Five-parameter potential box with inverse square singular boundaries

Using the Tridiagonal Representation Approach, we obtain solutions (energy spectrum and corresponding wavefunctions) for a new five-parameter potential box with inverse square singularity at the boundaries.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, 1 tabl

Does Microfinance Improve the Standard of the Poor?

Access to microfinance is expected to improve the standard of living of the poor that are economic active and microfinance clients by enabling them to increase their household income. This study examined the contributions of Microfinance institutions to poverty reduction in Southwest Nigeria, using both primary and secondary data collected from Microfinance institutions (MFIs) and randomly selected customers (micro, small and medium enterprises) of the same Institutions. The study adopted a multistage sampling technique. The data from the survey was used to analyze the impact of loan received on earnings using a loan-impact probability model. The study found that Microfinance is an effective poverty alleviation strategy as it reaches the target customers more effectively and helps to a large extent in improving their standard of living and social status and also impacts greatly on Customers’ savings habit and income generation. The study therefore recommended that MFIs should embark on funds mobilisation drive to be able to reach out to more viable customers for provision of financial services. It also recommended that there should be provision of incentives by government to sustain MFIs in order to further extend their services to the rural areas and capacity building of MFIs in Nigeria should be made mandatory so as to develop appropriate policies that will enhance sustainability and stability

The Influence of Drying on the Physical Properties of Sweet Potato Slices

The effects of varying drying conditions on the physical properties of sweet potato slices were studied. Fresh tubers were peeled, washed and cut into two shapes (rectangular: 50 x 60 mm and cylindrical 60 mm diameter) and two thicknesses (4 and 6mm) slices. Some slices were blanched in water at 90 oC for 5 mins and some untreated. The slices were dried in the sun or oven (50 oC , 70 oC , 90 oC ). The bulk density, dimensional changes and moisture loss were investigated. Moisture loss and percent shrinkage increased with higher temperature and longer drying time. 4mm thick samples lost more moisture and higher % shrinkage than 6mm thick samples, although not significantly (P>0.05). Logarithmic equations gave best fit of moisture loss with time at the different temperatures. Initial sample thickness had a greater impact on shrinkage than sample shape. Blanching minimized % shrinkage although not significantly (P>0.05). Greater shrinkage took place in the sample thickness (up to 63%) than across product diameter or length (values up to 26.3%). % shrinkage can be predicted using either the linear or logarithmic equations. The bulk densities of dried sweet potato slices were not influenced by blanching. Keywords: moisture content, drying kinetics, blanching, dimensional changes, bulk density

Modification of A Locally Made Electric Crop Dryer

Physic nut is a biomaterial that litters villages during the seasonal period which requires effective drying for oil and bio-fuel production. However, the natural method of drying and the existing dryer are found ineffective due to prolonged drying time leading to poor quality control. Processing of dried physic nut is required to ensure preservation, availability throughout the year, easy shelling and extraction. The main objectives of this study were to improve on the design of an existing electric crop dryer with a view to optimize its efficiency, reduce the drying time and produce hygienic and quality dried physic nuts. The improvements on the design of the existing dryer were achieved by increasing the throughput on the capacity by improving the material selection for the various key component parts. An adequate size of electrical heating element with thermo-sensor which regulates the drying temperature and a centrifugal fan to blow hot air from the heat supply unit to the drying chamber were installed in the dryer. The results of the improvements carried out on the design of this dryer show that maintenance cost is reduced, since the fan is the only moving part which may rarely be faulty, drying time of physic nut was reduced, operation of the dryer does not require any specialization, the dryer is safer to operate, the energy required for loading and unloading have reduced since the trays provided are removable. Higher production rate and quality of dried physic nuts are achieved because drying temperature and air velocity can be regulated. The throughput capacity, efficiency and drying capacity of the modified crop dryer are 20 kg/batch, 79.84 % and 0.73 kg/h, respectively. This dryer is recommended for medium and large scale processors and dried products can be used for further application. Keywords: physic nut, electric crop dryer, improvement on the existing design, temperature, drying  time

Numerical Solutions for Linear Fredholm Integro-Differential Difference Equations with Variable Coefficients by Collocation Methods

We employed an efficient numerical collocation approximation methods to obtain an approximate solution of linear Fredholm integro-differential difference equation with variable coefficients. An assumed approximate solutions for both collocation approximation methods are substituted into the problem considered. After simplifications and collocations, resulted into system of linear algebraic equations which are then solved using MAPLE 18 modules to obtain the unknown constants involved in the assumed solution. The known constants are then substituted back into the assumed approximate solution. Numerical examples were solved to illustrate the reliability, accuracy and efficiency of these methods on problems considered by comparing the numerical solutions obtained with the exact solution and also with some other existing methods. We observed from the results obtained that the methods are reliable, accurate, fast, simple to apply and less computational which makes the valid for the classes of problems considered.   Keywords: Approximate solution, Collocation, Fredholm, Integro-differential difference and linear algebraic equation

Time series model building with Fourier autoregressive model

This paper presents time series model building using Fourier autoregressive models. This model is capable of modelling and forecasting time series data that exhibit periodic and seasonal movements. From the implementation of the model, FAR(1), FAR(2) and FAR(3) models were chosen based on the periodic autocorrelation function (PeACF) and periodic partial autocorrelation function. The coefficients of the tentative modelwere estimated using a discrete Fourier transform estimation method. The FAR(1) model was chosen as the optimal model based on the smallest value of periodic Akaike and Bayesian information criteria, and the residuals of the fitted models were diagnosed to be white noise using the periodic residual autocorrelation function. The out-sample forecasts were obtained for the Nigerian monthly rainfall series from January 2018 to December 2019 using the FAR(1) and SARIMA(1,1,1)x(1,1,1)₁₂ models. The results exhibited a continuous periodic and seasonal movement but the periodic movement in the forecasted rainfall series was better with FAR(1) because its values showed a close reflection of the original series. The values of the forecast evaluation for both models showed that the forecast was consistent and accurate but the FAR(1) model forecast was more accurate since its forecast evaluation values were relatively lower. Hence, the Fourier autoregressive model is adequate and suitable for modelling and forecasting periodicity and seasonality in Nigerian rainfall time series data and any part of the world with rainfall series that are mostly characterised with periodic variation