motivation behavior; and job status and level of achievement motivation behavior were also found on work performance. However, there was no significant interaction effect that existed between gender, job status, and the level of achievement motivation behavior on work performance [F(2,206)=.217, p>.05]. Findings were discussed in the light of available literature and it is recommended that efforts should be made to discourage discriminative behavior among sexes while also closing gaps in level managers’ hierarchies and categorizations. This is particularly in terms of derivable incentives, benefits, and pay on their jobs to have a significant impact on the work performance of employees

Modelling of Moisture Loss and Oil Uptake During Deep-Fat Frying of Plantain (Dodo)

In this study, model was developed to predict moisture loss and oil uptake during deep-fat frying of plantain (dodo). Plantain samples were sliced and fried at different frying temperatures (150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 °C) in a deep fryer for periods varying from 2 to 4 min. Moisture and fat analyses were determined based on the AOAC standard method. Mathematical model was developed from fundamental law of mass diffusion with the aim of predicting moisture loss and oil uptake rate during DFF of dodo. The model was solved numerically using explicit Finite Difference Technique (FDT). Computer codes were written in MATLAB environment for moisture loss and oil uptake in the slices at different frying conditions. The predicted results were compared with experimental data and good agreement was obtained. The correlation coefficients between the predicted and experimental values of moisture and oil transfer models ranged from 0.988 to 0.994 and 0.958 to 0.978, respectively. The results show that the model is consistent and it may be used to predict moisture loss and oil uptake during deep-fat fried of dodo

Evidence-Based Design of University Zoological Gardens: a Perception Study in South-west Nigeria

Evidence-based design (EBD) has become an acceptable paradigm in environment-behaviour endeavours in recent years with documented benefits especially in healthcare facilities. However, little is known of its application to University Campus Open Spaces (UCOS) like University Zoological Gardens (UZGs) which accounts for the repetition of design mistakes. This study aims to assess the UZGs as a major component of UCOS in South-west Nigeria with a view to formulating EBD frameworks. It adopts a comparative post-occupancy evaluation (POE) approach through a Stratified Random Sampling protocol of users (n=3,016) of the gardens in Federal Universities in South-west Nigeria. Results of the quantitative data analyses suggest that while walk-ability is a primary satisfaction factor among thirty design considerations in the formulated model, legibility is the most primary cognitive factor for designing perceptible high quality UZGs. The study argues in favour of the developed framework as design tool-kit and recommends its application as a feed-back input into the design process of UZGs

Experimental Study on the Workability of Self-Compacting Granite and Unwashed Gravel Concrete

This study deals mainly with the mix proportions using granite and unwashed gravel as coarse aggregate for self-compacting concrete (SCC) and its workability, by considering the water absorption of unwashed gravel aggregate. Mix proportions for SCC were designed with constant cement and fine aggregate while coarse aggregates content of granite-unwashed gravel combination were varied in the proportion 100%, 90%/10%, 80%/20%, 70%/30%, 60%/40%, 50% /50%, represented by SCC1, SCC2, SCC3, SCC4, SCC5 and SCC6. 100% granite (SCC1) serves as the control. The workability of the samples was quantitatively evaluated by slump flow, T500, L-box, Vfunnel and sieve segregation tests. Based on the experimental results, a detailed analysis was conducted. It was found that granite and unwashed gravel with SCC1, SCC2 and SCC3 according to EFNARC (2002) standard have good deformability, fluidity and filling ability, which all passed consistency test. SCC1, SCC2 and SCC3 have good passing ability while all mixes were in the limit prescribed by EFNARC (2002). It can be concluded that the mix design for varying graniteunwashed gravel combination for SCC presented in this study satisfy various requirements for workability hence, this can be adopted for practical concrete structures

Children’s Reading of Sublexical Units in Years Three to Five: A Combined Analysis of Eye-Movements and Voice Recording

Purpose Children progress from making grapheme–phoneme connections to making grapho-syllabic connections before whole-word connections during reading development (Ehri, 2005a). More is known about the development of grapheme–phoneme connections than is known about grapho-syllabic connections. Therefore, we explored the trajectory of syllable use in English developing readers during oral reading. Method Fifty-one English-speaking children (mean age: 8.9 years, 55% females, 88% monolinguals) in year groups three, four, and five read aloud sentences with an embedded target word, while their eye movements and voices were recorded. The targets contained six letters and were either one or two syllables. Result Children in grade five had shorter gaze duration, shorter articulation duration, and larger spatial eye-voice span (EVS) than children in grade four. Children in grades three and four did not significantly differ on these measures. A syllable number effect was found for gaze duration but not for articulation duration and spatial EVS. Interestingly, one-syllable words took longer to process compared to two-syllable words, suggesting that more syllables may not always signify greater processing difficulty. Conclusion Overall, children are sensitive to sublexical reading units; however, due to sample and stimuli limitations, these findings should be interpreted with caution and further research conducted

Geospatial investigation of physico-chemical properties and thermodynamic parameters of biomass residue for energy generation

Abstract:Biomass represents vast under-explored feedstock for energy generation across the globe. Among other factors, the location from where the feedstock is harvested may affect the overall properties and the efficiency of bioreactors used in the conversion process. Herein is reported some physicochemical properties, the kinetic study and thermodynamic analysis of corn cob sourced from two major economies in sub-Sahara African region. Brunauer Emmett and Teller (BET) analysis was performed to investigate the surface characteristics of corn cob while Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the corresponding functional group present in the selected biomass residue. The proximate and CHNSO analyses were performed using the standard equipment and following the standard procedures, then the result is reported and compared based on the geographical locations under consideration. Also, the thermal decomposition study was carried out at different heating rate (10, 15, 30 Cmin-1) in inert atmosphere while the kinetic parameters were evaluated based on Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) methods The Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there is a statistically significant difference between ultimate constituents, the fixed carbon, and volatile matter obtained from the two countries at 95% confidence level. FTIR showed different spectra peak in both samples which means there are varying quantity of structural elements in each feedstock. The pore surface area (1.375 m²/g ) obtained for corncob from South Africa (SC25) was greater than the value (1.074 m²/g ) obtained for Nigeria (NC25). From the result, the highest value of activation energy, (Ea =190.1 kJmol-1 and 189.9 kJmol-1) was estimated for SC25 based on KAS and FWO methods respectively. The result showed that geographical location may somewhat affect some energetic properties of biomass and further provides useful information about thermodynamic and kinetic parameters which could be deployed in the simulation, optimization and scale-up of the bioreactors for pyrolysis process

INFLUENCE OF GRANITE-GRAVEL COMBINATION ON THE STRENGTH OF SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE: TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL

This study focusses on the influence of granite-gravel (washed and unwashed) combination as coarse aggregate on hardened properties of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC). Granite-gravel combination in varying percentages was used as coarse aggregates to produce SCC while other concrete constituents were kept constant. The experiments executed on hardened SCC were compressive and split tensile strength. Concrete were made using 150 mm cubes and 100 mm × 200 mm cylinders. Data obtained were analysed using graphical illustrations while Minitab was used to model values for the mix proportions. The compressive strength of SCC produced reliable results with a minimum strength of 30.96 N/mm² for 50% washed gravel at 28 days of which, the strength also increases as curing age increased. The split tensile strength of SCC increases as the curing day increased but decreased as gravel content increased with 50/50 threshold limit. The Surface plots analysis shows that the percentage increase of granite-washed gravel combination as coarse aggregate and curing ages in SCC has significant impact on compressive strength. It can be concluded that granite/gravel combination as coarse aggregates in SCC production is feasible and reliable provided the threshold limits of 50% washed gravel and 30% unwashed gravel are not exceeded

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE DURABILITY TO SALINE ENVIRONMENTS OF SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE MADE WITH COARSE AGGREGATES COMBINATION

This study focus on durability to saline environments of self-compacting concrete (SCC) made of granite-gravel combination as coarse aggregates in concrete production. In this study fine aggregates, water, superplasticizer and cement were kept constant. The percentages replacement of gravel in place of granite aggregates were 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50, while 100% granite serves as control. A total of 162 cubes of 100 100 100 mm concrete specimens were immersed over the initial curing in a water container and further cured in 5% sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) solutions for 28, 56 and 91 days in line with ASTM C39 (2003). The tests results indicate that concrete cured in five percent (5%) of NaCl solution have compressive strength accelerating properties at early age that could not be sustained for long. While those cured in 5% of Na2CO3 solution reduced significantly the compressive strength of concret

Economic Analysis of Cassava Production: Prospects and Challenges in Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to analyse cassava production, prospects and challenges in Irepodun local government area, Kwara State, Nigeria. It aimed to examine the determinant variables and determine the profitability level of cassava enterprises. The study was based on primary data obtained with the aid of structured questionnaire from 100 cassava farmers drawn through multi-stage sampling techniques from the study area. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, ordinary least square (OLS) regression model and gross margin analysis. The result of the OLS regression estimates showed that farm size, cost of fertilizer application, farm size, herbicides, family and hired labour were significant variable affecting cassava production in the study area. Fertilizer, farm size and hired labour are significant at 1% while herbicide and family labour are significant at 10%. The study found that the average gross margin per hectare for cassava production in the study area was ₦24,749.28 ($65.30) with a gross benefit ratio of 1.38. This shows that for every ₦1 invested in the business of cassava production, there is a corresponding profit of ₦1.38. The major challenges identified in cassava enterprise are huge transportation cost, high cost of production, lack of improved cassava cultivars, and lack of market linkages. The study concluded despite the problem encountered in the study area, cassava production is profitable and can serve as a panacea for economic improvement of households. Therefore, the study recommends that basic inputs such as improved cassava varieties, herbicides and fertilizer should be made available at affordable price. Also, infrastructural facilities such as good road network and improve marketing channels should be provided in order to sustain current cassava production rate and economic gains from the production

A simulation approach to PERT network analysis

This paper presents simulation as a useful analytical tool for project network analysis. Simulation is a powerful tool for evaluating many of the decision parameters involved in project management. A computer program, named STARC, is used to illustrate the effectiveness of computer simulation for project planning. STATGRAPHICS software is used to illustrate some of the post-simulation statistical analyses that can be conducted.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline