Investigating the Efficiency of Energy Transfer in Vehicular Motion

One of my principal interests in life is transportation which involves building and working with vehicles, and that is why I chose to pursue this project. This write-up, in addition to being a small-scale study of the various properties of automobiles, is to serve as a guide for others who wish to pursue such an endeavor in the years to come. To do this, I first take a look at three of the many key structures which enable vehicular movement: The engine, the wheels and the steering system. After this, I give a detailed recount of how I built the vehicle used in this project with efficiency tips littered throughout the section. Then, I briefly explain the turn radius test and maximum velocity and acceleration tests carried out while presenting and analyzing the data. In all, this project investigates the dynamic motion of vehicles both in a straight line and in curves and attempts to use the data gathered to establish a basic understanding of the efficiency of energy transfer in vehicular motion

Development Indices of Gongronema latifolium Benth Domesticated in Otuoke Terrestrial Habitat, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The effects of physico-chemical properties of two soil sampling locations on the proximate and mineral nutrients contents of Gongronema latifolium Benth were examined in Otuoke secondary forest habitat, in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Leaf samples of Gongronema latifolium and soil (0-20 cm depth) samples were randomly collected from two sites in the study area. Three replicates were maintained for each treatment using randomized complete block design. The pH of 5.10 was recorded at location 1 while that of location 2 was 5.00. The contents of calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, copper and zinc were higher in leaves of G. latifolium at location 1 than those of location 2, while the content of potassium was higher in leaves of G. latifolium at location 2 than those of location 1. The moisture, protein, lipid and fibre contents in leaves of G. latifolium were higher at location 1 than those of location 2, while the contents of ash and carbohydrate in leaves of G. latifolium were higher at location 2 than those of location 1. This study showed that the nutritional status of G. latifolium was affected by the sampling locations of the study area, hence, appropriate cultural practices are needed in the area in order to create favourable soil conditions for optimum growth and development of the test plant

Incidence of seedling blight disease of Raphia palm (Raphia hookeri Mann and Wendl.), the disease agent and its phytotoxic effect in the seedlings and nutrient property of soil at the Nifor sub-station, Onuebum, Bayelsa State

A study of the incidence of seedling blight disease among Raphia hookeri palm seedlings in the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, Raphia Substation, Onuebum, Bayelsa State, Nigeria was carried out to determine the causal agent of the disease, phytotoxic- effect of the causal agent on the seedlings and assess the nutrient status of the R. hookeri seedling blocks. The disease incidence was 5%. Advanced stage of seedling blight was characterized by the lamina of the leaflets becoming fragile and gradually falling off, leaving tattered leaflets. Overall soil fertility was adequate, although the soil was poorly drained. Pathogenicity test and molecular analysis revealed that Diaporthe sp. was responsible for the disease. Results also showed that Diaporthe sp. likely released toxic substances which damaged the photosynthetic layer of the leaf tissues. This is the first report of Diaporthe sp. causing seedling blight in R. hookeri. Symptoms of the disease were similar to those caused by Glomerella cingulata usually seen in the rainy season. A study of the incidence of G. cingulata and Diaporthe sp in the seedling blight of R. hookeri during both rainy and dry seasons is suggested. Improved soil fertility might contribute towards the successful management of seedling blight disease caused by Diaporthe sp

Incidence of seedling blight disease of Raphia palm (Raphia hookeri Mann and Wendl.), the disease agent and its phytotoxic effect in the seedlings and nutrient property of soil at the Nifor Sub-Station, Onuebum, Bayelsa State

A study of the incidence of seedling blight disease among Raphia hookeri palm seedlings in the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, Raphia Substation, Onuebum, Bayelsa State, Nigeria was carried out to determine the causal agent of the disease, phytotoxic- effect of the causal agent on the seedlings and assess the nutrient status of the R. hookeri seedling blocks. The disease incidence was 5%. Advanced stage of seedling blight was characterized by the lamina of the leaflets becoming fragile and gradually falling off, leaving tattered leaflets. Overall soil fertility was adequate, although the soil was poorly drained. Pathogenicity test and molecular analysis revealed that Diaporthe sp. was responsible for the disease. Results also showed that Diaporthe sp. likely released toxic substances which damaged the photosynthetic layer of the leaf tissues. This is the first report of Diaporthe sp. causing seedling blight in R. hookeri. Symptoms of the disease were similar to those caused by Glomerella cingulata usually seen in the rainy season. A study of the incidence of G. cingulata and Diaporthe sp in the seedling blight of R. hookeri during both rainy and dry seasons is suggested. Improved soil fertility might contribute towards the successful management of seedling blight disease caused by Diaporthe sp

Physiological Studies of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in Medium Irrigated with Different Sources of Water from Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Physiological studies on Phaseolus vulgaris L. in medium irrigated with different sources of water obtained from Otuoke,  Bayelsa State, Nigeria were conducted in the laboratory. Three (3) sources of water; stream water, rain water and tap water were used alongside a control (distilled water). Analysis of water samples for physico-chemical characteristics was conducted using standard procedures. 10 seeds of the test crop were sown in sterilized Petri dishes containing two sterile What-Man’s filter paper per treatment and replicated five (5) times. The experimental set up was maintained in a growth chamber under light condition at 28±1oC for two (2) weeks. Coefficient of velocity of germination, germination percentage, shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of the seedlings were determined. There were marked variations (P < 0.05) in pH value, contents of dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, and total suspended solids as well as mineral elements contents of the three water samples. Similarly, the coefficient of velocity of germination, germination percentage and growth parameters such as shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of P. vulgaris varied significantly (P < 0.05) among the three treatments, although in most cases the germination and growth responses were comparatively lower than that of the control treatment.   This study suggests that both nutrients and non- nutrients composition of irrigation water can influence the growth performance of the test crop

A Study on Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Zea mays L.in Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. Extract Treated Medium

Germination and early seedling growth of Zea mays   in  aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces treated medium  was conducted in the laboratory. The concentration levels of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%  were prepared through serial dilutions, while 0% (distilled water) was used as control. Elemental composition of calyces of H. sabdariffa was determined using standard procedures. 10 seeds of the test crop were sown in sterilized Petri dishes containing two sterile What-Man’s filter paper per treatment. Percentage germination and coefficient of velocity of germination counts were recorded at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after sowing all the seeds.  Growth parameters such as shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of the seedlings were measured after 20 days. Elemental analysis of  aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa calyces indicated the presence calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, iron, manganese, copper, zinc and lead in varied concentrations. The values of coefficient of velocity of germination and percentage germination of Zea mays  were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with increase in the concentration of H. sabdariffa  extract, except at 20% concentration level of H. sabdariffa  extract where slight stimulations were recorded in comparison with the control treatment. Similarly, the shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of maize seedlings were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with increase in the concentration of H. sabdariffa  extract, except at 20% concentration level of H. sabdariffa  extract where the shoot length was slightly stimulated above that of the control treatment. This study suggests that  aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces could negatively affect the germination and early seedling growth of Z. mays

A quadratic programming model for crop combinations in intercropping

One particularly known problem that confronts the farmer is that of determining optimal crop combinations for an intercropping scheme. This work therefore sets out to develop a model which determines optimally a crop combination that will yield maximum profit when interactive effects are present. A quadratic programming model is developed herein for selecting such an optimal crop combination for the intercropping scheme. A numerical application of the model shows that the model is adequate for such purposes. Keywords: Quadratic Programming, Intercropping, Optimal Selection [Global Jnl Mathematical Sci Vol.2(1) 2003: 73-80

Phenotypic Correlations and Body Weight Prediction of Two Ectotypes of Giant African Land Snails (Archachatina maginata, Swain.) Based on Number of Whorls in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Giant African land snail (Archachatina marginata) is a micro livestock with potentials as a protein source especially among impoverished individuals. As such, it requires much research attention to fully unveil it genetic nature for possible improvements. Materials and Methods: Two hundred (200) snails consisting of one hundred (100) each of black-skinned ectotype and white-skinned ectotype were selected based on number of whorls from a population gathered in the wild within Cross River State for the study. Data collected on number of whorls from the two ectotypes of snails were used for predicting body weights from phenotypic traits. Results: The black-skinned ectotype body weight ranged from 0.70 g to 153.90 g, while the white-skinned ectotype body weight ranged from 0.60 g to 72.10 g. The results obtained from the study showed positive, strong and very high significant correlation coefficients (p<0.001) between body weights and all body components measured based on 2 and 3 whorls for the two ectotypes of        A. marginata. A non-significant (p>0.05) phenotypic correlation was recorded for white-skinned ectotype with 4 whorls between mouth shell width and all the body components measured. Whereas a non-significant (p>0.05) phenotypic correlation was only recorded for mouth shell width and mouth shell length of 5 whorls for white-skinned snails. Prediction equations for the body weight of A. marginata with 2, 3, 4 and 5 whorls using body shell length, body shell width, mouth shell length and mouth shell width best predicted accurately body weight for the two ectotypes of snails with 2, 3, 4, and 5 whorls. Conclusion: These phenotypic traits of the two ectotypes of snails studied could be chosen to characterize growing snails in Calabar, Nigeria