Parametric Evaluation of a Parabolic Trough Solar Collector

A parabolic trough collector was studied to determine its performance parameters when stationary and when tracked. The overall heat loss coefficient, heat removal factor, efficiency function, flow factor and its thermal efficiency are the factors of interest. Optimum values obtained for the collector when tracked were as follows: Collector efficiency function, 12m2K/Kw; heat removal factor, 0.59, flow factor, 0.76; overall heat loss, 0.02KW/m2K and thermal efficiency of 56%. Keywords: parabolic trough, performance, parameters

Determinants of Households’ Food Security in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

The study examined the determinants of households’ food security in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. The study used a multi-stage sampling procedure to select eighty respondents with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Data were collected randomly from four communities and analyzed using a combination of descriptive statistics, food security index and probit regression model. The results revealed that food secure households had an average daily per capita calorie consumption of 3854.46Kcal while the households that were food insecure had an average daily per capita calorie consumption of 1564.3Kcal. The results of probit regression revealed that, household size, level of education, household head’s income and number of income earners were significant determinants of food security among households. Level of education, household head’s income and number of income earners influenced food security positively while household size affected it negatively. Based on the findings of the study, it was therefore recommended that households should diversify their sources of income and register with cooperative societies which may be necessary for them to access funds and also there should be limit in population size through integrated health and education services. Keywords: Determinants, Food Security, Households, Probit Model DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-22-04 Publication date: November 30th 202

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE EFFECTIVE CAPTURE OF INDIRECT COSTS IN ACCIDENT REPORTS BY EMERGING CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS IN SOUTH AFRICA

There has been limited research into the indirect cost of accidents in the South African construction industry, despite its consequences on productivity and performance measurement and management. Extant studies have attempted to explore the impact of direct and indirect costs from a macro-economic (industry-wide) perspective.  Whilst a few have focused on the micro-economic impacts, with specific emphasis on the organizational level, most of these studies have concentrated on the construction client perspective without recourse to the experiences for construction contractors. This is the gap which this study seeks to fulfil within the South Africa. To achieve this objective, a document analysis of selected construction accident reports was conducted using a pre-set theme identified from the literature in extracting information from the emerging contractors’ accident reports. It was revealed that none of the reports were compliant as per the pre-set theme used. The reasons behind the non-compliance were sought for, through another round of data collection deploying questionnaire surveys. A population of contractors within CIDB grades 5-7 were sampled and surveyed. Survey results revealed that difficulties in extracting the information top the list with MIS value of 4.67, followed by organisational will with MIS value of 4.61. Also, areas for improvement in capturing the accident report were highlighted such as; making it as a policy for any accident report to capture indirect cost with MIS of 4.82 which ranks 1st; assigning timeliness on when the data must be captured in any accidents with MIS of 4.66 which ranks 2nd. This finding has implications on the emerging contractors as it provides information on factors that negate and impact on sustainability of the emerging contractors as it relates to OHS performance and competitiveness

Development of A Dual-Fired Dryer for Augmentation of Fish Preservation

Food serves as one of the basic requirements for the well-being of every living being, but improper handling during post-harvesting stage to cater for the rainy day in the midst of insufficient energy source, is one of the factors responsible for food insecurity, especially in the developing countries. This study focused on the construction and evaluation of an adaptable dual-fired fish dryer. The dryer, designed to reduce moisture content of fish from 80% to 8% for proper product shelf life, has a rated drying capacity of 12 kg of fish per period of 4 hours per batch, while working on either electricity or natural gas as source of heat energy. Locally available materials were used in the construction of the device. The rig developed cost one hundred and forty-eight thousand eight hundred and twenty Naira (N148, 820.00). It was evaluated using salmon fish. The dryer is more efficient when electrically fired than when gas-fired and has the maximum drying and thermal efficiencies of 84.67 % and 92.93 % when operated at 85oC while the corresponding values when operated on gas are 36% and 62.65% respectively. Keywords: Food insecurity, Fish, dryer, Performance evaluation, Preservation, Incom

The impact of carbon nanomaterials on the development of phenanthrene catabolism in soil

This study investigates the impact of different types of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) namely C60, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and fullerene soot on the catabolism of (14)C-phenanthrene in soil by indigenous microorganisms. Different concentrations (0%, 0.01%, 0.1% and 1%) of the different CNMs were blended with soil spiked with 50 mg kg(-1) of (12)C-phenanthrene, and aged for 1, 25, 50 and 100 days. An increase in the concentration of MWCNT- and FS-amended soils showed a significant difference (P = 0.014) in the lag phase, maximum rates and overall extent of (14)C-phenanthrene mineralisation. Microbial cell numbers did not show an obvious trend, but it was observed that control soils had the highest population of heterotrophic and phenanthrene degrading bacteria at all time points

Human Security and Developmental Crisis in the Contemporary West Africa

The last two decades were characterized by severe conflicts in the West Africa subregion. The era of conflict resolution, management and peace building thus came to define theregion. The destruction left by long years of protracted conflicts and the present state of devel opment is reason enough to warrant attention both from within and beyond. The study expounds, operationalizes and clarifies the concept of human security and development, and how human security issues lead to underdevelopment. The paper investigates the human security concerns in the post-conflict period and also looks at the crisis of development in the sub-region. It highlights details on the developmental crises that have bedevilled the sub-region and at the same time exposes the threats these crises pose on national security and peace in the subregion. This paper concludes that there is no appreciable effort in operationalizing human security in West Africa and this will lead to instability. The paper maintains that human security issues now complicate the developmental crisis in the sub-region due to its ambiguity. The paper suggests that policy makers should address human security issues in order to tackle developmental crisis in the sub-region

Human Security and Developmental Crisis in the Contemporary West Africa

The last two decades were characterized by severe conflicts in the West Africa subregion. The era of conflict resolution, management and peace building thus came to define theregion. The destruction left by long years of protracted conflicts and the present state of devel opment is reason enough to warrant attention both from within and beyond. The study expounds, operationalizes and clarifies the concept of human security and development, and how human security issues lead to underdevelopment. The paper investigates the human security concerns in the post-conflict period and also looks at the crisis of development in the sub-region. It highlights details on the developmental crises that have bedevilled the sub-region and at the same time exposes the threats these crises pose on national security and peace in the subregion. This paper concludes that there is no appreciable effort in operationalizing human security in West Africa and this will lead to instability. The paper maintains that human security issues now complicate the developmental crisis in the sub-region due to its ambiguity. The paper suggests that policy makers should address human security issues in order to tackle developmental crisis in the sub-region

Cyberbullying Experiences and Coping Strategies in Ibadan Metropolis, Ibadan, Nigeria

Introduction/Aim: Cyberbullying of influential personalities or celebrities is a media menace. Psychological, depressional, and emotional suicidal ideation effects are some of the impacts on celebrities. A few studies have investigated celebrities' coping mechanisms against this, with the majority from developed countries. There is a dearth of information on this among celebrities in Nigeria. This study investigated the experience, effects, and coping mechanisms of cyberbullying among celebrities in the Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria. Material and method: A descriptive crosssectional purposive sampling method was adopted. An in-depth interview guide was used for data collection among 14 consented celebrities. Data were manually analysed thematically. Results: Most participants were 25-35 years old and were comedians. All have experienced cyberbullies, such as popularity attacks and defamation of character. The effects of cyberbullying on the victims include low self-esteem, mental stress, depression, substance abuse, and financial crisis. Jealousy, hatred, envy, and quest for popularity among the perpetrators fuelled this menace. However, some celebrities have overcome these effects through technical, preventive, corrective, social support, and spiritual approaches. Conclusion: Cyberbullying is prevalent among celebrities and many experienced psychological effects. Awareness, interventions aimed at its prevention, and adequate coping strategies are needed to solve this menace