Sixth-Order Hybrid Block Method for the Numerical Solution of First Order Initial Value Problems

Hybrid block method of order six is proposed in this paper for the numerical solution of first order initial value problems. The method is based on collocation of the differential system and interpolation of the approximate at the grid and off-grid points. The procedure yields five consistent finite difference schemes which are combined as simultaneous numerical integrators to form block method. The method is found to be zero-stable hence convergent. The accuracy of the method is shown with some standard first order initial value problems. 2010 Mathematics Subject Classifications:65L05,65L06,65L07 and 65L20 Keywords: Multistep, collocation, Finite Differential Method,simultaneous numerical integrators, block, accuracy, consistent and convergent

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES AND RELATIONAL MAINTENANCE AMONG UNMARRIED POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS OF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE, NIGERIA

The study ascertained the level of relational maintenance among unmarried postgraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and as well as the relationship between interpersonal communication and relational maintenance among the postgraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife. Finally, it also examined the relationship between demographic variables and relational maintenance among the postgraduate students. These were with a view to providing useful information on relational maintenance among the unmarried postgraduate students. The study adopted survey design. The sample size comprised 600 postgraduate students selected from six selected faculties out of the thirteen Faculties in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, using multistage sampling technique. Thereafter, a total of 100 students were selected in each faculty using purposive sampling technique for those that were into dating relationship. One adapted and one self-constructed instruments were used to elicit information from the respondents. The adapted instrument was Relational Maintenance Scale (RMS) while Interpersonal Communication Inventory (ICI) was self-constructed. Percentages, frequency counts Pearson correlation and Chi-square were employed to analyze the data. The results showed that 24.8%, 52.5% and 22.7% of postgraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo Universities Ile-Ife demonstrated low, moderate and high levels of relational maintenance respectively. The study also indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between interpersonal communication and relational maintenance (r = 0.676, p > 0.05). Furthermore, the results showed significant relationship between sex of the students and relational maintenance (x2 =24.271; df = 564, p > 0.05). Finally, the results showed significant relationship between age of the students and relational maintenance (x2 = 47.837a; df = 564, p > 0.05). It was concluded that irrespective of the age of the students, most unmarried postgraduate students in the study area had moderate level of relational maintenance

A Coupled Euler-Lagrange CFD Modelling of Droplets-To-Film

In this paper, a droplet to film interaction model technique is presented. In the proposed approach, the liquid and gas continua are modelled using an enhanced Volume of Fluid (VoF) technique while the droplets are tracked using a Lagrangian framework and are coupled to the Eulerian phases using source terms. The eventual target application is an aeroengine bearing chamber in which oil is found as droplets, shed from the bearings, splashing on impact, separated from wall surfaces at obstacles or simply re-entrained, and as a continuum oil film coating the bearing chamber outer walls which it also cools. In finite volume CFD techniques, a prohibitively large number of cells would be required to describe the details of the droplet impact phenomenon. Based on published correlations, the splashing droplets are created and tracked as Lagrangian particles. The flowing film and the gas continua are handled with an enhanced Volume of Fluid technique

COMPARATIVE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF FIVE BRANDS OF CIPROFLOXACIN SOLD IN LAGOS STATE

he antimicrobial activity of five brands (A, B, C, D and E) of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride tablets commonly sold in Lagos Nigeria, were compared and assessed against susceptible clinical isolates (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serotypetyphi). Susceptibility test, minimum inhibitory concentration test and the bactericidal activity were determined. All sampled brands were within their shelf life. Most (60%) of the sampled brands were made in India while the remaining 40% were made in Nigeria. All the brands complied with the official specification in British Pharmacopeia (BP) for uniformity of weight as they show less than 5% deviation in weight. The mean antibacterial activities of the brands at 25µg/ml were found to be within the range of 38.0mm to 42.2mm zone of inhibition while the MICs range between 0.012µg/ml to 1.5µg/ml.All the sampled brands were effective against all the test organisms to varying degree with brands A and E been more potent while brand D was the least effective. The order of MICs (decreasing order of potency) was D>B>C>A>E for Staphylococcus aureus and D>C>B>E>A for Escherichia coli while that of Salmonella enterica serotypeTyphiwas D>B>C>A>E. The bactericidal activity of each ciprofloxacin brand D and E are concentration-dependent; with brand E more active at all tested concentrations.

Thermogravimetric and kinetic study of methylolmelamine phosphate treated – cotton fabric

Some salient properties of cotton cellulose which requires it to be treated with additives to improve its versatility were examined taken into consideration, the molecular structure. Thermogravimetric analysis of the cotton fabric and the treated cotton fabric were carried out in an improvised muffled furnace. The result was in accordance with the previous study carried out on cellulose showing two stages of thermal degradation with first degradation between 2500C – 3000C and estimated 75% weight loss. The treated fabrics show degradation at 2000C – 2500C with an estimated 10% - 25% weight loss and more stages of thermal degradation. This may be attributed to the structuralmodification of the cotton cellulose upon resination with methylolmelamine phosphate.Keywords: Cotton Fabric, Degradation, Resination, Thermogravimetri

COMPARISON OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL PERFORMANCES OF MCDCFC USING HAND AND BALL MILLED BIOMASS CARBON FUELS

The electrochemical performances of a single cell molten carbonate electrolyte direct carbon fuel cell (MCDCFC) using miscanthus and switchgrass biomass carbon fuels subjected to hand and ball milling treatments are presented in this paper. Conventional direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC) uses carbon derived from coal, a fossil fuel with adverse consequences on the environment. This paper explores a more benign carbon fuel source which is the biomass to power the DCFC. The performances of the hand milled (HM) carbon fuels were slightly higher than those of the ball milled (BM) carbon fuels. At 800oC for the open circuit voltage, miscanthus fuel (1.03 V) has higher values for the HM and switchgrass fuel (0.77 V) for the BM. Higher peak power densities were observed for switchgrass fuel (21.60 and 12.32 mW/cm2) for both the HM and BM. Switchgrass fuel (74 mA/cm2) gave the maximum current density for both the HM and BM. Miscanthus fuel (0.72 V) show higher voltage at peak power generation for the HM and switchgrass fuel (0.39 V) for the BM. The peak power efficiency evaluated show that miscanthus fuel (70%) gave higher values for the hand milled and equal values for both carbon fuels (51%) for the ball milled

Bioaugmentation Approach using Pseudomonas and Bacillus for Malodour Reduction in Poultry Feacal Waste Management

Introduction. A workable strategy is bioaugmentation, which involves introducing certain bacteria in sufficient quantities to promote biodegradation. This study focuses on isolating and utilizing malodor-reducing bacteria from fecal wastes obtained from a poultry farm in Ashi, Ibadan. Methods. Standard methods were employed to isolate and identify species of Pseudomonas and Bacillus. Quantitative detection of hydrogen sulfide gas and other relevant parameters was performed using MSA Orion and Multi Gas Detector. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) release was quantitatively monitored during fermentation, considering varying loads of inocula. Results. The bacterial isolates comprised Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. fluorescens, P. putida, Bacillus fastidiosus, B. licheniformis, B. megaterium, B. subtilis, B. sphaericus, and B. thuringiensis. Odor levels varied based on inocula load and fermentation duration. In batches with Pseudomonas, hydrogen sulfide was undetectable after two days, while Bacillus-inoculated batches required ten days. The formation of microbial mats and subsequent decrease in H2S content contributed to malodor reduction. Notably, fluorescent pseudomonas exhibited successful mineralization during the treatment of fecal waste. Conclusion. Pseudomonas isolates demonstrated superior effectiveness in odor reduction compared to Bacillus isolates

Evaluation of Resistance Pattern and Plasmid Profile of Staphylococcus Species Isolated from Clinical and Community Samples in Ibadan South-West, Nigeria

Aims: Staphylococcus species have been a major human pathogen of public health importance globally. This study was designed to evaluate the resistance pattern and plasmid profile of Staphylococcus species isolated from clinical and community settings. Methodology: Staphylococcus species from clinical (55) and community (53) which were previously isolated in University of Ibadan and her teaching hospital and identified as S. epidermidis (92.6%), S. aureus (6.5%) and S. xylosus (0.9%) were used. The antibiogram and plasmid profiles were determined by standard procedures. Results: In clinical isolates of S. epidermidis, 30.9, 34.5, 40.0, 41.8, 60.0, 76.4, and 89.1% were resistant to chloramphenicol (CHL), streptomycin (STR), erythromycin (ERY), gentamycin (GEN), tetracycline (TET), cotrimoxazole (COT), and cloxacillin (CXC) respectively. Correspondingly, in community isolates of S. epidermidis, 28.3, 32.1, 50.9, 26.4, 58.5, 90.6 and 92.5% were resistant to these antibiotics. The only clinical S. xylosus isolated was resistant to all the antibiotics except CHL and STR. In the clinical isolates of S. aureus, 5.5, 5.5, 7.3, 7.3, 7.3, 9.1 and 9.1% were resistant to ERY, CHL, STR, GEN, TET, COT and CXC respectively. In community isolates, only one S. aureus was resistant to COT, CHL, ERY, GEN and STR while two were resistant to CXC. Plasmid profiling showed that 33/35 (94.3%) of clinical and 17/19 (89.5%) of community isolates had plasmid of size 23.13 kb. Conclusion: The increasing resistance and similarity of plasmid profile of the community isolates to clinical isolates call for urgent establishment of antibiotic surveillance system to minimize the emergence of drug resistance pathogens in the community