A Smart Game for Data Transmission and Energy Consumption in the Internet of Things

The current trend in developing smart technology for the Internet of Things (IoT) has motivated a lot of research interest in optimizing data transmission or minimizing energy consumption, but with little evidence of proposals for achieving both objectives in a single model. Using the concept of game theory, we develop a new MAC protocol for IEEE 802.15.4 and IoT networks in which we formulate a novel expression for the players' utility function and establish a stable Nash equilibrium (NE) for the game. The proposed IEEE 802.15.4 MAC protocol is modeled as a smart game in which analytical expressions are derived for channel access probability, data transmission probability, and energy used. These analytical expressions are used in formulating an optimization problem (OP) that maximizes data transmission and minimizes energy consumption by nodes. The analysis and simulation results suggest that the proposed scheme is scalable and achieves better performance in terms of data transmission, energy-efficiency, and longevity, when compared with the default IEEE 802.15.4 access mechanism.Peer reviewe

Invulnerability of the Chief Executive and Democratic Sustainability in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges

The debate on the invulnerability of the chief executive in modern democracy has raged on with no end in sight soon Executive recklessness and impunity seem to have been given a tacit constitutional approval as no criminal proceedings can be brought or continued against the President the Vice President the Governor and the Deputy Governor during their tenures in office though the provisions do not take cognisance of the statute of limitations as criminal charges could be commenced or continued after the tenures of the holders of these offices Equality before the law presupposes that the law should apply equally to the rulers and the ruled save for privileges permitted by the Constitution or other law In the words of that erudite jurist Lord Denning MR To every subject in this land no matter how powerful I would use Thomas Fuller s words over 300 years ago Be you never so high the law is above you 1 I Introduction Based on the above this paper examines the invulnerability of the heads of executive arm of government in the discharge of their constitutional duties It x-rays the origin of sovereign immunity of the chief executives in Nigerian polity and the effects of invulnerability of the chief executive on the political stability of the natio

BEAMING SEARCHLIGHT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW COMMISSION.

The idea of developing International Law through the restatement of existing rules or through the formulation of new rules is not a recent phenomenon[1]. Enthusiasm for the “codification movement” generally stems from the belief that written International Law would remove the uncertainties of customary international law by filling existing gaps in the law, as well as by giving precision to abstract general principles whose practical application is not settled.[2] In carrying out this research, both primary and secondary sources of data are utilised. The primary sources include International Treaties, Statutes, Charters, etc, while, secondary sources include Textbooks, Yearbooks, journals, internet materials and so on. All the data were subjected to content and contextual analysis. The International Law Commission (ILC) is one of the least understood / appreciated legal institutions on the global scene,. Hence, this paper intends to increase awareness on the functions of the ILC and how it develops and codifies international law. It also aims ar holistically appraising the activities of the International Law Commission (ILC) hereinafter called “the commission”, its evolution, legal frameworks, functions, membership and prospects. It ends with concluding remarks and recommendations. KEYWORDS: International Law, Progressive Development, Codification, Commission, Functions and  Membership. * Dr.Babalola Abegunde, Lecturer & Sub-Dean, Faculty of Law, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]  .Tel: +2348037446738. [1] See The Work of the International Law Commission, United Nations Publications, (2012) New York, 8th Ed. Volume 1. [2] Ibid p.1; For further reading, see,Watts, A., The International Law Commission 1949-1998, (3 Vols, Oxford, 1999-2000); see also, Analytical Guide to the Work of the International Law Commission 1949-1997,United Nations, New York, 1998; The Finnish Yearbook of International Law 1998, Karl, T., et al (eds); Jennings, R.Y.,International Law Reform and Progressive Development, in G.Hafner, etal,(eds),Liber Amincorum Professor Seidl  Hohenvelveldern((Kluver,  The Hague ,1988),p.325

Exclusive Indoor Informal Activities in Africa: Community Economic Development at Grassroots without Land Use Planning?

The study examined the economic and environ-spatial activities of exclusive indoor informal sector (EIIS) workers in Africa, citing Lagos as a case study. It randomly sampled 04% of the residential buildings in the study area and showed that nearly al l(91%) the respondents captured in the sample earned about three Dollars per day without any public means of advertisement, and vaded tax (96%). Most of them used open spaces and setbacks within buildings for business activities, creating circulation disturbance within premises (47%) and generating solid and semi-liquid wastes (30%) and air pollution (26%) within residences. There existed positive relationship of 0.502 between customers� level of patronage and profit realised by these respondents, indicating that EIIS attracted high patronage of customers to the sampled residential houses. Implicitly, about half (49%) of the occupants of the sampled houses (inhabited by more than a tenant) would be trading off their privacies to the visiting customers of co-tenants who were into EIIS. The study noted that the environ-spatial and social effects of EIIS activities on residents cannot be traded for the profits made by these workers, hence, advocated for a balance through intervention of land use planners and policy makers

Land as the Main Cause of Inter-communal Conflicts in Africa; Key Natural Resource against Community Development of Third World Nations?

This paper examines the role of land in inter-communal conflicts (IC) in southwestern Nigeria. It purposefully selected eight communities with recurrent IC in the region for questionnaire administration, targeting 10% of their household heads. Study reveals that most of the residents identified land as the main cause of IC. It notes that government's grip over land in the area was weak, as most of the residents acknowledged that individual families and community leaders monitored the affairs of land in the region and that strangers have no full right to indigenous land. This could be why most past recorded conflicts erupted when people rose to fight for their rights on land. In this regards, the policy makers of Nigeria need to review the effectiveness of the country's land laws and their applications at the regional and local levels. To avoid complications, selected community leaders must be involved in the process.Keywords: Land, conflict, community development, administration, settlement

Exploring predictors of loss-to-care among people living with HIV

Retention in HIV care is an important public health issue as it improves survival and quality of life among people living with HIV (PLWH) and reduces the risk of infection spread to others. In order to increase retention in care and maintain a care continuum, it is essential to understand the factors and reasons that lead to non-retention in care. The effects of reported loss-to-care reasons on reengagement in care among a Southwestern Pennsylvania HIV program-based population of 920 individuals was examined in the present study. Participants reported 17 single primary reasons and 9 categories of multiple reasons; the most commonly reported single reasons were denial/avoidance, substance abuse, incarceration, unstable locations and mental health issues while the most reported multiple reason category was mental health and substance abuse. Multinomial regression was conducted to explore loss to care reason categories and factors associated with reengagement in care. In multinomial analysis, adjusted for race, HIV contact risk, insurance and use of antiretroviral medication, persons with single reasons related to finance and stigma were 2.5 (95% CI; 1.2, 5.5) and 3.5 (95% CI; 1.2, 10.1) times, respectively, as likely as those with multiple reasons to be reengaged in care. Enrollment in insurance and taking antiretroviral medications were also found to be strong independent predictors of reengagement in care. Participants who reported multiple reasons were less likely to be reengaged in care and those with injective drug use risk were 50% less likely to be reengaged in care compared to those with heterosexual contact risk. Success in reengagement was lower among PLWH with higher risk reasons such as mental health issues and substance abuse; hence, while intervention approaches may be effective for those with fewer and less complicated reasons, other PLWH may benefit from program modifications in the attempt to reengage them

Educational Behaviour of Residents living in Inter-communal Conflicts Zones of Southwestern Nigeria

This paper examines the influence of inter-communal conflicts (IC) on the educational behavior of residents with focus on the children/wards’ that were of school age in southwestern Nigeria. It purposefully selects eight communities with recurrent IC in the region for questionnaire administration, and systematically samples 593 (10%) household heads for questionnaire administration. Findings reveal that most of the respondents are literate but reflects a low level of educational interaction among those living in discrete neighbouring communities. Study further shows that there was no significant difference between residents’ proximities to places where their children/wards schools’ were located during and after the conflicts. In the contrary, about half of them claim that their children/wards could not gain access to their schools during conflicts. In addition, one third of them also claim that these schools were not functioning during this time. In both ways, the figure dropped to 10% and 27% respectively after conflict.  An examination of the critical effects of conflicts on residents’ education through attendance of children/wards’ schools during conflict by the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents reveal that respondents’ settlements, age and educational status of their children/wards are statistically significant at P≤0.05. The study establishes that conflicts do affects residents’ educational interaction, children/wards’ functionality of and accessibility to schools durinf and after conflicts in southwestern Nigeria. This is meaningful information to policy makers and international organizations who are interested children education in relation to conflicts in Africa and beyond

Sustainable Community Development in Africa Nations through Disaster Risk Reduction in Tourism Industries: the Nigerian Experience

The paper examines tourism development and disaster risk reduction in Africa, using Nigeria as a case study. It has the goal of setting guide and safety strategies to potential tourists with a view to aid socio economic and physical growth of host communities through tourism management. With foreseeable tourism potentials in Nigeria, it emphasizes the need for disaster planning through risk management in tourist areas. This includes risk prevention, reduction, mitigation and coping. The paper posits that effective risk management in tourism industry will assure safety to tourists, increase their patronage and enhance the economy of host communities. Keywords: Disaster, Economy, Planning, Risk Management, Tourism, Tourist