ERGONOMICS DESIGN OF COMPUTER KEYBOARD LAYOUT

 

Asikhia, O.K ¹ and Ehondor, S.E.²

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, Edo State Institute of Technology and Management, Usen, Nigeria

² Department of Computer Science, Edo State Institute of Technology and Management, Usen, Nigeria

E-mail:¹askess2002@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

For the past six decades there has been tremendous development in computer technology. The computer keyboard basically is the main input device of a computer and the way we communicate with the computer has not changed. The “QWERTY” keyboard is considered to be the standard, even though the constraints that heavily influence the adoption have changed. From the ergonomics perspective, it has been proven that it inhibit speed and difficult to learn. It is the aim of this paper to design an optimum layout that maximise speed, improve comfort, minimize error and easy to learn using heuristic of ergonomics principles.

Keywords: Ergonomics, computer keyboard, QWERTY, Heuristic, speed

REDUCING THE VULNERABILITY OF WOMEN TO CLIMATE CHANGE: A BRIEF REVIEW OF IMPACTS AND STRATEGIES

*¹Chikaire, J., ²Oguegbuchulam, M.N, and ³Osuagwu, C.O

*Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Department of Agricultural Management & Extension, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo Ohaji

E-mail-bankausta@yahoo.com  

ABSTRACT

Climate Change is a global phenomenon, with impacts that are already being experienced on a human level. It is recognized that it is those who are already the most vulnerable and marginalized who experience the greatest impacts, and are in the greatest need of adaptation strategies in the face of shifts in weather patterns and resulting environmental phenomena. Women make up a large number of the poor in communities that are highly dependent on local natural resources for their livelihood and are disproportionately vulnerable to and affected by climate change. Women’s limited access to resources and decision-making processes increases their vulnerability to climate change. Women in rural areas in developing countries have the major responsibility for household water supply and energy, for cooking and heating, as well as for food security, and are negatively affected by drought, uncertain rainfall and deforestation. Because of their roles, unequal access to resources and limited mobility, women in many contexts are disproportionately affected by natural disasters, such as floods, fires and mudslides. Women are not only victims of climate change, but also effective agents of change in relation to both mitigation and adaptation strategies. Women’s responsibilities in households and communities as stewards of natural resources has positioned them well for livelihood strategies adapted to changing environmental realities. It is therefore important to identify gender – sensitive strategies for responding to the environmental and humanitarian crises caused by climate change.

Keywords: Vulnerability, climate change, poverty, women, agriculture.

HYDRO AND GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Okpighe, Sunday Okerekehe,

Department of Project Management

Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

E-mail: eloziconsultants@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

A review of Hydro and Geothermal Energy is reported. In line with the effect of Climate Change, and the constraints imposed by these changes on mankind, the need arose for man to source for alterative and environmental friendly   energy.  Hydro and geothermal energies and their sources were reviewed and compared with other forms of energy globally. The economics, environmental impact and potential for the future were investigated. Consequent on the fore going, an inference was drawn that our primary attention should be focused on harnessing the solar energy for industrial and domestic usage.

Keywords: Hydropower, Geothermal Energy, Environmental Impact, Climate Change, Economics.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF COWPEA PRODUCTION IN DONGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

^1*Musa, Y.H., ²Vosanka, I.P., ³Inuwa, A* and ⁴Mohammed, S.

Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources

*Taraba State College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Nigeria Donga Local Government Area

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to analyze the economics of cowpea production in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State. The specific objectives are to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, determine the profitability of cowpea production and identify the major constraints of cowpea production. Data were mainly obtained from primary source from 80 respondents using multi-stage sampling techniques, and were analyzed by means of simple descriptive statistics and gross margin. The result of the socio-economic characteristics revealed that 88.75% of the respondents were males, 48.75% fall within the age brackets of 21-30 years. About 82.50% attended different education levels with 43.75% having farming experience of 11-20 years, and 56.25% of the respondents had farm size of 3-5 hectares. Total cost of production was estimated at N26, 225.00 per hectare. The returns was estimated at N153, 250.00 for gross income, with gross margin, net income and per naira invested estimated at N66, 005.00, N37, 380.00 and N0.7565.00 respectively. Some of the major problems identified during the research included pest infestation (90%), inadequacy of farm inputs (87.50%) and lack of credit to the farmers. Proper enlightment and education on pest control, timely and adequate provision of inputs and credit by government to enhance productivity and income of farmers were recommended.

Keywords: Economic Analysis, Cowpea, Production, Profitability, Zing.

RADIOMETRIC ASSESSMENT OF THE RADIOLOGICAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXPLOITATION OF MAJOR NIGERIAN FOSSIL FUELS

Mokobia, C. E.

Department of Physics , Delta State University Abraka, Nigeria

E-mail: mokobia_c@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Gamma spectroscopic technique was used to determine qualitatively and quantitatively the natural radionuclides present in the prominent fossil fuels found in Nigeria (bitumen, coal and crude oil). The radiological health indexes emanating from these radionuclides were then estimated with a view to ascertaining the radiological health consequences associated with the exploitation of these fuels. The results show that the total radioactivity contents are 61.5  8.2 in bitumen, 32.5  1.5 in coal and 0.04  0.01 in crude oil. The mean radium equivalent values are (30.81, 28.22 and 0.06) Bqkg^-1 respectively while the respective external and internal hazard indexes are (0.083, 0.076 and 1.51 x 10^-5) Bqkg^-1 and (0.159, 0.123 and 3.03 x 10^-5) Bqkg^-1. The mean annual dose equivalent values are (0.017, 0.016 and 3.06 x 10^-5) mSvyr^-1 respectively. These values are below those stipulated in radiation protection. The radiological health consequences associated with the exploitation of the three major Nigerian fossil fuels therefore is insignificant. Keywords: Radiometric assessment, Exploitation, Nigeria fossil fuels, insignificant radiological health

Table of Contents

Comparative Assessment of Limestone Resources of Guyuk and Ashaka

Areas for Industrial Utilization

Samuel T. Magili; Maina.H.M and Matera,O.N…………………………………………………………. 1-8

Mathematical Model for Chemotherapy of Poliomyelitis in a Varying

Population

Nathan N. and Nathan C…………………………………………………………………………………….  9-17

Investigating the Dosimetric Potentials of Natural Marble

C. E.  Mokobia…………………………………………………………………………………………………  18-25

Formulation and Production of Crude Oil Demulsifiers from Locally

 Sourced Materials

Odisu, Teddy and Salami, Deborah .O……………………………………………………………      26-37

Determination of Optimal Methanol: Oil Volume Ratio for Maximum

Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil

Richard C. Ehiri…………………………………………………………………………………………………   38-43

A  Study of Mixed Convection Flow in Vertical Annulus Filled With

Porous Material Having Constant Porosity

M.L. Kaurangini and Basant K. Jha…………………………………………………………………       44-57

Capturing Customer Evolving Buying-Behaviour in Consumer Packaged

Goods Data

Akomolafe Abayomi A., Amahia G.N. and Chuckwu A.U……………………………………..    58-73

Absolute Adsorption of Particulate Matters on Bio-Sorbent

(With specific focus on Chicken Feather)

Offurum, J.C., ¹Iheme, C. and Chikaire, A.J………………………………………………………     74-81

Particulate Air Contamination in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Udeajah, Victoria N. and Obini  E. Ekpe………………………………………………………………  82-89

Production of Medicated Soap from Butyrospermum Paradoxum

Plant

M. Hassan, D. Kubmarawa, U.U. Modibbo and A. D. Tunde………………………………….   90-96

Digital Convergence Technology in an Audio Chat System

Japheth B. R…………………………………………………………………………………………………    97-108

The Role of Statistical Series and Indicators in the Alleviation

of Poverty

S. A. Abdulazeez and Lasisi A.R……………………………………………………………………..    109-113

THE ROLE OF STATISTICAL SERIES AND INDICATORS IN THE ALLEVIATION OF POVERTY

S. A. Abdulazeez* and Lasisi A.R**

*Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna

**Department of Physics, Federal College of Education, Kontagora

yinkasikiruabdul@yahoo.com

 

ABSTRACT

Poverty is one of the major problems hindering the growth and development of small and medium scale industries today. Despite the various efforts of Government over the years in alleviating poverty, there seems to be no significant improvement in the standard of living of the people. Data series and indicators that would provide a direction and extent of poverty in the country are being highlighted. Such data series are classified into social, economic and demographic characteristics. It is hoped that such indicators will provide essential ingredients for the formulation of sound and effective policies for alleviating poverty in the Country.

DIGITAL CONVERGENCE TECHNOLOGY IN AN AUDIO CHAT SYSTEM

Japheth B. R

Department of Mathematics/Computer Science,

Niger Delta University, Yenagoa, Nigeria

jbunakiye@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a chat-system as a modern communication system taking advantage of digital convergence that addresses the problems of delays, time and materials wastage, and structures that characterize meetings, personal conversations, group conversation, and advert placements in our society. Communication can be realized through any activity and through specialized forms, such as audio conferencing. The specific task defined here is modern communication enhanced and powered by digital convergence aimed at making easier the communication of multiple users of a chat-system, in a local area network. It allows for simple scripting for devices recognition interactions at the ports and implementation in a Client/Server program platform through multithreading but did not cover bandwidth management and how the network synchronizes various media platforms to create new experiences.

Keywords: Chat-System, communication, digital convergence, Client/Server, platform, multithreading

PRODUCTION OF MEDICATED SOAP FROM BUTYROSPERMUM PARADOXUM PLANT

M. Hassan*, D. Kubmarawa, U.U. Modibbo and A. D. Tunde

Department of Chemistry

Federal University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria

 email: shagal2006@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The potential of Butyrospermum paradoxum plant in the production of medicated soap was investigated. The oily extract from Butyrospermum paradoxum plant was extracted using soxhlet extraction method. The soap produced gave a pH of 7.9, foam height (14.2 cm), alcohol insoluble (8.0%), moisture content (19.33%), total fatty matter (84%), and free acidity of 0.41. The antifulgal activity of Butyrospermum paradoxum soap and the Butyrospermum paradoxum plant extract on Trichophyton rubrum shows a verygood sensitivity of 54.6 mm and 28.6 mm respectively. From the analysis of the Butyrospermum paradoxum soap produced, it can be concluded that a highly effective medicated soap can be produced from Butyrospermum paradoxum plant.

Keyword: medicated soap, Trichophyton rubrum, extract, Skin diseases, and saponification

PARTICULATE AIR CONTAMINATION IN ABAKALIKI, EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Udeajah, Victoria N. and Obini  E. Ekpe

Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

Email: Vakadujah45 @yahoo.com, Obiniekpe@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This work is both a review of existing knowledge as well as a Ph.D experimental project carried out between July 2007 and July 2008 to ascertain whether the air inhaled in Abakaliki is fit for consumption.  It has been observed that there have not been any air quality monitoring around Abakaliki with the presence of expressways and resident quarries. The study has been repeated between March and April 2011 with the replacement of quarries by construction companies.   It has been observed that the number of people complaining of eye and respiratory complications increase with the number of quarries, etc.  Users of Biomedical engineering equipment report of frequent breakdown when they site them close to the areas with abundant particulate matter(dust).  See EBSUTHAI record of Biomedical Engineering repair from 2004 to 2005(included ).The need for this repeat study arose when The Ebonyi State Government decided to remove all quarries to Ezza North to see whether any improvement will be shown from the readings gotten by an experiment personally carried out by me on the instruction of my Supervisor.  Out of coincidence, new double lane roads took over from where the quarries stopped as shown from the readings gotten using the chemical balance. This study  was initially carried out as a project in the Catholic University of Puerto Rico by Richard R. Eckert between 1976 and 1977. In the initial research, they were able ableto verify that the results of the monitoring were correct and the particulate pollution determinations were along  with the Federal standards specified by the 1970 “Clean Air Act”.  This specifies too that the particulate contamination should not be greater than 260/ug/m3 on  one day during a given year.  It also specifies that the long term average should not exceed 75/ug/m3.  The study recommend ways of compating and cushioning  the effects of  Particulate air Contamination.