Influence of Intra row spacing on growth and fodder yield of Lablab (Lablab purpureus [L]) in Semi – Arid Sokoto Nigeria

A Field experiment was conducted in 2010 and repeated in 2011 cropping seasons at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching and Research Farm, Dabagi to determine the effect of intra row spacing on growth and yield of Lablab purpureus. Treatments consisted three intra row spacings (20, 30 and 40cm) laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. The results of the trial showed that intra row spacing significantly (P < 0.05) affected stand establishment count with 20cm producing the highest (43.3)number of stands and plant height at week 3 after sowing in 2011 cropping season. Tallest plants (42.2 cm) were produced by 20cm intra row spacing. Leaf number was significant (P< 0.05) at 9 weeks after sowing in 2010 cropping season. Thirty (30) cm intra row spacing produced the highest no. of leaves (25). Leaf length was not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by intra row spacing. The longest leaf (9.9 cm) was produced by 30 cm intra row spacing. Leaf width was also not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by intra row spacing with 30 cm intra row spacing producing the widest leaf (8.9 cm). Dry matter yield was not affected (P > 0.05) by intra row spacing however, 30 cm intra row spacing produced the highest dry matter yield of 1707.7 kg/ha. It was concluded from this research that 30 cm intra row spacing produced the highest dry matter yield of Lablab purpureus (L) and is recommended for semi arid Sokoto environment.Keywords: Row spacing, Fodder yield, Lablab purpureu

Optimización de la cristalización con metanol para una separación altamente eficiente del ácido palmítico en mezclas de ácidos grasos de palma usando metodología de superficie de respuesta

The objective of the current study was to develop parameters for the separation of palmitic acid (PA) from a crude palm oil saturated fatty acid (SFAs) mixture by using the methanol crystallization method. The conditions of methanol crystallization were optimized by the response surface methodology (RSM) with the D-optimal design. The procedure of developing the solvent crystallization method was based on various different parameters. The fatty acid composition was carried out using a gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID) as fatty acid methyl esters. The highest percentage of SFAs was more than 96% with the percentage yield of 87.5% under the optimal conditions of fatty acids-to-methanol ratio of 1: 20 (w/v), the crystallization temperature of -15 °C, and the crystallization time of 24 hours, respectively. The composition of separated SFAs in the solid fraction contains 96.7% of palmitic acid (C16:0) as a dominant component and 3.3% of stearic acid (C18:0). The results showed that utilizing methanol as a crystallization solvent is recommended because of its high efficiency, low cost, stability, availability, comparative ease of recovery and its ability to form needle-like crystals which have good filtering and washing characteristics.El objetivo del presente estudio fue desarrollar parámetros para la separación de ácido palmítico (PA) en mezclas de ácidos grasos saturados (SFAs) de aceites de palma crudo mediante el método de cristalización con metanol. Las condiciones de cristalización con metanol se optimizaron utilizando la metodología de superficie de respuesta (RSM) con el diseño D-Optimal. El procedimiento de desarrollo del método de cristalización con disolvente se basó en diversos parámetros diferentes. La composición de ácidos grasos se llevó a cabo por cromatografía de gases (GC-FID) como ésteres metílicos de ácidos grasos usando un detector de ionización de llama. El porcentaje más alto de SFAs fue mayor del 96% con un rendimiento porcentual de 87,5% bajo las condiciones óptimas de relación de ácidos grasos:metanol de 1:20 (p/v), una temperatura de cristalización de -15ºC y un tiempo de cristalización de 24 horas. La composición de la fracción de SFAs separada en fracción sólida contiene 96,7% de ácido palmítico (C16:0) como principal componente y 3,3% de ácido esteárico (C18:0). Los resultados mostraron recomendar metanol como disolvente de cristalización debido a su alta eficiencia, bajo coste, estabilidad, disponibilidad, facilidad comparativa de recuperación y su capacidad para formar cristales de aguja que tienen buenas características de filtración y lavado

Genetic diversity for nutritional traits in the leaves of baobab, Adansonia digitata

Genetic divergence of baobab (Adansonia digitata) in the North East and West of Nigeria was investigated. The seeds collected from 36 populations of Adansonia digitata were thoroughly washed from the pulp, dried and sown in polyethylene pots and arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications in the nursery of Savanna Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, (FRIN), Zaria Station. The leaves of the seedlings were assessed at 16 weeks after sowing (WAS) for nutritional traits such as carbohydrate, crude protein, fat, moisture content, fiber and ash. Highly significant differences were observed in all the traits assessed showing that high variability exists among the populations. Mean separation and comparisons were also consistent with the observed variability in allthe traits of the genotypes in the 36 populations. Mahalanobis D2 statistic and wards minimum variance grouped the 36 populations into four clusters: I (25), II (3), III (7) and IV (1). Clusters IV and I had the highest inter-clusters value and intra-cluster distance. Clusters II and I had the least values of D2 and √D2 of the inter cluster and intra cluster distance. Furthermore, cluster I had the highest population (25) and cluster IV was observed to be an isolated cluster with only one population and 0 intra-cluster values. Crosses can be made among the genetically divergent populations of baobab to develop genotypes for higher nutritional quality in the leaves as well as withstand both biotic and abiotic stress arising from the environment.Keywords: Adansonia digitata, Genetic variability, diversity, populations, and clustersAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(2), pp. 301-306, 8 January, 201

A comparision for nutrient level in soil and plant between cut and carry and grazing pasture systems

Cultivating pastures in cut and carry (CC) and grazing (GZ) systems may potentially affect nutrient availability in soil and nutrient concentration of grass vegetation. The objective of this study was to compare soil nutrient availability and grass nutrient concentration between the two pasture systems namely CC and GZ, which was conducted in Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus (UPMKB). Twenty-nine (29) blocks were established across the systems, sampling for CC pasture was done by systematic grid sampling method and sampling for GZ pasture was based on the location of waterways and manure deposition respectively, for CC and GZ systems. The findings reveal that the CC system had significantly higher pH, TOC, TN, AP, AFe, and AMn values (except CC1 and CC5) compared to GZ, which had very strongly acidic pH with lower TN and AP. A reason for this observation could be due to difference in fertilizer management practices, the GZ, only relied on animal excreta as source of nutrients. Consequently, the repeated application in CC system had helped higher nutrient uptake by grasses that resulted in production of high-quality Napier grass. The soil nutrient status in intensive GZ system should be monitored closely to prevent losses of fertility and fertilization programme should be implemented to supplement the organic nutrients provided by the animal excretes

Enhancing students' HOTS in laboratory educational activity by using concept map as an alternative assessment tool

Educational transformation in the 21st century demands in-depth knowledge and understanding in order to promote the development of higher-order thinking skills (HOTS). However, the most commonly reported problem with respect to developing a knowledge of chemistry is poor mastery of basic concepts. Chemistry laboratory educational activities are shown to be less effective in developing an optimum conceptual understanding and HOTS among students. One factor is a lack of effective assessment and evaluation tools. Therefore, the primary focus of this study is to explore concept maps as an assessment tool in order to move students' thinking skills to a higher level during laboratory learning activities. An embedded mixed method design is used in this study, which has also employed a pre-experimental research design. This design triangulates quantitative and qualitative data, which are combined to strengthen the findings. A low-directed concept mapping technique, convergence scoring method, and pre-post laboratory concept map were used in this study. An electrolysis HOTS test was used as the research instrument in order to measure the level of student achievement with respect to high-level questions. In addition, the thought process that is involved when students construct concept maps has been explored and studied in detail by utilising a think-aloud protocol. Results showed a positive development towards understanding and higher level thinking skills in students with respect to electrolysis concepts learned through chemistry laboratory activities. An investigation of the students' thinking processes showed that high-achieving students were more capable of giving a content-based explanation of electrolysis and engaged in monitoring activities more often while building a concept map. Nonetheless, all categories of students managed to show a positive increase in the activities of explanation and monitoring during the construction of concept maps after they were exposed to the assessment tool in the laboratory learning activities. In conclusion, the assessment activity using concept maps in laboratory learning activities has a positive impact on students' understanding and stimulates students to increase their HOTS

Simulation of Hydrodesulphurization (HDS) Unit of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited

This research was carried out to simulate the Hydrodesulphurization unit using ASPEN HYSYS with the aim of removing impurities such as Sulphur, Nitrogen and Oxygen in raw Kerosene. The simulation is based on conditions and parameters (mass flow rates, temperature and pressure readings) obtained from the Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) plant of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC). After the successful completion of the simulation, total removal of impurities was achieved as the concentration of sulphur, nitrogen and oxygen in mole fraction present in the treated Kerosene stream was approximately zero. The treated Kerosene composition indicated 0.0021, 0.3342, 0.3322 and 0.3315 mole fractions of n-C13, n-C14, n-C15 and n-C16 respectively. Key words: Simulation, Hydrodesulphurization, Aspen Hysys, Impurities

ESTABLISHMENT OF IPV6 NETWORK USING TUNNELLING MECHANISM ON INTRANET

The emerging Internet Protocol version six (IPv6) has promises several benefits that can overcome the weaknesses of the current Internet Protocol IPv4. Among the solution provided by IPv6 are solving the depleted IPv4 addresses and providing strong security mechanism in the network. Despite the hype and promises, there is still some issues need to be resolved before an organization can migrate over to IPv6 and still allowing the IPv4 infrastructure to exist. One of the issues to be considered are the transition mechanism to be use in switching over to IPv6 as there are several transitions mechanisms to be choose by an organization to allow the coexistence of IPv6 and IPv4 in the same network infrastructure.  Therefore this paper describes the setting up of IPv6 test bed (Test6-T) in an intranet environment using the tunneling mechanism in order to find the best solution for providing an IPv6 environment in an existing IPv4 network infrastructure

Selection of Natural Fiber for Hybrid Kevlar/Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites for Personal Body Armor by Using Analytical Hierarchy Process

Kevlar 29 is the most widely used synthetic fiber for body armor applications and they have been derived from petroleum based resources. Depletion of petroleum resources and the increase in awareness about the eco-friendly materials encouraged the researchers to explore the potential use of natural fiber as an alternative for synthetic fibers. Hybridization of natural fiber with synthetic fiber will result in unique properties which is difficult to obtain from the individual fibers. In this research Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to identify the most suitable natural fiber to be hybridized with Kevlar 29 fiber as a reinforcement in the polymer composites for personal body armor. Fourteen natural fibers and seven criteria's were selected and analyzed for hybridization with respect to the personal body armors design specification. Cocos nucifera sheath which is a naturally woven fiber yields the highest priority vector and it was selected as a most promising natural fiber for hybridization with Kevlar 29 for personal body armor. Eventually, sensitivity analysis was carried out to check the stability of the priority ranking

Yield and Yield Attributes of Extra-early Maize (Zea Mays L.) as Affected by Rates of Npk Fertilizer Succeeding Chilli Pepper (Capsicum Frutescens) Supplied with Different Rates Sheep Manure

Field experiment was conducted in 2005 and 2006 to study response of extra-early maize variety (95TZEE-Y1) to rates of NPK (0, 40:20:20, 80:40:40 and 120:60:60 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1) and residual FYM (0, 5, 10 and 15 t ha-1 applied to chilli pepper the previous season) in the semi-arid zone of Nigeria. Randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. Higher values for soil physical and chemical properties were obtained in plots supplied with manure the previous season with soil from 2006 experiment more fertile than for the first year, hence produced 21% more grain yield. All the applied NPK rates in 2005 and except 40:20:20 ha1 in 2006 had resulted in early maize crop as compared to control. Husked and de-husked cob and 100-grain weights and grain yield/ha were higher at 120:60:60 kg NPK ha-1. Maize grown in plot supplied with 15 t FYM ha1 the previous year matured earlier. Cobs and 100-grain weights and grain yield were highest in plot supplied with 10 t FYM ha1. The 10t FYM ha-1 had 69% and 68% more grain yield than the control in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Highest maize yield was obtained at 120:60:60 kg NPK ha-1 or 10t FYM ha-1. All the parameters measured significantly and positively related to each other when the two years data were combined