Background and approach to a definition of smart buildings

There is no possibility of finding a single reference about domotics in the first half of the 20th century. The best known authors and those who have documented this discipline, set its origin in the 1970’s, when the x-10 technology began to be used, but it was not until 1988 when Larousse Encyclopedia decided to include the definition of "Smart Building". Furthermore, even nowadays, there is not a single definition widely accepted, and for that reason, many other expressions, namely "Intelligent Buildings" "Domotics" "Digital Home" or "Home Automation" have appeared to describe the automated buildings and homes. The lack of a clear definition for "Smart Buildings" causes difficulty not only in the development of a common international framework to develop research in this field, but it also causes insecurity in the potential user of these buildings. Thus, the main purpose of this paper is to propose a definition of the expression “Smart Buildings” that satisfactorily describes the meaning of this discipline. To achieve this aim, a thorough review of the origin of the term itself and the historical background before the emergence of the phenomenon of domotics was conducted, followed by a critical discussion of existing definitions of the term "Smart Buildings" and other similar terms. The extent of each definition has been analyzed, inaccuracies have been discarded and commonalities have been compared. Throughout the discussion, definitions that bring the term "Smart Buildings" near to disciplines such as computer science, robotics and also telecommunications have been found

The Mining Code for Prospecting Exploration and Exploitation in Maritime Domain: Experimenting the Regional Environmental Plans

The Seabed Mining is a growing maritime industrial field that involves the extraction of submerged minerals and deposits from the ocean and over the years, there has been a rising demand for minerals and metals in various sectors of the Maritime Industry. This led to the creation of the International Seabed Authority of 1982 which is saddled with the responsibilities of regulating human activities on the deep-sea floor and the continental shelf. Despite the existence of the regulatory body, there are challenges that are present within the organs of the International Seabed Authority. These challenges include lack of transparency and also the impact of the deep seabed mining activities on the environment that still need to be extensively researched before deep seabed mining activities can commence in the World Maritime Economy. This research adopted a doctrinal method of research to collect data through the use of Law textbooks, articles in journals, and various online resources. The aim of this paper is to discuss the benefits of deep seabed mining, the regulatory frameworks of deep seabed mining, the impacts of deep seabed mining on the environment, deep seabed mining activities in Africa and Nigeria. It was concluded in this paper that before the deep seabed mining activities can commence, it is necessary that wide and extensive research be carried out on its effect on the environment, the various organs in International Seabed Authority should be more transparent on their activities to the public and African States particularly Nigeria should organise workshops to educate the Maritime Industry of various states about the involvement and participation of African countries in the deep seabed mining activities like their counterparts in other countries of the World

Privatization of Maritime Security Surveillance and Enforcement: A Compromise of State Sovereignty

One of the most vital engines motivating global economic progress and development in recent times is the freedom to participate in seaborne trade the world over. Moderately unhindered right to traverse the world's ports is an essential component of the global economic success and development story. In the like manner, the serious threats posed to global order by international terrorism, piracy, oil theft and bunkering, to mention but a few, have given rise to overriding and all important national security concerns among the port states. In response to these challenges, some states have increased their strategy with the establishment of maritime security enforcement forces like the Coast Guard in U.S, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Malaysia and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), to address the problem.  However, the Nigerian government has now changed the policy and firmed-out enforcement and surveillance activities in the entire Nigerian maritime domain to a private security company. This paper argues that the issue of maritime enforcement and surveillance goes beyond the activities of private individuals and besides, the policy usurps the constitutional powers of the legislature which established NIMASA through an Act of the National Assembly as well as the responsibility of the navy. The paper also maintains that the concession of maritime surveillance and enforcement to a private security company is a total misunderstanding of the use of private security companies in maritime practice and by so doing it amounts to a compromise of national sovereign in the hands of a few private individuals. Key Words: Privatization, Maritime Security, Surveillance and Compromise

Enforcement Quandary in Maritime Crimes: Espousing the Tangle of Prescriptive Jurisdiction

It is inconceivable to have crimes without laws created prescribing or enforcing them. There must also be in existence a concomitant authority, either a state or an institution vested with the capacity to enforce these laws. In cases those crimes that occur on land, it is usually straightforward to determine the body vested with the legal power to prescribe and enforce these claims. Through qualitative and quantitative sampling, this study argues that for crimes that occur on the sea; territorial, internal or high seas, determining the state with jurisdiction is not so clear. This is because there is the possibility that various states could have competing rights to prescribe, adjudicate and enforce criminal laws in relation to a criminal offense. It is therefore important that a survey of these competing/concurrent rights of states be carried out. This research also investigates whether, by international law, these rights are actually concurrent or whether one is superior to the other. It also carried out an assessment of how the concurrent rights of states are exercised and how conflicts are resolved when they occur. The research founds that in real terms, one should be superior to the others and not so concurrent

Real exchange rate misalignment and economic growth in Nigeria

This paper investigates the impact of Naira real exchange rate misalignment on Nigeria's economic growth using quarterly data spanning the period 2000-2014. We derive estimates of Real Exchange Rate Misalignment (RERMIS) by computing deviations of the actual real exchange rate from a sustainable equilibrium path that is determined using the Behavioural Equilibrium Exchange Rate (BEER) approach of Edwards (1989). Our modelling approach accounts for the possible effects of endogeneity and structural breaks in the estimated relationships. In terms of the extent of RERMIS, results show that the Naira was on the average overvalued by 0.17 per cent during the study period. The Gregory and Hansen procedure provides evidence of co-integration between output and its determinants with a structural break in 2003Q2. Furthermore, we found empirical support for a negative impact of RERMIS on economic growth. In view of these findings, the study recommends the continued use of market-based exchange rate arrangements as a way of ensuring that the Naira real exchange rate follows its path of sustainable equilibrium. This would complement other government policies aimed at promoting economic growth in the country

Real exchange rate misalignment and economic growth in Nigeria

This paper investigates the impact of Naira real exchange rate misalignment on Nigeria's economic growth using quarterly data spanning the period 2000-2014. We derive estimates of Real Exchange Rate Misalignment (RERMIS) by computing deviations of the actual real exchange rate from a sustainable equilibrium path that is determined using the Behavioural Equilibrium Exchange Rate (BEER) approach of Edwards (1989). Our modelling approach accounts for the possible effects of endogeneity and structural breaks in the estimated relationships. In terms of the extent of RERMIS, results show that the Naira was on the average overvalued by 0.17 per cent during the study period. The Gregory and Hansen procedure provides evidence of co-integration between output and its determinants with a structural break in 2003Q2. Furthermore, we found empirical support for a negative impact of RERMIS on economic growth. In view of these findings, the study recommends the continued use of market-based exchange rate arrangements as a way of ensuring that the Naira real exchange rate follows its path of sustainable equilibrium. This would complement other government policies aimed at promoting economic growth in the country

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS NEEDED BY SELF-EMPLOYED MOTOR VEHICLE MECHANICS IN THE NORTH CENTRAL STATES OF NIGERIA

This study was designed to discover the entrepreneurial administrative skills needed by self-employed motor vehicle mechanics in the North-Central States of Nigeria. The researchers formulated a research question and a null hypothesis guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was employed for the study. The study was carried out in the North-Central States of Nigeria. The targeted population for the study was 22,523 respondents comprising of 21,340 registered self-employed motor vehicle mechanics, 1,016 managers of micro firms in motor vehicle mechanics and 167 entrepreneurship lecturers. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed for the study. The purposive sampling procedure was employed to select three states including Federal Capital Territory, Abuja out of seven states that constitute the North-Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The sample for the study was 2,019 respondents comprising of 1,435 registered self-employed motor vehicle mechanics, drawn through the use of Taro Yamane formula for finite population, 475 managers of micro firms in motor vehicle mechanics and 109 entrepreneurship lecturers. A structured questionnaire titled: Self-Employed Motor Vehicle Mechanics Entrepreneurial Administrative Skills Needed Questionnaire (SEMVMEASNQ) developed by the researchers was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by five Lecturers in the Department of Industrial and Technology Education, the Federal University of Technology, Minna and the reliability coefficient of instrument was 0.84 through Cronbach Alpha Statistics. Mean and standard deviation were the statistical tools used to analyze the data for answering the research question; while One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics was employed to test the null hypothesis for the study at .05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed among others that all the 31 items entrepreneurial administrative skills are highly needed by motor vehicle mechanics for self-employment in the North Central States of Nigeria. Based on the findings it was recommended among others that: the National Council on Automotive (NCA) should in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity incorporate the identified entrepreneurial skills into their training and re-training programs so that motor vehicle mechanics can be made to acquire the needed entrepreneurship management skills that will assist them to sustain and secure their employment

Caesarean section in a primigravida with spina bifida occulta and a spinal cord stimulator: Preconception counselling, antenatal care and anesthetic considerations

Recent developments in medical and surgical subspecialties have contributed to improved quality of life in patients with spina bifida (SB). Despite the challenges of chronic pain, spinal abnormality, gait abnormalities, loss of urinary, and fecal continence, female patients can become pregnant. Provision of obstetrics and/or surgical care to patients with SB may become more common as more patients survive to adulthood. Preconception counseling, antenatal care, obstetrics, and other specialized care are essential components of optimal management of these patients. We report the obstetric and anesthetic challenges encountered in a primigravida with SB occulta and a spinal cord stimulator who had caesarean delivery. Effective communication between the patient, obstetricians, and anesthetists, as well as planned and coordinated care, ensured a successful feto‑maternal outcome.Keywords: Antenatal management; caesarean delivery; preconception care; spina bifida; spinal cord stimulato

Roles of local leaders on wildlife conservation effort in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

Active involvement of local communities has become an integral part of approaches to sustainable biodiversity conservation. This study assessed the roles local leaders play in the management of Old Oyo National Park. It also assessed the level of interaction and perception of people within the host community on the park. A well-structured self-administered questionnaire was used to obtained information from 100 leaders randomly selected in the study area. Twenty leaders were randomly sampled from each of the five ranges in the park. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. Majority (85%) of the respondents were males, reflecting the fact that male play a major role as leaders in the study area compared with female. Many (65%) leaders were involved in Decision making while 30% were occasionally engaged in protection exercise. Provision of jobs (70%) is the most appreciated form of help easily recognised by respondents. However, training of community members on self-reliance job is less popular (10%). Most (70%) respondents have one or more of their relative working with the park. All (100%) respondents agree to support the establishment of the park in their communities. Illegal arrest of leaders’ subjects (50%) and lack of recognition of some communities are the leading causes of conflicts. Half (50%) of misunderstanding between the park and host community were resolved out of court. This study shows that Old Oyo National park management is in good touch with the leaders of the host communities. However, constant assessment of leaders understanding and loyalty is highly recommended in order to strengthen the current relationship.Keywords: Biodiversity Conservation, leaders, local communities, park managemen