Production of Ceiling Board from Piliostigma Thonningii using Styrofoam Adhesive as Binder

The use of synthetic fibres resulted in environmental degradation and the growing interests towards the utilisation of readily available agricultural fibres as a potential replacement for synthetic fibres. This research aims to produce a ceiling board composite from piliostigma thonningii particulate using styrofoam adhesive binder. The board was produced from the readily available materials leading to the low cost of production. The composition has a formulation of fibre/binder mixing ratios (2:1, 1:1, 1:2 w:w), pressures of (100, 300, 500 kg/m2) and temperatures of (30, 65, 100 °C) respectively. The process was successfully modelled and optimized using a Box–Behnken design method. The optimal conditions for the piliostigma thonningii board were found to be fibre/binder mixing ratio of 1:1 w:w, pressure of 500 kg/m2 and temperature of 92 °C yielded response values of density (151.5 kg/m3), water absorption (9.04 %), tensile strength (16.9 N/m2), thermal conductivity (0.11 W/mK). Hence the board has greater insulating properties and good potential to be used as a ceiling board

Design Construction and Performance Evaluation of Solar Still for Rural Dwellers

This paper is aimed at designing, constructing and performance evaluation of a solar still. The solar still is design and constructed with locally source materials for rural dwellers. The still absorber plate is constructed with 2 mm galvanised plate painted black with an area of 2 m2 to absorb solar radiation effectively. The side wall and the base is constructed with concrete. Sawdust and felt is used between the retaining wall and base to resist heat transfer from the system to the surrounding vice-versa. The top cover of the still is constructed with transparent glass pane of 4 mm housed in an aluminium frame. The catch basin that collects the condensate is constructed with PVC pipe channel of 50 mm. The performance of the still was evaluated with; Overall yield (sum of daily yield and over-night yield) at a different water depth of (20, 40, 60 mm), (5127 ml/m2/hr, 4558 ml/m2/hr, and 3852 ml/m2/hr). The efficiency of the system at different water depth (20, 40, 60 mm) 51.27 %, 45.58 %, and 38.52 %. The water analysis before and after distillation was certified safe and portable for human consumption

Channel Propagation Characteristics on the Performance of 4G Cellular Systems from High Altitude Platforms (HAPs)

In this paper, we investigated the effect of different channel propagation characteristics on the performance of 4G systems from high altitude platforms (HAPs). The use of High-Altitude Platforms for communication purpose in the past focused mostly on the assumption that the platform is quasi stationary. The technical limitation of the assumption was that of ensuring stability in the positioning of the platform in space. The use of antenna steering and other approaches were proposed as a solution to the said problem. In this paper, we proposed a channel model which account for the motion of the platform. This was done by investigating the effect of Doppler shift on the carrier frequency as the signals propagate between the transmitter and receiver while the High-Altitude Platform is in motion. The basic free space model was used and subjected to the frequency variation caused by the continuous random shift due to the motion of the HAPs. The trajectory path greatly affects the system performance. A trajectory of 30km, 100km and 500km radii were simulated. An acute elevation angle was used in the simulation. The proposed model was also compared to two other channel models to illustrate its performance. The results show that the proposed model behave similar to the existing models except at base station ID 35 and 45 where the highest deviation of 20dBm was observed. Other stations that deviated were less than 2dBm

Investigating the Role of Diversification on Economic Growth in Nigeria; New Evidence from SVARs

Fluctuations in oil prices have caused economic contractions and challenges to oil-exporting economies. In particular, Nigeria suffers both the previous and current global oil price shocks and this has raised concerns among policymakers, governments, and economic analysts because of the impact of oil and oil prices in Nigeria’s macroeconomic development. However, this paper investigates the role of diversification on economic growth in Nigeria using annual data from 1986 to 2018. The techniques applied showed that only remittances and official development assistance have affected economic growth in the short run. However, the coefficients of one period lagged indicated that the system is capable of adjusting to its long-run equilibrium condition after some shocks in the system.  The findings from variance decomposition indicated that diversification plays a positive role on economic growth in both the short and long-run horizons. By overall implication, the study concludes that diversification has a positive role on Nigeria’s economic growth. Therefore, the study recommends the need for the government to provide active and inclusive policies such as soft loans and commercial agricultural programs to improve its export of agricultural output competitiveness, improve supervisory and regulatory frameworks in the financial sector to ease remittances inflow. For these reasons, diversifying the economy from oil revenue is the ultimate goal for achieving sustainable economic growth and development goals or targets by the year 2030

Investigating the effect of High Altitude Platform Positioning on Latency and Coverage of 4G Cellular Systems

Wireless communication technologies are rapidly being adopted and developed by countries all over the world as a strategy for sustaining a digital economy. This has proven very useful for economic recovery from the crises brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic of the year 2020. The latency and coverage area of a wireless network are two major areas that are always seeking improvement. The High Altitude Platform communication technology can provide improvement in speed and coverage area for 4G cellular systems. This work investigated the effect of positioning High Altitude Platforms on the latency and coverage of 4G cellular Systems. A quantitative approach was used in the methodology of this paper. A HAP model showing a single platform flying in a circular trajectory over Base Transceiver Stations BTSs and serving as a relay mobile station was presented. A detailed simulation algorithm for the HAP and results for the simulation were given. Results showed that using the HAP as a relay mobile station in a network can give a latency reduction of up to 58.9%.  Also, the altitude of the HAP directly affects the angle of reception which was found to improve the coverage

Sustainable Animal Manure Management Strategies and Practices

Animal manure is a valuable resource if handled responsibly but a source of serious challenges and public health concerns if managed inappropriately. Risks associated with animal manure handling could be related to soil, water and air quality. In spite of this, non-sustainable animal manure management practices are still common in some places. Sustainable management of animal manure requires multi-prong approaches and holds several benefits both to the farmers and the general public. The importance attached to the handling and management of manure in several countries has led to the enactment of relevant legislations, regulations, standards and policies to promote sustainable handling of animal manure. Some of these are enacted at community, state, national, regional and international levels. Several techniques ranging from simple, low-cost to complex strategies are available for proper handling of animal manure. The proposed chapter will highlight some unsustainable animal manure handling practices. It will discuss some of the risks associated with irresponsible handling of animal manure as well as some of the measures to promote sustainable animal manure management

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Guided Biodiesel Production from Atoulfo Mango Seeds Oil and the Evaluation of Some of its Properties

Ground Atoulfo mango seeds kernel was extracted using soxhlet apparatus with hexane to give an oil yield of 22.71%. The physicochemical properties of the oil reveals; acid value (15.32±0.20 mgKOH/g), free fatty acid (7.66±0.10 mg/g), iodine value (61.31±3.70 I2g/100g) and saponification value (171.99±3.10 mgKOH/g). The production of biodiesel from the oil by transesterification reaction was monitored by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. The percentage triacylglycerol conversion in the oil to its corresponding methyl esters (biodiesel) was calculated to be 94%. The important properties of the biodiesel studied were density (0.88 g/cm3), acid value (0.39 mg/KOH/g), kinematic viscosity (4.60 °C mm2/sec), flash point (150 °C), cetane number (65), pour point (2.1 °C), sulphur content (0.011 %) and ash content (trace) respectively. The fuel properties studied significantly agreed with the specifications of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D6751), thus qualifying the seed oil as a potential ingredient for the production of biodiesel. &nbsp

Nitrogen Emissions and Mitigation Strategies in Chicken Production

Air emissions from feeding operations and manure management in chicken production are among the major sources of environmental concerns globally. Nitrogen emissions in chicken production occur in several forms but mainly ammonia can contribute directly or indirectly to several environmental and public health hazards. Chicken production also contributes to some extent to climate change through the emissions of nitrous oxide, fine particulate matters, and methane. Emissions and nutrient losses take place in different systems and at every stage of chicken production operations. To effectively reduce the environmental impact of chicken production, appropriate measures should be taken across the chicken supply and manure management chain. Nutritional and manure management strategies for mitigating nitrogen emissions in chicken production are discussed. Challenges associated with the adoption of some of the mitigation strategies are identified and measures to address them are suggested. Co-benefits of mitigating nitrogen emissions in chicken production to the planet, the people and the producers are numerous

Towards ICT diffusion and trade liberalisation on inclusive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

While the debate over the nexus between trade liberalization and inclusive growth is progressively reaching some consensus in emerging and developing economies, the empirical findings are mixed for sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Some of the SSA countries experience rapid growth in information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion manifesting in increased green wealth via the invention of new ideas, access to wider markets like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), promoting accountability, social inclusion, and e-governance among others. The present study critically assesses how ICT diffusion modulates trade liberalization on inclusive growth throughout the 2005–2020 periods for 48 SSA countries. This study contributes empirically and methodologically to literature, specifically on the construction of the ICT index, inclusive growth index, and adoption of a better befitting econometric model. The study explores the direct impacts of ICT diffusion and trade liberalization, and their indirect impacts using an interaction term on inclusive growth. Contrary to the prior expectations, trade liberalization does not lead to inclusive growth in the SSA region, but ICT diffusion has a positive and significant impact on inclusive growth. However, the interaction term of ICT and trade liberalization improves inclusive growth. Therefore, the study advocates for policies that would build a knowledge-based human capital, stimulate innovation in socio-economic systems, and develop ICT infrastructure and its penetration among others, with the expectation that as AfCFTA takes effect, ICT diffusion will facilitate intra-regional trade, enhancing inclusive growth in the African region among other sound policy suggestions

Optimum Portland Cement-Guinea Corn Husk Ash Blend as Filler in Hot Mix Asphalt

Abstract- Dwindling natural resources and the negative environmental impact that comes with the industrial processing of construction materials are the driving forces to man’s quest for cleaner (green) and cheaper alternative construction materials. Among such alternatives include agricultural wastes. Guinea corn husk ash (GCHA), an agricultural waste obtained from the incineration of Guinea corn husk, has shown potentials of been used as filler material in hot mix asphalt due to its pozzolanic properties. Thus, this research aims to assess the strength and durability properties of hot mix asphalt with the incorporation of GCHA as a partial replacement for filler (cement). Marshal mix design method was used to determine the optimum bitumen content (OBC) at no GCHA content (control mix) within the bitumen content range prescribed by Nigerian general specifications for roads and bridges (NGSRB) for bituminous courses in flexible pavements. This OBC was used to determine the optimum GCHA by replacing the primary filler with GCHA up to 45% in increments of 5%. Marshal indices and volumetric properties of samples prepared at each replacement level were determined according to relevant standards. Mixtures containing up to 20% Portland cement replacement with GCHA were found to produce competitive results against the control mix (only cement as filler). Thus, Marshall indices and volumetric properties of mixtures containing up to 20% cement replacement GCHA satisfy the minimu