Archives-December 

This study is aimed at estimating the sedimentary thickness of the Upper Benue Trough (Nigeria) as revealed by the Aeromagnetic data using the Spectral Analysis and Euler Deconvolution techniques. The area investigated covers from 090 00’ - 100 00’N and from 110 30’ - 120 30’E. An average sediment thickness of 3.98km was estimated which could favour hydrocarbon accumulation and maturation. There is a NE-SW increase in sedimentary thickness which varied from 2.2km to around 5.2km; it is thickest in the NE region. Verification was performed using the Euler deconvolution method which revealed clusters of Euler depth solutions within the low magnetic zones of interest (between 2km and above 3km). Combining both methods implies that a sedimentary depth of up to 4km (to 5km) could be possible especially in the Yola, Mayo Balewa and Bubila regions which thus increase the probability of hydrocarbon maturation and entrapment in these areas.

In this work, we simulate the global solar radiation received by a horizontal surface and vertical surfaces of different orientations on the ground from theoretical models considering the diffusion and absorption of solar radiation through the atmospheric layer. We have to generate results of the global radiation by the model of Liu and Jordan for thermal systems optimization, particularly in the field of the building in the city of Ouagadougou. This work shows that the solar radiation on a surface, in addition to the seasonal variability, also varies according to the orientation and the inclination of the sun. Thus, in the case of buildings, for example, exposing the large surfaces of the building according to the southern orientation will be avoided in favor of the northern orientation. It is also necessary to consider the scenario of use of the building to situate it in space and time in order to minimize the thermal contributions.

Corrosion inhibition of ethanol stem extract of Costus lucanusianus (ESECL) was studied on mild steel and aluminium by weight loss method. The constituents of the extract identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) were forty one (41) compounds with 13-Octadecenal, (Z)-(14.39 %) and 9-Octadecenoic acid, 12-hydroxy-, methyl ester, [R-(Z)]- (11.49 %) as the major compounds. Weight loss method revealed that as the concentration of inhibitor increased, the corrosion rate decreased and inhibition efficiency increased. Maximum corrosion inhibition efficiencies of 91% and 85% were obtained in 1 g/l concentration at low temperatures for mild steel and aluminium, respectively. The adsorption followed physisorption mechanism. Positive values of ?H suggested that the process was endothermic, and negative values of ?S suggested a decrease in the disorderliness of the system from thermodynamic approach. The adsorption model showed that Freundlich adsorption isotherm was the best fit for the process.

This study aimed at identifying constraints of yam and soil fertility evaluation and management among smallholder farmers in Kabba/Bunu area. Ten communities were purposely selected and ten yam farmers randomly selected from each community.100 questionnaires were administered to and collected from the farmers. The questions were collated and analyzed using frequency, mean and percentage. 98% of the farmers cultivate white yam and 64% are aware of the existence of improved varieties. Constraints to yam production are lack of access to finance (84%), poor market/sales (71%), availability and cost of seed yam (70%), Lack of access to improved varieties (68%), low soil fertility (64%) and lack of access to fertilizer (56%). Prominent soil fertility indicators are soil colour, crop performance, vegetation type, presence of earthworm activities and topographic position. 59% of the farmers assessed their farm soil to be fertile while 41% is non-fertile. Fertility management practices adopted among the farmers are: mulching (98%), use of legume in intercropping system (62%) and post-harvest residue management (50%). The adoption and cultivation of other varieties of yam apart from white yam, use of organic manure and post-harvest residue management of slash-and-mulch as well as intervention of government and non-governmental organization were recommended.

The study of impact of Distance Education (DE) expanding access and providing quality tertiary education in Ghana has become eminent in the midst of large number of students enrolled in DE institutions. . This paper reviews DE literature with focus on the development of DE in Ghana between 1982 to date. In the context of statistics reviewed from the NCTE, DE is seemingly observed as serving the purpose of access without recourse to quality. The paper draws on the weaknesses and strengths of “access” and “quality” and how each complements the other to ensure effective impact.

Air conditioning system is essential for maintaining thermal comfort in indoor environments, especially for hot and humid climates. Today, air conditioning, comprising cooling and dehumidification, has become a necessity in commercial and residential buildings and many of the industrial processes. It accounts for a major share of the electric energy consumption. Therefore, there is tremendous potential to improve the overall efficiency of the air-conditioning systems in buildings to reduce the uses of energy. In this present research work, begins with a review of the type of losses especially conduction loss, recent novel devices that enhances the energy efficiency. Lastly, the research presents efficient cooling strategies and R-factor of building material with minimization of conduction losses that reduce the primary energy utilization for cooling.

Educational capabilities vary in diverse geographical regions. Training is critical to standardize and optimize educational practices for desired outcomes. In Guyana, indigenous Amerindian preservice teachers need to acquire the skills and overcome the technological barriers to better prepare learners beyond the classroom. Even though internet access would allow indigenous Amerindians in Guyana to develop technology literacy skills and access educational resources, Indigenous pre-service teachers have a low rate of technology adoption in the classroom. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to discover the perceptions of indigenous Amerindian preservice teachers on the adoption of digital technology in the classroom. Rogers’s diffusion of innovation theory and David and Venkatesh's technology of acceptance model were used to understand indigenous Amerindian preservice teacher perceptions about the use of digital technology, in respect of perceived barriers, and the coping and adopting mechanism throughout their pedagogical practices. Ten Indigenous Amerindian preservice teachers participated in this qualitative study. Semi-structured, interviews were the primary data collection tool. Open coding was used to generate themes and analyzed emergent coding. The findings from this study indicated that the rate of adoption of digital technology could accelerate if (a) training is strategic, (b) there is a reduction of institutional barriers, and (c) professional practices are aligned for educational growth. This study potentially contributes knowledge to education and leverage and adoption of digital technology, to advance understanding of learning and pedagogical best practices. The findings may contribute to positive social change in that professional development centers can improve skills that provide flexible learning for improving access to psychological therapies to integrate digital technology beyond the classroom. and serve as a catalyst to promote growth by capacity building.

Iron-clay based composite resistor of varying iron content and aspect ratio have been fabricated using a pressure of about (2.04x108) Nm-2 for all the resistor moulded, expect in the case where the pressure was varied with four different pressures of about 1.28x108Nm-2, 0.66x108Nm-2, 2.04x108 NM-2 and 2.41x108Nm-2 with composition of 70% iron, length of 15mm and particle size of 0-25µm. The effect of clay particle size was also investigated using particle size ranging from 0-250µm, 250-400µm, 400-500µm and 500-850µm. Iron powder was used as the conductive element while the clay powder served as insulating and binding element. The fabricated resistor all have an average diameter of 3mm; for those moulded with particle size of 0-25irm, the length are varied between 5mm and 25mm increasing in 5mm and composition of 95%, 90%, 85%, 80% and 75% iron content. The resistors were investigated for influence of composition, firing time, firing temperature, length particle size and moulding pressure on their electrical properties. The results show that the electrical resistance increases with increasing resistors length and increasing the diameter of the clay particle size. However, the electrical resistance falls rapidly with increasing firing temperature, firing time, moulding pressure and also with increasing functional composition (iron composition). The modeled results also shows that polynomial of the 2nd order best describes the results obtained.

We report the case of a young man aged 23, victim of an accident to type up falling penetration with thorns wood at the side of the inner right thigh. A scrotal ultrasound scan with erectile body objectified a strong allure foreign body straight. A mini-incision made at the level of the symphysis pubis allowed the removal of the foreign body.

Detailed Granulometric and petrographic analysis of the Agbani Sandstone outcrops were carried out within Ihuokpara, Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria. The aim was geared towards deciphering provenance and reconstructing the paleo-environment of deposition. The study area is underlain by Agbani Sandstone and Awgu Shale. They are Coniacian in age. A total of twelve (12) sandstone samples were collected and used for analysis. Out of the twelve sandstone samples, two (2) was deployed for thin section petrographic analysis, while ten (10) was deployed for grain size analysis. The petrographic results from two (2) sandstone samples from different locations reveal dominance in quartz (60% – 65%), feldspar (10%-13%), mica (10%-10%), limonite (15%-8%) with clay matrix and rock fragment less than 3% framework components of the sandstones respectively. These sandstones are mineralogically and texturally sub-mature and have been classified as lithic arkose on the basis of QFR diagram. Quartz in these sandstone samples is monocystalline in nature and feldspars are represented mainly as plagioclase. Provenance of the sandstone deposits within the study area was inferred to be from Abakaliki folded belt or Cameroun Basement Complex, due to the amount of detrital clay and degree of sorting. The textural parameters from the ten (10) samples show that the Agbani Sandstone are moderately to well sorted, medium grained, very negatively skewed and very leptokurtic grains in nature and suggest that the sand was deposited in a fluvial environment.