Archives-December 

The study involves twenty-four (12) yearling West African Dwarf Goats. The goats were assigned randomly to three treatments viz: Cnidoscolus-Poultry Manure-Multinutrient Blocks (CPMNB), Cnidoscolus-Urea-Multinutrient Blocks (CUMNB) and control consisting of Panicum maximum and cassava peels. Each treatment consists of eight goats as replicates. They were adequately fed and provided with fresh and clean water. The hematological parameters and nutrient digestibility as influenced by the three treatments were evaluated. The Packed Cell Volume (PCV) value for goats fed the experimental multinutrient blocks ranged from 25.25 + 1.25% in CUMNB to 20.25 + 2.25% in CPMNB and that of the control diet was 19.90 + 1.59%. The red blood cell varied from 545 + 116.0x106 mm-1 in CUMNB to 335 + 64.0 x 106 mm-1 in CPMNB with control having the value 222.58 +25.61 x106mm-1. The White Blood Cell (WBC) was highest in CUMNB (263.5 + 1.65 x 103 mm-1), followed by CPMNB (151.5 + 10.8 x103 mm-1 ) while the least value was recorded in the goat fed control diet (137.9 + 2. 75 x103mm-1). The haemoglobin concentration (HBC) was lowest in goats fed the control diet (5.92 + 0.18g 100 mm-1). The Monocytes (%) value for CUMNB was the highest (6.4 + 0.6), followed by CPMNB (5.0 + 0.00) and the control treatment has the least value (4.90 + 0.42) The Eosinophils (%) values varied from 2.0 + 0.25 in CUMNB to 1.83 + 0.17 in control treatment. The goats fed control diet showed the least values for the haemological variables. The percent digestible nutrient and coefficient of digestibility in the feed showed that goats fed supplemental Cnidoscolus- based multinutrient blocks had better nutrient utilization. Thus better rumen digestion and haematological performance than goats fed diet of Panicum- cassava peels ration.

A juvenile specimen of Grayia ornata was collected, exhibiting divergent morphological characteristics compared to adult specimens, suggesting a potential inversion of characters during the species' development. These characters may also indicate geographical and ecological variations that are being observed for the first time in a region that has received minimal study, the Kokolopori nature reserve. To definitively ascertain whether this phenomenon constitutes an inversion of neotenic characters during development or the presence of metapopulations of the same species or an undescribed sister species, further molecular analysis is necessary.

Cumulative Grade point average (CGPA) is a commonly used indicator for academic performance among students in the Universities. Many factors could act as barriers to students in attaining and maintaining a high CGPA that reflects their overall academic performance during their stay in the University. Such factors include test anxiety, time management, test competence, academic competence, study techniques, Lecturer teaching method, peer group, health, learning environment, parental background etc. In this study, a sequential procedure is used to model a combination of daily average reading hour and daily average sleeping hour to maximize students’ CGPA. The design for this study is stratified sampling scheme with department as the ultimate sampling unit. A Sample of 200 students was randomly selected. The questionnaire for the research contained information on students’ CGPA, daily average reading hour and daily average sleeping hour. SPSS software package was used to produce summary statistics. A second order response surface model (SORSM) was constructed from the data to determine various combinations of daily average reading hour and daily average sleeping hour that will make students to be in either good academic standing or not in good academic standing. The above SORSM was subjected to a canonical analysis to characterize the nature of stationary point of the model as well as to determine the daily average reading hour (x1) and daily average sleeping hour (x2) that maximize students’ CGPA. The model gives daily average reading hour (x1) to be 4 and daily average sleeping hour (x2) to be 5. Hence, the student’s maximum CGPA would be achieved if daily average reading hour (x1) is four and daily average sleeping hour (x2) is five after normal daily lectures.

The combustion process in Internal Combustion engines is greatly influenced by the fuel injected into the chamber and its interaction with the air. Investigation of which involves analyzing injection process from the structure point of view of the fuel spray. In addition, optimizing the spray conditions is highly important in reducing the exhaust emissions and improving the performance and combustion characteristics. The main objective is to optimize various parameters of spray for different blends of biodiesel and injection pressure mainly with respect to Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD), spray tip penetration and spray cone angle using concept of Taguchi and also identifying its contribution using analysis of variance commonly known as ANOVA with the help of ?Minitab 14.0? software where the optimum levels of parameters were found using higher Signal - Noise ratio. Based on the number of trials of experiments, spray images of biodiesel for the different combination of control factors were captured and analyzed. Furthermore performance, emission and combustion characteristics are compared by advancing as well as retarding the injection timing in existing Compression Ignition engine for the optimum condition obtained from the experiments conducted in spray chamber. The higher brake thermal efficiency is attained when it is retarded may be due to lower fuel consumption. Unburned hydro carbon is lower for KB20 due to unstable nature and simple molecular structure. Further, among all the blends KB20 can be considered to the best blend on the basis of spray characteristics.

Influenza A (H1N1) caused 18,449 deaths globally in 2009-2010 and 3,907 deaths in India from 2009- 2013. Pregnant women are at high risk. In June 2016, a pregnant woman tested H1N1-positive in Bhildeva village, Pali district, Rajasthan. We investigated to confirm and describe the outbreak, describe case management and response, and to make recommendations for prevention and control.We analyzed H1N1 January 2014-May 2016 data. We defined a suspect case as fever and cough between 15 May-15 June 2016 in a Bhildeva village resident and conducted active surveillance by house-to-house survey. We reviewed medical records and interviewed index case’s family. We compared and analyzed case management against government protocol. During January 2014- May 2016, Bhildeva village, Pali district had no H1N1 cases. We identified 21 suspect cases (attack rate: 6%); 13 (62%) were females, and 10 (47%) were relatives of index case. Median age was 22 years (range: 1-40 years). All had fever (21, 100%), cough (18, 86%), nasal secretion (6, 28%), head ache (5, 23%), body ache (2, 9%), and sore throat (1, 5%). All cases received prophylaxis, advised isolation, and demonstrated respiratory hygiene. Index case was a 24-year-old pregnant woman (23 week gestation, gravida 3) who received only one antenatal check-up at 12 weeks gestation. She initially visited two unqualified practitioners. Seven days after illness onset, she visited a private medical provider but died one week later. Three days before illness onset, she was exposed to a family member with respiratory illness.In June 2016, Pali district, Rajasthan had influenza A (H1N1) outbreak. Immediate response and case management as per protocol minimized transmission. Late diagnosis and management of high-risk index case probably contributed to death. Educate unqualified/qualified practitioners about detection, monitoring of symptomatic high-risk groups, and referral to reduce morbidity and mortality.

An extensive review conducted before this study, showed data limitation is the main constrain for multiple regression approach. Thus, new technique has been innovated through bit wear distribution over drilled interval depends on formation fingerprint. Field geological, drilling and logging data collected from three wells located in Blue Nile basin subjected to considerable concentrated analysis. Drilling rate predicted as a function of optimum weight on bit and rotation per minute using Bourgoyne and Young model. The Unknown Bourgoyne and Young coefficients have been determined. Correlations of multiple regressions using Statistica-12.5 software predict acceptable values of nine unknown coefficients. Hypothesis test of predicted coefficients showed over 95% confidence interval which simulated saving in time of drilling by 25%. Out comes was verified through Payzone drilling simulator via simulating actual field observations and re-simulate predicted ROP values. Results revealed the proficiency of predicted drilling rate values. The rate of penetration general equation constructed for each formation; then graphs produced for each formation individually depends on bit type and operational conditions.The methodology and out comes presented in this paper enable prediction of optimum penetration rates directly through accurately produced graphs that is during the well planning period for next wells to be drilled in Blue Nile Basin or other similar formations. This research offers new technique via distribution of drill bits dullness over drilled interval to overcome data limitation constrain. Together with qualitative and quantitative analysis of the optimized results that revealed high potentiality of new technique through both operation and economic benefits on drilling.

The phase change process for energy storage is a complex heat transfer phenomenon and the solidification and melting process make the charging and discharging process entirely a transient heat transfer process. Analytical solutions are not available to evaluate the temperature of the PCM during the charging and discharging process. Hence, numerical methods are to be adopted to solve the governing equations involved during this transient heat transfer phenomenon. Further, the correlations are developed using the results obtained from the regression analysis using the experimental results to provide simple solutions to the practicing engineers. In this study, heat transfer experiments were conducted under different levels of air flow rate, inlet temperature, charging and discharging time according to the central composite rotatable design matrix. Within the design space, heat transfer variables were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) concept to the required PCM melting temperature and room temperature. Further, optimized results show that the minimum PCM melting temperature of 29.8 ºC and room temperature of 28.6 ºC are obtained at the mass flow rate of 0.06 kg/s, inlet temperature of 31.4 ºC, and discharging time 86 mins by optimizing process parameters.

The fiber reinforced laminate composite plates, because of its outstanding mechanical properties such as high strength, high stiffness with less weight, durability, corrosion resistance, finds many engineering applications. In this work, local failure of plate alone in-between the stiffeners is taken for study. This work compares the buckling behavior of thin fiber reinforced laminate composite plates subjected to axial compression under different types of boundary conditions with different types and different angle of layups. For this purpose graphite / epoxy composite rectangular plate is used for the analysis. Further, by varying the dimension of plate, effect of the aspect ratio of the plate on the buckling strength of plate is also studied. Eigen buckling analysis of ANSYS is used for analysis.

Every year thousands of students leave the regular formal educational institutions in Kenya, but they cannot progress to higher levels of formal education. Despite past investments in Kenya’s Technical, Industrial, Vocational Education and Training (TIVET) subsector, many school leavers fail to access TIVET. This is because the subsector is said to be facing many challenges related to wastage of resources, irrelevant training and turnover of personnel. Performance contracting has been acclaimed as an effective and promising means of improving the performance of public enterprises as well as government departments. The government of Kenya introduced performance contract signing in the year 2004. The performance contracts were aimed at improving resource utilization in public institutions among other objectives. This study sought to establish the perceptions of Kenyan tutors in Technical Institutes in Rift Valley about the impact of performance contracts as a paradigm shift on the utilization of teaching and learning resources. The study adopted a survey strategy. The study population comprised of tutors, Heads of Department and Principals of randomly selected public Technical Institutes in Kenya. The stratified random sampling technique was applied in the selection of the study sample. This involved the grouping of tutors into 8 strata according to the available departments. Thereafter the proportionate random sampling technique was applied to get an equal proportion of respondents from each stratum. The saturated sampling technique was used to sample the heads of department and principals. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. This entailed the supplying of questionnaires to tutors, heads of department and principals of the sampled Technical Institutes. Interviews were conducted with principals of the sampled institutions.

The physico-chemical characteristics of Otamiri River were investigated using digital meters and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The aim of the study was to provide information that will be useful in the sustainable development of the River. The results indicates that the mean pH concentrations of the Otamiri river obtained at four strategic gauge stations designated SSWS1 - Egbu, SSWS2 –Timber Market, SSWS3 – FUTO and Downstream-Mbirichi were 6.45, 6.58, 6.45 and 6.50 respectively for the mean pH while the mean values for Pb2+ were 0.02, 0.02, 1.67 and 0.02 mg/l respectively, that of Cd2+ was 0.004, 0.0036, 0.004 and 0.002 mg/l respectively while the mean concentrations for Fe+ were 0.01, 0.016, 0.23 and 0.10 mg/l. The result of stream sediment samples indicates that the concentrations of pH were 5.8, 5.90, 6.30 and 4.45 respectively while mean concentrations values for Pb2+ were 0.08, 0.07, 0.06 and 0.05 mg/kg respectively while the values for Cd2+ were 0.32, 0.28, 0.30 and 0.25 mg/kg respectively. The values for Hg were 0.10, 0.13, 0.15 and 0.18 mg/kg. The results for both water and sediment samples with respect to pH and some heavy metal concentrations were not in conformity with World Health Organisation (2011) standard for safe drinking water as well as Federal Ministry of Environment (2006) standard for soil respectively thus, constitute a threat to the River; these are attributed to waste dumps and anthropogenic activities around the four stations The Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) of the river indicates that it is excellent for irrigation purposes even though correction of the pH needed to be done. The pollution index (PI) of the river shows that it is tending towards its critical value of 1. The pH of the water can be treated using sodium bicarbonate while the sediment by liming method while the excessive concentrations of heavy metals can be treated using acornic acid.