Letter from the Editor

No Abstrac

Sensor Intelligence for Tackling Energy-Drain Attacks on Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper we propose a model for intelligent agents (sensors) on a Wireless Sensor Network to guard against energy-drain attacks in an energy-efficient and autonomous manner. This is intended to be achieved via an energy-harvested Wireless Sensor Network using a novel architecture to propagate knowledge to other sensors based on automated reasoning from an attacked sensor

Pulverised Oil Palm Wood (Elaeis Guineensis) in Clay Body and Energy Generation in Ceramic Firing

The use of liquefied gas in firing ceramics is very clean, energy efficient, fast and desirable but costly.  Alternative energy is sought for. “Pulverized Oil Palm Wood (POPW) in Clay Body and Energy Generation in Ceramic Firing”, was used to determine and utilize wood (oil palm) for firing. This was added to clay body for improving the technique of firing, and reducing the dependency on liquefied gas.  The main objective of the study was to determine the effects of POPW in Clay Body and Energy Generation. To guide the study a research question and an hypothesis were developed.  The area of coverage was Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria . The method used was Experimental Design. An adopted clay body, and the POPW were analysed before usage. The POPW was added to the clay body (10 – 50%) to test its effects on the dependent variables. The temperatures were collected as data from the experiment. They were analyzed using independent t-test. The findings revealed with gas alone, and POPW augmented with gas, created differences in the energy generated.  In conclusion, the research findings revealed alternative energy in ceramic firing encouraging better ceramic production with economic output. Keywords: Pulverized Oil Palm wood, Energy Generation, wood in clay, Augmentation

A survey of pharmacists' perception of foundation level competencies in African countries

BACKGROUND: Evidence from published literature in pharmacy practice research demonstrate that the use of competency frameworks alongside standards of practice facilitate improvement in professional performance and aid expertise development. The aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacists' perception of relevance to practice of the competencies and behaviours contained in the FIP Global Competency Framework (GbCF v1). The overall objective of the study was to assess the validity of the GbCF v1 framework in selected countries in Africa. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of pharmacists practicing in 14 countries in Africa was conducted between November 2012 and December 2014. A combination of purposive and snowball sampling method was used. Data was analysed using SPSS v22. RESULTS: A total of 469 pharmacists completed the survey questionnaire. The majority (91%) of the respondents were from four countries: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. The study results showed broad agreement on relevance to practice for 90% of the behaviours contained in the GbCF v1 framework. Observed disagreement was associated with area of pharmacy practice and the corresponding patient facing involvement (p ≤ 0.05). In general, the competencies within the 'pharmaceutical care' and 'pharmaceutical public health' clusters received higher weighting on relevance compared to the research-related competencies which had the lowest. Specific inter-country variability on weighting of relevance was observed in five behaviours in the framework although, this was due to disparity in 'degree of relevance' that was related to sample composition in the respective countries. CONCLUSION: The competencies contained in the GbCF v1 are relevant to pharmacy practice in the study population; however, there are some emergent differences between the African countries surveyed. Overall, the findings provide preliminary evidence that was previously lacking on the relevance of the GbCF v1 competencies to pharmacy practice in the countries surveyed

Effect of Flange Width on Flexural Behavior of Reinforced Concrete T-Beam

Reinforced concrete T-section beam is widely used in building and bridge construction. In most cases, the reinforced concrete T-section may be monolithic which implies that part of the slab close to the beam section help in resisting the flexural load. Understanding the effect of flange width of beam in such monolithic section is very crucial in designing effective and efficient structure. This study presents a numerical study of the effect of flange width on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete T-section beam. Three different flange width which include 200, 400 and 600mm were considered in this study. The result shows that stiffness of the beam increases with increase in flange width. The initial cracking load is influence by the flange width. The wider the flange width, the higher the cracking load. The result in terms of mid-span deflection and cracking shows no appreciable difference in the different flange width considered in this study. Finally, the findings show that behavior of reinforced concrete T-section beam in terms of cracking and failure load, deflection, reinforcement strain and crack pattern can be accurately simulated using LS DYNA. Keywords: Reinforced Concrete T-section beam, Flange width, Cracking load, LS DYN

Unique Shaped Structures: Modelling, Design and Verification of a Water Drop-Shaped Building

Unique shaped structures have been of great interest to the world for the way they impact the environments. Their points of location become centres of attraction for residents and visitors alike. This has brought a lot of joy, love and benefits to the host cities. The inkling of water drop-shaped structure came as a contribution towards increasing the number of existing iconic master pieces. This work will consist of creating structural model, analysing and designing the elements in reinforced concrete and glass in accordance to the British Standards. The research will mark an advancement on previous models on bottle-shaped structures. The non-symmetric circular shaped structure is modelled floor by floor to take care of the irregular change of shape vertically and horizontally. Prevailing and the most grievous load combinations are adopted for the non-linear finite element analysis. All the elements passed the structural verification tests and the drifts were within limits for various combination of load

An assessment of the impact of flood events in Makurdi, Nigeria

Flood disaster is not a recent phenomenon in Makurdi people in the town have been experiencing its destructive tendencies which are sometimes enormous. Using information sourced from questionnaire, personal observation, and archival records of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and newspaper reports; this paper examines flood events and its impacts on the people of Makurdi Town. A sample size of 400 respondents was drawn from flood prone areas of the town and the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a modified 4-point Likert Scale Rating System. The results of the analyses show that floods in Makurdi occur at the event of high rainfall intensity and mostly between September and October. When flooded, it takes 2-3 days for the flood water to recede depending on the magnitude of event. Apart from rainfall, other factors that influence flooding in the study area included lack of and poor drainage networks, dumping of wastes/refuse in drainage and water channels, and degree of built up areas leading to and increased runoffs. Although, personal properties and public infrastructure suffer all forms of flood damages, residents in the flood prone areas have remained on the basis of having no alternative, cultural ethnic affinity, family home where parent were buried and cheaper houses to rent. Identified flood mitigation measures include river dredging, raising house foundations and building of levees and embankment. Public enlightenment and necessary legislation and enforcement are recommended to checkmate activities aiding flooding. Keywords: Flooding, Hazards, Rainfall, Causes, Management measures and Infrastructur

Sociocultural Correlates of Marital Harmony among Seventh-day Adventists in Akwa Ibom State

Married members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, like other married couples, are susceptible to prevailing trends in marital conflicts and disharmony. A new wave of socio-cultural exuberance is sweeping through the globe resulting in changing attitudes towards traditional gender roles, religious commitment, and attitudes towards marital fidelity. The current study aimed at determining the relationship between selected socio-cultural variables, specifically, gender roles, religiosity, and marital fidelity on marital harmony among married members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Akwa Ibom State Conference. Data was collected from a purposively selected sample of 621 married couples in the Akwa Ibom State Conference of the church (less 10, due to attrition). Research instrument used was the Marital Variables and Marital Harmony Questionnaire developed by the researchers. The questionnaire was validated and had a reliability index of .92 Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient. To answer the three research questions and test the null hypotheses for the study, Pearson Product Moment Correlational analyses was conducted on the field data. The results showed that gender role orientation, religiosity and fidelity in marriage all had significant correlations with marital harmony. Based on this, it was recommended, inter alia, that couples be assisted through counselling, public education and other attitudinal reorientation programmes to eschew prevailing negative socio-cultural trends and adhere to the divine mandate of their marriage in faithfulness. Keywords: Marital Harmony; Religiosity; Gender Role Orientation; Marital Fidelity; Marriage Counselling; Seventh-day Adventist DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/71-03 Publication date:July 31st 2023

POLITICAL REGIME TYPE, LIBERALIZATION AND FISCAL DEFICITS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA

Chronic and persistent incidence of public deficits has been one of the debated issues in the past four decades. Many analysts have attempted to associate the poor fiscal outcome with military rule, thereby wrongly exonerating the democratic regime of not accumulating deficits. This study examines the relationship between government-type and fiscal deficits in Nigeria using time series data for the periods 1970-2010. The study applied econometric technique of ordinary least square method (OLS) and found that government-type does matter for fiscal operations in Nigeria. Specifically, the study found that democratic regimes in Nigeria do accumulate fiscal deficits contrary to earlier expectation. In addition, the findings show that there was strong inclination for fiscal deficits to decrease with financial liberalization, while liberalization of foreign trade leads to the increase in fiscal deficits. It is recommended that government should sustain the financial sector reforms in Nigeria, encourage productive spending on infrastructure for economic growth and development under a democratic atmosphere. Appropriate mechanisms should be put in place for efficiency in public financial management. The principle of value for money should be imbibed in execution of public project to ensure accountability and transparency in the democratic government

Analysis of Empirical Relationship among Agricultural Lending, Agricultural Growth and Non-Performing Loans in Nigerian Banking System

Increasing levels in Non-Performing loans (NPLs) which has remained an area of great concern contributed to issue of declining agribusiness activities in Nigeria in the 1990s and thereafter. The study examined non-performing loans relationship with agricultural lending and agricultural productivity from 1980 to 2015 in Nigeria. Time series data obtained from CBN were analyzed using, Granger causality test, Pearson correlation, and co-integration as well as error correction models. The empirical analyses revealed that, bilateral Granger causality existed between loans and advances granted to agricultural sector and non-performing loans in Nigeria. Also, growth in GDP has a positive and significant correlation with NPL in Nigeria. In the long run, NPL is positively related to agricultural productivity, growth in the GDP and value of loans and advances offered to agricultural sector. Whereas, in the short run, NPL reacted significantly to the negative influence of interest rate and positive impact of GDP growth rate. The adjustment coefficient of 52% was discovered for the NPL long run equation in Nigeria. It is recommended that short and long- term banking reform policies be adopted to reduce fluctuations in NPLs in the banking system and efforts should be geared towards increased participation of specialized financial institutions as to accelerate investments in agriculture sector