Godfrey Ozumba’s Spiritocentric Humanism: A Conceptual Critique

This paper raises argument and attempts clarification. The argument advanced is that the notion of Spiritocentric Humanism a theory, philosophical system and method propounded by Professor Godfrey O. Ozumba of the University of Calabar is a misnomer or a miscoinage, inappropriate and a terminological inexactitude, considering that Humanism as a philosophical system is essentially humanocentric. The thesis advanced in conclusion is that if Spiritocentric Humanism is “a philosophy onto eternity” as Ozumba contends, it is to the extent of its goal, a philosophy that is more spiritual than humanistic. Consequently, the paper suggests that Ozumba’s espousal can still be termed “Integrative Humanism” without it synonymously being characterized as “Spiritocentric Humanism”, if it has to be considered as a variant of authentic humanistic philosophy

On fractional predictive PID controller design method

A new method of designing fractional-order predictive PID controller with similar features to model based predictive controllers (MPC) is considered. A general state space model of plant is assumed to be available and the model is augmented for prediction of future output. Thereafter, a structured cost function is defined which retains the design objective of fractional-order predictive PI controller. The resultant controller retains inherent benefits of model-based predictive control but with better performance. Simulations results are presented to show improved benefits of the proposed design method over dynamic matrix control (DMC) algorithm. One major contribution is that the new controller structure, which is a fractional-order predictive PI controller, retains combined benefits of conventional predictive control algorithm and robust features of fractional-order PID controller

Upscaling cassava processing machines and products in Liberia

Open Access JournalCassava is produced by more than 80% of farming households and is an important contributor to gross domestic product (GDP) in Liberia. It is therefore important to assess the status of cassava processing into food and other products. A total of one hundred and sixty (160) well-structured questionnaires were used for the collection of information from eight counties, with twenty respondents from each county. It was found out that all the counties lack adequate modern cassava processing machines, with almost all cassava processing operations being done with rudimentary equipment. Gari and wet fufu are common products in Liberian markets, with no high-quality cassava flour (HQCF) or derivatives. Consequently, user and gender friendly processing machines were installed in six established modern cassava processing centres, and new cassava products, such as fufu powder, tapioca, and HQCF with its value-added products (10% bread and pastries), were introduced. This upscaling will enhance the cassava value chain in Liberia with improvement in livelihoods, especially for vulnerable women and unemployed youth

A conceptual perspective of internal audit quality and local government performance in Nigeria

The study highlights the influence of internal audit quality on the performance of an organization.Internal audit quality components such as competence, quality of internal audit work, objectivity and independence, training and development, and management support for the internal audit function are critical for enhancing organizational processes.It relies on extant literature in developing the conceptual framework and arriving at hypotheses that guide the study. Thus, the study suggests that the quality of internal audit influences performance and this link opens up a new perspective in examining the local government performance in Nigeria

Design and tuning of fractional-order PID controllers for time-delayed processes

Frequency domain based design methods are investigated for the design and tuning of fractional-order PID for scalar applications. Since Ziegler-Nichol’s tuning rule and other algorithms cannot be applied directly to tuning of fractional-order controllers, a new algorithm is developed to handle the tuning of these fractional-order PID controllers based on a single frequency point test just like Ziegler-Nichol’s rule for integer order PID controllers. Critical parameters of the system are obtained at the ultimate point and controller parameters are calculated from these critical measurements to meet design specifications. Thereafter, fractional order controller is obtained to meet a specified robustness criteria which is the phase-invariability against gain variations around the phase cross-over frequency. Results are simulated on a second –order plus dead time plant to demonstrate both performance and robustness

Assessment of the suitability of different cassava varieties for gari and fufu flour production in Liberia

Open Access Article; Published online: 15 Feb 2020Different cassava varieties are available in Liberia, but there is little knowledge of their product suitability. Hence, the need to assess the potentials of these varieties to produce gari and fufu flour. The two products from ten improved and two local cassava varieties were characterized based on their yield and chemical, pasting and functional properties using standard methods. The results showed that TMS 96/0097 (gari 27.54%) and Butter cassava (fufu flour 27.35%) have the highest percentage yields. The starch content was higher in gari produced from TMS98/0505 (92.00%) and lower from TMS95/0289 (82.62%); the fufu flour starch content was higher in TMS98/0505 (90.59%) and lower in Bassa girl (84.75%). Gari and fufu flour produced from TMS96/0097 (507.38 RUV) and TMS00/0357 (506.04 RVU) had the highest final viscosity, and the products from TMS95/0289 (338.46 RVU and 336.80 RVU) had the least. The highest swelling power was found in gari (12.74%) and fufu flour (13.55%) produced from TMS92/0057 and the lowest in TMS91/0416 gari (8.23%) and TMS01/1235 fufu flour (8.31%). All the samples may form a paste below the boiling point of water (100°C) at < 7 min. However, cassava varieties and the interactions between varieties and locations had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on the properties of the products: Chemical (except ash content), pasting (except pasting temperature) and functional. Therefore, all the varieties may be suitable for gari and fufu flour production based on the quality preferred by the consumers

Assessment of Strength Characteristics of Concrete Made from Locally Sourced Gravel Aggregate from South-South Nigeria

Aims: The aim of this research is to verify the suitability of local gravel aggregates obtained from the Southern part of Akwa Ibom State for designed concrete production in place of crushed granite aggregate sourced from distance places at exorbitant cost. This paper assesses the strength characteristics of concrete made from two locally sourced gravel aggregates of 10 mm and 20 mm maximum sizes. Study Design: Three samples of gravels divided into washed and unwashed gravels were used for the research. Concrete mix design of 25 N/mm2 at 28 days of curing was the target mean strength of the research. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Civil Engineering, Covenant University, Ota – Nigeria, between September 2014 and July 2015. Methodology: Particle size distribution test, specific gravity test, water absorption test, aggregate crushing value test, flakiness and elongation tests, slump test, compressive strength test were performed on the samples. Concrete cubes150 mm were cast for each gravel size and three specimen tested for 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days compressive strength. Results: The washed gravels with 10 mm and 20 mm maximum size reached the target mean strength with 29.7 N/mm2 and 26.2 N/mm2 respectively while the unwashed gravel with 20 mm maximum size yielded a compressive strength of 24.5 N/mm2 at 28 days. Conclusion: The results prove that the size, grading, internal bonding and deleterious material contribute immensely to the strength of concrete made from gravel aggregat

Primary production and physico-chemical parameters of a freshwater fish farm in the south east Nigeria

Comparative primary production in Little Stream Farms, near Uyo was investigated in relation to physico-chemical parameters of the adjacent perennial stream and the fish ponds. Except for temperature, which showed the same values for both stations, physico-chemical variables generally showed significant difference (P<O.05) between the pond water and the adjacent stream. Values of silicates, Turbidity (NTU), Secchi Disc Transparency and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) exhibited significantly variable trends (P<O.05), especially in the stream water, in response to the commercial sand dredging activities upstream from the fann location. Lowest value of stream transparency (O.1M) recorded was during the peak of the sand dredging, whereas the stream water showed absolute transparency in the absence of the dredging. The water quality parameters also exhibited a general trend of significant seasonal variation (P<O.05). Five phytoplankton families: Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Cyanobacteria, Euglenophyceae and Dinophyceae occurred in the ponds, while three families, Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Cyanobacteria occurred in the stream. Bacillariophyceae showed the highest relative abundance in both stations A and B

Assessment of Strength Characteristics of Concrete Made from Locally Sourced Gravel Aggregate from South-South Nigeria

Aims: The aim of this research is to verify the suitability of local gravel aggregates obtained from the Southern part of Akwa Ibom State for designed concrete production in place of crushed granite aggregate sourced from distance places at exorbitant cost. This paper assesses the strength characteristics of concrete made from two locally sourced gravel aggregates of 10 mm and 20 mm maximum sizes. Study Design: Three samples of gravels divided into washed and unwashed gravels were used for the research. Concrete mix design of 25 N/mm2 at 28 days of curing was the target mean strength of the research. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Civil Engineering, Covenant University, Ota – Nigeria, between September 2014 and July 2015. Methodology: Particle size distribution test, specific gravity test, water absorption test, aggregate crushing value test, flakiness and elongation tests, slump test, compressive strength test were performed on the samples. Concrete cubes150 mm were cast for each gravel size and three specimen tested for 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days compressive strength. Results: The washed gravels with 10 mm and 20 mm maximum size reached the target mean strength with 29.7 N/mm2 and 26.2 N/mm2 respectively while the unwashed gravel with 20 mm maximum size yielded a compressive strength of 24.5 N/mm2 at 28 days. Conclusion: The results prove that the size, grading, internal bonding and deleterious material contribute immensely to the strength of concrete made from gravel aggregate