Social Media, Civic Vitality and Nigeria’s 2019 General Elections

This paper explores civic vitality in Nigeria in the build-up to and after the country’s 2019 elections. This study was motivated by widening the research trajectory, especially in citizens’ political expression, voter education, electioneering, and mobilization. It investigates Facebook and Twitter subscribers from the cyber-ethnographic standpoint via the qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings show that while social media platforms enhance these civic vitality areas, this performance does not translate to realtime political participation in any significant way. The assertion is therefore confirmed: online activities are no good predictors of election undertakings or outcomes

Social Media, Civic Vitality and Nigeria’s 2019 General Elections

This paper explores civic vitality in Nigeria in the build-up to and after the country’s 2019 elections. This study was motivated by widening the research trajectory, especially in citizens’ political expression, voter education, electioneering, and mobilization. It investigates Facebook and Twitter subscribers from the cyber-ethnographic standpoint via the qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings show that while social media platforms enhance these civic vitality areas, this performance does not translate to realtime political participation in any significant way. The assertion is therefore confirmed: online activities are no good predictors of election undertakings or outcomes

Comparative Analysis of Chatter Vibration Frequency in CNC Turning of AISI 4340 Alloy Steel with Different Boundary Conditions

In this study, an experimental investigation of chatter vibration frequency in CNC turning of AISI 4340 Alloy Steel material was carried out, with uncoated carbide tool insert (TPG 322) on Fanuc 0i TC CNC lathe machine, with two boundary conditions. The experimental design adopted for this study is the Taguchi parameter design with L9 orthogonal array. Turning tests were carried out on nine samples of the test-piece material for the clamped-free (C-F) condition, and the tests replicated on another set of nine test-pieces for Clamped-Pinned, so-called C-SS workpiece boundary condition.  Chatter vibration frequencies were measured using MXC-1600 digital frequency counter and the frequency plots continuously analysed through DTO 32105 sound signal and frequency analyzer. The main objective is to investigate the process parameters’ performances on the work-piece material of AISI 4340 alloy steel, and to carry out comparisons between the two different boundary conditions vis-à-vis the effects of process parameters which are cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut on the chatter vibration frequency for the orthogonal turning operation. Chatter vibration frequency values for the C-SS scenario were found to be up to 30% lesser when compared to the C-F machining scenario. Introduction of the tailstock used in pinning the free-end of the slender work-pieces reduced the chances that workpiece would bend; whereas absence of the pinned end means that workpiece may be skewed at an angle in the chuck with increased dynamic deflections at the free end leading to more aggressive workpiece and cutting tool perturbations which are known to favour cutting instability

INVESTIGATION OF CREEP RESPONSES OF SELECTED ENGINEERING MATERIALS

Mechanical Testing, a concept totally ignored previously, is now a major area of concern. Before now, the concept of testing was merely an afterthought of the procurement process. With the advent of science and technology especially of the type seen in our today’s world, the concept of testing is now an integral part of research and development, product design and manufacturing. This work investigated the creep responses of selected engineering materials (Lead, Polypropylene, and Aluminum alloy samples). Procedure for creep testing and analysis of creep properties of engineering materials from test data are reviewed. The experimental results reveal that the creep resistance of PP was the least with a creep rate of 1.66x10-3 min-1 at 33 OC and 14.22 MPa. Typical values of Creep Strain Rates obtained are 23.5x10-3 min-1 for Pb (BS 1178) at 33 OC and 10.34 MPa; and 4.8X10-6 hr-1 for Wrought Al alloy at 200 oC and 54.58 MPa

Evaluation of microbial inoculants as biofertilizers for the improvement of growth and yield of soybean and maize crops in savanna soils

Open Access JournalCertain rhizobacteria exert considerable influence on plant growth and development, particularly under limiting conditions. The effects of some indigenous soil microbial isolates and commercially produced microbial inoculants, referred to as bio-inoculants, on the growth and dry matter yield (DMY) of maize (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) crops were assessed under greenhouse conditions. In two sets of experiments, one set comprised of free-living nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (Azospirillum spp.), three soils from Ibadan, Mokwa and Shanono located in different agro-ecological zones, and maize as the test crop. The other set consisted of microbial inoculants that can act as biocontrol agents applied to sterilized and non-sterilized soils; soybean was the test crop. The bio-inoculants were applied separately and also in combination. The treatments included a reference termed ‘mineral N’ where macro- and micro-nutrients were supplied at optimal rates, a control where bio-inoculants were not applied, and four replicates. All treatments, excluding the reference, received only macro-nutrients at suboptimal rates. The crops were grown for eight weeks and growth parameters were measured. The shoot DMY of maize was relatively large (42 to 63 g plant-1) and differed significantly among the soils but the bio-inoculants did not improve the shoot DMY significantly (P > 0.05) in any of the soils when compared with the control. However, sole inoculation of Mazospiriflo-2 enhanced nitrogen uptake significantly in maize grown in Shanono soil. For soybean, the shoot DMY was also not improved by the inoculation or the addition of the microbial products compared with the control

Impact Assessment of Repeated Mass Ivermectin Treatment on Onchocerciasis in Abia State, Nigeria

The impact assessment of repeated mass ivermectin treatment on onchocerciasis in Abia state, south eastern Nigeria was carried out between June and September 2011, using skin snipping method. Abia state is made up of 17 Local Government Areas, eight of which are endemic for onchocerciasis (2 hyper-endemic and 6 meso-endemic LGAs). The study captured the two LGAs of the state that were rated as hyper-endemic by REMO assessment and had been receiving treatment since 1995. Out of 547 individuals skin snipped, only 3 (0.55%) were infected with microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus, and this occurred in one community Amiyi-Obilohia. The distribution of infection showed that 0.50% of the infected were males while 0.58% were females. The overall age specific prevalence showed that infection only occurred in individuals 60 years and above, who were low compliers and were not treated during the last treatment period. A CMFL of 0.28 mf/mg obtained is an indication that ivermectin is an effective microfilaricide. Key words: Impact assessment, Repeated, mass, ivermectin, treatment, Onchocerciasis

Determinants of adoption and intensity of use of balanced nutrient management systems technologies in the northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria

As part of a major effort to address soil fertility decline in West Africa, a project on Balanced Nutrient Management Systems (BNMS) has since 2000 been implemented in the northern Guinea savanna (NGS) of Nigeria. The project has tested and promoted two major technology packages, including a combined application of inorganic fertilizer and manure (BNMS-manure) and a soybean/maize rotation practice referred to as BNMS-rotation. This study employed Tobit model to examine factors that influence the adoption and intensity of utilization of BNMS technologies in the NGS of Nigeria. Results showed that less than 10% of the sample households adopted at least one of the two components of the technology package by the end of 2002. However, by 2005 the adoption of BNMS-rotation had reached 40% while that of BNMS-manure had reached 48%. A number of factors such as access to credit, farmers’ perception of the state of land degradation, and assets ownership were found to be significant in determining farmers’ adoption decisions on BNMS-manure while off-farm income was found to be significant in determining farmers’ adoption decisions on BNMS-rotation. Extension services and farmer-to-farmer technology diffusion channels were the major means of transfer of BNMS technologies.Adoption, BNMS-manure, BNMS-rotation, Northern Guinea Savanna (NGS)., Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Health Economics and Policy, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, International Relations/Trade, Livestock Production/Industries, Productivity Analysis, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

EVALUATION OF CHATTER VIBRATION FREQUENCY IN CNC TURNING OF 4340 ALLOY STEEL MATERIAL

In this study, an experimental investigation of chatter in CNC turning for 4340 Alloy Steel material was carried out. Empirical study of chatter and critical cutting condition in CNC turning has been conducted through a well- designed three-factor three-level experiment, and regression models developed for chatter frequency prediction with up to 99.5% accuracy for the material. The arising model and the mean-effect plots of the cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut against Signal-to-Noise (S/N) ratio indicates that increasing feed rates and depth of cuts would bring about increase in chatter vibration frequency while high cutting speeds would have attenuating effects on chatter vibration frequency, thereby suppressing it. The percentage contribution of the cutting parameters to chatter vibration frequency established, and optimal machining condition for the machine chatter optimization obtained at a cutting speed of 320 m/min, feed rate of 0.05mm/rev and depth of cut of 0.5mm. The optimal chatter vibration frequency for the turning tests was found to be 130.00 Hz. With the obtained optimum input parameters for chatter vibration frequency, production operations will be enhanced

Epidemiological Assessment of Vesical Schistosomiasis in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

A survey was carried out between January and July 2002 to determine the prevalence of vesical schistosomiasis in Bende Local government area of Abia State. A total of 2406 persons in eleven communities aged between 6 and 60 years were examined. Prevalence rates in the eleven communities ranged between 25.5% and 52.3% with an overall prevalence of 41.5%. More males (42.6%) than females (39.4%) were infected in all the age groups, and high rate of haematuria (78.2%) was observed among the infected subjects. Infection prevalence was significantly higher (65.3%) among those in the age group of 11 - 20 years (P < 0.05) than those above 60 years. More than 70% of those infected excreted above 50 eggs/10ml urine. Malacological studies conducted along water bodies in the study area indicated that infection was localised. Bulinus globosus is implicated as the potential disease intermediate host. @JASE