Agronomic Response of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F.) to Plant Densities and Fertilizer Application in a Tertiary Institution Experimental Farm in Benin City Nigeria

The objectives of this study was to investigate yield, nutrient concentration and uptake of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F.) in response to plant densities and fertilizer application. Two fluted pumpkin plant densities (10,000 and 20,000 plants ha-1) D1 and D2 were evaluated at three levels of NPK fertilizer (F1, 20 t ha-1 poultry manure, F2, 300 kg ha-1 NPK 15:15:15 and F3, 10 t ha-1 poultry manure + 150 kg ha-1 NPK 15:15:15) using a factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Leaf length, breadth, number of leaves and stem diameter were significantly increased at both plant densities of 10,000 and 20,000 plants ha -1 while herbage yield increased with higher plant density of 20,000 plants ha -1using 300 kg ha-1 inorganic NPK 15:15:15 or a combination of 10 t ha-1 poultry manure + 150 kg ha-1 inorganic NPK 15:15:15. Potassium (K) concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) higher at 10,000 plants ha -1 and Iron (Fe) uptake was higher with combine application of organic and inorganic fertilizer (F3). To maximize good herbage yield of fluted pumpkin, farmers in this locality should adopt plant density of 20,000 plants ha -1using 300 kg ha-1 inorganic NPK 15:15:15 (D2F2) or a combination of 10 t ha-1 poultry manure + 150 kg ha-1 inorganic NPK 15:15:15 (D2F3)

Effect of Time and Temperature on the Proximate and Sensory Parameter of Roasted Beef (Suya)

In this study, different time and temperature effect were examined on the proximate and sensory parameter of roasted beef (suya). The proximate composition, and sensory evaluation (appearance, tenderness, juiciness, flavour and overall acceptability) of the meat roasted using different time and temperature were assessed. Two kilograms of beef-round from a freshly slaughtered cow was used for the study. The meat was trimmed, cut into small pieces weighing 250g was cured manually with experimental ingredients before roasting with Century Electric Oven at different time that is 40, 50, 60 and 70 minutes at temperature of 250, 230, 210 and 1900C respectively, with groundnut oil sprinkled intermittently.Key Words: Time, Temperature, Effect, Proximate, Sensory, Parameter, Roasted Beef (suya

Managing end-users’ satisfaction during capital developments by adopting value engineering as project management tool

The burden of translating the end-users’ project briefs into the development of functional support facilities that enhance the performance of the core functions of the organisation require the use of dynamic modern project management methods. In the course of developing capital assets, it is inevitable that original designs are modified, some sections redesigned while some facilities or components are out-rightly removed due to budgetary, time or other constraints. It is imperative, therefore, to incorporate the end-users into the development process, so that managing changes, trade-offs, commissioning and project close-outs will be smooth and enhance the achievement of customers’ satisfaction. Customers’ satisfaction, in the context of this paper, is viewed in the light of how effective and functional the completed facilities enhance the performance of the core functions of the organisation. The case study method of qualitative research was used in this research. The research data were collected through semi-structured questionnaire complemented with interviews. The thematic method was used to analyse the interview data. The client and end-users provided information on the level of their satisfaction with the performance of the capital development unit as well as identified some areas of concern that require improvement. Recommendations made include the use of Value Engineering as a project management tool; considered suitable for the management of design or scope changes and ‘trade-offs’, in order to improve on the level of customers’ satisfaction

Evacuation drill: A test of emergency preparedness

Abstract: Considerable research efforts abound on safety issues during construction phase of built facilities, but very low attention is paid to safety during operation phase; instead security occupies top priority. Responding to factors such as technological and increase in student’s population, many higher institutions globally are expanding their built facilities in terms of quantity, size and sophistication. There are many situations that infringe on the safety of the end-users; they include fire, natural and man-made disasters. The simplest approach to test the emergency preparedness of the end-user of the facilities as well as the adequacies of critical components of the built facilities is to simulate emergency through evacuation drill. Conducting evacuation drill in Higher Education institution is complex due to the composition of its constituency, multiple activities, time constraints and the human dynamics: some view evacuation drill as a wasteful exercise. The case study method of qualitative research is adopted; the data are collected through semi-structured questionnaire complemented with interview, observation and participation. The findings include evidence of the display of safety awareness documents, sensitization lectures and running mini evacuation drills in the different segment of the institution. Although the response rate to evacuation drill is low at the moment, with more commitments and advocacy it is possible to progress towards benchmarking the exercise with regulatory standards

Capacity development for landfill infrastructure

Landfill, as a Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal infrastructure, has progressed beyond mere dumping site to infrastructure of high economic importance; it is useful for entrepreneurial development, poverty alleviation scheme, energy generation and reduction in the emission of Green House Gas (GHG) and harvesting biogas for other economic use. The life cycle of a typical landfill structure is over thirty years from design to final closure; it has many components that include design, construction, operation, waste collection, transportation, recycling, maintenance and reuse of landfill site after closure. The whole process requires a steady stream of adequately resourced personnel. Therefore, embracing the concept of continuous capacity building will ensure the provision of suitable manpower at the strategic, tactical and operational levels for the effective and beneficial management of the landfill project throughout its life cycle. This research is the product of extensive desktop search and examination of a training programme for personnel at the strategic and tactical level of a pilot landfill project, facilitated by the authors. The result showed that the trained personnel were empowered to train others at the various phase of the landfill project, thus ensuring continuous supply of competent manpower to operate the project profitably

Identifying the effects of excessive deflection in reinforced concrete beam

In framed reinforced concrete structure, the beams transfers the dead and live loads to the column and then to the foundation. When there are observed structural failure in the systems supported by the beam, especially where the beam has a large unsupported clear span at a lower level, before any further detailed investigations are initiated, the functional state of the beams should be ascertained. The correct diagnosis of the source of problem is essential for the design of effective rehabilitation scheme. Simple visual inspection corroborated with field test for true horizontality of the beam can provide the lead information that will guide the client on the scope of further investigations. The case study method of qualitative research was adopted to address the research questions, while the research data was collected by reviewing previous investigation reports on a three-storey building, physical inspection and conducting simple site experiment to identify the lead information. The research outcome reveals that the multiple cracks observed in the partition walls especially in the second floors were as a result of excessive deflections in the beams supporting the first and second floors. Based on recommendation, subsequent investigation confirmed this lead information and appropriate rehabilitation scheme was adopted

Developing KPI for organizations with similar objective

Abstract:It is a difficult task to attempt developing generic Key Performance Indicators for all the functions of Facilities Management services in all organization it serves. Nevertheless, the exercise is possible for organizations with similar objectives. For example, the objectives of Higher Education institutions revolve around teaching, learning and research that require functional infrastructure, technology and services. The client, end-users and service providers in these organizations can develop acceptable indicators for their operation of the support facilities and that will facilitate the creation of an effective benchmark. The modified classic Delphi technique was used in achieving the consensus of opinion from the participants. The findings revealed that there were convergence of opinion on the essential indicators that can enhance the provision, operation and management of the required support facilities for the effective performance of the core functions of Higher Education institutions. It was recommended that the research should be extended to cover all Higher Education institutions within and across regions for more comprehensive informatio

Physico-Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber Vulcanizates Filled With Carbonised Agricultural Residues

The reinforcement of rubber by fillers is of great practical and technical importance. Carbonised agricultural residues from cocoa pod husk, rubber seed shell, coconut fibre, rice husk, melon seed shell and palm kernel husk were evaluated as reinforcing fillers for natural rubber. The physico-mechanical properties such as tensile strength, stress at 100% strain, and elongation at break were measured and compared with those obtained for a vulcanizate filled with carbon black. It was found that carbonised agricultural residue  filled vulcanizate compared favourably with carbon black filled vulcanizate in terms of hardness and abrasion resistance. Consequently  the carbonised agricultural wastes can be a substitute for investigated and can replace carbon black for articles exposed only to compression. &nbsp

The Delphi technique: A credible research methodology

Abstract: The Delphi technique, as a research method for achieving consensus of opinion of participants, is sometimes seen as a less reliable research method because the participants do change their opinion from one round of the exercise to the other. Instead of seeing this as weakness, it is actually the strength of the technique. The controlled feedbacks allow participants to view their individual submissions in the light of the whole group. The Delphi technique is about the only research method that allows participants to interact with the opinion of each other, without coercion, adjust ones position where necessary and yet retain anonymity. Thoughtful selection of participants and effective communication throughout the exercise ensures that the outcome of the exercise is truly a consensus opinion of the group that can proffer appropriate solution to the research question. The participants for the Delphi exercise, being reported, were chosen from the strategic and tactical levels of leadership of the client, end-user and the service provider. Though participants changed their opinion from one round to the other; the net result showed a more refined selection of appropriate Key Performance Indicator, without evidence of complicity or coercion

Polymer Applications in Agriculture

The use of polymer in agriculture is gaining popularity in science, particularly in the field of polymer chemistry. This has provided solutions to the problems of the present day agriculture which is to maximize land and water productivity without threatening the environment and the natural resources. Superabsorbent polymer hydrogels potentially influence soil permeability, density, structure, texture, evaporation and infiltration rates of water through the soils. Functionalized polymers were used to increase the efficiency of pesticides and herbicides, allowing lower doses to be used and to indirectly protect the environment by reducing pollution and clean-up existing pollutants. This account; a detailed review study, has been put together as an expose on the myriad application of polymer in the field of agriculture, highlighting present research trend , impact on food security and future outlook