CASSAVA PRODUCTION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF PEASANTS IN NASARAWA STATE

The study investigates the impact of cassava production on the socio-economic development of peasants in Nasarawa State.The study uses descriptive survey research as its research design. The study adopts the Maxian political economy approach to evaluate the production process of cassava, its challenges and way forword. The findings of study revealed that investing in cassava production enterprise is profitable. Inter and Intra ethnic crises have displaced farmers from their farmland thereby affecting cassava production in the study area. It also revealed that peasant farmers faced various challenges in cassava production ranging from lack of credit facilities, improved cassava cuttings, fertilizers and tools.The study recommended for the mass education of people on the need for self-reliance and self- sufficiency in food production. Also to protect all prime agricultural lands for continued agricultural production.The study recommended for the need for group formation among peasant farmers to enable them have a greater voice in term of decision making process on land ownership and easy access to credit facility.Also that the campaign for cassava production should be extended to the nooks and crannies of the state

Causes, Consequences and Solutions of Incarceration (Imprisonment) a Study of Maiduguri New Prison

Prisons are conventionally institutions which form part of the criminal justice system of a country, such that imprisonment or incarceration is the legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime. A prison system is therefore the organizational arrangement of the provision and operation of prison, and depending on their nature, invokes a corrections system. The main objective of the study is on the Causes, Consequences and Solutions of Incarceration in Developing Countries a Study of Maiduguri New Prison. The specific objectives are to identify the causes, consequences and solutions of incarceration, examine the activities of prisons as an institution of incarceration, assess the relationship between inmates and prison warders, examine the effects of incarceration in developing countries, analyse the observable differences between olden day’s modes of punishment and incarceration. The study reviewed three different theoretical perspectives after which Political Economic Approach Theory was used as theoretical framework for analysis.  The political-economic approach considers the prison as an institution used by the state for perpetuating its dominance, and since it is an instrument of dominance, oppression and coercion, the capitalists or ruling class always leave it in a deplorable condition, for that, is mostly the masses that are kept in prison. The data was obtained from primary and secondary sources. The primary sources derived from the questionnaires and structured interview, while the secondary data were obtained from the review of relevant literature such as books, newsletters, journals and articles. Purposive sampling techniques were used. The study involved 80 respondents which include 30 Prison Warders and 50 Inmates, The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The major findings revealed that majority of the respondents found in the prison are male, and they are of between the ages of 18 to 25 years and have Qur’anic or Secondary School qualification.  Other findings show that most of the inmates that were found in the prison were below 6 months while some stay above 6 month to 1 year, and the majority believe that their offences deserved imprisonment while other do not agreed. And most of the offences committed are illegal offences which includes fighting, family problems, business misunderstanding and property related crime. Majority of the inmates agreed that prison sentence will help in rehabilitating them. Finally, recommendations were suggested for government and community organisations to provide a clear statement of the fact that prisons are meant to rehabilitate rather than punishing prisoners, the specification of basic minimum rights prisoners should enjoy within the prison, the provision of autonomous prison commission in each state to oversee the overall management of the prisons and treatment of prisoners should be adequately provided as this will provide solution to management in Nigeria and Maiduguri New Prison which is the study area. Keywords: Causes, Consequences, Solutions and Incarceratio

The sensitivity and specificity of the conventional symptoms and signs in making a diagnosis of acute appendicitis

Introduction: Simple appendicitis can progress to perforation, which is associated with a much higher morbidity and mortality. So, surgeons have therefore been inclined to operate when the diagnosis is probable rather than wait until it is certain. Objective: This study is designed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of clinical examination in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.Methods: The study included 866 patients of acute appendicitis who had undergone appendicectomy with preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis. They were analyzed retrospectively. The parameters evaluated were age/gender, clinical presentation (signs and symptoms) and total white blood cell counts. The operative findings were recorded and the inflammation of the appendix was graded into normal, acutely inflamed and gangrenous.Results: Clinical diagnosis was made correctly in 807 (93.2%) of the patients. White blood cells count ranged from 3.70 to 45.30 /mm3 (mean 17.5353 /mm3). It wa

INFLUENCE TECHNIQUE VS IDEAL MODEL ON CREDIBILITY THEORY DISTRIBUTIONS RATIOS: A CASE STUDY OF TRIPLE JUMP

The objective of this study is to describe and compare the techniques used by elite triple jumpers in the world to determine the impact of the modality distribution ratios in achieving results. Our subjects were the 2009-2011 global elite’s finalists with five (5) Algerian amateur athletes. In the absence of technological methods in Algeria, our study explores the reports (IAAF): 1. To describe the phase distribution of the practice model between our world champions (2009 and 2011) 2. To compare the credibility theory of distributions ratio achievement with the modality dominant techniques practiced by champions (2009 and 2011). 3. To answer this question: can we consider the phase difference ratios as a bad distribution error in the technical ideal? As a result, we chose the analysis of variance and the correlation of relative distances obtained from each phase of the official distance achieved by the athlete. For the study statistics, our used data is based on the "t" independent method compared to the impact phase distributions (hop, step, and jump) charged with the results achieved in the test. However, our goal for this research is: • Using biomechanics to determine errors and integrate the modern scientific methods in monitoring the athletic program. • To allow our elites and their coaches to examine the impact of modality distribution ratios in achieving results in order to choose the good combined efforts and the selected template model practiced to improve the best performance in training and competition

The Impact of Service Quality Dimensions on Customer Satisfaction: Case Study of University Utara Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of service quality (reliability, empathy, tangibility, assurance, responsiveness) on customer satisfaction in University Utara Malaysia (Education Service). Each variable is measured using 7-point interval scale: reliability (6 items), empathy (6 items), tangibility (5 items), assurance (10 items), and responsiveness (5 items) on customer satisfaction (6 items). Using the primary data collection method, 160 questionnaires were distributed to postgraduate students inside University Utara Malaysia (Sintok Campus), in north Malaysia. The responses collected were 98 completed questionnaires representing with 61.25 % response rate. The data were analyzed using Structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS 7. Confirmatory factor analysis of measurement models indicates adequate goodness of fit after a few items were eliminated through modification indices verifications. Goodness of fit for the revised structural model shows adequate fit. This study has established five direct effects: (1) reliability customer satisfaction; (2) empathy and customer satisfaction; (3) tangibility and customer satisfaction; (4) assurance and customer satisfaction; (5) and responsiveness on customer satisfaction. And, this study concludes that all hypotheses have been asserted in the revised model

INFLUENCE TECHNIQUE VS IDEAL MODEL ON CREDIBILITY THEORY DISTRIBUTIONS RATIOS: A CASE STUDY OF TRIPLE JUMP

The objective of this study is to describe and compare the techniques used by elite triple jumpers in the world to determine the impact of the modality distribution ratios in achieving results. Our subjects were the 2009-2011 global elite’s finalists with five (5) Algerian amateur athletes. In the absence of technological methods in Algeria, our study explores the reports (IAAF): 1. To describe the phase distribution of the practice model between our world champions (2009 and 2011) 2. To compare the credibility theory of distributions ratio achievement with the modality dominant techniques practiced by champions (2009 and 2011). 3. To answer this question: can we consider the phase difference ratios as a bad distribution error in the technical ideal? As a result, we chose the analysis of variance and the correlation of relative distances obtained from each phase of the official distance achieved by the athlete. For the study statistics, our used data is based on the "t" independent method compared to the impact phase distributions (hop, step, and jump) charged with the results achieved in the test. However, our goal for this research is: • Using biomechanics to determine errors and integrate the modern scientific methods in monitoring the athletic program. • To allow our elites and their coaches to examine the impact of modality distribution ratios in achieving results in order to choose the good combined efforts and the selected template model practiced to improve the best performance in training and competition

Engineering models for the design of long-lasting, sustainable, cost-efficient and climate-responsive pavements for Ashghal road projects in the State of Qatar

The planning, design, construction and management of modern transportation infrastructures is based on the use of continuously updated methodologies that consider, among others, the concept of sustainability. In such a context, for the specific case of road pavements, it is of crucial importance to carry out quantitative analyses based on the use of optimized engineering models. These models explicitly consider environment-pavement interactions, environmental impacts generated by all the components involved in the supply chain, and financial flows associated to pavement construction and maintenance. Such an approach is being adopted by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) of the State of Qatar, that is developing and implementing models tailored for its infrastructure projects and local environmental conditions. This paper provides an overview of some of the employed models and methodologies that are based on the physics of pavement structures and on the assessment of environmental and economic indicators. It is shown that such an approach leads to significant improvements to current practice and to the enhanced use of recycled materials, while still guaranteeing required pavement performance

Formulation of Paints Using Azo Pyridone Pigments and Alkyd (Soya Beans Oil), Characterisation and Their Application on Leather

The use of locally available raw materials in theformulation of paint is of paramount importance as it providesjob opportunity for poor local people, produce ecofriendly andbiodegradable products as well as substantiates the aspect ofmodern biotechnology in developing countries. In thisresearch,Paints were formulated using azopyridone complexesand soya alkyd derived fromesterification of soya oil with maleicanhydride and glycerol. The formulations were applied onleather using hand brush, and the samples produced weresubsequently, subjected to physical characterisation such asdensity, viscosity, solubility, surface drying times, pH and lightfastness and also compared with the commercial paint. The pHand the fastness property of the coatings were found to be 8 and6-7, respectively, which is very good

Flutter Estimation for Low Speed Aircraft Wing Using Fully Coupled Fluid – Structure Interaction

The aero elastic responses and the flutter condition of 3-D flexible aircraft wing were estimated by developed fully coupled fluid-structure interaction approach. The actual wing in this approach was represented by an equivalent plate .Equivalent plate model (structure model) based on assumed mode method was then combined with unsteady panel-discrete vortex method (aerodynamic model) to build relatively simple aeroelastic model. This model could be used for estimation of flutter condition of moderate to high aspect ratio and low sweep wings of aircraft flight at low subsonic speeds. The obtained results from the present model are able to prediction the flutter condition of the actual wing at different angles of attack. The increasing in the angle of attack leads to reduce flutter speed and flutter frequency

Control on 3-D Fixable Wing Flutter Using an Adaptive Neural Controller

An adaptive neural controller to control on flutter in 3-D flexible wing is proposed. The aeroelastic model was based on the coupling between structure-of the equivalent plate (wing) and the aerodynamic model that is based on a hybrid unsteady panel methodTime domain simulations were used to examine the dynamic aeroelastic instabilities of the system (e.g. the onset of flutter and limit cycle oscillation). The structure of the controller consists of two models namely modified Elman neural network (MENN) and feedforward multi-layer Perceptron (MLP). The MENN model is trained with off-line and on-line stages to guarantee that the outputs of the model accurately represent the plunge motion of the wing and this neural model acts as the identifier. The feedforward neural controller is trained off-line and adaptive weights are implemented on-line to find the generalized control action (function of addition lift force), which controls the plunge motion of the wing. The general back propagation algorithm is used to learn the feedforward neural controller and the neural identifier. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm; this is demonstrated by the minimized tracking error to zero approximation with very acceptable settling time