Design and performance evaluation of an electrically powered multi-purpose food roaster

Food roasting is a method and technique used for transforming raw food into edible and tasty food accompanied with change or alteration in the appearance, taste, aroma, shape, or colour of the end product. The traditional method of use of open grill in Nigeria as an example, does not produce consistent end products. This work is about a multi-purpose roasting machine for Maize (Zea maize), Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) and Yam (Dioscorea Sagittifolia). The roasting temperature is allowed to vary between 160-240oC and the distance between the heat source and the item being roasted is also adjustable (50mm-150mm). A 10-50min experiment using ten maize cobs, yam slices and plantain of an average initial weight of 2.9kg, 3kg and 1.16kg respectively led to 6.91%, 6.7% and 9.5% weight loss and 68.4%, 66.1% and 94.1% roasting efficiency. Keywords: Multi-Purpose, Food, Roasting, Roasting Condition

The modelling and control of the drive system of an Ackermann Robot using GA optimization

This paper provides the mathematical modelling and control optimization, of the drive system of an Ackermann four wheeled autonomous robot, with Genetic algorithm used for tuning the proportional, integral and derivative (PID) Controller parameters. The aim and main objective of this work is focused on the control of the driving speed input from the rear wheels of the robot and control. The robot drive in proportion to obstacle input ahead of the four wheeled chassis using genetic algorithms. A controlled platform that can be deployed for driverless vehicle in the nearest future and military unmanned vehicle is our major concern. The controlled system response stabilized in 0.675 seconds, after exciting the system with a step response. Variation for the system also shows, that the cost function was minimized or adjusted to obtain optimal PID parameters as Proportional (P) = 12.671, Integral (I) = -0.399, Derivative (D) = 1477561, at a value of 9.6778*10-4.Keywords: Ackermann steering, modelling, optimization, Genetic Algorithm, control, PID, driverless vehicl

Louise Müller e o Jogo da Filosofia Africana: Lopes, Marcos Carvalho. Louise Müller e.o. Jogo Da Filosofia Africana." In Tcholonadur: Entrevistas Sobre Filosofia Africana, edited by Marcos Carvalho Lopes, 183-95. São Carlos: Pedro & João Editores, 2023.

Louise Müller e o jogo da filosofia africana*“O conhecimento é como um baobá, nenhuma pessoa sozinha pode abraçá-lo”. Esse é um provérbio Akan que pode ser combinado com outro que diz “Que nenhuma cidade (polis) possui sozinha a verdade”. Nenhuma cidade poderia almejar a posse integral da verdade. É nesse sentido que a filósofa holandesaLouise Müller, especialista na cultura akan, tem se dedicado à filosofia africana, desenvolvendo diálogos interculturais, assim como, buscando se aprofundar nos conhecimentos de línguas e culturas africanas.Modern and Contemporary Studie

Humanitatis-Eco (Eco-Humanism): An African Environmental Theory

Environmental ethics is generally concerned with the moral relationship between human beings and the natural environment. This chapter delineates a uniquely African philosophical worldview where it relates to this normative relationship between the individual and the overall ecosystem. A few questions at stake would be: What constitutes African environmental ethics? Relatedly, in what ways does this view differ from the dominant Western discourse, and what unique contribution can the African worldview make? The chapter is divided into two sections. The first section examines the current debate on African environmental ethics and the contributions made thus far to contemporary environmental ethics. The second section draws upon a specific African worldview of life to articulate an inclusive theory that reconciles the human person and natural environment in a way that underscores the interconnectedness of humanity in terms of religiosity, temporality, and spatiality. This peculiarly African way of thinking about the environment can offer critical resources to enrich the dominant discussions on environmental ethics where it concerns environmental sustainability, rehabilitation, biodiversity, and environmental management

Improvement of quality characteristics of an epoxy-based composite reinforced with Sisal (Agave Sissalana) plant fibre for wind turbine blade material using Taguchi grey relational analysis

Natural fibres are possible substitutes for glass fibre in composite production because of their light weight, ease of production and biodegradability. The present study involves the use of Taguchi grey relational analysis to optimize the production process parameters of an epoxy based composite reinforced with sisal fibre. The process parameters optimized are Percentage by weight of the sisal reinforcement, curing temperature, post curing time and compounding pressure. A Taguchi L16 orthogonal array was designed and sixteen experimental runs were performed based on the designed experiments. Tensile strength and flexural modulus (stiffness) were recorded for each experiment based on the average responses computed from the Taguchi grey relational analysis. From the response table of the grey relational grades, the optimal set of parameters for enhanced tensile strength and flexural strength performance of the sisal-epoxy composite were identified to be 35% by weight of fibre, 1100C curing temperature, 1hr post curing time and 13MPa compounding pressure. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to identify the predominant factor and established that percentage by weight W has the highest effect of 61 % on the GRG. The optimum composite material had the following values, Ultimate Tensile Strength 27.22 MPa, Flexural Strength 51.84 MPa. The DMA results of the material showed a glass transition temperature of 61.90C

Chromosomal abnormalities in couples with recurrent abortions in Lagos, Nigeria

The study was to investigate the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in  couples with two or more recurrent miscarriages of unknown cause. The study  population included 55 women and 32 male partners with medical history of 2 or  more consecutive abortions and primary infertility. The controls were 20 healthy  couples with at least one live delivery and without a history of pregnancy loss.  Individuals with medical disease or reproductive organic abnormality were excluded from the study. Chromosomal analysis was performed on peripheral blood   lymphocytes cultured for 72 hours, using Trypsin-Giemsa (GTG) banding. In all cases, at least 20 metaphases were analyzed and 2 karyotypes were prepared, using light microscopy. Out of 78 cases of karyotype analyzed, 6 cases (7.7%) of abnormal chromosome karyotypes and two (2) Y chromosome variants (2.56%) were seen. No case of structural anomaly was seen. There was no case of  chromosomal abnormality seen among the control group in this study. The median age and age range of couples with recurrent miscarriages were 33 years and 28-42 years respectively for the females and 37 and 31-51 years for the males. The male to female ratio is 1:1. The most frequent age group of involvement is 35-39  (44.9%) followed by 30-34 (33.3%) and then 40-44(14.1%) Chromosomal  alterations affected most commonly age group 30-34(3.84%) followed by group 40-44 (2.56%). All the groups have equal average number of pregnancy wastage of 4 per couple. Of the 6 abnormal cases, 1 case (1.28%) each of the mosaic  Kleinfelter syndrome (XXY) and Superman (XYY) as well as 2 cases of   translocations made up of reciprocal and Robertsonian types. Also seen are 1case (1.28%) each of mosaic Turners syndrome and trisomy X. An association between chromosomal abnormalities and recurrent miscarriage of pregnancy was observed inthe study. Etiologic identification of genetic factors represents important clinical information for genetic counseling and orientation of the couple about the risk for future pregnancies and decreases the number of investigations needed to elucidate the possible causes of miscarriages.Keywords: Chromosomal abnormalities, recurrent miscarriages, Genetic counselling

Genito-urinary system injuries in Lagos: pattern and general treatment outcome

No Abstracs

Adult renal cell carcinoma in Lagos: Experience and challenges at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), regarded as the most lethal of all urological tumors, is relatively uncommon. Recent reports from developed countries indicate a rising incidence, most likely from the increasing availability of imaging services leading to an increase in incidental diagnosis of early stage tumors, with consequently better prognosis. However, literature on RCC in sub-Saharan Africa is relatively sparse. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, presentation, pattern and outcome of RCC at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Methods: Information extracted from the records of 64 adult patients with RCC seen in our institution between January 2000 and December 2010 included the age and sex of the patient, clinical features, investigations, tumor stage, treatment, outcome of management and follow-up. Results: The mean patient age was 41.8 years (range 20–75 years) with a male:female ratio of 1:1.7. Flank mass, flank pain and hematuria were present in 90.6%, 86% and 40.6% of patients, respectively, while 36% of patients had the classical triad of loin pain, loin mass and hematuria. Only 1 patient (1.6%) had an incidental diagnosis. TNM tumor stages T3 and T4 accounted for 93.7% of patients, while the clear cell type accounted for 60% of histologically examined cases. Forty-five patients (70.3%) had surgical intervention. Of the T2 patients available for follow-up, 50% were alive at 48 months, while all inoperable T4 and M1 patients available for follow-up were dead within 1 year. Conclusion: RCC in our environment is characterized by a younger age at presentation, a female predominance and clinical presentation at an advanced clinical stage