MODELLING READING CULTURE IN NIGERIA USING FRACTIONAL BETA REGRESSION DATA FROM SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Without mincing words, it is obvious that culture of reading is fading away from our societies in Nigeria. Reading hours have reduced drastically among most students in our various institutions of higher learning. This research is therefore aimed at finding out major covariates and factors responsible for this problem, thereby constructing a model for predicting the reading hour proportion among the teaming youths of our dear country. The beta regression models is useful for cases where the response variable is continuous and restricted to the standard unit interval (0, 1). Through the diagnostic tests carried out on the models, the best fitting model is a beta regression model with log-log link function having the maximum log likelihood value and minimum values from the AIC, BIC. Also, using error metrics MAE, MSE, RMSE, and MAPE tests proved that log-log model has the best predicting power. Results revealed that females in the institutions considered read more than their male counterparts with 2.9 and 2.8 hours per day respectively. The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro (FPI) record the highest average number of reading hours. The outcome of beta regression analysis using log-log model at 5% level show that CGPA, institutions, and zone contribute significantly to proportion of reading hours among students in the south western states of Nigeria. Keyword: Reading, Fractional beta regression, Reading culture, Modelling, log-log model

Antibacterial activity of Jatropha curcas against Isolates of Clinical Origin

The antibacterial activities of ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of Jatropha curcas leaves were observed in vitro against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae was analyzed using agar well diffusion method. The pattern of zone of inhibition varied with different plant extract, the solvent used, and the organism tested.  The antibacterial activities of the methanolic extract were significantly higher (p<0.05) and the most susceptible organism was Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the lowest concentration. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) exhibited by Pseudomonasaeruginosa in the ethanolic extract and aqueous extract was 5mg/ml and 75mg/ml respectively. Jatropha curcas proved to be effective over the use of antibiotics by inhibiting the activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa which was resistant when tested with standard antibiotics. The antibacterial activity of the extract could be enhanced if the components are purified. This plant therefore holds a promise as a potential source of new drug for treating infections caused by these clinical pathogens

Emulsifying Properties of Hemicelluloses

This chapter focuses on the emulsifying properties of hemicelluloses. Hemicelluloses are gummy polysaccharides of complexity between gum and cellulose. Based on the major monosaccharide constituents of their backbone, hemicelluloses can be classified into xylans, mannans, xylogalactans and xyloglucans. Their sources include seeds, husks, straws, leaves and wood. Hemicelluloses bring about emulsification by viscosity modification and by formation of multilayered films around each globule of the dispersed phase. They have strong emulsifying power but are somehow limited by batch-to-batch variation and susceptibility to microbial and chemical degradations. These limitations are overcome by the use of purified and semisynthetic derivatives. Hemicelluloses and derivatives herein considered for their emulsifying properties include those from barley straw, wheat straw, corn fiber, locust bean, guar, soy bean, konjac, prosopis seed and afzelia seed. Hemicelluloses, as plant polysaccharides, are only second to cellulose in terms of abundance. They have superior emulsifying properties compared to the typical gums. They are amenable to many chemical modifications for the enhancement of stability and for the improvement of emulsifying properties. Hemicelluloses were not given adequate attention in the past; but this chapter shows that they are potentially useful emulsifying agents

Strength and Workability Improvement Potential of Admixture of Corn Cob Ash and Cement for Stabilizing Lateritic Soil

A natural lateritic soil classified as A-7-5 (10) and CL based on AASHTO and USCS classification systems, was stabilized with up to 5% cement admixed with up to 12% CCA to assess their effect on its basic geotechnical properties such as particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, compaction, unconfined compressive strength and California bearing ratio. The liquid limit decreased and plastic limit increased while there is a reduction in corresponding plasticity index of the clay soil. There was an increase in Maximum Dry Density (MDD) and Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) of the stabilized soil sample, which increased with the increasing content of CCA and cement. Both the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of the soil increased with increasing percentage of cement and CCA. Based on the results of this study, corn cob ash (CCA) cannot be used as a stand-alone stabilizer for this lateritic soil but with a more potent stabilizer for clay soil such as lime. It is therefore recommended that the mixture of 12% CCA and 2.5% cement could be used to stabilize A-7-5 (10) lateritic soil for use as subbase material and 12% CCA and 5.0% cement could be used to stabilize A-7-5 (10) lateritic soil for use as base material for improving pavement structure in terms of strength, stability and workability. Keywords: Lateritic soil, Corn cob ash, Cement, Stabilization, Strength and Workability DOI: 10.7176/JIEA/9-7-06 Publication date: December 31st 201

FREQUENCY AND VOLTAGE RESPONSES OF GAS-FIRED DISTRIBUTED GENERATION SYSTEM TO LOAD

Research has shown that addition of loads to a distributed generation (DG) system operating either in stand-alone mode (SAM) or grid-connected mode (GCM) has impacts on its operations. This paper analyzed the voltage and frequency responses of the DG when operated in stand-alone and grid-connected modes under load variations. Mathematical equations showing the characteristics of the DG under varying loads with the two modes were developed. The equations were modeled using MATLAB in Simulink environment. By applying gradual and sudden loads using 2MW DG and an 11kV distribution grid network, the frequency and voltage responses under the two modes were calculated. The results showed that with gradual load addition from 10 to 100 % loading, the output frequency varied from 49.72 to 49.27 Hz (-0.56 to -1.46 %) for SAM while it varied for GCM from 49.90 to 49.44 Hz (-0.20 to -1.12 %). Output voltage varied from 376 to 232.9 V (-6.0 to -41.78 %) for 10 to 100 % load respectively for SAM while it varied from 387.7 to 268.3 V (-3.08 to -32.93 %) for GCM. For sudden load additions, the output frequency variation was between 49.39 to 49.25 Hz (-1.22 to -1.5 %) for 25 to 100 % load for SAM while that of GCM was between 49.51 to 49.43 Hz (-0.98 to -1.14 %); voltage variation was 271.7 to 190 V (-32.08 to -52.5 %) for 25 to 100 % load respectively for SAM while that of GCM was 294.2 to 219.9V(-26.45% to -45.03%). The results revealed that the frequency with gradual and sudden load additions for SAM and GCM varied outside the operational limit of 49.75-50.25 Hz () except in the case of 10 % load under gradual load addition in GCM. However, the frequency and voltage variation are less in GCM than SAM with gradual and sudden load addition

Hydrodynamics Model of Temperature Variation due to Gas Flaring activities in some parts of Niger Delta Area of Nigeria

This research is investigating the Hydrodynamics Model of Temperature Variation due to Gas Flaring activities in some parts of Niger Delta Area of Nigeria. The unsteady flow of radiative heat flux is represented using mathematical techniques to model the basic equations of fluid in motion by radiative transfer process using general differential forms. Laplace transform is used to obtain expressions for Temperature, Velocity, etc to solve problems of heat flow. The use the continuity, momentum, Navier-Stokes, Dasey and Energy equations is exploited. The results show that radiation parameter influences the variation of temperature distribution in the environment

Review of Mathematical Modelling of the Time Dependent Schrodinger Wave Equation using Different methods

This paper focuses on the principle of time dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE) which simplified so many reviewed ideas, class room teaching, research ideologies and personal study meant for advanced knowledge. In this research work,  the enlightenment of the basic concept of Schrödinger wave equation to improve knowledge about simple ways for mathematical understanding in deriving TDSE using different technique in more comprehensive approach. The research shows clearly that TDSE can be derived using time independent equation, wave mechanics, classical &amp; Hamilton-Jacobi’s equations. Different methods and ways by different researchers/scholars have been used in the past. In this paper, we review the quantum field theoretic route to the Schrodinger wave equation which treats time and space as parameters, not operators. Furthermore, we recall that a classical (nonlinear) wave equation can be derived from the classical action via Hamiltonian-Jacobi theory. By requiring the wave equation to be linear we again arrive at the Schrodinger equation, without postulating operator relations. The underlying philosophy is operational. Surely, a particle is what a particle detector detects. This leads us to a useful physical picture combining the wave (field) and particle paradigms which points the way to the time-dependent Schrodinger equation. However, the result provides a comprehensive well derived derivation, derived using various approaches, which would make this research a unique one from different areas of specializations

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SOLID MINERALS FROM LOKOJA AND JOS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

The structural, qualitative and quantitative analysis of grained rock samples were carried out with the view to establishing the mineral components present in the samples. Two samples were collectedfrom a mining site in Jos, Plateau State as well as from another mining site in Lokoja, Kogi State.The two samples were prepared for XRD analysis using a backloading preparation method and done with X-ray diffractometer. The analysis confirmed the presence of minerals such as Cassiterite (SnO2), Ilmenite (FeTiO3), Zircon (SiO4),Columbite (Fe), Manganoan in the ample from Jos as a result of the matching of the peaks with the database 2θ values. The percentage area integration of the various phases which correlated to the quantity of the various minerals in the sample revealed that Cassiterite(Tin Oxide) of 65.9% value was from Jos and is a Tin Ore. The grain sizes for Cassiterite (SnO2), Ilmenite (FeTiO3), Zircon (SiO4), Columbite (Fe), Manganoan are 17.674, 35.348, 37.208, 70.695, 20.199 in nm respectively. The samples from Lokoja showed the presence of Magnetite (Fe¬3O4), Quartz (SiO2), Hematite (Fe2O3) and Geothite(FeO(OH)) and confirmed the grain sizes of 28.278, 35.348, 28.278. 17.673 and 23.565 in nm respectively.The constituents of Lokoja samples, all of which contained Iron Oxide also indicate that the sample is an Iron Ore. These findings confirm the fact that the mineral resources that are present in these regions of the country areeconomically viable and have the potential to boost economy and industrial development&nbsp

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT WOOD SPECIES IN MAJOR SAWMILLS IN ABEOKUTA OGUN STATE NIGERIA

This study involved the economic analysis of different wood species in major sawmills in Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria. Two stage design sampling techniques were employed for this study. Descriptive statistics and Cost and Returns were used in the data analysis. Result showed that 62.5% engaged in the business were males, 81.7% were in age group between 31-50years, 48.3% had no formal education, and 88.3% entered into the business through apprenticeship and are mostly full-time. The result also revealed that 95.83% of the saw millers or plank sellers obtain their timber from the private forest and they mostly buy per species i.e. per tree. Moreover, among the timber species that were common in the saw mills include, Albizia coriaria (ayinre) has the highest percentage frequency of 66.7%, Anogeissus leiocarpus (orin dudu) has 44.2%, Cleistopholis sp. (okedo) 32.5% and Musanga cecropioides (aga) 1.7% with the least percentage frequency. Average girth sizes of timber species in sawmill, ranged from 3.00cm- 5.60cm and the average number of plank ranged from 6-29. The business could be seen as profitable, as the cost analysis revealed the average profit for each sawmill per month&nbsp; in Abeokuta North, Odeda and Abeokuta South Local Governments’ Areas to have these profits (₦982,893.75, ₦790,083.524 and ₦790,083.524) respectively. It was recommended that government policy should be reviewed against illegal felling and over-exploitation of timber by imposing/enacting stiffer penalty or law to illegal feller. Government policy should also encourage individual plantation establishment to ensure continuity of forest products for posterity. &nbsp