Assessment of Wind Potential Energy at Height 100 m in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

The reliance of a developing nation like Nigeria on hydro-electricity over time has led to power shortage which has hampered her economic and technological advancement because of its seasonal variation. The use of fossil fuel will not also be a better alternative since it is not environmental friendly. However, wind energy is free, clean, cheap and does not contribute to acid rain or global warming. The aim of this research is to carry out an assessment of wind potential in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria for power generation. The characteristics of the wind speed and energy potential in Minna, were examined using daily wind speed and direction data of 2 years, obtained using a metrological instrument; Davis 6162 Wireless Vantage Pro2 positioned at 100 m height. The collected data was analysed statistically and summarised in a simple and concise manner. The results show that the most probable wind speed was 0.4 ms-1 with extractable energy density of 25.04 Whm-2 while the wind speed corresponding to the maximum energy was 10.70 ms-1 delivering 45.96 kWh of energy. The average of the annual wind speed was 10.35 ms-1 which produced energy of 38.03 kWh. Though the average wind speed value revealed that the wind is suitable for wind-electric generation but has a low frequency, hence the power generation will do well for irrigation purposes. The prevailing wind direction was in the North-East direction with 14.84 % of the wind direction frequency. So a wind station will be more efficient if it is stationed in this predominant North-East direction. Keywords: Wind speed, wind direction, energy density, power, electricity DOI: 10.7176/APTA/76-01 Publication date:March 31st 201

Artificial Neural Network model for the determination of GSM Rxlevel from atmospheric parameters

Accurate received signal level (Rxlevel) values are useful for mobile telecommunication network planning. Rxlevel is affected by the dynamics of the atmosphere through which it propagates. Adequate knowledge of the prevailing atmospheric conditions in an environment is essential for proper network planning. However most of the existing GSM received signal determination model are function of distance between point of signal reception and transmitting site thus necessitating the development of a model that involve the use of atmospheric parameters in the determination of received GSM signal level. In this paper, a three stage approach was used in the development of the model using some atmospheric parameters such as atmospheric temperature, relative humidity and dew point. The selected and easily measurable atmospheric parameters were used as input parameters in developing two new models for computing the Rxlevel of GSM signal using a three-step approach. Data acquisition and pre-processing serves as the first stage and formulation of ANN design and the development of parametric model for the Rxlevel using ANN synaptic weights form the second stage of the proposed approach. The third stage involves the use of ANN weight and bias values, and network architecture in the development of the model equation. In evaluating the performance of the proposed models, network parameters were varied and the results obtained using mean squared error (MSE) as performance measure showed the developed model with 33 neurons in the hidden layer and tansig activation, function in both the hidden and output layers as the optimal model with least MSE value of 0.056. Thus showing that the developed model has an acceptable accuracy value as demonstrated from comparison of results with actual measured values

Spectrum and Frequency of Mutations Induced by Gamma Radiations in Three Varieties of Nigerian Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Insufficient genetic variability is one of the major problems of plant breeding programmes, especially in sesame. Gamma radiation has been reported to be very effective in creating genetic variability in plants. Three varieties of Nigerian sesame were assessed for spectrum and frequency of mutation induced by Gamma radiations in M1 and M2 generations. The varieties (NCRIBEN-04E, NCRIBEN-01M and NCRIBEN-03L) were treated with four different doses of gamma rays (250, 350, 450 and 550 Gy). The treated and untreated seeds (control) were sown in planting bags (under field condition) to raise M1 plants. Four treatments: V1D5, V2D3, V3D2 and V3D4 (from M1 plants) were selected and bulked to obtain M2 populations. The results of M1 revealed four mutant fruit traits: multicarpellate capsule, multiple capsule per leaf axil, indehiscent capsule and terminal capsules. The highest frequencies of the traits in M1 generation were 2.50×10-2, 9.17×10-2, 1.67×10-2and3.33×10-2 respectively. The highest branching (7) was from NCRIBEN-01M, while the least (2) was from NCRIBEN-04E. The M2 plants were grouped into eight M2 lines. The dose range (250-550 Gy) was proved to be effective in inducing viable mutations in sesame

PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON EFFECTS OF GAMMA RAY ON SEED RETENTION INDICES OF THREE NIGERIAN SESAME (SESAMUM INDICUM L.) VARIETIES

In an attempt to improve sesame for reduction of seed loss due to shattering of capsule at harvest, the seeds of three varieties of sesame (NCRIBEN-04E, NCRIBEN-01M and NCRIBEN-03L) were treated with five different doses (0, 250, 350, 450 and 550 Gy) of gamma irradiation; 0 Gy being the control. All the treatments including the controls, were grown and monitored till maturity. The seed retention power of the treatments were assessed. From the results, the treatment due to 550 Gy had highest score (6) for both NCRIBEN-04E and NCRIBEN-01M and was categorized as non-shattering (NSH) type. All other treatments were categorized as shattering (SHA) type. Similarly all the treatments from NCRIBEN-03L were categorized as SHA with treatment due to 250 Gy having highest score (5). The three varieties showed positive correlations between the seed/capsule in upright (U) and seed/capsule in inverted (I) position but NCRIBEN-01M was not significant (r = 0.650). The NCRIBEN-04E showed negative correlation between U and length of suture (L) and I and L (r = -0.570 and -0.358 respectively). This result has shown that the dose 550 Gy seems to be promising in generating mutants with high resistance to capsule shattering in sesame. There is need to advance these mutants to M2 and M3 generations to ascertain this seed retention capacity