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This paper analysed cowpea markets and consumers’ preferences in Ogbomoso metropolis using a household hedonic approach. 60 cowpea sellers were selected by a purposive random sampling technique in four major markets from Ogbomoso North (Sabo market and New Waso market) and Ogbomoso South (Arada market and Caretaker market) Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria. 50% of the cowpea sellers were male and female respectively. 96.67% of them sell more than one varieties. 96.67% of respondents sell a combination of varieties i.e. Peu/Drum, Sokoto, Mala, Olo and Oloyin for their nutritive value, popularity and availability which may be used for boiled whole grain cooking, fried cowpea balls (akara), and steamed cowpea cake (moin-moin). Over 50% of respondents (cowpea marketers) use storage chemical which reduces the attack of weevils to be able to sell cowpea that has no or few numbers of bruchid holes. The mean prices of peu/drum cowpea, sokoto cowpea, mala cowpea, olo cowpea and oloyin cowpea are ?359.67, ?291.83, ?324.00, ?376.00, and ?394.17. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) which was used capture price-quality relationship of the type of cowpea purchased by consumers revealed that there is a significant relationship between the number of holes in each of the cowpea varieties and their respective prices in the various markets sampled in the study area. Hence, the numbers of holes appear to be the major determining factors affecting the prices of various cowpea types in the study area.

This paper investigated the influence of cowpea characteristics on cowpea prices in Akure Metropolis of Ondo State, Nigeria, using an analysis of covariance model approach. A total of 104 cowpea sellers were randomly selected from chosen in the markets. Interview schedule with the aid of structural questionnaire was used to collect data from markets: Oja oba, Isinkan, Adedeji, Araromi, and Isolo in the study area. 12% of the cowpea sellers were from Oja-oba, 27.88% from Isinkan, 18.27% from Araromi, 16.35% from Adedeji and 15.38% from Isolo market respectively. 72.12% were female while the rest 27.88% were male. 64.42% of the cowpea sellers sold all the varieties of cowpea in the study area i.e. Peu/Drum, Sokoto white, Mala, Olo and Oloyin. 38.46% of the cowpea sellers sold Peu/Drum for its popularity. 44.23% of them sold Sokoto for its popularity. 30.77% of them sold Mala for customary reasons, 31.73% of them sold Olo for its popularity, 30.77% of them sold Oloyin for its availability and nutritive value. 49.04% of the cowpea sellers said that their customers use the cowpea bought for all it can be used for. From the study, 37.50% of the cowpea sellers said that their customers prefer Oloyin for whole grain cooking because of its colour and flavour, 8.65% of them said that their customers prefer Oloyin for whole grain cooking due to its quick cooking quality. 31.73% of the cowpea sellers said that their customers prefer both Peu/Drum and Sokoto for making fried balls (akara) because of its peeling and binding quality. 32.69% of the cowpea sellers said that their customers prefer both Peu/Drum and Sokoto for steamed cake (moin-moin) for its flavour and texture. The mean prices of peu/drum cowpea, sokoto white cowpea, mala cowpea, olo cowpea and oloyin cowpea are ?362.50, ?263.75, ?296.83, ?304.81, and ?393.85. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) which was used capture price-quality relationship of the type of cowpea purchased by consumers revealed that there is a significant relationship between the number of holes in each of the cowpea varieties and their respective prices in the various markets sampled in the study area. Hence, the numbers of holes appear to be the major determining factors affecting the prices of various cowpea types in the study area.

A spectrophotometric method for the analysis of phorate (organophosphorus insecticide) is described. The analysis is based on the oxidation of organophosphorus pesticide with slight excess of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and the unconsumed NBS was determined with rhodamine B on a spectrophotometer (Genesis IOS V1.200) at ?max. 553nm. Beer’s law was obeyed in the concentration range of 0.10 to 1.00ppm. The method was successfully applied for the determination of phorate in vegetable samples. The validity of the proposed method was assessed by comparing it with the high performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC) through statistical analysis. There was no significant difference between the two methods. In the absence of sophisticated equipment like high performance liquid chromatograph and gas liquid chromatograph, the proposed method could be used for pesticide residues analysis.

Field trials were carried out at the farm of Livestock development unit of Ekiti state Ministry of agriculture, Erinfun, Ado Ekiti (7°40? N, 5°15? E) in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 cropping sessions to assess the effects of sprout number per cassava stand on the performance of cassava Manihot esculenta. The treatments which represented the number of shoots allowed to survive from sprouted shoots per stand were single shoot; double shoots; triple shoots and multiple shoots. At four weeks after planting (4WAP), sprouted shoots were detached to the required number per stand in each treatment. Multiple shoots produced the tallest plants while single and double shoots per stand gave the shortest plants. Single shoot per stand produced the highest stem girth figure, number of initial and final branches, fresh shoot biomass, number of tubers per plant as well as tuber yield per hectare. While the percent peel per tuber was lowest in the single and double shoots per stand, the highest percentage of peel per tuber was recorded in the multiple shoots cassava plants. It is concluded that sprouted cassava should not be allowed to be more than two shoots per stand for optimum cassava tuber yield.

Studies were carried out to assess the influence of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the performance of Solanum macrocarpon L. (African egg plant) in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria. Organic fertilizers (Poultry manure and cow dung) were applied at the rate of 150g per pot and the inorganic (NPK 20:15:15 and Urea) at 6g per pot to make a field equivalent of 8t ha¬-1 and 200kg ha-1 respectively. Poultry manure gave the best performance in terms of height, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot biomass, relative growth rate and fruit weight. The relative growth rate, number of leaves and plant height were similar in NPK and Urea applied pots but lower than those of poultry manure. The results obtain from this study indicated that poultry manure could be an alternative source of fertilizer to S. macrocarpon production in place of the inorganic NPK and Urea fertilizers. The study further suggests that poultry manure used for crop improvement is a means of turning waste to wealth in crop production. The leaves and fruits produced from poultry manure fertilized soil supports the current global campaigns for organic food production.

This study is aimed at examining the effects of socio- economic and financial factors on the performance of women entrepreneurs in Oyo state and two hundred and forty women entrepreneurs who are involved in trading, hairdressing and tailoring were purposively selected from amongst those registered in their respective associations. All the data were derived from primary sources. The results demonstrated that a significant relationship exists between socio- economic factors and the performance of women entrepreneurs. All the socio- economic factors (age, marital status, education and years of experience) were significant and positive at (P < 0.05). This implied that socio- economic factors are critical success factors that help entrepreneurs to survive, manage in difficult conditions and keep the business profitable. Furthermore, credit and savings impacted significantly on the performance of the entrepreneurs. The micro-entrepreneurs surveyed were revealed to be performing very poorly because majority of the entrepreneurs had no access to external funds. The finding indicated that the women entrepreneurs’ propensity to save for the growth of their enterprises was on average very low implying that they were experiencing some constraint factors. This tends to affect the performance of the women entrepreneurs negatively. Therefore, the study recommended that formal and informal entrepreneurship education should be given to micro- entrepreneurs in order to develop their managerial capabilities, accounting skills and overall be made more credit worthy and the Federal government should consider developing policies that will create an enabling environment for the development and proper operation of cooperative thrift and credit societies and other group initiatives.

Evidence from literature suggests that despite the fact that women are key players in entrepreneurial activities and make significant contributions in the economic development of many nations around the world, non-availability of long-term finance and long procedures to access financial help have been identified as major constraints faced by women entrepreneurs. Cooperatives societies has been identified as veritable instruments which provide business finance for the growth and development of women enterprises .Therefore this study evaluated the impact of cooperative societies on the performance of women entrepreneurs in Lagos State, Nigeria. Data were sought through structured questionnaires and analysed using tables, frequencies, percentages, charts while chi square was used to test the study hypothesis. The findings of the study revealed that though cooperatives are accessible to majority of the women entrepreneurs, the amount of loans obtainable from cooperatives were inadequate for the entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the chi square analysis showed that the ?2_ calculated value of 61.26 is greater than the ?2_ critical value of 13.28 at 0.01level of significance, implying that cooperative societies have significant effect on entrepreneurs. Therefore it is recommended that the federal government should consider developing policies that will create an enabling environment for the development and proper operation of cooperative thrift and credit societies and other group initiatives and the management of cooperative societies should be helped to have a new business orientation and also encouraged to attend and benefit from seminars, adult education and literacy programs.

This study investigates the different montages used in mounting silkworm before spinning of cocoon. In this investigation, palm fronts, basket, woven montages were used along with the plastic ones to study their efficacy. The silkworms were brushed into the rearing tray from disease-free egg card. After feeding on mulberry leaves for several days, silkworms of the 5th instars stop feeding and begin to spin cocoon. The result showed that 78% cocoon was formed from the palm front montage. This was followed by plastic montages 58%; woven montages 54%; but basket montage does not support the formation of cocoon 0%. The quality parameter that were measured include, cocoon weight, filament weight, filament length and pupa weight. Palmfront montages have the highest cocoon weight1.684gm, filament weight 0.125gm and pupa weight 1.235. The results obtained were summarized in table and graph. The palm fronts, from oil palm tree, are readily available to the rural and urban farmers in the community, exhibit the best cocoon formation. Palmfront montages, plastic montages and woven montages support the formation of cocoon. However the use of palmfront could be encourage having shown a better quantity and quality parameters.

Anatomical features of infected wood of teak (Tectona grandis) were investigated in this study. Mistletoe-infected trees were sectioned and examined under a light microscope in order to ascertain the extent of infestation of the parasite, especially the haustoria, on the wood species. Wood micrographs of healthy Tectona grandis were presented, while photomicrographs of the infested wood sections revealed patches of deposits which were noticeable at the tangential section in the parenchyma cells. Upon examination and in comparison to sections from healthy Tectona grandis, it was observed that the deposits might have been as a result of the wood response to the infestation of the parasite (mistletoe). The materials which seemed to plug part of the rays were associated to the parasite activities in the wood rays, as the areas mostly infected were the parenchyma cells where food materials are normally stored in wood. The study revealed that impact of Mistletoes goes beyond the peripheral of the bark region but further into the host wood microstructures.

The nutritive and anti-oxidative properties of tea have made it the most widely consumed beverage in many parts of the world. Warm climatic conditions arising from high light intensity however, constitutes a major constraint to tea cultivation in South-Western Nigeria. Reduction in the Light Intensity (LI) is therefore, fundamental to the possible expansion of tea production in this zone. A pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different light intensities on growth, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids contents of two tea cultivars at two locations (Ibadan and Owena). The experiment was a factorial of eight treatments; Two tea cultivars (143 and 318), Four levels of light intensity-(25%=2.40x104lux, 45%=4.57x104lux, 65%=6.75x104lux and 100%=1.04x105lux: control). These were achieved by using sheds of 4, 2, 1 and 0 palm fronds layers, respectively. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with four replications. Data were collected on Number of Leaves (NL), Leaf Area (LA, cm2), Plant Height (PH, cm), leaf abscission as well as chlorophyll and carotenoids contents (mg/g). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at ?0.05. The result revealed that Cultivar 143 performed significantly better than 318 with 25.23±9.74NL, 665.93±297.54LA in Ibadan and 25.38±9.82NL, 898.23±670.34LA in Owena. Tea plants under 45 and 65% LI had higher NL, LA and PH compared to those grown under 25 and 100% LI in Ibadan and Owena. Highest leaf abscission (15.44±3.89 and 23.13±7.22 dropped leaves in Ibadan and Owena, respectively) was obtained in C143 under 100% LI; while the least (6.84±3.89 and 4.78±7.22 dropped leaves in Ibadan and Owena, respectively) was obtained in C318 under 45% LI. In Ibadan, chlorophyll and carotenoids increased from 1.11±0.83 and 0.30±0.15, respectively in C318 under 100% LI to 3.15±0.83 in C143 under 25% LI and 0.6±0.15 in C318 under 45% LI; while in Owena, chlorophyll and carotenoids increased from 1.05±0.87 and 0.29±0.30, respectively in C143 under 100% LI to 2.97±0.87 and 0.83±0.30 in C318 under 25% LI. Conclusively, light intensities of 45% (4.57x104lux ) - 65% (6.75x104lux) enhanced optimal vegetative growth, reduced leaf abscission, increased chlorophyll and carotenoids accumulation of tea cultivar 143 which was more adaptable to Ibadan and Owena, Southwest Nigeria.

Verbal communication is temporal and easily forgotten, but written reports exist for long periods and yield long-term benefits for the author and others. Individual scientists and groups of researchers perform experiments to test hypotheses about biological phenomena. After experiments are completed and duplicated, researchers attempt to persuade others to accept or reject their hypotheses by presenting the data and their interpretations. The report or the scientific paper is the vehicle of persuasion; when it is published, it is available to other scientists for review. This model of technical report in biology therefore looks into the right way in putting the reports together in a way that is acceptable to other researchers and readers.

The bedrock of agricultural development in developing countries of sub-saharan Africa is rural development, without which all efforts at agricultural development will be futile. Agricultural development can only be attained if necessary rural infrastructural facilities are adequately provided in rural areas. This study assessed the availability of rural infrastructural facilities and its effect on agricultural productivity of rural dwellers in Abeokuta North local government area of Ogun state. Interview schedule was used to elicit information from 120 rural dwellers from six rural communities. Information obtained was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Availability of seven rural infrastructural facilities was assessed. The results showed that roads were available to all the respondents while electricity (70.83%) and schools (83.33%) were available to majority of the respondents. Majority of the rural dwellers reported the proper functioning of roads (66.67%) and schools (82%) while partial functioning was recorded for electricity (60%), portable water (50%) and storage facilities (66.67%). The study concludes that sustainable rural development is a function of the availability and accessibility of rural infrastructural facilities to rural dwellers who are mainly small scale farmers. It was recommended that government should make provision for infrastructural facilities in rural areas of the local government.

The application of finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) numerical modeling and Hilbert transformation for the image enhancement and detection of buried engineering utilities using surface ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technique is demonstrated in a typical sedimentary terrain of Lagos Nigeria. Accurate delineation and precise location of such subsurface features is of effective use for engineering and environmental studies. A traverse magnetic (TM-) mode formulation was adopted for the models; and perfectly matched layer (PML) absorbing boundaries were implemented for wave absorption at the modeling grid edges. Four synthetic models were developed; three single-layer models of a single pipe buried at depth (z) of 2m, two pipes 10m apart and concrete bars buried at z=1.5m, and one double-layered model of multiple pipes buried at z=1.5m. The electrical properties of the models are; single-layered earth-system (vadose zone): ?_r=9, ?=1mS/m ; pipes: ?_r=12, ?=1mS/m, bars: ?_r=16, ?=1mS/m. The two-layered subsurface, had a thin-layer of air-earth interface of ?_r=1 and ?=0, upper layer of vadose zone sediment and lower-layer (saturated zone) of ?_r=25 and ?=5mS/m. The µ was set equal to its free space value, µ_0 for all the materials. The 2D GPR data acquired in some parts of Southwestern Nigeria and processed using basic functions such as dewow, filtering and application of gains. The resulting GPR radargrams were subjected to advanced attribute analysis using Hilbert transformation (HF) in order to establish the suitability of HF for GPR signal image enhancement that would aid the interpretation of the location of the buried utilities. The model investigations revealed that the electrical and the magnetic properties of the medium hosting the buried utilities, and the depth of burial plays a major role in controlling the image resolution obtained in a sedimentary terrain. The results from the field data are in general agreement with the numerical FDTD modeling experiments.

In this paper, Bayesian estimators of the population proportion of a sensitive attribute were developed when real life data were gathered through the administration of survey questionnaires on an induced abortion on 300 matured women in some selected hospitals in the metropolis. Using both the Kumaraswamy (KUMA) and the Generalised (GLS) beta distributions as alternative beta priors, efficiency of the proposed Bayesian estimators was established for a wide interval of the values of the population proportion. We observed that for small, medium as well as large sample sizes, the proposed Bayesian estimators were better than the conventional Bayesian estimator proposed by Hussain and Shabbir [10] when a simple beta prior was used.

The study examined the determinants of consumption of food away from home (FAFH) in the urban sector. The socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and factors motivating it were identified as well as factors that influence the consumption of food away from home. The study used two stage sampling method to select 118 respondents that was used for the study. Data collected were analysed using ordinary least square model. The result revealed that 8 out of the 17 variables considered to influence consumption of FAFH were significant and these are household size, number of children under 6yrs, children between 7 and13years as well as 14 and 17years, total number of visit per week to places for food away from home, number of working female adults and easy access to prepared FAFH. Household size was significant at 1% level and has a direct relationship with household expenditure on consumption of FAFH. The total number of adults present in the household is also significant at 1% and has an inverse relationship with expenditure on consumption of FAFH. Also, the number of children under 6 years is statistically significant at 5% level of significant and it has an inverse relationship with the household expenditure. This could be as a result of specially attention given to young children. Based on the rapid growing trend of consumption of food away from home consumption, this study recommends that FAFH should be taken up by approved and trusted sources putting the health and safety of the consumers into consideration and government agencies concerned with food and health safety should ensure that food served at eateries and restaurants are safe for consumption.

In this works, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic model including an eclipse stage of infected cells with latently infected cells was considered. The local and global stability of the system were established using the associated basic reproduction number .Bifurcation analysis was used to establish conditions for the local stability of the endemic equilibrium using the centre manifold theorem. The result shows that the disease free equilibrium is locally and globally asymptotically stable, when the associated disease threshold parameter is less than unity, and the system exhibit backward bifurcation. Numerical Simulations carried out for the analytical result suggest that the attack to the latently infected cells cannot be ignored because some quicker cells from this stage will move with time to productively infected class/cells. Keywords: HIV model; Basic reproduction number; sensitivity analysis; backward bifurcation;

The Schiff base, 3-(-1-(2-pyrimidinylimino)methyl-2-napthol with NO chromophores have been synthesised and its Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes isolated. The ligand coordinates to the metal ions in the ratio 2L: 1M, through the azomethine N and napthol O atoms, resulting in N2O2 chromophores around the central metal atom. The % metal, infrared (IR) and electronic spectral measurements are consistent with the adoption of a 4-coordinate square planar/ tetrahedral geometry for the metal complexes. The infrared spectra show lone vC=N, vM-N and vM-O bands for the metal complexes in the range 1649-1655 cm-1, 579-599 cm-1 and 410-497 cm-1 respectively, indicative of the existence of geometric isomerism, and the complexes are in the cis-isomeric forms. Further evidence of coordination is the higher melting points of the complexes in the range 237-301oC in comparison with that of the ligand at 92-94oC. The in-vitro antibacterial studies show that the Schiff base and its Zn(II) complex exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activities against Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella oxytoca, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis like ciprofloxacin (30.0-50.5 mm) with inhibitory zones range of 14.0-20.0 and 12.0-17.5 mm respectively in the same assay.

Synthesis, spectroscopic (IR and electronic) and in-vitro antibacterial properties of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pd(II) complexes of the enolimines derived from condensation of p-nitroaniline and benzoyl trifluoroacetone (HL1) / theonyltrifluoroacetone (HL2) were reported. The ligands coordinated to the metal ions through the azomethine N and enol O atoms in ratio 1M: 1L, resulting in complexes of the type [ML1NO3].xH2O, [ML2(CH3COO)].xH2O and [PdL(Cl)H2O]. The IR and electronic spectral measurements were consistent with the adoption of a 4-coordinate square planar/ tetrahedral geometry for the metal complexes. The in-vitro antibacterial studies of the Schiff bases and their metal(II) complexes against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli revealed that HL1 and its metal complexes were generally more active than HL2 and its complexes. Interestingly, [Zn(L1)NO3].½H2O, [Pd(L1)Cl(H2O)] and [Ni(L2)2] had broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli with inhibitory zones range of 12.5-22.0 mm proving their potential usefulness as broad-spectrum antibacterial agents.

Some metal(II) complexes of mixed ligands-dimethydithiocarbamic and p-aminobenzoic acids were synthesized (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn) and characterized by solubility, percentage metal, conductivity, infrared and electronic spectra measurements. Infrared data showed that the dimethydithiocarbamic and p-aminobenzoic acids coordinated through the sulphur atoms, and the carboxylate oxygen atoms to the metal atoms respectively. Electronic spectra and room temperature magnetic moments corroborated equilibrium between high spin and low spin octahedral geometry (spin-crossover) for the Mn(II), Fe(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes, while the Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes were octahedral and mononuclear. The antimicrobial activities of the metal complexes against Escherichia spp, Streptococcus spp, Proteus sp, Candida sp, Salmonella sp, Bacillus spp, Staphylococcus sp and Pseudomonas spp showed that the Mn(II), Fe(II) and Zn(II) complexes had very good antimicrobial activities against these microbes with inhibitory zones range of 7.0-20.0, 7.0-20.0 and 9.0-27.0 mm respectively, just like Streptomycin (7.0-29.0 mm) proving their potentials as broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents in-vitro.

Studies on synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of some metal(II) complexes of the mixed ligands, Vitamins B2 (Riboflavin, HL) and Benzoic acid (HL2), where M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn were carried out. The conductivity measurements and percentage metal analysis confirmed that the metal complexes were covalent in DMS with the formulations [M(HL)(HL1)Cl2] and [M(HL)(HL1)SO4]. The room temperature magnetic moments and electronic spectra measurements were corroborative of 6-coordinate, octahedral geometry for all the metal complexes. In addition, the Fe(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes exhibited spin-crossover, the Mn(II) and Cu(II) complexes were dimeric and the Zn(II) complex was mononuclear. The infrared spectra data showed that the coordination in the metal complexes occurred through the hydroxy oxygen atoms in Riboflavin, and the carboxylate oxygen atoms in Benzoic acid. The antimicrobial screening of the metal complexes against Escherichia coli, Proteus spp, Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans, Salmonella sp, Streptococcus sp, Bacillus spp, Staphylococcus sp and Pseudomonas spp revealed that the Co(II) complex had the best activity with inhibitory zones range of 7.0-20.0 mm. The antioxidant screening of the metal complexes showed that [Cu(HL)(HL2)Cl2] had the best activity with percentage inhibition of about 50.0 which was about twice that of the standards, Ascorbic acid and ?-tocopherol, proving its potentials as an anticancer agent.

The tridentate Schiff base, 3-{[(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)imino]methyl}naphthalen-2-ol, formed by condensation of 5-amino-2-methoxypyridine and 2-hydroxy-1-napthaldehyde coordinates to some Metal(II) ions, forming complexes of the type [M(L2)]½H2O {where M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pd}. These complexes are characterized by percentage metal, melting point, conductance measurements, electronic and IR spectroscopies. The IR data confirms that coordination is via the imine nitrogen and napthanenol oxygen atoms; while electronic data support a 4-coordinate tetrahedral/squareplanar geometry for the metal complexes. The complexes are air-stable solids which melt/decompose on heating in the temperature range 196-232oC; and none is an electrolyte in nitromethane. The in-vitro antibacterial activities of the complexes against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella oxytoca are reported. Notably, the Pd(II) complex exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against these bacteria with the exception of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with inhibitory zones range in the range 8.0-12.0 mm.

Over time, there has been shortfall in the recorded academic performance of undergraduates in Nigeria. This is traced to lazy thinking or cognitive ease and the habit of procrastination which could result from low academic self-regulation. Little is known of cognitive easing as a primogenitor of academic performance. Also, there is dearth of literature on how procrastination influences academic performance in the country. This study therefore fills in the gap by investigating the influence of cognitive ease and procrastination on academic performance among university students in Akungba. Participants 250 (125 males), (125 females) were purposively selected. Cognitive ease was measured using cognitive reflection questionnaire by Shane Fredericks, Procrastination was also measured using the procrastination scale while the Academic performance was measured using students’ CGPA. Results using ANOVA showed no significant influence of cognitive ease and gender on student Academic Performance. However, Procrastination was found to be significant [F (1,190) = 4.09, p < .05]. Based on this finding, it was recommended that psycho-education be provided to assist students combat procrastination especially in academics. Further research on cognitive ease is also encouraged for a conclusive stand on its influence of academic performance.

The issue of medical doctors not possessing empathy for the patients in the country (Nigeria) is quite alarming. This has been found to influence the willingness to seek health care and also the compliance and adherence of patients to treatment; yet not much research has been done to look into this problem. The study therefore investigated the influence of personality, religious affiliation, gender and age on empathy among medical undergraduates in Nigeria. An expo-facto research design was employed, and using purposive and accidental sampling techniques, a total of 295 medical students (144 males and 97 females) with age range between 16 and 41 years (Mean = 22.72; SD = 3.82) were selected as participants in the research. One hypothesis was formulated and tested with hierarchical regression analysis. The result revealed that agreeableness (? = .17; t = 2.61; p< .01), conscientiousness (? = 0.22; t = 3.52; p<0.01) and neuroticism (? = -.16, t = -2.58, p< .05) significantly predicted empathic behavior among the undergraduates, while extraversion and openness to experience did not. Age also predicted empathy (? = -0.13; t = -1.98, p<.05) in an inverse relationship implying the younger students were more empathic. Similarly, religious affiliation predicted empathy (? = -0.17, t = -2.50, p < 0.01). All variables of study accounted for 14% variation in the prediction of empathic behavior among Nigerian medical undergraduates. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that individualized intervention strategies based on personality traits should be integrated into programs to enhance empathy in medical education.

Levels of proximate and amino acid compositions were determined in Maggot meal (MM), Earthworm meal (EM) and Soybean meal (SM). Maggot meal was best in Ile, Leu, Lys, Try, Asp, Cys and Pro whereas Earth worm meal was best in Arg, His, Met, Phe, Val, Glu, Ser and Tyr while Soybean meal was only best in Gly,  when compared on pair-wise basis. The total amino acid contents were: Maggot meal (58.4g/100g crude protein), Earthworm meal (56.3g/100g crude protein) and Soybean meal (34.9g/100g crude protein) and an average of 49.9g/100g crude protein with respective essential amino acids of 34.5g/100g crude protein, 31.4g/100g crude protein and 18.3g/100gcrude protein. The Predicted Protein Efficiency Ratio (P-PER) levels were: 2.16 (Maggot meal), 1.45 (Earthworm meal) and 1.14 (Soybean meal). On average basis, the limiting amino acid based on whole hen’s egg amino acid scoring pattern and Provisional amino acids scoring pattern was threonine. However, significant differences occurred between Maggot meal/Earthworm meal (MM/EM), Maggot meal/Soybean meal (MM/SM), Quality of amino acid (QAA) of Maggot meal/ Earthworm meal (MM/EM) and Maggot meal/ Soybean meal (MM/SM) at r = 0.05 and n-2 degree of freedom. When comparing the quality of amino acids of feedstuffs on pair wise basis, the coefficients of alienation (C_A) were fairly low (24.0 - 40.7%), meaning that there is a better relationship between them while on the other hand the Index of Forecasting Efficiency (IFE) values were very high (59.4 – 76.0%) indicating that the error of prediction was very low. The three feedstuffs could then be compounded in other to employ them in feed formulation for fish, poultry and other animals.

Determination of the proximate and anti-nutritional composition of two common edible insects: yam beetle (Heteroligus meles) and palm weevil (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) was carried out and the results showed that they both contained an appreciable levels of protein (38.10 and 50.01% respectvely), with moisture, ash, fibre, lipid, carbohydrate and gross energy levels being:(1.01, 5.78, 3.00, 32.01, 20.10% and 521.41Kcal/kg) and (1.16, 4.92, 2.56, 21.12, 20.23% and 480.02Kcal/kg) respectively. The results of the anti-nutritional analysis revealed that oxalate (total and soluble) were (29.00 and 19.32mg/100g) and (21.72 and 14.01mg/100g) for yam beetles and palm weevils respectively. These results were fairly high compared to other anti-nutritional components of the studied insects but generally fall within nutritionally accepted values. The lower values of phytic acid, HCN and tannins (0.311, 2.651 and 0.42mg/100g) and (0.276, 2.531 and 0.481 mg/100g) respectively for yam beetle and palm weevils. These results were generally far below toxic levels in men. Statistically, there exists positively high significant difference between the compositions of the two insects at r0.05 and n-2 degree of freedom while the index of forecasting efficiency (IFE) was very high at 99.5% which indicates that the error of prediction was very minimal. The moisture, ash and crude fibre of the insects were very low compared to fish meat and beef. These insects therefore could serve as additional promising sources of protein and fat for the teaming population and animal feeds formulations.

The levels of fatty acids, phospholipids and sterols were determined in the raw, roasted and cooked wholeseeds flour of Treculia africana. Results showed crude fat varied from 2.90 – 8.67 g/100 g; SFA from 18.7 – 31.2 % of total fatty acids, total polyunsaturated unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) varied from 34.7 – 46.8 % and MUFA/SFA ranged from 0.962 – 2.89, PUFA/SFA ranged from 1.05 – 2.50, n-6/n-3, EPSI (PUFA/MUFA), LA/aLA and EPA/DHA ranged from 7.80 – 28.8, 0.830 – 1.35, 30.4 – 237 and 0.530 – 1.21 respectively. The samples had high levels of n-6 fatty acids but low in n-3 fatty acids. In the phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine was highest in the raw wholeseed flour whereas phosphatidylinositol was highest both in roasted and cooked wholeseed flours with respective values of 733 and 733 (mg/100 g). The sterol values in the samples varied from: raw (7.9e-8 – 98.4); roasted (3.1e-7 - 302) and cooked (5.40e-6 – 309) mg/100 g. In all the samples, cholesterol was of the least concentration. In all nutrient parameters considered, roasted and cooked wholeseed flours were better than the raw wholeseed flour. Correlation coefficient was significantly and positively high at r = 0.05 in: the crude fats, total fatty acids and energy; fatty acids, fatty acids as food, energy contribution from fatty acids and sterols.

There has been an increasing concern in many parts of the world, particularly in developing nations on the poor living conditions and deteriorating state of most urban residential neighbourhoods. The failure of many public and private housing projects has been attributed to the lack of consideration for adequate housing, as relevant parameters and indicators required for determining the quality and performance of residential neighbourhoods were ignored. Access to adequate housing has therefore remained one of the greatest challenges to human and sustainable urban development. Through a survey of two medium-sized private and public residential developments:- Bodija and Moremi, this study evaluates and compares neighbourhoods’ quality in order to determine the performance of housing development in Southwestern Nigeria. Using Analysis of Variance test; eighteen variables consisting of the dwelling, environmental and neighbourhood features were identified as significant determinants of residential quality in the study areas. These variables were rated and their total weight values obtained. Residential quality index (RQI) was calculated for each of the variables and different indices - 4.12 and 3.24 were obtained for Bodija and Moremi Estates respectively. These values indicate existing variation in the quality of the two neighbourhoods; with Bodija- a private residential estate having a higher quality rating than Moremi estate. The study showed that different factors determine neighbourhood quality and these affect users’ view on the performance of their dwellings. Rather than making a broad generalization in housing provision, the performance and quality of residential development could be measured and improved upon using appropriate indices based on users’ ratings of their dwellings.

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a capitalist society. Its special focus is to investigate CSR as a trend as well as the role of law using different initiatives and dimensions at different level of governance; i.e. national, regional and international levels. This paper employs qualitative method of research, drawing on observation, semi-structured interviews and the use of statistical data from different body of United Nations. Most importantly were observations made at CSR module lectures during my LLM. In CSR movement today, the law is taken shape, although in different form of legal norm which might either be prescriptive or regulatory. The study also found that CSR is a trend and not a passing social fad or a threat to corporate capitalism. That the legal norm definitely has a role to play in any social group without which conflict is rife and that firm’s responsibility to the society is continuous. As the society develops, so also is the need for sustainable economic development expected from corporate industries. This research paper adds to myriads of literature on CSR and capitalism. It suggests the need for legal dimensions and initiative for better ‘performance ‘rather than ticking the boxes. It concludes that the firm, society and the law cannot function effectively in a water tight compartment, the society cannot do without the firm, and the firm needs the law for its existence. Thus the firm needs to balance responsibility to the law and the society for it to achieve its aims.

Rapid population growth is critical especially in developing countries because rapid population growth is often time not matched with the socio-economic demands of the people. For instance prolonged high fertility rate may lead to a relatively high proportion of children and high dependency burden and eventual poverty and other social vices.

Phthalates are toxic for human beings and their toxicity can be expressed in various forms like teratogenic, mutagenic, estrogenic and carcinogenic effects as well as by endocrine disturbances. The most commonly encountered phthalate molecules in the environment are: DMP, DEP, DnBP, BBP, DisoDP, DALP, DNP), DEHP, and DnOP. In order to assess the health and environmental impacts of phthalates, it is necessary to access these compounds at the molecular level in natural systems, including water. Therefore, our study was devoted to setting up a protocol including phthalate extraction step, followed with a development of a HPLC/DAD analysis methodology, using artificial mixtures of different standard phthalate compounds and water standard reference material we made in our laboratory. As results, we obtained good performance characteristics such as detection limits (ranging 1.1 - 40.0 ng/L), limits of quantification (from 3.75 to 134 ng /L), coefficients of variation (CV) lower than 10 %, and quality control cards showing that the HPLC/DAD methodology we developed was under statistical control and suitable for phthalate determination in water.

In an effort to improve feed utilization efficiency, promote growth, and reduce production cost Clarias gariepinus fingerlings were subjected to five feeding frequencies: 2 times every day, 3 times every day, 3 times every other day, 8 times every day and 8 times every day (weekend off) for 56 days. Ten fingerlings of mean weight 1.3±0.2g were stocked into each of the fifteen 45L aquaria with 3 replicates per treatment. Fish were fed on commercial diet containing 56% crude protein at 5% body weight per day. The highest percentage weight gain and specific growth rate were observed in fish fed 8 times every day which were significantly higher (p<0.05) than all treatments except fish fed 8 times every day (weekend off). The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded for fish fed 8 times every day (weekend off) and 3 times every other day with values of 0.67±0.05 and 0.67±0.01 respectively. The best protein efficiency ratio (PER) was also observed in fish fed 8 times every day (weekend off) and 3 times every other day with similar values of 2.69±0.22 and 2.68±0.03 respectively. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the proximate composition of fish carcasses among the treatments. This study indicates that Clarias gariepinus fingerlings could be fed 8 times everyday weekend off.

This study focused on the impact of ICTs usage on the performance of women entrepreneurs in the South Western States of Nigeria .The purpose of the research was to highlight the types of ICTs tools frequently used by women entrepreneurs and its effect on their performances. A total of 120 women entrepreneurs who were randomly selected participated in the study and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results indicated that the use of mobile phones, television, radio, magazines and newspapers are the tools frequently used by entrepreneurs while internet services, electronic mails and computers are underutilized due to the fact that they are expensive and also because majority of the women entrepreneurs lack computer skills. Furthermore, it was discovered that mobile phones being one of the ICTs tools are sources of cheaper and faster communication and majority of the respondents believed that it has contributed positively to their performances. However, it was concluded that women entrepreneurs’ use of ICT infrastructure and systems in South-Western Nigeria is limited and even the ones in use are not widely explored and channeled for business development. Therefore, the study recommended that efforts should be made by governments and service providers to ensure that women entrepreneurs are made aware of new ICT applications and innovative services that are of use to the business sector. Also, government should ensure prompt and adequate electricity supply in order to overcome the problems of incessant power failure which served as a major challenge to the usage of ICTs tools by the entrepreneurs.

In this article, we proposed an SEIVR mathematical model of the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases among infants taking into consideration passive immunization, treatment of the exposed infants at latent period and the infectious diseases treatment. The basic reproductive number of the mathematical model was obtained using the next generation matrix method. It is generally known that if the number is less than one, the infectious disease will die out with time and if it is greater than one, the disease will spread and become endemic in the community. The epidemiological interpretation of this threshold parameter (basic reproductive number) is connected to the local and global stability of a disease – free equilibrium.

The study investigated the effect of workplace deviance on employee performance with reference to Unilever Manufacturing. Nigeria Plc. Lagos, Nigeria. The objective of the study is to determine whether organizational deviance and interpersonal deviance jointly affect employee performance and also to ascertain the association between workplace deviance behavior variable and employee performance. The study employed survey research. Primary data was used for the study with questionnaire as research instrument. The subjects were two hundred and twenty employees of Unilever Manufacturing, Nigeria Plc. The six hypotheses formulated for this study were tested using multiple regression and Pearson’s Correlation. The finding revealed that organizational deviance and interpersonal deviance jointly and individually predict employee performance, the result also indicated association between workplace deviance behavior variables adopted and business performance.

This study investigates the impact of brand attributes on consumer. The objective of the study were to determine whether brand loyalty, perceived quality and brand awareness will jointly and independently predict purchase intention. The study employed survey research. Primary data was used for the study and questionnaire as research instrument. The sample surveys were 550 students of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo. The 5 hypotheses formulated for the study were tested with Pearson’s regression, multiple regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings from the study showed that independent variables i.e. Brand loyalty, perceived quality and brand awareness are significant and will jointly and independently predict purchase intention. The findings indicated significant relationship between brand loyalty and purchase intention. The study also reveals that there is main and interactive effect of brand loyalty and perceived quality on purchase intention.

This article examines the position of the Sunnah of the Prophet in both Islamic espitemology and Western scholarship. The purposes are to scrutinize the perspectives of Islam and the West on the issue of Sunnah’s authenticity and to analyze its position in the Islamic espitemology and the Western scholarship. The method used to complete the writing is library study, which involve the collection of data and information, followed by their analysis to compare and contrast the differences. It is found that Islam firmly recognized the position of the Sunnah and the role that Prophet Muhammad played in bringing and teaching it. The West, however, are reluctant to acknowledge the position of the Sunnah and their denial is closely associated with their denial of Prophet Muhammad. The article implies that one needs to arm himself with a sound understanding of the Sunnah and to be well-versed in the knowledge to ensure that he is clear about the position of the sacred source of Islam, i.e the Sunnah.

The study investigated time management practices and job effectiveness among university lecturers in Rivers State. A 29 item questionnaire was designed, validated and administered on a sample of 150 lecturers drawn from a population of 260 (57.6%) Lecturers from Faculty of Educations University of Port Harcourt and Faculty of Education Ignatius Ajuru University Rivers State. The result of the data analysis revealed that university lecturers indicated minimal level of time management practice which reflected in ranking their priorities daily; establishing time frame to achieve personal career goals; limiting the amount of time spent on TV and internet; completing important task when energetic and working on the most important task before the less important one. They equally indicated high level of job effectiveness which reflected in prompt planning of lectures, being regular in class, timely completion of course outline, timely assessment of students and grading of their scores, available for consultation, attending academic conferences and timely met requirements for their next promotion. The result also revealed a significant positive relationship between time management practice and job effectiveness. The study recommended among others that planning of schedules, prioritization of activities, resistance to unrewarding activities, avoiding time wasting habits etc were important time management techniques that needed to be imbibed by lecturers for individual and organizational goal attainment.

Wiener systems identification is studied in the presence of possibly infinite-order linear dynamics and nonparametric nonlinear element. The latter can be noninvertible and of arbitrary-shape. Using simple constant and sine excitations, and getting benefit from model plurality, the problem identification problem is made. All estimators are shown to be consistent

Watershed prioritization has gained importance in natural resources management, especially in the context of watershed management. The prioritization process identifies the highest priority watershed(s) or erosion susceptibility zone in which to conduct management. Morphometric analysis has been applied to prioritization of micro-watersheds as watershed characteristics of a basin represent its physical and morphological attributes that are employed in synthesizing its hydrological response. The present study makes an attempt to prioritize thirty two micro-watersheds of Dal lake Catchment of Srinagar district, Jammu and Kashmir based on morphometric parameters using GIS techniques. Various morphometric parameters, namely linear parameters and shape parameters have been determined using Survey of India (SOI) toposheets at 1:50,000 scale for each micro-watershed and assigned ranks on the basis of value/relationship so as to arrive at a computed value for a final ranking of the micro-watersheds. The analysis has revealed that the total number as well as total length of stream segments is maximum in first order streams and decreases as the stream order increases. Horton’s law of stream numbers and stream lengths is also found to be in conformity with the catchment.

Watershed management is the optimal use of soil and water resources within a given geographical area so as to enable sustainable production.Watershed prioritization has gained importance in natural resources management, especially in the context of watershed management. Erosion intensity analysis has been commonly applied to prioritization of watersheds. The investigation of basins for planning soil conservation requires a selective approach to identify smaller hydrological units, which would be suitable for more efficient and targeted conservation management programme. One criterion, generally used to determine the vulnerability of catchments to erosion, is the erosion intensity mapping. The quantitative analysis of erosion intensity is an important aspect of characterization of watersheds. Using micro-watershed as a basic unit in erosion intensity analysis is the most logical choice because all hydrologic and geomorphic processes occur within the watershed. The present study makes an attempt to prioritize twenty five micro-watersheds of Dal lake catchment of Srinagar district, Jammu and Kashmir, based on erosion intensity analysis, using remote sensing and Geographical Information System. Accordingly twenty five micro-watersheds have been classified into four categories based on very severe erosion intensity unit as very high, high, medium and low in terms of priority for conservation and management. The result of the erosion intensity analysis has revealed that micro-watersheds DMW1, DMW5, DMW7, DMW9 and DMW23 fall under very severe erosion class and are more susceptible to soil erosion and hence technical measures has been suggested for the very high priority micro-watershed.

This study has been carried out of calculating potential energy curves (Deng-Fan potential and Varshni potential) of ground state of diatomic molecule (HCl). Potential energy curves depended on spectroscopic Parameters (?e, ?exe, re, ?, µ, ?, De ,) and our results have been compared with experimental results.

Nigeria is currently living in a perilous time and has been adjudged to be the worse place to live on the surface of the earth outside of countries currently experiencing wars and natural disasters. The situation is beyond Thomas Hobbes state of Nature and unfortunately, the intelligence and security architecture to cushion the blood-letting is unabated and comatose, especially since the enshrinement of democratic Governance from 1999 till date. This has instigated some scholars and civil organizations to say that Nigeria is a failed or failing state Captives State, hence lacks its corporate existence. This has dove-tailed or predicated on the assumptions that Intelligence and National Security in Nigeria Democratic Governance is not working as evidenced in series of insecurity recorded since 1999 till date. This has instigated this research work; hence the research was guided by three (3) specific objectives such as, to ascertain the Nature and Extent of Intelligence and National Security Management in Nigeria 1999-2021, to identify and asses how intelligence operations support democratic principles in Nigeria and to proffer strategies on how intelligence can be used in democratic dispensation for robust national Security management. Also three (3) research questions and hypotheses were used to ascertain the said objectives. For its theoretical framework, the study adopted System Theory. Descriptive survey research design method was adopted for the study. A sample size of eight hundred and eighty five was drawn from the population using Taro Yamane and snow-ball sampling techniques. Questionnaire was administered to elicit opinions, attitudes and sentiments on issues asked. Tables, figures, simple percentages were used to analyze and present the data in answering the research questions. The hypotheses formulated in the study were tested using Chi-square (X2) statistical technique. The findings showed that there are diverse range of insecurity incidents and high level of intelligence failure in Nigeria democratic dispensation hence, insecurity pervades the Nation, and that the Intelligence and National Security apparatuses or tactics used is no longer feasible in mitigating the situation and that although democracy does not hinder intelligence operation but has elements of impediment. In all, the study recommends that intelligence should be reformed and re-strategized in line with democratic ethos to pre-empt any external or internal insurgency, terrorism and create a robust National Security Parlance.

The development and application of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) for full-scale Municipal wastewater treatment is the most important recent technological advance in terms of biological wastewater treatment. The MBR is a suspended growth-activated sludge system which combines the use of biological processes and membrane technology to treat wastewater and provide organic and suspended solids removal instead of secondary clarifiers. Use of MBR offers the possibility to overcome a lot of problems in activated sludge processes which are mostly due to tertiary treatment. It represents a decisive step forward concerning effluent quality by delivering a hygienically pure effluent and by exhibiting a very high operational reliability. Advanced MBR wastewater treatment technology is being successfully applied at an ever-increasing number of locations around the world. This review article has covered several aspects of MBR. The membrane separation of microorganisms from the treated wastewater is discussed in detail. Problems of membrane fouling and membrane washing and regeneration, linked to activated sludge characteristics, are examined. Finally, advantages and disadvantages of MBR over conventional activated sludge are concerned.

Foundation is the first element of any structure that encounters seismic forces. The various types of seismic waves, reaches and affects the foundations first and then the superstructure. Instead, this is the underprivileged component of the structure, when it comes to seismic forces consideration, compared with super structure. Different types of foundations respond differently to seismic forces. The type of soil, its characteristics, and bearing capacity, affects the design and capacity of foundations severely. Average response acceleration coefficient, as specified in IS 1893-2002 (Part 1), which takes into account the type of soil, also plays a vital role in determining the seismic forces on structure.Therefore, in this research work, RCC structure will be analyzed for the seismic behavior for different types of foundations. Various types of foundations like isolated footings, raft foundations, combined footings, pile foundations, etc. will be analyzed. Seismic analysis will be done in STAAD Pro to compare values of nodal displacement, drift, story and base shear, moment development and fundamental time period. Comments will be made considering safety, stability and economical aspects of the structure.

Media is considered to be the fourth estate of democracy; they play an integral part in shaping public opinion. India is the land of festivals and elections and we say this because every year more than one of the 29 states are on election mode. But the last 18 months has witnessed heightened interest among Indians in every election and this can be attributed to the massive victory of Narendra Modi led NDA in May 2014. This trend did not stop here as BJP won every state election after that in the months that followed. After commanding an indispensable win, the NDA government faced a strong hurdle from the united opposition. The watershed moment for the political parties was the 2015 Bihar elections. The opposition created an anti-NDA alliance to overcome the NDA. Experts say that the anti- NDA alliance used the media effectively as a communication tool to inject the messages of intolerance in the society and dent the chances of the NDA. Newspaper coverage can create a positive or negative impact on the political image. Media focused on political and social issues that created an atmosphere of intolerance debate nationwide, intellectual class raised the issue and confronted the government by returning their awards famously known as “Award Wapsi”. This research intends to find out how the entire Award Wapsi controversy had an impact on the Bihar state elections. The research further tries to probe if concepts like Agenda Setting and Manufacturing Consent by and through the media helped in this endeavor. Keywords: Intolerance, Election, Award Wapsi, Narendra Modi, Agenda Setting, Manufacturing Consent

Globalisation, urbanisation and construction are unstoppable in nature and so are the risks associated with construction. Construction in 21st century demand timely completion and has pressure on the stakeholders to mitigate the risks during and after the construction project. Survey was conducted globally for the assessment of impact of construction documents and records on project management. 103 responses were recorded from Qatar, U.A.E., U.S., Kenya and many cities of India. It can be briefed that documentation and record keeping should be an integrated part of the respective firm in order to avoid time overrun, and cost overrun. Efficient recordkeeping and documentation help for management of risk related to process, legal, material, quality and at same time are supportive for better decision making leading sustainability in project management.

The improvement of current Question Answering (QA) systems relies on finding ways to support the traditional statistic approach to QA with logic reasoning. In this presentation we show one way of supporting an Interactive Question answering system with logic reasoning. The most likely answer to a question by searching a predicate format of topic-arranged question patterns and responses. Answer Finder is a framework for the development of question-answering systems. Answer Finder is currently being used to test the applicability of graph representations for the detection and extraction of answers. In this paper we briefly describe Answer Finder and introduce our method to learn graph patterns that link questions with their corresponding answers in arbitrary sentences. The method is based on the translation of the logical forms of questions and answer sentences into graphs, and the application of operations based on graph overlaps and the construction of paths within graphs. The method is general and can be applied to any graph-based representation of the contents of questions and answers.

The Previous studies have shown evidence for the presence the quality factor of otoacoustic emissions models and it's role, in this work we study the effect by using different values of the quality factor, so we take the values of the quality factor (Q=5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50) The results suggest that reflections generation of the otoacoustic emissions from roughness are behaved two parts with respect to the value of the quality factor (Q), we found with low value (Q=5 and 10) the generation of the reflectivity is less than with high values of the quality factor ( Q = 20, 30, 40 and 50) therefore the reflectivity is depend on the value of quality factor.

This research deals with Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF) tests for three types of polymers, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyoxymethy (POM), and polyamide (PA). The tensile test results showed that advantage cannot be taken from u y ratio and strain hardening coefficient (n) to estimate polymers behaviour under LCF test. There was a similarity in polymers behaviour with metals in the aspect of total strain, elastic strain and plastic strain curves with total cyclic number (2N). Fatigue strength exponent (b) and fatigue ductility exponent (c) for the polymers recorded values within metals limits. POM polymer showed less softening and greater transition life (NT). PA polymer exhibits sensitivity to external stress concentration in terms of reduction of transition life (NT). Softening behaviour of PA polymer increases with lower value of the notch radius.

This paper investigates the performance of an 11 kV silicone rubber (SiR) outdoor insulator when subjected to an alternative voltage at 50 Hz. The electrical field and potential distributions over the insulator surface were computed and analysed using the Finite Element Method (FEM) COMSOL Multiphysics software. Comparative studies of field and equipotential contours for the insulator under dry clean and uniformly contaminated surface conditions are presented. The surface power dissipation along insulator surface is calculated. The critical of high field regions on SiR surfaces were identified and the power dissipated in the pollution layer along insulator profile was revealed. This study showed useful information about the surface heating which, might be help to predict any dry band formations along the leakage path of the insulator and to evaluate the insulator characteristics and its behavior.