Modular Principles for Flexibility of Spaces in Skill Acquisition Centres, Benue State

The design of skill centre around the country is such that they are specific to particular skill type and usually the buildings cannot be used for another activity. The need to use spaces for multiple functions has ensured that flexible spaces in skill acquisition centres are designed such that the spaces can easily be varied into smaller discrete and scalable sizes. This paper examined the interior spaces for pedagogical and didactic activities in six selected skills acquisition centres in Benue state. The issue of the rigidity of spaces occurring as product of the building design which is meant to serve a required function usually ensures that spaces are less flexible and in many cases unusable for other functions. The aim of the study is to examine the flexibility nature of skill centres with a view to determining functions that could be combined. A post occupancy evaluation was carried out using a mix method approach through the use of observation checklist and questionnaire. The issues examined include the various sizes of workshop spaces, walling materials used to enclose spaces, the degree of flexibility of both spaces and materials based on modular principles and users' perception of satisfaction of working spaces. A total of 300 copies of questionnaires were administered to staff and students. Based on the total valid responses, 70% were not satisfied with the sizes of the working space. The resultant data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics from SPSS. It was observed that most spaces though modular were non-flexible. Users' satisfaction with the sizes of working spaces was determined. The paper concluded on the need for the flexibility of spaces in order to accommodate varying utility.Keywords: Flexibility, Interior Spaces, Modular Space, User Satisfaction, Working Spac

Evaluation of Automated Cataloguing System in Academic Libraries in Oyo State Nigeria

This study investigated automated cataloguing system in academic libraries in selected higher institutions in Oyo State Nigeria. The population of the study covered all the forty one (41) professional and para-professional cataloguers working in the cataloguing section. Total enumeration technique was used for data collection. Questionnaire was distributed to all the cataloguers in the selected institutions. Descriptive statistics was used to analysed the data collected. The result of the study revealed that automated cataloguing system saves time taking to catalogue information materials in the libraries. The result of the study also revealed that the selected institutions did not share resources among themselves. The finding of the study revealed that automated cataloguing system made cataloguing of information materials in the libraries faster. Therefore, the study concluded that automated cataloguing system in institutions’ libraries is a desirable one. Hence, the study recommended that in addition to cataloguing section, all other sections in the libraries be automated and provision of information technology tools needed for effective system be made available in the libraries

Canted-spin-caused electric dipoles: a local symmetry theory

A pair of magnetic atoms with canted spins Sa, Sb can give rise to an electric dipole moment P. Several forms for the behavior of such a moment have appeared in the theoretical literature, some of which have been invoked to explain experimental results found in various multiferroic materials. The forms specifically are P1 ~ R x (Sa x Sb); P2 ~ Sa x Sb, and P3 ~ Sa (R . Sa) - Sb (R . Sb), where R is the relative position of the atoms and Sa, Sb are unit vectors. To unify and generalize these various forms we consider P as the most general quadratic function of the spin components that vanishes whenever Sa and Sb are collinear, i.e. we consider the most general expressions that require spin canting. The study reveals new forms. We generalize to the vector P, Moriya's symmetry considerations regarding the (scalar) Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya energy D. Sa x Sb (which led to restrictions on D). This provides a rigorous symmetry argument which shows that P1 is allowed no matter how high the symmetry of the atoms plus environment, and gives restrictions for all other contributions. The analysis leads to the suggestion of terms omitted in the existing microscopic models, suggests a new mechanism behind the ferroelectricity found in the 'proper screw structure' of CuXO2, X=Fe, Cr, and predicts an unusual antiferroelectric ordering in the antiferromagnetically and ferroelectrically ordered phase of RbFe(MoO4)2.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures. The present work is a considerable generalization of the earlier version. It corrects the statement in the abstract as to the generality of the expression for Delta. Clarification of the term 'canted-spin-caused' is given, and adds application to additional experimental example

Internet of Things (IoT) Cloud Based Model for Low Cost Demand Side Management Infrastructure

This paper presents a model for low cost demand side management infrastructure using cloud-based technology and internet of things to facilitate the implementation of smart grid in Nigeria. The electricity market has experienced a rapid increase in demand attributed to unprecedented growth in human population, urbanization, and industrialization. Accordingly, utilities are faced with the challenge of meeting daily energy demand. Research has shown that 45% of electricity generated are wasted or cannot be accounted for. Energy management is thus a major issue affecting the power sector of Nigeria. Efficient utilization of energy is therefore crucial for sustainable development both from an economic and ecological perspective. The proposed Smart, Low Cost and IoT-enabled power distribution board can be adopted and implemented as part of energy conservation measures to reduce energy demand in domestic building and mitigate the energy crisis in the country. With the IoT based smart board energy management, users can get personalized recommendation of actions for energy conservation and load shifting, and have control over the energy use and the billing system

Evaluation of Automated Cataloguing System in Academic Libraries in Oyo State Nigeria

This study investigated automated cataloguing system in academic libraries in selected higher institutions in Oyo State Nigeria. The population of the study covered all the forty one (41) professional and para-professional cataloguers working in the cataloguing section. Total enumeration technique was used for data collection. Questionnaire was distributed to all the cataloguers in the selected institutions. Descriptive statistics was used to analysed the data collected. The result of the study revealed that automated cataloguing system saves time taking to catalogue information materials in the libraries. The result of the study also revealed that the selected institutions did not share resources among themselves. The finding of the study revealed that automated cataloguing system made cataloguing of information materials in the libraries faster. Therefore, the study concluded that automated cataloguing system in institutions’ libraries is a desirable one. Hence, the study recommended that in addition to cataloguing section, all other sections in the libraries be automated and provision of information technology tools needed for effective system be made available in the libraries

Comparison of surface properties between kaolin and metakaolin in concentrated lime solutions

International audienceThe surface adsorption of calcium hydroxide onto kaolin and metakaolin was investigated by monitoring with atomic emission spectroscopy and pH measurements the amounts of ions left in solution after exposing clays to calcium hydroxide solutions of various concentrations. Both clays adsorb calcium and hydroxyl ions but differently. Kaolin adsorbs calcium hydroxide not only at the edges of the clay particles but also onto the basal faces. The adsorbed hydrated calcium ions form a layer on the clay particle surfaces, preventing further dissolution of the clay mineral platelet. Metakaolin shows high pozzolanic activity, which provides the quick formation of hydrated phases at the interfaces between metakaolin and lime solutions. The nature of the hydration products has been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The most important hydrated phases like CSH (hydrated calcium silicate) and C2ASH8 (gehlenite) have been identified

Decoding Anaerobic Digestion: A Holistic Analysis of Biomass Waste Technology, Process Kinetics, and Operational Variables

The continual generation and discharge of waste are currently considered two of the main environmental problems worldwide. There are several waste management options that can be applied, though anaerobic digestion (AD) process technology seems to be one of the best, most reliable, and feasible technological options that have attracted remarkable attention due to its benefits, including the generation of renewable energy in the form of biogas and biomethane. There is a large amount of literature available on AD; however, with the continuous, progressive, and innovative technological development and implementation, as well as the inclusion of increasingly complex systems, it is necessary to update current knowledge on AD process technologies, process variables and their role on AD performance, and the kinetic models that are most commonly used to describe the process-reaction kinetics. This paper, therefore, reviewed the AD process technologies for treating or processing organic biomass waste with regard to its classification, the mechanisms involved in the process, process variables that affect the performance, and the process kinetics. Gazing into the future, research studies on reduced MS-AD operational cost, integrated or hybrid AD-biorefinery technology, integrated or hybrid AD-thermochemical process, novel thermochemical reactor development, nutrient recovery from integrated AD-thermochemical process, and solid and liquid residual disposal techniques are more likely to receive increased attention for AD process technology of biomass wastes