Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research

1-8

Authors: Oyinki W Tokini, Asima M, Ohochuku O Promise

A heat exchanger (cooling fin) made of an aluminum alloy with thermal properties of 170W/mK isotropic thermal conductivity, 870J/kgK specific heat and 2800kg/m3 density was analyzed with Transient Thermal system from ANSYS software package. Additional conditions were ambient temperature and Film coefficient of 200C and 30W/m2 0C respectively. The initial (room) temperature of the alloy was set at 200C, heat source temperature of 900C, step end time 200s, initial time step 2s, minimum time step 0.2s and maximum time step at 20s. As the cooling process continues, it was observed that while at a time of 33.537s the temperature at fin-base juncture (probe 2) assumed a steady state and becomes uniform from 132.17s until the maximum time (200s) where the temperature increased to 89.1140C, the tip of the base without fin (probe 3) assumed a steady state at a time of 37.83s and becomes uniformly distributed from 152.17s until the maximum time where the maximum temperature was 89.3210C. It was also observed that no other part attained or exceeded 900C.

13-23

Authors: Abdul Kawi Abdullah Ahmed Al-Alimi, Nabil Shaif Alhudify

Surface sediments from selected sites of Al-Mukalla coast were sampled for the geochemical and environmental assessment of eight of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cd, Pb and Fe). The concentration of heavy metals were digested by using 3-steps acid attack in closed Teflon bombs system and measured by AAS. The results of this study showed that the concentration of heavy metals (µg/ g) were as follows: Cr (6.65- 25.58); Cu (13.55- 39.95); Ni (11.71- 28.85); Zn (17.4- 74.61); Mn (28.95 -143.16); Cd (0.89- 2.83); Pb (5.65- 20.13) and Fe (814, 08-2- 2999.89). They indicate that sediment grain size and total organic carbon did not play an important role in controlling the distribution of metals. Sediment quality guidelines and geochemical normalization methods were used to judge the potential risk and accumulation of metals.The results of their calculations indicated that the Cd was recorded high to very high degree of contamination, whereas the other metals ranged between uncontamination to moderate contamination degree. Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe and Cr recorded low risk comparing with Cd that pose very high risk to marine organisms in local ecosystem.

31-38

Authors: Abdou KA, Khadiga IA

Heavy metals used in different fields of industry and/or agriculture act as inhibitors of enzymes, which, are unable to bind the substrate. The total amount of heavy metals detected by such means. Thus need arises for the fast and inexpensive methods for the detection of bioavailable heavy metals. Biosensors are useful analytical devices in this respect. A biosensor is an analytical device, which converts a biological response into an electrical signal. The two main components of a biosensor are bioreceptor and transducer. Bioreceptor: It is a biomolecule or biocomponent like enzymes, DNA, metalloproteins or microbes that recognizes the target molecule. Enzymes represent the largest class of bioreceptors, which are mainly proteins that catalyze different chemical reactions in cells. The mechanism of enzyme-based biosensor and the kinetic of detection process are described. In this context, is explainable why bioelectronics, nanotechnology, miniaturization, and bioengineering will compete for developing sensitive and selective biosensors able to determine multiple analytes simultaneously and/or integrated in wireless communications systems. The overall objective of the present review is to present information concerning sources of heavy metals, harmful effects of heavy metals and the fast, useful analytical devices and inexpensive methods (Biosensors) for the detection of bioavailable heavy metals.

43-49

Authors: Qi Pengmei, Zhou Lihui

Africa broke out in the history of the most serious viral epidemic - Ebola in 2014. The death rate of 90% has been a great harm to people. Accurate prediction of the development of the virus epidemic is the key to control the epidemic. In this paper, the ARMA, SIR (nonlinear dynamics) and combined forecasting models were established to predict the virus spreading trend in Guinea country. The forecasting results show that the precision of the combination forecasting model is higher than that of the single forecasting model. Combined forecasting model is meaningful for the prediction of the epidemic of Ebola.

55-63

Authors: Joseph Amajama

Stars have been theoretically and empirically studied. Earlier knowledge reveals that stars like the sun are a sea of mainly hydrogen and they undergo fusion to produce mainly helium, there by releasing a huge amount of energy in the form of light: but what is evident in our night sky from the idea of characteristic flame of elements when they burn seem to collapse what was earlier erected. The hydrogen gases do not only fuse to form helium but also other lighter elements like lithium, beryllium, boron etc. which burn with a characteristic different flame. More so, stars are made up of fuels that may engage in nuclear and non-nuclear reactions for light and other electromagnetic energy to be generated with a characteristic colour which is reflective of the flame produced by constituent(s) element(s). Probably, heavier elemental isotopic fuels like krypton, xenon, radon, caesium, francium, radium, plutonium, neptunium, uranium etc: could burn and break into lighter isotopes, accompanied by energy in the form of light and other electromagnetic radiation. In addition, non-nuclear reactions also generate some of the energy we see in the form of light, example hydrocarbons like the oxyacetylene and non-hydrocarbons like dicyanoacetylene. Finally, stars are formed when molecular clouds of interstellar gas and dust (nuclear and non-nuclear fuels) are fused into a large mass by gravity in a region in space; triggered into flame thermally or otherwise by elemental or atomic or compound flammable fuel(s) like francium, hydrogen, caesium, methane, uranium, chlorinetriflouride, Heptanitrocubane etc.

67-72

Authors: Musa AI, Ishola AA, Adeyemi HO

The current cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and the anthropometrical parameters (body mass and height) among female bakers who are exposed to flour dust. A total of One hundred and twenty (120) participants were investigated, sixty (60) female bakers (study group) who are exposed to flour dust and sixty (60) control subjects. Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and the anthropometrical parameters were measured using the mini-Wright peak flow meter (PFM 20, OMRON) and Detector PD300MDHR (Cardinal Scale manufacturing company, USA) column scale with digital height rod to measure body mass (kg) and height (cm) of the subjects simultaneously. PEFR of the study and control groups were compared using descriptive statistics and T-test analysis. The results showed that the bakers has 158.17 ± 12.55 L/min PEFR which is lower than 267.5 ± 26.85 L/min of the control subject. The results showed that most of the bakers are at a risk of developing related pulmonary function impairments such as asthma and hence there is need to develop an effective intervention strategy, treatment seeking behaviour of individuals would also need to be improved through awareness programs.

78-84

Authors: Man Kyu Huh

The study was the ecological biodiversity of animals at the Backcheon River in Korea during 2015 season. Although this area was not wide, but the fauna were very diverse with 61 taxa, representing five kingdoms. Mammals accounted for 9 taxa for four seasons within the studied areas. Birds (Aves) exhibited the greatest species diversity with 18 taxa identified, followed by invertebrates (16 taxa). Reptiles/amphibians (Sauropsida/Amphibia) were the most poorly represented of the terrestrial vertebrate groups, accounting for only 8 taxa. Fish represented by 10 taxa. Shannon-Weaver indices (H´) for mammals, birds, and fish at upper region were higher than those of low region. Low region of river was high H´ for Reptiles/amphibians and invertebrates. Richness indices for animal taxa were also varied among the stations and seasons. The values of ß-diversity for animals were varied from 0.195 for reptiles/amphibians to 0.298 for birds. The Bray-Curtis’ distances were calculated from differences in abundance of each species according to geographic distances among four stations at the Backcheon River.

94-104

Authors: Zlatko Pančevski, Trajče Stafilov, Katerina Bačeva

Veles town was exposed on the 30 years pollution with heavy metals from the lead and zinc smelter plant. The aim of this study is the exploration of distribution of Cd, Pb and Zn as well as some other elements in soil and vegetables from the gardens around the town. In total 42 samples from different vegetable products (crops and green mass) from 5 gardens were investigated. It was found that the content of Cd, Pb and Zn in vegetables exceeded the maximum permissible concentration. The content of Cd ranges from 0.55 mg kg-1 in beetroot to 5.56 mg kg-1 in pepper-leaf. Average value for Cd for all 42 vegetable samples (washed and unwashed) is 1.64 mg kg-1. All this three values are over maximal permitted limit (MPL) of 0.3 mg kg-1 for Cd in dry vegetable. The content of Pb ranges from 3.67 mg kg-1 in daicon-leaf to the maximal value of 32.4 mgkg-1 in celery with average value for Pb of 6.87 mg kg-1 exceeding the MPL of 3.0 mg kg-1 in all vegetable samples. Also, the presence of zinc is in high range from 18.6 to 67.0 mg kg-1, with 34.36 mg kg-1 average value.

111-127

Authors: Al-Naggar AMM, Atta MMM, Ahmed MA, Younis ASM

Growing density-tolerant genotypes under the optimum plant density would lead to maximize maize (Zea mays L.) grain productivity per unit land area. The objective of this investigation was to match the functions of optimum plant density with the greatest maize genotype efficiency to produce the highest possible grain yield per unit area. Six maize inbred lines differing in tolerance to high density (D) [three tolerant (T); L-20, L-53, Sk-5, and three sensitive (S); L-18, L-28, Sd-7] were inter-crossed in a diallel fashion. Parents and F1 crosses were evaluated in the 2013 and 2014 seasons under three plant densities: low (47,600), medium (71,400), and high (95,200) plants ha-1. The T × T crosses were superior to the S × S and T × S crosses under the high D environment in most studied traits across seasons. Linear and quadratic regression functions between grain yield/ha (GYPH) and plant densities indicated that the inbred L20 showed a quadratic response of increase to elevated plant density, with an optimum GYPH at plant density of ca 83,300 plants/ha. The four inbreds L53, Sk5, L28 and Sd7 showed near linear or completely linear response of increase to density levels, with a maximum GYPH at 95,200 plants/ha. By contrast, the inbred L18 showed near linear response towards decrease in GYPH due to increasing plant density, with a maximum GYPH at 47,600 plants/ha. Three F1 crosses (L20 x L53, L53 x Sk5 and L53 x Sd7) that belong to the group efficient responsive and classified as density tolerant showed clear curvilinear (quadratic) regression of GYPH increase up to more than 16 ton/ha with an optimum density of about 83,300 plants/ha. The rest of crosses (12 F1's) showed near linear or completely linear regression of increase with an optimum density of 95,200 plants/ha.

140-147

Authors: Ali AR, Takla E, Meleka KK

Using magnetic measurements, the behavior of structural changes induced by annealing out of quenched - in vacancies in ordered Fe50Ni50 alloy (LI2) type structure. The observed increase in magnetic permeability with increasing quenching temperature (450 > Tq > 650 oC) was attributed to the increase in the total number of mobile domain walls due to the reduction in the density of pinning sites in the alloy matrix . On the other hand, the influence of quenching from different temperatures on the magnetic anisotropy was attributed to the increase in the internal microstress in the alloy matrix by successive pre-quenching from different temperatures. The isochronal annealing of quenched samples in the temperature range from 325 to 500 oC (stage I) revealed a decrease in the maximum permeability during annealing, and was attributed to the short-range order caused by the long- range migration of quenched-induced defects. The second annealing stage appearing in the temperature range from 500 to 700 oC is associated with an increase in µmax due to the dissociation of vacancy clusters or complex aggregates formed during (stage I) or after quenching treatment, resulting in a release of free mono- vacancies. The determined activation energy for vacancy formation (1.67 ± 0.01 eV) has the same order of magnitude as that required for Fe and Ni alloy. The recovery stage in the temperature range from 700 to 800 oC (stage III) appears only in cold-worked samples was attributed to the recovery process of dislocations during the recrystalization process.

155-164

Authors: Gamal Elsaeed, Mohammad Bahgat, Mohammad Ibrahim, Rowida Elsayed

The objectives of the current research were to mitigate the sedimentation problem in front of thermal power plant intakes, case study, El Kuraimat thermal power plant, also investigate the effectiveness of a set of alternatives to solve this problem. Several sorts of data were collected including, velocity measurements, hydrographic survey data, water levels and discharges in several years and seasons. 2-D numerical model, iRIC "international River Interface Corporative" was utilized to simulate the study area and test the set of alternatives to meet the optimum solution, the model was calibrated and verified using the field velocities and water levels. The set of alternatives were used to improve the flow pattern inside the eastern channel, where the plant intake was located. The model results were revealed that connecting the small formed island and the downstream tip of El Kuraimat island to bed level 23.00 m, was the optimum solution from both the hydraulic and economical point of view.

169-171

Authors: Nurain Ma’arof, Ang Kean Hua

River water quality become ‘victim’ of human development through agricultural, industrial, residential, sewage treatment plant, municipal waste, and commercial activities. These research studies carry out to investigate, identify, and determine the water quality condition through WQI methods towards Sungai UTM. Research framework become initiative towards this research study in assist to archive the objective study in solving issues and problems involve with river water pollution.

181-187

Authors: Evbuomwan BO, Fashola RA*, Dakor A

This study focuses on extraction of essential oils from grapefruit and tangerine peels as an economical raw material for the production of insecticides. An equal mass each of grapefruit and tangerine peels were subjected to extraction via steam distillation process and the extracted essential oils were put to some physicochemical characterization. Some of the characterizations include specific gravity, acid value, and saponification value. Gas chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy analysis was also used to identify the chemical constituents of the oils and their percentage compositions. Tangerine peels showed highest yield (9ml) for 3hours compared to grapefruit peels (7ml) for the same extraction time. The specific gravities, acid values, and saponification values of tangerine and grapefruit peel oils were0.8429 and0.8540, 1.96 mg KOH/g oil and 15.99 mg KOH/g oil, and 182.7 mg KOH/g oil and 191.4 mg KOH/g oil respectively. From the Gas chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy analysis, 26 and 17 components were respectively identified in the tangerine and grapefruit peels essential oils with D-limonene being the dominant constituent of the oils (80.83% in tangerine and 92.64% in grapefruit peel oils). Based on availability, it was shown that grapefruit peel essential oil is an economical viable source for producing D-limonene. Exploitation of these essential oils will go a long way in reducing the infestation rate of malaria as they can be used to produce insecticides. It also showed that waste from peels which have huge impacts on the environment, could be converted into veritable source of industrial raw material with great potential for stimulating industrial and economic growth, employment generation and national wealth.

194-202

Authors: Agung Haryono, Humiras Hardi Purba, Erlando Arthama, Fitricia M Soplanit

The objective of this research is to improve welding process and analyze defect caused and criteria in order to decrease cost of defect and cost of rework using enhanced welding technology of SAW (Submerged Arc Welding) automatic welding machine. Successful implementation of these depends on root cause analysis and defect criteria analysis which affecting to quality acceptance requirement and affecting to rework cost also to customer satisfaction, safety standard and financial performance of the organization in this case. Implementing innovation and technology need more investment which could be compare between benefit value non added value or losses by defect and rework cost value. This paper presents an implementation of welding process technology that applied SAW automatic welding machine process. The product object is Hydrant Pillar which according to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineering) standard of mechanical and requirement, also safety requirement that issued by NFPA. This research approach to Six Sigma DMAIC Methodology which focus in CTQ (Critical To Quality) and DPMO (Defect Per Million Opportunity) analysis and includes a review of break event point analysis in technological investment cost compare to actual rework cost, in order to decrease business process cost and get higher profit in addition to achieve customer satisfaction and safety standard requirement, findings of research accomplished via data collecting in fabricator workshop, defect ratio data, standard requirement and interviews with people in engineering and quality division also top management whom approve and sponsoring for investment of this implementation research. This research proved that the benefit of technological innovation improvement in reduce product defect and reduce cost of rework because of defect, the break event point review also indicates that rework cost value is more bigger cost than quality improvement with technological investment.

211-214

Authors: Yi-Jen Mon, Yo-Shen Kuo

The ultrasound sensor has ability to get accurate data of distance for target. Its applications are covered very widely such as in vehicle electronics, consumer electronics, etc. due to the robust sense abilities of measurement of distance. In this paper, it is used to get data from target and these data are shown in window and screen. The experiment results show that it possesses good performance.

218-237

Authors: Abdou KA, Sharkawy AAB, Manal MM, Ehdaa OH, Khadiga IA

The effect of Seasonal variation on the concentration of seven metals: cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu ) was evaluated in water, two species of most consumed fishes(Tilapia nilotica & Claries lazera) , an aquatic plant (Ceratophillyum demersum L), and soil sediments in Wadi Al Raiyan lakes, El-Fayoum, Egypt . Samples were collected in summer and winter 2010-2011. Metals concentrations were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The studied metals were detected in all the examined samples. Zn had the highest concentration among the metals detected in water.Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn concentrations were below the Egyptian permissible limit. Cu, Pb and Cd concentrations in water samples during summer season is much higher than their concentrations in water during winter season, while the Zn and Fe concentrations in water samples during winter season is much higher than there concentrations in water during summer season. Mn concentration in water samples were the same during winter and summer seasons. Iron concentration in Ceratophyllum demersum L. was above the Egyptian permissible limit. In addition, Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb concentrations in plant samples during summer season were higher than the concentrations in winter season. Fe concentration in plant samples during winter season was higher than the concentrations in summer season. The investigated metal concentrations in the soil sediment and tissues of Tilapia nilotica and Claries lazera fish samples were above the Egyptian permissible limits. The significance of these findings is discussed.

251-260

Authors: Ismaila O Alabi, David B Oke, Ademola A Dare

The parametric studies play important role when it comes to performance optimization of the locally manufactured Mitchell-Ossberger Turbine (MOT). Several literatures on hydro-turbine had discussed extensively on the design of MOTs as well as their advantages over the other types of hydro-turbines. But none had ever discussed extensively, the parametric studies involved in optimizing an efficient MOT. This present study focused on some selected parameter towards designing an efficient and optimal MOT. This was achieved via formulation of a turbine parametric model, development of turbine computational interface (module) and decoding of the obtained data with Visual Basic (VB) 10. The algorithm, which contains step by step solution to the problem, was developed for the program. The flow formed was designed to have a data grid view which displays data loaded into the application. The flow interface had eight buttons based on certain parametric entries. The strength of this interface lied in its codes and after data which were sorted on descending order has been loaded to the memory via Visual Basic programming software. It was discovered from the obtained results that as the angle of attack increases, the turbine power developed and the efficiency decreases marginally. The effect of the flow rate was that, it increases as other parameter increases. Then, all necessary recommendations were made.

266-272

Authors: Ismaila O Alabi, Kamorudeen A Olaiya, Mudasiru A Aderonmu, Teslim A Adio, Mutiu O Kareem, Fatai O Raji

The development of a technological devices and equipment for biogas production from different energy plants and organic wastes has made biogas a renewable source of energy generation. The interest in the use of the biogas as a renewable source of energy is increasing and also the scope of substrates for the anaerobic digestion process is on the increase. With the mini digester it is possible to observe the amount of biogas (methane gas) production and thus the most suitable plant, giving the maximum methane yield, can be determined. The mini digester made of galvanized steel was built, some measurements with energy plants were performed and then parameters such as biogas composition from animal wastes and crop residues were measured (in the laboratory) and compared. The highest biogas and methane yield was recorded in the animal waste. Probable recommendations were later made.

279-288

Authors: Aijun Zhu, Chuanpei Xu, Zhi Li, Cong Hu, Jun Wu, Zhenbing Liu

With the dramatic improvement of computation ability in modern computers, a lot of new meta-heuristic methods appear. All these meta-heuristic algorithms are originated from some mechanisms in nature, which are alike in composition and extensively adopted to solve combination optimization problems. However, meta-heuristic algorithm, such as BBO, is lack of strict theory foundation and hard to be analyzed in theory, because it comes from heuristic idea and has complicated random behavior. Therefore, in this paper, we propose some theoretical analysis to lay solid foundation for BBO application. To obtain the average first hitting time (AFHT) of BBO, firstly the relationship between AFHT and convergence rate is discussed, and then the upper bound and the lower bound of convergence rate are put forward. When BBO is adopted to solve an optimization problem with problem size n and population size n, if migration operation and Mutation-Constant or Mutation-1/n operation are adopted, then the lower bound of AFHT is proposed.

297-302

Authors: Assandé Ahoba, Auguste Emmanuel Issali, Aimé Kadio Adjoumane, Mathieu Vauboud Koffi, Martin Kouassi Kouadio, Arsène Gondo Gbogbo

To select the best Origins of Terminaliaivorensis, their wood was subjected to the Pilodyn penetration test. Likewise, to predict the basic wood density from the Pilodyn penetration depth, the Pearson’s linear correlations were tested. Sixteen origins of Terminaliaivorensis, from Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon, were laid out in a Randomised Complete Block Design with only one replication. This design was set up in a comparative trial in semi-deciduous dense forest. Anova was used to select the best Origins whereas the Pearson’s linear correlation was carried out to search for the best relationship between the Pilodyn penetrationdepth and the basic wood density. Ordinarily, vegetative growth criteria are used to select the best origins. Nonetheless, these can be reinforced by non-destructive method of the wood quality represented by the Pilodyn penetration depth test. The results showed that the Origin 2 or 6, 7, 4, 11, 14, 2 and 9 can be selected basing only on the basic wood density or Pilodyn penetration depth. In past studies, silvicultural qualities such as the circumference at 1.3 m from the ground were used to discriminate the Origins and thus select them. A high, but negative correlation is recorded between the basic wood density and the Pilodyn penetration depth. This correlation indicates that when the Pilodyn penetration depth in wood is low, the quantity of dry matter in the tree is high.Consequently, the wood density is high. This would allow us to select on the low Pilodyn penetration depth. Thus, the Pilodyn penetration depth appears to be quick test of density appreciation for standing trees. The commercial value of forest trees depends not only on their silvicultural qualities but especially on their technological qualities. Consequently, it is important to take into account the Pilodyn penetration tests in addition to silvicultural criteria, for an efficiency selection of forest trees awaiting the multi-local and multi-annual trials.

314-318

Authors: Zhu Mengshu, Pan Haize, Miao Wei, He Jian

At present, construction projects facing the development trend of large-scale and complicated, previous construction projects quality management need much manpower and cost increase which can't meet the requirements of the construction project. Therefore, this article through the analysis of the characteristics of the construction project quality management, management factors, management processes and management methods, points out the shortages of construction project quality management, and puts forward some suggestions on the future direction of perfect quality management.

325-327

Authors: Muhammad NajibMohd Zailani, Ang Kean Hua

Manifesto is an official ideology and vision by candidates or parties that will brings comfort to the public or local residents in ensuring victory to the parties. The manifesto is required to carry out by individuals or parties after winning the seat at the area. This research review of research framework is conducted to determine the effectiveness of manifesto in general election in Malaysian politics. Research framework is compulsory to involve with introduction that highlighted the important of manifesto in general election; problems statement that concentrated on location, geography, population, infrastructure and facility which become factor in determine the manifesto; research objective will targeted on solution toward the issues and problems of manifesto; methodology will explain on methods and techniques that applied and used in collecting the data; organization report will express on the milestone of preparation report from research design until collecting, analysis, and discussion data for the report; and research problems will be stress on problems and issues that facing by the researcher before, during and after research study are conducted. Lastly, conclusion will be discuss on summary of research study and define either objective study are archived or vice versa.

335-338

Authors: Sushmitha S Kotian, Prakash KK, Rangaswamy BE

Technology aims to make products in a larger scale for cheaper prices and increased quality. The current technologies have attained a part of this, but the manufacturing technology is still at its macro level. Manufacturing product right from the molecular level is the scope of future. In earlier days, manufacturing at molecular and atomic level was laughed about. But we have realized it to a certain level only after the advent of nanotechnology. PILL CAMERA iso ne such product manufactured, which is used for the treatment of cancer, anemia, and ulcer. This product revolutionized the field of medicine. This capsule is so tiny that it can pass through our body, without causing any harm. This captures the pictures of our intestine and transmits it to the receiver of the computer for the analysis of our digestive system. This process helps in tracking any disease related to our digestive system. Also I have discussed the drawbacks of PILL CAMERA and methods to overcome these drawbacks i.e. by using Grain sized motor and bi-directional wireless telemetry capsule. Capsule endoscopy helps your doctor evaluate the small intestine. This part of the bowel cannot be reached by traditional upper endoscopy or by colonoscopy. The most common reason for doing capsule endoscopy is to search for a cause of bleeding from the small intestine. It may also be useful for detecting polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease), ulcers, and tumors of the small intestine.

347-353

Authors: Tijjani AR, Chikaire JU

The study assessed perceived effects of climate change on water resource use in Rivers State. It describes the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents; respondents’ awareness of climate change; describes the effects of climate change on water resource use; identified adaptation strategies adopted to mitigate the effect of climate change. Data were collected using structured questionnaire administered to one hundred and fifty (150) respondents randomly selected from the zone II agricultural zone of Rivers State Agricultural Development Programme (RISADP). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data collected. Results showed that 44% of the respondents were females and 55.3% were males. Over 80% had various levels of formal education. The study showed that the respondents were very much aware of climate change. Climate change had the following effects on water resource use: water shortage (x ̅=2.35), reduced water quality (x ̅=2.18), poor water supply (x ̅=2.15) among others. Adaptation strategies employed included, planting of different crop varieties, breeding of that resist high temperature among other measures.

367-376

Authors: Ali Motameni, Ahmet N Eraslan

Today in urban and interurban transport, railways are preferred due to safety, speed and comfort they suggest. With the development of high speed railway systems the time needed for journeys decreased significantly. Increase in train performance and rail traffic necessitated the development of new grades of materials used in the construction of rails. With development of high speed trains, rail-wheel interface stresses increased. So, rolling contact fatigue (RCF) defects like head checks and especially wear became more substantial. Newly developed head hardened rail steel have better resistance against RCF defects than conventional rail steels. Furthermore, head hardened pearlitic rail steels exhibit better wear performance compared to conventional pearlitic rail steels. In parallel to wear and rolling contact fatigue (RCF), fatigue crack propagation (FCG) and fracture of railway components have a great important issue for safety. In this study, mode I fatigue crack propagation and fracture behavior of rail R350 HT grade rail steel compared to conventional R260 grade rail steel in head, web and foot of rail.

383-389

Authors: Onyebueke B Ifeanyi, Nwankwo E Nkem, Anene F Amaechi

The effects of Cr and Mo was investigated on the structure and mechanical properties of Al-12%Si alloys. Alloys of Al-12%SixCr and Al-12%SixMo were prepared by melting in a controlled crucible furnace of graphite pot. Fully molten Al formed was properly mixed with a specified weight of alloying elements (Si, Cr and Mo), cast and solidified in metal mould of standard dimension. Hardness and tensile strength of specimens were determined using Brinell hardness Tester and Monsanto Tensometer respectively whereas the microstructure examination was conducted using an Optical Microscope. The results obtained from the experiments show that the tensile strength and hardness of the maximum improved Al-12%Si alloy increase from 21.31 N/m2 to 74.16 N/m2 and from 84.9 HB to 245 HB respectively. Optical microscopy reveals the distribution of elements in the structure of both unmodified and modified Al-Si alloys. The results of the experiments are explained in terms of the vastly improved grain structures resulting from the presence of solute atoms in the modified Al-12%Si alloys and the large undercooled change observed in Al-Si melt.

398-400

Authors: Jing Jin

In this note, we derive two new modular relations for the Göllnitz-Gordon functions. Our proofs only rely on the Jacobi triple product identity.

408-413

Authors: Hannora AE, Hanna FF, Marie LK

Mechanical milling (attritor) was performed to synthesize Cu-50wt.% Fe super saturated solid solution at room temperature. The mechanically alloyed samples have been milled for 24 hrs and examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to investigate its microstructure. As a result of mechanical deformation a higher defect concentration generated in the powder and thus the crystallinity decreases as well as crystallite size. The magnetic properties assessments of as-milled samples were carried out using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM).The magnetization decreases with milling time while the corecivity increases up to 12 hrs milling and then decreases.

423-428

Authors: Hamid T Al-Saad, Hassaan M A Heba, Abbas A Hantoush, Majed Al-Idresi

Sediment samples were collected from the coastal area of Al-Hodeidah Red Sea. The sediment samples were analyzed to determine the degree of petroleum hydrocarbons contamination. The average level of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) concentration in the study area was ranged between 4.07µg/g dry wt. at St. 9 to 18.88µg/g dry wt. at St. 3 In order to give a better evaluation of the petroleum hydrocarbon levels in the sediments, the total organic carbon (TOC) percentage and grain size analyses were done. The mean percent TOC estimations ranged from 0.70% at Station 9 to 2.65% at Station 6.The result shows low degree of petroleum hydrocarbons pollution in Al-Hodeidah Red Sea Coast.

439-447

Authors: VI Ugonabo, MC Menkiti, OD Onukwuli

The capability of mucuna prurien seed coagulant (MSS), for the removal of total suspended and dissolved particles (TDSP) in pharmaceutical effluent (PHE) was undertaken at room temperature using specified doses at pH of 4.3 and 11.3. Alum was used under the same condition as a control. The turbidity measurement was based on nephelometric standard method. The influence of coagulant dose, settling time, and pH on TDSP removal was investigated. Coagulation – flocculation kinetic parameters such as rate constant Km, period ½ etc. were evaluated. The optimal parameters obtained for MSS are km (4x10-5 m3/kg.S), dosage (0.6 x10-3kg/m3), pH (11.3), ½ (33.3S) and E(%) 82%. At the conditions of the experiment MSS performed relatively better than alum in alkaline medium.

457-461

Authors: DO Onwuka, S Sule, US Onwuka, TU Anyanwu

Chikoko mud is very soft organic marine clay. It is a natural pozzolana which can be used as partial replacement for cement to achieve economy in concrete production. In this paper, the effect of water-cement ratio on the compressive strength of chikoko pozzolana concrete is reported. Thirty (30) trial batches of chikoko pozozlana blended cement concrete mixes predicted by Scheffe’s simplex lattice theory were produced using varying water-cement ratios. A total of ninety (90) concrete cubes were produced from the thirty trial batches, implying that three concrete cubes were produced per trial batch for compressive strength test after 28 days of curing. The results obtained showed that the compressive strength of chikoko pozozlana concrete decreased with increasing water-cement ratio; decreased with increasing water/cement-chikoko ratio and increased with increasing water-chikoko ratio. The trends are reflections of the expected properties of concrete and as a result, can serve as a useful tool for estimation of water-cement ratio, water-chikoko ratio and water/cement-chikoko ratio for any given value of compressive strength of chikoko pozzolana concrete and vice-versa.

473-476

Authors: EI Okoye

Artocarpus heterophyllus oil was extracted from its seed. The percentage yield was 4.99%. The characterization of the oil showed that the peroxide value is 6.4mg/kg; iodine value is 54.42g, saponification value is 149.00 KOH/g, specific gravity is 0.908, pH value is 4.20 and acid value is 5.4mg/KOH/mg. Punch Agar diffusion method was used to analyses the Antimicrobial properties of the oil. Antimicrobial activity shows some inhibitory effects against the test organisms; Staphylococcus aureus, Atopic dermatitis, Malassezia globsin, Trichophyton microsporum and Propionibacterium and minimum inhibitory concentration of the A. heterophyllus seed oil on these micro-organisms are as follows: 100, 00mg/ml, 50,000mg/ml, 30,000mg/ml, 20,000 mg/ml and 30,000mg/ml. respectively. Maximum bacterial concentration (MBC) are; S. aureus 500,000 mg/ml; A. dermatitis 120,000mg/ml; M. globsin 100,000mg/ml; T. microsprum 60,000 gm/ml and P. bacterium 80,000mg/ml respectively. Pharmacological screening confirmed the medicinal value of this seed oil.

482-489

Authors: Nazife Aslan, Emin Yeltepe, Ülkü Yücel, Nihal Kaya, Aylin Kurt, Gençay Gündoğdu

This paper presents the results of a search for determining the activity concentrations of 90Sr, 14C, 40K, 134Cs and 137Cs in mixed diet samples by using liquid scintillation and gamma spectrometric methods. Samples were collected by using duplicate portion sampling technique and dried by freeze dryer after their homogenization process. The method used in the 90Sr analysis is based on the separation of the daughter 90Y at equilibrium with 10% di(2-ethyl-hexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEPH) in toluene and Cherenkov counting by a liquid scintillation spectrometer (LSS). 14C activity concentration is determined by the combustion of the sample in an oxygen atmosphere to 14CO2, absorption of 14CO2 by special reagent, mixing with the scintillator and counting in liquid scintillation spectrometer. 40K, 134Cs and 137Cs activity concentrations were measured by high purity germanium detectors in gamma spectrometer. An annual effective dose caused by these radionuclides was estimated using dose conversion coefficients and measured activity concentrations in samples.

497-504

Authors: AMC Grisa, RN Brandalise, J Klein, M Zeni

A very visible portion in the landfill consist polyethylene (PE) films utilized for packaging which are disposed of in short time. In the landfill there are anaerobic and aerobic process and growth of the microorganisms that are responsible for biodegradation. Common pro-oxidants presently being used for preparation of “oxo-degradable” films are stearates of transition metals. The mechanisms of polymers degradation involve the use of polymer and/or additives as a source of carbon and energy for microorganisms. The work was study and presented the analysis structural, thermal and morphologic determinations of the blue PE film (mixture LDPE/HDPE recycled) formulated with pro-oxidant additives in the landfill, after 4 and 8 months. The results indicate that blue PE films showed structural changes, reduction of thermal stability and physical deterioration of the surface.

515-518

Authors: Rui-Lin Lin

This research selected best-selling dried fruits from data obtained through discussions with traditional sweetmeat manufacturers as objects for visual design. The emphasis is on the less-sugar and low-salt production method, shortened shelf life, and the novelty of reconstructing preserves as healthy snacks. Eco-friendly paper material was used in the innovative style of the packaging design, which is expected to attract young consumers and create a fresh image for the traditional sweetmeat industry of Taiwan.

527-536

Authors: EI Okoye, AN Eboatu

Timber is an essential raw material needed in constructing one thing or the other in all fields of human endevour. It is combustible. In this research, fire characteristics of fifty-seven (57) tropical timbers were investigated. The characteristics studied are: flame propagation rate and oven dry density. The tropical timbers with the highest FPR and ODD are P. Americana and Manilkara respectively while the ones with the least of these fire characteristics were G. arborea and B. bonopozense respectively. Although some tropical timbers with lower ODDs possess high flame propagation rate, some of the timber with higher ODDs possess lower flame propagation rate, it can be said that there is neither inverse nor direct relationship between the flame propagation rate of the tropical timbers and their oven dry densities. Though density is an important factor, in determining the fire characteristics of timber, the cellular structure, molecular composition, orientation of fiber (direction of grain) and timber extractives (e.g. resins) deserve a special attention in explaining the results. In this work, identification of the timbers that are fire resistant and otherwise are compared with respect to flame propagation rate (FPR) of these tropical timbers with their oven dry densities.

549-561

Authors: Omar K M Ouda, Tahar Ayadat, Andi Asiz1, Yazan Alghazo

Learning outcomes have been used as quality indicators in engineering education practices around the world. Learning outcomes are output based and can be assessed and measured relative to standardized educational resources. This article documents the design and implementation of Civil Engineering (CE) program assessment process at a relatively new university to meet national and the international program accreditation requirements and to satisfy labor market needs that require certain skills. The paper highlights the CE program and program’s learning outcomes; maps the relation between learning outcomes and university competences, and assess the CE program performance based on surveying constituents including senior students, alumni, employers and faculties. Finally, it suggests adjustments to the CE curriculum to complement the study findings. The study methodology and findings provides an in-depth experience for development of CE program in a developing country and tools to evaluate the program performance towards enhancing the program’s educational outcomes to meet national and international accreditation requirements and job market demands.

567-573

Authors: Ali Muhittin Albora, Onur Osman

In this study, we perform Forced Neural Network (FNN) method to find the parameters of a model according to gravity anomaly profile. Geological modeling is a promoting method to find the shape and location of underground structures. In this method first, one neuron is used and back propagation algorithm is applied to find the density difference. Then, density differences are quantized and mean square error of the model is computed. This process is stopped when the mean square error of the model is small enough. FNN method is applied to synthetic data, and then Marmara-Manyas basin map in Turkey. As a result, anomalies of the cross section and the model obtained by FNN are very close to each other.

590-598

Authors: Magaji AS

The unsteady MHD fixed convective oscillatory flow through a porous medium filled in a vertical channel with heat and mass transfer was analyzed. The two parallel stationary walls of the channel are distance d apart. The analytical solution of the governing equations is obtained. The consequence of the flow parameters on velocity, temperature and concentration field are demonstrated through graphs. The skin friction, Nusselt number and Sherwood numbers were obtained and tabulated. It was found out that the results of this problem have an excellent agreement with analytical prediction.

611-617

Authors: ZA Adegboye, Anthony Peter, Ummikusum Isa Ahmed

An illustration of how first order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) Runge-Kutta method can be modified for a second order ODEs was presented. The theory of Nyström method was adopted in the modification of the methods. Through this process a first order ODEs numerical method can be extended to the case in which the approximate solution to a second order ODEs (special or general), as well as first order Initial Value Problems (IVPs) can be calculated. Numerical experiment to illustrate its efficiency and the method can be extended to solve higher order differential equations. The scheme is simple to implement and converges better with the exact solution.

624-638

Authors: Alfred E Essien, Francis T Beka, Ekpedeme O Mkpong

The distribution of pollen and spores in marine sediments has been found to reflect rather accurately the distribution of the vegetation on the adjacent continent. The source of pollen and spores in the Niger Delta can be confidently related to the regions traversed by Rivers Niger and Benue, which include Sahelian and Sudanian vegetation zones as well as Guinea-Congolian rainforests and the mangrove swamps. Hence, majority of the pollens in the Niger Delta come from the regions north and northeast of the Gulf of Guinea. Floristic stages which followed one another in inter-tropical Africa are closely linked to climatic changes. Since ecological changes have direct relationship with climatic changes, it can provide the best means of correlating regionally the variations and fluctuations in the distribution of the flora. This paper presents the variations or shifts in the composition of recovered terrestrially derived palynomorphs as reflected by changes in palaeoecology based on the paleoclimatic fluctuations across the period ranging between Late Oligocene and the Early Miocene transitional boundary from palynological data obtained from ten (10) wells from both the onshore and offshore settings of the Niger Delta in Nigeria. It is aimed at improving the stratigraphic understanding of the Late Oligocene (Chattian) to Early Miocene (Aquitanian/Burdigalian) transition interval as reflected by the occurrences of the spores and pollens assemblages and key marker events. However, changes in the pollen records, e.g. ranges of Verrutricolporites laevigatus and Loranthacites natalie, provide a higher stratigraphical resolution in the Upper Oligocene strata compared with the dinoflagallate cyst assemblages. The Oligocene/ Miocene boundary (O/M) boundary is marked by first downhole occurrence (FDO) of Cicatricosisporites dorogensis and the Last Downhole Occurence (LDO) of Verrutricolporites laevigatus in different well sections studied. These were supported by the co-occurrences of a number of typical Late Oligocene to earliest Early Miocene pollen such as Praedapollis flexibilis, Striamonocolpites rectostriatus, Striamonocolpites undatostriatus, Verrutricolporites rotundiporus, Verrutricolporites scabratus and Verrutricolporites verrucatus.

646-655

Authors: Terseer Sarwuan, Francis T Beka, Alice Ogbol

Monitoring land use/cover changes is necessary for guiding decision making for resource management. This research demonstrated the ability and recent advancement in remote sensing techniques in capturing, retrieving and analyzing long-term spatio-temporal data. A comprehensive land use land cover maps were developed for three distinct years 1987, 2002 and 2015 for a period of 28 years in Oben Area which showed both land use/cover conversion and modification. The study has demonstrated that land use and land cover change can be delineated, quantified and compared across different timelines. Landsat data proved to be adequate data source for the analysis of long term land use land cover change due to its repeat cycle. The problems associated with the land use/land cover changes discussed are linked with the oil and gas development activities which have open up previously hitherto un-accessed areas, built-up/industrial development encroachment into the forest reserve areas, advance and crude agricultural methods/practices, socio economic status change of the local population as well as to a certain extent, with population growth/demographic factors. Settlement expansion and illegal logging are also the major drivers behind the land use/land cover changes observed in Oben Area.

663-668

Authors: Ayse Gul Ince, Mehmet Karaca

A microsatellite is a tract of tandemly repetitive DNA in which certain DNA motifs are repeated. There are several types of microsatellites, which are also called simple sequence repeats (SSRs). The same type of repeating unit (motif) makes microsatellites perfect or exact while any mutations in the repeating unit make microsatellites imperfect or inexact microsatellites. In the present study the density differences of inexact microsatellites and motif types of housekeeping and tissue specific ESTs were studied in 7 pepper (Capsicum L.) tissues and development stages. Based on the analyses of 13,261 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) we observed that some tissues contained more inexact microsatellite containing ESTs while some other tissues contained less density of inexact microsatellites. Analyses also revealed that housekeeping genes and tissue specific ESTs contained statistically different amount of inexact microsatellites. These results indicated that microsatellites or SSRs are not just genetic markers used in markers assisted selection and fingerprinting studies, microsatellites may have an effect on gene expression and may play an important role in contributing to the different expression profiles between housekeeping and tissue-specific genes.