Afe Babalola University Based Journals
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Design and Fabrication of a Bicycle Sprayer
Get PDFThe bicycle sprayer designed for crop spraying is a pragmatic and environmentally friendly choice for small-scale farmers, providing both effectiveness and long-term viability. Engineered to be attached on a regular bicycle, this device enables farmers to easily traverse fields and agricultural area with minimal physical effort. The sprayer features a 20-liter tank, suitable for small-scale farms, equipped with a slide-crank pumping system and a precision nozzle assembly to ensure efficient spraying. Made from lightweight and sturdy materials, it is both cost-efficient and highly portable. The rear wheel's rotation is converted into translation motion of the rod and pump by the use of a slider-crank reciprocating mechanism. The bicycle sprayer doubles as a mode of transportation for farmers or users traveling to and from the farm, enhancing its utility. The bicycle sprayer provides an environmentally-friendly option for small-scale farmers, enhancing crop productivity and minimizing the risks associated with liquid chemicals for farmers or operators. Based on the performance outcome, the recently created sprayer is capable of covering an area of one hectare in one hour. It demonstrates improved spray consistency and achieves a 75% efficiency rate, as confirmed through a sequence of tests conducted on specific farms
Efficient Energy Management System using Honey Badger Algorithm for Smart Agriculture
Get PDFToday, optimization is crucial to solving energy crises, especially in smart homes. However, the optimization-based methods for energy management in smart agriculture available globally need further improvement, which motivates this study. To resolve the problem, an efficient scheduling farm energy management system is required. Therefore, this study proposes a Farm Energy Management System (FEMS) for smart agriculture by adopting a honey-badger optimization algorithm. In the proposed system, a multi-objective optimization problem is formulated to find the best solutions for achieving the set of objectives, such as electricity cost, load minimization and peak-to-average ratio minimization, while considering the farmers' comfort. The proposed system considers commercialized agriculture with the integration of Renewable Energy Resources (RES). Also, the proposed system minimizes both load consumption and electricity costs via the scheduling of farm appliances in response to Real-Time Pricing (RTP) and Time-of-Use (ToU) pricing schemes in the electricity market. Extensive experiments are carried out in MATLAB 2018A to determine the efficacy of the proposed system. The proposed FEMS consists of sixteen farm appliances with their respective power ratings, inclusive of RES. The simulation results showed that a system without FEMS has a high electricity cost of 50.69% as compared to 43.04% for FEMS without RES and 6.27% for FEMS with RES when considering the ToU market price. For RTP market price, a system without FEMS has an electricity cost of 42.30%, as compared to 30.64% for FEMS without RES and 27.24% for FEMS with RES. Besides, the maximum load consumption for a system without FEMS is 246.80 kW, as compared to 151.40 kW for FEMS without RES and 18.85 kW for FEMS with RES when considering the ToU market price. Also, for the RTP market price, the maximum load consumption for a system without FEMS is 246.80 kW, as compared to 186.40 kW for FEMS without RES and 90.68 kW for FEMS with RES. The significance of the study is to propose a conceptualized FEMS based on the honey badger optimization algorithm. The proposed system provides scheduling of farm appliances that alleviates the burden of the electricity grid and is cost-effective for large and small-scale farmers
CONSUMER’S ACCEPTABILITY OF YOGHURT STABILIZED WITH PUMPKIN (Curcubita pepo L.) STARCH
No full textThis research was carried out to determine the possibility of adding pumpkin starch to yoghurt production to improve its physical and sensory properties. Pumpkin yoghurt was made with pumpkin starch at 0% and 1% inclusion, while commercial yoghurt was used as a control and was evaluated by thirty (30) untrained panelists on taste, aroma, consistency, appearance, sourness, and overall acceptability. The results showed significant (p<0.05) differences in the physical parameters of the pumpkin starch yoghurt. The viscosity (3.98), pH (4.90-5.66) and total titratable acidity (0.74%) were observed to be significantly higher in yoghurt with pumpkin starch compared to the control. The syneresis reduced with an increase in pumpkin starch from 3.95-4.70 g/100g on day 0 and increased to 4.80-5.28 g/100g on day 14. There was no significant difference in the consistency of the commercial yoghurt (PYO) and 1% Pumpkin starch yoghurt (PY1) in the overall acceptance score. This study revealed that adding 1% pumpkin starch produces better preference among panelists in appearance, colour, and texture
On Decolonising Artificial Intelligence
Get PDFLogic and probability as branches of Mathematics and aspects of Philosophy, underlie and play significant roles in the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In its simplest form, logic concerns right reasoning (especially one devoid of fallacies), patent truth and inferences. Probability has to do with uncertainties, that is, the likelihood of an event happening. The divide between traditional AI and modern AI regarding what roles logic and probability play in the development of AI has been mitigated with the notion that both are complementary without displacing the other. While the birth of AI as a field is usually linked to the 1956 conference with figures involving Marvin Minsky and John McCarthy, there are traces of what we refer to as robots, automatons and computations which form the foundation of AI in some non-Western philosophies. To this end, this paper chronicles the emergence of AI in non-Western philosophies, especially in African philosophy and then uses the Yoruba's 'ifá' to exemplify the idea of decolonising Al, not forgetting that the basis of ifá itself is logic and, sometimes, probability
Business Studies in Secondary Schools: Exploring the Teaching and Learning Strategies in Oyo State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe aim of this research was to investigate the teaching methods used by teachers to effectively teach business principles to high school students in the Oke-ogun region of Oyo State, Nigeria. The study includes all the teachers and students in the secondary schools of Oyo State, Nigeria. According to the Post Primary School Management Board (PPSMB), there are 342 secondary schools in Oyo State for the 2023/2024 academic session. The research was conducted in the Oke-ogun region of Oyo State, Nigeria, which comprises 10 local government areas. The researchers purposefully chose 2 pilot schools from each local government, making a total of 20 secondary schools. The JSS 3 students were the target respondents. The study used a well-structured questionnaire and a simple random sampling technique to draw a sample size of 400 (20 students per school). The data collection instrument used was the “Business Studies in Secondary Schools: Exploring the Teaching and Learning Strategies in Oyo State, Nigeria Questionnaire.” The research questions were analyzed using Mean and Standard Deviation. It was found out in the study that the students had not been introduced to the innovative and effective methods mentioned in this research. The teachers were less familiar with strategies like experiential learning, financial literacy, cooperative learning, and integration of soft skills, as indicated in this study, and as a result, these strategies were not in use. Teachers of business studies in Oyo State secondary schools should be provided with more effective contemporary teaching strategies through regular conferences, workshops, seminars, lectures, and symposia, among others to ensure effective service deliver
Voters Apathy During Students’ Union Elections: Implication for Social Studies and Political Science Students
Get PDFThe study assesses the implications of voter apathy during students’ union elections on Social Studies and Political Science Students. The study assesses the levels of student voter apathy; examine reasons for voter apathy and influence of Social Studies and Political Science on students’ political participation in the student union election. Three (3) research questions were raised and answered in the study. The study adopted descriptive research design. The target population of the study consists of all the Social Studies and Political Science of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State. Six hundred and twenty (620) students were selected for the study, using purposive and stratified random sampling techniques. A self-designed questionnaire tagged “Students and Voting Apathy Questionnaire” (SVAQ) was used to obtain information from the respondents. The data were analysed using descriptive analysis of frequency, percentage mean and standard deviation. The findings show that voter apathy among social studies and political science students during students’ union elections is unabated; popular students' inclination that voting during a students’ union election is a voluntary exercise; students have negative perceptions about candidates fulfilling their electoral promises; and Social Studies and Political Science have an influence on students' active participation and voting during student unions’ election. The study recommended that voting during students’ union election should be made compulsory for the students of Social Studies and Political Science and that management of higher institutions of learning must adopt e-voting to de-radicalise students’ elections and enhance active participation of students’ confidence of students in voting during student union elections
Coronavirus Disease-2019: A Threat to Global Peace and Security
Get PDFThe outbreak of the “Coronavirus disease 2019” on a worldwide basis has brought about an unprecedented threat to the already fragile global peace and security position. The epidemic has had catastrophic social, economic, and political consequences on a global scale. The global pandemic which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019 has become a source of serious international debate, a humanitarian crisis of fearsome proportions, and sparked conflict among the world's major powers. It is against this background and perturbing development that this paper interrogates the implications of Coronavirus disease 2019 as a threat to global peace and security. Thus, the fulcrum of the ensuing discourse is anchored on the examination of the post-Covid-19 outbreak humanitarian crisis, surge in domestic violence in lockdown periods the world over, the imminent world economic recession, food insecurity, revival of xenophobia related violence and the ignition of geopolitical conflict mainly among the world's major economic and political powers. The paper was based on the qualitative research paradigm, as it sought to probe deep into contemporary issues around the novel Covid-19 pandemic. The paper found out that Covid-19 is a serious threat to global peace and security and has also perpetuated a global humanitarian crisis, gender-based, economic recession violence, and xenophobia. Based on the salient findings and major conclusions reached the paper ends by proffering recommendations tailored to promote global peace and security in the aftermath of the Covid-19 outbreak
Application of Aspen Plus to Modelling and Simulation of Neem Seed Oil Extraction
Get PDFThe demand for neem oil keeps on increasing due to its wide applications in pharmaceutical, agro–allied industries, cosmetics and soap production. To avoid wastage of material and safety of operation and personnel, the designed plant must be simulated to predict its performance before actual construction. The property method based on the non–random two–liquid (NRTL) model of Aspen Plus V12 was used to simulate the designed plant and its predicted performances were 87.13% and 99.60% for quantity of neem oil to be obtained from the evaporator and quantity of solvent (ethanol) recovery from the condenser as against 85.93% and 94.93% of the practical result with 1.38% and 4.69% errors respectively. The extracted oil has iodine, acid and saponification values of 60.10 g I2/100 g, 4.2 mg KOH/g and 210.0 mg KOH/g respectively. The fatty acid compositions of oil are oleic acid, 46.61%; stearic acid, 11.83%; palmitic acid, 16.54%; 11 – octadecenoic acid, 3.58%; cis–vaccenic acid, 5.90%; cyclopropaneoctanal, 11.19%; squalene, 0.21% and trimethylsilyl–di(timethylsiloxy)-silane, 4.14%. Based on the quality and fatty acid composition of the extracted neem oil, it is highly recommended for cosmetics and soap production
UTILIZING CONTEMPORARY MEDIA TO CURB RAPE ISSUES IN NIGERIA
Get PDFRape is a form of sexual violence against the male or female gender. Reports abound on the issue of rape in Nigeria. Some factors such as uncensored exposure to content on the internet such as Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, have been identified as helping to sustain the culture of rape in society. Nevertheless, this paper argues that despite posing a series of social challenges such as being veritable platforms for exposure to pornography and other anti-social behaviours, contemporary media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok, still present viable platforms for reducing issues of rape in Nigeria. The penetrative influence of contemporary media among citizens makes it a possible platform for advocacy campaigns against rape. Using secondary sources of data, the paper seeks to determine how the identified platforms can conversely be used to achieve the goal of reducing incidences of rape in Nigeria. Employing the Agenda Setting Theory, the paper suggests how contemporary media can be leveraged to reduce rape issues while providing victims of rape the needed succor. The paper concludes that efforts to reduce rape issues in Nigeria must be intentional and approached through a well-fashioned contemporary media strategy
Microbial Assessment of Spoilt Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum Linn) Being Sold in Some Markets in Ondo City, Nigeria
Get PDFTomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum Linn) are one of the most consumed fruits in Nigeria and the world at large but they are highly susceptible to microbial spoilage. Consumption of these spoilt tomatoes could increase the risk of food poisoning and also cause serious health issues which are of public health concern. This study was therefore designed to investigate the bacteria and fungi associated with spoilt tomatoes being sold in some selected markets in Ondo city. Different media (Nutrient, MacConkey, Mannitol Salt, Salmonella –Shigella, Eosin Methylene Blue, Sorbitol MacConkey and Potato Dextrose agar) were used for the determination of the total viable bacterial and fungal counts from the samples collected from Odoshida, Adeyemi and Iyalaje markets in Ondo using the pour plate technique. The isolates obtained after subculturing were characterized based on their cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The total bacterial count ranged from 1.25 ×108 to 8.06 ×108cfu/mL while the total fungal count ranged from 2.75 ×105 to 5.65 ×106 cfu/mL. The identified bacteria obtained were Staphylococcus species, Proteus species, Salmonella species, Pseudomonas species, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Shigella species, Enterobacter species and Bacillus species, while the fungi were Alternaria species, Penicillium species, Aspergillus species, and Rhizopus species. This study has shown that all the isolates obtained from the selected samples are of public health concerns because of their pathogenic and toxigenic nature; an indication that spoilt tomatoes ordinarily should not be consumed or consumed with utmost caution