The Rumsfeld Effect: The unknown unknown

A set of studies tested whether people can use awareness of ignorance to provide enhanced test consistency over time if they are allowed to place uncertain items into a “don’t know” category. For factual knowledge this did occur, but for a range of other forms of knowledge relating to conceptual knowledge and personal identity, no such effect was seen. Known unknowns would appear to be largely restricted to factual kinds of knowledge

An Appraisal of Ozone Layer Depletion and Its Implication on the Human Environment

Ozone layer depletion is a reality which poses threat to human survival if not curtail. However, it has received international attention and cooperation in which nation states have come up with series of conventions and protocols. It is no more gainsaying that the protection of the environment is a duty of all as no one can be left behind.This paper examines the ozone depletion substance, the impacts and implications of ozone layer depletion on human health and environment, and possible suggestion out of the challenges. The methodology adopted is basically doctrinal with primary sources from various international instruments relating to ozone layer depletions. The secondary sources are mainly from articles in journals, commentaries and online publications.It is our humble conclusion that ozone layer protection is a global and continuous assignment in which all hands must be on deck in order to meet the desirable target. The international communities’ cooperation in this regard is commendable. DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/83-02 Publication date:March 31st 201

Resolving the chemical substructure of Orion-KL

The Kleinmann-Low nebula in Orion (Orion-KL) is the nearest example of a high-mass star-forming environment. For the first time, we complemented 1.3 mm Submillimeter Array (SMA) interferometric line survey with IRAM 30 m single-dish observations of the Orion-KL region. Covering a 4 GHz bandwidth in total, this survey contains over 160 emission lines from 20 species (25 isotopologues), including 11 complex organic molecules (COMs). At a spatial resolution of 1200 AU, the continuum substructures are resolved. Extracting the spectra from individual substructures and providing the intensity-integrated distribution map for each species, we studied the small-scale chemical variations in this region. Our main results are: (1) We identify lines from the low-abundance COMs CH3COCH3 and CH3CH2OH, as well as tentatively detect CH3CHO and long carbon-chains C6H and HC7N. (2) We find that while most COMs are segregated by type, peaking either towards the hot core (e.g., N-bearing species) or the compact ridge (e.g., O-bearing species like HCOOCH3 and CH3OCH3), while the distributions of others do not follow this segregated structure (e.g., CH3CH2OH, CH3OH, CH3COCH3). (3) We find a second velocity component of HNCO, SO2, 34SO2, and SO lines, which may be associated with a strong shock event in the low-velocity outflow. (4) Temperatures and molecular abundances show large gradients between central condensations and the outflow regions, illustrating a transition between hot molecular core and shock-chemistry dominated regimes. Our observations of spatially resolved chemical variations in Orion-KL provide the nearest reference source for hot molecular core and outflow chemistry, which will be an important example for interpreting the chemistry of more distant HMSFRs.Comment: 51 pages, 17 figures, accepted on 12 March 2015 Dashed lines in Figure 10 of the published paper was missin

Investigation of the physical and mechanical properties of Shea Tree timber (Vitellaria paradoxa) used for structural applications in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study investigated the physical and mechanical properties of Shea Tree timber (V. paradoxa) for structural use obtained at different areas of Kwara State, Nigeria. Physical properties of the samples like moisture content, specific gravity and density was evaluated and the mechanical tests were tensile strength, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, compression, shear and hardness. Results show that, the density of the specie varied from 1.05 to 1.48 (g/cm3), and specific gravity varied from 0.98 to 1.39. For the mechanical properties, the results revealed that at 18% moisture content and 80% grade stress, mean MOR of 28.91(N/mm2), mean MOE of 9,108 (N/mm2), compressive strength parallel to grain of 24.7 (N/mm2), compressive strength perpendicular to grain of 8.99 (N/mm2), shear strength of 2.01 (N/mm2), and tensile strength parallel to grain of 16.15 (N/mm2). Finally, according to BS 5268-2 (2002) the specie was characterised into strength classes between D50 and D70. The results obtained showed that Shea Tree is a hardwood and suitable to be used for structural engineering purposes.Keywords: Vitellaria paradoxa, Physical properties, Mechanical properties, Structural timber, Green Constructio

Extended warm gas in Orion KL as probed by methyl cyanide

In order to study the temperature distribution of the extended gas within the Orion Kleinmann-Low nebula, we have mapped the emission by methyl cyanide (CH3CN) in its J=6_K-5_K, J=12_K-11_K, J=13_K-12_K, and J=14_K-13_K transitions at an average angular resolution of ~10 arcsec (22 arcsec for the 6_K-5_K lines), as part of a new 2D line survey of this region using the IRAM 30m telescope. These fully sampled maps show extended emission from warm gas to the northeast of IRc2 and the distinct kinematic signatures of the hot core and compact ridge source components. We have constructed population diagrams for the four sets of K-ladder emission lines at each position in the maps and have derived rotational excitation temperatures and total beam-averaged column densities from the fitted slopes. In addition, we have fitted LVG model spectra to the observations to determine best-fit physical parameters at each map position, yielding the distribution of kinetic temperatures across the region. The resulting temperature maps reveal a region of hot (T > 350 K) material surrounding the northeastern edge of the hot core, whereas the column density distribution is more uniform and peaks near the position of IRc2. We attribute this region of hot gas to shock heating caused by the impact of outflowing material from active star formation in the region, as indicated by the presence of broad CH3CN lines. This scenario is consistent with predictions from C-shock chemical models that suggest that gas-phase methyl cyanide survives in the post-shock gas and can be somewhat enhanced due to sputtering of grain mantles in the passing shock front.Comment: 24 pages, 20 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Seepage Investigation on an Existing Dam using Integrated Geophysical Methods

Integrated geophysical methods involving VLF-electromagnetic, magnetic intensity and electrical resistivity (ER), were employed to investigate the probable internal seepage at University of Ilorin Dam, Kwara State, Southwestern Nigeria.  Five (5) profiles were established in the south-north and west-east orientations, along the dam and reservoir axis. VLF-em conductivity response from -65 % to 50 % with estimated average anomalies of -7.5 % and; magnetic susceptibility distribution range between 2.27 nT and 756.24 nT, with average response of 163.6 nT suggests resistive basement rock contrasts in the area. Twenty seven (27) vertical electrical sounding (VES) points using the schlumberger array configuration were distributed along the profile lines. The lithologic units delineated with geo-electric sections established; 22 % wet/gravelly topsoil and 78% hard lateric pan – granitic outcrop having resistivity variation between 28.8 Ωm and 2612.8 Ωm with average response of 870 Ωm and thickness range of 0.8 m to 2 m; straddled with 22 % clayey - sand and 78 % sandy – clay, having resistivity distribution between 63.2 Ωm and 316 Ωm with average response of 148 Ωm and thickness range of 3.4 m to 8 m and; fresh bedrock. The area is underlain by fairly thin superficial soil (overburden) materials with an average thickness of 6.5 m which shows that the bedrock is close to the surface and serves as support to the dam. The clay materials which could serve as conduit, exist within the shallow overburden and has been excavated during construction. It is therefore concluded that the dam retains its strength and the observed reduction in reservoir water level could be a result of other environmental factors. Keywords: Unilorin Dam, internal seepage, anomalies, conductivity, weathered zones, geo-electric section

A combined IRAM and Herschel/HIFI study of cyano(di)acetylene in Orion KL: tentative detection of DC3N

We present a study of cyanoacetylene (HC3N) and cyanodiacetylene (HC5N) in Orion KL, through observations from two line surveys performed with the IRAM 30m telescope and the HIFI instrument on board the Herschel telescope. The frequency ranges covered are 80-280 GHz and 480-1906 GHz. We model the observed lines of HC3N, HC5N, their isotopologues (including DC3N), and vibrational modes, using a non-LTE radiative transfer code. To investigate the chemical origin of HC3N and DC3N in Orion KL, we use a time-dependent chemical model. We detect 40 lines of the ground state of HC3N and 68 lines of its 13C isotopologues. We also detect 297 lines of six vibrational modes of this molecule (nu_7, 2nu_7, 3nu_7, nu_6, nu_5, and nu_6+nu_7) and 35 rotational lines of the ground state of HC5N. We report the first tentative detection of DC3N in a giant molecular cloud with a DC3N/HC3N abundance ratio of 0.015. We provide column densities and isotopic and molecular abundances. We also perform a 2x2" map around Orion IRc2 and we present maps of HC3N lines and maps of lines of the HC3N vibrational modes nu_6 and nu_7. In addition, a comparison of our results for HC3N with those in other clouds allows us to derive correlations between the column density, the FWHM, the mass, and the luminosity of the clouds. The high column densities of HC3N obtained in the hot core, make this molecule an excellent tracer of hot and dense gas. In addition, the large frequency range covered reveals the need to consider a temperature and density gradient in the hot core in order to obtain better line fits. The high D/H ratio (comparable to that obtained in cold clouds) that we derive suggests a deuterium enrichment. Our chemical models indicate that the possible deuterated HC3N present in Orion KL is formed during the gas-phase. This fact provides new hints concerning the processes leading to deuteration.Comment: 50 pages, 33 figures, 13 tables. Accepted for publication in A&

Analisis Sistem Informasi Akademik dengan Pendekatan Enterprise Resource Planning (Studi Kasus di sebuah Universitas di Indonesia)

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis sistem informasi akademik dengan pendekatan konsep Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) yang dilakukan pada salah satu universitas di Indonesia. Analisis SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities & threat) dilakukan untuk mengetahui kekuatan, kelemahan, peluang dan ancaman dari sistem yang ada saat ini untuk dapat diberikan usulan perancangan sistem baru sesuai yang diharapkan. Hasil analisis sistem informasi akademik universitas berupa diagram konteks usulan yang terdiri atas tujuh entitas yaitu mahasiswa, Ketua Program Studi, Dosen, Biro Keuangan, Lembaga Penelitian (LPP), Lembaga Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (LPkM), Biro Administrasi Akademik (BAA). Langkah strategis yang perlu dilakukan diusulkan agar universitas dapat memiliki sistem informasi akademik yang lebih terintegrasi serta dapat meningkatkan keunggulan kompetitifnya

Spontaneous expression classification in the encrypted domain

To date, most facial expression analysis have been based on posed image databases and is carried out without being able to protect the identity of the subjects whose expressions are being recognised. In this paper, we propose and implement a system for classifying facial expressions of images in the encrypted domain based on a Paillier cryptosystem implementation of Fisher Linear Discriminant Analysis and k-nearest neighbour (FLDA + kNN). We present results of experiments carried out on a recently developed natural visible and infrared facial expression (NVIE) database of spontaneous images. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first system that will allow the recog-nition of encrypted spontaneous facial expressions by a remote server on behalf of a client

Effect of cold temperature storage on the quality attributes of pawpaw and guava leathers

The effect of cold temperature storage on the quality attributes of pawpaw and guava leathers was evaluated. Pawpaw leather was significantly higher than guava leather in calorific content, water activity, pH and total mould count throughout the duration of storage. However Guava leather was higher in texture. Sensory scores in relation to period of storage showed that Guava leather gave better result in overall acceptability at zero, one and two months of storage at 8 ± 10C. Guava leather also gave better sensory qualities in fruitiness, smell, chewiness, toughness, colour, and overall acceptability when varietal influence is considered. Guava leather is better accepted. (African Journal of Biotechnology: 2002 1(2): 61-63