AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE USING LITERARY TEXTS IN SELECTED SCHOOLS IN MAKURDI METROPOLIS OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

This paper examined the problems associated with teaching English Language using Literature texts in Makurdi Metropolis of Benue State, Nigeria. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Three research questions were asked and 2 hypotheses formulated. Population for the study comprised of all teachers of Literature and English Language in Secondary Schools in Makurdi metropolis. Findings of the study revealed that Literature has great impact on the study of English Language, but that there are problems that hinder the full realization of the study of language through literature (P = 0.10 < 1.66). The study concluded that the problems can be surmounted. It was recommended that language teachers should attend training, workshops, and seminars, in order to up-grade their knowledge of language teaching through the use of literary texts.   Article visualizations

Comparative Analysis of CMA and MMSE in MIMO-OFDM System

Channel estimation is one of the techniques used to achieve high data rates and low bit error rates in wireless communications. In wireless communication system, where Multiple Input Multiple Output - Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) exists, the effect of channel causes the received signal to be distorted which necessitates the receiver to have an insight of the channel known as the channel estimation. However, most of the existing techniques such as Least Square Error (LSE), Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) and Best Linear Unbiased Estimation Algorithm (BLUE) employ pilot symbols. High errors are observed in addition to computational complexity and in the platform other than MIMO-OFDM. In this paper, performances of Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA) and MMSE are evaluated, and compared with each other in the 3x3 MIMO-OFDM systems. The system model for 3x3 MIMO-OFDM system incorporating each of CMA and MMSE consists of a transmitter, frequency selective channel and the receiver. 1000 bits are generated randomly and served as input signal. Three antennas configurations at the input of the frequency selective channel radiate the signal. The three antennas at the output of the channel receive the radiated power, processed by appropriate signal processing techniques. Each of MMSE and CMA techniques is performed at SNR of 5, 10 and 15dB. The system model is simulated using MATLAB 7.2 application package and evaluated using Mean Square Error (MSE) and convergence value. The results obtained show that CMA gives lower error than the MMSE and converges faster. Therefore, the study has shown the significant reduction in computational complexity and can be used by wireless design. Keywords: Constant Modulus Algorithm, Orthogonality, Channel Estimation, Multiple Antenna, Cyclic Prefix

Haematological changes of Clarias gariepinus juveniles fed different dietary lipid

Twelve weeks feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of different dietary lipid sources on the hematological changes in Clarias gariepinus juveniles. Six (6) iso-nitroginous diets were formulated at 45% CP and fed to triplicate groups of 15 juveniles. The feed contained (Palm Seed Oil (PSO), Ugwu Seed (USO), Soya Bean Oil (SBO), Almond Seed Oil (ASO), Mixture Of All the vegetable oil + the fish oil (MOA) and Cod Liver Oil (CLO) which is the control. The oils were added at 5% inclusion level respectively. Fish of mean weight 22.83 ~c 0.30g were fed these experimental diets in triplicate groups. The hematological analyses of fish showed that red blood cell, white blood cell, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR), Mean cell volume (MCV), Mean cell Haemoglobin (MCH) and packed cell volume were not significantly different (p0.05). The present study showed that PSO, USO, ASO, SBO and MOA can effectively replace cod liver oil without compromising the health of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus

Performance of the SunScan canopy analysis system in estimating leaf area index of maize

Rapid and reliable estimates of leaf area index (LAI) are important for studies of exchanges of energy and gases in the biosphere-atmosphere continuum.  This paper evaluates the field performance of SunScan canopy analysis system for rapid estimation of LAI.  Direct and indirect measurements of LAI were made in a maize (Zea mays L.) field at four phenological stages (emergence, vegetative, flowering and physiological maturity) at a tropical site in Ghana during the Glowa Vota Project field campaign (www.glowa-volta.de).  Similar measurements were repeated in early and late planting seasons with similar crop management practices.  The result showed a generally good performance of this sensor at all the phenological stages.  Average LAI from the sensor (LAIS), ranged from 0.40–4.45, and was consistently higher than the actual LAI, which varied from 0.31–4.22, respectively for both seasons.  Regression between LAI and LAIS showed a range of significant correlations with R2 > 0.74 for all the stages and seasons.  With combined datasets for all stages and the two plantings, a simple regression model was fitted to estimate LAI from LAIS with R2 = 0.97 and standard error of 0.23 (P < 0.0001).  The evaluated sensor yielded a good and reliable LAI estimates under maize canopy. Keywords: SunScan probe, field evaluation, leaf area index, maize, Ghana 

Effect of Climatic Governing Parameters on the Performance of Solar Adsorption Refrigeration System

Solar energy is a renewable resource, clean and ecologically friendly. Solar thermal energy is attractive alternative energy to drive the adsorption of refrigeration machines. This work presents a numerical investigation of the effect of climatic governing parameters such as ambient temperature and component temperatures on the performance of solar adsorption refrigeration systems using methanol/activated charcoal pairs. Activated carbon as adsorbent and methanol as a refrigerant is selected. Some predictive empirical equations accounting for heat balance in the solar collector components, instantaneous heat and mass transfer in adsorbent bed, and performance parameters were presented. Interactive C++ programming was developed to carry out the parametric study of some climatic factors such as ambient temperature and solar radiation intensity with aperture width of 0.14 m, collector length of 2.1m on the system performance. The effect of ambient temperature and component temperatures with aperture width, collector length, on specific cooling power (SCP), refrigeration cycle COP (COPcycle), and solar coefficient of performance (COPs) are being investigated. The results are presented in form of profiles such as pressure developed in the generator, specific cooling power and system coefficient of performance profiles, under varying weather conditions and ambient temperature, operating conditions of evaporating temperature, Tev = 0 oC, condensing temperature, Tcon = 30 oC and desorption temperature of 100 oC, The influences of operating and design parameters on the system performance are significant. The system performance shows no appreciable changes with varying condenser temperature with significant effect with varying evaporation and desorption temperature. It is shown clearly that for different desorption temperatures below 120 oC there is an appreciable effect on the system performance parameters. The study has revealed the system attains a promising performance of the adsorption refrigeration system using AC / methanol pair driven by solar energy. Keywords: Adsorption; Refrigeration; Activated carbon/methanol; Simulatio

Thermal Evaluation of Some Locally Sourced Activated Carbons from Agricultural Residues

Activated carbons are progressively used as an economical and stable mass separation agent for eliminating surfactants to raise the final product property in many industrial processes. Activated carbon has various applications in different fields, and it performs differently at different temperatures; hence this paper presents a thermal experimental characterization of some locally produced activated carbon from agricultural residues. The experiment was done on the locally produced activated carbon from coconut shell, coconut husk, palm kernel shell, maize husk and imported activated carbons. The adsorbate used is Methylene Blue (MB), the samples were agitated in a water bath shaker at different concentration of adsorbate (50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm) and different temperatures (30 oC, 40 oC, and 50 oC). Adsorption isotherm study is carried out on two well-known isotherms; Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The results revealed that the adsorption capacity of the five samples increased with temperature and initial dye concentration. The adsorption in the samples follows the Langmuir Isotherm model that implies homogenous adsorption and Maize husk has the highest monolayer adsorption capacity at 40 oC. Hence the carbons will perform satisfactorily under heat as the combination of adsorbent and adsorbate in adsorption refrigeration system. The locally produced activated carbons compared favourably with imported activated carbon, hence locally produced activated carbons can replace imported activated, to reduce dependency on foreign product and improve the economy of the country. Keywords: Evaluation, Activated carbon,Adsorption Isotherm, Agricultural Residue

ANNONA MURICATA LINN. ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT AMELIORATES REPRODUCTIVE COMPLICATIONS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine and metabolic disorder of humans and animals characterized by hyperglycemia and low blood insulin levels or insensitivity of target organs to insulin and it’s a major health problem affecting patient’s quality of life due to its many complications. Infertility is one of the major secondary complications in diabetes. Although numerous drugs have been used for intervention studies on diabetes-induced infertility worldwide, there are currently no treatments for diabetes associated infertility in humans. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Annona muricata ethanolic leaf extract (AMELE) on fertility of male diabetic rats and levels of blood glucose. Twenty male Wistar rats (150-200g) were randomly distributed into 4 groups (n=5) treated thus: CTRL (control), DNT, DT1 and DT2 (diabetic, single intraperitoneal injection, streptozotocin, 60 mg/kg). Group DT1 and DT2 received AMELE orally at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg respectively daily for fourteen days. Data were analysed using ANOVA at α0.05. The animals were sacrificed after 2 weeks via thiopental injection and testicular weights were recorded. Fasting blood glucose was determined using a digital glucometer. Sperm count, motility, viability and morphology were assessed microscopically. Testes were histologically evaluated. The results showed that oral administration of AMELE at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg to diabetic male rats for fourteen days significantly decreased blood glucose level and also ameliorated diabetes-induced decreases in sperm functions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. &nbsp; &nbsp

Geographic Information Systems Application in Sustainable Business Intelligence Analysis

Today, the corporate growth and development requires planning and taking the right decisions at the right time.In order to be excellent and be above in service delivery and gaining of competitive advantage over other competitors, available information has to be well analysed. Engaging the cutting edge and the driving force of Information Technology to overcome barriers around business growth and development through adequate data collection, storage and analysis is therefore vital for business success. In addition, the need to engage in sustainable businesses cannot be overemphasized because of their intimate connection to healthy economic, social and environmental systems. These businesses create economic value and contribute to healthy and vibrant ecosystems in addition to building stronger communities. GIS: (Geographic Information System)is an “organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data and personnel designed toefficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze and displayall forms of geographically referenced information” This paper considers the role of Geographic Information Systems in Business development,Sustainable businesses, awareness level about Geospatial data utilization in Nigeria. Information Technology application is therefore necessary in business intelligence analysis to harness the full economic and environmental benefit

Modelling of Dynast Simulator to Controlling Speed in a DC Motor using Proportional Integral Derivative Controller

Modelling of DYNAST simulator to controlling speed in a DC motor using proportional integral derivative controller is work aimed at designing, analyzing, and modeling of a DC motor speed control using Proportional Integral Derivatives Controller (PID). It entails how a PID controller can be used to achieve a desired speed response in a dc motor speed control. It presents a detailed simulation of how this PID controller and technology is added to the DC motor speed control with their varying parameters for desired response. Using the Dynast Shell Simulator shows the hardware and it sub system in their simulated platform without the use of complex equations to achieve your aim. This paper relates the place of PID technology in the present control discipline, how it reduces and eliminates errors in the control processes using Dynast Shell Simulator, it came up with a  designs of dc motor speed control with and without PID. The work demonstrated that with proportional band at kp=100, an ki=200, the controller output is proportional to the error or a change in measurement (depending on the controller).