African
Journals Online
Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences
Volume
9, No 1 September 2002
Abstracts
EFFECT
OF PARTIAL WATER DEPRIVATION ON THE PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS
CHARACTERISTICS OF BROLER CHICKENS EXPOSED TO SELECTED DURATIONS OF
WATER DEPRIVATION IN THE HUMID TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT
1
Samuel A. Offiong, 2 Francis S. Akpan and
3 Olusegun O. Ojebiyi
1,
2 Department of animal science, faculty of Agriculture,
University of Uyo
3
Foundation for Economic research and Training (FERT), Uyo
ABSTRACT
A
study was conducted to assess the effects of partial water
deprivation on the biologic performance and carcass qualities of
broiler chickens raised in a humid tropical environment.
There were 2 experiments involving the use of 280 and 500
broiler chickens of mixed sexes respectively.
These birds were raised to 4 weeks of age and then subjected
to selected durations of water deprivation treatments which lasted
for 2 and 5 weeks respectively.
Water deprivation exposure had no significant effect
(P>0.05) on body weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed
conversion ratio and mortality following 2 weeks of treatment in the
first experiment. However,
in the second experiment, when the birds were exposed to longer
period of water deprivation (5 weeks), body weight and water
consumption were significantly affected (P<0.05) by treatments.
But weight gain, feed intake, EFU, water/feed ratio and
efficiency of water utilization were not affected.
Depriving birds of water for 6 and 8 hours daily did not
adversely depress dressing percentages.
Weights of some body parts were affected by the partial water
deprivation treatments. Organ
weights (liver, gizzard, heart and spleen) were generally depressed
by water deprivation. Treatments
did not seem to affect the chemical composition of the meat. However
the dry matter and moisture contents of the meat tended to vary
inversely as the intensity of water deprivation increased.
Keywords:
Partial water deprivation; broiler chickens; performance;
carcass; characteristics.
AN
ANALYSIS OF BEEF DEMAND IN A NIGERIAN URBAN CITY.
Dr.
E.J. Udoh1 and Dr. J.O.Akintola2
1.
Department of Agricultural Economics/Extension, University of Uyo,
Uyo.
2.
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan,
Ibadan
ABSTRACT
The
level of beef demand and consumption in Nigerian cities has been
questionably and progressively low. This study empirically modeled a
demand function of beef meat in Lagos city with the aim of
identifying major demand shifters. Based on the regression analysis,
unit retail price of beef and disposable income were found to have
significant and direct influences on the quantity of beef demanded.
Further, trend and policy shift variables represented as SAP dummy
were found to have significant but inverse effect on quantity of
beef demanded. The study further showed that the quantity of beef
(in number and meat equivalent) slaughtered has been on the decline
and as such, the per caput beef consumption has become considerably
lower over the years, when compared with the minimum value
recommended for Nigeria by FAO. The future demand of beef is however
estimated to be high. To meet this demand there is the need for both
farmers and government to increase production levels of cattle by
removing the bottlenecks in livestock husbandry.
Keywords:
Beef, demand function, demand projection, animal protein, urban
city.
FUNGI
ASSOCIATED WITH PEELS OF POST
HARVEST YAMS (DIOSCOREA SPP.) IN STORAGE
Ralph
N. OKIGBO
Department
of Biological Sciences,
Michael Okpara
University of Agriculture, Umudike
P.M.B 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Fungi
on surface of three
cultivars of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) and
a cultivar of water yam (D. alata L.) were
investigated. The objective of the
study is to show vertical distribution (Head, middle and tail
regions) of mycoflora of yam surface. The mycoflora consisted
principally of Aspergillus niger Van Tiegh, Botryodiplodia
theobromae Pat, Trichoderma sp., Rhizopus sp.,
Fusarium solani (Mart) Sacc, Choanephora cucurbitarum (Berk
and Fav.) Thaxt, Mucor sp. and Penicillium oxalicum
Currie and Thom in that order of their frequency of occurrence.
The head region showed significant difference in occurrence
of fungi (p < 05) more than the middle and tail regions. The
frequency of occurrence of A. niger and B. theobromae was
considerable in all the cultivars except in water yam where the
occurrence of A. niger was relatively sparse. The implication
of tuber surface mycoflora on the post harvest storage of yams is
discussed.
Key
words: yam,
Peel, tuber surface, mycoflora
PARASITIC
CONTAMINATION OF LEAFY VEGETABLES: A FUNCTION OF THE LEAF AREA INDEX
(LAI)
*(1)
OPARA, KENNETH NNAMDI AND (2)UDOIDUNG, NSIMA I.
DEPARTMENT
OF ZOOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF UYO
ABSTRACT
A
survey was undertaken to determine the degree of contamination of
some stable vegetables and their surrounding soils by parasites in
Uyo, Nigeria. Out of
the 780 leaves from six vegetables and 50 soil samples screened, 498
(63.9%) of vegetables and 36 (72%) of the soil samples were positive
for parasite ova, larvae or cyst respectively.
The prevalence of the parasites encountered from the
vegetables and soil samples were Ascaris lumbricoides (76.3%
vs 100%) Hookworm (63.9% vs 66.7%), Trichuris trichiura (53.8%
vs 58.3%). Strongyloides
stercoralis (14.1% vs 19.44%), Gardia lamblia (5.6% vs
25.0%), Entamoeba histolytica (2.0%).
The results obtained indicate that Leaf Area Index (LAI) is a
contributory factor to high prevalence of contamination irrespective
of exposed surface area, the vegetables with smaller leaf are index
value are more contaminated than vegetables with higher LAI value.
Keywords:
Vegetables, Parasites, Soil,
Contamination.
A
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT YAM
SPECIES
F. I. ACHUBA
Department
of Biochemistry
Delta
State University, P.M.B. 1. ABRAKA,
NIGERIA.
ABSTRACT
The
activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in three species of yam: Dioscorea
cayenensis poir cv okpai, Dioscorea alata poir cv
Chembeli and Dioscorea
alata poir cv Kurudu was studied. The study demonstrated a
significant variation of superoxide dismutase activity in the three
varieties of Dioscorea species. The highest activity was found in Dioscorea
cayenensis and the lowest one in Dioscorea alata poir cv
Kurudu. The order of activity of the enzyme in the tuber was head
> middle > tail physiological region. Inhibition studies with
cyanide showed that the enzyme in the yam cell of all the varieties
was inhibited by cyanide. These observations indicated that
identical SODs are present in the cytosol and mitochondria of the
yam cells of the different varieties studied.Thus different
yam species vcxz\have different SOD activities that confer
peculiar protective
role against superoxide
` anion.
Keywords:
Dioscorea alata, Dioscorea cayenensis, superoxide dismutase.
ANTIDIABETIC
EFFECT OF CRUDE GLYCOSIDE OF ABRUS PRECATORIUS IN ALLOXAN DIABETIC
RABBITS
1MONAGO,
C.C. AND 2AKHIDUE, V.
1.
DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY, UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT,
NIGERIA
2.
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT,
RIVERS STATE NIGERIA
ABSTRACTS
The
antidiabetic effect of crude a glycoside from Abrus precatorius
seed was studied in alloxan diabetic rabbits.
Three groups of male alloxan diabetic rabbits were used. The
three groups (n = 3) received oral injection of 50mg/kg body of
crude glycoside (CG), chlorpropamide (CP)-a known synthetic
antidiabetic drug and 5mls of normal saline for CG, CP and CO
respectively. Blood glucose levels were reduced in CG and CP groups
of diabetic rabbits but not in CO. The percentage reduction of blood
glucose for CG after 5,10,20,30,40,60, and 168 hours of oral
injection were 34.1, 43.4,71.8,73.2,70.6,63.7 and 62.9% respectively
while for CP we have 13.8,32.3,61.3,33.5,46.3 and 46.2%
respectively. The peak reduction for CG was 73.2% after 30 hours and
61.3% for CP after 20 hrs of oral injection. Both CG and CP did not
return back to hyperglycaemic level of 207.60 ± 0.21- 247.20 ±
0.50.
There
is a high significant difference between the blood glucose reduction
pattern of CG and CP with that of CO at P < 0.001. There is no
significant difference in the blood glucose reduction patterns of CG
and CP (P < 0.001).
Key
words: Diabetes mellitus, Legumes, Abrus precatorius,
Sulfonylurea, Crude glycoside.
Anti
malarial drug quinine and activated charcoal effect on
hAematological parameters in rats.
Nwafor
.A.
Department
of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences,
College
of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B 5323 Port
Harcourt.
ABSTRACTS
The
efficacy of oral administration of activated charcoal in
ameliorating the harmful effect of quinine on haematological
parameters- packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb)
and erythrocyte count (Rbc) in animal model was studied. Quinine
alone (P <0.05) or activated charcoal alone (P < 0.01)
significantly reduced the parameters studied compared with control.
Although there was no significant
difference in the values of the parameters studied when
activated charcoal was administered 10 minutes before or after oral
ingestion of quinine hitherto the reduction in the values of PCV,Hb
and Rbc were similar to that obtained with activated charcoal alone;
which suggests that oral
administration of activated charcoal as early as possible may
have a beneficial effect in
reducing the toxicological effects of quinine on blood parameters
Key
words: Blood picture;
charcoal-therapeutic-use; quinine, animal.
BIOCHEMICAL
CHANGES IN SERUM OF PROTEIN
ENERGY MALNOURISHED CHILDREN FOLLOWING
DIETARY PROTEIN REPLETION
*USORO,
C. A. O; UDOH, A. E; NTUI, I.
Department
of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Calabar.
ABSTRACT
The
serum levels of total protein, albumin, urea, calcium (Ca2+),
sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) where determined
during a ten day process of dietary protein repletion in 30 protein
energy malnourished (PEM) children and in a control group of thirty
healthy children of equivalent age group. The findings show that the
total protein, albumin, urea, Ca2+, Na+, and K+
were significantly lower (p<0.05) in PEM patients when compared
with healthy controls. These parameters were significantly increased
(p<0.05) following the ten-day dietary protein repletion.
However, the treated group still had significantly lower values
(p<0.05) than the healthy controls. The serum levels of total
protein, albumin, urea, Ca2+, Na+, K+,
were 45.10 ± 2.70g/L; 28.40 ± 2.10g/L; 1.40 ± 0.39mmol/L; 1.30 ±
0.27mmol/L; 128.00 ± 4.30mmol/L; 2.90 ± 0.60mmol/L respectively in
the PEM patients and 5.90 ± 2.90g/L: 33.10 ± 2.3g/L; 2.40 ±
0.49mmol/L; 1.90 ± 0.32mmol/L; 131.00 ± 3.30mmol/L and 3.40 ±
0.30mmol/L respectively following a ten day dietary protein
repletion. In the healthy controls the values were 66.00 ± 2.20g/L
(total protein); 45.54 ± 2.20g/L (albumin); 3.90 ± 0.40mmol/L
(urea); 2.40 ± 0.04mmol/L (Ca2+); 140.00 ± 3.30mmol/L
(Na+); 4.80 ± 0.70mmol/L (K+). It is
concluded that protein repletion normalizes the biochemical
parameters listed above.
*Author
for correspondence.
Key
words: Malnourished
children, Protein repletion.
FUNCTIONAL
PROPERTIES OF SOYBEAN AND LOCUSTBEAN DAWADAWA; A BACTERIAL FERMENTED
PRODUCT
C. A. Emmanuel Ikpeme, A. O. Oguatunde,
C.O. Aworh
Department
of Biochemistry University of Calabar
Food
Technology Department University of lbadan
ABSTRACT
Functional
properties of soybean and locustbean dawadawa; a bacterial fermented
product, were investigated. Locustbean and soybean seeds were
processed and fermented for 48h and the products; dawadawa, assayed
for gelation capacity, water and oil absorption capacity; emulsion
capacity and emulsion stability. Results showed that water
absorption capacity (WAC)
of fermented soybean increased significantly (P<0.05), while
fermentation decreased the WAC of locustbean. Also, there was a
significant reduction in the oil retention capacity of fermented
products.
Fermentation
caused a considerable reduction in the emulsification capacity of
soybean dawadawa. Locustbean dawadawa had least geleation
concentration at 30% (W/V). Dawadawa though a seasoning could be
used in food systemes where some modification in the functionality
of the inherent basic ingredient is required, as in some Nigeria
soups.
Key
Words: Soybean, locustbean,
fermentation, functional properties, dawadawa.
AMYLOLYTIC
STUDIES OF PLEUROTUS
TUBER-REGIUM
1MONAGO,
C.C. AND 2OKONKWO J. E.
1.
DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY, UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT,
NIGERIA
2.
DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY, NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA,
ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The
alpha amylase of the sclerotium of Pleurotus tuber-regium was
studied. The enzyme was
purified from the fresh sclerotium through dialysis, ammonium
sulphate fractionation and column chromatography of CM sephadex. The
enzyme showed 70% of its optimal activity between p.H 4.0 to 8.0.
Acid and thermal stability was found at p.H 2.0 and
temperature of 600c respectively. Michealis Menton constant (km) and maximum velocity (Vmax) of
the enzyme with starch as substrate was 1.25mg/ml and 5.0ug/ml/min,
respectively. The paper
chromatography of the hydrolytic products in starch showed
hydrolytic products like glucose, maltose and dextrin, suggesting an
alpha-amylase type of activity.
Maltose is not hydrolysed by this enzyme.
Keywords:
Pleurotus tuber-regium, Amylase, Sclerotium, fungus.
THE
EFFECT OF EXPOSURE TO PETROLEUM PRODUCTS ON SOME RENAL FUNCTION
PARAMETERS OF MOTOR MECHANICS IN PORT HARCOURT METROPOLIS OF NIGERIA.
*E.
S. BARTIMAEUS and M. J. JACOBS
Department
of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Rivers
State University
of Science and Technology,
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
*Corresponding
author.
ABSTRACT
The
effect of petroleum products on some renal function parameters was
assessed in motor mechanics in Port Harcourt, Nigeria using
urinalysis, urea and creatinine estimations.
Traces of protein in urine were found in the exposed
population, which increased as the duration of exposure increased.
Mean urea and creatinine levels showed a significant difference
(p<0.05) between the exposed and non exposed subjects.
Specific gravity levels of test subjects were low compared to
normal. Tukey test
analysis shows a significant difference in urea level between groups
of the exposed population but those of creatinine and specific gravity
had no inter group difference. A direct relationship therefore was
observed between the levels of urea, creatinine, specific gravity,
urinary protein and the duration of exposure to these products
Keywords:
Petroleum product, creatinine, urea, specific gravity, protein.
ANALYSIS OF LOCAL
SALTS USING X-RAY SPECTROMETRIC TECHNIQUES
I.M.Umar
Centre
for Energy Research and Training
Ahmadu
Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
ABSTRACT:
Local
salts namely: Mangul, Kantu and Manda have been analysed using
x-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence techniques. X-ray diffraction
has shown that Mangul and Kantu consist of mainly sodium chloride
while Manda consists of mainly calcium potassium silicate. The major
elements determined using x-ray fluorescence are: Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca,
Ti and Fe, while the trace elements included V, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Y and Zr. The Mangul samples were found to contain
higher concentrations of Br while Manda had higher Fe concentrations.
Toxic elements such as As, Pb, Sb, and Hg are non detectable, which
may suggest that the salts may be safe as common salt subsititudes.
Key
Words: Mineral metal Salts, Carbonates,
Chlorides, Sulphates, Silicates.
MACRONUTRIENT
STATUS AND SPECIATION OF Cu, Fe, Zn AND Pb IN SOIL CONTAINING PALM OIL
MILL EFFLUENT
*P.O.
Oviasogie and A.E. Aghimien
Chemistry
Division, Nigerian Institute For Oil Palm Research, P.M.B. 1030, Benin
City, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
The
use and safe disposal of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) will no doubt
contribute to environmental sustainability. Hence, the macronutreint
and forms (speciation) of Copper, Iron, Zinc and Lead status of soil
containing POME were determined in this study. The concentrations were
determined at 0-15cm and 15-30cm soil depths respectively and at 10m
interval from the point of discharge of the POME. Soils at 100m away
from the discharge point were regarded as normal or uncontaminated
soils, while different extractants were used to determine the levels
of Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb. The results showed enrichment of the soils in P,
N, Ca, Mg, Na, K due to the application of the POME. Copper, Iron and
Pb were predominant in the organic form, while Zinc was particularly
present in the exchangeable form. There was an overall increase in the
cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soils especially at the area
close to the source of the POME. Proper use and safe disposal of POME
in the land environment will lead to improved soil fertility.
Key
Words: macronutreint,
speciation, Cation Exchange Capacity, soil fertility, sustainability.
The
Infrared Spectra of Diaqua Tetra-m
- Formato Dichromium (II): A Normal Coordinate Treatment on 1:1
Formate Complex
A.
Uzairu, G. F. S. Harrison and A. Adamu
Department
of Chemistry,
Ahmadu
Bello University, Zaria.
ABSTRACT
The
infrared spectrum of diaqua tetra- m
- formato dichromium (II) complex has been obtained in the frequency
range 4000 to 400cm-1. A normal coordinate treatment
performed on the 1:1 model of the complex gives calculated frequencies
in good agreement with the observed ones. In order to assign bands and
to see the coupling between various vibrational modes, the potential
energy distribution in each normal vibration was calculated with
respect to each symmetry coordinate for all the in-plane vibrations.
The results show that in spite of the effect of coordination some of
the formate ligand based vibrational modes remain localized, though
others such as nas(COO)
and ds(HCO)
couple strongly with ring deformation. The analysis also indicate that
bands at 464, 537 and 540 cm-1 are assignable to ns
(CrOO) coupled with ring deformation, Cr-Cr mode coupled with ds
(Cr-Cr-O) bending and nas
(CrOO) coupled with das
(C-O-Cr) bending, respectively.
Keywords:
Infrared spectrum, normal coordinate treatment, in-plane fundamental
vibrations, tetra- m-
formato dichromium (II) complex, 1:1 (Cr24+:
HCOO-) complex model
STUDY
OF METHYL BROMIDE REACTIVITY WITH HUMAN AND MOUSE HEMOGLOBIN
Bamgbose,
J.T1 and Bamgbose, O2
University
of Agriculture, P M B 2240, Abeokuta, NIGERIA
1Department
of Chemistry
2Department
of Environmental Management and Toxicology
1To
whom all correspondence should be addressed.
ABSTRACT
A study has been carried out on in-vitro reactivity of human
and mouse hemoglobin spectrophotometrically at physiological pH, using
different protein to reagent ratios.
Hemoglobin side chains were modified with different
concentrations of methyl bromide on agro-soil fumigant.
To ascertain if the site of alkylation was the reactive
sulfhydryl group present at cystein 93 on the b
chain of hemoglobin (b-93
cys), a spectrophotometric measurement using
5,5-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) was used to measure the free
sulfhydryl groups before and after treatment of hemoglobin with
various amounts of methyl bromide.
The results show that the methylbromide reacted substantially
with both human and mouse hemoglobin at b-93
cys.
The
decrease in the number of sulfhydryl groups (SH) per hemoglobin
molecule on addition of various concentrations of methylbromide ranges
from 5.10 to 2.35 + 0.01 and 5.01 to 0.93 + 0.01 for
human and mouse hemoglobin, respectively.
The
results showed a dose-dependent decrease in the number of sulfhydryl
group indicating that hemoglobin can serve as a biomarker of human
occupational exposure to methy bromide fumigants.
Keywords:
Hemoglobin, sulfhydryl groups, methylbromide, Cysteine,
histidine.
Identification
of Trimer and Dimer of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzaldehyde in crystal
structure of Vanillin
Narayan
T. Akinchan
Department
of Pure and Applied Chemistry,
University
of Calabar, Calabar.
Nigeria.
E-mail
<akinchan @ unical anpa, net. ng>
ABSTRACT
The
effect of intermolecular hydrogen bonding on the molecular structure
of vanillin has been studied using negative ion chemical ionization (NICl)
mass spectrometry methods. The
[Trimer-H2O] and [Dimer-H2O]
were observed at m/z 438 and 286 respectively in NICl (CH4) mass
spectrum of vanillin. The
NICl (Cl) mass spectrum of vanillin differs where deprotonated
molecular ion peak, [monomer-H]
at m/z,151 was the second most abundant ion peak.
The base ion peak was observed at
m/z,187 due to the presence of monomer+35Cl.
The [Trimer-H2O] and [Dimer
- H2O] were not detected
due to the presence of chloride ion.
The results obtained support that the crystal of vanillin
consists of trimer and dimer of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzaldehyde.
Keywords
4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzaldehyde, vanillin, intermolecular
hydrogen bonding,
Kinetics
and mechanism of the oxidation of thiocyanate ion by di-m-oxo-tetrakis(1,10-phenanthroline)-dimanganese
(III,IV) ion in acid medium
Y.
N. Lohdip and J. F. Iyun
*Department
of Chemistry, University of Jos, Nigeria
**Department
of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The
kinetics of oxidation of thiocyanate ion by di-m-oxo-tetrakis(1,10-phenanthroline)dimanganese(III,IV)
perchlorate in acid medium has been investigated. The reaction follows
first order in both the oxidant and the reductant. The reaction is
catalysed by hydrogen ion and the rate dependence given as k2
= a +
b[H+]. The
reaction rate is not affected by changes in the ionic strength and
dielectric constant of the reaction medium. The reaction did not
induce polymerization of acrylamide and the presence of NO3-
or HCOO- had no effect on the rate. A plausible mechanism
involving proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) is proposed.
Key
words: Kinetics, mechanism, oxidation,
thiocyanate, di-m-oxo-tetrakis(1,10-phenanthroline)-dimanganese
(III,IV)
DESIGN,
CONSTRUCTION AND TESTING OF A LOW-COST FLAT PLATE SOLAR ENERGY
COLLECTOR
BY
Asiegbu
Anyalewechi .D.
Department of Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Michael
Okpara
University of Agriculture, Umudike
ABSTRACT
A
low-cost flat plate solar energy collector has been designed and
constructed with locally available materials such as mild steel and
black paint of absorptance 0.94. On testing, an average daily
efficiency of 55.6% was obtained. The methods are simple and
illustrate the fact that construction of efficient collectors are
possible and achievable by our local users on a do- it yourself
basis. The fact that this will minimize cost and over dependence on
electricity for minor heating processes at homes, schools and
hospitals in relation to developing countries were discussed.
Key
Words: Low-cost, solar-energy-collector, Local-Materials,
efficiency, construction.
X-RAY
ABSORPTION BY SODIUM CHLORIDE
N.
O. Egbe, * B. Olisemeke, S. O. Inyang, A. F. Nneoyi-Egbe and G. B.
Inah
N.
O. Egbe
Department of Radiography, University of Calabar, Nigeria
B.
Olisemeke
Department of Radiography, University of Calabar, Nigeria
S.
O. Inyang
Department of Physics, University of Calabar, Nigeria
A.
F. Nneoyi-Egbe
Department of Chemistry, University of Calabar, Nigeria
G
. B. Inah
Department of Radiology, University of Calabar, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
In
vitro Sodium Chloride
absorption of X-rays was studied with concentrations of 46 mg/mol to
460 mg/mol, which include the range of sodium and chloride ion
concentrations in the human body. Irradiation was done with an
incident x-radiation dose equivalent of 0.0309 m
Sv, with Lithium Fluoride as detector. Absorbed doses read off the
thermoluminiscent detectors (TLD) with a TLD reader showed a non
uniform variation, but linear relationship between concentration and
absorbed dose, with a strong positive correlation of 0.8140. The
radiobiological implications of these results are discussed.
Keywords:
Sodium Chloride,
X-ray, Absorption, concentration, phosphors, selection, patients
CHARACTERISTIC
DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL, DIFFUSE
AND DIRECT SOLAR RADIATION AT CALABAR
Akpabio,
L. E+1. and Udoimuk A. B2.
1Department
of Physics, University of Uyo, Uyo
2Department
of Physics, University of Calabar, Calabar
ABSTRACT
In
this paper, a number of years of data on sunshine duration has been
estimated to determine the daily, monthly and yearly distribution of
solar radiation at Calabar. Similarly, daily irradiation on a monthly
average for several inclinations was computed. A mean irradiance of
14.33MJ/m2 per day is recorded for Calabar.
KEYWORDS:
Solar radiation
characteristic distribution Calabar.
AN
EXCHANGE ALGORITHM FOR GLOBAL OPTIMIZATION OF A RESPONSE FUNCTION
M.
P. Iwundu
Department
of Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Science
University of Uyo, Nigeria
Dr.
Aniekan Offiong
Department
of Mechanical Engineering
University of Uyo, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
A
line search technique is introduced for locating the global minimizer
of a response surface which may contain several local minimizers.
The main features of the method are that the starting point,
direction of search and step-length are optimally chosen, and the
sequence is shown to be certain to converge to the global minimizer.
Other methods of finding the global minimizers such as Hesse
(1973), Storey (1985), Onukogu (1997) are shown to have their
individual limitations and these limitations do not apply to the new
technique.
Keywords:
optimization,
response function, exchange algorithm, computation.
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