Effect of Coulomb interaction on the band gap of NiO

The band theory and local density approximation LDA predict NiO to be a metal but experimentally this material is known to be an insulator. To overcome this problem, we employ the LDA+U (where U is the on-site Coulomb interaction) technique in order to get the true nature of the material. We observed an increase in the band gap of the material as we gradually increase the value of U. Our result was compared with other works and that of experimental result. Keywords: LDA+U; Electronic band gap; on-site Coulomb interactio

Improving breeding performance of fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus through intraspecific hybridization

The scarcity of genetically improved fish seed is a major constraint to rapid development of aquaculture in Nigeria due to inbreeding. The study was conducted to monitor breeding indices from intra-specific mating combinations of wild stocks of Clarias gariepinus. Broodstock of C. gariepinus were collected from Lokoja (LK), Makurdi (MK), Agenebode (AG) and Onitsha (ON) and compared with domesticated strain. 16 mating combinations of parental and intraspecific mating combinations were conducted in triplicates. Results were subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (α= 0.05). The results showed collection from Onitsha had highest values of fertilization (95.2%), hatchability (87.6 %) and survival (66.0 %), followed by crosses from female from Onitsha : ♀ON X ♂LK, ♀ON X  ♂MK and ♀ON X  ♂AG having 95.8 %, 91.1 % and 88.8 % (fertilization), 68.7 %, 61.9 % and 60.7 % (hatchability) and 61 %, 57 % and 63 % (survival) respectively. Domesticated strain had least values (81.9 %, 59.4 % and 51 %) fertilization, hatchability and survival respectively. ANOVA (α< 0.05) showed variation in fertilization, hatchability and survival. The better performing strains could be explored for genetic development. However, protein and gene profiling of these natural populations may be necessary to identify the proteins and genes responsible for these variations in breeding performances.Key Words: Breeding, performance, Clarias gariepinus, hybridizatio

AN EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF DECORATION ON PATRONAGE OF HOTELS IN ABEOKUTA METROPOLIS, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

The study evaluated the effects of decoration on patronage of hotels in the Abeokuta metropolis. The specific objectives are to assess in economic characteristics of the hotel staff in the area of study. The types of interior and exterior decoration used by the als as well as the services provided, infrastructure and furnishing materials, including the maintenance capability and the attitude of staff respondent) towards the pattern of decoration of the hotels were also examined. A total of 200 questionnaires were administered 18 hotels purposively selected for the study. Findings revealed that majority of the hotel customer were within the active age of between 31-50 years. The findings also showed that most of the respondents were male (65%) and had formal education (100%). Chi square tests showed significant relationship between the effects of hotel decoration and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents. Xcal = 81.189 was greater than X' tab = 9.488 at the 5% significant level and df = 4, suggesting that patronage had a significant relationship with the effect of hotel decoration. There was also a significant relationship between the effects of decoration and services provided by the hotels as X2 calculate was 289.72 which was greater than Xfrom the table X2 = 3.841 at 5% level of significant and df = 1. Correlational analysis showed that there were positive correlation (r = 0.1416) between hotel decoration and patronage; this implies that a better decoration will bring higher patronage. This project concludes that the use of good interior decoration, sound renovations and general cleaning of the hotel surroundings encouraged patronage and contributed well to the success and development of the hotels, thereby increasing patronage and income