The study examined small scale vegetable farmer’s farm productivity in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria, using cross sectional data, well-structured questionnaire was use to collect primary data from sixty vegetable farmers and analysed with use of descriptive, frequency, mean and inferential statistics. The result of the study showed that 55% of the vegetable farmers were male and between the working ages of 41- 50 years with mean age of 43.13 years, 75% were married with mean family size of 7 persons, and 63.6% of the farmers had one form of formal education, 75% of them source their credit through personal savings, 41.8% had between 11-20 years of farming experience with mean years of 16.87 years of experience, 54.8% had income of N 5000- N 22,000, 68.4% source their farm land through renting, 36.7% had farm size between 1.0-4. 9 hectares, 88.5% adopt inorganic fertilizer for vegetable production and almost all (93.6%) depends on rain fed vegetable farming. The inferential statistics revealed that farming experience (β=0.573, p<0.01) and extension agent contact (β=9.353, p<0.05) showed positive relationship with vegetable output. Inadequate credit facility, access to viable seed, and pest and disease were the major constraint to vegetable farming in the study.
Page(s): 01-07 Date of Publication: 06 August 2021
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Plants have been used for centuries for better health care management of mankind. Modern science is now re-focusing its attention on natural plant therapies as a source of dealing with recent health challenges. The aim of this study focuses on the chromatographic and antibacterial activity of the chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of Andira Inermis (cabbage tree). The Thin layer chromatography test detected 11 components with retention factors between 0.16 and 0.95 proving the presence of secondary metabolites as phytochemicals present within the plant. Antibacterial effects of these extracts were tested against clinical isolates of bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at concentrations of 20, 30 and 40mg/ml. The extracts showed inhibitory effects on the microorganisms with inhibition diameter ranges of 8-18mm. However, the chloroform extract showed greater inhibitory action against staphylococcus aureus at the concentration of 40mg/ml. Therefore, the study justifies the use of Andira inermis as a potential source of antibiotics, and suggests the use of more highly effective organic solvents for its extraction.
Page(s): 08-10 Date of Publication: 07 August 2021
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In this study, growth and flocculation potential of five different flocculent yeasts: Candida sphaerica OB10, Kluyveromyces marxianus OY11, Saccharomyces cerevisiae OGB1, Torulopsis stellate OGB3 and Candida kefyr OGB10 were investigated under electromagnetic condition in batch and fed batch cultivation systems. Candida sphaerica OB10 had optimum growth of 9.36 log cfu/mL under batch culture system followed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae OGB1 with 9.19 log cfu/mL and Kluyveromyces marxianus OY11 with growth of 7.72 log cfu/mL in fed-batch culture system; both without electromagnetic induction. Torulopsis stellata OGB3 under fed-batch system was 9.78 log cfu/mL after electromagnetic induction. Also, Candida kefyr OGB10 had an optimum growth of 10.14 log cfu/mL in fed-batch culture system. The results of the flocculation potential of the yeast isolates showed a reduction in flocculation potential in fed-batch culture system after electromagnetic induction as compared with fed batch system without electromagnetic induction while Candida sphaerica OB10, Kluyveromyces marxianus OY11, Torulopsis stellate OGB3 and Candida kefyr OGB10 had an increase in flocculation potential in batch culture system after electromagnetic induction. These results showed that the batch culture system which was steady and undisturbed was more important in yielding well coagulated and bottom settled cells in electromagnetically induced yeast fermentation systems when compared with the fed-batch system
Page(s): 11-16 Date of Publication: 12 August 2021
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The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fortification of tempeh flour to the chemical and organoleptic properties of oyster mushroom nuggets. Randomized Block Design (RBD) with a single factor and triplicate in order to obtain 18 experimental samples was used as experimental design. The treatments ratio of of tempeh flour to the oyster mushroom are as follows:, P1 (30% : 70%), P2 (40: 60%), P3 (50%: 50%) , P4 (60% : 40%), P5( 70%: 30%), and P6 ( 80%: 20%). The parameters to be observed included moisture, fat, protein and organoleptic (taste, color, texture and aroma). Observation data were tested by ANOVA at 5% significance levels and continued by Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) with the same significant level. The results showed that fortification of tempeh flour had a significant effect on all chemical and organoleptic of the nuggets. The treatment of fortified tempeh flour ratio 80%: Oyster mushroom 20% is the best treatment for the chemical quality of nuggets (40.8% moisture content, 10.39% fat content and 13.86% protein content). As well as for the organoleptic quality, the prereferable ratio of 60% tempeh flour: 40% oyster mushrooms.
Page(s): 17-21 Date of Publication: 12 August 2021
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Faced with challenge of high unemployment rate, there is need for a drastic step to prepare the youths who account for majority of the unemployed figure for entrepreneurial activities rather than just preparing them to hunt for jobs after their study. While it is compulsory for higher institutions in Nigeria to take entrepreneurship courses, there is little evidence on its impact on students’ entrepreneurial intentions. The purpose of this paper is to add to the literature on entrepreneurial intention using the theory of planned behaviour to examine the intentions of university students in southwestern Nigeria. In this paper, Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire (EIQ) was used to measure entrepreneurial intentions using a sample of 127 final year students from one of the foremost private universities in southwestern Nigeria; Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression was used to determine the effect of the explanatory variable on the dependent variables. The result shows a positive but weak relationship between entrepreneurship education and antecedents of entrepreneurial intention. The study concludes that having entrepreneurship education may not totally translate into job creation hence, it was recommended that there is need for government and other stakeholders to consider other factors that influence entrepreneurship intention.
Page(s): 22-28 Date of Publication: 12 August 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6701Download PDF
A prospective study aimed at determining the distribution of oculo-visual anomalies according to body mass index in Umuahia north local government area of Abia State, Nigeria was carried out through community eye health outreaches. A total of 112 subjects, made up of 34 (30.4%) males and78 (69.6%) females were examined. with a mean age of 43±47.63years. The subjects were examined using some optometric procedures like ophthalmoscopy, retinoscopy, penlight examination, visual acuity measurement etc. The height and weight of the subjects were equally measured and their BMI deduced. The results of the study showed that 47 (42%) of the subjects were underweight, 43 (38.4%) have normal weight, 20 (17.8%) are overweight while 2 (1.8%) were obese. It was noted that 96 subjects (85.7%) had at least one oculo-visual anomaly, while 16 subjects (14.3%) were seen to have no oculo- visual anomaly across various classes of BMI. Refractive errors and presbyopia were noted to occur most in the study population occurring in 39 of the 112 subjects (34.8%) respectively. While overweight was significantly found to be risk factor in age related cataract it was not a risk factor for refractive errors. Underweight was found not to be a risk factor in age related cataract and refractive errors. BMI measurement should be one of the clinical procedures, not just in a general health outlet but in eye clinics. Individuals with abnormal BMI should undergo detailed clinical procedures to look out for possible oculovisual anomalies.
Page(s): 29-32 Date of Publication: 14 August 2021
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Geotechnical study was conducted at the proposed Dam project of Iyah Gbede, Ijimu Local Government Area of Kogi State with the aim of evaluating the subsoil layers that constitute the foundation soils and their competence as foundation soils for the civil engineering structures. The study involved drilling of three (3) boreholes and eleven (11) trial pits as well as Standard Penetration Test (SPT) to obtain the in situ strength parameters of the sandy layers. The lithological formations that constitute the study area layers are lateritic top soil, grey brown sandy clay, yellowish brown coarse sand, gravel and weathered rock. All the soils have average natural moisture content because it agrees with the average range of (5 – 15%) specified by Federal Ministry of Works and Housing FMWH, (1997) for civil engineering construction which is an indication of low water absorption capacities of the soil materials. The results of the geotechnical parameters of the soils obtained indicate good characteristics as construction materials with good bearing strength, good baseline information and foundation design for the establishment of the proposed dam site.
Page(s): 33-42 Date of Publication: 14 August 2021
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The present study investigated the synthesis of low cost and environmental friendly red onion skins azo dyes derivatives and their application as ligands for the extraction of cobalt (II) ions from aqueous media. The effect of pH, agitation time, ligand concentration, and metal ion concentration on Co2+ ions removal efficiency as well as the stoichiometric coefficients were examined. The study revealed that the azo dyes were effective in removing Co2+ ion from aqueous solution. The highest removal efficiencies were obtained within the pH ranges 6-7. The results also showed that the % extraction (% E) of Co2+ions increased with agitation time and concentration of the ligand. The slope analysis carried out on the experimental data demonstrated that Co2+ions reacted with the ligands in 1:2 metals to ligand ratio.
Page(s): 43-46 Date of Publication: 17 August 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6702Download PDF
In our homes, indoor thermal discomfort has been very challenging and it depends on one or more of the materials used either as ceiling board rock used as walling materials; woods used in making doors and wood sample used in making roofing supports the roofing sheet itself or combination of all of them. Observation in the present competitive world reveals that people that are economically favored usually go for the costliest ceiling materials without preference to the thermal conductivity of the most sought after ceiling materials. It is based on this premise that this work designed to determine the thermal conductivity of the most frequently used ceiling materials and to predict the most suitable ceiling materials to be used especially in tropical regions. This research work encompasses the variation of thermal conductivity (with different types) of roofing ceiling. The Lee disc method will be used to determine the thermal conductivity of Plaster of Paris (POP), Polyvinylchloride (PVC) and Aesthetic timber wood. This project shall provide guide for the choice of the types of roof ceiling materials to be used in tropical regions and the rate at which they conduct heat.
Page(s): 47-54 Date of Publication: 21 August 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6703Download PDF
In this paper, we proved that the Diophantine equation (5n)x+(4m p+1)y=z2 has no solution in non-negative integers x, y, z where p is an odd prime and m, n is a natural number. .
Page(s): 55-58 Date of Publication: 24 August 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6704Download PDF
The study investigated entropy generation on thermal transfer in MHD natural convection of Cu-H2O nanofluid in a porous medium with heat generation/absorption. A set of partial differential equations with copper nanoparticles were used. The partial differential equations were non-dimensioned with various dimensionless quantities in order to obtain forms whose solutions can be easily obtained. The partial differential equations were later transformed into ordination differential equations through a two term perturbation technique which were later solved using method of undetermined coefficient to obtain the exact solutions for the energy and momentum equations. The exact solutions for momentum and energy were later used to estimate the entropy generation. Using the exact solutions; plots were done with the aid of standard parameters to estimate the variational effects of parameters that entered the flow field and from the plots; it was observed that thermal radiation decreased the temperature of the fluid. Heat generation/absorption parameter increased the temperature of the fluid. The effective thermal conductivity increased the temperature of the fluid. Peclet number decreased the velocity of the fluid. Reynolds number decreased the fluid velocity. Peclet number, Reynolds number and heat generation rapidly increased and decreased the entropy generation at the lower and upper plates respectively.
Page(s): 59-69 Date of Publication: 24 August 2021
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In December 2019 the novel coronavirus which first appeared in Wuhan City of China spread rapidly around the world and became a pandemic. It has caused a devastating effect on daily lives, public health, and the global economy. As soon as possible we have to detect the affected patient and quickly treat them. There are no accurate automated toolkits available so the need for auxiliary diagnostic tools has increased. Modern outcomes attained using radiology imaging systems recommend that such images have salient evidence about the COVID-19 virus. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the most common test technique currently used for COVID-19 diagnosis that is too much time-consuming. Using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques associated with radiological imaging can be helpful for the accurate detection of this disease and can also be assistive to overcome the problem of an absence of specialized doctors in remote communities. In this paper, a new model based on Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) that automatically detects COVID-19 using chest images is presented. The proposed model is designed to provide accurate diagnostics for binary classification. A computer vision is rapidly relieved day by day. During our study, we observed that most of the affected people have no common symptoms before checkup COVID-19. If the detection results are incorrect, the patient will not be able to understand that he or she has Covid-19. The proposed model is evaluated by Python libraries namely TensorFlow and Keras. In the proposed model, we got 95% accuracy as well as the detection of COVID-19 is fast.
Page(s): 70-75 Date of Publication: 25 August 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6705Download PDF
Globally, a “pause mode” to several activities has choicelessly been opted “on” to some extent as Covid-19 has bedeviled the life of humanity since December 2019. As a result, economical, educational, sociological and lots of fundamental paradigms were all inaccessible. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE 2) paving a way to the incorporation of the SARS-CoV-2 by receptor mediation into the cells has to be scientifically focused towards an inoculative approach to synergically scotch the aiding capacity as well, within all the complications. The inoculation is dared to further boost the immunological responses towards the immunopathological fight against the slipped virus if at all the CoV-2 adversely escaped to adapt on the receptors of the ACE 2. However, all these is as a result so far that the natural innate and the adaptive immune systems are finding it quite tough to hastily invade the pathogens and defend the human body system against the Covid-19 in some patients. Meanwhile, ingesting food of high great value of supplements in upshooting immune system as well as ensuring physical fitness and environmental hygiene are paramount to adherence in this trying moments and indeed all the time, as the world is looking forward to unveiling the veritable vaccine and outright therapeutics against the Corona virus.
Page(s): 76-82 Date of Publication: 27 August 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6706Download PDF
The study focused on production of breads from blends of wheat and tuber flours fortified with melon seed meal (MSM). Fresh roots of Cassava (C), Sweet (S) Potato, Irish (I) Potatoes were peeled, ground, dewatered, dried and milled to obtain the respective flours. Dehulled, cleaned melon seeds were air-dried, ground and one part defatted with aqueous ethanol to obtain defatted (D) melon seed meal and the remaining full (F) fat melon seed meal (MSM). Tuber flours (25%) were individually blended with wheat (W) flour (65%) and fortified with either 10% full fat(F) or defatted(D) MSM. The nine code-named samples were: WCF (65:25:10), WCD (65:25:10), WIF (65:25:10), WID (65:25:10), WSF (65:5:10), WSD (65:25:10), W (100:0:0), WF (90:10) and WD (90:10). Blends were used to produce bread; both the breads and blends were evaluated for proximate composition, physical and sensory properties. Sieve analysis revealed that cassava flour had the highest retention on >0.71>1mm sieves, wheat flour on >0.30> 0.50mm sieves and Irish potato on <0.25mm. Water absorption capacities (224-256%) of the blends were high and significantly different (p<0.05). The moisture, ash, protein, fat, crude fibre and carbohydrate contents of the blends varied significantly (p<0.05) from 6.31-8.91%, 1.51-2.00%, 6.86-12.09%, 1.91-12.58%, 2.65-6.78% and 65.73-74.92%. The composite flour breads had greater fibre (1.88-2.43%), moisture (25.39-30.63%), ash (1.61-1.85%), protein (12.72-17.77%), fat (5.22-8.31%) than the wheat bread. Bread treated with defatted MSM had smaller volume and specific volume and wheat bread the highest. Overall acceptability of all the breads was high but wheat bread and wheat bread fortified with 10% MSM had the best ratings and Irish potato bread the least. The study concluded that acceptable bread with enhanced nutrient profile and sensory properties are achievable with blends of 25% cassava or sweet potato flour and 65% wheat flour fortified with 10% melon seed meal although bread specific volumes were negatively affected volume.
Page(s): 83-91 Date of Publication: 27 August 2021
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The COVID-19 pandemic has affected educational systems worldwide, leading to the near-total closure of various institutions of learning such as: schools, colleges, and universities. Prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Web-based information services (WIBS) such as ZOOM app, WebCT, Desire@Learn, Coursework, Atutor and Interact, Google Hangout, Google Meet, Google Classroom, Blackboard, Moodle, Olat, Sakai, Kallidus On Demand, and WebEx are being used by institutions in the teaching and learning of mathematics. ZOOM app allows students and lecturers to share the whiteboard, share the screen, add participants, mute participants in case of noise distortion, and upload lecture notes during the teaching and learning process. The study investigated the challenges and opportunities of using ZOOM app in the teaching and learning of mathematics during COVID-19: lecturers’ and students’ perspective. The study sought to establish challenges lecturers’ and students’ encounter when using ZOOM app in the teaching and learning of mathematics during COVID-19 pandemic and determine opportunities lecturers’ and students’ encounter when using ZOOM app in the teaching and learning of Mathematics during COVID-19 pandemic. Fifty (50) students taking Mathematics courses and ten (10) lecturers who teach mathematics courses at five (5) institutions in the Lusaka district of Zambia participated in this study. A mixed method approach which followed a descriptive survey study design, was used. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and a semi-structured interview schedule. Data was analysed descriptively and thematically. The challenges of using ZOOM app in the teaching and learning mathematics included: ZOOM app has limited capacity to accommodate more participants during the teaching and learning process; lack of good network connection; ZESCO power outages; lack of technological knowledge; high bundle consumption; and lack of devices for online learning such as smart mobile phones, computers, tablets, desktop, and smart televisions. In terms of the opportunities of using ZOOM app in the teaching and learning of mathematics, the study has established that: ZOOM app allows lecturers and students to teach and learn from anywhere; ZOOM app is cost effective than physical learning; ZOOM app facilitates group work; and ZOOM App options are easy to use; ZOOM app allows lecturers to schedule mathematics lessons in advance; and ZOOM app allows participants to join before the host. In view of these findings, it was recommended that government through the Ministry of Higher Education (MoGE) should promote the use of ZOOM app in the teaching and learning of mathematics. It was further recommended that government through the Ministry of Higher Education (MoGE) should ensure that more training should be given to lecturers as well as students in order to reinforce the change and support the new innovation due to COVID-19 to overcome ZOOM app challenges in teaching and learning of mathematics.
Page(s): 92-101 Date of Publication: 28 August 2021
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This paper presented a knowledge management model for fish quality management. In practically, shared expertise is a proprietary knowledge asset that is exclusively held by knowledge workers and is shared in their work or embedded in information system technology. Knowledge management might be individuals as well as organisations who share one or more qualities. This is better to buil a network in which people or organisations believe that they are members of a group or system, developing emergent qualities. This paper focused on the This thesis focuses on farmers’ knowledge on implementing new farming systems to manage fish diseases and take a needed step in assuring their disease management quality.
Page(s): 102-104 Date of Publication: 28 August 2021
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Water is very important in human beings because it plays a greater role, in that it keeps the body properly hydrated for brain and body cells functioning among others. In the rural areas water may be supplied through pipes or directly taken from the sources such as Rivers, Oasis and Lakes, while in the urban areas water is mainly supplied in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic made bottles. Heavy metals are among the major products that may lead to water contamination, which should be maintained below the permissible level by the health organizations. This project dealt with the analysis of contaminants in different types of water brands that are consumed in Nairobi County in Kenya. Seven trusted brands of bottled drinking water were obtained from some Supermarkets in Nairobi city and analyzed for heavy metals, which includes; Sb, Cr, Mn, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn and the residue levels of physico-chemical parameters including pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were also determined. The heavy metals were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) Spectra AA-10, while the physico-chemical parameters were analysed using the standard methods for the examination of bottled drinking water. The results reviewed that; antimony levels were Below Detectable Limit (DBL) in all the samples, while copper concentration ranged between BDL and 0.05 ±0.01 mg/g in all the samples, which was in the range stipulated by World Health Organization (WHO) and Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) of 0.1 mg/g and 2.00 mg/g respectively. Lead concentration residue levels on the other hand ranged between BDL and 0.32±0.19 mg/g in the seven samples. Cadmium residue levels were Below Detection Limit (BDL) in all the samples analysed in the two projects, while chromium ranged between BDL and 0.66±0.03 mg/g. The concentration of manganese was in the range of BDL and 0.93±0.53 mg/g, Zinc was not detected in all the samples. Lead, Chromium and Manganese residue levels were all within the limit set by WHO and KEBS in most of the samples, but some of their levels were higher than those standards in only few water samples. The pH values ranged between 6.72 ± 0.15 and 7.32 ± 0.01 in all the samples. These values were all within the standard set levels by the health organizations, which are in the range of 6.0 and 9.4. These organizations include, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), KEBS and WHO. The TDS levels were in the range of 26.80 ± 0.50 mg/l and 100.70 ± 0.08 mg/l, which were well below the set standards set by NEMA, KEBS and WHO of 1,500 mg/l each. On the other hand, the EC was in the range of 74.50 ± 0.05 µS/cm and 197.70 ± 0.02 µS/cm, which was within the range set by NEMA, KEBS and WHO of 25-2,500 µS/cm, 30-2,500 µS/cm and 26-2,500 µS/cm respectively. There is therefore, need for regular monitoring of pH values of bottled drinking water by the respective water bottlers.
Page(s): 105-109 Date of Publication: 31 August 2021
DOI : 10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6707Download PDF
Urban sprawl is a scattered type of urban growth that alters the layout and shape of urban settlements. It is one of the consequences of extraordinary rapid urbanisation and uncontrolled urban growth that has created significant perils for city governance and natural resource management, particularly in the peri-urban areas. This article assesses the socio-demographic characteristics of peri-urban residents in the study area; investigates the spatio-physical pattern of Benin City, and examines the Compact City Concept (3C) as a mechanism to manage urban sprawl to achieve integrated physical development and a sustainable built environment in Benin Metropolis. A structured questionnaire was developed and administered to selected heads of households in the two hundred and one buildings examined on the outskirts of Benin City using a purposive random sampling technique. The collected data were processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 25) and analysed with Spearman Rho and point-biserial correlation tests, and regression analysis presented in tables. The secondary data were relevant current literature used to supplement the primary data. The findings indicated that the socio-demographic characteristics of the people, insufficient access to the central business district, and deficient transport infrastructure instigated urban sprawl in Benin metropolis. This paper recommends the application of compact city mechanisms like the flexible architectural design for multi-habited buildings, and efficient mass transportation intervention. Land title registration, building design and planning systems, and the use of contemporary remote sensing technologies such as Google Earth, ArcGIS, and Landsat to monitor physical growth were also advocated.
Page(s): 110-117 Date of Publication: 31 August 2021
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Global markets, mainly in Europe and America, require traceability to control quality and seafood safety. For shrimp supply chain quality management, such as production and processing, blockchain technology has been used in some countries. At this moment (2020), shrimp produced in Vietnam often do not satisfy the expectations of Western consumers with respect to the desired quality, especially in traceability system for accuracy technology (Khoi, 2020). The scientific challenge with respect to the improvement of the quality traceability of seafood supply chains implies the structural incorporation of the important elements in the process of food production, which are based on current scientific research for quality-orientated product development. This paper investigated the legal issues, and evaluate the costs and benefits to companies and countries that use blockchain technology in shrimp supply chain management.
Page(s): 118-121 Date of Publication: 31 August 2021
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