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NUMERICAL ESTIMATES OF DAILY ENERGY REQUIREMENT AND DAILY CALORIES EXPENDED BY AKUNZA COMMUNITY SCHOOL CHILDREN
Get PDFA research study was carried out using numerical techniques to establish the pattern of daily Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) and Calories Expended (CE) by school children in Akunza community of Lafia in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Using factors such as age, height, weight, activity level and genetic make-up, the EER and CE per day vary from person to person. In this study, these two variables are estimated for each selected pupil with the use of equations developed by Institute of Medical Equation. The resulting numerical valuesare thereafter interpolated with the use of Lagrange interpolation technique which yielded a set of equations governing the pattern of flow of these variables among the school children in Akunza community. A total of 60 pupils were randomly selected for this study and factors that affect their daily energy expended were measured with specialized instruments (meter rule, digital weighing scale and activity level scale). For the purpose of fast and cost effective assessment of EER and calories burned by each pupil, the set of equations arrived at are inculcated into a computing template. This in essence can be used in estimating energy requirement and calories burned by any member of this population, without subjecting such to any test 
The HARMONIC RESPONSE OF EULER-BERNOULLI BEAM SUBJECTED TO MOVING FORCE
Get PDFThis paper investigates the dynamic response of Euler-Bernoulli Beam subjected to Harmonic moving force. The governing partial differential equation of order four was reduced to a second order ordinary differential equation by normalizing the governing equation. The reduced second order equation was solved using finite difference method. The deflection for various parameters of the beam was considered for both damped and undamped beam. It was observed that there was an increase in the response amplitude of the beam as the constant speed of the beam, amplitude of the harmonic force increases but decreases as circular frequency ofthe harmonic force increases. It was also found that the response amplitude of the undamped beam is greater than the response amplitude of the damped beam. Hence, the damping effect is of significant importance when considering the deflection of the beam subjected to harmonic moving force 
Isolation and Optimization of Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria from Maize Rhizosphere in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Get PDFPhosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are a type of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria which has the ability to convert insoluble phosphate into plant available forms. They are used as biofertilizers to restore soil health and fertility. In the present investigation, isolation, characterization and optimization of phosphate solubilizing activity of these microbes at different pH, temperature and carbon source was carried out. Eight phosphorus solubilizing rhizospheric bacteria (PSRB) isolates isolates were recovered from different farms in six local government from maize rhizosphere using the spread plate method on Pikovskaya agar. Amongst these eight isolates, five were recovered from Lafia local government while three were recovered from Kokona local government with the development of a prominent halozone. All isolates were morphologically characterised, amplified, and sequenced for taxonomic identification using 16S primers. The results indicated they belong to member of the genus Acinetobacter, Ochrobactrum, Brucella, Curtobacterium, Leifsonia and Microbacterium respectively. These strains when grown at different conditions of external carbon sources, temperature and pH showed highest phosphorus solubilizations of 326.23 µg/ml ± 0.21 at 30 °C, 325.50µg/ml ± 1.13 at a pH of 7 and 320.30µg/ml ± 0.36 with glucose as carbon source. The results from these findings could indicate the use of these isolate as trial biofertilizers on the field which will help improve crop yield and enhance plant growth promotio
AN ASSESSMENT OF EARTHWORM POPULATIONAND SOIL FACTORS IN AMURUM FOREST RESERVE OF JOS, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA
Get PDFThis study examined and compared the properties of soil inside and outside the Amurum Forest Reserve in Jos, Nigeria. Earthworms and soil samples were collected from 300 randomly laid 1x1m quadrats. Soils were analyzed for total nitrogen, available phosphorous and soil organic matter. Soil moisture retention capacity and pH were also measured. Other variables measured included percentage litter cover, and percentage grass cover. Earthworm abundance did not significantly differ between the reserve and outside the reserve. Available phosphorous and organic matter contents were significantly higher outside the reserve than inside the reserve. Percentage litter cover and percentage grass cover related positively with earthworm occurrence and abundance. Earth worm occurrence significantly related to litter cover. The earthworms sampled in this study were epigeic species which live in the litter and top soil. The significantly higher available phosphorous and organic matter contents in the surrounding areas of the reserve as compared to the reserve could be attributed to the grazing activities in the surrounding areas of the reserve. Protected areas as well as unprotected areas are important for the conservation of biodiversit
MICROSPORA INFILTRATION OF GASTROINTESTINAL EPITHELIUM AMONG HIV/AIDS PATIENTS IN KEFFI, NIGERIA
Get PDFThe infiltration of Microsporidium species in HIV/AIDS patients was subjected to parasitological examination of stool specimens at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi. Of the total number 200/93 (46.50%) were positive for Microsporidium species. Giemsa method was used and High infection rate was observed in both sexes (50.00%) and Civil servants (50.00%) were most vulnerable to microsporidium infection. The species, Enterocyto zoonbieneusi and Encephalito zoonintestinalis (21.50%) got infiltrated in the gastrointestinalepithelium of of HIV/AIDS patients with a significant association of microsporidium and HIV virus (χ2 = 3.288 < 7.815, df = 3). However, diarrhoea was frequent in the ages of 21 and 40 years (3 – 10 times bowel/ day). This condition was considered a significant cause of death and accelerates the patient’s illness with dehydration and emaciation seen among patients. This calls for strict hygienic conditions to avoid infection with microsporidia spores contaminated in water or foo
AUTO-PURIFICATION RESPONSE OF ONA RIVER, IBADAN TO INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC EFFLUENT DISCHARGE
Get PDFThis research study investigated the self purification capacity of Ona River due to wastewater effluent discharge from manufacturing industries and households in Oluyole area, Oyo state, Ibadan. Nigeria. Water samples were collected and flow rates measured at a length of 950 m along the river and depth of between 0.6 – 1.2 m. Twenty sampling stations were used (S1-S20) at 50 m intervals. Physico-chemical parameters (Chemical Oxygen Denab (COD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Total Soluble Solids (TSS), Total solids (TS),Exchangeable cations (EC), and pH) were determined using standard procedures. Discharge was measured using current meter and measuring tape. Time of travel of river, de-oxygenation and re-aeration constants per day of river Ona were also calculated. Results showed maximum and minimum discharge of 15.43 and 2.57m3/s respectively along the stream. Upstream and point of wastewater discharge had BOD and DO values of 33.0, 7.31 and 914.0, 4.21 mg/L respectivel
In- Vitro Studies on the Nematicidal Potential of Extracts of Seeds of Some Members of Family- Fabaceae in Jos
Get PDFIn-vitro nematicidal potentials of varying concentrations of extracts from seeds of three leguminous plants i.e. Erythrina senegalensis, Leucaena leucocephala and Senna siamea were investigated in juvenile mortality of the second stage larva of Meloidogyne species at the botanical nursery of the University of Jos, between the months of March and April, 2010. The nematodes were extracted from galled roots of tomato obtained from four different farms in Jos, while seeds of the legumes were collected dry from The University of Jos andenvirons. Nematicidal test was carried out with different concentrations of the extract (40g/ml, 60g/ml, 80g/ml; 100g/ml) while distilled water served as control. All the treatments were repeated three times. Live nematodes were counted every twenty-four (24) hours for six (6) days. Phytochemical screening of the seed extracts was also carried out. The results revealed that all the seeds used had nematicidal properties but to varying degrees. Erythrina senegalensis exhibited the highest nematicidal activity while Leucaena leucocephala recorded the least
Wind Speed Characteristics and Energy Potentials in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Get PDFRenewable energy, specifically wind power, is vital for reducing fossil fuel dependency, greenhouse gas emissions, and improving energy security. With advancements in technology, wind energy has become cost-effective and competitive. Wind energy research in Lafia is essential to developing solutions in harnessing its potential as a significant renewable energy source for Nigeria, which has abundant but untapped wind energy resources. This study investigates the wind energy potential in Lafia, Nasarawa State, using daily averaged wind speed data from MERRA-2 measured at 2, 10, and 50-metre altitudes. The Weibull distribution function was applied to determine Lafia\u27s wind energy potential, and the outcomes revealed that the highest yield for wind harvest occurred during the peak of the dry season in February, while the lowest yield for wind harvest occurred during the beginning of the dry season in October. Moreover, the monthly mean power densities peaked in February, 2001 at 341.87 W/m2 (class 3: 300 < PD ≤ 399), indicating moderate potential, and in January, 2002 at 454.12 W/m2 (class 4: 400 < PD ≤ 499), indicating good potential. However, the peak monthly mean power densities in December, 2003 and February, 2004 were poor and marginal, respectively, according to the Wind Resource Potential (WRP) classification. Furthermore, at 50 metres altitude, the recorded wind speeds were above the recommended minimum (3.00 – 4.00 m/s) for most wind turbines to start producing electricity. The findings indicate significant wind resource potential at high altitudes (50 metres) in Lafia, which suggests great potential for wind energy generation
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF DRY SEASON VEGETABLE FARMING AMONG WOMEN IN MAKURDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
Get PDFThe study assessed dry season vegetable farming among women in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State. A total sample size of 60 dry season vegetable farmers was used for the study. Information for the study was collected using a well-structured questionnaire administered within four weeks to the respondents. Simple descriptive statistics (such as frequency counts, means and percentages), multiple regression and gross margin analysis were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that majority (70.0 %) of the women engaged in dry season vegetable farming were within the age bracket of 31-40 and 71.1% were literate 
MULTI-LAYER PERCEPTRON NEURAL NETWORK UHF FIELD STRENGTH PREDICTION MODEL FOR MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS
Get PDFThis paper investigates the application of a Multi-layer Perceptron Neural Network (MLP-NN) based model for field strength prediction across the Maiduguri metropolis at an operating frequency of 1800MHz. Received power values obtained from multiple Base Transceiver Stations situated within the city were used to train, validate and test the MLP-NN for ability to generalize. Results indicate that the MLP-NN model with a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) value of 5.29dB offers an improvement over the COST 231 Walfisch-Ikegami model, which has an RMSE value of 7.95d