JBAS Articles
JBASV8N2A11 - Effects of Carburizing Process Variables on Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Carburized Mild Steel
Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences - Volume 8 Number 2
Effects of Carburizing Process Variables on Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Carburized Mild Steel
A. Oyetunji and S.O. Adeosun
http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.11
Abstract: This work evaluates the suitability of using palm kernel shell, animal bone (mammalian bones from cattle) and sea shell (oyster shell) materials as carburizers for case hardening of 0.078%C mild steel. The mild steel sample used in this study sourced from universal steel company, Ikeja Lagos Nigeria was cut into suitable sizes using hacksaw machine for tensile and hardness tests. The carburizing media used were milled into fine powder while Barium trioxo (iv) carbonate (VI) (BaCO3) was used as an energizer in the carburizing process. Three rectangular stainless steel plate boxes were fabricated to accommodate each of the steel samples and carburized. A calculated amount of each carburizer was weighed into each of the stainless steel boxes and 20 wt % of BaC03 was mixed with each of them. Mild steel samples were covered completely in each of the boxes with the mixture of the carburizer and energizer placed in the furnace chamber. The carburizing temperatures varied between 700 - 1100oC while the holding time varied between 1-5 hrs. The boxes and its contents were allowed to cool down to room temperature in the furnace after carburization. All samples were heated to 850oC after been soaked for 30 minutes at this temperature and oil quenched. This was to increase the hardness of the case. Fifteen (15) of these samples were further tempered at 350oC for 2hrs to relieve the stress built up during quenching. Hardness test, tensile strength tests and chemical analysis were carried out on the samples. It was observed that the hardness values of the untempered samples are superior to the tempered ones at carburizing temperatures of 7000C, 8000C and 9000C. On the other hand, the tensile strengths of the tempered samples are higher relative to the untempered samples at carburizing temperatures of 7000C, 10000C and 11000C. The results of the carbon analysis show that palm kernel shell and animal bone are potentially suitable to be used as a carburizing media than the sea shell at high temperatures (above 10000C) with holding time above 1 hr.
Keywords: Carburizers, hardness, tensile, carburizing time and temperature, pack carburizing, quenching and tempering properties.
JBASV8N2A12 - Sustainable Agricultural Practices as Perceived by Farmers in Sindh Province of Pakistan
Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences - Volume 8 Number 2
Sustainable Agricultural Practices as Perceived by Farmers in Sindh Province of Pakistan
Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Saghir Ahmed Sheikh, Aijaz Hussain Soomro and Aijaz A. Khooharo
http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.12
Abstract: The study was conducted in Sindh Province of Pakistan. 180 respondents were selected from six district namely Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar Khairpur, Larkana and Jacobabad. From each district 30 respondents were selected by using simple random sampling techniques. This study used a descriptive research design and the target population was farmers. A representative sample of 180 farmers was proposed from six districts of Sindh, namely, 1. Larkana 2. Naushehro Feroze 3. Shaheed Benazirabad 4. Sanghar 5. Mirpurkhas 6. Badin representing the agro-ecological zones of Sindh province producing Cotton, Wheat, Rice, Vegetables, Orchards and Sugar Cane crops. Multistage plan was used to collect the data. A survey questionnaire was designed to collect data for this study. A likert type scale ranging from (1) not familiar (2) to somewhat (3) for very much. This scale was used to asses the level of perceptions of the respondents. The respondents were interviewed personally by well structured and pre-tested direct interview schedule. Questionnaire items were coded and entered into the SPSS computer program. Suitable statistical techniques such as percentage analysis, mean and standard deviation were used to analyze and interpreted the data. The results revealed that out of total growers, majority (54.44%) had medium socio-economic status, whereas 28.89 percent and 16.67 percent had low and high socio-economic status respectively. Extent of knowledge of farmers: Majority of the respondents (52%) were observed in medium category of knowledge followed by high (26.67%) and low (20.56%) levels of knowledge, respectively. It was observed that the farmers were familiar to some what, familiar with sustainable agriculture practices selection of pure seed variety, maintenance and Integrated Soil Fertility, Integrated Weed Management and efficient Use of irrigation water. However the majority of farmers were not familiar with the use of genetically modified Crop, Fish farming, Mulch Technology, EM Technology and IPNMS. However, none of the farmers were found in high category of adoption levels. The respondents suggested adoption of sustainable agriculture practices should be promoted through extension services.
Keywords: Sustainable Agriculture, Farmers Perception, Technology
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JBASV8N2A13 - Effect of Hot Water Treatment on the Chemical, Sensorial Properties and Ripening Quality of Chaunsa Mango (Mangifera indica L.)
Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences - Volume 8 Number 2
Effect of Hot Water Treatment on the Chemical, Sensorial Properties and Ripening Quality of Chaunsa Mango (Mangifera indica L.)
Muhammad Shahnawaz, Saghir Ahmed Sheikh, Aasia Akbar Panwar, Shahzor Gul Khaskheli and Fahad Ahmed Awan
http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.13
Abstract: The study was carried out to investigate the effects of hot water treatment on the chemical, sensorial properties and ripening quality of Chaunsa mango during the year 2010-11. Results showed that mangoes treated with hot water of 55oC and stored at room temperature (38+ 4oC) were ripened in 3 days, whereas mangoes treated with hot water treatment of 45oC ripened in 4 days, without hot water treatment were ripened in 5 days. Chemical properties like total acidity, vitamin C content, TSS, total sugars, reducing sugar, non reducing sugar were determined in mangoes treated with hot water at 55oC for 20 minutes and stored at room temperature, followed by hot water treatment of 45oC at 30 minutes. Early ripening of mangoes and best sensorial properties were also observed as peel color, fruit softness, pulp color, taste/flavor, texture and aroma. The study revealed that mangoes treated in hot water were ripened in better quality than control. Furthermore, the sensorial properties of the treated mangoes were scored higher and quality wise better than control.
Keywords: Chaunsa mango, hot water treatment, chemical compositions.
JBASV8N2A14 - Perception of the Extension Agents Regarding Information Sources of Sustainable Agriculture in Sindh Province of Pakistan
Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences - Volume 8 Number 2
Perception of the Extension Agents Regarding Information Sources of Sustainable Agriculture in Sindh Province of Pakistan
Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Saghir Ahmed Sheikh, Shuhabuddin Mughal and Mahvish Jabeen Channa
http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.14
Abstract: The study was undertaken in Sindh province to examine the extension agents perceptions of various sources of information. This study used a descriptive research design and the target population was Extension Agents. A representative sample of 162 Extension agents was proposed from six districts of Sindh, namely, 1. Larkana 2. Naushehro Feroze 3. Shaheed Benazirabad 4. Sanghar 5. Mirpurkhas 6. Badin representing the agro-ecological zones of Sindh province. The majority of the respondents 49.38% having their age in the range of 31-45 years. The data revealed that majority of the extension personnel 43.21% of the respondents were graduate level of education. The diploma holder's respondents were 24.69%. The majority of the extension personnel (43.21%) had job experience 21-30 years. Only 6.17% of the extension personnel had job experience of more than 31 years. The most frequent sources of information was perceived by extension agents about sustainable agriculture were television broadcasts,. However, Internet / Computers, Books and Manuals, Middle Man, and Electronic Devices (Mobile, Fax and other sources). The majority of the respondents perceived that Lack of effective monitoring (reporting and supervision) (M=1.26, SD=.058), Lack of Linkage between Research and Extension (M=1.06, SD=.025), Shortage of time to teach farmer properly (M=1.21, SD=.042), Illiteracy among farmers (M=1.141, SD=.061) and Lack of transportation facilities (M=1.21, SD=.042)as higher barrier that hampering the promotion and adoption of sustainable agriculture practices in the areas where they worked, this implies that proper guidelines and teaching aids had not been given to the extension worker to effectively work and communicate with the local farmer. However in sufficient funding for agriculture extension (M=1.71, SD=.061 Lack of means for upgrading qualification M=1.93, SD=.048), Large farm area (M=1.85, SD=.065), Lack of In-service Courses M=2.00, SD=.040), More time and management M=2.00, SD=.000) and Lack of Information about Sustainable Agriculture Technologies M=2.00, SD=.000) were perceived as a low barrier in adoption of sustainable agriculture practices.. This study will enable policy makers to effectively transfer the technology for sustained growth and will enhance farmers understanding about the concept of sustainable agriculture.
Keywords: Perception, Extension agents, information sources, sustainable agriculture.