Resolving the Enhanced Flow Parameters for an In-depth Analysis of the MRI- Neuroimaging

The functionality of current neuroimaging using the MRI machine needs to be improved to diagnose more complex problems. A new mathematical concept based on the solutions of the Bloch NMR for MRI applications was adopted to resolve functionality problems- by the inclusion of molecular interactions. The signal loss factor 'E' caused by fluctuating velocity due to compartmental boundaries in the macromolecular sites was proposed to be the vital factor required for clinical diagnosis of cognitive impairment

Effect of Poultry Droppings on Growth and Fruit Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

The effect of poultry droppings on growth and fruit yield of okra was evaluated during 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching and Research Farm Mokwa Sub- Station (90181N and 504E) with altitude of 378.0 m above the sea level of the Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria. The trial was conducted using Randomized Complete Block Design which consisted of ten (10) treatment combinations with three replications. Different rates of poultry droppings (t ha-1); 0 (No application), 5 t ha-1, 10 t ha-1, 15 t ha-1 and 20 t ha-1 with two okra varieties, LD 88- 1 and Kukurasungi Local were used. Data was taken from five sampled plants per plot on parameters such as average plant height per plant (cm), number of leaves per plant, number of flowers per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit length (cm) and green fruit yield (t ha-1). Results from this study showed that in the two years trial LD 88- 1 variety performed better than Kukurasungi Local and therefore can be used for okra production within the study area. Poultry droppings rate of 15 t ha-1 increased the fruit yield. Therefore, this can be applied as part of cultural treatment

Pathways to Reduce the Environmental Footprints of Energy Inputs in Sesame Production in Jigawa State, Nigeria

This research investigates the pathways tto reduce the environmental footprints of energy inputs in sesame production in Jigawa State of Nigeria using data elicited from 99 sesame farmers via multi-stage sampling technique. Energy efficiency was studied and degrees of technical efficiency (TE), pure technical efficiency (PTE) and scale efficiency (SE) were determined using data envelopment analysis (DEA). Additionally, wasteful uses of energy by inefficient farms were assessed and energy saving of different sources was computed. Results revealed that only 9.4% DMUs were technically efficient with average TE score of 0.624; based on BCC model 34.4% DMUs were identified to be efficient with mean PTE score of 0.79; while based on scale efficiency only 12.5% DMUs were efficient with mean SE score of 0.804. Furthermore it was observed that approximately 38.17% (1505.58MJha-1) of overall input energies can be saved if performance of inefficient DMUs rose to a high level

How Reliable is the Cuprates System to Recent Technology?

The emergence of cuprates as a high Tc superconductor gave high hopes in the discovery of a room temperature superconductor. It is almost three decades and the highest critical temperature attained on the cuprates is about 135K. A brief overview was conducted on the progress made so far on the cuprates. A mathematical approach was used to design a formula which could determine the experimental results of critical temperature of versed cuprates superconductors. The result of our findings shows that the possibility of attaining the experimental room temperature cuprates superconductor seems very narrow. The study recommended an elaborate approach on the hybridization of cuprates for future research. Hence, there is possibility of having cuprates with wide engineering applicatio

Price Transmission, Volatility and Discovery of Gram in Some Selected Markets in Rajathan State, India

Market integration in many agricultural commodities had been extensively studied for the insight it provides into the functioning of such markets, thus giving valuable information about the dynamics of market adjustment, and whether there exist market imperfection, which may justify government intervention. This study empirically investigated price transmission, volatility and discovery of gram across four wholesale gram markets, viz. Jaipur, Kishangarh, Chomu and Malpura in Rajasthan state of India using Johansen's multivariate cointegration approach, VECM, Granger causality tests, GARCH, EGARCH and ARIMA. Monthly wholesale gram price data spanning from January 2011 to December 2015 sourced from AGMARKNET were used. Multivariate cointegration showed that all the selected gram markets were cointegarted in the long-run, meaning long-run price association among these markets. The degree of market integration observed is consistent with the view that Rajasthan state gram markets are quite competitive; thus, provide little justification for extensive and costly government intervention designed to enhance market efficiency through improve competitiveness. Therefore, in order to sustain the present system of market integration, there is need to evolve mechanism that will generate market information and market intelligence which would serve as a platform for guiding farmers in marketing their produce

The zooplankton and environmental characteristics of Yardantsi Reservoir, Gusau, Nigeria

Zooplankton play an important role in the faunal biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems as they assist in transferring algal energy to higher trophic levels through grazing and also eliminate harmful algae from water. The zooplankton and environmental characteristics of Yardantsi Reservoir were studied in order to provide essential information on this important ecosystem that serves as domestic and irrigation water supply, and fishing ground. Samples for water quality and zooplankton analyses were collected from the reservoir from May, 2015 to April, 2017 using standard methods. Three groups of zooplankton (Copepoda, Cladocera and Rotifera) comprising of thirteen genera were encountered. Rotifera (36.69%) and Cladocera (34.44%) were numerically dominant during the rainy and dry seasons, respectively. The highest zooplankton abundance (5646), species richness (11), Shannon-Weiner index (2.25) and Margalef's index (1.16) were observed during the rainy season. Axes 1 and 2 of the principal component analysis (PCA) explained 74.82% and 11.89% of the zooplankton-environmental variable relationship. Diaphanosoma sp, Eubranchipus sp, Kellicottia sp and Macrothrix sp were mostly influenced by NO3, BOD, depth, pH and dissolved oxygen while Cyclops sp and Daphnia were mostly influenced by changes in alkalinity, hardness and chloride. Brachionus patulus, the dominant species in the reservoir was mostly influenced by PO4-P. The study shows that the reservoir is slightly polluted and it is essential to adopt effective management strategies such as reduced agricultural run-offs and riparian animal grazing to prevent further deterioration of water quality

Effect of Science-Technology-Society Approach on Creativity in Environmental Conservation Concept among Secondary School Biology Students in Zaria, Kaduna State

Creativity in STEM Education is now widely recognized as an essential 21st century skill, which can be fostered through innovative pedagogy. This study therefore examines the effect of Science-Technology-Society (STS) Approach on creativity in Environmental Conservation Concept among secondary school biology students in Zaria, Kaduna State. The design is quasi-experimental, specifically the non-equivalent pretest, posttest, control group design. A sample of 105 SS2 students from two schools was used for the study. Schools were purposively sampled from 28 public Schools in Zaria Education Zone. Students’ Creativity Assessment Test (SCAT) was adapted and used for data collection. Three null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study and were tested using ANCOVA at P < 0.05 level of significance. Results obtained revealed that students exposed to STS Instructional Approach, exhibited significantly higher level of creativity than those taught concept environmental conservation using Lecture Method. There is no significant difference in the creativity level of male and female students in the experimental group. Gender and treatment were found not to have any significant interaction effects on students’ level of creativity. On the basis of these findings, the study advocated for the teaching of Biology for creativity through innovative strategies like STS Approach

Structural and electrochemical properties of Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) synthesised using an improved modified hummers method as electrode material for electronics applications

High quality reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets were prepared from natural graphite using an improved modified Hummers method. The morphological, structural and electrochemical properties of the RGO were characterised by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) analysis and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. The SEM image of the RGO showed that, there was a small increase in the number of grain boundaries, indicating a collapse of the surface coalescence of the graphene oxide. The XRD peak at 24.56˚ corresponds to the (002) diffraction plane with the interlayer spacing along the c-axis of 2.0989 Ǻ. The Raman shift for the reduced graphene oxide gives the ID/IG intensity ratio of 1.04. The RGO exhibited good electrochemical characteristics with energy density and power density of 19.2 Whkg-1 and 149.3 Wkg-1 respectively.Keywords: Reduce Graphene Oxide, Structural Properties, Morphological Properties, electrochemical propertie

Frustrated network of indirect exchange paths between tetrahedrally coordinated Co in Ba2 CoO4

We present a detailed study of the electronic and magnetic interactions of Ba2CoO4, structurally very uncommon because of the isolated CoO4 distorted tetrahedral coordination. We show the presence of Co(d)-O(p) hybridized states characterized by spin polarized oxygen atoms, with their magnetic moments parallel to that on Co. The calculated isotropic exchange interaction parameters, which include the contributions from ligand spins, demonstrate the presence of a three-dimensional (3D) network of magnetic couplings that are partially frustrated in the identified magnetic ground state. Our results indicate that the dominant indirect exchange mechanism responsible for this ground state is mediated by O atoms along the Co-O »O-Co path