Soursop seed is an economically important oil seed which contains 34.26% oil useful as feed stock for food and many industrial applications. This research study focused on optimization of oil expression process conditions from soursop seed oil using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). From the design software employed, 30 experimental runs were conducted to determine the effect of process variables and the reciprocal reaction on oil yield. A quadratic polynomial and the ANOVA test showed the model to be remarkably significant (p0.05). The highest oil yield of 29.42% was obtained when soursop seeds were conditioned to a moisture content of 15% wet basis, heated at 80oC for 25 mins at a pressing time of 6 mins. Predicted optimum oil yield of 29.38% at moisture content of 16.52% wet basis, temperature of 82.56oC, duration of 22.35 mins and pressing time of 6.57 mins was obtained. Under these optimal conditions.........

Keywords - Soursop (Annonamauricata); Oil yield;Optimization; Processing conditions.

Modern refrigeration systems use different automation systems to reduce the temperature in medical applications such as storage of drugs and blood, storage and transport of perishable foods. Industrial cold rooms which are used to cool the products are the devices that can control compressor and defrost thanks to the developed control panels. With the electronic control panel developed, it includes many features such as remote access, voltage - current control, intelligent error management, intelligent defrost control system, error recording, status recording. In this study, the electronic card and the automation system software for the cooling cycle of the cold room systems have been developed. In this system, intelligent fault detection is performed in order to provide optimum control of energy in a high performance way and thus, it is aimed to reduce operating costs.

Keywords - Cold Room, Defrost, Microcontroller.

The least-cost maintenance model was derived and applied to water boreholes in south-eastern states of Nigeria in order to determine optimal frequency of maintenance. Comparative analysis of the cost of the existing maintenance strategy and optimum maintenance policy was made. Optimization results showed that in Enugu, Anambra, Imo and Abia states, optimal preventive maintenance frequencies of 4, 4, 5 and 6times per year; 9, 10, 10 and 12 per year; and 12, 19, 16 and 17 per year respectively for water boreholes pumping once, twice and thrice in each of the states. Savings in cost of $ 42757.02;$209965.51; $33020.72; $59776.74 for water boreholes pumping once;$44056.46; $145760.21; $ 154929.56; $95402.73 for pumping twice and $816.2611; $95713.3; $548596; $399735.14 for pumping thrice respectively were achieved for each state when the model was compared with the current maintenance policy. This model would be useful to borehole operators in the evaluation of water borehole projects especially in south-eastern states of Nigeria.

Keywords - least-cost maintenance, water borehole, pumping, model.

The freedom to formulate one's own judgment within a highly innovative society can render one incapable of accepting new technological developments. Seemingly benefiting from the backbone solidity of a coherent technological society, the conventions created by people to accept objects and values may render them in a difficult position when it comes to novelty in information systems and technology. Measuring the role of technology acceptance model (TAM) was built upon an ample literature review that resulted into content analysis of the prominent technology acceptance theories. The data collected through literature review further expanded our research into a qualitative analysis that was conducted using the model built around the TAM theories. We shared and treasured through an NVivo analysis the experience and attitudes of participants directly involved in the implementation of information systems: Technical Consultant, Product Manager and Business Analyst.

Keywords - TechnologyAcceptance Model, IT/IS Implementation Success, IT/IS Adoption.

Bitter leaf (Vernoniaamygdalina)plantis a shrub or small tree that grows throughout tropical Africa. It beenknown for the maintenance of health and treatment of various diseases. However,the aim of this study is to determine the effect of Vernoniaamygdalinaleaf on the growth performance, serum indices and sperm quality of juvenile African catfish (Clariasgariepinus). Five isonitrogenous diets(35%CP) were formulated with different inclusion levels of Bitter leaf meal such that diet1 -D1 (control) has 0%, while D2, D3, D4 and D5 has 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% respectively. A total of Fifty (50) healthy male juvenile Clarias gariepinus were randomly distributed into plastic tanks (150L) at stocking rate of five (5) fish per tank and replicated twice. The fish were fed 3% of their body weight twice daily at 8:00am and 4:00pm for a period of 70 days......

Keywords - Clarias gariepinus, Growth performance, serum, Sperm quality.

An investigation of the heavy metal levels in Tympanotonus fuscastus var radula sold in markets in Nasarawa State Nigeria was carried out.Tympanotonus fuscatus var. radula were bought from three sale locations in Keffi, Masaka and Orange markets and quantitative analysis of heavy metals was done using theAtomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Theheavy metal analysis showed that heavy metal levels in the raw samples varied from 29.10–69.00mg/kg, 0.02–0.17mg/kg, 12.09–29.89mg/kg, below detection to 0.04mg/kg, 0.20– 0.50mg/kg for nickel, cobalt, copper, chromium and lead respectively. Heavy metal levels in the boiled samples also varied from 18.40– 35.00mg/kg, 0.02–1.34mg/kg, 10.00–28.89mg/kg, below detection to 0.02 and 0.10– 1.18mg/kg for nickel, cobalt, zinc, copper, chromium and lead respectively.There was no significant difference in the heavy metal values obtained from.....

Keywords - Heavy metals, periwinkles, spectrophotometry, market, Nigeria.

An experiment entitled "Studies on role of honey bees as a pollinator in seed production of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)" was conducted at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, during Rabi 2016. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments and three replications with view to find out the effect of bee attractants on foraging activities of European bees in bitter gourd. The bee attractants were sprayed two times, first at 10 percent flowering and second at 50 percent flowering. The results from the foraging activity of bees noted that the intensity of Apismelliferawas increased on 1 day after spraying and it reduced as gone towards 7 days after spray. Spraying of bee attractants i.e. honey solution 10 percent, jaggery solution 10 percent and molasses 10 percent attracted the maximum number ofApismellifera up to 5thday after first spray and 7thday after second spray.

Keywords - Bitter gourd, bee attractants, honey solution 10 %, jaggary solution 10%, molasses solution 10 %,Apismellifera.

Shelterbelts are usual approaches employ for the control and management of degradation by wind erosive action in many places particularly, arid and semi-arid areas. Babura and Doko are prone areas located in Jigawa state Nigeria. The shelterbelts in this area were established in 1983. After almost 30 years, this study assessed the efficiency of the shelterbelts. Wind measurements using (AM 4812) for horizontal and vertical wind speeds were carried out during two periods. The result showed that the maximum horizontal and vertical wind speed at Babura was 20.5ms-1 and 10.4ms-1 respectively, while the minimum of both two were 1.1ms-1. At Doko the maximum wind speed were 4.1ms-1 for the horizontal direction and 2.3ms-1 for the vertical direction. While the minimum reading were 1.6ms-1 and 0.6ms-1 respectively. The differences in the wind speeds results between Babura and Doko is due to a number of factors. Babura is at extreme end and shares border Niger Republic where the wind effect is very strong. Doko is relatively far away from this active wind area. The extremely lower value of the vertical wind at Babura was as a result of gaps in the rows of plant trees stands in the shelterbelts. The trees were mostly removed while some were destroy by pest and diseases.

Keywords - ...........

The aim of this study is to assess the nature of factors responsible for high cost of labour of construction projects in Uyo, Nigeria. The objectives of the study include identifying the factors responsible for high cost of labour of construction projects and determining the significance of the factors from stakeholders' perspective. A field survey of 57 consultants, 44 contractors and 37 labour operatives is conducted with the aid of structured questionnaire. Data are analysed using mean score, one-way analysis of variance at 0.05 level of significance and Gabriel`s post hoc test. The study reveals that the general economic climate, shortage of manpower, standard of living, transportation cost, distance and required skill are the first five significant factors responsible for high cost of labour of construction projects. The result also reveals that there is no significant difference among respondents` perception of the factors responsible for high cost of labour (p-value). The study recommends that government should improve on the economy and be resilient in its efforts to diversify from hydrocarbon-based economy to other productive engagements in ensuring viable and sustainable growth of the economy for its citizenry.

Keywords - construction industry, labour operative, labour cost, professionals, Uyo.

The study investigated grit and parental monitoring as predictors of academic success among the undergraduates in South-Eastern Nigeria. The study sample size was. A total of 203 Unizik undergraduate students participated in this study. Their age ranged from 18-29, with a mean age of 22. The number of males was 95 (47%), and the number of females was 108(53%). The standard deviation of their age was 2.0. Five faculties were picked from the entire faculties in Unizik, and from these five faculties, five departments were in turn picked. A probabilistic sampling method was employed, precisely simple random sampling technique. The use of the probabilistic sampling technique gave equal opportunity to all the faculties, departments, and levels. The instruments used in the study were the Grit Scale, Parental Monitoring Scale, and the Academic Success Inventory for College students (ASIC).........

Keywords - ...........

In this investigation, elastic properties of lime-cement concrete was experimented. Properties of concern were the modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rigidity (MOR) and Poisson ratio. Several mix proportions having some inclusion of hydrated lime (between 10% and 30%) in place of Portland cement were considered. Concrete produced were normal weight in nature. A maximum of 3 specimen were cast for each mix proportion and then subjected to compressive and flexural tests after curing for28 days.150mm x 150mm x 150mm concrete cubes were used for the compression test. While, 150mm x 150mm x 300mm concrete beams were used for the flexural testing. An optimum MOE reading of 30.708264x103N/mm2 was achieved at a mix proportion of 0.8125:0.1875:2.225:4.445........

Keywords - Modulus of elasticity (MOE), Modulus of rigidity (MOR), Poisson ratio, Compressive strength, Hydrated Lime (HL), Water-cement (w/c) ratio.

This paper investigates the performance of the synchronous machine under several operating conditions throughout several laboratory experiments. Two methods for synchronizing the synchronous machine with network were introduced and examined followed by studying the load characteristics of the synchronous motor with different field exciter currents. Then, the synchronous machine was used as a synchronous generator at no load to verify the saturation curve between the field current and the EMF and to investigate the relationship between the speed and EMF. Moreover, the synchronous generator was loaded to examine its voltage regulation under purely resistive load as well as investigating the effect on its apparent power while loading. Finally, the results in this paper were generated practically and recorded in the results section of this paper with brief description for each milestone, and then they analyzed in detail in the discussion section.

Keywords - Synchronous machine, alternator synchronization, synchronous motor loading, saturation curve, synchronous generator loading.

This work proposes a method to reconstruct the 3D object model from 2D images. First, A depth map is calculated which is an image that contains information about the distance between the surface of the objects from a given viewpoint and then the imageisreconstructedin 3D vision . The 3D reconstruction can be deployed that must be a part of numerous highlights, for example, surface, edge, shading, and size of the item, and so forth. These elements rely upon the scientists choosing to extract the significant highlights of the item in order to make the 3D object reconstruction.

Keywords - 3D Reconstruction; 2D image; depth calculation; stereoscope; Parallax Computation.

This work studied the adsorption of MB dye onto activated carbon prepared from rubber seed husk using adsorption column. The activated carbon was characterised with FTIR and SEM and was used to study both batch and column adsorption of MB dye. Effect of dosage (0.02g, 0.05g, 0.08g, 0.11g, 0.14g, 0.17g, 2g), temperature (303K, 313K, 323K, 333K), and time (0-240mins) on the batch adsorption was studied. Effect of bed height (2.5mm, 5mm, 7.5mm, 10mm), pH(2, 4, 6, 8), initial dye concentration (20mg/l, 50mg/l, 80mg/l, 110mg/l) and flow rates (3ml/min, 5ml/min, 8ml/min, 10ml/min) on the breakthrough curve was studied. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of some functional groups that can enhance adsorption. SEM analysis confirmed sharp and distinct pores for the adsorption. It was observed that increase in flow rate form 3ml/min to 10ml/min reduced the breakthrough time from 170minutes to 50minutes..........

Keywords - Adsorption Column, Activated carbon, Rubber seed husk, MB dye.

Mining is a capital intensive business that needs experienced personnel to manage the activities carried out in the mines. For that reason, economic evaluation of aggregate quarries for investment decision is an important evaluation that must be done from time to time in a quarry. Economic evaluation was carried out at two selected quarries in Ondo State using the evaluation methods such as; [Net Present Value(NPV), Internal Rate of Return(IRR) and Profitability Index(PI)] and Monte Carlos simulation using @RISK in this research paper. The data used for this paper are secondary data obtained from the two quarries. The economic analysis indicates that based on the cash flow data obtained from the quarries, the evaluation methods (NPV, IRR and PI) were analyzed using Microsoft excel, the results obtained from the analyses are high, therefore met the decision criterion for each evaluation methods..........

Keywords - Economic, Evaluation, Simulation, Analyses, Quarry, Investment, Decision

The effectiveness of palm tree leaf ash as a partial replacement for cement in improving the workability and compressive strength of concrete was investigated. A three factorial experimental design was obtained using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Two parameters were varied, which were water/cement ratio which ranged from 0.4 to 0.7and percentage admixture which ranged from 2% to 5% of cement weight to get one response which was the concrete compressive strength. A concrete design mix of 1:2:4 was adopted. Sieve analysis was done to determine the suitability of the fine and coarse aggregates to be used. Fresh concrete was tested for its workability and a total of 36 cubes were produced, 4 cubes for each run order. For each run order, 2 cubes were cured for 14 days while the remaining........

Keywords - Palm tree, Ash, Concrete, Compressive strength, Admixture, Cement.

A large-scale poultry chick brooding pen heated solely with the Trombe wall system was designed to make use of locally available building and energy storage materials. This study was undertaken to use computer simulation to determine the effect of the thermal wall thickness on the hourly variation of its efficiency. Trombe walls of thicknesses 20cm, 25cm, 30cm, 35cm, 40cm, and 45cm were investigated in this work. It was found that the 20cm thick wall had the highest average efficiency of 82.50 % in the month of June while the 45cm thick wall gave the lowest average efficiency of 10.30 % in the month of February. From these results, it was concluded that the thickness of the wall has significant effect on the collection efficiency of the Trombe wall system.

Keywords - Trombe wall, poultry brooding, collection efficiency, computer simulation.

The urgent need to reduce excessive green house emission from the manufacturing process of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) has led to an increasing interest in the use of agricultural waste in producing quality construction materials. This study presents an experimental investigation on the strength performance of Coconut Fibre Ash (CFA) with varying dosage. Concrete specimens were cast at 10%, 20% and 30% replacement of OPC. The optimum dosage and performance of Coconut fibre ash based concrete specimens was evaluated by measuring the compressive strength up to 28 days. The outcome of all test properties indicated that the mixtures prepared with 0% CFA in concrete was optimum seconded by that of 10% CFA dosage.

Keywords - Coconut Fibre Ash, Concrete, Compressive Strength, Slump Test, Ordinary Portland Cement, Specific Gravity Test, Sieve Analysis Test, Pozzolanic Material.

Civil and AgriculturalEngineering, FacultyofConstructionTechnology, a specialist in hidrosanitario designs, aqueducts and sanitarysewers, roadshydrotechnical, advancestudies in Project Management Development in theNationalEngineeringUniversity and obtained Master degree in Management Project Development. In theFacultyofConstructionTechnology he served as professorofhydrauliclaboratorybetween 2004-2007 and since 2003 he has taughtundergraduatecourses in variousraces Civil Engineering, Agricultural and Architecture, includingSanitaryEngineering, WaterResources, Hydrology, Hydrogeology, plumbinginstallations, AppliedResearch, Static, SoilMechanics, Drawing and DescriptiveGeometry and Project Development..........

Keywords - Filter, flow, critical speed, temperature, calculation, derivative and integral.

The substitution of rice bran with tamarind seed in broiler feed is expected to have the same effect on carcasses weight, the percentage of carcasses, and internal organ weight in broiler. The method employed in this study is Completely Randomized Design method of 5 treatments : P0 = corn 60% + concentrate 30% + rice bran 10% (control) P1 = corn 60 % + concentrate 30 % + rice bran 7,5 % + tamarind flour 2,5 %, P2 = corn 60 % + concentrate 30 % + rice bran 5 % + tamarind flour 5 %, P3 = corn 60 % + concentrate 30 % + rice bran 2,5 % + tamarind flour 7,2 %, P4 = corn 60 % + concentrate 30 % + tamarind flour 10 %, and 4 treatments with 5 broiler any treatment. The variable observed in this study were weight carcas, weight percentages, and internal organ weight broiler, maintenance begins from..........

Keywords - Broiler, Tamarind Seed Flour, carcass weight, carcass percentage, and internal organs

The use of information technology in our daily lives has been on the rise. The ordinary governmental based identity system provides a vital foundation of authoritative sources of trust, but they usually focus on delivering official routine services rather than providing a choice of other services, privacy protection, and interoperability. Looking deep into the current identity system, it is widely known that, the identification, verification, and account creation is time consuming and duplicated across multiple systems, as a result, the future should be working towards identity system that demonstrates portability of trust and the ability for individuals to take control of their identity destiny. We are in a desperate need for a new secure electronic identity for citizens in a form "Unicard", a unique........

Keywords - National Identity, Banking Credit cards, Informal Economy, Money Laundering, Organ and Drug Trafficking, AAA, Formal Data Bases linkage.

Excessive mining of river sand for construction activities has negative effect on our natural environment and has caused acute shortage and price increase of river sand. The search for alternative materials to partially or wholly replace river sand in concrete works has led to the use of laterite and quarry dust. This paper developed models for predicting the 28th day compressive strength and cost of laterite-quarry dust concrete using [5,2] extreme vertices design. Adequacy of the models were confirmed using the p-value, F statistics and normal probability plots. The compressive strength model can predict the strength of laterite-quarry dust concrete for both reinforced and non-reinforced concrete design for domestic and commercial constructions, while the cost model can predict the cost implication at the early stage of the project.

Keywords - Model,Compressive strength, Cost, Laterite, Quarry dust, Laterite-quarry dust concrete, Extreme vertices design.

Working in bakeries means that workers are exposed to several hazards, physical hazrds, ergonomic hazards, and chemical hazards. Those hazards have the potential for causing injury or illness, therefore they should be eliminated or at least a reduction of their effect should be reached. Noise is one of those hazards and numerous researchers have been discussing this topic. Occupational exposure to extreme noise has been recognized as a very marked hazard encountered in diverse industrial sectors. For example steel factories, stone production plants, and many others all over the world. The current study investigates noise levels and perception among the workers in eleven bakeries in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories. Noise levels were measured using dosi meter. A survey was also used to evaluate the noise perception of workers. 58 workers were involved in the study. The results show that about.......

Keywords - noise levels, bakeries, awareness and practice, occupational health.

Over the past three decades the information technology based on changing environment and issues have saved the university libraries in very innovative frame with very huge resources and knowledge to the users within a minute. Although a library is the heart of the any institution of the universities and playing the major role by university library professionals in modern IT based technology. They are running to carry out their day to day work more effectively, efficiently and resourcefully with authenticity in modern globalized environment of information technology used by different central university libraries in North India. The purpose of this study is to mapping the uses of emerged IT technologies and their tremendous impact on everyday activities of university libraries of their users at present. For this purpose the required data was collected from different central university libraries through research survey for.......

Keywords - E-resources, Digital environment, Central Universities, North India, Information technologies, Internet, Academic libraries, Innovative approach

In recent years, rehabilitation has been the subject of extensive research due to increased spending on repairing of built works. The reinforced concrete columns are essential elements in the reinforced concrete structures, which support the vertical loads and provide bracing against the horizontal loads. The reinforced concrete columns might encounter the issue of strength capacity reduction due to columns overloading or earthquake. This research highlighted different techniques for the strengthening of damaged reinforced concrete columns such as steel jacketing, reinforced concrete jacketing, and wrapping by glass fiber reinforced plastic........

Keywords - Concrete columns, Damage, Repairing, and Strengthening

Recent years have seen a mass manufacturing and production of portable electronic devices and gadgets, such as smart phones, digital notebooks, digital cameras, portable players like DVD player, PDA and MP3 player, Global Positioning System devices, health care devices, and so on. All these products have become necessities to people and required to be powered at all times. But the greatest challenge is the epileptic power supply experienced in this country. In this work, we have designed and constructed a power bank that has two input power sources, a backup battery with three outputs terminals. The two input sources are solar panel (Solar energy) and electrical energy from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria National (PHCN). The three output terminals have current ratings of 0.5........

Keywords - Power bank; Solar panel; Alternating current; Backup Battery; Output terminals