Solution of Quantum Anharmonic Oscillator with Quartic Perturbation

This study was designed to obtain the energy eigenvalues for a Quantum Anharmonic Oscillator with Quartic Perturbation Potential. Two independent methods, the Dirac operator technique and the Numerov approach in solving Schrodinger equation, were used to solve the second order differential equation obtained from this system. An iterative procedure was carried out using the fourth order Runge-Kutta method on the transformed second order differential equation in line with the Numerov equation. The results showed that the normalized eigenvalues obtained from the Dirac operator technique, when compared with eigenvalues obtained from the use of the Fourth order Runge-Kutta method within the Numerov approach agreed closely when the convergence in the perturbing potential is weak, but the set of results diverges only at high excitation states. For the results from the two approaches to be closely compatible at high excitation states, the choice of Zeta axis was made to satisfy the boundary conditions -1< zeta< +1. Keywords: QQAHO, Hamiltonian, Perturbation, Dirac Operation Technique, Numerov Approach, Zeta, Runge - Kutta Method and Eigenvalues

Thermal Response at Room Temperature and Device Applications of Two Wood Species in Akure, South Western Nigeria

Thermal properties (Density, Thermal conductivity and Specific heat capacity) play important impact in the formation of devicesmade of wooden materials. This study examines the room temperature thermal response of ten bulk samples from the species of Pterygota macrocarpa and Antiaris africana wood species found in South Western Nigeria. The samples were processed into appropriate shapes to fit into the parallel plane arrangement to determine the thermal properties. Temperature dependent models were used to obtain the specific heat capacities of the samples within a temperature variation of 308.25 - 310.00. The results revealed that the thermal properties (thermal conductivities and specific heat capacities) increase as temperature increases for all the bulk samples considered. The results of the research showed that the selected wood samples could find useful applications in industrial insulating devices. Keywords: Wood material, Lee’s disc apparatus, Temperature and Thermal properties

Chaotic assessment of the key performance indicators for a GSM Network congestion in an election period in Nigeria

This paper investigates the chaos-based assessment of the Key performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Cellular network congestion during and after 2011 People Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election in Eagle Square within Abuja and its environs. Chaotic quantifiers such as average mutual information, Lyapunov exponents and specific attenuation were employed to study the congestion rate or dynamical state of the network. The chaotic assessment of the Wideband Code Division Multiplexing Access (WCDMA) data services provided by MTN network using KPIs are reported. The data retrieved from the three Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) were used to analyse the performance of the network. The results revealed the state of dynamical behaviour of the congestion during the study period. Keywords: Key performance Indicators (KPIs); Wideband Code Division Multiplexing Access (WCDMA); Global System of Mobile communication (GSM); Base Transceiver Station (BTS); Chaotic Quantifier

Zoo management and tourist influx in Unilorin Zoological Garden, Ilorin, Nigeria

This study assesses the zoo management practices through a visit to the Unilorin zoo with a view to establish its current status. An exploratory survey was conducted through personal observation and in-depth interviewing while records of tourists’ patronage were obtained through administrative records. The results showed that more than forty-five (45) different species of animal were stocked between 1978 and 2018. The majority (fourteen species) of the stock were recruited in 2011 while the least was in 1978, 1985, and 2015. The food and feeding pattern of stock revealed carnivorous animals such as lion, leopard, crocodiles, hyena are usually fed 3 to 5 times a week (with exception of Jackal, snakes, and carnivorous birds which are fed once daily) while herbivorous animals eat on daily basis. The result further shows an increasing trend in tourists’ population from 5,819 in 2009 to 51,232 in 2015 but a declined patronage was noticed in 2016, 2017, and 2018, where tourists dropped to 47,803; 43,222, and 40,944 respectively. However, the zoo is developing with challenges and complications which arose from, insufficient funding and erroneous design of animal housing, however, they are, dedicating their efforts and resources to maintaining ethical principles of animal welfare and preserving nature. Keywords: Stock, Captivity, Ethical Principles, Exploratory, Patronage

Perceived effect of improving labour condition and paramilitary training on staff efficiency in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

This study assessed perceived effect of improving labour conditions and paramilitary training on staff efficiency in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria through personal observation and interview with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire administered to fifty-two (52) staff of the Park. Majority (98%) of park staff agreed that improving working conditions is a necessary tool for employees’ commitment and loyalty in the service and 77% agreed that park authority play an important role towards improving working conditions and making on the job training accessible for the staffs. Most (75%) respondents acknowledged that the new salary (the most important working condition for job efficiency in the study area) is expressively satisfactory while majority (71.15%) also show their enthusiasm towards mode of dressing (use of paramilitary uniform) as they agreed that it bestowed more respect and honour to them in the society. Other areas of improved practices that are considerably satisfactory are training and development, promotion process and relationship with managers. However, only few respondents were pleased with current situation of safety at work, retirement plan and medical insurance though it is perceived from the study that medical insurance and relationship with managers are not too vital for job efficiency in the study area. Respondents further agreed that recent paramilitary training adopted in the National Park Service increases the employees’ morale since paramilitary training will improve employee physical fitness and confidence (4.23±1.26) as well as individual and organizational competences (4.06±1.03). From the study, there is high (70%) consensus that improving working conditions and paramilitary training has positive effect on job efficiency in the study area hence; there is improvement in the organization achievement.Keywords: Employee, Job Efficiency, Job Satisfaction, Labour Condition, Paramilitar

Heavy metals in Bushmeat from New-Bussa and its environs, Nigeria

Bushmeat have provided complimentary protein for human population across the world over the centuries. This study assessed the concentration of heavy metals in bushmeats in New Bussa and its environs. Three carcass of bush meat (Kobus kob (Kob), Tragelaphus scriptus (Bushbuck) and Sylvicapra grimmia (Duiker)) were sourced from the study area. The carcass was digested and concentrations of nine heavy metals (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Ni, Co and Cd) were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results obtained for the heavy metal analysis were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) while Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the relationship in the samples. The heavy metal concentration in muscle tissues of the selected bushmeat revealed that zinc with 815.00±13.00 mg/kg in Kob was the highest mean value of all meat samples, followed by Iron (479.00±10.00 mg/kg) in Duiker while Pb level in Bushbuck 213.00±3.00 mg/kg is outrageously the highest. Copper, Chromium and Nickel did not exceed the permissible limits as set by FEPA/WHO. The concentration pattern of heavy metals in bush meat show that Sylvicapra grimmia and Tragelaphus scriptus had the same pattern of Zn>Fe>Pb>Cr>Mn>Cu>Co>Ni>Cd concentration while Kobus kob pattern of  association is Zn>Fe>Cr>Pb>Ni>Cu>Co>Cd>Mn. The comparative study of the heavy metal concentrations revealed that Zinc (Zn) recorded the highest frequency, followed by Iron (Fe) and Lead (Pb). This study has shown that high level of Pb in the samples from the study area is a matter of concern in bush meat consumption in the study area; hence people should be warned of impending danger in the consumption of heavy metals contaminated bush meat. Keywords: Bushmeat, heavy metals, concentration, toxicity, contaminate

Distribution of metals in Labeo coubie (Ruppel, 1832) from a National Park river in Nigeria

This study assesses heavy metals distribution in body parts of Labeo coubie (African carp) fromRiver Oli, in Kainji Lake National Park as pollution index of the ecosystem. Fish parts samples (gills, muscles andvertebra bone) were prepared and specifically analyzed for the levels of Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, Fe and Cd using Atomicabsorption spectrophotometry. The concentration of metals in the samples at different concentrations ranged from0.001±0.000 μg/g for Cd to 224.87±4.07 μg/g of Fe in the fish gill. There is significant (p<0.05) differences in the Pb,Zn, Cu and Fe concentrations across the different fish parts with gills accumulated the highest levels metals while Crlevels significantly (p<0.05) differed in the fish body parts and accumulated more in the muscles (10.75±0.15 μg/g).The mean concentrations of metal elements in the fish parts had shown some distinguish connection in its distributionswith Pb and Cu; Gills > Muscles > Vertebra bones, Fe and Zinc; Gills > Vertebra bones > Muscles while Cr wasdistributed in Muscles > Gill > Vertebra bones. However, it is revealed that Labeo coubie, a euryphagus fish probablyabsorb these metals through ingestion of contaminated food or absorption by the gills and bioaccumulate in differentfish parts. It is therefore established that River Oli is contaminated with heavy metals as presence of these metals infish is an indication of its immediate environment. Keywords: absorption, bioaccumulation, fish parts, heavy metals, pollutio

A survey of medicinal plants in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to identify the medicinal plants used for the treatment of different ailments in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger  State. Structured interview guides and direct field observation were used to collect data on the medicinal plants from one hundred and twenty  respondents. The results obtained revealed a total of 52 medicinal plants belonging to 30 Families were identified as being used for treating different ailments in the study area in which Fabaceae is the most common Family whereby the bark and the leaves are mostly used. The medicinal plants identified had multiples uses while some were effective as mixtures. Seventy percent of the respondents had informal training on herbal  medicine for two years. Twenty percent had formal training through forestry courses offered during advanced studies while ten percent inherited the knowledge from their parents. It was recorded that medicinal plants are cheaper, locally available and easily accessible than western drugs.  Therefore, the conservation of these medicinal plants will be highly imperative if mobilizing individuals and communities to participate actively in afforestation programme; extension workers should convince local herb sellers and herbalists of the value and importance of nature and biodiversity; and research and documentation of medicinal plants are carried out. Keywords: Ailments, decoction, herbalists, medicinal plants, traditional, treatment

Fibre Characterization of Cassava Peel Leaf Meal and Its Utilization by Broilers

One hundred and twenty ( n = 120) day old broiler chicks with an average weight (100.00±7.00g) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments, with cassava peel leaf meal (CPLM) as replacement for maize at (starter and finisher phases).The trial was in three phases of adaptation  (1-2week),starter (3-5week) and finisher (6-9week).Thirty broilers chicks were assigned to each of the four treatments, while was replicated three times at 10 chicks each. Performance of the chicks such weight gain, feed intake and carcass yield was evaluated and the proximate and fiber quality of the diets and CPLM were also determined. Data obtained for performance evaluated was analyzed using ANOVA, while significant means were separated by SAS of the same package. The outcome revealed that CPLM had (89.93%) dry matter, (18.93%) crude protein and (43.28%) NDF, with anon-significant (p< 0.05) variation in weight gain, enhanced (p< 0.05) feed intake and depressed (p< 0.05) feed to gain ratio as CPLM inclusion increased. Dressing percentage values (69.00-73.00%) were obtained on the treatments. CPLM inclusion (0, 15, 30 and 45%) as replacement for maize in the diets of broilers produced a favourable performance. Keywords: Cassava peel, cassava leaf, fiber, broiler chick

Social structure and rural development in Nigeria A study of Lafia, Plateau State

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:DX176759 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo