Journals National University of Science and Technology (NUST)
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Estimation of net radiative measurement of meteorological parameters at Iwo, Nigeria in 2018
Get PDFIn this paper, data for about 90 days (3 months) from Universal Serial Bus (USB), wireless weather forecaster touch screen codeN965Y installed at Solar Energy and Research Centre (SERAC), Bowen University, Iwo (7 037′N, 4 011′E ), were used to estimate the net radiation (Rn) of the study location. The analyses of the data were done on a simple empirical relationship using MATLAB code for data plotting, curve fittings and other statistical analysis. The data set showed the trend as bimodal with the peak at about 3.2 × 108Wm−2day−1around 160th day of the year in June, and a prominent minimum of about 2.4 × 108Wm−2day−1 in August, which is at the peak of the wet season. Vis-a-vis, the temperature of maxima 340Cand minima at 270C in June and August. Different ARIMA (1,1,1), (0,1,1), (1,1,0), (1,0,0) and (1,0,1) model used revealed the RMSE 19.780, 36.436, 30.825, 99.682, 98.712, MAPE 0.680, 1.684, 1.262, 3.064, 2.904 and MAE 12.867, 32.166, 24.231, 44.898, 41.945 for the solar radiation estimated with ARIMA (1,1,1) as the best model. Therefore, considering the importance of Rn in weather prediction and climate studies, it is highly recommended by the authors that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria considers and provides funds to the Universities in Nigeria and research centres for their research purpose. More so, it is recommended that during the increase in radiation there should be proper harness of the solar energy for the generation of energy in the city. Since the country is faced with the challenge of energy, the government is hereby encouraged
Evaluation of the microbial quality of water supplies to municipal, mining and squatter communities in the Bindura urban area of Zimbabwe, in relation to incidences of specific enteric diseases
Get PDFA survey of the microbiological and chemical quality of water supplies in the Bindura urban and peri-urban area was carried out over a three year period from January 2000 to July 2003. Bindura is the provincial city of Mashonaland Central, situated 88 km from the national capital, Harare. Large-scale farming and mining activities in the area predispose water bodies to eutrophication and chemical pollutants raising concerns about the safety of local water supplies. In this study, thermotolerant (faecal) coliform levels, total aerobic bacterial counts and physicochemical profiles were determined for municipal and borehole water as well as water supplies to mining and squatter communities. Although municipal and mining compound water supplies were of satisfactory microbial and chemical quality, borehole water supplies showed a seasonal fluctuation with higher coliform counts in the wet season from November to March. Stream water supplies to a squatter camp in the peri-urban area consistently recorded coliform levels greater than 1800 per 100 ml and total aerobic plate counts of up to 2.8 x 10⁶ cfu/ml. All cholera incidents recorded in 1999 and 2000 at the Provincial hospital were from peri-urban settlements and surrounding commercial farms while 1045 to 2 632 cases of Dysentery were also reported each year at the Provincial Hospital during the period 1997-2002
Quality assessment of some selected canned foods and energy drinks for human consumption by the determination of tin levels analysed by spectrophotometry technique using mixed surfactants
Get PDFThe qualities of some selected canned foods and energy drinks for human consumption were investigated by the determinationof tin levels in the samples. Forty five replicates of nine different types of canned foods and energy drinks; meat (beef), fish intomato sauce, fish in vegetable oil, tomato paste, baked beans, infant food (cereal), infant milk and energy drinks (malt and redgrape) were used in the study. The levels of tin in these samples were analysed by spectrophotometry technique using mixedsurfactants of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, nonylphenoxyPolyethoxyethanol with bromopyrogallol red as chromogenicreagent. The Sn(IV) levels were within the range of 65.9±0.47 to 460.5±6.12 mg/kg. Repeatability as coefficient of variationranged from 0.36 – 1.62% depending on food evaluated. The recovery rates obtained by standard addition method were between87.3 to 134.35% and averaged 110.8%. Statistical analysis using analysis of variance shows significant difference in means oftin levels at 95% confidence level. The results of the study show that the tin levels in most of the samples (67%) are within thesafe limit for canned foods and energy drinks 250 and 150 mg/kg respectively as allowed by World Health Organisation, yet thereis the need to monitor the levels of tin in canned foods and energy drinks from time to time by relevant agencies to ensure thequality and safety of these products for human consumption. 
Sweat management strategies in sportswear in Zimbabwe: A case study of Bulawayo
Get PDFThe wide spread accessibility of information enhances knowledge about sports and sweat management strategies thuscreating awareness to athlete’s need for comfort of their garments in Zimbabwe. In the quest to improve the comfort ofathletes’ sportswear, new fibres, spinning, weaving or knitting parameters, fabric density, thickness and weight; coloration, finish, garment fit and make-up techniques are emerging to satisfy the comfort expectations by athletes. This paper discusses efforts made to assess the need for sportswear comfort for athletes in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The exploratory case study, adopted quantitative paradigm and employed questionnaires as primary data collection tools. A purposive sample resulted in identifying three objects of study, viz, Company X, athletes, and sports scientist. Methods used in this research are Sweat Management Tests to characterize fabric Sweat Management Properties: Wicking Test, Drop Tests, Drying Time and Diffusion Ability. Performance of local sportswear manufactured by Company X was compared to Company Y, an international reputable sportswear manufacturer who implements highly rated sweat management strategies. Results showed local sportswear had inadequate sweat management strategies; thus there is need to increase moisture absorption properties and maintain optimum heat / temperature control in sports fabrics in Zimbabwe. 
Toxicity Potential of the Emitted Aerosols from Open Burning of Scrap Tyres
Get PDFOpen Burning of Scrap Tyres (OBST) has been identified as a key source of air pollutants. However, OBST has been widely and indiscriminately practiced in Nigerian communities with less attention to its environmental impacts. Aerosols of diameter less than 10 μm (PM2.5 and PM10) emitted from OBST were considered. In this study, twenty (20) types of tyre representing five from each of bicycle, motorcycle, car and truck category were investigated. The mass concentration of the aerosols was measured using GT 331 Aerosol Mass Monitor. The most breached limits are ASHRAE and WHO limits of 50 µg/m 3 for PM10 where 3 motorcycle, car and truck tyre samples have the TP values above unity. The least breached is NAAQS standard for PM2.5. An assessment of the toxicity potential levels of these aerosols establishes that OBST may have adverse effects on human health and environment
Multi-herbicidal effects of Lanta camara extracts on Eleucine indica and Amaranthus hybridus: implications to weed control in organic gardens
Get PDFLantana camara has been reported to cause allelopathy on a number of plants and therefore can be exploited in weed management without adversely affecting the environment. Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were carried out to determine the allelopathic effects of L camara extracts and mulch on the germination and early growth of Amaranthus hybridus and Eleucine indica. Results indicated that both weeds were reduced in their germination by both the L camara extracts and biomass. The results indicate that L camara leaves can be incoporated into organic gardens and suppresses the growth of weeds. Therefore in mulch based systems, L camara can be used to ecologically manage the two weeds
Impact of solar activity on weather patterns in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Get PDFSolar activity is one of the factors influencing climate change. In this study we use time series analysis and spectralanalysis techniques to analyse the possible effect of solar activity on local climate in Bulawayo. The results show that,since 1898, periods of high sunspot numbers have been followed by periods of lower rainfall and higher temperaturesand vice versa. 
Production and evaluation of optimum values of some dietary amino acids of roasted African breadfruit seeds as an alternate source of protein
Get PDFThis study aimed to identify the effect of roasting variable combinations of roasting temperature, time at 500g feed quantity that would yield the optimum of some essential dietary amino acids from roasted African breadfruit seeds. African breadfruit seeds wereexperimental roasting using predetermined variable values of temperature (120, 140, 160, 180, 200 centigrade) at 40 min and Feedmass of 500 g. The essential amino acids content of African bread fruit seed flour of different treatment condition were determinedusing Technicon sequential multi-sample acid analysis. Results showed that both raw and processed flour contained the same typesof amino-acids. Analysis of of results showed that Roasting temperature had significant (p < 0.05) effect on amino acids ofsamples.Lysine, leucine, methionine and phenylalanine showed high heat sensitivity with values significantly (p<0.05)different fromamino-acid values of control. The lowest values of essential amino-acids evaluated were recorded at 2000C, Leucine and valineprofiles of the processed flour were similar. Optimum contents of the eight Essential amino-acids of processed flour of Africanbreadfruit seeds was observed at process variable combination of 1400C and 40min for roasting temperature and time respectively. Using these process variables condition will ensure optimum harnessing of essential amino acids from African breadfruit seeds. Results of this study point to African breadfruit seed flour is a good dietary supplement for alleviating hunger and malnutritionamong a deprived population. 
An analysis of physico-chemical parameters of effluent from a gold mine processing plant: an environmental pollution indicator
Get PDFThere has been notable pollution impact on tailings dams and surrounding areas at gold mines in. Zimbabwe. Nevertheless,there is little information on the levels of pollution and the prescription of the correct environmental remediation techniques. Thisstudy aimed to investigate the physico-chemical properties of effluent water from gold mine operations. The level of physicochemical properties is an indicator of the level of pollutants contained in the effluent water. Pulp and water samples werecollected from a gold mine’s active slimes dam and its surroundings. Physico-chemical parameters examined on water samplescomprised; electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand(COD) and turbidity. It was noted with concern that three sites had electrical conductivity (EC) values in the red band of EMAlimits; the process effluent (6010µS/cm), see-page water (5810µS/cm) and down-stream water (5030 µS/cm). Total dissolvedsolids (TDS) in process effluent (4250mg/L), seepage water (4060mg/L) and down-stream water (3440mg/L) are in the redband of the local environmental management agency (EMA) standards. Additionally, process effluent pH was at 13.69, whichis too high and falls in the red band of EMA standards. However, COD levels were within the required limits in most of the watersamples. pollution, physico-chemical parameters, tailings dam, environmental pollutant
Methodologies for Mechatronic Systems Design: Attributes and Popularity: Mechatronics,V-model, VDI 2206, RFLP Method, Hierarchal Design Method.
No full textThe number of connected elements in engineering are greatly increasing with problems getting harder, broader, and deeper. These problems are multidisciplinary thus require an engineering systems approach which is multidisciplinary in nature to solve them. Such modern multidisciplinary systems are called mechatronics systems. The V-model, its variants and the hierarchical design method has brought about a number of benefits in the design of complex mechatronic systems and also provide an effective way of presenting macro level and micro level collaboration. This paper seeks to evaluate and expose the level of adoption of these methodologies as used in the design of mechatronic systems. A review of the VDI 2206, RFLP method and the hierarchal design method was carried out. Google scholar was then used to identify publications within the custom range of period 2003 to 2016, where the methods were adopted. An evaluation of the pros and cons of each method was then carried out in addition to an analysis of the publications. A statistical presentation of publications where these methods were applied was then presented. Possible reasons were outlined and explained for the observed trends. In conclusion, a methodology is recommendation that can be best suited in solving some of the current design challenges