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FUTOSpace is the Federal University of Technology, Owerri open-access repository that collects, preserves and make available in digital format the intellectual output of the university's community:
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Recent Submissions
Improved IOT-based weather monitoring system for effective farming
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2024-11) Ogbonna, Francisca Chinwendu
Agriculture serves as the backbone of numerous global economies, and its success heavily relies on weather conditions. The conventional weather monitoring systems often involves lack of realtime updates, manual data collection, limited coverage and elevated cost to maintain the infrastructure which hinders their adoption in agricultural settings. These limitations highlight the need for an affordable, automated and efficient weather monitoring solution which leverages IoT technology to assist farmers in mitigating the risks posed by unpredictable and inconsistent weather conditions consequently optimizing resource usage and improving crop yields. This study developed an enhanced Internet of Things (IoT) based weather monitoring system that elevates the efficiency of agricultural operations. The Ignite IoT methodology was adopted in this research. Key components of the system which allowed for real-time weather data collection includes the Digital Temperature and Humidity Sensor (DHT11), Barometric Pressure Sensor (BMP280), Rain Sensor and Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) for light intensity detection. These sensors were integrated with the NodeMCU microcontroller, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) module, a 9 voltage power supply and a Universal Serial Bus interface (USB) for solar alternative. Realtime weather data transmission to a central server via IoT technology allowing farmers to access crucial weather information through a user-friend mobile application powered by the Blynk IoT platform. The system demonstrated enhanced visualization via a flexible and comprehensible display interface. Extended operational time and more stable power supply through alternative power were also achieved. Compared to conventional methods, the IoT-based weather monitoring system eliminated manual data collection and utilized affordable IoT devices which in turn reduced the overall cost of implementation. By leveraging this IoT-based weather monitoring system, farmers can optimize resource usage, increase crop yields, and mitigate the impact of adverse weather conditions thus providing a cost-effective, reliable and efficient solution for modern agriculture.
A business ecosystem’s model for harnessing Nigeria’s ocean economy
(David Publishing, 2017) Onyemechi, Chinedum; Nwokedi, Theophilus Chinonyerem; Okeke, Okechukwu; Igboanusi, Chinemerem; Chikwendu, David
The reassessment of ocean economy contribution of nations has become a new strategy for frontier states adjacent to the coastal region for the improvement of their position in the efficiency frontier curve. The continuity of a coastal state to remain a leader in the production and efficiency frontier curve of modern day development will thus depend on their ability to sustainably develop their most strategic economic resource base such as the ocean economy. The major economic bases include sustainable fishing, offshore oil field developments, offshore biodiversity development and marine biotechnology, offshore mining of manganese nodules, offshore wind farm potentials, international shipping (marine transport) and adjoining corridor development, ship dry docking potentials, marine renewable energy as well as other potentials outlined in the definition of African Union strategy for the development of her blue economy. Adopting the regression analysis and analysis of variance analytical tools, the study found that about 90% association exist between the GDP (gross domestic product) of the West African state (Nigeria) and her GDP. It equally found that offshore oil and gas energy sector more significantly impact on the GDP of Nigeria than other ocean economy business clusters. Given the various contributing marine environment business cluster used in the work, the model depicting the influence of the ocean economy of Nigeria is: Y = 2295334779895 − 29473X1 + 3436995749 − 5927686X2 + e.
Study of the use of seed powders of three indigenous plants as bio-coagulants in wastewater and groundwater treatment
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2024-08) Osinomumu, Ikechukwu Obiadimma
This study was designed to assess the coagulating efficacy of three indigenous plants (Moringa oleifera, Afzelia africana, and Muccuna flagellipse) seed powders as bio-coagulants in wastewater and groundwater treatment. Fresh, healthy, and mature seeds of Moringa oleifera, Afzelia africana, and Muccuna flagellipse were bought from the relief market in Owerri and processed into fine powders. Qualitative phytochemical screening of aqueous extracts of the seed powders was carried out, while physicochemical and bacterial analysis of the waste samples collected from Somachi slaughter (slaughterhouse wastewater) and Eziobodo (groundwater), Owerri Municipal was assessed before and after treatment. Three (3) different fresh stock solutions (SS) (15 g/300 ml, 30g/300ml, and 45g/300ml) of the seed powders were freshly prepared. Each 100ml of the water sample was measured into a clean 250ml beaker, and 10ml/20ml fresh stock solution were added and labeled accurately. The mixtures were stirred and allowed to stand for 24 hours for effective contact before filtering. Physicochemical parameters such as color, odor, and appearance were checked using ten (10) different observers, while pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), and chloride (Cl-) were assessed according to standard technique. The result revealed the presence of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, steroids, saponins, and anthraquinones in M. oleifera, A. africana, and M. flagellipse, except for steroids in M. flagellipes and A. africana. The physicochemical properties of the water samples before treatment show that the slaughterhouse wastewater sample was brown in color, highly turbid, poor in appearance, and almost odorless, while the groundwater sample was completely colorless, odorless, and clear with excellent appearance. After treatment with 10mL and 20mL fresh SS, there was an observed decrease in the level of turbidity, pH, temperature, and BOD and an increase in DO and Cl- levels across different treatments and concentrations. M. oleifera showed the best performance with the lowest mean turbidity, followed by A. africana and M. flgellipes. Furthermore, groundwater treatment indicated changes in color, odor, appearance, and pH, which compare favorably with the control, while temperature, EC, TDS, DO, BOD, and Cl- were statistically the same before and after treatment. The turbidity increases across the different treatments. The bacterial screening results revealed the presence of coliforms (Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp, Enterobacter spp.) and pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Campylobacter jejuni). Treatment with M. oleifera resulted in the lowest bacterial count, followed by A. africana and Muccuna flagellipes. The bacteria count for groundwater before and after treatment was significantly the same, except for a slight increase in E. coli and C. jejuni with M. flagellipes, though still within the WHO allowable bacterial count for domestic water (100-500/ml) of colony-forming units. Therefore, the use of M. oleifera as a bio-coagulant should be adopted in wastewater treatment, as it not only improves the water quality but also reduces the pathogenic bacteria load.
Screening of ethanol extract of combretum racemosum and euphorbia hirt leaves for possible activity on trypanosoma brucei brucei infected mice
(Scholars Academic and Scientific Publisher, 2016) Mgbemena, I. C.; Allison, L. N.; Udensi, U. J.; Nweke, K. E.; Nwachukwu, A. A.; Ezea, C. O.
Enrichment of medicinal plants with biologically active compounds which induce various chemo-therapeutic effects has made a good turn and philosophy in the science of pharmacology. In the light of the popular notion of the use of Combretum racemosum and Euphorbia hirta as potent ethnopharmaceutical botanicals, this study was done to determine the trypanocidal activity of the ethanol leaf extracts of the plants against Trypanosoma brucei brucei which was induced in Swiss albino mice. The animals were inoculated intraperitoneally (IP) with trypanosome load of 106, and were then kept under standard conditions for 10 days to enable circulation and reproduction of the parasite within them. Parasitaemia level was detected and analysed via microscopy. Both plants proved positive by overall reduction in the mean parasitaemia level as the days progressed at concentrations of 50,100 and 200mg/kg body weight respectively. Acute toxic dose for analysis of the high dose extract toleration was also checked by a 1000mg/kg administration of the extracts, while diminazene aceturate, a standard trypanocidal drug was used as control. Combretum racemosum exhibited its best trypanocidal activity at the 200mg/kg concentration, and Euphorbia hirta was at its best at 50mg/kg. Following the administration of diminazene aceturate (control) the parasites were cleared within four days of administration. The results derived were confirmed with statistical analysis using SPSS 16 software at p<0.05, and posits the possible utilization of these extracts of Combretum racemosum and Euphorbia hirta as trypanocidal agents.
Vaporization models of varying crude oil characteristics
(Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2011) Uzoije, A. P.; Uzondu, F. N.; Agu, P. C.
The purpose of this study is to provide models for quick assessment of vaporized hydrocarbon from an oil spilled soil. Vaporization is a dominant mechanism which manifests at the initial period of crude oil spill. Quantification of these vaporized hydrocarbons without going through the rigorous methods of weighing and other experimental methods is always beneficial to science and technology. Modeling of the crude oil vaporization rates enhances quick quantification of vaporized hydrocarbon concentrations. In this study, the experimental data obtained from the vaporization process of crude oil of different consistency (different hydrocarbon concentrations) spiked on different soil samples (soils of different textural characteristics) were fitted into the following kinetic models; zero, first and second order. It was observed that zero order kinetics best fitted the vaporization of sample A crude oil (crude oil of the highest hydrocarbon concentration) from different soil samples with vaporization from soil D (soil with the highest percentages of clay and organic matter) showing the highest linear coefficient (R2) of 0.95. The kinetic study equally showed that first order kinetic model was sufficient to quantify the vaporization rate of crude oil sample C (crude oil sample with lowest hydrocarbon concentration) given the fact that the rate equation models for its vaporization from all the soil samples showed linear coefficients (R2) of between 0.611-0.87. Vaporization rate of oil sample B obeyed the second order kinetic model. Generally, the results showed the dependability of the kinetic models to varying crude oil and soil types. The models help us get good insight into providing solution to our environmental problems as it pertains to crude oil spill on land.