AWARENESS AND ADOPTION OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGY-BASED LIBRARY SERVICES IN FEDERAL POLYTECHNICS IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

The paper examines the awareness and adoption of mobile technology-based library services in Federal Polytechnic in Southwest Nigeria. To achieve the set objectives, the study adopted descriptive survey with a mixed method that is quantitative and qualitative approaches. The targeted population for the study was registered users for 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic sessions of Federal Polytechnics in Southwest Nigeria. The sample size for the study was 390 registered users which represented 10% of the student’s population and 10 library staff was justified by the recommendation made by Nwana (1992). The convenience sampling technique was be used. The data were analysed using Statistical Products for Service Solutions (SPSS) version 22.0. The study revealed that there is profound appreciation and demand for mobile technology-based library services among students of the Federal Polytechnics in Southwest Nigeria, which is yet to be met. It was also revealed that library management plan to introduce the following mobile technology- based library services in the future; mobile online public access catalogue (MOPAC), mobile SMS alert services among others. It was concluded that there is a strong awareness of mobile technology- based library services among students. The study recommended that academic libraries should put in place a program to continuously develop their human resources through recruitment and professional training; there must be a culture of training for the entire library staff to ensure that they keep abreast with trends and changes in technology in relation to library service provision among others

Evaluation of Palm Kernel Shell Concrete Strength for Various Mixes and Water/Cement Ratios using Non Destructive (UPV) Method

Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) measurement is one of the most popular non-destructive techniques used in the indirect assessment of mechanical properties of concrete. This paper investigates the compressive strength-UPV relationship of palm kernel shell concrete (PKSC) to develop strength based quality assurance model for construction of vegetative lightweight concrete pavement. A total of 420 cubes (150mm) and 28 PKSC slabs were casted for nominal mixes of 1:1:1, 1:1:2, 1:11/2:3 and 1:2:4 and varying water/cement (w/c) ratios of 0.3-0.7. The PKSC elements were cured in water at laboratory temperature for 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 56 and 91 days, and then subjected to nondestructive testing using the Pundit apparatus for determination of the respective ultrasonic wave velocity and elastic modulus at the various ages. The unconfined compressive strength of the PKSC was determined after the pulse velocity to establish a velocity-strength data set, which was employed for the development of statistical model. Results show that the UPV and the compressive strength of PKSC increased with age but decreased with increase in w/c ratio and mixes. The strength-UPV models developed for all mixes were in the form of logarithm equation, at R2 values between 94.9 – 99.3 %. The application of the developed model as rigid pavement maintenance/deterioration planning and design was demonstrated in the paper. Keywords: Compressive strength, Palm kernel shell concrete, Nondestructive technique, Rigid pavement maintenance, Ultrasonic pulse velocity.

Soil suitability evaluation for rain-fed maize production at Gabari District Zaria Kaduna State, Nigeria

The need to generate adequate information for optimal and sustainable exploitation of the soils of Gabari District Zaria is imperative. The FAO land suitability evaluation was used to evaluate the soils for rain-fed maize cultivation. The total land area surveyed was 70 ha. Three soil units was mapped and designated as GBI 12.3 ha, GBII 38.8 ha and GBIII 18.9 ha. Generally, the surface texture was loam. The soil reactions were slightly acidic to neutral, organic carbon, available phosphorus and total nitrogen was rated low. The CEC (NH4OAc) were medium to high and Base saturation was rated medium while EC and ESP were low. Generally, there were no significant differences in the physical and chemical properties within the three mapping units. Soil mapping units GBI and GBIII were marginally suitable (S3) while GBII was currently not suitable (N1) for maize production due to limitation imposed by soil chemical properties and slope. With proper soil fertility management, the potentials of these soils can be increased to moderately suitable (S2) for rain-fed maize and other arable crops if recommended fertilization and uses of organic manure to improve the soils physical and chemical constraints as well as construction of contour ploughing in unit GBII to reduce the rate of erosion.Keywords: Soil, Suitability Evaluation, Agricultural potential, Gabari Distric

Correlation Studies on the Yield and Yield Characters of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in Anyigba, Kogi State Nigeria

Efforts are being made to increase its productivity by developing superior varieties. However, yield is a complex character, its direct improvement is difficult. Knowledge is respect of the nature and magnitude of associations of yield with various component characters is a pre-requisite to bring improvement in the desired direction. This research was conducted at Kogi State University Student Research and Demonstration Farm (Longitude 07°061 N; 43°E), Anyigba, Kogi State, to investigate the association of some yield characters with yield in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Two cultivars of eggplant NC-2 (green) and NC-1 (off-white) were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Yield component such as number of branches, fruit diameter, number of nodes, and number of fruits shows significant and positive association with yield. Correlation coefficient (r) for yield versus other growth and yield component: Plant height, number of branches, fruit diameter, number of nodes, and number of fruits were found to be 0.983, 0.962, 0.959, 0.906 and 0.891 respectively. Keywords: Correlation coefficient (r), Character association, Plant height; PH, Number of branches; NB, Fruit Diameter; FD, Number of nodes; NN, Number of Fruits; NF, Yield; Y

Influence of N-Fertilizer application on the yield and yield components of two varieties of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) In Anyigba, Kogi State

There is a need to device a possible ways of improving necessary nutrients for better performance of eggplants. The use of mineral fertilizer in tropical soils can help solve the problem of low soil nutrients. So far, only N-level have been recommended in most of the region of Nigeria, the specific requirement for varieties have not or in most cases been overlooked, therefore determination of the interaction of N-level with variety is necessary as it will enable researchers determine specific level of N-fertilizer for specific variety. Thus research was conducted on Kogi State University Student Research and Demonstration Farm (Longitude 07°061 N; 43°E), Anyigba, Kogi State, to investigate the influence of N-fertilizer on the yield and yield components of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) the experiment consisted of two varieties of eggplants green variety encoded as NC-2, the Off-white variety encoded as NC-1 and three urea fertilizer levels (0, 100, 200kgN/ha). Factorial combination of the treatments gave a total of six treatments which was laid in a Randomized Completed Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Urea fertilizer was applied in 2-split doses first at 3weeks after planting and the second dose was applied at fruiting. Parameters measured include: plant height, number of leaves, stem girth, fruit diameter, number of nodes, number of branches, number of fruits per plant, number of flowers per plant, fruit weight. Fertilizer application significantly increased the yield of the two varieties. However, NC-2 (green variety) appears to respond more to higher N-application (up to 200kgN/ha) as compared to NC-1 (off-white variety). Also, fertilizer had significant effect on vegetative characters, yield and some yield components. The yield were found to be statistically at par. Key words: Eggplant, Number of branches, Number of fruits, Fruit diameter, Fruit yield, number of flowers, number of nodes, number of leaves, plant height

MODIFIED TRAFFIC SIGNAL PHASING AT TRAFFIC WARDEN CONTROLLED INTERSECTION TO ACCOMMODATE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC IN ILORIN METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

The study addresses the nervous anxiety always noticed in pedestrians as they cross at a 4-arm, Traffic Warden Control intersection in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria. Two of the approaches (Challenge and Unity) are dualised multilanes while the other two (Obbo and CocaCola) are two-lane non-dualised. The present 4-phase traffic control scheme does not give consideration to pedestrian crossing. The geometric layout and the existing traffic management practice at the intersection were determined and a pedestrian traffic survey was conducted. The critical pedestrian volume of 171 pedestrians/hr was obtained on Challenge approach. Using an average walking speed of 1.2 m/s and a crosswalk width of 3 m a pedestrian crossing time of 787.88 seconds within one hour is obtained as being adequate for the critical approach.  A 5-phase scheme is proposed with the fifth phase being an all-stop exclusive phasing for pedestrian movements. Crosswalk should be introduced to concentrate pedestrian crossing activity at a specific location thereby positioning pedestrians to be more visible to traffic wardens and motorists.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i1.

Geochemical Fingerprints; Implication for Provenance, Tectonic and Depositional Settings of Lower Benue Trough Sequence, Southeastern Nigeria

The study areas, Asu River Group (ARG) and Cross River Groups (CRG) belong to Lower Benue Trough. The Trough is thought to have been deposited by marine transgression and regression. ARG covers Awi, Abakaliki and Mfamosing Formations while Ekenkpon, Eze-Aku, New Netim, Awgu and Agbani Formations fall within CRG. Sampling was done to cover both the Abakaliki Anticlinorium and Calabar Flank. The study aimed at using geochemical approach to deduce weathering, provenance, tectonic setting as well as depositional environment in a holistic manner which hitherto has not been used by any worker. A total of 56 fresh outcrop samples were obtained from the study area. The samples were subjected to detailed lithologic description by visual examination. Geochemical analysis was done using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-MS/AES) to determine major, trace and rare-earth elements using lithium metaborate/tetraborate fusion method. Weathering Indices of Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA), Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW) and Ruxton Ratio (RR) of ARG has a range of (0.18-86.1, 0.13-99.3, 0.18-99.5 and 1.80-25.2) with median of (76.7, 92.6, 93.5 and 5.76) respectively while CRG has a range of (2.93-97.7, 2.78-99.7, 2.94-99.7 and 1.83-46.4) and median of (76.1, 85.5, 87.7 and 10.9) respectively, indicating moderate to high weathering at the source. The Al2O3-(K2O+CaO+MgO)-(Fe2O3+MgO), (AKF) ternary plots reveals sediments of ARG and CRG deposited in Continental, Transition and Marine zone and dominated by argillaceous, carbonaceous argillite, carbonaceous and a ferruginous argillites confirming a chemically altered sediments deposited in oxidizing and shallow marine environment. The plots of Log (Fe2O3/K2O) vs Log (SiO2/Al2O3) reveals sediments deposited in the Fe Shale, Shale, Wacke, Subarkose and Quartz arenite field. The discriminant function plots of Herron characterized the sediments as been derived from Quartzose sedimentary provenance, Intermediate igneous and Felsic provenance. Trace elements ternary plots of La-Th-Sc, Th-Sc-Zr/10 and Th-Co-Zr/10 reveal deposition within Continental Island Arc, Passive Margin and Oceanic Island Arc settings. This confirmed the tectonic discriminant plots of K2O/Na2O vs SiO2. This discriminant function diagram proposed by Roser and Korsch (1986) distinguish the sources of the sediments into four provenance zones, mafic, intermediate, felsic, igneous and quartzose sedimentary using ratio plots and raw oxides.  Most of the sediments of ARG and CRG fall in, quartzose sedimentary provenance using raw oxide plots, and exceptions are the limestones that fall in intermediate igneous provenance this also corroborates with the ratio plots. Conclusively, the study shows that the Cretaceous clastic sediments of ARG and CRG have multiple provenances subjected to moderate to high weathering conditions and were deposited within an oxidizing and shallow marine setting and derived from Upper Continental Crust (UCC). Keywords: Asu River Group, Cross River Group, Provenance, Geochemistry, Tectonic settings. Word Counts: 44

Design and implementation of fuzzy-based PID controller

controller is widely used in many industrial applications due to its simplicity in StmctllIe and ease of design. However, it is difficult to achieve .the desired control performance in the presence of unknown nonlinearities, time delays, disturbances as well as changes in system parameters. Consequently several PID models have been suggested so at to alleviate these effects on the performance of the PID controllers. One such method is based on fuzzy logic technique which is considered much more appropri.ate when precise mathematical formulation is infeasible or difficult to achieve. Furthermore, some applications such as semiconductor packaging, computer disk drives, and ultra-precision machining require a fast and high precision processing. Consequently, there is the need to consider digital signal processor (DSI?)- based fuzzy PID for use in such applications. Design and implementation of such technique is proposed in this paper. Results of simulation studies haw demonstrated the feasibility of this controller since: it produces fast response with smooth motion control

Acute and Sub-chronic Toxicity Studies of Methanol Leaf Extract of Cassia singueana F. (Fresen) in Wistar Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity profile of methanol leaf extract of Cassia singueana (fabaceae) in wistar rats. Fresh leaf of the plant was shade dried and pulverized to powder after which it was subjected to maceration with methanol and 9.2% yield was obtained at end of the extraction process. An acute toxicity study was carried out using lork’s method and sub-chronic toxicity study was also carried out using OECD guideline. In the acute toxicity study, the first phase of the method, nine (9) wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (1-3) of three (3) animals each and they received 10,100 and 1000 mg/kg (po) Cassia singueana methanol leaf extract respectively and in the second phase four (4) animals were divided into four groups of one animal each which received 1200, 1600, 2900 and 5000 mg/kg (po) of extract respectively. In the sub-chronic toxicity study twenty (20) animals were divided randomly into four group each containing five animals, the first, second, third and fourth group received distilled water, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg extract (po) respectively. There was no mortality observed in phase 1 of acute toxicity and in phase II there was mortality at 2900 and 5000 mg/kg group. The oral administration of methanol leaf extract of Cassia singueana for 28 days did not produce significant alteration in the renal function indices. The histological section of the rats indicates normal glumeruli and regular renal tubules. Also, this study reveals no significant increase in the level of liver enzyme. Also, the histology section reveals normal central vein and regular hepatocyte separated by sinusoid. The haematopoetic indices reveal no destruction of Red Blood Cell and no change in the rate of production of the RBCs and other haematopoetic parameters. The histology of the rat’s brain revealed no deleterious effect. It can be concluded that, the methanol leaf extract of Cassia singueana is relatively non- toxic

Land suitability evaluation of Kubanni floodplain for rice production in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Land suitability evaluation analysis is necessary to achieve optimum management and utilization of available land resources for sustainable agricultural crop production. The objective of this study was to determine the suitability of Kubanni floodplain for rice production in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Qualitative and quantitative land suitability evaluation of two mapping units in Kubanni floodplain which covers an area of 11.6 ha was carried-out using the detailed soil survey method of classification.  Generally, the surface soil texture was sandy loam to loam. The soil  reactions were slightly acidic to neutral, organic carbon; available  phosphorus and total nitrogen were rated low. The CEC (NH4OAc) were  medium and base saturation was rated high while EC and ESP were low. Qualitatively, soil mapping units (KBI and KBII) were currently not suitable (N1) for rice production due to limitation imposed by soil chemical  properties. Quantitatively, soil mapping units (KBI and KBII) was also  currently not suitable (N1) while potentially KBII was marginally suitable  (S3). With proper soil fertility management, the potential of these soils can be raised to moderately suitable (S2) for rice through an increase in organic matter to improve soil structural development, drainage and aeration thereby improving the fertility of the soils.Keywords: Qualitative, Quantitative, Suitability, Floodplains, Rice