bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Going home again?
Authors: Toft-Nielsen Claus
Published: October 2019

Since its release in 2004, World of Warcraft (WoW) has regularly changed the game and the play experience in significant ways. Recently, Blizzard, the developer of WoW, announced the upcoming game WoW Classic: “an authentic, Blizzard-quality classic experience”. Drawing on interviews with adult WoW fans and gamers, the article examines the game as an ‘affective space’ (Hills, 2002) of fandom that cannot be separated from the fan narratives and experiences it mediates. A key component in this affective space is the notion of fan nostalgia. The nostalgic relationship between a fan and a favourite text is often imbued with an imagined history, conjoining aff ect and meaning, belief and knowledge, and making nostalgia “both a way of knowing worlds – and a discourse of knowledge” (Radstone, 2010, p. 188). The article traces diff erent and often contradictory modes of fan nostalgia connected to WoW, such as tactile feelings of technostalgia (Bolin, 2015), deeply personal and anchoring types of nostalgia in the form of totemic objects (Proctor, 2017), manifested through fan practices of collecting digital items and souvenirs (Geraghty, 2014), and interwoven with desirable and appropriate self-identity and self-narrative (Williams, 2014). In reading these modes of nostalgia, the article argues that they ultimately function as a sort of ‘homecoming’, as the gamers’ many different experiences of the game and media texts surrounding the game all come together as complex attempts of memory work, creating the possibility of establishing a home within their fandom.
Gender differences on medical students’ attitudes toward patient-centred care: a cross-sectional survey conducted in Heilongjiang, China
Authors: Liu Wei , Hao Yanhua , Zhao Xiaowen , Peng Tao , Song Weijian , Xue Yuxin , Tao Siyi , Kang Zheng , Ning Ning , Gao Lijun , Cui Yu , Liang Libo , Wu Qunhong
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Assessing medical students’ attitudes toward patient-centred care is essential to bettering medical education. Based on doctor-patient relationships and the medical system in China, it is important to explore the impact of gender differences and other background factors on patient-centred attitudes and to provide references for medical education reform.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on fourth-year medical undergraduate students from November 2017 to March 2018 in Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China. The Chinese-revised Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (CR-PPOS), which has been validated in previous research, was used to measure the medical students’ attitudes. The medical students’ demographic data was collected, including their gender, age, information on whether they have siblings, family residence location, doctor(s) for parents, year in which the student first experienced clinical practice, and student category.

Results

A total of 513 students (91.12%) completed the survey. The Chinese medical students scored considerably higher for ‘Caring’ (including patients’ preferences into the decision-making process) than for ‘Sharing’ (sharing information/responsibility with patients). These students tended to have patient-centred attitudes, as measured by an average overall CR-PPOS score of 3.63 (scores higher than 3.5 indicate patient-centred attitudes), which is higher than Malian (3.38) and Pakistani (3.40) medical students but lower than American (4.57) and Brazilian (4.66) students. Female students (P < 0.05) were significantly associated with more patient-centred attitudes and with higher ‘Sharing’ and ‘Caring’ subscale scores. Student category (P < 0.05) was associated with ‘Sharing’ and ‘Caring’ scores. Clinical hospital students (P < 0.05) were associated with more patient-centred attitudes and with higher ‘Sharing’ and ‘Caring’ subscale scores, Students without siblings (p < 0.07) were associated with the higher ‘Sharing’ subscale scores.

Conclusions

In China, gender has a significant impact on medical students’ patient-centred attitudes, which is similar to findings from other countries. If medical schools want to raise patient-centred attitudes across the board and bridge the gap between male and female patient-centred attitudes, gender, student category, and other factors should be incorporated into medical education.
The Meanings and Uses of Symbols as Response to Social Environmental Stimuli by Individuals with Asperger’s (Phenomenology Study: London School Beyond Academy)
Authors: . Chrisdina
Published: October 2019

The number of individuals with special needs in Indonesia is increasing. This certainly cannot be separated from the government's attention that issued various policies in support of their existence. One of the categories included in individuals with special needs is those who categorized as Asperger’s. The obstacle that occurs in Asperger is the difficulty in understanding the social interactions that occur around it. The use of symbols as a medium for communication sometimes leads to ambiguity of meaning when interpreted by individuals with Asperger’s and it is also possible that errors occur in the use of symbols. Using Mead's ideas which consist of three important elements- Mind, Self, and Society- this research reveals that the environment has a role as a stimulus when individuals with Asperger’s try to interpret and use symbols in a communication process.

The study was conducted at London School Beyond Academy Course (LSBA) and Skills Training Institute, a learning place that accepts students with special needs within the autistic category and learning difficulties who have completed high school or equivalent. In the Autistic category, there are 8 Asperger students who are all male between the ages of 19-24. After going through the consent process, the number of Asperger students reduced to 5. Other informants are from teachers and parents who are part of the students’ environment and providing stimulus to the students.

Based on the characteristics and objectives of the research, this study uses a phenomenology study that has the freedom to actively participate and pay attention to the daily activities of Asperger students in interacting socially with the environment. Through this research, three important things were found to cause failure and success things in interpreting symbols when interacting with Asperger student; (1) gestures, (2) memories (pas experienced), (3) society. In conclusion, the environment in Asperger students not only functions on the meaning of symbols, but also contributes to meaning.
Amino Acid Profile, Functional Properties and In-vitro Antioxidant Capacity of Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita mixta Fruit Pulps and Seeds
Authors: Oyeleke Aleem Waheed , Oluwajuyitan David Timilehin , Oluwamukomi Olusola Matthew , Enujiugha Ndigwe Victor
Published: October 2019

The study aimed at evaluating the amino acid profile, fatty acid profile, anti-nutritional factors, functional properties and in-vitro antioxidant activities of Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita mixta fruit pulps and seeds. Freshly harvested Cucurbita mixta and Cucurbita maxima fruit were processed into flour as; Pa: Cucurbita maxima pulp flour, Pi: Cucurbita mixta pulp flour, Sa: Cucurbita maxima seed flour and Si: Cucurbita mixta seed flour and were evaluated for amino acid profile, fatty acid profile, anti-nutritional factors, functional properties and in-vitro antioxidant activities. Triplicate data were analysed and means were separated using New Duncan Multiple Range Test (NDMRT) at p<0.05. The protein content of the fruit pulps and seeds flour samples were 12.77 g/100 g (Pi), 13.22 g/100 g (Pa), 15.37 g/100 g (Sa) and 16.86 g/100 g (Si). Total essential amino acid was 5.33 mg/100 g of protein (Pa) 6.62 mg/100 g of protein (Pi), 9.85 mg/100 g of protein (Sa) and 14.61 mg/100 g of protein (Si). Total essential amino acid of Pi and Si are significantly higher (p>0.05) than Pa and Sa. Statistically, saturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid of the Pi and Si were significantly lower (p<0.05) than Pa and Sa respectively. Antioxidant activities against ABTS* (Pi) is significantly higher (p>0.05) than Pa and with no significant differences (p<0.05) between ABTS values of Si and Sa. While there is a significant difference (p<0.05) between Si and Sa as well as Pi and Pa antioxidant activities against DPPH* respectively. In conclusion, Cucurbita seeds and pulps flour contains high protein content, appreciable amount of essential minerals, lower Na/K molar ratio of less than one and they also exhibit a good free radical scavenging abilities against DPPH*, ABTS* and ability to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+ with high content of total phenol and flavonoid.
Ecofriendly Management of Seedling Diseases of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
Authors: Ahmed Farid , Hasna Mahbuba Kaniz , Akter Md. Babul , Mondal Md. Tanjilur Rahman , Nabi K. M. Eadun
Published: October 2019

The experiment was carried out in the field of Plant Pathology Department, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh to determine the effect of BARI-biofertilizer and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) biopesticide for controlling foot and root rot diseases of chickpea. It was observed that both BARI-Biofertilizer and IPM biopesticide resulted significantly lower disease incidence of seedlings of the test pulse over the control. Soil treatment with BARI-Biofertilizer resulted the lowest disease incidence of chickpea var. Hyprosola, Binasola-2, Binasola-3 and Binasola-4 at 20 DAS (Days after sowing) that displayed reduction of disease incidence up to 83.77%, 54.48%, 70.76% and 71.45% respectively over control. While at 28 DAS, showedup to 82.82%, 71.92%, 84.72% and 68.39%, respectively, reduction of disease incidence over control. At 35 DAS, exhibited up to 79.91%, 73.18%, 81.32% and 73.44%, respectively, reduction of disease incidence over control. BARI-biofertilizer and IPM biopesticide increased fresh weight of plant, number of nodules per plant and fresh weight of nodules per plant.
A Real Options Model to Value Offshore Wind Power Project under Market Linkage Mechanism
Authors: Li Yiqing , Yang Weiguo , Tian Lixin
Published: October 2019

This study puts forward a real options model and uses it to evaluate the investment value of offshore wind power project under market co-movement effect. The main purpose is to check investment benefit of offshore wind power project, as an investor. Several uncertainties are taken into account, including investment costs, feed-in tariffs, carbon prices and policy subsidy. Moreover, an additional uncertain factor, i.e. the market linkage of investment costs, is considered. As a case study, Jiangsu Xiangshui offshore wind park is used to illustrate the model in scenario analysis. Using a least-squares Monte Carlo simulation method, we obtain that the project value is negative. Therefore investors should abandon or postpone investment until better conditions prevail. Furthermore, this paper shows sensitivity analysis of the impact of uncertain factors on the project value. Especially sensitivity analysis of variable costs, it shows a certain impact on project value in here, which has been ignored in previous real options studies. The research results would be helpful for renewable energy project assessment and the decision-making process associated with it.
Optimization of Packaging Line Performance: A Case Study of AB Breweries in Nigeria
Authors: James Ujam Chinedu , Chukwuemeka Godwin Harold
Published: October 2019

This paper presents an approach for improving productivity in breweries. A case study of AB brewery was adopted. Traditionally, packaging line improve  performance and productivity based on extrapolation of past experience, but in recent times, the traditional method could not meet up with high increase in demand of products, hence the need to adopt a new approach of using information technology and software to analyze problems and improving performance. Eleven weeks of the following data were collected and calculated; production outputs and running time; OPI and Target; and Packaging line downtimes. Downtimes were grouped into machine breakdown, planned downtime, and external downtimes and analyzed with histogram to know the impact of each group to the overall downtimes. To apply fishbone diagram, it was further grouped into Material, Method, Man and Machine after which a Pareto graph was plotted to understand the area of focus in tackling production system problems. Tecnomatrix plant simulation software was adopted to develop a simulation model that mimic the real system which further found hidden problems existing within the production system. Design of experiment was carried out to select the best alternatives from the results generated, and finally excel spreadsheet interface was developed for better analysis and performance tracking of optimized system. Result of data analysis indicated that machine breakdown and external downtimes were the major problems affecting performance, while simulation model revealed that unregulated system and un-optimized regulated lines recorded high machine breakdown and speed losses which affected the production performance output respectively. Design of experiment found the best speed combination of sensors to optimize two labellers.
Minimizing Scour of Contraction Stepped Spillways
Authors: Shawky Awad A. , Hemdan Nasr-Allah T. , Abdallah Mohamed Y. , Mohamed Abdel-Aal G.
Published: October 2019

The scour downstream spillways can endanger the stability of the dams. Hence, determining the scour depth downstream of spillways was vital importance which scours holes formed around and near the foundations of spillways can endanger the stability of dams and may lead to their failure. So, this paper, investigate the scour downstream contraction stepped spillways. The experimental flume used 16.2 m length, 66 cm width and 65 cm depth. The used number of stepped spillways was 4 Sep, contraction ratio was 60% from flume width and the opening area in breaker 10% from the breaker area on all sides putting in down of breakers. The breaker used above the stepped spillway with different shapes of openings as rectangle, triangle and trapezoidal and different numbers by 2, 4, 6 and 8 of beakers. The divergent angle changes by 45º, 30º, 15ºand 10º. The results were showed that the best numbers of openings is 4openings with rectangle shape because it reduces the scour by 54.51%. In finally to improve this scour by divergent angle lead to the best angle is 10º can minimize the scour is 65.38%.
The Effect of Extrusion Variables on the Colour of Dakuwa Extrudates Produced from Blends of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolour L) Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L) and Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L)
Authors: Yusuf Mohammed
Published: October 2019

A three factor three level full factorial experimental design was used to determine the effect of extrusion variables on the colour of the extrudate with (90, 100 and 110°C) barrel temperature (50:20:30, 20:25:25 and 50:30:20) feed composition for ratios of sorghum groundnut and tiger nut respectively at 150rpm screw speed and 3 mm die diameter using a twin screw food extrusion coocker (SLG-65-III Model China). Version 16 of Genstat was used in analysing the result. The result reveal that extrusion significantly (p<0.05) affect the colour of the extrudate. The total colour differences between the extruded samples (ΔE) were determined. The average ΔE values ranged from 7.13 to 38.82. Statistical analysis showed that the barrel temperature feed composition and feed moisture content had an effect on the total colour differences (P<0.05) of Dakuwa extrudates. The highest ΔE was found at 90 oC barrel temperature, 50:25:25 feed composition and 22% feed moisture content.
Path Loss Modeling for Next Generation Wireless Network Using Fuzzy Logic - Spline Interpolation Technique
Authors: Danladi A. , G. Vasira P.
Published: October 2019

Appropriate path loss mathematical models help in reducing the complexity of the co-channel interference of Global System for Mobile Communication and Wireless Networks. This work proposes, to adopt and modify Hata model using fuzzy logic and spline interpolation techniques. Mean absolute errors of 1.55 dB and 0.4 dB were obtained using the techniques respectively. It was found that, using fuzzy logic - spline interpolation model, path loss is minimized by 1.94 dB in the study area. Therefore, fuzzy logic - spline interpolation is recommended for path loss prediction for next generation wireless networks in medium cities in Nigeria especially Yola. It is suggested that, neuro – fuzzy spline interpolation may be used to further minimize path loss error for medium cities.
Comparative Analysis of Autogenous and Media Assisted Grindability of a Copper and Manganese Ores
Authors: O. Ajaka E. , Dombo G. , Abiodun O.
Published: October 2019

This paper presents a comparative analysis of autogenous and media assisted grinding of a manganese ore and copper ore both obtained from Otjihase in Namibia. The objective was to understand the relationship between ore properties and Grindability and thus effectively select comminution circuit and equipment based on this relationship. Laboratory studies were carried out to determine the ease of grinding the ore samples relative to one another. The sample of known weight was crushed and the particles thoroughly homogenized for sieve size analysis and Grindability tests. The Grindability test on each ore was both autogenous and media assisted for dry grinding at -250 microns with constant mill charge of 200 g per run, media charge of 40% by weight and mill operations of 100 to 500 revolutions corresponding to mill speeds of 5 to 25 rpm. The Grindability index of each ore was calculated and compared based on the tests results and used to calculate work indexes for the ores based on the Bond’s model. The autogenous tests produced average Grindability values of 0.55 kg/ton/rev and 0.65 kg/ton/rev for the copper and manganese ores respectively; and media assisted tests gave average values of 0.8 kg/ton/rev and 1.45 kg/ton/rev respectively for the copper and manganese ores. The results show that although media charge grinding produced higher Grindability values, both ores are economically amenable to autogenous grinding which suggests that with proper circuit design, the use of autogenous grinding for these ores (especially the manganese) can save significant cost. The results also show that Grindability increases with mill speed up to an optimum value beyond which grindability decreases with increasing speed and may even drop to zero while mill is running. It is also observed that grindability has close relationship with ore properties especially hardness and compressive strength. It should be noted that the inefficiency factors for the grinding are not considered in these results.
Influence of Compressive, Tensile and Fatigue Stresses on Asphalt and Concrete Cement Road Pavements in Nigeria - Using Linear Elastic Theory
Authors: E. Ogbezode J. , I. Adeleke A. , S. Adebayo A.
Published: October 2019

The high brittle nature of pavement structures have been  carefully examined based on compressive, tensile strain and the harsh effects of fatigue cycle with reference to the base layer thicknesses and elastic strains during and after construction were examined. Subjection of asphalt and concrete-cement pavements to traffic loading and tyre pressure also influences the vertical stress and strain values for the asphalt and concrete materials under the same axial loading conditions. Using various fundamental equations under linear elastic conditions for the analysis of Asphalt and Concrete Cement structure revealed that both materials do respond differently to compressive and tensile stresses under similar mechanical conditions. Effect of compressive stresses and strains on concrete pavement is larger compare to asphalt pavement due to large thickness sub-base layer of its pavement structure. Both pavement layer thicknesses are independent of fatigue cycle under harsh traffic loading. Thus, concrete pavement has shown better fatigue resistance and less tensile strain values than asphalt pavements due to high pavement layer thickness regardless of the load distribution.
Design and Construction of 1 KVA Power Inverter System
Authors: E. Abioye A. , O. Ogbuatu M. , O. Oluwe M. , O. Egonwa B. , Ekiokeme K.
Published: October 2019

The inverter system is a device that converts the Direct Current (DC) from a battery to an Alternating Current (AC) which can be used for appliances. It does not only convert the current but also steps the voltage of the battery up to the required value. The inverter system does not require fuel to make it function, that makes it cheap. 

The circuit has seven (7) embedded circuits in it; namely the oscillator circuit, which comprises the 4047 Oscillator Integrated Circuit (IC), It converts the DC current signal to AC signal at the same frequency.

The current modification circuit, this comprises the switching transistors and the cascaded MOSFETs, which modifies the current to the desired input to the step up transformer which steps it up to the required voltage and current. The battery low circuit indicates when the inverter battery is low, while the battery full circuit indicates when the inverter battery is full. The change over circuit changes the source from AC main to battery automatically. The rectifying circuit charges the battery and lastly the inverter on circuit: this indicates when the inverter is on.

The inverter system also has the battery full indicator, which helps to safe – guard the life of the battery while charging and it automatically switches of charging mode once the battery is full. The inverter system has timer for delaying the incoming current surge to protect the inverter from the large surge current and increase the working life of the inverter. The inverter was tested and the result obtained showed that it was able to bear the load up to 870 VA.
Microcontroller Based Electronic Digital Lock with Security Notification
Authors: Baba Lawan Musa , Alhaji Samaila Ya’u , Tijjani Ibrahim
Published: October 2019

Due to the advancement in science and technology all over the world, there is a significant increase in the rate of crime and sophistication in crimes; as a result, it is necessary to ensure the security of one’s self and one’s valuable belongings. The main goal of this paper is aimed at creating an electronic security system capable of detecting an intruder and reporting to security personnel. The design of the microcontroller based electronic digital lock with security notification uses a four-digit pass key for its operation. The operation involves opening the door, closing the door, changing of password and alarm upon wrong password entry. It is important for use in Bank Vaults, Hotels, Offices and can also be used in our homes. The research objectives were achieved with the use of microcontroller which programs the ATMEGA328P microprocessor and interfaces it with all the other components in the circuit. In the end, the circuit was able to activate the relay switches for opening and closing the door in about three seconds, and the alarm sounds when it detects a wrong password. Comparison was made between the conventional traditional lock system and the proposed one. The distinctive feature added is the sliding door, the security notification feature and the password modification in case of a breach in security. The design fulfills the requirements of supporting conventional lock systems eliminating the use of ordinary keys shared among occupants. To demonstrate and evaluate the design, a prototype was developed. As compared to other microcontroller based digital lock, it is easy and it required less hardware. It doesn’t need additional A/D and D/A converter. We can set the password and reset it without using external device and can be easily implemented. The evaluation shows that the design works well, consumes minimal power and is able to unlock a door.Atmega328p Microcontroller was used as the main component of the project.
Kinetic Study, Modelling and Optimization of Adsorption Processes for Removal of Crude Oil from Contaminated Water using Chitosan-Rice Husk Ash Composite
Authors: G. Oseke G. , T. Isa M. , S. Galadima M. , O. Ameh A.
Published: October 2019

This study was aimed at developing chitosan-rice husk ash adsorbent for the removal of crude oil from contaminated water. Design Expert software 6.06 was used to design the adsorption experiment. The adsorption was tested for Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms and the kinetic studies also carried out. The effect of influencing parameters such as contact time, adsorbate concentration, adsorbent dosage and formulation ratio were studied. It was generally shown that adsorption process increased with time and adsorbate concentration and decreased with adsorbent dosage. Models for the prediction of adsorption capacity for the composite was significant with R2 value of 0.8382 and P-value of 0.0017. Optimum conditions were found to be 0.90 wt/wt chitosan/silica ratio, contact time of 5 min, and oil/water ratio of 0.25 v/v, which gave 20.66 g/g sorption capacity respectively. Adsorption isotherm studies of Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin were carried out for the chitosan-rice husk ash composite. Temkin isotherm best fitted with R2 value of 0.9999. The adsorption capacity of composite from isotherm studies was obtained to be 18.85 g/g adsorbent. The heat of adsorption bT (kJmol-1) obtained from Temkin isotherm study was -48.67 kJ/mol indicating physisorption of adsorbents to the crude oil.  Kinetic studies indicated that the pseudo-second order model suitably described the removal of crude oil by the composite with R2 value 0.9999.
Improvement on Semiconductor Substrate Design with Package Modeling and Simulation for Mitigation of Delamination and Voids
Authors: Gomez Frederick Ray I. , Seguido Rammil A.
Published: October 2019

This technical paper presents the challenges encountered in the development of a compact and thinner package that incorporates multiple or stacked dice in one. For the case of this paper, Die1 (bottom die) is smaller than Die2 (top die) and must be the first one to be die-bonded, making the internal construction an unbalanced stacked dice. Typically, stacked dice are in pyramid layout, wherein a single large bottom die supports smaller top die. Nonetheless, success is measured when there is a solution to control or mitigate die-attach voids and eliminate or significantly minimise delamination for unbalanced stacked dice as mentioned. Ultimately, the paper presents the understanding of the factors involved and the package design optimisation approach used to produce a successful unbalanced stacked die in a thin package using a thin substrate.
Experimental Investigation of the Performance and Energy Consumption of an Automated Ice-cube Making Machine
Authors: Shittu Rasheed Ayofe , Titiladunayo Isaac Femi
Published: October 2019

Aims: This study investigates the performance of a developed automated ice-cube making machine under controlled ambient conditions, in which its energy usage, rate of ice cube production and refrigeration system performance was analysed.

Study Design: Average ambient temperatures of 24°C and 32°C were considered for investigation in order to determine their influence on ice production capacity, rate of ice-cube making and energy consumption. The choice of the ambient temperature is based on the extreme ambient conditions under which the machine is designed to operate in a wide range of geographical regions. The refrigeration system performance was carried out under normal room temperature (average of 23°C).

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State Central Workshop, Between December 2017 and January 2018.

Methodology: The machine was set into operation for 5 consecutive ice production cycle during which the ice making time, harvest time, quantity of ice produced and energy consumption were recorded.

Results: The ice production capacity, harvesting time and energy consumption show various dissimilarities at both temperatures. 0.618 kg of ice cubes were produced within an ice making cycle of 34.9 minutes, harvesting time of 1.28 minutes and total energy consumption of 0.14053 kWh at 24°C while at 32°C, the machine produced an average of 0.612 kg ice cubes within an ice making cycle of 38.5 minutes harvesting time 1.21 minutes and energy consumption of 0.15947 kWh respectively. Consequently, 13.5% more energy is consumed, with about 1% less quantity of ice produced at 32°C than at 24°C per ice production cycle.

Conclusion: Therefore, the ice making capacity of the developed machine suggests that the temperature of the environment has a strong influence on the energy consumption, but little effect on the quantity of ice produced per cycle. The refrigeration system cycle performance analysis results showed a considerably high cooling capacity of 0.379 kW during the ice-making cycle with a corresponding coefficient of performance (COP) of 2.23, and a heating capacity of 2.24 kW during the harvest cycle with a corresponding COP of 8.21. The results obtained showed that the machine is reliable in operation with minimal energy consumption.
Development of a Preconditioning System for FUTA Floating Fish Feed Extruder
Authors: Olalusi A. P. , Nwaeche C. F. , Adesina A.
Published: October 2019

The need to enhance the quality of fish feed produced in Nigeria was the major consideration in the design and development of a preconditioning system. The machine consists of two insulated cylindrical barrels, set of arranged paddles on a shaft, frame, hot water and feed mash inlet, discharge chute, chain and sprocket. It was powered by a three-phase 15 hp electric motor which transmits power to the machines shaft and set of paddles via chain and sprocket. The performance characteristics of the machine; mixing efficiency and throughput capacity were evaluated using Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) feed formulation at feed mash particle sizes of 900 µm, 550 µm, 520 µm and paired paddle rotating speed of the lower and upper chamber at (96.8; 145.2), (122.6; 183.2) and (174.5; 260.8) rpm respectively. The throughput capacity of the preconditioner is 650 kg/hr. The results showed increase in temperature and moisture content level of the particles as the machine speed decreases. The optimum mixing efficiency that gave best uniformity of mix was attained when Paired paddle speeds were (96.8; 145.2), (122.6; 183.2) with an average Biot numbers of 0.1.
Simulation Analysis of PI Based Switched Reluctance Motor
Authors: Muzzammel Raheel , Sajid Omer Ahmed , Manzoor Mudassar , Qayyum Adnan , Shahzad Adil
Published: October 2019

Development of switched reluctance motors have revolutionized the industrial drives, aircraft applications, food processors, compressors, fans, pumps, electric vehicle application centrifuges, vacuum cleaners and many more applications because of its simpler design, ruggedness and efficiency. Researchers are highly motivated to declare switched reluctance motor as a substitute of induction motors. In this research, PI based control of switched reluctance motor is developed and analyzed under robust environment. Different performance parameters and characteristics curves are obtained in order to derive conclusions. It is concluded that speed and current are supervised effectively and torque swells are reduced significantly with this controller. Matlab/ Simulink is used for simulation analysis.
Development of an Energy Storage Chamber to Enhance Solar Drying of Grain at Night
Authors: Fagunwa A. O. , Aregbesola O. A. , Faborode M. O.
Published: October 2019

Solar drying is the one of the effective means for preserving grains and pulses. It is a simpler, cleaner and safer method of drying. However, most available solar dryers are inefficient due to non-availability of solar energy during the periods of low insolation which eventually leads to moisture re-absorption with pronounced effect particularly at night, causing growth on dried grains. To solve this problem, an energy collector and storage chamber was developed and connected to a developed solar dryer to serve as a heat source at night.

No load test was carried out at night when the dryer was subjected to four different conditions: valve opened and surface of the collector covered; valve opened and surface of the collector uncovered; valve closed and surface of the collector covered; and valve closed and surface of the collector uncovered. Load test was conducted by drying five different grains; maize, soyabean, groundnut, cowpea and sorghum during daytime using the dryer and applying the best combination of energy supplied and surface of the collector at night.

The result showed that the highest temperature difference of 35ºC and 33ºC were attained in the flat plate collector and drying chamber respectively, when the valve was opened and the surface of the collectors were covered. The load test revealed that there was a slight reduction in the moisture content of grains between midnight and 5 am. The highest moisture reduction (4%) was recorded during drying of sorghum while the least moisture reduction (1%) was recorded when drying cowpea at night. In conclusion, for continuous solar drying of grains at night using stored energy, the valve controlling the heat storage chamber should be opened and the surface of the collector should be covered to obtain optimum temperature within the drying chamber. Conserved heat energy from the energy storage chamber ensures continuous drying of smaller grains (sorghum) and at least prevents moisture re-absorption in larger grains (cowpea and maize).
Evaluation of the Impact of Corrosion Attack in Carbon Steel C-1040 Marine Piping System in Two Media
Authors: Idiapho Onoriode K. , Odinikuku William E. , Akusu Onomine M.
Published: October 2019

The focus of this study was to investigate the impact of corrosion attack in carbon steel C-1040 marine piping system using weight loss method. Two carbon steel specimens (coupons) of cylindrical shape were selected and weighed before they were exposed to two different test solutions (corrosion media) at a concentration of 0.2M and 0.04M in seawater and freshwater respectively at room temperature for eight weeks. The weight loss was taken as the difference in the weight of the coupons before and after immersion in the two different test solutions. The corrosion rates of the coupons were calculated from the weight loss obtained. The experimental result from weight loss method was calculated using engineering equation solver (EES). The weight loss and rate of corrosion of the two coupons varied as higher corrosion rate and weight losses were observed in coupon 2. The weight loss and corrosion rate in 0.2M concentration of coupon 2 in seawater environment increased from 0.04 g to 0.53 g, 0.007133 mmpy to 0.0181 mmpy while coupon 1 showed an increase from 0.01 g to 0.25 g, 0.0035 mmpy to 0.005573 mmpy was observed in 0.04M concentration in freshwater environment. This shows that carbon steel metal was more susceptible to corrosion attack in seawater environment than in the freshwater environment. The micrograph results of coupon 2 before and after immersion in 0.2M of seawater for about 1344 hrs showed evidence of uniform (general) corrosion as the coupon surface was rough and jarring. The grain boundaries of the surface morphology also revealed general corrosion effects on the coupon after immersion as the film present on the surface was cracked as a result of corrosion impact.
Studies of the Compositional Characteristics of Commercial Roasted Beet Root Chips Snacks
Authors: Hossain B. , Kamrul N. , Biswas B.
Published: October 2019

Beta vulgaris L. (beetroot) contains high amounts of active substances. The amounts of various compounds sucrose, glucose, fructose, micronutrients and physical properties were found in roasted beet root chips of two varieties cultivated in Jessore (BRJS) and Kustia (BRKS), Bangladesh. Large differences were found between the varieties for some nutrients (such as sucrose), whereas others showed only minor variation (physical properties and acceptability).

The study aims to estimate the composition characteristic of commercial roasted beet root chips snacks. The total sucrose content was found to range between 73.6 g/kg and 82.6 g/ kg of roasted chips samples. Other detected glucose, which accounted for up to 4.1% to 3.2% and fructose 1.31% to 1.21%. The % CV of sucrose, glucose and fructose were 14.5%, 43.3% and 52.6% respectively. Physicochemical properties of beet root Chips was studied and is shown in Table 4 for accepted sample BRTJS. The average weight of one piece of beetroot chips was 2.22 gm, diameter 5.15 cm, thickness 0.35 cm, height 0.7 cm and bulk density was 0.35g/cm3. The average apparent moisture diffusivity was calculated as 5.35X10-9 m 2s -1 with standard deviation 2.43X10-9 m 2s -1. The highest value of moisture diffusivity recorded as 1.9X10-9 of the MHSDT method and lowest value of 2.25X10-9. Proximate values was 2.2% moisture, 0.7% ash, 17% protein, 1.25% fat, 1.7% crude fiber and 74.02% carbohydrate respectively. Sensory evaluation for acceptances of the sample-RBJS got a highest sensorial score (9.0) for all parameters like the color (9.2), taste (9.25), texture (8.5), after taste (7.0) and overall acceptability (9.0) than other BRKS sample.
Design and Development of Power Driven Gari Fryer
Authors: Adegbite S. A. , Asiru W. B. , Salami M. O. , Nwaeche C. F. , Ebun K. K. , Ogunbiyi A. A.
Published: October 2019

A continuous process power driven gari fryer was designed, fabricated and tested at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi. (FIIRO), Lagos, to fry large quantity of cassava mash using locally available materials. The fryer which consists of major two sections; one to gelatinize cassava mash while the drying of the mash take place in the other section. The essential components of the fryer include feeder, frying troughs, rotating paddle arrangement, central shaft, coupling, top cover, gas burners, discharge sprout, main frame, insulation wall, sprocket and internal combustion engine. In operation, the rotating paddles convey the cassava mash during the gelatinization and drying process from the feeding point to the discharge sprout to obtain finished gari product. At constant speed of 8 rpm, the result showed that the time of frying ranged between 14 minutes to 17 minutes with an output of 83.2 kg/hr while the percentage yield of gari obtained ranged from 52.8% - 74.7%. Thus it is established that the capacity of the fryer is 500 kg per day as against the manual method of frying where 5 kg of gari is obtained within 30 minutes (80 kg/day) for 8 hours frying operation in local cassava processing industry in Nigeria. Hence, this makes the fryer to be suitable for gari production for small to medium scale enterprise.
Specialized Singulation Punch Design for Package Chip-out Elimination
Authors: Sumagpang Jr Antonio R. , Gomez Frederick Ray I.
Published: October 2019

In the semiconductor manufacturing industry, package chip-out is a common defect frequently encountered in trim and form (T/F) process.  For thin shrink small outline package (TSSOP), top defect incurred during assembly manufacturing was the package chip-out located at the top surface of the package. In this scenario, the end-of-line (EOL) process parts per million (PPM) and its non-conformance report (NCR) are high. This paper discussed how the TSSOP20 package (hereinafter referred to as Device A) chip-out was addressed and replicated or simulated through package design simulation.
Data Mining and Statistical Analysis for Available Budget Allocation Pre-procurement of Manufacturing Equipment
Authors: Ojo O. O. , Akinnuli B. O. , Farayibi P. K.
Published: October 2019

In a situation where a decision maker faces problems of allotting the available budget on the strategic decisions in a manufacturing industry, data information plays an important role to maintain long run profit in the industry. Statistical analysis was incorporated to determine the correlational strength between the number of years and each of the strategic decisions, their confidence level, and the predicted values. This study identified the strategic areas of addressing the issues which are machine (), accessory (), spare part () and miscellaneous (), exploring the hidden data of the selected strategic decisions from International Brewery Plc, Ilesha and statistical analysis between the number of years and each of the selected strategic decisions. The model used in this work is simple linear regression while Statistical Analysis Software “SAS” was used for its applications. After exploring the hidden data from a case study, the suggested cost of procurement for machines, accessories, spare-parts and miscellaneous are: ₦119,975,000.00; ₦127,968,000.00; ₦134,965,000.00 and ₦33,491,500.00 respectively. From appendix, the probability of each of the strategic decision is less than 0.05 which implies that the Null-Hypothesis is rejected. The number of years has significant effect on Machines, Accessories, Spare-parts and Miscellaneous. As the number of years increases, the cost of procurement of the strategic decisions increases due to high rate of demand and consumption of their products. However, the cost of procurement may fall depending on the level of demand and maintenance culture. Besides, management of the company may ask decision maker to maintain the cost before procurement. This result may be used for further research on optimization of the available budget for equipment procurement.
Statistical Analysis of Rice Husk Ash as a Construction Material in Building Production Process
Authors: Ezeokonkwo John U. , Ezeliora Chukwuemeka D. , Mbanusi Echefuna C.
Published: October 2019

This study considers the statistical analysis of rice husk ash as a construction material in building production process. The quality of concrete mixture is of inevitable concern to all stakeholders in the construction industry in the zone when the climatic conditions of the zone are considered. The mix ratio is examined and all the prevailing construction/production practices are considered statistically. The statistical tools employed are descriptive, normality, process statistical summary and confidence estimation methods of statistics. The tools portrays the necessary information in the data to understand what the data information for further production process analysis.
Strengthening Methods of the Existing Reinforced Concrete School Buildings in Medina, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Laissy Mohamed , Ismaeila Mohammed
Published: October 2019

Nowadays, evaluation of the seismic performance of existing buildings has received great attention. This paper was carried out to study the effect of strengthening the existing reinforced concrete (RC) school buildings in Medina, Saudi Arabia through assessing the seismic performance and retrofitting where seismic analysis and design were done using equivalent static analysis method according to Saudi Building Code (SBC 301) and SAP2000 software.

A Typical five-story RC school building designed according to the SBC301 has been investigated in a comparative study to determine the suitable strengthening methods such as RC shear walls and steel X-bracing methods. The results revealed that the current design of RC school buildings located in Medina was unsafe, inadequate, and unsatisfied to mitigate seismic loads. Moreover, adding steel X-bracing and RC shear walls represent a suitable strategy to reduce their seismic vulnerability.
Design of Common-gate with Common-source Active Balun for WiMAX Receiver Front-end
Authors: Gomez Frederick Ray I. , Leon Maria Theresa G. De , Hizon John Richard E.
Published: October 2019

This paper presents a design and simulation study of a common-gate with common-source active balun circuit implemented in a standard 90-nm complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process.  The active balun design is intended for worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) application, with operating frequency of 5.8 GHz and supply voltage of 1 V.  Measurements are taken for parameters namely gain difference, phase difference, and noise figure.  The common-source active balun design achieved a minimal gain difference of  0.04 dB, phase difference of 180 ± 1.5 degrees, and noise figure of 8.76 dB, which are comparable to past active balun designs and researches.  The design eventually achieved a low power consumption of 4.45 mW.
Influence of Mixing Time on Fresh and Hardened Cast-in-place Concrete
Authors: Domínguez José A. , Jiménez Luis F. , Álvarez-Muñoz Jade
Published: October 2019

An adequate mixing time in concrete casting allows to achieve a homogeneous mass and improve compressive strength and durability. However, the lack of standards for cast-in-place concrete causes that the builders use different mixing times according to the locality usages and customs, which results in a high variability of the expected quality. In this paper, fresh and hardened cast-in-place concrete was evaluated. Seven samples were tested with different mixing time using portable rotary drum mixer. The used materials were ordinary portland cement, water and high absorption aggregates, fine and coarse, coming from a limestone crushing process. The results of the research showed that the mixing time and environmental temperature had no apparent influence on the slump of the mixtures, and trapped air and compressive strength increased slightly with increasing mixing time. Finally, it was found that the recommended mixing time, with rotation speed of 28 RPM, is 2.5 minutes, which differs from the common practice in the study area.
Behavior of Columns Confined With FRP Fabrics under Repeated Lateral Loads
Authors: Haggag Hesham A. , Hanna Nagy F. , Ahmed Ghada G.
Published: October 2019

The axial strength of reinforced concrete columns is enhanced by wrapping them with Fiber Reinforced Polymers, FRP, fabrics.  The efficiency of such enhancement is investigated for columns when they are subjected to repeated lateral loads accompanied with their axial loading.  The current research presents that investigation for Glass and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP and CFRP) strengthening as well.  The reduction of axial loading capacity due to repeated loads is evaluated. The number of applied FRP plies with different types (GFRP or CFRP) are considered as parameters in our study. The study is evaluated experimentally and numerically.  The numerical investigation is done using ANSYS software. The experimental testing are done on five half scale reinforced concrete columns.  The loads are applied into three stages. Axial load are applied on specimen in stage 1 with a value of 30% of the ultimate column capacity. In stage 2, the lateral loads are applied in repeated manner in the existence of the vertical loads.  In the last stage the axial load is continued till the failure of the columns. The final axial capacities after applying the lateral action, mode of failure, crack patterns and lateral displacements are recorded.   Analytical comparisons for the analyzed specimens with the experimental findings are done.  It is found that the repeated lateral loads decrease the axial capacity of the columns with a ratio of about (38%-50%).  The carbon fiber achieved less reduction in the column axial capacity than the glass fiber.  The column confinement increases the ductility of the columns under the lateral loads.