Combine harvester monitoring based on a single-board microcomputer

Reduction in grain loss of combine harvesters will increase the efficiency of harvesters and the net income of the farmer. Grain lost in the field may emerge as a weed in the crop rotation and harbor unwanted insects;A simulation model was developed for calculating the various components of loss and yield in the combine. Forward speed was determined for each day of operation. Yield, total area harvested, and losses were also calculated;Transducers were designed for measuring yield, walker loss, shoe loss and forward speed of a combine and a model of the combine was constructed in the laboratory for evaluating these transducers. Hardware for signal amplification and conversion was designed and constructed and software was developed for a single-board microcomputer which collected and displayed the variables measured;Measurement of these variables should help in the control of the combine harvester

The effects of hands-on learning on stem student motivation: a meta-analysis

Traditionally, the predominant instruction mode in a typical classroom is a lecture where instructors explain the concepts verbally. There is a growing use of different active learning techniques in the classroom today. Some of these techniques include game-based learning, flipped classroom, collaborative learning, and hands-on learning. While many studies, over the past 20 years, have investigated the effects of hands-on learning on student performance, other studies have also examined the effects of hands-on learning on student motivation. However, to date, there is no comprehensive synthesis of the literature on the effects of hands-on learning on student motivation, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Hence, the overarching goal of this meta-analysis was to examine empirical research regarding the effects of hands-on learning on student motivation. Following well-established standards for conducting rigorous meta-analyses, selection criteria were developed, and searches were systematically conducted on relevant databases using specific keyword combinations for both published and unpublished studies investigating the effect. Data from 21 independent studies involving 2,087 participants were extracted and analyzed. Overall weighted mean effect size shows a moderate statistically significant hands-on learning effect (d = 0.50, SE = 0.08, p < 0.01). Several variables moderated the overall effect size in various ways. For example, both learners with low prior knowledge and high prior knowledge benefitted from hands-on learning. However, learners with low prior knowledge befitted more from hands-on learning than high prior knowledge learners. Learners at all educational levels equally benefitted from hands-on learning of science and engineering topics. There was no significant difference across educational levels. This meta-analysis suggests that hands-on learning in the classroom may be associated with increased motivation and, therefore, beneficial for learning. Theoretical an

GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT AND TRANSFORMATION

Summary Reconceptualizing development in terms of people as means and ends requires reassessing the roles of the state and of leadership. In general the SSA record in respect of both has been poor. The requirements for sustainable development include human investment, skills, information, creativity and appropriate institutional capacity just as much as fixed investment. Accountable, decentralized government and more active civil society roles are also important for sustained development. A central issue is refocusing attention on national development goals, resources and markets, treating the external world (sources of capital and technology and of markets and sources) as imposing constraints on or providing opportunities for sustainable development but not as a source of blueprints for action nor of basic goals. Resumé La reconceptualisation du développement en des termes où les gens sont soit des moyens, soit des fins en eux?mêmes, fait appel à une réévaluation du rôle de l'état et de sa dirigeance. En termes généraux, les réussites au compte de l'Afrique sous?saharienne dans l'un et l'autre de ces domaines laisse à désirer. Autant que les investissements fixes, les besoins en développement durable comprennent l'investissement humain, les aptitudes et compétences, l'information, la créativité, et les moyens institutionnels appropriés. Pour que le développement soit durable, il est également important qu'il existe un gouvernement responsabilisé et décentralisé, et des rôles plus actifs pour la société civile. A l'échelle nationale, la question fondamentale serait la refocalisation de l'attention sur les objectifs de développement, ainsi que sur les ressources et sur les marchés; il faudra donc accepter que ce soit le monde extérieur (le monde des sources de capital et de technologie; le monde des marchés et des ressources) qui serve ou bien à imposer des contraintes sur le développement durable, ou bien à lui conférer de nouvelles possibilités; mais dans un même temps, que ce monde extérieur ne peut fournir ni de plan maître, ni de plan d'action pour la réalisation des objectifs de base. Resumen La reconceptualización del desarrollo referido a la gente como medio y objetivo requiere volver a evaluar los roles del Estado y del liderazgo. En general, los países del Africa sub?Sahariana tiene un historial muy pobre a este respecto. Los requerimientos para un desarrollo sostenible suponen inversiones en capital humano, habilidades, información, creatividad y capacidad institucional apropiadas en la misma medida que inversiones fijas. El gobierno descentralizado y responsable y los roles más activos en la sociedad civil son también importantes para este objetivo. Un asunto central es volver a enfocar la atención en metas nacionales de desarrollo, recursos y mercados, considerando al mundo exterior (fuente de capital, tecnología y mercados) como dispensador de restricciones o proveedor de oportunidades para un desarrollo sostenible, pero no como una fuente de anteproyectos de acción a los objetivos básicos

Effects of processing conditions on the hardness of cassava pellets

In this study, an experimental rig attached to a Testometrics Universal Testing machine for the purpose of extrusion was used to investigate the effects of processing conditions on hardness property of cassava pellets. The parameters considered were machine speeds of 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 mm/min, die diameters of 6, 8, 10, 12 mm and cassava dough of moisture content levels 48.5, 50.5, 52.5 and 54.5%w.b. Result of the statistical analysis of variance showed that all the parameters and their interactions were significant on hardness property of cassava pellets at 5% level. Further analysis byDuncan’s Multiple Range Test reveals that hardness increased with increase in the process condition. Quality pellets can be obtained when cassava dough is conditioned into moisture contents level of above 45.5%w.b and below moisture content level 45.5%w.b

Strength Properties of Shea-Butter Nuts Under Compressive Loading

Compression tests were performed on heat-treated Shea-butter nuts to study the effects of temperature and loading position on rupture force, deformation, toughness and firmness of the nuts. The factors examined had significant effects on the measured parameters (rupture force, deformation, toughness and firmness) at 95% confidence level. Rupture force, deformation and toughness decreased while firmness increased with increases in temperature in both axial and lateral loading positions. Higher values of firmness but lower values of rupture force, deformation and toughness were obtained when Shea-butter nuts were compressed in lateral loading position compared with axial loading position under the same conditions.

EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS BEFORE AND AFTER BANKING SECTOR REFORMS IN NIGERIA

This study investigated the empirical investigation of the financial performance of deposit money banks before and after banking sector reforms in Nigeria. The principal objective of the study determined the impact of banking sector reforms on banks financial performance in Nigeria between the period of 1997 to 2013 which was divided into two periods of before and after banking reform. For the purpose of this study secondary data were utilized, that is annual reports, other published materials and Nigerian stock exchange fact book. In an attempt to test the significance of pre and post banking sector reform on financial performance in Nigeria, the study used parametric statistic (the test of equality of means) and result of hypotheses one, two, three and four showed that there is significant difference in return on asset (ROA), return on equity (ROE), earnings per share (EPS) and liquidity position on the banks between pre and post banking sector reform period, which mean that post banking reform is better than pre banking reform. The implication of these results is that the post banking sector reform yielded more returns than the pre banking sector reform. The study concluded that an effective banking sector reform is a regulatory imperative for a sustainable banking industry in Nigeria. Therefore, post banking sector reforms had significant impact on financial performance of Nigerian deposit money banks. It is therefore recommended among others that, management of banks should focus on maintaining sizeable amounts of reserves which can be ploughed back into the business, improving the quality of their credit portfolios, diversifying product and services, beefing up the capital in line with regulatory authorities and best practices. Key Words: Financial Performance, Banking, Reforms, Nigeri

Differences in the Level of Career Aspirations of High School Students with Minangkabau and Chinese Cultural Backgrounds

Career aspiration is one of the factors that influence one's career maturity. Career aspirations direct individual behavior to achieve the career that is their hopes or dreams. Career aspirations can help students choose a secondary school that matches the abilities and potentials of the individual. The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in career aspirations of high school students with Minangkabau and Chinese cultural backgrounds. This research uses a comparative descriptive quantitative approach. The population in this study were students of class XI and XII who have Minangkabau and Chinese cultural backgrounds at SMA Negeri 1 Padang and SMA Don Bosco Padang. The research sample was 295 students consisting of 173 Minangkabau students (79 male & 94 female) and 122 Chinese students (64 male and 58 female). The instrument used was the Career Aspiration Level Entry List (DITAK). The measuring instrument used is valid and the reliability coefficient of DITAK is 0.86. Based on the results of the study, there are differences in the level of career aspirations of high school students with Minangkabau and Chinese cultural backgrounds, where the level of career aspirations of Chinese students is higher than that of Minangkabau students. The implication of the results of this study is as discussion material and input for the school in making guidance and counseling service programs, especially in the field of career development

Phytochemical screening and application of extracts of selected plant foods in preparation of enhanced sensorial and healthier image yoghurt

Extracts of four indigenous plant foods namely: Chrysophyllum albidum (Cal), Curcuma longa (Clo), Tetracapidium conophorum (Tco) and Piper guineese (Pgu) were screened for phytochemical endowment in order to gain insight to their pharmacological potentials with concomitant propensity for pro-lactic acid fermentation. The extracts were used in the formulation of substrate for preparation of modified yoghurt. Physicochemical and sensory properties of the modified yogurt were assessed in comparison to plain (unmodified) yogurt. Assessment revealed the presence of phytochemicals of therapeutic importance with pro-fermentation values principally, flavonoids, saponins, sugars and peptides in Clo and Cal. Alkaloids dominant extract exhibited anti-fermentation effects. Modified yoghurt preparations using Clo and Cal with respect to water (in place of extract) were characterized with improved quality. Titratable acidity (x10-2 g/ml); 140, 50, 45 and relative reducing power (x10-3 g/ml) of 9.53, 9.56, 1.38 were found for Clo – plain yoghurt (YOG) and YOG respectively. Comparatively to YOG, the extracts conferred assorted sensorial (P = 0.05) qualities with Clo - YOG most preferred. The extracts of the indigenous plant foods can be used to enhance the physical and healthier image of yoghurt.Key words: Plant foods extract, phytochemicals, yoghurt, physicochemical properties, healthier image, sensorial characteristics

Soybean Seed Quality During Conditioning

Experiments were conducted to determine the change in soybean seed quality at various steps in conditioning. Three cultivars, two seed moistures, two temperatures and five conditioning operations were included in the experiments. Handling soybean seeds by a conventional steel-flighting auger decreased seed quality. The airscreen cleaner and the gravity separator improved quality of soybean seedlots. Seedlots below 10% moisture declined in germination as a result of conditioning. Temperature influenced the amount of splits produced during conditioning. Low moisture seedlots conditioned at -8 to —3°C temperatures declined in germination