Emerging Issues in Science and Technology Vol. 4

Relaxed Hartree-Fock (RxHF) Approach to use ab-initio Quantum Computation for Bigger Systems

Arijit Bag — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The Application of ab-initio quantum theory is restricted for bigger systems due to huge computation costs. In this work a new approach is described which allows us to apply an ab-initio quantum method for bigger systems. It is shown that the dynamical electron correlation may be achieved by relaxing Pauli’s exclusion principle partially. Thus, a restricted Hartree-Fock electron configuration may be considered as a perturbed system of the exact configuration. Using this physical concept, the matrix elements of the relaxation operators are constructed. Projecting this relaxation operator on to Hartree-Fock wave function gives dynamical electron correlation energy directly. This method is simple and implemented successfully for azulene and its chloride derivative to predict their absorption spectra.

OPEC and the New Energy Landscape

R. U. Onolemhemhen, Y. A. Omotosho, S. O. Ishehunwa — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

With the emergence of shale oil and other non-conventional energy sources, the relevance of the Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has been put to question. Until recent times, OPEC had been the swing producer in the global oil market as many nations depended on oil to meet their energy needs that was evident in the 1973 energy crisis and the devastating effect on the world economy. In the aftermath of this, developed nations started a search for alternative energy sources to avoid a repeat of such an occurrence. In recent past, shale oil has emerged as a viable energy resource that contributed to the crash of oil price in 2014. Other non-conventional energy sources such as renewables have continued to garner attention and gain more grounds as concerns for environmental impact and climate change continue to grow globally. Hence, this study employs a qualitative approach using Technology, Economics, Commercial, Operational and Policies (TECOP) in analysing the potentials of unconventional oil sources such as shale oil and renewable energy sources as well as that of conventional oil. A comparative analysis is also carried out to determine if shale oil and non-conventionals are real competitors to conventional oil. This analysis is based on the context of technical, economical, commercial, operational and political considerations for these energy sources.

Infrastructures for conventional oil such as recharge stations are readily available, when compared to renewables. Moreover, by-products such as asphalt, obtained from conventional crude oil are not the same for non-conventional sources. Operationally, the capacity and efficiency of conventional oil in terms of industrial usage, is more competitive than that of renewables. Politically, renewables do have an edge over conventional oil and unconventional oil such as shale oil, because globally, policies are being implemented to discourage the use of fossil fuels and encourage the use of renewables as a response to the issue of global warming.

In this study, it was found that technology is the major driver and the extent to which non-conventional energy sources are used is a function of investment in research and development. Technology is the backbone of the development and sustenance of any energy source.

Threat to Ghana's Water Resources: Illegal Mining (Galamsey)

Ebenezer Boakye — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This paper discusses the causes and effects of illegal mining on Ghana’s water resources, and suggests possible ways of resolving the menace through integrated water resources management principles to ensure water sustainability and availability. Extensive desktop study in relation to illegal mining and water resources were done. The paper recognizes that water is mining’s most common casualty and that in terms of galamsey the impact is immeasurable, because of its uncontrollable and clandestine nature. It also acknowledges that water is a vital but vulnerable resource whose invaluability cannot be compromised in the face of galamsey. It also recognizes that the problem of galamsey cannot be resolved by one institution; rather it requires collaborative and participatory approach, involving all stake holders in these sectors. Effort made must be backed by political will and commitment. Legalizing galamsey and setting-up of the right institutions such as galamsey board/authority at the district levels to regulate galamsey activities under the supervision of WRC, EPA and Ghana chamber of mines will be very useful. Finally, education on environmental and social cost on trading natural resources will go a long way to curb the menace.

Traditional Medicine Heteropterys cotinifolia: A Neuropharmacological and Phytochemical Approach with Possible Taxonomic Implications

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Heteropterys cotinifolia (Malpighiaceae) has been used in traditional Mexican medicine mainly for the treatment of nervous disorders. However, the specific neuropharmacological activities responsible for this use remain to be defined. The present study evaluates the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects produced by the methanolic extract of Heteropterys cotinifolia and the influence of such effects on motor activity in ICR mice. Our results show that the methanolic extract of Heteropterys cotinifolia produces a dose-dependent antidepressant effect in the forced swimming test in mice at doses from 31 to 310 mg/kg, with no reduction of mice locomotion. However, no anxiolytic properties were observed. Our findings suggest that the main extract compounds identified as chlorogenic acid and rutin may be involved in the antidepressant effects. The presence of flavonoids in the methanolic extract of Heteropterys cotinifolia may also provide further data to characterize taxonomically this species in order to be distinguished from others species closely related and belonging to the same genus.

According with recent reports, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties could be involved in the progression and chronicity of various CNS diseases and cancers. Since the fact that other species from the genus Heteropterys possess outstanding antioxidant properties and the flavonoid content finding in this extract, we continue our investigations on the methanolic extract of Heteropterys cotinifolia from which, the flavonoid 5,4´-dihydroxy-3,6-dimetoxiflavone was isolated. The extract and flavonoid showed significant antioxidant effect in DPPH and TBARS assays, while IC₅₀ values for extract (24.46±5.96) (25.92±0.56) and flavonoid (9.54±0.14) (35.88±2.24), respectively, were higher than references. Flavonoid exhibited a high percentage of inhibition (>50%) against the total cancer cell lines evaluated, contrasting with extract (<11.90%). However, no anti-inflammatory activities were observed in TPA-induced ear edema in ICR-strain mice. Taking all this information together, Heteropterys cotinifolia possesses additional to neuropharmacological activities such as the potential for considerating as candidate-for-study in cancer research due to its antioxidant properties, and additionally, for the flavonoid, due to its cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines.

Recent Trend of Reference Evapotranspiration under Climate Change Perspective: A Case Study in the North-Eastern Region of Bangladesh

M. H. Ali, M. A. Islam — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Many processes in the earth surface are affected by climate change. Climate change affects environment, evapotranspiration (or crop water demand), and water resources. Evapotranspiration (ET), the major component of hydrological cycle, affects crop water requirement directly. The objective of this study was to investigate the temporal trends of ET₀ in Mymensingh region, the north-eastern part of Bangladesh. For this purpose, meteorological parameters collected from meteorological site over a 25-year period were used. Two statistical tests including Mann-Kendall and Sen’s slope estimator (using MEKESENS software) and linear regression (t-test for significance of slope) were used for the analysis. The same analysis was also performed on governing meteorological variables to identify the cause of existence of such trend in ET₀. The results showed decreasing trend of ET₀ in dry season (Oct. – March), which is mainly caused by decreasing mean temperature and consistent decrease in wind speed. In wet season (April to September), increasing trend was observed in July only; while the other months except September showed decreasing trend. From the results of the two tests (i.e. MAKESENS Software and Linear Regression), it is revealed that these tests had almost similar performance in detecting trend.

Perspectives of Truth and Lie in the Media: Analysis of Principles and Practices of Journalism Faced with the Postulate of Sacredness of Facts

Celestin Messanga Obama — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Journalism is an answer to a crucial intellectual need of humanity, the one of information. With respect to senders, information is an answer to the human need of self-affirmation and projection all over the world. With respect to receivers, it is a matter of tacit security need. In fact, the human being is in a permanent quest of knowledge (receiving information on) of what is happening around the people he is in relation with (knowing possible threats and the ways of avoidance). Despite its evident importance, journalism is all the same subject to criticism from all the members of the public. Criticism from all the members of the public appears all the more contradictory since it is postulated in it that “facts are sacred and comments are free.” The postulate of the sacredness of facts suggests that the processing of current events in this job could and should be done without distortion. The gap on the one hand between sacredness assigned to facts in journalism and on the other hand, the frequent call into question of journalistic discourse by its receivers is the main problem that this article proposes to solve. Our hypothesis postulates that facts cannot be looked as sacred in journalism because on the one hand, realities they depend on and on the other hand, professional practices and principles of journalism compel to their manipulation. From the methodological point of view, this hypothesis enables to follow the scientific approach, the technical know-how and the artistic expression of journalism in order to unseal in it the conditions of possibility of a sacralizing processing (objective) of facts. This exercise enables the validation of our hypothesis. Such a conclusion leads to, not to validate journalistic discourses but rather to consider them in their essence that is as constructs aiming at making a precise imagination. In this context, there are no untruthful media, and even less truthful media, there are only media that produce specific imagination on reality considered through a fragmented and biased look they have at it. This posture releases all the members of the public from the trap of the Manichean and moralist perception of the media.

Interval Valued Smooth Multiobjective Optimization. Some Optimality Conditions and Duality Results

Vasile Preda — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

In this paper, first order optimality conditions for certain type of interval valued smooth multiobjective optimization problems are discussed. Also a number of duality results corresponding to this optimiza- tion problem are given. The necessary weak and strong optimality conditions are given by using some new regularity conditions and the sufficient optimality conditions and duality results for Wolfe type dual are stated under (ϕ, ρ)− invexity assumptions.

The Assessment on the Physical Elements of Klang Royal Town, Malaysia

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Royal Town is one of the unique elements that can symbolized the identity of Malaysia. There were five Royal Town in Malaysia and one of it is Klang Royal Town. As a Royal Town, it has a certain element that contribute to its identity. The extensive of urbanization and speedy development in most historical Royal Town make it totally unfamiliar [1]. This study explores on the physical attributes that can be inferred as the identity of the Royal Towns in Malaysia. The method of this study involves observation on the heritage trail in Klang Royal Town. Result shows the influence of physical elements in Klang Royal Town. This study contributes to recognizing the identity of Royal Town in Malaysia and can be a reference and advantage for the local authority to conserve and preserve the image of the Royal Town in Malaysia.

The Tooth Occlusion Pattern among the Emai People in Edo State, Nigeria

E. Anibor — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: The aspiration of this academic work was to determine the tooth occlusion pattern among the Emai People in Edo State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: This scrutiny arrogated a descriptive cross-sectional survey method and intricated the use of data form and direct observation. The scrutinization involved 290 subjects and multistage sampling. Tooth occlusion pattern were categorized following the fourfold models. Participants were regarded as owning any of these: Edge to edge bite, mild overbite, severe overbite and negative overbite. Data were elaborated with the use of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 18. Inferential statistics involved the use of chi-square test, and P-value < 0.05 was termed significant.

Results: The frequency of mild overbite was seen as the highest (male = 21.02%, female = 29.30%) which was followed by edge to edge bite (male = 20.34%, female = 23.10%). Severe overbite was observed more in females and negative overbite was observed more in males (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: The tooth occlusion pattern of the the Emai People in Edo State, Nigeria has been elucidated.

Grounding Method for Reliable Operation of Power and Distribution Transformers Substations

Lambe Mutalub Adesina, Tolulope O. Akinbulire — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Equipment grounding is a necessary and conclusive parts of an installation process in electrical power system networks particularly in power substations. Over years, grounding or earthing of substations has been carried out primarily through preparation of an earth mat which is simply interconnected with several Earth-rods buried around the substation or any other equipment under installation. Apart from the fact that this approach is old, it is in addition required several efforts to have an acceptable and reliable results. Thus, a more sophisticated, reliable and results oriented is required to be in place. This paper presents a modern approach to earthing of transformer substations and other allied equipment. The approach negates the constraints that are obtained in the old approach. A 15MVA, 33/11kV power transformer substation as well as a 500kVA, 11/0.415kV distribution transformer substation’s installations were selected as the case study. A flow chart which describe the procedures of carrying out the proposed modern method of earthing is developed and applied to the two case studies. The various earth resistances measured on both cases are presented and discussed. The results from these case study indicates that the earth resistance values obtained from this new approach are reliable and in compliance with IEEE Standards 80,142, 81 and 1100.

Anticaries Activity of Lichen Species Usnea pictoides from Karnataka, India

K. S. Vinayaka, T. R. Prashith Kekuda — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Lichens form an important floral community, playing an important role in ecological succession. The Western Ghats harbour a number of plant resources including lichens, mosses and other lower plants. The present study was conducted to determine anticaries activity of solvent extracts of a macrolichen Usnea pictoides G. Awasthi (Parmeliaceae) collected at Mullayanagiri, Western Ghats of Chikmagalur district, Karnataka, India. The lichen material was sequentially extracted using solvents viz., petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol in a soxhlet assembly. Anticaries activity of solvent extracts was determined against four clinical isolates of Streptococcus mutans (recovered from dental caries subjects) by Agar well diffusion assay. All solvent extracts were effective against the clinical isolates. High inhibitory potential was observed in case of chloroform extract. Thin layer chromatogram showed the presence of Usnic acid. Inhibitory effect could be ascribed to the bioactive secondary metabolites, mainly Usnic acid present in the lichen. Purification of bioactive principles and determination of their anticaries activity are to be conducted.

Comparative & Sensitivity Analysis of Seasonal Variation of Borehole Water Quality in Selected Communities in River State

Ify L. Nwaogazie, O. P. Osamudiamen — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This study was aimed at comparing groundwater quality of three communities namely Choba, Ekini and Ozuoba, all in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in River State, Nigeria. Water samples from the functioning boreholes in these communities were collected and then analyzed physiochemically. Analysis of variance and weighted water quality index approach and multiple regression analyses were the methodologies employed for analyses of the collected data. Microsoft excel 2016 and an add-in (XLSTAT 2016) were the statistical tools used as aids for data analyses. Additionally, manual calculation on one-way analysis of variance was carried out to cross-check the output on XLSTAT software results for Choba Ph values between wet and dry seasons. At 5% level of significance, the computed results indicated significance for both manual and XLSTAT outputs. The result from the analyses revealed poor water quality for Choba and Ozuoba communities with water quality indexes of 55.14 and 63.34, respectively. Ekini community has a good water quality rating with water quality index of 29.79. The developed model for prediction of water quality index for the communities revealed mean square errors, 0.000 and goodness of fits, 1.000. However, sensitivity analyses on the developed model parameters revealed that for Choba and Ekini communities, the major parameters with significant influence on the water quality index were pH, Turbidity and Al. While for Ozuoba community, pH, and Al had significant influence on the resultant water quality index based on the sensitivity analyses on the developed water quality index model.

Application of HY-8 JN Design and Analysis of Box and Circular Culverts: A Case Study

Ify L. Nwaogazie, G. C. Agiho — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This study is on culvert performance analysis carried out in Aluu clan comprising of nine communities. A total of ten culverts located across the roads within the communities were inspected and monitored during rainy season. It entails assessing the culverts to ascertain their functionalities. Amongst all the culverts, one location was observed to be problematic because of the extent and duration of flooding after an incidence of intense rainfall in the area. From field data obtained, the Rational method was employed to determine the peak design flow as 450 ft³/s (12.74 m³/s). The hydraulic analysis was carried out using HY-8 software (in imperial units) by US Federal Highway Administration, a powerful tool for analyzing variety of culvert shapes and configurations. From field measurements it was discovered that the existing circular culvert comprising of three barrels of 3 ft (914 mm) diameter, each has a headwater elevation of 115.72 ft (35.27 m) as compared to the roadway elevation of 115 ft (35.05 m). The existing circular culvert was redesigned as box and circular options for comparison and selection. Comparing the two redesigned options, circular and box culverts having headwater elevations of 113.06 ft (34.46 m) and 109.58 ft (33.40 m) while tail-water elevations of both is 106.17 ft (32.36 m), with respect to roadway elevation of 115 ft (35.05 m). Both design options are capable of containing the design flow without any incidence of flooding. However, box culvert has an advantage of lower headwater elevation. Also, both circular and box culverts are outlet control as depicted by culvert performance curves. We stand to gain by redesigning existing culverts observed to experience flooding during heavy storms of short durations. There is need to monitor performance of existing culverts as some were designed with limited field data resulting in under- or over- design

Comparative Evaluation of IDF Equation Types in Southern Nigeria

Itolima Ologhadien, Ify L. Nwaogazie — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This paper evaluates four types of non-Probability Density Function {nonPDF} IDF equations mostly used in engineering practice for design of urban hydraulic structures. The empirical models employed for comparison on the development of standard IDF equations using historic data for Benin, Calabar, Port Harcourt, and Warri meteorological stations, all in Southern Nigeria were available in literature. The model evaluation indices were; percent relative error, Nash – Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), LogNSE, percent volume error(PerErr), total accuracy and RMSE - observations standard deviation ratio (RSR). The percent relative error and total accuracy being the product of NSE, LogNSE, and PerErr (Equation 5) were used to evaluate each IDF equation form against each station. The values of the combination of the three accuracy measures range from 0 to 1 with the perfect fit at 1. RSR varies from the minimal value of 0, to a large positive value. The application of the three numerical assessment measures: percent relative error, total accuracy and RSR across each stations show that Equation 1 is rated best at Benin City, Equation 2 at Calabar, Equation 3 at Port Harcourt and Equation 1 at Warri. On the basis of relative percent error, the IDF equations were evaluated for return periods ranging from 5 to 40 years and for storm durations ranging from 15 to 30 minutes. The strength and weakness of the different models were assessed using the mean ± standard deviation as range between intensities estimated for 5 and 40 years, and percent relative error between the observed and predicted rainfall intensities as performance criteria. The results obtained show that IDF type-1 and 2 equations displayed lower range of intensities for all returned periods. Also IDF type-1 and 2 equations predicted the lowest relative error of less than or equal to 6% in all stations considered. Finally, we recommend IDF equation type 1 and 2 best for design of storm water management facilities at Benin City, Calabar and Warri while equation 2 and 3 at Port Harcourt. The study has advanced the understanding of the equations and further insight in their utility as hydrologic design tools