Asian Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Design and Performance Evaluation of Photovoltaic Systems with Automatic Dust Wiper in a Natural Dusty Environment","authors":"A. Njok, N. A. Akonjom, J. Ogbulezie","doi":"10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i4186","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i4186","url":null,"abstract":"The accumulation of dust on solar panels affects the transmittance of solar panel glazing which leads to the degradation of its efficiency due to low levels of irradiance reaching the cells. In this work, the response of polycrystalline silicon solar panels toward dust in a natural dusty environment was experimentally investigated at a location in Calabar close to the Calabar river. The experimental measurements were carried out in real-time outdoor conditions where human activities take place. An automatic dust wiping/cleaning mechanism to ensure the panel surface was kept clean was deployed in the study. An intelligent maximum power point (MPP) trackers for tracking the maximum power points of the panels were also utilized for this work. Results obtained revealed that the accumulation of dust on polycrystalline solar panel adversely affects its power output and efficiency. From the results, it was also revealed that the average panel temperature of the photovoltaic system with the automatic dust wiping mechanism was 5.300C lower than the other system without the mechanism. This lower panel temperature led to an increase of 16%, 32.5%, 43.40% and 43.37% in average voltage, average current, average power and average efficiency respectively over the dusty panel. It was demonstrated that solar panel efficiency plummets as panel temperature rises due to heat dissipation caused by the accumulation of dust.","PeriodicalId":8541,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86412942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measurement of Radioactivity Concentration in Pegmatite Rock Samples and Dose Assessment from Wamba in North Central Nigeria","authors":"Taiwo Bukola Fasiku, M. K. Fasasi, A. A. Amosun","doi":"10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i3185","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i3185","url":null,"abstract":"Aims: To evaluate the radiological impact parameters on mine workers. \u0000Study Design: The research work was carried out by using a gamma–ray spectrometer with a NaI (TI) detector. \u0000Place and Duration of Study: Centre for Energy and Research Development (CERD), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, Osun State, Nigeria between September 2016 and June 2017. \u0000Methodology: The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were determined in ten samples which were used to evaluate the absorbed dose rate, radium equivalent activity, external and internal hazard indices, representative level index, and annual effective dose equivalent. \u0000Results: The average activity concentrations of 226Ra (24068.11, 232Th (387.72 , 40K (9509.24) and absorbed dose rate (11720.77) were higher than their respective recommended world mean values of 35 , 45 , 420  and 59  by UNSCEAR. The mean values of radium equivalent activity, external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin), representative level index, and annual effective dose equivalent of the area under study were determined as 25346.82, 68.52, 135.43, 357.95, and 14374.36 respectively. This study revealed that all the radiological parameters were higher than their respective recommended world average values. \u0000Conclusion: With the high concentrations obtained in this study, it is therefore concluded that this may pose a serious health risk to the miners and the general public. It is therefore advised that necessary guidelines should be provided for the exploration of minerals in this mining site.","PeriodicalId":8541,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74195086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Status of Contamination of the Jawfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, (Lapécède, (1803)) by Organophosphorus Residues in the Hydroelectric Dams of Faé, Kossou and Taabo (Ivory Coast)","authors":"Koukougnon Kouho Lydie, Ossehin Ambroise, Acho Yapi Fulgence, K. Mamadou, T. Sory","doi":"10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i3184","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i3184","url":null,"abstract":"The present study aims at determining the level of contamination of the jawfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) by organophosphate residues in the hydroelectric dams of Faé, Kossou and Taabo. Ninety (90) fish were collected from these three dams during eight sampling campaigns. Composite samples were formed, each for two fish. A total of forty-five (45) composite samples were formed. The detection of pesticide residues in the fish samples was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The results show that the average total organophosphate residue load at the three dams is 0.184 mg/kg. The Faé hydroelectric scheme had the highest total load of 0.266 mg/kg in fish samples, compared to 0.197 mg/kg for Taabo and 0.089 mg/kg for the Kossou hydroelectric dam. The relatively high average total concentration is observed for parathion-methyl with a value of 0.130 ± 0.023 mg/kg. Chlorfenvinphos, with a total average concentration of 0.046 ± 0.007 mg/kg was the only molecule present in all the fish samples analyzed in the three hydroelectric dams. In addition, most of the molecules detected in the fish samples had concentrations that exceeded the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides, whose values range from 0.01 to 0.05 mg/kg.","PeriodicalId":8541,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78686058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quality of Service Reliability: A Study of Received Signal Quality in GSM Networks","authors":"J. Iloke, U. J. Ekah, E. J. Oduobuk, Igwe O. Ewona, E. Obi","doi":"10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i3183","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i3183","url":null,"abstract":"Every radio frequency (RF) design, after its implantation, should be regularly evaluated. The kernel of this article is to evaluate the performance of four GSM networks, taking its received signal quality (RxQual) into consideration. A total of 10501, 10140, 10415 and 10690 RxQual measurements were obtained for MTN, 9mobile, Airtel and Globacom network. These generated data were subjected to statistical analysis in the form of bar charts, quality plots and calculations of measures of central tendency and dispersion. Result shows that 78.43%, 92.18%, 90.68% and 86.93% of the drive test route for MTN, 9mobile, Airtel and Globacom network had good signal quality and met with the Nigerian telecommunication regulatory benchmark of at least 4dB for RxQual. It is therefore deduced that in terms of RxQual, 9mobile was the best GSM network, followed by Airtel network, Globacom network and then MTN network. The result provided in this article will help mobile network operators to improve signal quality, ensure improved network coverage and increase network capacity in the future.","PeriodicalId":8541,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76220640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Practical Method for Short-term Earthquake Prediction Using Multiple High-frequency Tremor Events","authors":"Y. Fujinawa, Y. Noda, Minako Miyagawa, Yoshifumi Katsuta, Isao Oosumi","doi":"10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i3182","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i3182","url":null,"abstract":"The substantial damage induced by major earthquakes requires the preparation of prevention methods before serious shocks occur. For a half-century, researchers have tried to develop an efficient method for earthquake prediction using modern scientific methods without practical results except for two rare successes; as a result, the general evaluation is pessimistic. Among many phenomena, seismic activity has been the approach most often investigated. Particularly, foreshocks seem to offer the most potential. However, foreshocks are found to precede only a small fraction of major earthquakes and provide precursor parameters with too many kinds of diversity. \u0000We need to find another seismic or similar phenomenon in the nucleation period with characteristics expected for foreshocks, i.e., a stable rate of occurrence and extremely large anomalies immediately before major earthquakes [1,2]. Here we make a special seismic catalog of high frequency tremors deduced anew from continuous seismic data of just before major earthquakes using the extensive network, High-net of Japan. Analyses of catalog of three major and one little bit smaller earthquakes show that there are three successive precursory phenomena, first at some six weeks, second at some four weeks, and finally immediately before the earthquake. \u0000These results can provide evidence to predict major earthquakes without high rate of diversity among threshold parameters; i.e., the selected threshold values for distinguishing precursor candidates are quite stable. Each precursory activity provides the three items of prediction, namely, occurrence time, epicenter and magnitude, with sufficient accuracy for practical disaster prevention efforts. The positive results will contribute to developing practical prediction methods to be used for the mitigation of serious earthquake disasters. \u0000The proposed system is now in the level of POC, and expected to start in Japan without large difficulties because of sufficient level of observation network and storage of past data of some twenty years.","PeriodicalId":8541,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82318960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of Radiological Hazard Indices from Mining Sites in Adamawa State, Nigeria","authors":"S. D. Yusuf, Soja Reuben Joseph, I. Umar","doi":"10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i3181","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i3181","url":null,"abstract":"Aims: To analyse the radiological hazard indices from mining sites in Adamawa State, Nigeria. \u0000Study Design: Experimental study design using Gamma ray spectroscopy with a well calibrated Sodium Iodide (NaI) detector. \u0000Place and Duration of Study: Adamawa State, Nigeria and Department of Physics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria, and Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) Laboratory, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria between November 2019 and August 2020. \u0000Methodology: Fifteen composite samples of soil from four mining sites collected using the systematic sampling techniques were analysed for activity concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 and Gamma Absorbed Dose Rate, Radium Equivalent Activity, External Hazard Index, Annual Effective Dose Rate and Excessive Life Cancer Risk were calculated. \u0000Results: Mean activity concentrations Ra-226 (107.60Bq/kg), Th-232 (84.89Bq/kg), and K-40 (475.34Bq/kg) were all above the world average values 35Bq/kg, 30Bq/kg and 400Bq/kg recommended by UNSCEAR. Mean Gamma Absorbed Dose Rate, Radium Equivalent Activity, Annual Effective Dose Rate, External Hazard Index, and Excessive Life Cancer Risk were 120.31nGy/h, 265.469Bq/kg, 0.148mSv/y, 0.401, and 0.369 respectively, against recommended values 59nGy/h, 370Bq/kg, 1mSv/y, 0.45, and 0.29 according to UNSCER, NEA-OECD and ICRP. \u0000Conclusion: High values of Activity Concentrations, Gamma Absorbed Dose, and Excessive Life Cancer Risk poses significant threat to the host community, especially around the 3 mining sites SA, SB and SC. \u0000Therefore, safety distance from mining areas is recommended by the competent Authority responsible for radiation protection matters in Nigeria. General awareness to enlighten the public about the possible dangers of undue radiation exposure and the risk of residing close to mining vicinity is required, for adequate protection of the host community.","PeriodicalId":8541,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73645486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improving Students’ Science Process Skills Using Argument-Driven-Inquiry (ADI) Laboratory Method","authors":"Joan M. Belga","doi":"10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i2180","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i2180","url":null,"abstract":"This study aimed to determine the effects of the Argument-Driven-Inquiry (ADI) laboratory method on high school students’ science process skills. The study further investigated the method’s effect on students with different reasoning ability levels, namely the hypothetico-deductive, transitional, and empirical-inductive. A mixed method employing both quantitative and qualitative procedures for gathering data was employed. A quasi-experimental study using a 2 x 3 factorial design was implemented where Reasoning Ability Level was the moderating variable. The study was conducted on two intact classes of fourth-year students at Iloilo National High School-Special Science Class enrolled in the subject “College Physics”. Lawson’s Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning was utilized to categorize students according to their reasoning ability levels.  To measure students’ science process skills before and after the study, the Test for Integrated Process Skills II (TIPS II) was employed. Mean, standard deviations, t-test for independent samples, and one-way analysis of variance were determined as part of the statistical analyses. Results revealed that students in the two groups were comparable in terms of science process skills before the intervention was employed. However, exposure to the ADI laboratory method improved students’ science process skills better than exposure to the traditional laboratory method. Further, the improvement of students’ science process skills is deemed independent of the student’s reasoning ability level but relies mainly on the type of laboratory instruction.","PeriodicalId":8541,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78889756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Variability of f_o E in Relation to the Solar Indices (R_z and F_(10.7) ) at the Equatorial Ionosphere (Ouagadougou Station)","authors":"Sawadogo Gédéon, Konaté Moustapha, Nakolemda Roger, Nanéma Emmanuel","doi":"10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i2179","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i2179","url":null,"abstract":"The correlation coefficients between the critical frequency of the ionosphere E-layer ( foE )and the solar radio flux have not been formally evaluated at the Ouagadougou station. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a study on the variability of the critical frequency of ionosphere E-layer with the solar radio flux (F10.7) and sunspot number (Rz) at the Ouagadougou station. The Ouagadougou station is located at the equatorial ionosphere whose coordinates are: lat: 12.5°N; long: 358.5°E; dip 1.5. Moreover, the local time is equal to the universal time (LT=UT). We worked on the solar cycles 21 and 22 (SC21 and SC22) considering their different phases (minimum, increasing, maximum, and decreasing). The values of foE taken into account are those measured at noon (12:00 LT). The results show a good correlation between foE and Rz, and between foE and F10.7. Thus, the correlation coefficient evaluated between  foE and Rz is 0.96 at SC21 and 0.93 at SC22, and between foE and F10.7 is 0.95 at SC21 and 0.93 at SC22. We subsequently compared foE of the two solar cycles for the same phase. The calculated deviation between the minimum of SC21 and SC22 is 4.46%.  We then find a very small variation of foE from a solar cycle to another at the minimum phase, and this is also verified at the other phases.","PeriodicalId":8541,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73391947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentration in Soil and Plant and Evaluation of Bioconcentration Factor at Loumbila Market Gardening Perimeters, Burkina Faso","authors":"B. Luc, K. Karim, Derra Moumouni, Tougma Kiswendsida Alain, O. Cisse, F. Zougmore","doi":"10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i230153","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i230153","url":null,"abstract":"Agricultural soil quality deterioration resulting from an increase in the level of heavy metals is becoming more and more pronounced, thus raising the question on the safety status of human health and the environment. Determination of heavy metal concentration in soils and plants from Loumbila market gardening (Burkina Faso), and calculation of bioconcentration factor were undertaken. The heavy metals such as copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) were measured using an atomic absorption spectrometer, model PERKIN ELMER AANALYST 200. \u0000In the soil where the pepper was grown, the concentration of chromium was 175 mg/kg, which is higher than the concentration limit which is 150 mg/kg. Also the concentrations of lead in the soils of onion (118 mg/kg), green bean (118 mg/kg), carrot (178 mg/kg) and pepper (135 mg/kg) were above the limit which is 100 mg/kg. The concentrations of chromium in Onion leaves (3.72 mg/kg), onions (4.65 mg/kg), lettuce (4.89 mg/kg), green beans (5.89 mg/kg) and bell peppers (3.56 mg/kg) were concentrations above the limit established by the FAO/WHO, which is 2.3 mg/Kg. The concentrations of lead in carrot, onion leaf, onion, lettuce, green bean and bell pepper were above the limit proposed by FAO/WHO. \u0000The bioconcentration factors show that the onion leaf (0.731), onion (0.929), lettuce (0.876), green bean (0.987) and bell pepper (0.858) are the plants that accumulate zinc and the carrot (0.524) accumulates nickel. The bioaccumulation of the metals in the vegetable from Loumbila market gardening decreased in the order of onion > lettuce > green bean > bell pepper > onion leaves > carrot.","PeriodicalId":8541,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77968258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of an Active Open Dumpsite on the Earth’s Subsurface and Groundwater Resource","authors":"A. J. Omeiza, O. O. Abdulwahab, M. S. Nur, T. Danjuma, E. Jaiyeoba, Diya’ulhaq Abdullahi, Oluseyi O. Adekanye, E. T. Mary","doi":"10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i230152","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9734/ajopacs/2022/v10i230152","url":null,"abstract":"An electrical resistivity survey was carried out at a dumpsite and controlled station located about 200m away from the dumpsite to assess the vertical extent of leachate contamination of the dumpsite and its impact on the soil and groundwater resources. Subsurface resistivity of the dumpsite and the controlled stations were examined, which reflects the subsurface soil tolerance and the impact of the vertical extent of leachate contamination on the subsurface. The leachate infiltration may reflect the state and the quality of the groundwater.  This implies that leachates from the dumpsite must have also migrated into the aquifer system, thereby contaminating the water-bearing unit.","PeriodicalId":8541,"journal":{"name":"Asian Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83890149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}