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1 – 10 of 50U.G. Eziefula, D.O. Onwuka and O.M. Ibearugbulem
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the inelastic buckling of a rectangular thin flat isotropic plate subjected to uniform uniaxial in-plane compression using a work…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the inelastic buckling of a rectangular thin flat isotropic plate subjected to uniform uniaxial in-plane compression using a work principle, a deformation plasticity theory and Taylor–Maclaurin series formulation.
Design/methodology/approach
The non-loaded longitudinal edges of the rectangular plate are clamped, whereas the loaded edges are simply supported (CSCS). Total work error function is applied to Stowell’s plasticity theory in the derivation of the inelastic buckling equation. Mathematical formulation of the Taylor–Maclaurin series deflection function satisfied the boundary conditions of the CSCS rectangular plate. The critical inelastic load of the plate is then derived by applying variational principles.
Findings
Values of the plate buckling coefficient are calculated using various values of moduli ratio for aspect ratios ranging from 0.1 to 1.0, in intervals of 0.1. The accuracy of the proposed technique is validated by comparing the results obtained in the present study with solutions from a previous investigation. The percentage differences in the values of the buckling coefficient ranged from −0.122 to −4.685 per cent.
Originality/value
The results indicate that the work principle approach can be used as an alternative approximate method for analyzing inelastic buckling of rectangular thin flat isotropic plates under uniform in-plane compressive loads.
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Agu Godswill Agu, Onwuka Onwuka Okwara, Ebere Rejoice Okocha and Nnamdi O. Madichie
This study investigates and contextualises the Igbo Traditional Business School (ITBS) and planned entrepreneurial behaviour across Nigerian higher education sector in a period of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates and contextualises the Igbo Traditional Business School (ITBS) and planned entrepreneurial behaviour across Nigerian higher education sector in a period of crisis occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on a quantitative survey of undergraduate students on ITBS, and the data were analysed using the SmartPLS structural equation modelling (SEM).
Findings
The study finds that the COVID-19 pandemic has had negative influence on attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control (PBC) and entrepreneurial intention (EI) of students, but these negative influences are mediated/moderated by the ITBS.
Practical implications
The study presents some practical and managerial implications that will be of interest to ITBS administrators, the government and other stakeholder groups.
Originality/value
While research has increasingly explored the role of the ITBS in promoting entrepreneurial activities, not much has been linked to coping mechanisms for students in crisis times. The study unearths the “positive” influence of the pandemic on entrepreneurship and how the ITBS mediates the “negative” aspects of COVID-19 on entrepreneurial vocation.
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Amobi C. Ekwe, Alexander I. Opara and Obialo S. Onwuka
The corrosivity and competence of soils within Uburu and Okposi areas of the Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria, were evaluated using the electrical resistivity method. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
The corrosivity and competence of soils within Uburu and Okposi areas of the Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria, were evaluated using the electrical resistivity method. This paper aims to provide information that will aid pre-design of subsurface iron/steel pipe networks for distribution of pipe-borne water and construction of subsurface structures for agricultural and environmental purposes.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 22 vertical electrical soundings (VES) in the Schlumberger configuration were acquired with Allied Ohmega™ Terrameter with a maximum half current (AB/2) electrode spacing of 200 m. Layer parameters were determined using partial curve matching techniques, using the Schlumberger master curves, while processing and modelling were done with the IPI2win™ software. The VES results were interpreted qualitatively and quantitatively to obtain various curve types and layer parameters, respectively, which were used to categorize the area into different competence and corrosivity zones. The first layer isoresistivity and competence maps were used to delineate four zones (A,B,C and D) with varying apparent resistivities and competences.
Findings
Incompetent soils with resistivity values ranging from 24.3-88.7 Om are found in Zone A. The soils in Zone A are mainly expansive clays which swell on absorption of water. Zone B contains moderately competent soils with resistivity values ranging from 273-308.6 Om, while Zones C and D are underlain by sandstones and contain competent to highly competent soils with resistivity values ranging from 511-750 Om and 835-1,525 Om, respectively. Zone E contains highly corrosive (24.3 Om) to mildly corrosive (102 Om) soils; Zone F contains soils that are essentially non-corrosive with resistivity values ranging from 271-1,525 Om, while the corrosivity of soils within Zone G varies from corrosive to mildly corrosive, with resistivity values ranging from 44.3-114 Om.
Research limitations/implications
Some of the areas are not accessible because of community restrictions.
Practical implications
These findings are essentially very significant and should be taken into consideration when materials that are susceptible to corrosion are being considered for engineering, agricultural and environmental purposes in the area.
Social implications
The findings will aid water resource planners and developers on how to protect metal pipes from corrosion, when used for water reticulation and agricultural purposes.
Originality/value
This paper fulfils an identified need to study the corrosivity of soils in the study area with a view to providing adequate protection to metal objects when being considered for water reticulation for domestic and agricultural purposes in the area.
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Modestus Okechukwu Okwu, Olusegun D. Samuel, Omonigho B. Otanocha, Promise P. Balogun, Ogugu J. Tega and Ebenezer Ojo
A novel cost-effective bio-digester was explored to convert biological waste into useful clean energy. The bioreactor was aimed to anaerobically digest locally sourced cow dung…
Abstract
Purpose
A novel cost-effective bio-digester was explored to convert biological waste into useful clean energy. The bioreactor was aimed to anaerobically digest locally sourced cow dung and chicken droppings.
Design/methodology/approach
The design consideration is a batch horizontal 267 L digester made from cast iron with centrally positioned four-impeller shaft to enhance mixing. The system operated with a retention time of 63 days and a substrate (cow dung and poultry waste) ratio of 1:2 and water substrate ratio of 1:0.5 in the gasholder system. The purification, compression and performance evaluation of the generated biogas were also conducted.
Findings
The total volume of gas produced for each substrate compositions designed over 14 days ranges between 49.34 and 52.91 mL/day. The optimal value of 52.45 ml using cow dung and poultry waste (w/w) 20:80 was obtained. The average ambient temperatures during the study were within the mesophilic range of 20-40°C. The pH values were stable and always in the optimal range of 6.5-8.0. The reductions in moisture content, ash content, total solids and volatile solids were from 80.50-0.20 per cent, 39.60-14 per cent, 18.50-5.90 per cent and 11.60-4.90 per cent, respectively.
Originality/value
The developed digester is cost-effective and would help minimize solid waste disposal. The estimated methane contents of the gas from cow dung and chicken waste after scrubbing were found to be 71.95 per cent and could be harnessed in solving the energy crisis in the developing nations.
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H. Bello-Salau, A.M. Aibinu, A.J. Onumanyi, E.N. Onwuka, J.J. Dukiya and H. Ohize
This paper presents a new algorithm for detecting and characterizing potholes and bumps directly from noisy signals acquired using an Accelerometer. A wavelet transformation based…
Abstract
This paper presents a new algorithm for detecting and characterizing potholes and bumps directly from noisy signals acquired using an Accelerometer. A wavelet transformation based filter was used to decompose the signals into multiple scales. These coefficients were correlated across adjacent scales and filtered using a spatial filter. Road anomalies were then detected based on a fixed threshold system, while characterization was achieved using unique features extracted from the filtered wavelet coefficients. Our analyses show that the proposed algorithm detects and characterizes road anomalies with high levels of accuracy, precision and low false alarm rates.
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Mustafa Hassan Elsafi, Elsadig Musa Ahmed and Santhi Ramanathan
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of microfinance programs sponsored by Sudanese microfinance institutions (SMFIs) on monetary poverty reduction in Sudan where…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of microfinance programs sponsored by Sudanese microfinance institutions (SMFIs) on monetary poverty reduction in Sudan where poverty is widely spread.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted the control group approach, where income and expenditure are taken as welfare indicators. The updated World Bank’s international poverty line of 1.90 per person per day was adopted to separate the poor from non-poor. The data were collected by the means of a questionnaire distributed to a random sample of beneficiaries in the institution under study. The study adapted the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) model to evaluate the role of microfinance programs in poverty reduction. Furthermore, to gain more insight into the impact of the program, a preliminary analysis was conducted using the independent-samples t-test to examine the difference in the welfare indicators for the sample of the control group and treatment group as well as that of the small loan group and micro-loan group.
Findings
The findings show that the microfinance program provided by SMFIs has reduced the monetary poverty among the participants. The results also reveal that beneficiaries who had received a larger volume of loan were noted lesser poverty than those who had received very small loan size. Moreover, the results demonstrate that poverty indices based on expenditure as a welfare indicator are far lower than those based on income for both groups.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the available literature by filling the gaps through including income and expenditure as monetary variables, which included separately in previous studies adopted the FGT model in the area of microfinance, in addition to exploring the role of loan size in the effect of microfinance on poverty reduction.
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The discussion on international migration has become a significant part of globalization and a topical issue in international relations, especially in developing economies which…
Abstract
Purpose
The discussion on international migration has become a significant part of globalization and a topical issue in international relations, especially in developing economies which mostly relies on migrant remittances. The purpose of the study is to examine whether financial market development (equity market development and banking sector development) really drives migrant remittance flow in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs the dynamic heterogeneous panel data approach-the pool mean group (PMG) and the mean group (MG) techniques in analyzing the model based on data obtained from 27 SSA countries covering the period 2000–2020.
Findings
The findings of the study revealed that financial market development (equity market development and banking sector development) is a key driver of migrant remittances flows in the SSA region. In addition, the study revealed that the following macroeconomic variables such as real interest rate, unemployment rate, global growth, emigration, and economic growth are also determinants of migrant remittances flows in the SSA region.
Originality/value
The reviewed empirical literature revealed that several studies documents that the macroeconomic determinants of migrant remittances include inflation, GDP, interest rate, exchange rate, population growth, financial sector development and unemployment rate. Most of these studies fail to capture both equity market development and robust banking sector development (financial market development) as critical drivers of migrant remittances flow in SSA. Also, this study uses a robust measure of equity market development and banking sector development, unlike previous studies.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-05-2023-0361
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Samuel Ayofemi Olalekan Adeyeye, Olusola Timothy Bolaji, T.A. Abegunde, Helen O. Emun and Rasheed Adesina Oyenubi
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality and sensory properties of cookies produced from wheat flour using avocado puree as fat substitute.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality and sensory properties of cookies produced from wheat flour using avocado puree as fat substitute.
Design/methodology/approach
Cookies were produced from wheat flour using avocado puree as fat substitute in ratio 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, respectively. The formulation of margarine and avocado puree blends was done by using D-Optimal Mixture Design. In all, 20 samples were produced from each substitution level and analyses were done in triplicates to obtain mean values using standard methods. Means were separated by Duncan’s multiple range test, and significances were accepted at less than 5% confidence level (p < 0.05). Proximate and functional analyses were conducted on the flour samples, while cookie samples were subjected to proximate and sensory analyses.
Findings
The results of this study revealed that the values of loose bulk density, packed bulk density, oil absorption density, water absorption capacity, swelling power, solubility and dispersibility of the flours at p < 0.05 are 0.3–0.4 g/ml, 0.5–0.7 g/ml, 16.9%–94.0%, 39.7%–80.6%, 461.2%–618.2%, 6.0%–29.8% and 69.0%–82.8%, respectively. The moisture, protein, fat, total dietary fiber, total ash and carbohydrate contents of the cookies at p < 0.05 are 3.6%–16.7%, 6.5%–9.9%, 2.5%–19.2%, 1.7%–1.9%, 1.1%–3.0% and 65.0%–70.7%, respectively. The taste, color, crispiness, texture and overall acceptability of the cookies at p < 0.05 are 7.4–7.8, 6.9–7.5, 7.2–7.9, 7.3–7.7 and 7.4–8.3, respectively. The sensory scores showed that panelists preferred the taste, crispiness and texture of the cookies produced from wheat flour using avocado puree as fat substitute at varying proportion. The sensory characteristics of sample WF4 (100% avocado puree) were rated overall best in all the parameters tested followed by sample WF3 (75% avocado puree). Hence, this study established the possibility of producing cookies from wheat flour using avocado puree as fat substitute without a negative impact on the sensory characteristics and the consumers’ acceptability.
Practical implications
The cookies produced from this study are not meant for vegetarians because eggs were added in the formulations and recipes but could be valuable to ovo-vegetarians that may take food with eggs without restriction. The major challenge of this study was that avocados are very expensive in much of the world, so this is only suitable and viable where there is an excess of the fruit.
Originality/value
This study examined the use of avocado puree as fat substitute in cookie production. Effects of avocado puree on proximate composition and functionality of cookies produced from wheat flour were also determined. This approach was novel, and it will encourage the use of avocado for value-added in industrial food production.
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Feyisetan Leo-Olagbaye and Henry A. Odeyinka
Road projects have been characterized by risk factors impacting project objectives. Thus, this paper focused on evaluating the effect of risk on cost and time performance of some…
Abstract
Purpose
Road projects have been characterized by risk factors impacting project objectives. Thus, this paper focused on evaluating the effect of risk on cost and time performance of some selected road projects.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the theory of two-dimensional nature of risk, a questionnaire was used to collect data from 146 stakeholders involved in road projects in Osun State, Nigeria. Secondary data regarding cost and time performance of 40 selected road projects were also collected. The data collected were used to determine significant risk factors and also to develop multi-linear regression models for evaluating risk impact on cost and time performance of road projects.
Findings
Results showed that scope creep and design issues are major risk factors occurring on road projects and those political and economic factors provide higher order of impact. It further demonstrated the possibility of modelling risk impact on cost and time performance of road projects using significant risk factors.
Practical implications
The knowledge of the identified significant risk factors provides invaluable information to stakeholders regarding what risk variables to focus attention on in road construction. The developed models are also potential practical tools for decision-making.
Originality/value
The study provides a veritable tool for risk assessment that potentially helps with predicting risk impact on cost and time performance of road projects.
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Musibau Adungbe Bamikole and Uamai Julius Ikhatua
The realization of the importance of browse in meeting the nutritional needs of ruminants in the dry season in the tropics has put a serious pressure on the already known browse…
Abstract
Purpose
The realization of the importance of browse in meeting the nutritional needs of ruminants in the dry season in the tropics has put a serious pressure on the already known browse plants. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the nutritive value of Ficus thonningii (FT), which is a less known fodder tree.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 25 West African dwarf goats (age range = 7‐9 months, live weight range = 5.0‐7.5 kg) were used for the study, and lasted for 98 days. FT was fed with Panicum maximum (PM) grass in different proportions of 0:100 (only grass), 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 (only Ficus) to five groups of goats. A completely randomized design was used to collect data on feed intake, digestibility, weight gain and nitrogen utilization.
Findings
Results showed that FT is higher in crude protein (CP) (20.51 per cent) and lower in neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (55.79 per cent) than PM (CP = 8.25 per cent, NDF = 76.16 per cent). Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), CP intakes (g/d/kg w0.75) improved significantly with more FT in the diet and were best in 75 per cent FT (values = 79.84, 76.72 and 14.78, respectively) and lowest in solely PM (corresponding values = 21.06, 18.21 and 1.59). Weight gain (g/d) patterned nutrient intake and were best in 50 and 75 per cent FT (mean = 14.78) and least in solely PM (5.36). Digestibility values were generally good, but highest in 50 per cent FT, similar in 25, 75 and 100 per cent FT and least in solely PM. Nitrogen balance (g/d) and retention (per cent) were highest and similar in both 50 and 75 per cent FT (mean = 4.8 and 48.79) and lowest in solely grass (0.24 and 14.25).
Practical implications
FT displays no practical limitations to its utilization in ruminant feeding and could be used solely or in mixture with grass.
Original/value
Being well consumed and utilized even as sole forage, FT will be a good insurance in alleviating feed scarcity problem for ruminant animals in the dry season.
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