bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fuel Characterization of Agro-wastes and Briquettes Produced from Rice Husk, Groundnut Shell and Corncob Blends
Authors: Oni Kunle , Adeleke Ademola E , Ogundana Tunde O , Satimehin Adesola A 
Published: June 2020

The choice of agro waste for the production of briquettes for domestic and industrial cottage utilization depends on the residues’ physical and fuel characteristics. This study investigate the physical and fuel characteristics for both the residues and blends of rice hull, groundnut shell and corncob. The residues were subjected to size reduction process and variance analysis was used to establish the influence of each sample blends. Different samples of briquettes were produced by blending rice hull (R), groundnut shell (G) and corncob(C) with different ratios of R:G:C respectively using cassava starch as a binder. The residue’ dimensions and densifications of the sample briquettes were determined using standard methods.The results revealed the following ranges of values; For the compressed residues, density (0.075 - 0.099Kg/m3), volume (0.001 - 0.002m3), height (1.0357 - 1.0343m). For the relaxed residues, density (0.049 - 0.210Kg/m3), volume (0.0001 -0.0002m3), height (1.0357 - 1.0343m). The residual density of rice hull, groundnut shell and corncob are 104, 105, and 103 (Kg/m3) respectively. The densification; compressed density (461.22 - 627.24 Kg/m3), relaxed density (285.47 - 393.63 Kg/m3), density ratio (0.56 - 0.66), relaxation ratio (1.52 - 1.79), and compaction ratio (1.46 to 2.01). Blend formulations affected the combustion characteristics of the briquettes, with low moisture briquettes possessing higher calorific values. The briquette formulation containing ratio 50:20:30 of rice hull: groundnut shell: corncob respectively had more positive attributes of biomass fuel such as lower relaxation ratio and high compaction ratio than the control and other formulated briquettes in this study. Generally, significant (p<0.05) differences existed between the samples in almost all the parameters.Keywords: Briquettes, Corn comb, Densification, Fuel Characterization, Groundnut shell, Rice hull.
A Model for Determining the Effect of Irregular Power Supply on Machining Foundry Products in a Developing Economy
Authors: Owa Adebayo F , Adesina Fisayo , Kolawole Funso O , Adigun Oluwole D , Kareem Biliaminu 
Published: June 2020

In this paper, profit is maximized (or production cost is minimized) by developing an Integer programming (IP) model to determine, at a given respective unit cost, optimal numbers of outputs obtainable per production cycle (time) using public electricity generated from national grids and alternate electricity from generators subject to production output capacity or demand constraint. The results obtained showed that production cycle time has a great impact on the determination of optimal outputs for the respective conditions. Also, increase in cost of public electricity per unit product has an upper limit beyond which it has negative effect on the profitability. The results served as determinant factors for production industry in establishing the level of outputs that sustained the profitability by providing optimal cost of public electricity to operate without having any effect on the profit, at a given cycle time. Keywords— Constraint, cycle time, integer programming, optimal number, model
Nutritional and Sensory Characteristics of Bread Produced from Wheat and Cassava Flour, Fortified with Sorrel Seed Protein Isolate
Authors: Sanni Toibudeen A , Ogunbusola Eunice M , Jaiyeoba Cordelia N , Araoye Kudirat T 
Published: June 2020

The possibility of making bread from composite flour containing 60-80% wheat flour, 10-25% cassava flour and 5-15% Sorrel seeds protein isolate was investigated. The proximate composition, mineral constituents, functional and sensory evaluation were analyzed using standard methods. The results of the analysis showed that crude protein (8.80±0.36 to 18.70±0.35) and crude fibre (0.77±0.02 to 1.58±0.04) contents of the composite breads increased significantly with increased incorporation of cassava flour and sorrel seed protein isolate flours. The moisture (34.00±1.00 to 32.04±1.00), ash (1.22±0.03 to 0.66±0.03), carbohydrate(54.99±0.25 to 46.83±0.77) and fat (0.24±0.01 to 0.20±0.02) contents were observed to decrease significantly with corresponding increase in the percentage of the composite flours from 5-25% for both cassava flour and sorrel seed protein isolate flour. The results of the mineral contents showed that calcium element increased as the level of composite flour increased, while sodium, potassium and magnesium decreased as the level of inclusion increased. The functional properties, water and oil absorption, and swelling index of the composite flour showed varying degrees of variation from the control sample (100% wheat flour). The results of the sensory evaluation showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in taste, texture, colour, flavour, appearance and overall acceptability, however, the mean sensory scores decreased with increased addition of cassava flour and sorrel seed protein isolate in the composite flour. The outcome of the research showed that, nutritious bread could be produced from the composite flours of wheat, cassava and sorrel seeds protein isolate.Keywords: Bread, Wheat, cassava, Protein Isolate
The Role of State and Professional Bodies in Developing Code for Structural Concrete – Learning from other Nations
Authors: Fapohunda Christopher A , Kilani Abiodun J , Famodimu Babatunde I 
Published: June 2020

In order to arrest the rampant structural failures of buildings, there have been call for the development and adoption of structural design codes that will capture all relevant environmental issues that are peculiar to Nigeria. This paper presents the results of analysis of data collected from the public domain (libraries and internet sources) on Nations with acceptable structural design codes in concrete and allied materials. Some of the findings are that: (i) Code or Standard does not necessarily need to be a legal document or backed by the state to enjoy wider acceptance or be recognized, (ii) it is possible for people in the same professions to form professional association and regulate the operation of the profession by setting standard of practice which can be recognized, not only by people, but also acceptable to the State and (iii) whether a standard developed as a legal document or recommendations of professional association, openness and consideration for the inputs for all are necessary. This is to ensure that the operation of the standard will not run contrary to the public good, or in violation of the common law, or infringe the rights of a subject/citizen. Keywords — Building failures, Codes, Concrete, Legal document, Professional bodies, Structures.
Solar Electricity System Design for Administrative Buildings
Authors: Johnson Daniel O , Hassan Kabiru A , Okusanya Sunday O , Oladapo James O 
Published: June 2020

Regular availability of electricity is fundamentally important for everyday running and productivity of any organisation. In any modern society, stable and reliable electric power is a basic need, without which living condition becomes substandard and smooth business operations become difficult. Unreliability of power services in Nigeria is taking its toll on administrative, academic and research activities at Federal Polytechnic, Ede, just like other institutions in the country. Diesel generator on which the institution depends for alternative power source during outage is not sustainable as outage is too frequent and the duration is usually long, at times for days. This results in a very high running cost if normal activities in the institution are to go unimpeded. This work is on the design of 172.84kWP Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System aimed at permanently addressing the electric power challenges at the Administrative Blocks of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede. The proposed project’ design was simulated and the results show that its real life performance is highly promising. The least energy yield of the PV system occurs in June with 549.93kWh/day as against the maximum demand of 457.30kWh/day. The system performance is much higher in the months of September to March as solar irradiance is higher in these months. The PV plant has active service life of over 25years without significant change in its efficiency. The benefits of the proposed project are manifold. The project if implemented will solve the electric power problem of the institution at the Administrative’ Building by providing stable, adequate and reliable 24-hour a day electricity. The estimated cost of the proposed project is N45, 000,000 which is much cheaper than diesel generator and interestingly, is appreciably less than the cost of unreliable power supply from the grid. Keywords: Energy yield, off-grid, photovoltaic system, solar electricity, solar photovoltaic
Influence of Osmotic Pre-treatment and Drying on Physicochemical, Microbial, and Storage Stability of African Star Apple
Authors: Bolarinwa Islamiyat F , Ajetunmobi Rukayat I 
Published: June 2020

African star apple (Chrysophillum albidum) is a highly nutritious fruit rich in vitamins A, B, and C. However, African star apple (ASA) is still an underutilized fruit due to high post-harvest losses. The fruit has not been processed into a stable shelf product. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition and storage stability of osmotically dried ASA. Fresh matured ASA was sliced into 5 mm thickness and immersed in different concentrations of sugar solution (50, 55, and 60o Brix) for 24 h prior to drying in a cabinet dryer (55 oC, 18h). The products were stored for 8 weeks and samples were taken at 2 weeks intervals for proximate composition, microbiological, and vitamin analysis. Colour measurements and sensory attributes of the osmotically dried ASA were also determined. Proximate composition of the sample showed that there was no significant reduction in the proximate contents of the samples treated with different osmotic sugar solutions after 8 weeks of storage. However, there was a slight reduction in vitamin A (314.23 - 293.30 µg/100 g), C (11.94 – 7.38 mg/100 g), and E (8. 32 – 5.15 mg/100 g) contents of fruit after 8 weeks of storage. The microbial load of the sample decreased with increased oBrix level while colour intensity and sensory properties increased with an increase in oBrix level of the osmotic solution. This study provides basic information for postharvest management of ASA to boost its economic importance.Keywords- African Star Apple, Osmotic Dehydration, Proximate Composition, Vitamin Analysis, Sensory Properties.
Determination of Aquifer Characteristics in Okija, Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Ibeje Andy O 
Published: June 2020

Knowledge of hydraulic properties of groundwater aids economic and environmentally friendly exploitation of water resources in water-scare rural area such as Okija. In this study therefore, the aquifer constants are evaluated for Okija town in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria to facilitate efficient and effective exploitation of the water resources in the area. The drawdown test involved pumping down the water level and monitoring the response of hydraulic head in the surrounding aquifer. The computation of formation constants is performed in three ways: Theis method, Cooper-Jacob method and Chow method. Model Selection Criterion (MSC was used to evaluate the discharge predictions from the three methods. The results show that transmissivity and storage coefficient for Theis method are 256. 37 m2/day and 146.67 m2/day; Cooper-Jacob method are 251.71 m2/day and 131 m2/day, and chow method are 2 67.87 m2/day and 146.67 m2/day respectively. This work represents a practical and novel approach to the determination of a key hydrogeological parameter for a highly transmissive aquifer. Keywords—.Aquifer constants, Theis method, Cooper-Jacob method, Chow method, Okija
A Knowledge Representation Model Based on Select and Test Algorithm for Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Authors: Oyelade Olaide N , Dung Pam B , Owamoyo Najeem 
Published: June 2020

There exist several terminal diseases whose fatality rate escalates with time of which breast cancer is a frontline disease among such. Computer aided systems have also been well researched through the use intelligent algorithms capable of detecting, diagnosing, and proffering treatment for breast cancer. While good research breakthrough has been attained in terms of algorithmic solution towards diagnosis of breast cancer, however, not much has been done to sufficiently model knowledge frameworks for diagnostic algorithms that are knowledge-based. While Select and Test (ST) algorithm have proven relevant for implementing diagnostic systems, through support for reasoning, however the knowledge representation pattern that enables inference of missing or ambiguous data still limits the effectiveness of ST algorithm. This paper therefore proposes a knowledge representation model to systematically model knowledge to aid the performance of ST algorithm. Our proposal is specifically targeted at developing systematic knowledge representation for breast cancer. The approach uses the ontology web language (OWL) to implement the design of the knowledge model proposed. This study aims at carefully crafting a knowledge model whose implementation seamlessly work with ST algorithm. Furthermore, this study adapted the proposed model into an implementation of ST algorithm an obtained an improved performance compared to the simple knowledge model proposed by the author of ST algorithm. Our knowledge mode resulted in an accuracy gain of 23.5% and obtained and AUC of (0.49, 1.0). This proposed model has therefore shown that combining an inference-oriented knowledge model with an inference-oriented reasoning algorithm improves the performance of computer aided diagnostic (CADx) systems. In future, we intend to enhance the proposed model to support rules. Keywords— Semantic web, ontology, OWL, breast cancer, Select and Test (ST) algorithm, knowledge representation
Characteristics, sources, and reactions of nitrous acid during winter at an urban site in the Central Plains Economic Region in China
Authors: Hao Qi , Jiang Nan , Zhang Ruiqin , Yang Liuming , Li Shengli 
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Nitrous acid (HONO) in the core city of the Central Plains Economic Region in China was measured using an ambient ion monitor from 9 to 31 January 2019.
Measurement time intervals were classified into the following periods in
accordance with the daily mean values of PM2.5: clean days (CDs),
polluted days (PDs), and severely polluted days (SPDs). The HONO
concentrations during CD, PD, and SPD periods were 1.2, 2.3, and 3.7 ppbv,
respectively. The contributions of the homogeneous reaction, heterogeneous
conversion, and direct emissions to HONO sources varied under different
pollution levels. The mean values of the net HONO production of the
homogeneous reaction (POH+NOnet) in CD,
PD, and SPD periods were 0.13, 0.26, and 0.56 ppbv h−1, respectively.
The average conversions of NO2 (CHONO) in CD, PD, and SPD periods
were 0.72×10-2, 0.64×10-2, and 1.54×10-2 h−1, respectively, indicating that the heterogeneous
conversion of NO2 was less important than the homogeneous reaction.
Furthermore, the net production of the homogeneous reaction may have been
the main factor in the increase of HONO under high-NOx conditions
(i.e., when the concentration of NO was higher than that of NO2) at
nighttime. Daytime HONO budget analysis showed that the mean values of the
unknown source (Punknown) during CD, PD, and SPD periods were 0.26,
0.40, and 1.83 ppbv h−1, respectively. The values of
POH+NOnet, CHONO, and Punknown
in the SPDs period were comparatively larger than those in other periods,
indicating that HONO participated in many reactions. The proportions of
nighttime HONO sources also changed during the entire sampling period.
Direct emissions and a heterogeneous reaction controlled HONO production in
the first half of the night and provided a contribution that is larger than that of
the homogeneous reaction. The proportion of homogenization gradually
increased in the second half of the night due to the steady increase in NO
concentrations. The hourly level of HONO abatement pathways, except for OH + HONO, was at least 0.22 ppbv h−1 in the SPDs period. The cumulative
frequency distribution of the HONOemission∕HONO ratio (less than
20 %) was approximately 77 %, which suggested that direct emission was
not important. The heterogeneous HONO production increased when the relative
humidity (RH) increased, but it decreased when RH increased further. The
average HONO∕NOx ratio (4.9 %) was more than twice the assumed
globally averaged value (2.0 %).
Correcting the impact of the isotope composition on the mixing ratio dependency of water vapour isotope measurements with cavity ring-down spectrometers
Authors: Weng Yongbiao , Touzeau Alexandra , Sodemann Harald 
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Recent advances in laser spectroscopy enable high-frequency in situ measurements of the isotope composition of water vapour. At low water vapour mixing ratios, however, the measured stable water isotope composition can be substantially affected by a measurement artefact known as the mixing ratio dependency, which is commonly considered independent of the isotope composition. Here we systematically investigate how the mixing ratio dependency, in a range from 500 to 23 000 ppmv of three commercial cavity ring-down spectrometers, is affected by the isotope composition of water vapour. We find that the isotope composition of water vapour has a substantial and systematic impact on the mixing ratio dependency for all three analysers, particularly at mixing ratios below 4000 ppmv. This isotope composition dependency can create a deviation of ±0.5 ‰ and ±6.0 ‰ for δ18O and δD, respectively, at ∼2000 ppmv, resulting in about 2 ‰–3 ‰ deviation for the d-excess. An assessment of the robustness of our findings shows that the overall behaviour is reproducible over up to 2 years for different dry gas supplies, while being independent of the method for generating the water vapour and being the first order of the evaluation sequence. We propose replacing the univariate mixing ratio dependency corrections with a new, combined isotope composition–mixing ratio dependency correction. Using aircraft- and ship-based measurements in an Arctic environment, we illustrate a relevant application of the correction. Based on our findings, we suggest that the dependency on the isotope composition may be primarily related to spectroscopy. Repeatedly characterising the combined isotope composition–mixing ratio dependency of laser spectrometers when performing water vapour measurements at high elevations, on aircraft, or in polar regions appears critical to enable reliable data interpretation in dry environments.
Evaluation of ERA5, MERRA-2, COSMO-REA6, NEWA and AROME to simulate wind power production over France
Authors: Jourdier Bénédicte 
Published: June 2020

Abstract. As variable renewable energies are developing, their impacts on the electric system are growing. To anticipate these impacts, prospective studies may use wind power production simulations in the form of 1 h or 30 min time series that are often based on reanalysis wind-speed data. The purpose of this study is to assess how several wind-speed datasets are performing when used to simulate wind-power production at the local scale, when no observation is available to use bias correction methods. The study evaluates two global reanalysis (MERRA-2 from NASA and ERA5 from ECMWF), two high-resolution models (COSMO-REA6 reanalysis from DWD, AROME NWP model from Météo-France) and the New European Wind Atlas mesoscale data.
The study is conducted over continental France. In a first part, wind-speed measurements (between 55 and 100 m above ground) at eight locations are directly compared to modelled wind speeds. In a second part, 30 min wind-power productions are simulated for every wind farm in France and compared to two open datasets of observed production published by the distribution and transmission system operators, either at the local scale in terms of annual bias, or aggregated at the regional scale, in terms of bias, correlations and diurnal cycles. ERA5 is very skilled, despite its low resolution compared to the regional models, but it underestimates wind speeds, especially in mountainous areas. AROME and COSMO-REA6 have better skills in complex areas and have generally low biases. MERRA-2 and NEWA have large biases and overestimate wind speeds especially at night. Several problems affecting diurnal cycles are detected in ERA5 and COSMO-REA6.
Particles under stress: Ultrasonication causes size and recovery rate artifacts with soil derived POM, but not with microplastics
Authors: Büks Frederick , Kayser Gilles , Zieger Antonia , Lang Friederike , Kaupenjohann Martin 
Published: June 2020

Abstract. The breakdown of soil aggregates and the extraction of particulate organic matter (POM) by ultrasonication and density fractionation is a method widely used in soil organic matter (SOM) analyses. It has recently also been used for the extraction of microplastic from soil samples. However, the investigation of some POM physiochemical properties and ecological functions might be biased, if particles are comminuted during the treatment. In this work, different types of POM, which are representative for different terrestrial ecosystems and anthropogenic influences, were tested for their structural stability in face of ultrasonication in a range of 0 to 500 J ml−1. The occluded particulate organic matter (oPOM) of an agricultural and forest soil as well as pyrochar showed a significant reduction of particle size at ≥ 50 J ml−1 by an average factor of 1.37 ± 0.16 and a concurrent reduction of recovery rates by an average of 21.7 ± 10.7 % when being extracted. Our results imply that ultrasonication causes an imitated carry-over of POM to more strongly bound fractions or to the mineral-associated organic matter (MOM) due to enhanced attraction to the mineral phase, which could e.g. lead to a false estimation of physical stabilization. In contrast, neither fresh nor weathered polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) microplastics showed a reduction of particle size or the recovery rate after application of ultrasound. We conclude that ultrasonication applied to soils has no impact on microplastic size distribution and thus provides a valuable tool for the assessment of microplastics in soils and soil aggregates.