This study aimed at assessing the susceptibility of restaurant foods to contamination in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers with a view to unraveling various food pathogens and recommending sustainable strategies to curb the menace. A random survey research design was adopted and the opinion on quality and standard of foods from 400 adult respondents were sampled. Statistical application of simple percentages proved significantly that high level of restaurant food contamination as well as poor health standard was occasioned by poor handling by the operators of restaurants. It concluded that unhygienic practices such as the use of unsafe water; unhealthy food exposure and underage service personnel predispose restaurants food to contamination. Recommendations include: restaurant operators and their employees should be made to undergo at least minimum standard training on catering and be issued with authorized license; and education and training of restaurant operators on good hygiene practices.
Page(s): 01-15 Date of Publication: 11 June 2021
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This paper presents the development of an android based intelligent demand service delivery mobile system. The aim is to provide a system which incorporates various domestic home service professionals into a single platform and intelligently monitor their behaviors when services are requested. This will be achieved by developing an intelligent algorithm which monitors service request using time control function and then send feedback to the request user of the service professional behavior which includes request acceptance notification, rejection notification (i.e if the request is ignored or rejected). With this system, the service request person will never be disappointed or kept stranded. The system will be developed using necessary universal modeling diagrams, process models, data model and implemented with android studio as a mobile application system. The system was tested and the result showed that when service request was accepted, the user received notification of the request acceptance, and in another case where service was rejected or ignored the request user received notification within 60 sec of service request.
Page(s): 16-21 Date of Publication: 15 June 2021
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The study evaluated the availability and utilization of chemistry laboratory facilities of tertiary institutions in Rivers. The design of the study was evaluation survey design involving Chemistry laboratories. The population included heads of schools, heads of the Chemistry subject lecturers for Chemistry courses and chief laboratory technologist. Sample in this study included six Tertiary institutions in Rivers state via purposive sampling is the procedure The instruments for data collection was Laboratory Facilities Inventory(LFI) developed by the research and semester results of students The experts checked for clarity of inventory items, and make necessary corrections that improved the instrument. The instrument was subjected to a test retest method of reliability. The information gotten was used in estimating the reliability index which will yield a coefficient of 0.82 using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The data collected was analyzed using mean standard deviation and Analysis of Variance for Regression .The result of the study shows that some laboratory facilities are available and utilized. The finding further reveals that there is significant influence of laboratory facilities utilization on students’ academic performance as measured in CGPA. Therefore, the study recommends that government should ensure adequate provision of laboratory facilities, schools should source funds from organizations like NGOs to equip the laboratory
Page(s): 22-28 Date of Publication: 15 June 2021
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Though water is the most abundant natural resource on the earth, in most occasions, it is limited to agriculture especially in dry spells and dry regions. This is aggravated by higher losses from evaporation as well as percolation. If a method adopts to trap percolating water that would be one of the appropriate alternatives which helps to survive plants during dry climates and increase the water use efficiency. Therefore, the present study aims to identify the possibility of reducing percolation by using moisture absorbing substrate beneath the root zone. Three moisture absorbing substrates i.e sponge, biochar and sawdust were used as treatments and a control experiment was conducted without any water absorbing material. Treatmentswere arranged as Complete Randomized Design with three replicates. Treatments were buried at 20 cm depth as 5 cm layer separated by high gauge polythene. In a 90cm×180cm plot, 12 chilli (Capsicum annuum) plants were planted as two plants per hole.All recommended agronomic practices were carried out.Soil moisture content was maintained above 50 % allowable depletion level by measuring it dailythroughout the experiment, supplying the deficiency. Days to 50% flowering, plant height at 50% flowering, first harvesting yield, plant biomass and root biomass were measured.There were no significant differences in plant height, days to 50% flowering, plant biomass or root biomass between treatments. It indicates that there was no any moisture stress among treatments. However, there was a significant difference among the treatments in water usage by the crop throughout the duration. The water usage was significantly lower in sponge compare to other treatments. It means sponge material can conserve water at the rate of 992.59 m3/ha without any effect on the yield. Therefore, a substrate can be used to effectively conserve soil moisture by reducing the percolation and sponge is the best among tested treatments.
Page(s): 29-31 Date of Publication: 15 June 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6501Download PDF
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR), is a very sensitive and specific molecular method, in the identification of microorganism. Definitive diagnosis of bacterial pathogens is a major healthcare challenge in developing countries including Nigeria. PCR profiles of Salmonella typhi in Lagos, Nigeria is presented in this study. Bacteriological analysis of stool samples from patient diagnosed clinically for typhoid fever was carried using selective media such as Selenite F (SF), buffered peptone water (BPW) and trypticase soy agar (TSA) which were incubated at 37⁰C for 18-24 h. After incubation 0.1 ml of sample from each enrichment medium was inoculated into 10 ml of Rappaport Vassiliadis R10 broth which was incubated at 42⁰Cfor 24 h. One loopful of the RV10 broth was inoculated into selective media:;MacConkey agar (MA), xylose lysine deoxycholate agar (XLD), Salmonella- Shigella agar (SSA) and brilliant green deoxycholate agar (BGDA). Suspected colonies were identified biochemically and kept on nutrient agar slants at 4°C for further analysis. All the S. typhi isolates produced reproducible and distinguishable profiles from samples and were amplified and analyzed by gel electrophoresis. The chromosomal DNAs had molecular weight that ranged between 0.52kbp to 2.9Kbp. Fifty-six(83.3%) of the S. typhi harbored both 0.9kbp and 1.4Kbp molecular weight, 50 (83.3%) had 2.8Kbp, 42 (70%) had 1.8Kbp molecular weight while the isolate with the least molecular weight DNA were 20,(33.3%). All the isolates belong to five distinctive clones. PCR with RAPD was very discriminatory as isolates classified together by other methods were classified into fewer clones.
Page(s): 32-37 Date of Publication: 17 June 2021
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The influence of CaCl2 and Mg on growth, yield, and quality of tomato was investigated in Uasin Gishu (in Chepkoilel) and Bungoma counties, between June-October 2016, and March-July 2017. The experiment was laid out with a randomized complete block design. CaCl2+Mg foliar (1.5% and 2.0%) solutions was applied as foliar sprays in combination with soil application of CaO and NPK fertilizer on three tomato varieties- Cal-J, Riogrande and Nyati. Data were recorded for days to 50% flowering, the highest number flowers per cluster, fruits per plant, yield, fruit weight, fruit firmness, and total soluble solid content of the fruit. The application of CaCl2+Mg at 2% in T12 (30Kg P/ha+4tons/ha+2% calcium and magnesium)significantly increased the days to 50%flowering, number of flowers, and the number of fruits per plant. Foliar application of CaCl2 (2.0%) + CaO (4t/ha) resulted in the minimum number of days to 50% flowering (18.67 in Chepkoilel and 22 in Bungoma), the highest number of flower clusters (Bungoma 51.67 and 52.33 in Chepkoilel), the highest number of flowers (Bungoma 239.67 and Chepkoilel 201.33), highest number of fruits per plant (Bungoma 99.67 and Chepkoilel 96.33), and highest yield (Bungoma 10.55t/ha and Chepkoilel 9.63t/ha).
Page(s): 38-46 Date of Publication: 17 June 2021
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The study examined the effects of graphic organizer and animation on students learning outcomes in Mathematics. The study employed pretest, post test quasi experimental design. The sample for this study consisted of 227 SSII students using multistage sampling procedure. One local government was randomly selected from the state together with three schools selected randomly with two experimental groups and one control group. Intact classes were used in each of the selected schools. Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) and Mathematics Attitudinal Questionnaire (MAQ) were the instruments used to collect data for the study. The instruments were validated through the assistant of experts and the reliability coefficient of 0.81 and 0.76 were obtained respectively. The data collected was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics, all at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that there is significant difference in the learning outcomes of students taught using graphic organizer, animation and conventional strategies. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations were made.
Page(s): 47-51 Date of Publication: 17 June 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6502Download PDF
Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) could be a veritable instrument for national economic development in Nigeria. The growing awareness of the need to adapt TVET to meet the rapid global economic requirement is absolutely essential. Thus, TVET is a mechanism that could help for improving the quality of workforce by humanizing their mobility, adaptability and productivity. TVET indirectly could contributes to the enhancement of firms’ competitiveness in the globalized world. This is so because one of the most important features of TVET is its orientation towards the world of work and the emphasis of its curriculum on the acquisition of employable skills. Unfortunately, it is sadly to note that, after many years of existence of Nigeria as nation is seriously threatened with unemployment, poverty, social and economic instability, insecurity, corruption, insurgents, banditry, underdevelopment and unscrupulous leadership amongst others. Nigeria will continually remain a technologically backward and dependent nation if this negative attitudes and ugly trends are not reversed. In order to bring lasting solution to these dreadful and horrible situation in Nigeria. It is important that government should focus on acquisition of employable skills for the youths so as to divert there attention from these social vices that have bedevil the nation. Thus, it is absolutely essential to examine the issues, challenges and strategies to strengthen TVET in Nigeria. It was concluded amongst others, that Nigeria government should look inward and recognize the fact that TVET as the bedrock for meaningfully technological growth and national development. It was recommended that the government, stakeholders, policy makers and TVET providers in Nigeria should focus on TVET quality assurance best practices that have worked in advanced countries around the world. Also the government should adequately fund, plan, implement, and manage TVET programmes in technical institutions in Nigeria. Finally there should be a synergy between the schools-industry linkages where students are trained, mustbe a replica of the environment in which he/she must subsequently work.
Page(s): 52-56 Date of Publication: 17 June 2021
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The increasing resistance of the malaria parasite to currently used antimalarial medicines has intensified the research for new novel antimalarial drug leads from natural sources. This study was carried out to evaluate the antiplasmodial potential, phytochemical composition and toxicity status of aqueous root extract of Alstoniaboonei (Apocynaceae), a medicinal plant used in treating malariain Nigeria and other African countries. The extract showed substantial dose dependent antiplasmodial activity as indicated by the, suppressive (40.18%, 55.72% and 61.55% for 100, 200 and 400 mgkg-1 body weights), prophylactic (51.39%, 65.27% and 68.35% for 100, 200 and 400 mgkg-1 body weights), and curative (48.63%, 59.59% and 60.88% for 100, 200 and 400 mgkg-1 body weights) effects on Plasmodium berghei infected albino mice. The antiplasmodial activity was significantly different compared to the negative control at P < 0.05.Chemical compounds obtained from the phytochemical evaluation of the extract include tannins, flavonoids, steroids, phenols, alkaloids, saponins, glycosides and terpenoids. There were no observed signs of toxicity in all the oral doses tested on albino mice. It was concluded that the extract contains important active antimalarial compounds that are not toxic and should be further investigated for antimalarial drug development
Page(s): 57-61 Date of Publication: 18 June 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6503Download PDF
This study examined the effect of macroeconomic disparities on agricultural growth in Nigeria between 1985 to 2020. The macroeconomic variables adopted for the study include—exchange rate (EXR, inflation rate(INF), interest rate (INT) and government expenditures (GEX) on agricultural growth. The study utilized Error Correction Model (ECM) in the analysis of the short and long run coefficients. To prevent spurious regression, Augmented –Dickey Fuller (ADF) and Phillip Peron Tests were carried out on each of the variables to determine their level of stationarity. All variables were found to be integrated of order one I(1). Since all variables have unit root at levels, the long run relationship among the variables was tested using Augmented Engle-Granger test. The test showed cointegration. The results of the analyses of short run model showed that macroeconomic variables interest rate, exchange rate exerts significant impact on agricultural growth in both the short run and the long run. Though government expenditures on agriculture was significant in the short run, it was not in the long run. Inflation was not significant in both short and long run. Diagnostic tests such as Normality, autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity tests were carried out on the model output to establish the robustness or otherwise of the models. It was found that the residuals were normally distributed, free from autocorrelation and homoscedastic, lending credence to the robustness of the work and its ability to make correct forecast. The study recommendations that government should devise means of giving soft loans to farmers who may not be able to afford the cost of borrowing in any financial institution.
Page(s): 62-68 Date of Publication: 18 June 2021
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This work presents “improving the performance of facial recognition system using artificial neural network”. The aim is to develop a more reliable and précised face recognition system. This will be achieved using the AT&T database as the training dataset, image acquisition, image processing, and artificial neural network. The work will be implemented using image processing toolbox, image acquisition toolbox, statistics and machine learning toolbox and Mathlab. The accuracy was measured using the neural network performance evaluation toolbox and the result achieved is 97.6%.
Page(s): 69-72 Date of Publication: 18 June 2021
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This study evaluated the effect of drying methods on the proximate and antinutritional composition of Cocoa Pod. The cocoa (Theobroma cacao) pod that was used for this study was sliced into three different sizes (1/2,1/4 and 1/8) and was dried using three different drying methods (Cabinet dryer at a temperature of 70oC), and the other analyzed fresh. The result was analyzed using standard methods and procedures. Changes in moisture content of the cocoa pod were monitored every 30min the moisture content of the sample became constant. The result shows that the cabinet drying was found to be more effective for moisture removal compared to other drying methods open sun and solar drying (10.811 ± 0.023%), (14.15 ± 0.127%) and (14.295 ± 0.035%). The Ash content of the dried sample for open sun drying range (11.06 ± 0.679%), solar dryer (8.175 ± 0.474%), and cabinet dryer (10.854 ± 0.038%). Crude protein content for the fresh analyzed sample is (11.71 %), open sun drying (10.4 %), solar drying (7.77 %) and cabinet dryer (10.40 %). Crude fibre for fresh sample (2.39 %), solar dryer (58.13 %), open sun dryer (51.93 %) and for cabinet dryer (31.56 %). The result shows that the drying significantly (P<0.05) increased the fibre content of the sample. The result of fat content for the fresh sample (4.105 %), solar dryer (2.47 %), open sun drying (2.49 %), and cabinet dryer (4.11 %). The carbohydrate content of cabinet dryer (35.50%), open sun drying (9.94 %), solar dryer (9.31 %) and the fresh sample (4.23 %). The result of antinutritional composition also shows the following; Saponin mg/g for the fresh analyzed sample is (19.569), open sun drying (6.541), solar drying (9.767), and for cabinet dryer (11.650). Tannin mg/g for the fresh analyzed sample is (5.055), open sun drying (1.064), solar drying (1.408), and cabinet dryer (4.900). Steroid mg/g for the fresh analyzed sample is (3.356), open sun drying (2.509), solar drying (2.806), and for cabinet dryer (1.650). flavonoid mg/g for the fresh analyzed sample is (2.808), open sun drying (1.161), solar drying (1.859), and cabinet dryer (2.900). Terpenoid mg/g for the fresh analyzed sample is (15.350), open sun drying (6.714), solar drying (11.919), and cabinet dryer (0.235). Alkaloid mg/g for the fresh analyzed sample is (43.597), open sun drying (21.940), solar drying (28.314), and cabinet dryer (36.700).This finding shows that the increase in the intensity of heat might not significantly destroy the antinutrient composition of dried cocoa(Theobroma cacao) pod as much as spending longer time in the system.
Page(s): 73-78 Date of Publication: 18 June 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6504Download PDF
Thin films of Copper Sulphide (CuS) were grown on glass substrates by the Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) technique at room temperature (300C). Copper Chloride and Thiourea were used as sources for Copper and Sulphur ions respectively. The optical characterization was done by using a UV- VIS spectrophotometer in the wavelength range of 180 nm – 1100 nm. The transmittance of the films was determined directly from the spectrophotometer. Other properties such as absorbance and band gap were calculated. A band gap energy range between 3.00 eV to 3.41 eV was obtained and these results suggest that the films can suitably be used in the fabrication of solar cells.
Page(s): 79-81 Date of Publication: 18 June 2021
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This study investigated students’ understanding on the concepts of solar influence and the effects on atmospheric fluctuation phenomena for climate change prediction. This study adopted the descriptive design, 400 students were randomly selected from three tertiary institutions in Ondo West LGA, Ondo State. A validated Questionnaire (Cronbach coefficient was 0.96) were used to collect data for the study. Three research hypotheses and one research question were tested, and data were analyzed using Descriptive statistics and T-test. Having analyzed the data, the major findings reveal that students have a general perception on solar influence on climate change and that the level of atmospheric awareness of climate variability and climate change was significantly high. Also, it was observed that the incorporation of solar radiation as a topic into the school curriculum will improve student’s cognitive ability. It is therefore recommended that the profile and awareness of the atmosphere through appropriate communication channels like publication of articles on climate and solar radiation should be encouraged in schools. Also, there should be availability of weather station with appropriate meteorological instrument to measure elements of climate such as rain gauge for rainfall, wind vane for measuring the direction of wind, maximum thermometer to check the highest temperature and minimum thermometer to check the minimum temperature reached in the atmosphere, barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure and so on.
Page(s): 82-87 Date of Publication: 18 June 2021
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Geophysical site investigation for sitting a viable point for ground water exploration was carried out at Ndiechi in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Electrical resistivity approach as a geophysical method was adopted with Schlumberger configuration for depth or vertical electrical sounding to delineate basement weak zone and lithologic depth respectively. Five points were examined using sounding. The least resistive point was further sounded for better vertical resolution and clarity. The curve type encountered in the study is the KH-curve type, which is a good indicative curve for groundwater exploration. The obtained sounding parameter suitably established the overburden depth of 1.5m.
Page(s): 88-90 Date of Publication: 25 June 2021
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The juvenile height equation was developed forplantation-grown Phoenix dactylifera L. species in Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) Date Palm Plantation. In the four hectare date palm plantation, 15 sample plots of 35 x 35m wererandomly laid in the entire plantation.Ineach of the laid plot, all the standing trees were enumerated, and measurements were carried out on the variable of interest. The collected sampled plots data was divided into two groups for model calibration (70%) and model validation (30%). The measured tree height was fitted as a function of computed Crown Area (CA) and Number of Branch leaves, using stepwise regression method The predictive abilities of the selected juvenile height equation was evaluated, using Coefficient of determination (R2), the bias (Ê) and Standard Error of Estimate (SEE). The results on degree of association between the juvenile tree height, crown area and number of branches revealed a strong positive correlation coefficient. The predicted height models were ranked and screened, and the best equations was chosen based on its high coefficient of determination (R2) value of 75.8%, low SEE value of 0.2398. The result on the residual shows no significant difference between the observed and the predicted data (P> 0.05).which is an indication that the model is of good fit.The result of this study reveals that the height equation generated will serve as a reference to determine the future height equation of the Date palm (Phoenix dactilyfera L.) plantation in any area having similar environmental conditions.
Page(s): 91-96 Date of Publication: 25 June 2021
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Background: Prenatal exposure to ethanol has been shown to have teratogenic effects to the developing fetal liver. However, the histomorphological effects of ethanol on the structural organization of the fetal liver when exposed at different gestational periods and in varied doses has not been well elucidated. Method: A static-group experimental study design was adopted in this study. A sample size of 30 female albino rats dams weighing between 200 to 230gm were used as the animal experimental model. These 30 rats were further grouped into two main groups namely; the Control group (n=3) and the experimental group n=27). The 27 rats were further assigned into three study groups based on the ethanol dosage namely: LEG, MEG and HEG at trimester I, II and III each that received 2g/kgbwt, 3.5g/kgbwt and 5g/kgbwt of ethanol respectively once daily via oral gavage. The control group received food and water ad libitum only. All the rats were humanly sacrificed on their 20th day of gestation. A total of 90 fetuses had their liver harvested, fixed in 10% formaldehydeand processed for histological analysis. The tissue slides were mounted on BP Olympus microscope, viewed under different magnifications and a 32 megapixel digital camera was used to capture liver photomicrographs. Results: This study established varied histomorphological effects of ethanol on the fetal liver lobule including constriction of the central vein, dilatation of the liver sinusoids and hepatocyte disaggregation among others. In conclusion, ethanol consumption during pregnancy has a wide range of detrimental hepato-teratogenic effects throughout the three gestational periods in dose dependent manner. It is therefore recommended that expectant mothers should avoid ethanol consumption any time during pregnancy.
Page(s): 97-102 Date of Publication: 29 June 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6505Download PDF
Information and communication technology (ICT) are becoming an integral part of everyone´s lives which affects all sectors of human activity. Nowadays, the level of computer crimes rises and it is alarming, for such, digital forensic investigation plays a vital role in tackling computer-related crimes such as cyberbullying, fraud, cyber intrusion, hacking an et cetera. The main goal of digital forensic investigation is to preserve any evidence found in its most original form and to make sure that the evidence is not tempered. Digital forensic investigators use log files to extract, analyse and present a report based on the criminal activities found on the web browsers, such log files include history, cache, download and cookies. This survey paper evaluates the features of the three selected web browsers forensic tools namely; Browser History Examiner, Autopsy and NetAnalysis, and make comparative analysis between them. The findings of the evaluation based on the features of the selected tools shows that Autopsy is the best forensic tool among them. Therefore, in this paper, Autopsy has been recommended fora digital investigator or examiner to use as their forensic tool among others.
Page(s): 103-107 Date of Publication: 29 June 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6506Download PDF
Heart disease is one of the killer diseases in the world. Early detection of the disease is one of the ways to salvage affected people. The use of machine learning techniques can be used to offer solution to the detection of heart diseases. In this study the accuracy of prediction of some tools of machine learning has been carried out. The performance evaluation of the three models have been carried out using precision, recall, F1-score and accuracy. The results obtained showed that Logistic regession model out performed others in terms of precision, recall, F1-score and accuracy
Page(s): 108-110 Date of Publication: 29 June 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6507Download PDF
A major feature of the Upper West Region is its ancient caves. The caves found in Sankana, Bulenga and Dahili, were places of refuge for the inhabitants who were fleeing the slave raiders. Slave Camps can be found at Pizaga and Dolbizon and Slave market at Kassana and Salaga in the Upper East and Savannah Regions respectively. The study explored on the potential, strategies as well as effects of developing the Sankana Slave Caves as an ecotourism destination in light of the main pillars of sustainable development (economic, social/cultural, and environmental). The study adopted a mixed method approach. Questionnaires and FGD guides were employed to solicit views from participants. The study revealed that, the community members fully embraced the idea of ecotourism development in the community with emphasis that the slave caves development would serve as tool for poverty alleviation and livelihood enhancement through income generation related activities. Also, there would be an increase in tourists spending due to the direct sell of pottery, calabash art, wood, grass art, leather art, smock weaving, guest homes, food vending as well increase the cultural capital of the community. A three-prong strategy modelled on educative and, entertainment approach, and the use of tour operators were identified as strategies to attract tourists to the site. This study has made contributions to how community ecotourism development can be used as a strategic tool for poverty alleviation as in the case of Sankana slave caves in the Kaleo-Nadowli district in the Upper West Region.
Page(s): 111-116 Date of Publication: 30 June 2021
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Standard time is very basic when the company analyze its operating process. It departs from a standard time that is measured correctly, there will be a lot of analysis produced to determine important decisions. PT. XNZ, which is a logistics service provider company in the form of warehouse and distribution, has one business partner who applies an e-commerce system in selling its products. The main process carried out by PT.XNZ in providing services to business partners who implement the e-commerce system is the process in the form of product packaging according to orders placed by end customers through online. One of the obstacles faced by PT XNZ at this time is that the exact standard time for each work station is not yet known, so the analysis related to output standard, worker productivity, and realistic operational targets is potentially unrealistic. This research conducted at PT XNZ in determining the standard time for the outbound e-commerce process. The analysis obtained in the outbound e-commerce process shows the conclusion that the packing workstation which has a standard time of 46.7 seconds / box is the bottle neck of the entire outbound process. The current output standard is 76.8 boxes / hour. So that this can become the company’s attention to determine the focus of improvements in order to improve service to business partners.
Page(s): 117-122 Date of Publication: 30 June 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6508Download PDF
Ocean atmospheric phenomenon such as El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (DMI) have an impact on global level climatic patterns and agriculture. The climate and agricultural activities of Sri Lanka, which is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, mainly depends on the amount and the distribution of rainfall. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of ENSO and DMI on growing seasonal characteristics of Batalagoda, Sri Lanka. The growing seasonal characteristics such as the onset, retreat, length of the season, seasonal rainfall and rainy days were initially assessed using Instat Statistical Programme. Pearson correlation analysis was then performed to check their relationship with oceanic indices. The Multivariate ENSO Index and DMI did not show a significant correlation (p > 0.05) between onset, retreat and length of the season. However, the retreat of the season showed a significant (p < 0.05) relationship with Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). Both SOI and MEI showed significant (p < 0.05) correlation with the growing seasonal rainfall. Due to some signals of the impact of oceanic indices on the growing seasonal characteristics of Batalagoda, further studies are needed to be carried out throughout the county using the similar approach.
Page(s): 123-125 Date of Publication: 30 June 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6509Download PDF
A computational studies on corrosion inhibition potential of 2,3- Diaminopyridine (DAP) and 9,10-Diaminophenanthrene (DAPN) were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) with RHF/STO-6G* method. Interesting results were obtained as the inhibition properties of these compounds correlated with molecular properties. With the aid of quantum chemical parameters such as EHOMO, ELUMO, energy gap, ionization energy, electron affinity, global hardness, global softness, global electrophilicity index, back donation and absolute electronegativity, the corrosion inhibition potentials were predicted. It was observed that the predictive corrosion inhibition potential of DAPN molecule is greater than that of DAP molcule. Nitrogen and carbon atoms were the sites of likely electrophilic attack as shown by high negative mulliken charges of these molecules. The binding sites of DAPN and DAP molecules on the surface of metal were further proven by molecular electrostatic potentials (MEPs).
Page(s): 126-132 Date of Publication: 01 July 2021
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This study was carried out to determine the equation (model) that fits best to the hydraulic conductivity values measured directly from pumping test data from monitoring wells. Three different electrical resistivity empirical equations were used to estimate aquifer hydraulic conductivity of Imo river basin, southeastern Nigeria, using surficial geo-sounding data. Two hundred (200) vertical electrical sounding (VES) data were obtained with forty-five (40) available pumping test data that were acquired from monitoring wells within the study area. Similarly, forty of the two hundred VES data were acquired close to the monitoring wells for parametric and correlation purposes. Three empirical resistivity model equations (N_ Model, H_ Model, and M_ Model) were used to estimate aquifer hydraulic conductivity across the study area. Estimates of the aquifer hydraulic conductivity from the three models revealed that the hydraulic conductivity ranges between 0.23- 26.43m/day with a mean value of 6.15 m/day for N_ Model. For H_ Model it ranged between 0.07 and 5.22m/day with a mean value of 1.03m/day and for M_ Model it ranged between 1.03 and13.42m/day with a mean value of 4.19m/day . The Aquifer hydraulic conductivity values estimated from the M_model when compared with the values from the pumping test showed a strong coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.82) while N_ Model and H_ Model revealed very poor correlations with the pumping test data, with negative correlations of -0.03 and -0.3 respectively. The results of the t _test revealed that there is no significant difference between the estimated hydraulic conductivity values from M_Model and pumping test data. These findings have therefore revealed that geologically constrained empirical resistivity equations are reliable for the estimation of aquifer hydraulic conductivity from surface resistivity data. The reason for the poor correlation of the N_Model and H_Model with the pumping test data in the study area is because local geology of the study area was not considered by the models.
Page(s): 133-141 Date of Publication: 01 July 2021
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Software reuse is used to aid the software development process which in recent times can improve the resulting quality and productivity of software development, by assisting software engineers throughout various software engineering phases to enhance the quality of software, provide quick turnaround time for software development using few people, tools, and methods, which creates a good software quality by enhancing integration of the software system to provide a competitive advantage. This paper examines the concept of software reuse, the approaches to be considered for software reuse, which is broadly shared into three categories: component-based software reuse, domain engineering and software product lines, architecture-based software reuse and challenges that affect the software reuse development process.
Page(s): 142-146 Date of Publication: 03 July 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6510Download PDF
Fatty acid ethyl ester synthesized by transesterification reaction of triglycerides with alcohol is a contemporary energy source that has gained the attention of many researchers due to various benefit associated with its usage. This research focused on the production of fatty acid ethyl ester from mango seed oil through transesterification reaction using acid-base catalytic method. It was observed that the maximum reaction rate was obtained at a stirrer speed of 500rpm, catalyst concentration of 1% and ethanol/oil molar ratio of 6:1 after a reaction time of 1 hour. The results showed that the yield of ethyl ester increased with increase in molar ratio up to 6:1 and at a temperature of 65oC for the reaction time of 1 hour, the molar ratio of 6:1 of ethanol/oil is the best condition for transesterification reaction of mango seed to biodiesel fuel. The kinetics of transesterification reaction was also investigated and its parameters showed that the reaction followed a second order with an overall rate constant 3.9 × 10−2 (%wt/wt min ◦C) −1 and a regression value of 0.9504. The activation energy for the reaction was estimated to be 94.23J/mol. The properties of the fatty acid-ethyl ester met the requirement for ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards for biodiesel. This implies that the biodiesel produced from mango seed oil using ethanol, a 100% renewable energy source is of acceptable quality and can be substituted for fossil-based diesel.
Page(s): 147-153 Date of Publication: 03 July 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6511Download PDF
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a varied set of lymphoproliferative disorders initiatingfrom B, T, or natural killer (NK) lymphocytes. Common treatments of NHL include chemotherapy regimens, radiotherapy, rituximab administration, transfusion of blood products and Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Recently, several targeted therapies have been approved or are in the later phase of clinical trials and molecular targeted therapy is considered as a key aspect of NHL. Successful treatment of lymphoma may result from the induction of specific antitumor immunity. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are being investigated as a possible target in solid tumors and most of blood cancers to improve the effects of commonly used undergoing treatment. The anti-tumor immune response of a diseased person is inhibited by MDSC expansion, which restricts, cytokine secretion, T cell proliferation and the activation of regulatory T cells. In order to identify immunological therapeutic targets, it is critical to identify tumor-promoting factors. Since this environment is focus to low selective pressure for mutations, targeting the Tumor Microenvironment (TME) is a promising therapeutic option for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The features, distribution, roles, cellular reactions, and aiming MDSCs in Non-Hodgkin lymphoma are discussed in this review.
Page(s): 154-158 Date of Publication: 03 July 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6512Download PDF
Due to the advancement in technology, the operations of many organizations are automated in recent years. This is achieved using different softwares. Each software is developed using a particular method or a combination of two methods. The software development method adopted plays a significant role in the overall software development process. Nevertheless, most organizations and developers have difficulty in choosing the right software development methodology. This study discusses software development methodologies, different software development stages. It provides an analysis of various methodologies, highlights their strengths and drawbacks. It also examines the diverse methodologies in terms of suitability and when it is appropriate to use them.
Page(s): 159-166 Date of Publication: 03 July 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6513Download PDF
This paper surveys and analyses the history of the chaplains and missionaries who were educational pioneers in the Gold Coast (now Ghana). It seeks historical illumination and possible lessons from the early Christian missionary education enterprises in the Gold Coast so as to design holistic missional education policies and the praxis of moral and transformational development within the 21st-century Presbyterian education system in Ghana. One objective is to resolve the challenge of increasing moral degradation amongst the youth and students of Ghana, which affects their industry and employability. The analysis indicates that what eventually became synonymous with the Basel Mission’s educational system of ‘Presbyterian disciplined’ training had roots that spanned 430 years, dating back to about the mid-15th century. Preliminary foundations were laid sporadically by naval merchant chaplains from Portugal, Netherlands, Britain and Denmark for over 350 years before the Basel missionaries consolidated the educational edifice in terms of structure, content, management and expansion in the 19th century. The paper affirms that the ‘Presbyterian discipline’ educational system bequeathed by missionaries can inform an educational approach designed to produce moral transformation today. However, it also points out some effects of Western Enlightenment worldviews on the missionaries’ educational impact, which led them to impose European values rather than opening the way for African self-transformation. The conclusion suggests that PCG privatises its schools and design the centric curricula for holistic missional and moral and transformational education, taking into account the unity of truth, the integration of faith and learning, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Page(s): 167-176 Date of Publication: 03 July 2021
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