Artificial road input data generation tool for vehicle durability assessment using artificial intelligence

Vehicle durability assessment in the automotive industry requires a good knowledge of the road load input the vehicle will experience while in service. This research explores the approach of artificial intelligence for predicting the road load input for road load simulation in the CAE environment prior to the development of a vehicle prototype. The multi-body dynamics (MBD) simulation of a quarter vehicle test rig, built with the specification of a commercial SUV, and the full vehicle of the same SUV were modelled and validated in SIMPACK using a simple tyre model developed using the tri-axial tyre test rig at the University of Birmingham. The models were used to carry out a road load data characterisation based on the variation in vehicle parameters. An artificial road input tool (ARIT) based on an optimised NARX artificial neural network architecture was developed to predict the road input for variants of vehicle for a particular vehicle behaviour over a road event. The results of the ARIT were used to run MBD simulations and compared with those from drive file iteration. The results of this research show a successful method of artificial intelligence for the generation of road load data from CAE simulations

Effect of Ammonium on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Kaolin and Bentonite as Clay Liners

: Landfill liners are underlying materials with low permeability whose main function is to mitigate the infiltration of toxic contents into ground water lying beneath. Landfill liners are primarily made of bentonite clay. Bentonite has a very low hydraulic conductivity, that might not be readily accessible, unlike kaolin which is found to have a lower hydraulic conductivity compared to that of bentonite and can be extensively obtained from numerous different sources. Explored, for the purposes of the present research paper, were various ratios of bentonite and kaolin and their hydraulic conductivity, in particular ratios of 90:10 kaolin to bentonite, 80:20 kaolin to bentonite, 70:30 kaolin to bentonite, 60:40 kaolin to bentonite and 50:50 kaolin to bentonite in an effort to achieve an acceptable barrier suitable as a liner / where tap water and ammonium solution were used as permeants. It was concluded that the ratios not lower than 20% bentonite (80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50) all had their hydraulic conductivity value reduced compared to the 100% kaolin

Examination of On-Street Parking and Traffic Congestion Problems in Lokoja

Parking and traffic congestion is synonymous to each other because failure to meet parking demand of people in a city lead to on-street parking that results to traffic congestion. Traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queuing. The availability of less space in urban areas has increased demand for parking space especially in central business area. Inadequate off-street parking in most of our urban centres has metamorphosed to the problem of on-street parking coupled with inadequate traffic management commonly experienced today in most Nigerian cities. In view of the above, this research work examined the menace of on-street parking and traffic congestion problems in Lokoja, Nigeria. The study was conducted using questionnaires and field observation to collect the required data at the locations/corridors in the city where on-street parking and traffic congestion were prominent and also, adequate survey of the traffic devices in the locations of study was also conducted to determine it functionality. Four hundred and fifty one (451) questionnaires were administered to the shop-owners, one hundred and seventy four (174) to the parked vehicle-owners and one hundred and two (102) to the commuters, to make a total of seven hundred and twenty seven (727) research samples. Finding revealed that inadequate parking, infectiveness of traffic devices, absences of loading and offloading bays etc have caused on-street parking and traffic congestion in Lokoja. To reduce the menace, policy measures are recommended among which are; institution of enforcement of traffic rules and regulations by disciplined law enforcement agents, relocation of certain activities that caused on-street parking and introduction of intelligent transport system which make use of sustainable devices such as Bluetooth and other communication/mobile devices, traffic management improvement and provision of off-street parking facilities in the city plan. Key word: Transportation, on-street parking, traffic management, urban center, traffic congestion, Lokoj

ASSESSING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management presents significant environmental challenges, especially with increasing urbanization and population growth. This study assesses the environmental impacts of MSW, focusing on waste composition, management practices, and their effects on air, water, and soil quality. The primary objective is to evaluate how MSW contributes to environmental degradation and to explore strategies for mitigating these impacts. A hypothesis was developed that optimizing waste composition through proper sorting and treatment can reduce the environmental footprint of MSW management by at least 10% in terms of leachate production and greenhouse gas emissions. Samples were collected using a randomized sampling approach across different zones within the landfill to capture variability in waste composition. Key parameters analyzed included moisture content, pH, Ignition Loss (IL), Residue Ignition (RI), Total Carbon (Tc), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Calorific Value (Cv), and the Carbon-Nitrogen (C/N) ratio. Statistical methods, including ANOVA, were applied to compare moisture content across sample locations, and correlation analyses were conducted to investigate relationships between parameters such as pH and microbial activity. Hygroscopic, total moisture, and Total Solids (TS) were measured at 34.06%, 46.45%, and 53.55%, respectively. The pH ranged from 5.084 to 5.100, IL was between 72.04% and 78.92%, and the C/N ratio 38.87. These values, though still within the recommended threshold for landfill disposal, suggest that the high moisture content and slightly acidic pH present challenges for waste treatment, especially for landfill and composting processes. The high moisture content directly impacts the study\u27s objective of understanding waste composition\u27s impact on landfill sustainability, as it increases leachate production and reduces waste-to-energy potential. The findings highlight the need for improved sorting, recycling, and treatment technologies to enhance sustainability in MSW management. Future research should focus on integrating emerging technologies and policies to address these challenges and minimize the environmental impact of waste

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL EFFECT IN THE COMBINATION OF ALCOHOL AND BENZENE ON THE KIDNEY OF RATTUS NOVERGICUS

Objective: This study investigated the use of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), which is said to possess anti-inflammatory components as an ameliorative substance for the induced inflammation. Methods: Forty-eight female Wistar rats were used for this study. They were divided into eight (1–8) groups (n=6); Control, Ethanol, Benzene, E+B, E+O, B+O, E+B+O with the administration of 25% Ethanol, 200 mg/kg/b.w Benzene, 2 ml (O) EVOO in respect to the tagged grouping names. Animals were euthanized through cervical dislocation after the last day of administration and the liver was excised and part was fixed in formalin solution of 10% for histological processing and the other part was homogenized for biochemical assay in phosphate buffer before centrifugation. Results: Histological evidence creates an understanding of the nephrons in which benzene and ethanol manifest likewise the mitigated ability of EVOO. The relative organ weight provides information on the extent of the damage on nephrons. The kidney test level is significantly expressed. Conclusion: Ethanol and benzene in combination cause serious damage; also, they separately induce nephrons dysfunction. EVOO was shown to mitigate these nephrons damages

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

A discourse of Nigerian Urban Developmental Projects in Lagos State

This paper presents a discourse on infrastructural development in housing and urban schemes in Lagos state, Nigeria. It focuses on urban governance, critical statistics, impacts of urban development and planning in decision making. Also, factors affecting housing and urban development processes were discussed.  Government policies aids in urban growth were also examined in order to bring a change process for the leading actors. In order to achieve the desired goals in the urban and housing development in Nigeria, especially Lagos, suggestions were outlined to make urban housing industry acceptable for both men and women actors. Keywords: Infrastructures, governance, policy, urban, development, planning DOI: 10.7176/ADS/80-07 Publication date: January 31st 202

Effect of Ammonium on the Hydraulic Conductivity of Kaolin and Bentonite as Clay Liners

: Landfill liners are underlying materials with low permeability whose main function is to mitigate the infiltration of toxic contents into ground water lying beneath. Landfill liners are primarily made of bentonite clay. Bentonite has a very low hydraulic conductivity, that might not be readily accessible, unlike kaolin which is found to have a lower hydraulic conductivity compared to that of bentonite and can be extensively obtained from numerous different sources. Explored, for the purposes of the present research paper, were various ratios of bentonite and kaolin and their hydraulic conductivity, in particular ratios of 90:10 kaolin to bentonite, 80:20 kaolin to bentonite, 70:30 kaolin to bentonite, 60:40 kaolin to bentonite and 50:50 kaolin to bentonite in an effort to achieve an acceptable barrier suitable as a liner / where tap water and ammonium solution were used as permeants. It was concluded that the ratios not lower than 20% bentonite (80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50) all had their hydraulic conductivity value reduced compared to the 100% kaolin.</jats:p