Compaction and consolidation characteristics of lateritic soil of a selected site in Ikole Ekiti, southwest Nigeria

The compaction and consolidation characteristics of lateritic soils in Ikole area of Ekiti State were investigated. The investigation was carried out through laboratory tests on disturbed and undisturbed soil samples obtained from three borings (BH1, BH2, and BH3) of Holy Apostolic Nursery/Primary School, Ootunja, Ikole Local Government Area (L.G.A.) of Ekiti State Southwest, Nigeria. The soils are all lateritic and mostly fine-grained. Compaction tests indicate maximum dry densities of 2.05Mgm-3, 1.78Mgm-3, and 1.69Mgm-3 at optimum moisture contents of 14.3%, 20.7% and 19.6% for soil samples obtained from BH1, BH2 and BH3 respectively. Compression indices (Cc) obtained from oedometer tests are 0.04816, 0.03820 and 0.04318 while the calculated coefficients of volume compressibility (mv), are 1.308*10-4, 1.065*10-4 and 1.093*10-4 m2kN-1 for samples in BH1, BH2 and BH3 respectively. The unsoaked California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value at 2.5 mm penetration ranges from 42.10% to 92.40% and CBR value at 5.0 mm penetration ranges from 52.70 to 89.10% indicative of good materials for road subgrade, sub-base and base courses.Keywords: Compaction, Consolidation, CBR, Southwest Nigeria

Non-linear bending and stress analysis of a transversely loaded isotropic plates material using 3-D plate theory

This paper presents the bending stress analysis of anisotropic plate material under transverse loading using a three-dimensional (3-D) plate theory. The static elastic theory was used to formulate the total energy expression of the plate thereafter, transformed into a compatibility equation through general variation to get the slope and deflection relationship. The solution of equations of the equilibrium gave rise to the exact polynomial deflection function while the coefficient of deflection and shear deformation of the plate was gotten from the governing equation through the direct variation method. These solutions were used to obtain the characteristic expression for analyzing the displacement and stresses of the rectangular plate. This formula was used for the solution of the bending problem of the rectangular plate that is clamped at the first-two edge and the other edges simply supported (CCSS). The result of the deflection and stresses decrease as the span-thickness ratio increases. More so, the aspect ratio effect of the shear stress of isotropic plates is investigated and discussed after a comparative analysis between the present work and previous studies. The result shows that the present study differs from that refined plate theory (RPT) of assumed deflection by 5.5% whereas exact 2-D RPT by 5.3%. This shows the efficacy of the exact 3-D plate theory for flexural characteristics of CCSS isotropic rectangular thick plate

Static Elastic Bending Analysis of a Three-Dimensional Clamped Thick Rectangular Plate using Energy Method

Analytical formulations and solutions for the thick rectangular plate static analysis with clamped support based on a three-dimensional (3-D) elasticity theory is developed using the energy method. The theoretical model, whose formulation is based on the static elastic principle as already reported in the literature, is presented herein to obviate the shear correction coefficients while considering shear deformation effect and transverse normal strain/stress in the analysis. The equilibrium equations are obtained using 3-D kinematic and constitutive relations. The deflection and rotation functions, which are the solutions of the equilibrium equation, are obtained in closed form using a general variational technique for solving the boundary value problem. The minimization energy equation yields the general equation which was used to obtain the theoretical model for the deflection and stresses of the plate. The results are compared with the available literature and the results-computed trigonometric displacement function shows that this 3-D predicts the vertical displacement and the stresses more accurately than previous studies considered in this paper. The result showed that the percentage difference between the present work and those of 2-D Mindlin FSDT, 2-D numeric analysis, and 2-D HSDT of polynomial shape functions was about 3.02%, 0.62%, and 0.33%, respectively. It is concluded that the 3-D trigonometric model gives an exact solution, unlike other 2-D theories, and can be used for clamped-supported thick plate analysis. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2022-03-03-03 Full Text: PD

EVALUATION OF TWO ANIMAL PROTEIN SOURCES IN SINGLE PHASE FEEDING OF BROILER CHICKENS

A study was carried out to compare the use of blood meal and fish meal as protein sources in single phase feeding of broiler chickens.  Three isonitrogenious and isocaloric diets containing between 20.5 to 21.1 % CP and 3440 to 3454 kcal/kg ME were formulated. The control diet contained none of the animal protein sources while the other two diets contained blood meal and fish meal at 6%, respectively. After six weeks of straight feeding, data were collected on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio was calculated. Carcass characteristics and cost benefit were also calculated. The results indicated that birds fed fish meal based diet  consumed more feed (p< 0.05) than those on control diet,  while intake of those on blood meal based diet  was an interphase between the control and fish meal based diet groups. The birds fed fish meal based diet also recorded higher (p< 0.05) daily weight gain than those on control and blood meal based diets. Feed conversion ratio was better in the group fed fish meal based diet than those fed the control diet, but similar (p> 0.05) to the group fed the blood meal based diet. The dressing percentage of the birds was similar (p>0.05) in the control and blood meal based diet groups, but they were higher (p<0.05) than the fish meal based diet group. The neck, back, drumstick and head were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the control group than in the groups containing animal protein. Cost benefit analysis showed that feed cost and cost per kg weight gain were higher (p< 0.05) in fish meal based diet group than in control and blood meal based diet groups. Revenue per bird and gross margin were higher (p< 0.05) in the blood meal based diet group than in the control diet and fish meal based diet groups. In conclusion, fast growing broiler chickens for eatery houses can be better reared with a single diet of 21 % CP and 3440 kcal/kg ME using blood meal as a protein source.   Keywords: , , , , , , &nbsp

Determinants of Choice of Storage Systems for Root and Tuber Crops in Benue State, Nigeria

Determinants of Choice of Storage Systems for root and tuber crops in Benue State of Nigeria were examined. The specific objectives were to determine the factors affecting choice of storage systems by root and tuber crop farmers; and determine the relationship between choice of storage systems and farm productivity. Data were collected from 288 root and tuber crop producers in eight Local Government Areas and 32 wards, using a multi-stage sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data collected were analysed using logit model and Mann-Whiney U test. The results indicate that total output, gender, educational level, household size, and farm size significantly affect the choice of storage systems by root and tuber crop producers. The results also reveal that the output of farmers who utilized only the local storage systems exceeds those who utilized both the local storage systems in addition to the modern storage techniques. It was recommended that strategies and policies aimed at encouraging root and tuber crops farmers to adopt a particular storage technique should take into consideration their socio-economic characteristics. Also research efforts aimed at improving the effectiveness of the local storage systems using locally sourced materials should be encouraged

A Preliminary Study on the Diversity of Monkeys in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and Its Environs

Monkeys are among the prominent animal species found in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka forest areas and its environs; thus, a 3-month reconnaissance and transect survey was carried out to determine the diversity of these monkeys and the ecological features that support their abundance and distribution. Six sample sites designated ‘A’ to ‘F’ were carefully chosen, transected and closely monitored for monkeys’ presence. A total of 116 monkeys, all of the super- family Cercopithecoidae but of four different species were observed. A total of 47 Chlorocebus aethiops with a relative abundance of 40.5% was recorded, it was followed by 34 (29.3%) Chlorocebus sabaeus; 25 (21.6%) Chlorocebus tantalus; and the least is Erythrocebus patas, 10 in number and relative abundance of 8.6%. The distribution of each species in a given site showed that site A recorded the highest number of monkeys 55(47.4%),it was followed by site B with 21(18.1%)monkeys; then site E 16(13.8%); 11(9.5%) in F; 7(6.0%) in site C and the least is 6(5.2%) in site D. The Simpson’s index of biodiversity was 0.7

Animal Cruelty: A Review

Animal Cruelty cases make headlines around the world every day, whether it’s the person who kills the neighbour’s cat, the hoarder of sick and dying animals or the family whose freezing, starving dog is tied up outside in the middle of the winter. Animal Cruelty has several types which may be one of Simple Neglect, Gross Neglect, Intentional Abuse, Animal Hoarding, Organized Abuse, Ritualistic Abuse or Animal Sexual Assault. These cases of Cruelty cannot be overlooked as it has proven to have severe implications ranging from the fact that it is linked to other crimes, to the factual truth that these practises inflict great pain on these animals that have nobody to speak for them. Combating this menace of Animal Cruelty is a Journey that must be undertaken and everybody including the Government, NGOs and even Culture has a major role to play in this.  This review looks at Animal Cruelty in the world while paying a little more attention to Nigeria

What makes advocacy work? Stakeholders’ voices and insights from prioritisation of maternal and child health programme in Nigeria

Background The Nigerian government introduced and implemented a health programme to improve maternal and child health (MCH) called Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment programme for MCH (SURE-P/MCH). It ran from 2012 and ended abruptly in 2015 and was followed by increased advocacy for sustaining the MCH (antenatal, delivery, postnatal and immunization) services as a policy priority. Advocacy is important in allowing social voice, facilitating prioritization, and bringing different forces/actors together. Therefore, the study set out to understand how advocacy works - through understanding what effective advocacy implementation processes comprise and what mechanisms are triggered by which contexts to produce the intended outcomes. Methods The study used a Realist Evaluation design through a mixed quantitative and qualitative methods case study approach. The programme theory (PT) was developed from three substantive social theories (power politics, media influence communication theory, and the three-streams theory of agenda-setting), data and programme design documentation, and subsequently tested. We report information from 22 key informant interviews including national and State policy and law makers, policy implementers, CSOs, Development partners, NGOs, health professional groups, and media practitioners and review of relevant documents on advocacy events post-SURE-P. Results Key advocacy organizations and individuals including health professional groups, the media, civil society organizations, powerful individuals, and policymakers were involved in advocacy activities. The nature of their engagement included organizing workshops, symposiums, town hall meetings, individual meetings, press conferences, demonstrations, and engagements with media. Effective advocacy mechanism involved alliance brokering to increase influence, the media supporting and engaging in advocacy, and the use of champions, influencers, and spouses (Leadership and Elite Gendered Power Dynamics). The key contextual influences which determined the effectiveness of advocacy measures for MCH included the political cycle, availability of evidence on the issue, networking with powerful and interested champions, and alliance building in advocacy. All these enhanced the entrenchment of MCH on the political and financial agenda at the State and Federal levels. Conclusions Our result suggest that advocacy can be a useful tool to bring together different forces by allowing expression of voices and ensuring accountability of different actors including policymakers. In the context of poor health outcomes, interest from policymakers and politicians in MCH, combined with advocacy from key policy actors armed with evidence, can improve prioritization and sustained implementation of MCH services

On character generators for simple Lie algebras

We study character generating functions (character generators) of simple Lie algebras. The expression due to Patera and Sharp, derived from the Weyl character formula, is first reviewed. A new general formula is then found. It makes clear the distinct roles of ``outside'' and ``inside'' elements of the integrity basis, and helps determine their quadratic incompatibilities. We review, analyze and extend the results obtained by Gaskell using the Demazure character formulas. We find that the fundamental generalized-poset graphs underlying the character generators can be deduced from such calculations. These graphs, introduced by Baclawski and Towber, can be simplified for the purposes of constructing the character generator. The generating functions can be written easily using the simplified versions, and associated Demazure expressions. The rank-two algebras are treated in detail, but we believe our results are indicative of those for general simple Lie algebras.Comment: 50 pages, 11 figure