RAINFALL VARIABILITY AND DROUGHT INFERENCE IN SUDANO-SAHELIAN REGION OF NIGERIA

Rainfall variability in Sudano-Sahelian regions of Nigeria (SSRN) over the 20th century and its poten-        tial links to the Sahelian drought have been examined using daily rainfall series from seven synoptic        stations in SSRN. Using the 30 year climate interval (i.e., 1940-1970 and 1970-2000), the percentage        changes in mean monthly rainfall depth and number of rain days, ranges between 4 and 33% for the        core season and between 3 and 70% in the marginal periods. The standardized rainfall index (SRI)        and normalized rain day index (NRI), two statistical descriptors, are defined and used in this study to        highlight the variability in rainfall and infer drought occurrence in SSRN. Both indices reveal that the        temporal variability in the amount and distribution of rainfall and number of rain days observed within        the region have to a large extent contributed to the 1973 and 1984 drought occurrences in the region.        Similarly, the relatively low NRI values observed within the region for the recent years may also be an        indication that the drought conditions since the early 1970s might be reoccurring.&nbsp

Water resources potentials of Hadejia River Sub-catchment of Komadugu Yobe River Basin in Nigeria

A. Sobowale1, J. K. Adewumi1, J. A. Otun2, D. B. Adie2(1. Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Nigeria;2. Department of Water Resources Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Nigeria) Abstract: A water audit of the Hadejia river sub-catchment of Komadugu Yobe River basin of Nigeria (KYB) has been carried out.  The available water in this sub-catchment was compared with existing and potential water demands; results show that about 2,619 million cubic meters (MCM) of surface water is available annually upstream of Wudil (HS 1), 658 MCM is available between Wudil and Hadejia (HS 2), while 905 MCM is available between Hadejia and Gashua (HS 3).  Analysis of direct ground water recharge revealed that 86 mm, 94 mm and 8 mm of water is recharged to groundwater annually in the three hydrological sections HS 1, HS 2 and HS 3 respectively.  It is obvious that the least ground water recharge takes place in the Hadejia - Nguru Wetlands.  Presently, no water stress was observed in the sub catchment, the potential water balance of the area shows that about 75% of the available water between Wudil and Hadejia section (HS 2) would be used up by 2010 going by the current development rate.  Projections show that the water use rate will reach 100% by 2018.  At this time, water scarcity will be experienced in this sub-catchment if urgent steps are not taken to address the situation.  Integrated water resources management (IWRM) strategies were advanced for the sub-catchment in order to avert the crisis.Keywords: water resources potentials, water budget, river catchment system, soil moisture deficit, runoff, recharge, Nigeria Citation: Sobowale A, J K Adewumi, J A Otun, and D B Adie.  Water resources potentials of Hadejia River Sub - catchment of Komadugu Yobe River Basin in Nigeria.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(2): 1-6.  &nbsp

A Stable and Consistent Finite Difference Scheme for a Time-Dependent Schrodinger Wave Equation in a Finitely Low Potential Well

In this paper, we present a stable and consistent criterion to an explicit finite difference scheme for a time-dependent Schrodinger wave equation. This paper is a departure from the well-established time independent Schrodinger Wave Equation (SWE). We do this for a particular case of a finitely low potential wel

An Optimal Multi-System Control Measure Using the Approach of Conjugate Gradient Algorithm (CGA)

In this paper we examine the application of the classical conjugate gradient method to queue theory. The parameters of the symmetric definite positive linear operator of a quadratic cost functional were obtained from the various characteristic features of a multi-channel queue system. The outcome was tested with numerical values and a comparison was made for systems with two, three and four service points. The numerical computations were carried out in a Maple 14 environment. The results obtained validate previous work done with a singlechannel syste

Prevalence of Parasites Infection of Resident Fish Species in a Tropical Reservoir

This study detected, identified and determined the incidence of parasites present in and on Clarias gariepinus, Sarotherodon galilaeus, Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia zillii in Ero reservoir, a tropical reservoir situated in Ikun-Ekiti, Nigeria. Fish species were randomly obtained from fishermen at the reservoir during the rainy season. Out of 55 fish samples examined, 17 (30.9%) fishes were invaded. 11(20.0%) were infected by Protozoans (Ciliates and Flagellates) and 6(10.9%) were infected by Metazoans (Myxosporean and Nematode). Parasitological examination of the 55 fish samples showed 41.2% incidence for C. gariepinus, 17.6% for S. galilaeus, 29.4% for O. niloticus, and 11.8% for T. zillii. A total of 59 parasites were recovered comprising 36 protozoans and 23 metazoans. Parasite infections were found on the skin, fins, gills, intestine, liver and kidney. Total number and percentage of parasites recovered were tabulated in relation to their host prevalence and location of specificity

Conjugate Gradient Method Approach to Multi-Channel Queuing Theory

In this paper we examine the application of the classical conjugate gradient method to queue theory. The parameters of the symmetric definite positive linear operator of a quadratic cost functional were obtained from the various characteristic features of a multi-channel queue system. The outcome was tested with numerical values and a comparison was made for systems with two, three and four service points. The numerical computations were carried out in a Maple 14 environment. The results obtained validate previous work done with a single-channel syste

FACTORS AFFECTING BIRTH AND WEANING WEIGHTS IN LAMBS OF YANKASA, WEST AFRICAN DWARF BREEDS AND THEIR CROSSES

Data on birth weights (BW) and weaning weights (WW) in lambs of Yankasa, West African dwarf (WAD) breeds and their crosses were analyzed.  The effects of breed, parity, sex, type of birth, management system and season were determined. Yankasa lambs had the highest mean BW (2.57kg) which was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of WAD (1.68kg) and their crosses (2.05kg). Breed, parity, sex, type of birth and season had significant (P< 0.05) effect BW and WW.  Male lambs in comparison with female lambs had higher (P < 0.05) BW and WW while single-born lambs in comparison with multiple-born lambs had higher (P < 0.05) WW. A highly significant positive correlation (0.719) was estimated between BW and WW of lambs across breed.  It was concluded that the differences in factors influencing BW and WW at early phases might have risen from the variation among breeds and factors monitored. Therefore, BW and WW could provide useful information for early selection criteria in breeding programmes, serving as an important role in expression of genetic potential in lambs

Assessing the Mechanical Performance of Ternary Blended Cement Concrete Incorporating Periwinkle Shell and Bamboo Leaf Ashes

The study investigates the mechanical properties of concrete incorporating Periwinkle Shell Ash (PSA) and Bamboo Leaf Ash (BLA) as cementitious binders. Concrete cube (100mm) prepared from a standardized prescribed mix of 1:2:4, batch by volume was taken as the reference mix. The cement component in the reference mix was replaced with combined % weight of periwinkle shell ash (10-30%) and bamboo leaf ash (10% fixed) given five blended mixes. Water-cement ratio of 0.60 was adopted for the reference and blended mixes. A total of 144 cube specimens were evaluated for compressive and tensile splitting strength at four curing ages up to 56 days. The results indicated that the compressive strength generally increases with curing age, and that the mix containing 80% cement-10%PSA-10%BLA, outperformed that of the reference mix at 28 and 56 days. The tensile splitting strength increase with curing age and decreases as the % weight of PSA increases from 15% to 30%. A higher tensile splitting strength value was attained with mix 2 than the reference mix at 14, 28 and 56 days.  The regression equation for the strengths relationship was obtained as FSP = 0.141 (Fcu) 0.873. The study concluded that mix 2 proportion is adequate for the production of ordinary structural mix concrete. Keywords: periwinkle shell ash, bamboo leaf ash, blended cement concrete, compressive strength, tensile Splitting strengt

A Fuzzy Classifier-Based Penetration Testing for Web Applications

The biggest challenge of Web application is the inestimable losses arising from security flaws. Two approaches were advanced by a number of scholars to provide security to Web space. One of such approach is vulnerability assessment, which is a conscious effort to isolate, identify and recognize potentials vulnerabilities exploited by attackers. The second being the estimation and determination of level of risks/threats posed to Web applications by vul- nerabilities obvious to the developer (or tester); this is generally referred to as penetration testing. Recently, there is Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) that combined these two schemes to improve safety and effec- tively combat the menace of attackers on Web applications. This paper proposed Fuzzy Classifier-based Vulnerability and Assessment Testing (FCVAPT) model to provide security for sensitive data/information in Web applications. Cross Site Scripting (XSS) and Structured Query Language (SQL) injections were selected for evaluation of proposed FCVAPT model. FCVAPT model’s classification performance for MSE, MAPE and RMSE were 33.33, 14.81% and 5.77% respectively. FCVAPT is considerably effective for detecting vulnerability and ascertaining the nature of threats/risks available to Web applications

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ELECTROLYSIS-ENHANCED ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF THREE SOLUBLE SOLID WASTES FOR BIOGAS PRODUCTION

Aim: A comparative study of biogas production from three soluble solid wastes was conducted under anaerobic conditions by subjecting each waste to both conventional and electrolyzed digesters. Methodology and Results: Varying weight of each of the waste was mixed thoroughly with water and fed into five digesters. Three of these digesters were electrolytically-enhanced while the other two were not. The digestion of each of the wastes was monitored for 40 days at an ambient temperature ranging from 24 to 35oC. In all the digesters, biogas production started on the day 2, and attained maximum value on day 14 to17. Biogas production ended on the day 34 and 35 in digester 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b with production ending earliest in digester 3 containing wastewater on day 19. The highest biogas was produced in digester 2b containing electrolyzed digester loaded with poultry droppings) with a cumulative volume percentage of 91.41 as compared to its conventional state with a cumulative volume percentage of 85.19 and both states of the cow dung waste with cumulative volume percentages of 77.26 and 71.64 respectively. The least production occurred in digester 3 with a cumulative volume percentage of 4.59. Conclusion, significance and impact study: It is therefore concluded that poultry droppings has the greatest potentials for the generation of biogas as compared to cow dung in conventional and electrolyzed state and wastewater