Evaluation of Water Infiltration Equations on Fadama Soils of Jos – North, Plateau State, Nigeria

The main purpose of this study is to obtain water infiltration parameters of the Fadama Soils on the Jos Plateau. Estimation of water infiltration on a soil is a major constraint due to its variability depending on local soil characteristics. This could be used in simulating infiltration for the Fadama soils when designing agricultural projects. Field measurement of infiltration were made using the double ring infiltrometer at the three locations (Rizek, Kerker and Shen – du) on the Jos Plateau. Readings were taken at intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 65,70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100,105,  110, 115 and 120minutes. A set of field measured cumulative infiltration depths were used for the estimation of the model parameters for the five models, while the other set was used in simulating the infiltration equations. At Rizek, Horton and NCRS model performed better (0.997) followed by Philip’s model (0.973) while Kostiakov and modified Kostiakov’s model have the least value of 0.923 each. Philip’s model has the best fit (1.00) followed by the NCRS’s model (0.999) at Kerker while the Kostiakov and modifiedKostiakov’smodel had 0.997 each and Horton with the least value (0.986). At Shen – du, Kostiakov and modified Kostiakov performed better (0.997), then, Horton with (0.986), NCRS has 0.993 with Philip’s model having the least value (0.991).The study indicate that Kostiakov, Philip, Horton, NCRS and Modified Kostiakov’s models were capable of simulating infiltration for the Fadama soils (Rizek, Kerker and Shen – du) on the Jos, Plateau. Keywords: Infiltration Equations, Fadama Soils, Kostiakov Equation, Infiltartion Model

Analisis Sikap Konsumen terhadap Atribut Sabun Mandi Biasa di Kota YOGYAKARTA (Studi pada Merek Lux dan Giv)

The study has as its rationale the fact that there are numerous brands of bath soap in the market. The changes of consumer behavior, which influenced by the economy crisis occurred in Indonesia, has suppressed the producers to readjust their marketing programs. It is crucial for the firms to recognize the consumer attitudes on their products in making their marketing programs. The study was aimed at understanding: (1) the consumer attitudes on the bath soaps' (i.e., Lux and Giv brands) attributes, (2) the influence of the consumer's social environment toward the subjective norm in making the purchasing decision on the Lux and Giv, (3) the differential of consumers attitudes on the Lux and Giv. Interview and questionnaire were used to collect data, by using the semantic differential scale method. Fishbein model and Wilcoxon's signed rank test were applied to test the study's results. Results of the study showed that: (1) there was a positive attitude of consumer on both the Lux and Giv. “Aroma”, whereas “prestige” had the lowest positive score for the Giv; (2) the consumer's social environment influenced the subjective norms of consumer in making the purchasing decision of the Lux and Giv. “Family members” was the dominant variable of both the Lux and Giv; (3) there were the differences in the consumer attitude between the Lux and Giv brands. By the differential test for each attribute, then, it was showed that there were the significant differences in the consumer attitude on the product's attributes, except for the “packaging”. Based on the study results and empirical evidences supported by the statistical testing, it is showed that the two bath soap brands have dominate the consumer's mind. Nevertheless, in making their purchasing decision, the consumers have the difference attitudes in assesing those two brands depends on their desires

Analisis Sikap Konsumen terhadap Atribut Sabun Mandi Biasa di Kota Yogyakarta

The study has as its rationale the fact that there are numerous brands of bath soap in the market. The changes of consumer behavior, which influenced by the economy crisis occurred in Indonesia, has suppressed the producers to readjust their marketing programs. It is crucial for the firms to recognize the consumer attitudes on their products in making their marketing programs. The study was aimed at understanding: (1) the consumer attitudes on the bath soaps (i.e., Lux and Giv brands) attributes, (2) the influence of the consumers social environment toward the subjective norm in making the purchasing decision on the Lux and Giv, (3) the differential of consumers attitudes on the Lux and Giv. Interview and questionnaire were used to collect data, by using the semantic differential scale method. Fishbein model and Wilcoxons signed rank test were applied to test the studys results. Results of the study showed that: (1) there was a positive attitude of consumer on both the Lux and Giv. Aroma, whereas prestige had the lowest positive score for the Giv; (2) the consumers social environment influenced the subjective norms of consumer in making the purchasing decision of the Lux and Giv. Family members was the dominant variable of both the Lux and Giv; (3) there were the differences in the consumer attitude between the Lux and Giv brands. By the differential test for each attribute, then, it was showed that there were the significant differences in the consumer attitude on the products attributes, except for the packaging. Based on the study results and empirical evidences supported by the statistical testing, it is showed that the two bath soap brands have dominate the consumers mind. Nevertheless, in making their purchasing decision, the consumers have the difference attitudes in assesing those two brands depends on their desires. Keywords : consumer behavior, bath soap attribute

The effect of tempering temperature on corrosion of AISI 1045 steel in 1M sodium chloride environment

The effect of tempering temperature on corrosion of AISI 1045 steel in sodium chloride environment were investigated by means of weight loss measurement (WLM), optical metallography microscopy (OMM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at an interval of 15 days for the period of 90 days. The results showed that corrosion of the tempered steel samples increases with increase in tempering temperatures. The corrosion rate values are between (0.0004-0.0015) g/mm²/yr for control sample which peaked on day 45, (0.0002-0.0007) g/mm²/yr for 250 oC tempered sample which peaked on day 30, (0.0003-0.0008) g/mm²/yr for 350 oC tempered sample which peaked on day 30, (0.0003-0.0012) g/mm²/yr for 450 oC tempered sample which peaked on day 30 and (0.0003-0.0013) g/mm²/yr for 550 oC tempered sample which peaked on day 30. The result obtained showed that control samples were more susceptible to corrosion in NaCl environment than tempered samples. The least tempered (250 °C) samples have better corrosion resistance than other tempered samples, which revealed that, it is best to be used in this medium compared to other tempered samples and control sample.Keywords: Tempering, AISI 1045 steel, Corrosion, NaCl environmen

Performance Improvement of an Indirect Solar Dryer with Single Axis Manual Tracking System and Angular Simulation of the Flat Plate Collector Reflectors

The need of food preservation cannot be over-emphasised. Crops need to be processed and preserved in times of their abundance to ensure for life and specie sustainability in times of scarcity. Flat plate collectors (FPCs) are often made fixed and the positions of reflectors used on them are not normally specified; in this paper, a report of an experimental test of an indirect solar dryer whose FPC is operated manually in a single axis to track the sun is presented. To avoid incurring extra cost on the existing design, the FPC was rather made to be operated manually instead of the automation process. Using the Engineering Equation Solver (EES) and the TRNSYS 16 softwares, the angular positions of reflectors placed east and west on the FPC were simulated for the first quarter months of the year of the experiment – this included the month of the test. This is to ascertain the best positions for the reflectors in other to achieve maximum insolation. For the month of the test, March, the angular positions of the reflectors placed east and west of the FPC were found to be 40° and 80° respectively relative to the horizontal plane. The performance of the solar dryer in terms of the percentage moisture loss, drying rate, collector efficiency and drying efficiency was evaluated when the FPC was fixed and when it was made to track the sun and the results obtained there from were compared. In comparison, it was found that the dryer tested by manually tracking the sun increased the total percentage moisture loss by 5.11%; the total drying rate by 2.10×10-5 kg/s; the average collector efficiency by 3.92% and the overall drying efficiency by 2.0% as compare to when the FPC was fixed, i.e. not tracking the sun. The indirect solar dryer with the ability to manually track the sun in a single axis using the meteorological conditions of Zaria, Nigeria was therefore found to have increased the performance of the system dryer as compare to when tracking of the sun was not done

Effects of Herbal “Gadagi” Tea on Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Experimental Rats

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major cause of mortality worldwide in spite of the recent advances in medical and surgical treatment. Twenty Wistar albino rats were divided into Four (4) equal groups each comprising of five (5) members. The groups (A, B & C) were orally administered with prepared Herbal/Garlic “Gadagi” Tea, at low dose (3 mg/kg), standard dose (6 mg/kg) and high dose (12 mg/kg) respectively. Group D served as normal control. After two weeks of Herbal/Garlic “Gadagi” tea administration, all the 20 Wistar albino rats were sacrificed by decapitation and their blood samples were collected and used for biochemical analyses. Total Cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Sodium, Potassium, AST, CK, and LDH were analysed using standard methods. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of TC, LDL-Cholesterol, Potassium and CK in group C compared to control and significant decrease (P<0.05) in HDL-Cholesterol in group A compared to normal. Dose- dependent increases were observed (P<0.05) in TC, LDL-cholesterol, Triglycerides and LDH at 6mg/kg and 12mg/kg doses; Potassium at 3mg/kg and 6mg/kg doses and at 6mg/kg and 12mg/kg doses; CK at 3mg/kg and 6mg/kg doses respectively. Generally, the current research suggests that herbal/Garlic “Gadagi” tea might be a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, and may be toxic to both the heart and peripheral vascular tissues at doses beyond 6 mg/kg. Keywords: Gadagi, cardiovascular diseases, herbal medicine, tissue damage marker

Aflatoxin Total and Microbial Contamination of Grains, Oil Seeds, Yam Chips and Fish Sold in Maiduguri Market

Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites of fungus Aspergillus flavus and closely related species that infects severalagricultural commodities. The consumption of contaminated commodities adversely affects the health of humansand animals and also a cause of significant economic losses to producers. This study surveyed the aflatoxincontamination level of cowpea, maize, melon, groundnut, yam chips and fish sold in Maiduguri metropolis.Samples from each product (250 g) were bulked and thoroughly mixed using coning and quartering method to geta representative sample for analysis. Laboratory observations were carried out regarding microbial analysis,proximate composition and aflatoxin content. Samples for aflatoxin detection were classified into three; unsortedsamples, sorted samples and sorted/washed dried samples. Fish had the highest bacterial load 2.48 x 106 cfu/ml andAspergillus species were found to be the predominant fungi identified. Maize and groundnut with moisture contentof 5.63 and 5.62 had the highest total aflatoxin contamination (320.51 μg/kg and 236.3 μg/kg respectively) both inthe unsorted group. Total aflatoxin reduction of (58.82 - 99.99%) was observed in all the sorted samples andsorted/washed dried samples. It can be concluded that commonly sold food in Maiduguri had fungal and Aflatoxincontamination. Food should undergo several rounds of sorting to remove discoloured grains and grains that showsevidence(s) of deterioration to reduce the ingestion of food contaminated with aflatoxin

Proximate Composition, Phytochemical and Elemental Analysis of Some Organic Solvent Extract of The Wild Mushroom- Ganoderma lucidum.

Brief about the title: The crude extract powder of Ganoderma lucidum harvested from Lafia, Nassarawa State of Nigeria during the rainy season was analyzed for proximate contents, phytochemical constituents and mineral composition using various standard methods. Description of the experiment and procedures: The harvested Ganoderma lucidum was air dried at 370C and grinded to powder; this was preliminary analyzed for proximate contents, phytochemical constituents. The crude powder was subjected to soxhlet extraction at 400C using Methanol, Ethylacetate and N-butanol to obtain different organic solvent fractions, these were then concentrated in vacuo at 240C for 48 hours to obtain different solvent extract fractions. These extracts were then analyzed for phytochemical contents using standards methods. Results: Analysis for proximate constituent showed Moisture contents was 10.54%, Total ash 5.93%, Protein 17.55%, Crude Fats 2.60%, Crude Fiber 30.25%, Carbohydrates 33.13%, and Nitrogen 23.52%. Phytochemical screening from unprocessed G.lucidum powder reveals the presence of:  Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Reducing sugars, Tannins, Cardiac glycosides, Anthraquinones, Saponins, Volatile oils and Steroids. However, variations in the presence and concentrations of these phytochemicals were observed in the partitioned portions separated by Methanol, Ethyl acetate and N-butanol. Analysis of Total ash reveals in (mg/kg) the presence of Ca (322.6), K (317.1), P (197.1), and Na (193.5) in high quantity, while C (68.2), Fe (44.6), and Zn (14.65) and Mg (8.7.0), were found to be in moderate quantity. However, Si (4.10), Mn (1.83), As (1.23), Cu (0.84), Cr (0.14), Pb (0.106), Mo (0.09), Ni (0.095), F (0.0039), Al (0.20) and Co (0.026) are very low in concentration, but Se (0.00) was completely not detected. Conclusion: The presence of these essential nutrients and minerals found in G.lucidum implies that it can be utilized for its medicinal values in healthcare delivery systems, and the medicinal importance are thus highlighted in this work. Keywords: Ganoderma lucidum, Fruiting body, proximate analysis, Phytochemical and Mineral, Healthcar

Power Generation from Melon Seed Husk Biochar Using Fuel Cell

Melon seed husk (MSH) biochar was used in a single cell direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC) as an alternative biofuel. The DCFCs belong to a generation of energy conversion devices that are characterised with higher efficiencies, lower emission of pollutants and MSH biochar as the fuel. Several analytical techniques (proximate, ultimate and thermo-chemical analysis) were employed to analyse the characteristics of the biomass fuel, their effects on the cell’s performance, and the electrochemical reactions between the fuel and the electrolyte in the system. High carbon content and calorific values are some of the parameters responsible for good performances. The performance of a lab-scale DCFC made of ceramic tubes using molten carbonate electrolyte was investigated. Binary carbonates mixture (Na2CO3-K2CO3, 38-62 mol.%) was used as electrolyte and the waste MSH carbonised at 450oC as biofuel. A practical evaluation of the fuel used in the DCFC system was conducted, for varying temperature of 100 - 800oC. The maximum open circuit voltage (OCV) was 0.71 V. With an applied load resistance and active surface area of 5.73 cm2 the maximum power density was 5.50 mWcm-2 and the current density was 29.67 mAcm-2 at 800oC