Reinforcement Learning, Intelligent Control and their Applications in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Reinforcement learning (RL) has attracted large attention over the past few years. Recently, we developed a data-driven algorithm to solve predictive cruise control (PCC) and games output regulation problems. This work integrates our recent contributions to the application of RL in game theory, output regulation problems, robust control, small-gain theory and PCC. The algorithm was developed for $H_\infty$ adaptive optimal output regulation of uncertain linear systems, and uncertain partially linear systems to reject disturbance and also force the output of the systems to asymptotically track a reference. In the PCC problem, we determined the reference velocity for each autonomous vehicle in the platoon using the traffic information broadcasted from the lights to reduce the vehicles\u27 trip time. Then we employed the algorithm to design an approximate optimal controller for the vehicles. This controller is able to regulate the headway, velocity and acceleration of each vehicle to the desired values. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the algorithms

Properties of Self-Compacting Mortar made with Sorghum Husk Ash and Calcium Carbide Waste as Binder

The quest for the development of alternative and more sustainable construction material stemmed out from the current global concern on issues relating to global warming and green house effect. In recent time, research direction has shifted towards the use of agro-industrial waste as complete replacement of ordinary Portland cement. In this study the effects of the blends of sorghum husk ash (SHA) and calcium carbide waste (CCW) on the fresh properties of self compacting mortar was investigated where various tests were carried out which included physical and chemical properties of the constituents materials, Flow cone test for paste, Mini v-funnel flow time and Mortar flow spread test for determination of saturation dosage of HRWR for self compacting mortar made with sorghum husk ash and calcium carbide waste as binder, were carried out. Then developments in the compressive strength of the hardened mortar were determined at 3, 7, 14, 28, 56 and 90 days. The study revealed that SHA sample have high Silicon dioxide (SiO2 (84%) while CCW is majorly Calcium oxide (CaO(66%).The optimum saturation dosage of  High Range Water Reducer  (HRWR) determined from Flow cone test and Mini-v-funnel was 3.5%. The 70/30 (SHA/CCW) shows the highest mortar flow spread of 290 mm compared to the control (295mm).The agro-industrial binder exhibited good binding properties at a slow hydration rate. Analysis of the compressive strength results show that 70/30 (SHA/CCW) proportion has the highest value of 14.08 N/mm2 at 90 days. Self compacting mortar made with SHA/CCW combinations as binder can be adopted for use in masonry work as it conforms to type N of ASTM C270 morta

Time, cost and construction of public primary school classrooms in southwestern, Nigeria (2020 - 2024)

This paper employed a planning strategy to determine the time and cost of constructing classrooms in South-western public primary schools in Nigeria from the year 2020 to 2024. The paper embraced the mixed-method research design by employing the qualitative and quantitative approaches to gain an in-depth understanding of the variables investigated. The study population comprised 8401 public primary schools in the six Southwestern states of Nigeria. The study sample comprised 1092 schools, 15 architects and quantity surveyors using the Research Advisor. The purposive sampling technique was used to select three out of the six Southwestern states. In each state, the simple random sampling technique was employed in selecting the schools and their head teachers, architects and quantity surveyors to respond to the questionnaire. An official document containing the primary data on pupils' flow collected from the offices of Universal Basic Education Boards of the selected state was used to generate baseline enrolment figure and to  corroborate the data that was provided by the schools under investigation. In particular, Primary School Pupils’ Flow Questionnaire (PSPF-Q) was administered on primary school head teachers, Cost Schedule Form Questionnaire (CSF-Q) on quantity surveyors and Time Schedule Form Questionnaire (TSF-Q) on architects. The results showed that N5,819,298,322.76 is the mean cost of constructing the required number of classrooms per state in Southwestern Nigeria in the year 2020, N7,820,342,573.22 in the year 2021, N10,363,911,641.54 in the year 2022, N13,585,830,755.00 in the year 2023 and N17,639,959,050.00 in the year 2024. Also, a maximum of 22 days, 15 hours is needed for the construction of one classroom based on the assumption that one worker will be allocated to each task per time. The study concluded that the government should be able to plan for the construction of the needed number of  classrooms based on the time and cost estimate in this work. Keywords: Time, Cost, Construction, educational planning, public primary schoo

An Assessment of Wetland Loss in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

Wetlands are a very important subsystem of the general ecosystem as they play vital roles in the sustenance of both the surface and groundwater resources of the earth. However, much of the world’s wetlands have been lost due to series of human activities which gradually cause the degradation of this distinct element of ecosystem. The foundation of this problem is based on public perception of wetlands as unproductive, unhealthy lands, full of disease carrying insects and reptiles such as snakes and crocodiles. Therefore, this study assessed the loss of wetlands in Lagos metropolis. Questionnaires were administered on 75 Estate Surveyors and Valuers located within the study area and 76% were successfully retrieved. Also, 20 questionnaires were administered on conservation officials while 50% were retrieved. Data collected was collated and anlysed using descriptive statistics and relative importance index (RII). The study revealed that wetlands in Lagos Metropolis are habitats for fishes, source of water supply, help in sustaining the food chain of various wetland animals and are inevitably useful in maintaining the integrity of the Lagos coastline. The study further revealed urbanisation as a major factor responsible for the loss and degradation of wetlands in Lagos. Construction activities such as sand-filling, converting and reclaiming wetlands for the purpose of housing construction and infrastructural development contribute to wetland loss in Lagos metropolis. The study therefore concluded that efforts should be geared towards giving this natural ecosystem its due consideration when taking economic decision that will impact on it. Keywords: Environment, Lagos Metropolis, Wetland Loss, Wetland Valuation, Nigeri

Drug prescription/blood pressure control in patients on monotherapy attending a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Background: Current treatment guidelines for treatment of hypertension stipulate the use of diuretics or calcium channel blockers (CCBs) as first-line treatment. Although, many studies have been carried out to study prescription pattern and blood pressure (BP) control in this region none has independently compared the effect of different antihypertensive drug classes given as monotherapy on BP control. This study compares the BP lowering efficacy of different classes of antihypertensive drugs given as monotherapy in black hypertensive patients with or without complications.Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study evaluated the influence of antihypertensive prescription on BP controls among consecutive patients present on clinic days from November 2011 to April 2012. Patients were treated with either angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, angiotensin receptor blocker, beta-blocker, CCB, centrally acting adrenergic drug or diuretic. The primary outcome was BP reading <140/90 mmHg in patients without complication or <130/80 mmHg in patients with complication.Results: Of 264 patients, 228 patients received one drug whereas 36 received no drug. More than half of those on non-pharmacological intervention had good BP control (n=21), patients on diuretic (28.8%) had a significantly higher BP control (p=0.014) than those on other classes of drugs. Only 58% of the patients had good BP control. Diastolic BP reduced with an increase in age.Conclusions: Inthis study, diuretics significantly reduced BP compared with other antihypertensive class. Although clinical trials also suggest the use of CCB as first‑line treatment, cost considerations are necessary

The impact of market uncertainty on international SME performance

This research explores the performance of international small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Iran. Iran as the 18th biggest market in the world, can potentially be an attractive market for firms. However, SMEs need to navigate the market uncertainty to achieve their performance goals. This study explores this issue by placing competitive advantage to mediate market uncertainty and international SMEs’ performance. A foreign SME in Iran is considered a company with 99 employees or less, and which was founded abroad but have an established branch within the country. We used the partial least square (PLS) method to analyse the data gathered from 166 foreign SMEs in Iran. The findings imply that market uncertainty significantly affects performance. Nevertheless, competitive advantage does not mediate the relationship. This study offers insights to international SMEs on how to leverage comprehensive knowledge on market uncertainty to enhance their performance in developing markets. The empirical findings from this research reaffirms the notion that international SMEs ought to be informed about the effects of uncertainty in order to achieve high performance. This is particularly important in developing markets which are more prone to ambiguity

Adsorption properties of Azadirachta indica extract on corrosion of Aluminium in 1.85 M Hydrochloric acid

The crude extract of Azadirachta indica was used in the corrosion inhibition study of aluminium metal coupons in 1.85 M hydrochloric acid environment by gasometric technique. The coupons were immersed in test solutions of uninhibited 1.85 M HCl and those containing extract concentrations of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% (v/v) at room temperature. The rate of the reaction was captured by monitoring the volume of hydrogen gas evolved as a result of the interaction. The inhibition efficiency of the extracts and the adsorption isotherm of the process were calculated using Frumkin, Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin adsorption theories and the surface morphology studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It was observed that the plant extract retarded the acid induced corrosion of aluminium and the volume of hydrogen gas evolved reduced with increasing extract concentration. The adsorption studies revealed that Langmuir isotherm is the best model for the adsorption of Azadirachta indica (R2 = 0.999) on aluminium surface. This implied that the Azadirachta indica extracts with aluminium metal undergoes chemisorption

Assessment Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Locally Smoked Fish Sold In Lagos Markets

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known widespread contaminants which represent an important group of carcinogens. This study reports the concentrations of PAHs in smoked fishes locally sold in two markets in Lagos state, Nigeria. The amounts of PAHs present in the samples were quantified using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The total concentration of PAHs detected in each sample are 127.5, 86.06, 58.39 and 101.58 μg/kg dry weight for the following fish species respectively; Scomberomorus tritor, Tilapia guinensis, Ilisha africana and Clarias gariepinnus. Benzo[a]pyrene was present in all the samples and the concentration exceeds the permissible limit of 5.0 μg/kg except in one of the fish species. The abundance of high molecular weight PAHs in three of the fish species suggests that pyrolysis was the method used in the smoking process. From the maximum limit set by the European Commission for the sum of PAH, only S. tritor exceeded the 30 μg/kg limit with 54.68 μg/kg present