GPH International Journals
Not a member yet
1629 research outputs found
Sort by
Design and construct a biogas digester which uses human faeces as substrate
Get PDFThe rapid increase in population has placed significant pressure on available resources globally. This is largely because energy serves as the foundation of any economy. Although Nigeria’s dependence on fossil fuels continues to rise annually, access to electricity remains critically low. This has prompted the development of alternative energy sources, with recent attention focused on renewable energy. While biogas has gained notable attention, many existing biogas digester designs remain relatively expensive and are susceptible to corrosion and leakage. Therefore, this study aims to design and construct a biogas digester that utilizes human faeces as the primary substrate. To achieve this, design equations were developed to determine the volume of the digester, inlet and outlet pipes, gas holder, and digester cover plate, all based on the shape of the digester. The digestion chamber was fabricated using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. After fabrication, a ventilation test was conducted to ensure the system was leak-free. The results showed an average gas yield of 5.25 m³ over a 30-day period, equivalent to 37.91 g. The pH of the system decreased from 6.5 to 6.0. After purification, the volume of gas obtained was 3 m³, indicating that methane accounted for 57%, while carbon dioxide and other impurities made up the remaining 43%. The performance of the biogas digester was found to be satisfactory. Furthermore, the use of human faeces as feedstock can significantly contribute to solving waste management challenges while simultaneously enhancing the energy sector
ATTACKING OF Ficus spp STRANGLER ON OIL PALM PLANTATION; SRIWIJAYA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AREA CASE
Get PDFPalm oil (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is an important commodity in Indonesia, but the presence of hemiepiphytes of the genus Ficus can inhibit its growth and productivity through a strangulation mechanism. This study aims to identify Ficus species that attack oil palm, evaluate the attack rate, and analyze the influence of stem diameter on plant health. The research was conducted in the roadside area of Sriwijaya University, Indralaya, using a descriptive survey method. The results showed that three species of Ficus attacked oil palm: Ficus benjamina (415 individuals), Ficus retusa (2 individuals), and Ficus sundaica (1 individual). The attack rate reached 24%, belonging to the category of light attack, with 2% of the plants experiencing death. Most Ficus have a small diameter (64.11%) in the range of 1 - <10 cm, with an estimated lifespan of ±5 years, while some individuals >35 cm are estimated to be ±35 years old. The Ficus attack has the potential to reduce palm oil productivity by up to 6% of total production. The results of the study show that Ficus hemiepiphyte has a significant impact on oil palm crops and its population can continue to increase if not controlled
Acquisition of Entrepreneurial Competencies by Graduates of Technology Education for Sustainable Self-Employment in Enugu State
Get PDFThe central objective of this study was to determine the extent of acquisition of entrepreneurial competencies among graduates of technology education for sustainable self-employment in Enugu State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were developed to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The study population of the study was 77 final year students in technology education programmes in public Universities in Enugu State. There was no sampling as the entire population was studied. The instrument for data collection was a 28-item structured questionnaire divided in two sub-categories based on the research questions that made for the study. The questionnaire items were structured in four-point rating scale. The questionnaire was validated by experts while the reliability of the instrument yielded 0.78 using Cronbach Alpha. Out of 77 copies of questionnaire distributed 72 copies were properly filled and returned giving 93.51% return rate. The data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and t-test statistics. Based on the result of data analysis, the study found that there are low extent of acquisition of technical entrepreneurial competencies, managerial entrepreneurial competencies and interpersonal entrepreneurial competencies among graduates of technology education for sustainable self-employment in Enugu State. Based on the findings, recommendations were made among which include that the government and relevant bodies should provide facilities for teaching technical entrepreneurial competencies to the students for sustainable self-employment and technology educators teaching entrepreneurship should increase effort in the teaching of managerial and interpersonal competencies to the students of technology education for sustainable self-employment
PERCEIVED EFFECTS OF PHARMACOLOGICAL ERGOGENIC AIDS ON SPORTS PERFORMANCE AND HEALTH OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETES
Get PDFThe study investigates the perceived effects of pharmacological ergogenic aids on health and sports performance of Nigerian university athletes with a view to increasing the credibility of athletes’ performance. The study adopted descriptive survey design. A total of 332 university athletes were randomly sampled during Nigeria University Games from four popular groups of sports: track and field athletics ball/racket and stick games, combat sports and aquatic sports. A self- designed and validated questionnaire which focuses on state and pattern of use of pharmacological ergogenic aids and their perceived effects on sports performance and health was used for this study. Percentage and chi-square statistics were used to analyze the data. The results showed that stimulants, narcotics, anabolic steroids and depressants are types of pharmacological ergogenic aids used by university athletes. The results further showed that the perceived effects of ergogenic aids on health and sports performance was not significant (X2=7.82, p>0.05.The study concluded that ergogenic aids had adverse effects including weight gain and insomnia on both health and sports performance. It was therefore recommended that drug diagnosing laboratory equipment should be available every in NUGA competition to detect doping violators and include drug education in the general school curriculum
GLOBAL ASYMPTOTIC STABILITY ANALYSIS OF A SECOND-ORDER DUFFING EQUATION WITH POISON STABLE COEFFICIENT
Get PDFThis paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the global asymptotic stability of solutions to a second-order Duffing-type differential equation with a Poisson-stable coefficient. The Duffing equation, widely recognized as a fundamental nonlinear oscillator model, exhibits increased dynamical complexity when subjected to non-autonomous and time-varying perturbations such as Poisson stability. In this work, we extended existing stability results by constructing an appropriate Lyapunov function and employing comparison principles to derive sufficient conditions that guarantee the asymptotic convergence of all solutions to the trivial equilibrium. The approach not only addresses the inherent challenges posed by the recurrent and non-periodic nature of Poisson-stable functions but also provides a rigorous framework for analyzing stability in broader classes of nonlinear, non-autonomous systems. The theoretical findings presented here contribute to the understanding of oscillatory behavior in complex dynamical models and have potential implications for engineering and applied sciences where stability under recurrent external influences is critical
Correlation between BSBA Graduates’ Academic Performance and Industry-Required Competencies
Get PDFThis study examined the correlation between the academic performance of BSBA graduates from the University of Nueva Caceres and their competencies as perceived by employers. Utilizing a sample of 113 graduates from Batch 2024, the research aimed to identify how well academic achievements align with the competencies required by industry standards. Data was collected through academic records and employer surveys, with a focus on competencies such as analytical thinking, communication skills, leadership, and problem-solving. The study revealed significant positive correlations between academic performance and competencies like analytical thinking and communication skills. However, gaps were noted in areas such as Innovation and Adaptability. Recommendations include updating the curriculum, enhancing industry collaborations, organising skills workshops, and strengthening internship programs to better align with industry expectations. The findings emphasise the need for continuous adaptation of academic programs to meet evolving market demands and improve graduate employability
WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PARASTATALS IN BAYELSA STATE
Get PDFThis study examined the effect of workforce diversity on employee productivity in Federal Government parastatals in Bayelsa State. A survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 209 staff members across five selected parastatals within the state. The study tested its hypotheses using multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that age, gender, and ethnic diversity had a significant positive relationship with employee productivity in the selected federal parastatals. In contrast, religious and educational diversity showed an insignificant effect on employee productivity. The study concludes that although workforce diversity is a critical factor influencing employee productivity, its impact is contingent upon effective management. Organizations must not only ensure diverse representation but must also foster inclusive work environments where mutual respect, collaboration, and understanding are prioritized. Only then can the potential benefits of diversity be fully realized. Based on these findings, the study recommends that federal parastatals should set up diversity management offices or committees responsible for overseeing inclusion strategies, mediating diversity-related issues, and nurturing a workplace culture that values and leverages differences and also promote Gender Balance in Employment Practices: Recruitment, promotion, and leadership appointments should reflect a commitment to gender equity. Equal representation of men and women in leadership and decision-making roles is essential for inclusive productivity
ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION COSTS DISCLOSURES AND INVESTORS’ BEHAVIOUR IN THE OIL AND GAS FIRMS IN NIGERIA
Get PDFThe disclosure of environmental remediation costs usually sends signal to the stakeholders of how responsible the firm is. This study was therefore conducted to investigate the relationship between disclosure of remediation costs and the behaviour of investors in the capital market. The independent variable of the study was the environmental remediation costs disclosure which was proxied by environmental clean costs disclosure, waste management cost disclosure, environmental safety costs disclosure, community development cost disclosure and pollution control cost disclosure; while the dependent variable was the investor’s behaviour which was proxied by market capitalisation. The population of the study comprised of nine (9) listed oil and gas firms in the Nigerian Exchange Group as at 2023 of which the whole population was used for the study. The study adopted ex post facto research design as data were obtained from published financial statements of the selected firms for the years’ 2014 to 2023 using contents analysis. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics, correlation and regression using SPSS version 10. The results of analysis indicate that environmental clean-up costs disclosure and waste management costs disclosure shows significant positive relationship with market capitalisation while environmental safety costs disclosure and community development cost disclosure show insignificant negative relationship with market capitalisation. It was concluded that the disclosure of remediation costs have significant relationship with investor’s behaviour in the capital market. Arising from the findings and conclusion of the study, it was recommended, amongst others, that oil and gas firms should not only prioritize the restoration of the environment but should also disclose the costs of such restoration in order to project their image to the stakeholders
HEALTHCARE COST NEGOTIATION: A CASE STUDY OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTION
Get PDFIn the realm of healthcare research, adverse events represent significant financial and reputational risks to patients and hospitals. This article examines the complexities of a negotiation between a hospital and a health insurance company in Brazil, regarding a surgical site infection. The study sheds light on challenges and opportunities for cooperation in the cost management associated with adverse events through an examination of the bargaining process. The study highlights the complexities of stakeholder relationships, communication strategies, and contextual factors that influence negotiation outcomes, affecting the dynamics of healthcare negotiation, and influencing policy and decision-making in the Brazilian healthcare system
Selecting and Developing Instrument of Educational Psychology Research in the Context of Higher Institutions in Nigeria
Get PDFEducational Psychology is generally seen as application of psychological principles and theories in educational settings. The paper defined psychological testing as an objective and standardised measure of a sample of behaviour. This paper equally identified various types of psychological tests like intelligence tests, personality tests interest, and attitude achievement tests amongst others. The paper identified validity, standardization, reliability among others as characteristics of Psychological tests. The paper also looked at the uses of psychological test which include, identifying student interest, helping students with adjustment problems, guiding students towards educational and vocational goals, conducting researches, among other. The paper describes instrument development as an activity to create new instruments or develop existing instruments following systematic development procedures. The paper also identified financial and time constraints and government policy amongst others as challenges of psychological tests in Nigeria. The paper recommends that researchers should acquaint themselves with the logic and mathematical framework (such as item analysis) provided by test theories for the purpose of test construction and use