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Item Open Access Analysis and simulation of pole synchronous generator with finite element method and blondel theory to enhance performance(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2022-12) Okon, Paul EdetSynchronous generators are the only means of converting mechanical energy to electrical energy for bulk electrical power generation. As a result of saturation in its electromagnetic structure, prediction of its performance often involves approximations that seek to account for the effect of saturation. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an accurate method for prediction of the field patterns in magnetic structure to ensure precise performance evaluation. In order to compute the magnetizing reactance of salient-pole synchronous generator apart from using finite element method, a modified winding function approach was developed in this reseach, which utilize the actual winding distribution and the shape of the pole arc. This research seeks to utilize the finite element variational method (finite element method magnetics) for magnetostatic computation for magnetic field distribution in the air gap for cylindrical and salient-pole type generator. The comparative analysis of the magnetic field distribution is used to illustrate the Two Reaction Theory. The obtained results indicate magneto-motive force comparison of salient 4-pole and cylindrical rotor generator, which clearly demonstrate Andrew Blondel Theory (Two-Reaction Theory). ANSYS Maxwell also is utilized in this research to simulate and analyze salient-pole synchronous generator in order to evaluate the generator performance through electromagnetic field computation. The ANSYS Maxwell results include, moving torque, winding currents, magnetic flux linkages, induced voltages, self and mutual inductances, damper bar voltage/current and others characteristic of synchronous generator under no-load, load and three phase short circuit conditions. The results obtained agreed with the conventional acceptable parameters for the salient-pole synchronous generator.Item Open Access Development of an improved model for big data analytics using dynamic multi-swarm optimization and unsupervised learning algorithms(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-07) Oleji, Chukwuemeka PhilipsAn improved model for big data analytics was developed in this work using dynamic multi-swarm optimization and unsupervised machine learning algorithms. The problems of premature convergence of traditional data mining models due to the influence of heterogeneous data types and the voluminous nature of big data were solved with the developed Dynamic-K-reference Clustering Algorithm. Java programming language was used for implementation and Python Jupyter Notebook, Apache Spark frameworks were utilized for the virtualization of the clustered output results. The developed model was used to analyze a big dataset of Boko Haram insurgency attacks in Nigeria. The big dataset of Boko Haram terrorist attacks was scraped from the social media. The attributes of the dataset including the area of attacks, period of attacks, death tolls, and attack strategies were used for the analysis for the period of 2008 to May 2019. The output clustered results of the area of attack produced 64% at Borno, Abuja 1.3%, Adamawa 1.3%, Gombe 3.8%, Kano, 2.5%, Kastina 2.5%, Maiduguri 20% and Yobe 5% respectively. The output clustered results of death tolls at different years produced 4.1% on 2011, 15.6% on 2012, 3.4% on 2013, 6.0% on 2014, 42.6% on 2015, 0.0% on 2016, 2.8% on 2017, 6.0% on 2018 and 19.5% on 2019 respectively. The results show constant attacks of Boko Haram insurgency in the study area, which had led to millions of people currently displaced and killed. The Dynamic-K-reference clustering algorithm is resourceful enough to provide clustering accuracy of 0.9820 and clustering sum of square error of 0.0018 from the analysis of the Boko Haram attacks dataset. In other to validate Dynamic-K-references clustering algorithm its performance was compared with the existing algorithms on six datasets from the machine learning repository: Hepatitis, Australian Credit Approval, German Credit Data, Starlog Heart, Soybean and Yeast. The analysis of four datasets with Dynamic-K-references clustering algorithm when compared with PSO-based K-prototype algorithm produced performance improvement of 22%, 17%, 34%, and 12%, respectively. Similar analysis of Soybean and Yeast datasets with the existing MixKmeansXFon algorithm and the Dynamic-K-reference clustering algorithm produced performance improvement of 13.8% and 13.7% respectively. From the analysis the Dynamic-K-reference algorithm was found to be robust and very efficient at expelling outliers from its dissimilar clusters/classifications. Future work should develop big data analytic services with the improved Dynamic-K-reference clustering algorithm and other improved models of its kind using a serviceoriented architectural methodology for real time analysis and prediction.Item Open Access Characterization of the aquifer systems in the coastal areas of Niger Delta using gamma ray and electronic logs(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2023-07) Okoro, Felibens EdeheriGamma ray and electric logs obtained within the coastal areas of Niger Delta were utilized to characterize the aquifer systems in the area with the view to, among other things, isolate fresh water and contaminated aquifers as well as providing pragmatic results and a new lens for individuals and agencies to view the ever-increasing pursuit of groundwater development initiatives in the area. Sixty-two (62) wells and their accompanying logs as well as strata samples from these wells were studied across the five geomorphological zones of the area. The Geophysical logging operations were done using Mount Sopris Instrument, MGX II Logger. WellCAD software was used in the interpretation of the well log data. The gamma logs neatly delineated the different aquifers. The area generally is underlain by alternating sequences of sands and clay. This sequence is capped by laterized soil around the coastal plain sand areas. The area consists of a multiple aquifer system with three categories of aquifers delineated as Deep (410-600m), Medium (135-409m) and Shallow (5-134m) aquifers. Based on the amount of gamma Count Per Second (CPS), the aquifer system in the area can be classified into Very Low Gamma Count (Highly Sandy Aquifers), Low Gamma Count (Sandy Aquifers) and Medium Gamma Count (Slightly Clayey Aquifers).The very low gamma count aquifers indicating high sandy aquifer have counts ranging from 9.9 to 12.9 CPS. Considering the porosity of the aquifer media, aquifer systems of the area are classified as high (>65%), medium (36-65%), low (21-36%) and very low (<21%) porosities. Based on the distribution of aquifer resistivity values at different depths where aquifers were mapped, the entire study area was adjudged to have the following aquifer systems viz: Very Low Resistivity Aquifers with values ranging from 0 to 20 Ohm-m (Saline Water), Low Resistivity Aquifers ranging from 20 and 100 Ohm-m (High Ferrous Contamination), Medium Resistivity Aquifers with values ranging from 100 to 500 Ohm-m (Low Ferrous Contamination) and High Resistivity Aquifers with values above 600 Ohm-m (Fresh Water with no Saline or Ferrous Contamination). The saline-fresh water boundary varies from location to location within the study area. The boundary was obsvered to be shallow within Tunu flow station of Bayelsa State; NLNG Amadi Creek and Amadi Creek 2 of Rivers State; Erunailaje, Akpata Ijaw, Ayetoro and Adoloseimo areas of Ondo State. Deep saline–fresh water boundary occurs around Bonny water, Finima water Board, Bille, Idama, Kula and Asaramatoru areas of Rivers State; Jinrinwo and Abealala Ilaje area of Ondo State as Well as Ogidigben area of Delta State. The study showed that there are aquifers deeper than 80 metres within the Onne, Amadi Creek, Kidney Island and Amadi flats areas that can produce potable water free from saline water and ferrous contamination provided there is no over pumping and the hydrostatic balance is maintained. Aquifer resistivities of over 600 Ohm-m were established to be fresh water. The study also showed that salt water can be isolated in most of the areas particularly in the salt water swamps and coastal beaches areas by drilling very deep boreholes. Some of the aquifers in the coastal plain sand environments can be considered to be free from any contamination in depths exceeding 120m.The resistivity logs indicated different saline water aquifer depths for the boreholes in the area where the vertical distribution of saline water ranges from 0-80m around Onne, Amadi Creek and Kidney Island and 0-145m around Bonny, 0-218m around Finima Bonny and 0-260m in Bille. The implication is that, wells drilled from surface and terminated within these depth ranges at these locations will encounter saline water and wells drilled below these depths will not encounter saline water. It is recommended that because of the nature of the aquifers of the coastal area ofNiger Delta, there is an urgent need to protect the aquifers from further contamination by enacting appropriate laws to protect the groundwater of the area and to curtail indiscriminate drilling of boreholes and over extraction of water from the few fresh water aquifers of the Niger Delta It is hoped that the results will be useful to researchers, stakeholders and government agencies involved in developing local and regional water plans.Item Open Access Gene expression signature and phenotypic variables of plasmodium falciparum infected adults in Sagbama, Bayelsa State, Nigeria(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2023-10-18) Ogbole, Faith AjiebabhioMalaria is an acute inflammatory disease that requires continuous monitoring and surveillance in high risk areas. Although several molecular methods are available for the detection of submicroscopic malaria, however the most sensitive molecular method has not been established. Also, given the emergence of antimalarial drug resistance by Plasmodium, an alternative strategy to antimalarial drug design is needed. A knowledge of the biochemical and molecular adaptation dynamics of residents in high risk areas might provide novel targets for antimalarial drug design. The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of malaria parasite infection among adults in Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa State, Nigeria using two molecular methods, evaluate the pattern of distribution of ABO/Rhesus blood groups and haemoglobin genotypes in relation to malaria, and evaluate the inflammatory role of haemoglobin genotypes and ABO/Rhesusblood group in relation to malaria in Sagbama LGA. A cross sectional community based study design was used to randomly collect 206 blood samples from the study participants. Study participants were grouped into three; uninfected, asymptomatic, mild and severe malaria group. Each group was further stratified based on ABO/Rhesus blood group and haemoglobin genotype. Nested-genomic-PCR and high resolution melting analysis (HRMA) were used to determine the prevalence of malaria parasite infection by using a set of primers to target the 18S rRNA gene of Plasmodium falciparum and results were compared with microscopy. Haemoglobin (Hb) genotypetest, blood group test as well as real time PCR gene expression of inflammatory genes were carried out. Overall, 43.20% males and 56.80% females with mean age 39 ± 6.65 years participated in the study. The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection among adults was 92.72% (asymptomatic; 63.62%, mild; 18.93%, severe; 10.19%). HRMA was the most sensitive molecular method. Microscopy and nested-genomic PCR yielded 58.25% and 19.9% false negatives respectively. Pair-wise performance comparison of the diagnostic methods was significant (p < 0.001). High parasitemia (19005 ± 7345 Parasites/ⴗl of blood) was found among asymptomatic subjects yet they were not clinically ill. Blood group O was the most common ABO blood group (54.85%) and 96.6% of the study population were Rhesus positive, while 80.1% had haemoglobin genotype AA. Blood groups A, B, AB and O were all associated with symptomatic malaria (P < 0.05), blood groups A, B and AB were associated with mild malaria (P < 0.05), while only blood group B was associated with severe malaria (p < 0.05). Both Hb AA and AS were associated with asymptomatic malaria (P < 0.05), while only Hb AA was associated with mild and severe malaria (p < 0.05). A significant upregulation in the gene expression of proinflammatory TNFα and IFNγ was found among blood group A, B and AB and Hb AA subjects compared with blood group O and Hb AS subjects (p < 0.001). This was accompanied by a downregulation in the gene expression of anti-inflammatory IL-10 among blood group A, B and AB and Hb AA malaria subjects compared with blood group O malaria subjects (p < value 0.001). In conclusion, the present study found a high prevalence of malaria parasite infection (92.72%) in Sagbama LGA using HRMA. It also found that the mechanism by which ABO blood groups and haemoglobin genotypes influence malaria is by differential expression of inflammatory genes. Findings may have implication for theidentification of novel target for antimalarial drug development. However, further large scale study is suggested.Item Open Access Modelling of major soil nutrients depletion in crude oil contaminated soil(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2016-06) Nwakwasi, Ngozi LivinusModeling of major soil nutrients depletion in crude oil contaminated soil was carried out, using field experimental data generated from Research Farm Soil at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The main objective of the study was to investigate the variation of nutrients, curde oil concentration and bacteria with time in the laboratory. To develop models for prediction of nutrient depletion with time and see how the models can be applied in field and bioremediation activities. The soil was artificially polluted with crude oil (bonny light) of different volumes/wt (i.e. 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 litres per 10kg of soil), equivalent to 629 barrels/hectare, 1258 barrels/ha, 1887 barrels/ha, 2515 barrels/ha and 3144 barrels/ha respectively. Some physicochemical properties that reflects major soil nutrient content and fertility status (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Organic Carbon, Organic Matter and Soil pH) were determined, using standard methods. Results from the different levels of crude oil pollution over time showed that nitrogen content depleted from 0.287 to 0.123 within the first 14 days after pollution. Nitrogen content of the control sample was about three times higher than the values of nitrogen content at other various levels of crude oil pollution (0.021/0.0079) when averaged over a period of time (112 days). Similar results were obtained for phosphorous content which depleted five times over the control value when averaged over a period of time. Potassium content also showed a significant decrease from the control value, and was about 3 times lower when averaged over a period of time. There was, however, a slight increase in the organic carbon and organic matter content, which was about 1.5 times higher than the control value. The model values of major soil nutrients obtained from the various model equations were very close to experimental values. Hence the models are all suitable for determining the various contents of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Organic Matter and Organic Carbon in crude oil polluted site. The agitation/complaints over polluted farm lands in the Niger Delta region can now be resolved within the shortest possible time by utilizing the findings and model equations developed from the study. Hence, the cut-off between what really constitutes a poisonous dose and no-effect or tolerable dose in crude oil contamination can be determined using the models.Item Open Access Integrated airborne and ground geophysical investigation of mineral deposits in parts of Middle-Benue Trough, Nigeria(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-07) Onum, Stephen AdikwuAn enhanced interpretation was carried out to delineate the tectonics and subsurface structural trend in parts of the Middle-Benue Trough that lays between latitudes 7 ◦ 30′–9 ◦ 0′N and longitudes 9 ◦ 00′–10◦ 30′E as well as it implications for mineralization. The desk study stage involved the acquisition of Landsat 8 imagery, image processing (Atmospheric Correction, Colour Composite, Band Rationing, Principal Component Analysis) were applied and result shows imagery highlighting areas where concentration of minerals and assemblage of alteration minerals, as iron-bearing minerals, hydroxyl-bearing minerals and hydrated sulphates occur, discriminating altered from unaltered rocks. In order to validate the results, nine (9) High Resolution Aeromagnetic data used were subjected to various filtering operations, the residual magnetic map showed the difference in locations of high and low magnetic intensities and many crustal magnetization patterns with majorly NE-SW trending of low magnetic susceptibility, The RTE magnetic anomaly map shows both low and high magnetic frequencies representing points of low and high magnetic signatures respectively in the area with a shift of orientation of anomalies as observed. The highest magnetic susceptibility values ranged from 14.6 to 570.8 nT, Analytic Signal map show relatively high magnetic amplitude observed to be associated with the highlands are interpreted as the basement rocks, intermediate magnetic amplitude is observed to be associated with moderate elevations and is interpreted as sandstone and magnetic mineral (magnetite and hematite) enrichment areas; while low magnetic amplitude is associated with lowlands. The First Vertical Derivative, Second Vertical Derivative, Upward Continuation, TDR filter was applied. Maps displayed most structural feature of the area such as the faults, folds, contacts and to some extent the shape of some lithology. The interpreted geological map from aeromagnetic dataset shows the geologic units, structures, deformation intensity and OH bearing, ferrumagnetisation and ferruginization alteration zones. Two zones (Bangagala as Zone 1 and Ibi as Zone 2) were selected for further investigations based on the anomalous attributes of the zones and varying(moderate to high) deformation intensity across the study area. Ground magnetic survey, em-vlf, electrical resistivity and induced polarization were employed to further investigate magnetic depleted areas as well as the degree of conductivity and resistivity across the interpreted chargeable bodies resulting from segregation of hydrothermal fluid, leading to the separation of chargeable bodies of associated minerals (e.g. lead, quartz e.t.c). The threedimensional voxel model was used to isolate chargeable bodies (potential mineralization) with chargeability >15msec which is regarded as anomalies of interest. The volume of the chargeable voxel was then computed and used for the probable reserve estimation. The estimated volume of chargeable body in zone 1(Bangagala) is 853,250 m3 with nearest estimate of 2,730,400 tonnes and estimated value of $1.3Billion. While, the estimated volume of chargeable body in zone 2 (Ibi) is 502,310 m3with nearest estimated of 1,607,392 tonnes and estimated values of $750Million.Item Open Access Stability analysis of thick laminated anisotropic plate using third order energy functional(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2024-08) Uzoukwu, Sunny ChukwudumThe Stability Analysis of Thick Laminated Anisotropic Plate using Third Order Energy Functional is presented. Fourteen different boundary conditions were considered in this research work thus SSSS, CCCC, SSCC, CCSS, CSSS, SSSC, SCSC, CSCS, SSSC, CCCS, CSSC, SCCS, CCSC and SSCS. The shape functions for all the fourteen plates were derived by considering the deflection and second derivative of deflection at the simple support edge while the deflection and first derivative of deflection were considered at the clamped support. The integral values of the differentiated shape functions, (𝐾̅ − 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 )of the various boundary conditions were obtained. From these, the stiffness coefficients, ki of the various boundary conditions were generated. Resolving from the first principle and by considering the relationship between the in-plane displacement and out of plane displacement, the strain and the stress functions for thick laminated laminated plate were obtained. The total potential energy was formulated by adding the work done by external load to the strain energy equation. Differentiating the total potential energy with respect to the deflection w, gave rise to the governing equation. Four compatible equations were formulated also by differentiating the total potential equation with respect to the two middle-layer in-plane displacements, (–uo and - vo) and two shear rotations, (∅xand ∅y).. Numerical analysis for the different plate laminas were conducted, considering different angles of arrangement The third order stiffnesses were formulated for thick laminated anisotropic plate and the results from this present work were compared with those from Ventsel & Krauthermmer (2001) The comparison showed acceptable percentage difference of 0.01% & 2% level of significance in statistics. The derived buckling loads for all the plates studied in this work, were compared with those from Reddy, Megson and Chajes (Previous Researchers) and the percentage differences obtained were within the range of 0.01% to 0.9%.. It is concluded that this method can be adopted in solving a laminated thick anisotropic plate using 3rd order energy functionalItem Open Access Assessment of the effects of conflicts reduction and environmental justice on sustainable development in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-03) Chukuigwe, OrokwuThe study assessed the effects of conflicts Reduction and environmental justice on sustainable development in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. The study identified the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, ascertained types and levels of conflicts in the study area, identified factors that predispose the respondents to conflicts, identified environmental injustice prevalent in the study area, analysed the factors that are constraints to environmental justice, examined the factors that contributed to sustainability of projects, assessed stakeholders participation in the management of conflicts, evaluated community participation levels on projects and identified factors that are common to both conflicts and environmental justice in the study area. The study was carried out in three out of the nine states of the Niger Delta. Namely: Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States. Multistage sampling technique was adopted for this study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire from 380 out of 400 respondents giving a response rate of 95%. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean, frequency distribution, percentages, probit, Spearman rho correlation and Chow test. The result showed that men (64.7%); the age group 41 to 50 years(31.8%) was predominant. Majority of the respondents (57.6%) were married, average household size was six (6) and 84.2% were unemployed. With regard to occupation, 36.3% were involved in fishing while 42.6% were into farming. The dominant educational attainment was secondary school at26.1%while the Mean income was N24,658. The dominant types of conflict in the area were political (18.9%), environmental (12%), cultism (4.6%). The level of conflict was high, 2.2 out of maximum of 3 points. Some of the factors that predisposed respondents to conflicts were environmental degradation (78.9%), land dispute (62.4%) and cultism (55.5%). Conflicts were resolved mainly through legal process (17.7%), community elders/chiefs (16.6%) and combination of legal process, community Elders/chiefs, community Development committee (18%) while incidences of injustice in the area included land and water pollution (84%), gas flaring (81%), and incidence of Criss- cross maze of oil pipelines on farm lands (68.4%). Constraints to environmental justice included Government policies, community Leadership structure among others, some of the factors the respondents perceived to have contributed to sustainability of development projects were participation from scoping (𝑥̅=3.31) and non-complexity of technology (𝑥̅=3.06) among others. The result also showed that stakeholders were not active participants in the resolution of conflicts. The level of participation in development projects was low, 1.89 out of maximum of 3 points. Six variables namely, education, income, sex, employment, participation and distance from home to project were common to the three dependent variables of Conflict, Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development. Finally, the results showed an inverse relationship existed between conflicts and environmental justice (-0.72) as well as sustainable development (-0.17) while there was a positive correlation between environmental justice and sustainable development (0.67). From the findings of the study it was therefore recommended that improvement in the variables of education, income, sex, employment, participation and reduction in the distance to the project are likely to reduce conflicts, improve environmental justice and advance sustainable development.Item Open Access Welfare impact of IFAD value chain development programme on rice farmers in Ebonyi State: An endogenous treatment(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2025-12) Amadi, Mark UmunnaThe study analyzed the welfare impact of the IFAD value chain development programme (VCDP) on rice farmers in Ebonyi State. Its specific objectives were to evaluate; the impact of the VCDP on the income of rice farmers, the impact of the VCDP on the productivity of rice farmers, the impact of the VCDP on the food and nutrition security of rice farmers, the impact of the VCDP on access to education of the rice farmers and the impact of the VCDP on access to healthcare of the rice farmers, in Ebonyi State. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed, using a combination of simple and stratified random sampling techniques to select the rice VCDP farmer beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries from the local government areas, then primary data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using a double robust treatment model – inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) – for the impact of participation in the rice VCDP on the welfare outcomes of the farmers. Results of the analyses showed that rice VCDP had positive and significant impacts on the net farm income (1.79% points increase), on the total factor productivity (1.014 increase), on the food & nutrition security (8.69 score increase), and on the children’s average years of schooling (0.54 years increase), for the rice farmer participants. Also, the rice VCDP intervention had a negative and significant impact on the healthcare expenditure (66.7% decrease) of the rice farmer participants. The key determinants of farmer participation in the rice VCDP were membership in an agricultural association, participation in agricultural training, access to extension and access to inputs from agricultural associations. In addition, the welfare outcomes of farmers were influenced by farm size, household size, farming experience, and the frequency of extension visits. The study recommends that: the VCDP intervention be scaled up to cover more LGAs; the formation and formalization of agricultural associations/cooperatives be facilitated through a working relationship between Departments of Agriculture and Registrars of Cooperatives to the benefit of farmers; the local authorities assist in domesticating agricultural trainings at the community levels to ease farmer participation; establishment of extension services outpost in all communities be implemented while also mobilizing extension service providers adequately; the local authorities should assist in scaling rice farmer market participation capacity by developing land-banks which will make agricultural land readily available and accessible at low-cost for farming purposes only. The study contributes to impact evaluation literature by utilizing quantitative and qualitative measures to explore plausible relationships between farming decisions and education and health outcomes of households.Item Open Access Analysis of scope and economic efficiency in poultry-fish enterprises in Imo State, Nigeria(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2022-02) Opara, Thaddeus C.This study analysed the scope and economic efficiency of poultry-fish enterprises in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: examine the Socio economic and enterprise characteristics of fish and poultry farmers, estimate cost function from profit function to determine scope efficiency of poultry-fish enterprises, determine how scope and economic efficiency related to the use of specific inputs or the production of specific output, evaluate the determinants of scope efficiency and economic efficiency in poultryfish enterprises in the study area. A multi –stage sampling technique was used to select 210 respondents comprising of 60 fish farmers 60 poultry farmers and 90 joint poultry fish farmers. Structured questionnaire were used to elicit information from respondents while descriptive statistics, inferential statistics. Quadratic regression model, Tobit regression model and analysis of variance were used for data analysis. Findings from the study showed that most of the farmers in the three categories were males, 57.1% for fish, 62.3% for poultry and 66.7% for joint enterprises respectively. Most of the Respondents were between 41 and 60 years age bracket, 65.1% for fish 80.3% for poultry and 58.3 for joint enterprises. The distribution of respondents by marital status showed that most of the farmers were married 80.9% for fish, 75.4% for poultry and 81.9% for joint enterprises. Majority of the respondents had household sizes of 4 to 5 persons, 65.1% for fish, 55.7% for poultry and 63.9% for joint enterprises. 69.8% of fish farmers and 67.2% of poultry farmers had 6 to 10 years farming experience while majority of joint farmers (56.9% had 1-3 years of farming experience. Most sole farmers were small scale farmers 39.7% for fish and 42.6% for poultry while most joint farmers were large scale farmer (75%). The three categories of farmers had poor access to credit with only 19.4 % of joint farmer able to access above N300, 000 credits. In this research, cost functions were recovered from unrestricted profit functions and were used to calculate scope efficiency. The main scope efficiency was 0.025 indicating that the joint production of fish and poultry enterprises reduces total cost by 2.5%. The mean economic efficiencies were 0.72 for fish, 0.68 for poultry and 0.77 for joint enterprises. This indicated that farms could reduce cost by producing at the lowest possible cost. The correlation of scope and economic efficiency with output quantities was positive and significant at 1% level suggesting that the joint production of fish and poultry on the same farm resulted in cost advantage. Also the correlation of scope and economic efficiency with expense ratio were all significant at 1% level which revealed that larger farms tends to have more scope and economic efficiency scores. Again scope and economic efficiency are significantly determined by level of education, farming experience, pond size, and flock size as well as credit amount. It is recommended that educational packages and appropriate training could be necessary to teach farmers those farming practices that encourages cost complementarities and financial institutions should be encouraged to improve on the volumes and terms of loans extended to farmers.Item Open Access Impact of adoption of improved oil palm technologies on smallholder farmers' livelihood in South-South, Nigeria(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2023-02) Gere, Solomon OgheneochukoThe study assessed the “Impact of adoption of improved oil palm technologies on smallholder farmers‟ livelihood in south-south, Nigeria.” The objectives were to:- describe farmers socio-economic characteristics, sources of information, identify farmers awareness, livelihood activities, level of adoption of the oil palm technologies; assess impact of smallholder farmers‟ adoption; and identify constraints to technologies adoption. The Null hypotheses tested were:- relationship between farmers socio-economic characteristics and adoption of oil palm technologies; farmers perceived impact on livelihood and adoption of technologies; socio-economic characteristics and farmers perceived impact of adoption; and whether there was difference in farmers perceived impact among adopters in three selected states. A multistage random sampling method was used to select a total of 322 oil palm farmers from three states of Edo, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom in south-south, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire, interview schedule and focus group discussion were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics of frequency counts, percentages, means, rank order; Ordinary least square regression analysis; Pearson product moment correlation and Analysis of variance. The results showed that the oil palm farmers were dominated by males (79.5%). While 77.3% of the farmers were married, 57% had household size of 5-8 persons; while 31.1% of the farmers have 11-15 years farming experience. The age distribution of farmers were within age bracket of 41-50 years; about 53.1% of the farmers belong to farmers‟ social organization, and only 20% of the farmers had no formal education. The mean monthly income of the farmers was N30,800.00. The result also revealed the following characteristics of oil palm farms, where 62.1% of the farmers had oil palm plantation farm size of 1-3ha; 55.3% of the farmers operated on sole planted oil palm farms; while 45.0% of the farmers had oil palm plantation aged between 11-20 years old, 51.6% of the farmers operated on self owned oil palm plantation; and about 46.6% of them had their oil palm plantation farms located between 1-2km distance from home. Sources of information on oil palm technologies used by greater proportion farmers were friend / neighbours, extension agents and agricultural development programs (ADPs) ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. The farmers had very high awareness of the oil palm technologies and hence high level of Adoption of improved oil palm technologies recorded among the farmers. The study revealed among the oil palm livelihood activities that marketing of palm produce = 3.65,transport of palm produce =3.58, harvesting of palm fruits =3.58 and palm oil processing = 3 were rated as very important activities by larger proportion of the farmers. Impact of farmers‟ adoption of improved oil palm technologies perceived at household and farm levels on farmers‟ social life (before and after), and at community level, had positive impact on the smallholder farmers livelihood at household and farm levels; impact on farmers and where perceived farmers‟ impact indicated increases in farm income, increase farm yields, improved food security, oil palm plantation expansion; improvement on the farmers social life of the material benefits and well-being. The study developed and described in perspective the “Impact Pathway” framework for the adoption of improved oil palm technologies generated by Nigerian Institute for Oil palm Research (NIFOR), to demonstrate how oil palm technologies adoption could create impact in the lives of farmers/non-farmers in the study area. Major constraints affecting farmers‟ adoption of oil palm technologies were lack of capital/fund, lack or no access to land, high cost of inputs, high cost of labour and insecurity to life and properties. Regression analysis result showed that co-efficient determination of farmers‟ characteristics t-ratios of:- sex= 0.042, marital status=1.570, household size =3.52,and farm size = 0.170 had significant positive relationship on adoption of oil palm technologies while t-ratios of:- age= -2.880, educational level = -3.74 and farming experience = - 0.24 had negative relationship on adoption. Pearson product moment correlation analysis showed that significant and positive relationship existed between farmers‟ perceived impact of improved oil palm technologies on farmers‟ livelihood and adoption of oil palm technologies. Regression analysis results had p-values of :- age= 0.004, household size<0.001, farming experience = 0.008 and education level <0.001) had significant positive relationship between socio-economic and farmers perceived of impact at household level. ANOVA result showed that no significant difference existed between farmers perceived impact of adoption on farmers livelihood among farmers‟ adopters across the three selected states. Based on results of the study, recommendations were made:- provision of farm inputs subsidies to farmers; review of land use policy to make more land available for large scale oil palm expansion; among other recommendations.Item Open Access Effects of starch blends and processing technique on some properties of biodegradable polymer drilling muds(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2016-07) Chike-Onyegbula, Catherine OluchiThis research was carried out on “Effects of Starch blends and Processing Technique on some Properties of Biodegradable Polymer Drilling Muds”. Several biodegradable polymer drilling muds were prepared using starches from local corns and millet pregelatinized and blended by extrusion technique in the absence of any solvents or chemicals. The filtration and rheological properties of the new muds and three already existing muds were studied at 25oC-450oC temperature range and at 0.01-0.05g/ml concentration of each starch using filter loss method and viscometric method respectively. The biodegradation properties of the muds were studied with their respective starches using soil burial test method and plant growth method. The experimental results were also modelled using MATLAB software method of modelling. Experimental results showed that the new polymer drilling muds have excellent filtration control behaviours and thermal stability at all the temperatures. The three already existing muds showed thermal degradation at 250oC, 350oC and 450oC temperatures. The values of flow index were found to be less than 1.0 showing pseudoplastic flow behaviour of the muds. Consistency index, Shear stress and yield stress increased with increase in concentration. Viscosity decreased with increasing shear rate showing shear thinning behaviour of the muds. The highest percent weight loss of 65.70% and lowest percent weight loss of 10.34% were obtained with one of the new starch blends and one of the already existing starches respectively for biodegradability. The polymer drilling muds obeyed Henri Darcy and API models for filtration as well as power law and Herschel Bulkely models for fluid rheology. The results from Matlab model showed that the values of coefficient of regression, (R2) and the Sum of Squared Errors, (SSE) were respectively close to “1” and “0”signifying good fit for all the new muds. The behaviours of the muds showed that there is proximity between the Matlab‟s modelled results and the experimental results based on the already existing models.Therefore, the polymer muds containing the new starch blends are purer, more suitable and more environmentally friendly than the already existing muds. The new muds are therefore recommended to be used for drilling operations in all areas including high temperature and environmentally sensitive areas.Item Open Access Physico-mechanical properties of natural rubber filled with treated groundnut shell powder for shoe sole production(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2016-03) Ayo, Mark DadaPhysico-Mechanical properties of natural rubber filled with chemically modified groundnut shells were studied. Natural rubber composites were prepared using modified fillers at varying concentrations of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) Solution and acetylating solutions respectively. The processing conditions, mechanical properties and sorption characteristics of these composites were analyzed. The cure characteristics of the compounded rubber were determined using Mosanto Rheometer (model MDR - 2000). The maximum torque and crosslinking density increases with increase in concentration of the mercerizing and acetylating agent. The fibre reinforcing efficiency of the chemically treated composites were compared with that of the untreated composite. Composites containing chemically treated fillers were found to posses improved tensile properties(from 18.30 to 31.50MPa for acetylated composites and 18.30 -28.00MPa for mercerized fillers), hardness (48 to 65 IRHD for acetylated filler and 48 to 58 for mercerized fillers) and abrasion resistance (from 31.55 t0 42.50% for acetylated filler and 31.5 to 39.30 for mercerized filler). These properties increases with increase in mercerizing and acetylating agent up to 20% concentration and starts decreasing. At higher concentration, the fibre is destroyed hence reduction in properties. These results were in agreement with empirical analysis. The sorption properties of the composite also decrease with the concentration of the mercerizing and acetylating agent. The improved properties observed were as a result of the increase in affinity between the rubber matrix and the chemically treated groundnut shell fillers. From this research work, it is recommended that chemically treated groundnut shell powder, particularly at 20% concentration can be employed for articles such as shoe soles, footmats and hoses that require less stress during service life.Item Open Access Development of an institutional-based community power pooling model for seamless renewable energy integration(Federal University of Technlogy, Owerri, 2023-10) Opara, Raymond OkechukwuIn recent times, educational institutions were provided with sources of power, that were able to cater for their needs, cognizance of the low demand for knowledge economy was not high. As a result, the available energy was able to suffice for the limited schools, departments, and units within the university system that was available as at that time. As technology continues to improve, the quest for knowledge increases thereby giving needs for expansion in the educational institutions, which cut across creating of more administrative sections, departments and courses. This expansion came with the need for more energy consumption, which calls for a more robust technology with enabling energy integration. The universities were not taking into consideration using energy resources within their operating environments for optimal utilization. And even when there is any consideration to the use of renewable energy resources, standalone energy systems were readily attracted without consideration to network, and integration model, with a fear of un-seamless nature of renewable energy resources. To mitigate the aforementioned shortcoming, this project proposes an institutional-based community power pooling model with seamless renewable energy integration. This involves the formulation and development of an institutionalized local distribution network forming a mini – grid. Then appropriate dc and ac Load Flow (LF) model were applied to determine an optimal balance between locally available distributed energy resources (DERs) and co – located load centers with the referenced institution – in this case, FUTO. The model simulations reveal that the system is capable of synchronizing the renewable energy resources within the university in a single network bus, alongside with public power supply and diesel generators. This could guarantee efficient and optimal utilization of the energy potentials within the university community, with excess energy of 8,603,334 KWh/yr. available for sales to the neighbouring energy users from the formulated model. This model could be utilized in other universities across the nation with the view of tailoring its architecture to suit each institutions special peculiarities in terms of energy resources and load demand.Item Open Access Development of intelligent master controller for hydridized power pool system applications(Federal University of Technlogy, Owerri, 2022-11) Kufre, Esenowo JackThe development of an intelligent master controller model for hybridized power pool system applications has become necessary in the contemporary society where much resources are allocated in a decentralized scenario which does not encourage high productivity. Many metropolitan cities are endowed with several scattered energy resources within its locality and when aggregated in a power pool, its energy resources aggregation for continuous energy supply in order to curtail energy wastage may likely be posed with the challenges associated with uncoordinated system. In view of this therefore, an Intelligent Master Controller (IMC) is proposed to oversee and regulate the unified energy potentials in some metropolitan cities in order to ensure efficiency, reliability, and optimal utilization. In the conceptual framework deployed in this study, Afikpo Metropolis was used as a case study to demonstrate a typical power pool architecture with the intelligent master controller. The network voltage level for the five experimented communities were used with respect to the available energy sources. Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) was adopted for the renewable energy synchronization and hybridization through virtual demonstration; the integration of their hybridized renewable energy sources with other available sources like the public power supply and the generating system were made possible through intelligent master controller. The intelligent master controller operation sequence was simulated with proteus software. The hardware was implemented with electronics components, whereas the remote monitoring and control was achieved with Hypertext Mark Language (HTML), Cascaded Style Sheet (CSS), JavaScript and Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) design. The HTML, CSS and JavaScript provide an app for human and machine interactivity, and MongoDB gives the data documentation platform, whereas the ThingSpeak gave the real time analytical scheme for the system. The result from the software simulation conformed with that of the hardware implementation which reveals that energy from metropolitans’ cities could be centrally monitored and controlled using intelligent master control model. This model was demonstrated remotely through the web/Android App, and the energy generated and consumed by the pooled communities were documented in the cloud. The system performance was validated within 6hours of operation, and the system reliability prediction was carried out to ascertain the model functionalities. The developed intelligent master controller model was stable, observable and controllable from the MATLAB simulation result.Item Open Access Development of an intelligent traffic management system using dynamic time allocation technology(Federal University of Technlogy, Owerri, 2024-06) Nwaogwugwu, Nnanyereugo Kelechi ClintonConsidering the increase rate at which traffic congestion occur in urban cities which is associated with longer waiting time of vehicles on traffic queues as well as loss of productivity, fuel, time, fatigue and other health-threatening conditions; it is imperative to apply innovative, fully functional and affordable technologies to curb this challenge. Unfortunately, state-of-the-art traffic management systems are not able to solve this problem as they do not employ intelligent traffic control techniques at road junctions. This research developed an intelligent road traffic management system using Dynamic Time Allocation Technology (DTAT). In doing this, Modelio, an open-source Unified Model Language (UML) tool, was utilized in conjunction with object-oriented system analysis and design in analysing and modelling of typical traffic scenario at road junctions. A sensor network for the detection of vehicular presence and movement was designed using motion sensors and IP cameras. Furthermore, a camera system for capturing vehicle plate number of offending drivers, as well as traffic offence SMS gateway for communicating with offenders and appropriate authorities was developed. Fuzzy Logic and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) techniques as well as load balancing and remote procedural call (RPC) were applied in implementing the fundamental operations of the system. The system was simulated using Proteus 8 Professional in which a microcontroller was used to run the fuzzy logic operations, while the ANN runs on the data storage server and was used to analyse the patterns of stored data so that the system can learn traffic situations of the road with time. Results obtained indicate that the frequency at which traffic flows at a particular lane of the road within a period of time is a function of the number of vehicles that enter and leave the traffic zone at that point. Performance of the developed system shows that there is a balance in the flow of traffic for different lanes of the road intersecting at a point.Item Open Access Optimization and control of solar-powered telecommunication network base stations in Nigeria using standalone bifacial photovoltaic system(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2025-10) Osuji, Christopher UcheThis thesis compared the potentials of using two different configurations of photovoltaic systems; Monofacial Photovoltaic (MFPV) Panel, and Standalone Bifacial Photovoltaic (BFPV) panel to generate electricity that will meets energy requirement of a mobile telecommunication base based on theoretical mathematical modelling, simulation, and optimization using PVsyst version 7.4.8 and Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER) software. In achieving this, six off-grid telecommunication base station sites at different geographical site were selected which include; Imo (Umuagwo, 4.33 kWh/m2/day), Kwara (Oje, 5.97 kWh/m2/day), Sokoto (Kiso, 5.81 kWh/m2/day), Rivers (Chokocho, 4.76 kWh/m2/day), Lagos (Kwame, 4.50 kWh/m2/day), and Borno (Baje,5.51kWh/m2/day). Research gaps covered are: space constrains, poor power output, and CO2 emission etc. associated with MFPV, generator, and battery system. Therefore, different configurations of standalone systems of MFPV panel with generator and battery backup and the proposed BFPV module with battery backup were studied and compared for energy optimization to determine the most economically feasible system that conforms to less Carbon IV Oxide (CO2) emission and cost minimisation. The Net Present Cost (NPC) and total CO2 generated were used as indices for measuring the optimization level of each energy configuration, and the option with the highest optimal value was considered to be the best energy solution for telecom base station. Results obtained shows that the installation cost of the MFPV panel, Battery, and the generator is N1, 288,000.00/Wp and the total yearly cost is N483, 200.00/Wp/Yr. The used energy cost is N4, 597,964,800.00/kWh which is the Levelized cost of energy (LCOE). The net present value of the project is –N7, 731,200.00 and the return on investment is -750.3%. On the other hand, the LCOE for installing BFPV panel system is N95,184.64.00/kWh. The net present value of the project is N266, 895,136 and the return on investment is 55191.3%. This shows that the adoption of BFPV panel installation at TBs is profitable. This result is a validation of the objective of this research. Environmentally, CO2 emission in using BFPV systemen is 0.25tons/W while that of installing MFPV system is 102tons/W. Consequently, there is a reduction of CO2 emission (101. 75) by adopting the BFPV system.Item Open Access Design and modelling of smart home technologies for the aged persons(Federal University of Technlogy, Owerri, 2021-07) Okorafor, Godfrey NwajiSmart home technology for the aged persons here is a wireless sensor-based home system that provide the aged persons a safe, sound and secure home environment, while enabling them to live independently in their own homes as long as possible. The aged persons here are that population within the ages of 65 years and above. Nowadays, the rapid increase in the number of aged persons, including those with disabilities, the decrease in the number of family care-givers as a result of youths` migration to cities in search of white-collar jobs, and inability of government to provide adequate infrastructural needs to these aged persons has resulted in a miss-match on the caring facilities in Nigeria. These have contributed to the problem of these aged persons, since neither families nor government are able to meet their needs, especially in Africa due to high level of mass poverty, illiteracy and corruption in governance. Therefore, the task of this proposed system here is to design and model a voice activated home control system that will utilize the natural voice of the aged home occupants, to provide a more convenient, easier to install and use, user friendly home technologies for the aged persons. This will enable them maneuver assistive wheelchair, and manage home appliances through voice commands. This assistive wheelchair developed is embedded with collision detection and avoidance. The tools used to realize this proposed system are; The Personal Computer (PC), HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor, and Voice Recognition (VR) module in a PC used for voice processing and recognition, Microphone for voice signal acquisition, C-language with the help of C# for coding. Bluetooth and Radio Frequency (RF) transceivers wirelessly link the input module to the controller module (microcontroller) which selects the appliances/assistive device to be controlled according to the input voice command. Proteus Virtual System Modelling (VSM) was used for developing smart home technology system schematic model and carried out the animated simulation to validate the system`s performance within the home. The designed system was tested on Dead Home (a home with closed curtains, carpet, an air-conditioner, and other leaving home appliances switched off) and Live Home (a home with opened curtains, carpet, an air-conditioner, television, and other leaving home appliances, switched on, and with background music or noise from a stereo people) conditions, and the effective result was 92.93% for dead home and 75.85% for live home respectively. This showed that the realized system controlled the devices with voice, though, the level of this system response is higher in dead home than in a live home, hence, the level of the system performance is lower in a noisy environment.Item Open Access Detection and prevention of amorphous cyber-attacks in process control networks of oil and gas installations(Federal University of Technlogy, Owerri, 2023-09) Obonna, Ugochukwu OnyekachiAmorphous cyber-attacks in process control networks (PCN) of oil and gas installations have posed a major cyber security challenge to the industry, due to the consistent deployment of unpredictable dynamic attack strategies by the attackers, which has made it difficult to predict their next attack modes. The aim of this dissertation is to monitor, detect, prevent and mitigate the effect of these malicious attacks on PCN. To achieve this, standard engineering structured methods, tools and techniques were applied by developing and analyzing mathematical models of the attacks, designing secured, centralized and distributed process control network architecture, designing a defense system capable of detecting false data injection attacks. The engineering materials, principles and concepts applied in the simulation, testing and validation of the developed models include: top-down structural approach, block diagrams, Machine learning algorithms, Deep learning toolkits, structured programming languages and simulation packages, such as: Python 3.0 Libraries, MATLAB, Allen Bradley PLC RSLogix 5000 emulator software, flowcharts and algorithmic representations of normal as well as compromised plant operations. Modelling and simulation of a 3-phase separator under attack was used to showcase attacks on PCN, predictions and forecasting using different machine learning algorithms. Real-time 68,722 SCADA dataset used in this research helped to overcome some of the shortfalls of previous researchers who used identical and repeated datasets that affected the learning ability of their algorithms and their final outcome. Several other machine learning algorithms and analytical tools were explored using the same dataset, but the Coarse Tree algorithm produced the best results with 100% accuracy, zero False Alarm Rate, one million observations per second prediction speed and 0.45488 seconds computation time. The results obtained showed the quality and precision of attack detections, hence the model’s robust performance in detecting network intrusions. The various units and system's tests conducted showed highly improved results of about 95% comparatively with previous industry research results, thereby confirming the probability of useful contributions made in ameliorating theft in Oil and Gas sector of the economy. The successful integration of the developed models to the developed PCN architecture, shows that the cyber-attacks vulnerabilities on Oil and Gas infrastructures could be detected, prevented and reduced to barest minimum, thereby preventing production downtime, with adverse impact on the economy of the country, in general.Item Open Access Characterization of multiple log-periodic array antennas for surveillance systems using a novel array-factor(Federal University of Technlogy, Owerri, 2023-11) Okoye, Arinze ChristianThis research endeavors to comprehensively characterize Multiple Log-Periodic Array (MLPA) antennas, specifically in the context of surveillance systems, using a novel array factor. This array factor streamlines the numerical characterization of MLPA antennas, regardless of the number of elements involved. The study employs a rigorous analytical approach, incorporating the Magnetic Vector Potential (MVP) model and pattern multiplication approach through a top-down methodology. The MVP model was chosen for its auxiliary function, which greatly simplifies the analytical processes. In practical terms, experimental Multiple Log Periodic Array antennas were designed and evaluated for this study. The parameters of these antennas were numerically assessed in the far field using the newly developed Array Factor. MatLab R2010a software played a pivotal role in simulating various parameters of the Multiple Log-Periodic Array antennas, including Array Antenna patterns, Electric/Magnetic fields, Average Poynting Vector, Radiation Intensity, Radiated Power, Directivity, and Directive Gain. The results demonstrated that the array antennas had a Directivity/Gain of 15.68dB or 45.68dBm, at the operating frequency range of 1.350GHz to 2.690GHz. The collective array patterns generated by the MLPA antennas were in line with expectations, relying on the corresponding field of single element. Multiple Log-Periodic Array antennas expanded the function of Single Log-Periodic Array (SLPA) antennas by significantly enhancing radiation gain and signal coverage. Thus, the novel Array Factor accelerates the process of characterizing array antenna parameters, thereby alleviating the bottleneck in computing antenna losses. This marks a significant advancement in the field of antenna technology.