Assessment of millet-groundnut intercropping systems efficiency in Jigawa and Kano states.

Open access Journal; Published online: 30 June 2016In this study, an intercropping experiment consisting of millet and groundnut was established at Dutse (Jigawa) and Minjibir (Kano) to compare the efficiencies of intercropping systems. Two intercropping systems (2:2 and 2:4; millet to groundnut ratio) were studied in terms of aggressivity, competitive ratio, actual yield loss and intercropping advantage. The treatments were studied under split-split plot design that was replicated four times. The results shows that aggressivity was determined by crop arrangement not by component crop and that the rate of increase in millet aggressivity was proportional to rate at which groundnut aggressivity was reduced. Intercropping advantage was higher and positive under 2:4 system at both trial locations; this implies that the system have a better economic feasibility. Under the same system at Dutse, competitive ratio was higher (1.18); indicating that the crops have a fairly comparative ability for resources competition, in contrast, the reverse was the case at Dutse 2:2 with higher competitive ration difference value of 1.05 compared to 0.69 at 2:4

A Comparative Study on Bias Regression Methods in the Presence of Multicollinearity Based on Gamma and Chi Square Distributions

The aim of this study is to compare some regression methods in the presence of multicollinearity problem. This problem makes the estimated regression coefficients by least squares method to be conditional upon the correlated predictor variables in the model. It is also a condition in a set of regression data that have two or more regressors which are redundant and have the same information. Therefore, some regression methods that handle with multicollinearity such as partial least square regression (PLSR), ridge regression (RR) and lasso regression (LR) had reported. In this paper, the methods were compared using simulated data that follows gamma and chi square distributions with P=4 and 10, and n=60 and 90. All results were compared with each other through Mean Square Log Error (MSLE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and R2 of their estimated values for different methods. The results show that when P=4 and n=60 RR is better methods with gamma distribution, but with chi square distribution PLRS is better methods. Also, when P=4 and n=90, RR shows better results with gamma distribution but with chi square distribution all methods have equal predictive ability. However, at P=10 and n=60 RR performed better with both gamma and chi square distributions while RR shows better results at both gamma and chi square distributions when P=10 and n=90. Keywords: Multicollinearity, Partial Least Square Regression, Ridge Regression, Principal Component Regressio

Multi-elemental analysis of some Nigerian mineral rocks for a comparative assay of gamma shielding with concrete using winxcom

Analysis of chemical composition and concentration of three Nigerian minerals have been carried out with the research reactor (GHARR-1) at Ghana Atomic energy commission Kwabenya Accra, in order to analyze their gamma photon shielding prospects using WINXCOM software. The physical densities of Serpentinite rock from Katsina/ Zamfara state, Hematite rock from Kogi state and Barite from Benue states of Nigeria were measured, and their moisture content analyzed with the Am-Be neutron source irradiation facility at Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) A.B.U. in Nigeria Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of gamma ray spectra of the residual radio nuclides of the rock samples were performed using the SPAN 5.0 software. The result of the chemical composition was observed to have a good elemental correlation with the well known neutron shields (concrete), but indicative of a better substitute to ordinary concrete when, in addition, the moisture retention capabilities, refractive properties and, most importantly, their densities are taken into account. The knowledge of the elemental composition is a requirement for calculating the shielding characteristics using WINXCOM. For an increase in photon energy by a factor of 0.21keV the mass attenuation in Serpentinite decreased by 2.0cm2/g; Hematite had a decrease of 5.0cm2/g; Barite also decreased by 5cm2/g while concrete had its mass attenuated by only 1.3cm2/g. Keywords: Transmission, Reflection, Mineral rock, Thermal neutrons, Fast neutrons, Moistur

Designing a 2D RZ Venture Model for Neutronic Analysis of the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1)

A 2D RZ VENTURE model has been developed for the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) and this model was used to perform neutronic analysis for the system using the code “VENTURE-PC”. The major homogenized regions in the 2D VENTURE model include the active fuel region and the control region while the remaining components in the system geometry where modelled as closely as possible. The reactor physics parameters generated from the neutronic calculations include excess reactivity, control rod worth, shim worth, shutdown margin. The model predictions of these parameters for NIRR-1 system were in good agreement with experimental results as well as the results from similar calculations using different nuclear analysis tools. This 2D RZ VENTURE model gives an excellent simulation of the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 and the model will be very helpful in the future analysis of the system, as well for developing an LEU core model for future conversion of NIRR-1 from HEU to LEU fuelled research reactor. Keywords: Model, Neutronics, geometry, code, Design, Reactor, Simulation, Calculations, NIRR-1, Shim, Control, Shutdown, Physics. Peak, Density, Power, Flux, Neutro

A comprehensive review of barriers to a functional Zakat system in Nigeria: what needs to be done?

Purpose: Muslims in Nigeria, like in many Muslim-majority countries, are striving to have a functional Zakat system in search of solutions to the perennial problem of poverty and its damning consequences. Nevertheless, there are still unsettled concerns arising from the current and widespread implementation of dissimilar (diverse) approaches to the Zakat system in various parts of the country. The purpose of this paper is to review comprehensively what are the hindrances of a vibrant Zakat system and how far the identified impediments may affect the system in the Nigerian context.Design/methodology/approach:The methodology adopted is the review of extant relevant literature in the field of scholarly publications.Findings: The findings of this study revealed that the fragmented implementation of the Zakat system within the context of the Nigerian democratic system of government lead to the weak governance with respect to law, administration and management; lack of a generally accepted fatwa from the Muslims scholars (Ulamas); absence of Zakat accounting standard; and low compliance behavior are the major barriers that require the attention of government and other stakeholders such as the traditional leaders, the accounting regulatory bodies, the Ulamas, as well as the economic and accounting researchers.Practical implications: It was recommended that the stakeholders should make concerted efforts toward ensuring success of the Zakat system for attaining salvation in the hereafter and for social security, as well as economic prosperity. Originality/value: The paper is the first paper that comprehensively reviews previous literature in the Zakat environment on factors that become barriers to implement a comprehensive Zakat system in Nigeria