Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Coupling Effect on Radio Refractivity in 2008 for Minna

Solar wind-magnetosphere coupling effect on radio refractivity is investigated from hourly measurement of meteorological parameters and interplanetary parameters for dry and rainy season in Minna (Latitude 9° 36' 50" N and Longitude 6° 33' 24" E) North central, Nigeria for the year 2008. Data used for the work is made up of hourly interval record of meteorological parameters and interplanetary parameters calculated from the data obtained from the Center for Basic Space Science (CBSS) measured with Vantage PRO II Automatic Weather station and through Omini web for each day in all the months of the year in 2008 for both dry and rainy seasons. The result showed that variations of solar wind and radio refractivity time increases almost in an hourly cycle between the 1st hours to the 14th hour during dry season while during rainy season, they exhibit linear decrease with time between 1st hour to the 19th hour. Also the correlation between solar wind energy with radio refractivity is negligible. It was showed as well that solar wind changes with a positive gradient in dry season while solar wind decreases with negative gradient in rainy season. Key words: Solar wind, magnetosphere coupling, radio refractivit

Strategies to Improve Attitude of Secondary School Students towards Physics for Sustainable Technological Developmentin Abakaliki L.G.A, Ebonyi-Nigeria

This study is aimed at the strategies to improve attitude of secondary school students towards physics for sustainable technological development in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi state. Five research questions were raised to guide the study. The population of the study consist of 270 physics teachers and students. A sample of 180 students and 18 teachers was selected through random sampling. The instrument used for data collection was  structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using mean. The findings were identifies as qualified/professional physics teachers, adequate instructional materials, equippment, teaching aids and tools, management/government intensive  funding, motivation of both teachers and students, comfortable classroom,  recommendation of textbook and comfortable library and laboratory. Based on the findings, the necessary recommendations was made. Government/school proprietor should provide teaching aids, materials and equippment for effective teaching and learning of physics. Provide incentives to physics teachers and students. The government/proprietor should provide sufficient/good classrooms, library and laboratory for students. Proper funding and timely release of fund for educational activities should be done

Evaluation of sesamum gum as an excipient in matrix tablets

In developing countries modern medicines are often beyond the affordability of the majority of the population. This is due to the reliance on expensive imported raw materials despite the abundance of natural resources which could provide an equivalent or even an improved function. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of sesamum gum (SG) extracted from the leaves of Sesamum radiatum (readily cultivated in sub-Saharan Africa) as a matrix former. Directly compressed matrix tablets were prepared from the extract and compared with similar matrices of HPMC (K4M) using theophylline as a model water soluble drug. The compaction, swelling, erosion and drug release from the matrices were studied in deionized water, 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2) and phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) using USP apparatus II. The data from the swelling, erosion and drug release studies were also fitted into the respective mathematical models. Results showed that the matrices underwent a combination of swelling and erosion, with the swelling action being controlled by the rate of hydration in the medium. SG also controlled the release of theophylline similar to the HPMC and therefore may have use as an alternative excipient in regions where Sesamum radiatum can be easily cultivated