Outage Probability of Decentralized Coded User Cooperation in Wireless Communications

In this article, the outage probability as a standard metric for evaluating the performance of a distributed (or decentralized) Reed-Solomon (R-S) coded cooperative communication system is presented. In this system, the users’ codewords are split into two frames and are transmitted via two independent fading paths. The first is directly to the destination while the second frame is transmitted via a relaying partner, also to the destination. The outage probability expressions here derived further prove that the R-S coded scheme achieves full diversity. Moreover, the comparisons under different source-partner and source-destination channel conditions made with the centralized Rate Compatible Punctured Convolutional (RCPC) coded cooperative scheme show that the decentralized R-S coded scheme outperforms the centralized RCPC cooperative scheme. Keywords: coded cooperation, cooperative diversity, outage probability, fading channel, source, partne

Investigating ESL Learners’ Socioeconomic Environment on Their Writing Competence in Lagos, Nigeria: Implications for Pedagogy

This study investigated the influence of Junior Secondary School (JSS) students’ socioeconomic environment on their competence in writing in English. Ten schools from randomly selected private and public schools in Lagos State, Nigeria were used. A total of 300 randomly selected students constituted the sample. Data were collected through structured questionnaire and adapted essay writing tests. Students’ tests were marked by considering content, organisation, expression, and mechanical accuracy (COEMA) as criteria and scored on 10 points: thus, 6-10 points was regarded as competent; while 1-5 points = incompetent. Information on students’ socioeconomic environment was collected through the questionnaire. Results revealed 66% of the respondents demonstrated writing incompetence and 34% demonstrated writing competence. Of the 66% of incompetence, 45% was from the public schools while 21% was from the private schools. Of all the socioeconomic factors examined, language of communication at home was established as a determining factor. All stake holders, especially, teachers must focus on grammar for the improvement of students’ writing skill.Key words: Socioeconomic environment; English Writing Competence; Private school; Public schoo

Impact of Charcoal Production on the Sustainable Development of Asa Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria

This study examines the impact of charcoal production on the sustainable development of Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examines the method of production of charcoal, identifies the basis for involvement in charcoal production; analyzes the socio-economic impact of charcoal on rural well-being and the perception of the inhabitants of the study area on the impact of charcoal production on the environment. One hundred and fifty copies of questionnaire were administered to obtain the opinions of the respondents on the impact of charcoal production on their welfare. Focus Group Discussions and interviews were conducted on the inhabitants and producers to explore their views on method of production and the effects on their health and environment respectively. Descriptive statistical techniques were employed to analyze the gathered data. The study revealed significant negative impact of charcoal production on the ecology of the study area. Legislation on afforestation and reforestation should be enforced on people both at the study area and the country at large. Development of energy-saving meters and solar cookers should be encouraged. Furthermore, the society should be enlightened through media, visual display and jingles on the impacts of environmental degradation on human health and biodiversity.Key words: Degradation, Climate Change, Ecosystem, Health and Environmen

AN AUTOREGRESSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DETERMINANTS OF PRIVATE SAVINGS IN NIGERIA

Purpose. Despite the increasing trend of private savings in Nigeria, the country is still characterised by low investment and output growth, thus, suggesting that the average saving rate is still far from being impressive. This study investigates the determinants of private savings in Nigeria. Methodology. Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model using annual time series data from 1981 to 2016 within the theoretical framework derived from the life-cycle hypothesis is employed in this study. The key variables under investigation are private savings, income, dependency ratio, real interest rate, social security payment, financial development and macroeconomic stability. The data used for analysis are sourced from Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin (2016) and World Development Indicator (2016). Findings. The results show that lifetime income and social security payment have significant positive relationship with private saving in the long-run, while adult dependency has significant negative relationship. In the short-run, adult dependency and social security payment have significant positive relationship with private savings. In addition, the result shows that 62% of deviation from the long-run equilibrium level of private savings is annually corrected for by the model estimated. Originality. This research investigates both the long-run and short-run effects of the various determinants of private savings in Nigeria. Thus, the study can serve as eye opener to the important variables that can improve the level of private savings in Nigeria

Feelings of Insecurity in Hotels and Host Communities, Ibadan, Nigeria

The study examines factors influencing the feelings of insecurity in Hotels and Host Communities of Ibadan, Nigeria. The results showed that theft, fraud, robbery sexual abuse, and burglary were the most frequently worried crime in the hotel industry while robbery, theft, fraud, burglary, and sexual abuse were highly worried among the residents of host communities. Using factor analysis, Mechanical/personal (42.7%), human (19.5%), economic (11.53%), and environmental factors (8.49%) were the factors influencing the feelings of insecurity among hotel staff while human/personal (49.30%), economic (11.261%), mechanical (7.49%), and environmental factor (6.52%) were the factors among residents of host communities. The study concluded that irrespective of the geographical area, feelings of insecurity is associated with different determinants and criminal activities vary based on several factors

Physico-Chemical Characterization Of Water Samples At Egbin Thermal Station In Ijede And Its Environs In Lagos State Of Nigeria.

With the view to determining the effect of industrial effluents on the water quality of the river at Ijede in Ikorodu, Lagos state of Nigeria as a result of the panicking situation within the community, the physicochemical parameters which include PH, Turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen, Salinity and Electrical conductivity were measured to ascertain the level of pollution in the river and the Environment. The result  shows  that the pollutions of this river, if any, were not really from the effluent coming out of the Plant, but attributed to other sources since the effluents from the Plant were well managed and the physico-chemical parameters are in good agreement with World Health Organization guidelines before it is discharged into the main river. It is therefore recommended that the control on the effluents management should be controlled and enforced by the Environmentalists to protect the activities of the residents at Egbin in Ijede and its environs. Key words:         Physico-chemical, Pollution, Discharged-water, WHO

The influence of delay factors on Pahang Malaysian construction industry: A PLS-SEM approach

Previous research has shown that delay is a common problem in construction industry. Weather condition and regulation changes, though being minor factors, are also known as external factors contributing to the delay of project construction. This study involved 118 respondents from the construction industry in Kuantan, Pahang. In order to obtain the data, copies of questionnaire were distributed widely among people in Pahang construction industry. The data were analysed by using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling version 3. A significant positive relationship between weather conditions and building projects in Pahang construction industry was identified. This study also found a negative relationship between regulation changes and building projects in Pahang construction industry. As expected, weather conditions were found to be one of the factors contributing to delay in the process of projects’ construction in Malaysia. However, weather conditions and the regulation changes did not significantly affect the construction projects in Malaysia. Out of the factors which contributed to delay in building projects, weather conditions, though a minor factor, played to an extent a part in contributing to extension of the time of the projects in Malaysia. Nevertheless, regulation changes was not considered a vital factor leading to delay in building projects in Malaysia

Impact of Oil and Gas Internal Risk Factors on Project Success: Moderating role of Government Support

Organisational internal risk factors, which include management, material, finance, and design risk factors, affect oil and gas construction projects' success in emerging nations, in which Malaysia is no exception. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of these internal risk factors and government support on oil and gas projects among sixty-one (61) employees of oil and gas firms using a questionnaire survey. The data collected were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques. The results revealed that all the exogenous variables (design risk, management risk, financial risk and material risk factors and government support) significantly impact project success. According to the findings, all exogenous variables (design risk, management risk, financial risk, material risk factors, and government support) have substantial effects on project success. The study developed an all-inclusive framework that can assist stakeholders in the industry in mitigating internal risk factors in ensuring the success of projects. Policy implications and future study paths are considered

Validating the Effects of Organizational Internal Factors and Technology Orientation on Environmental Sustainability Performance of Malaysian Construction Firms

The essence of emphasizing the importance of environmental sustainability among construction firms is to lessen the effects of construction activities or projects on the environment and make the construction activities more sustainably economically and friendly to the environment. This significant deliberation has stimulated various research interests by construction firms, owing to the damaging effects of construction activities such as various forms of environmental pollution, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss on a global scale. Using the Partial Least Squares- Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach, this study validates the environmental sustainability performance (ESP) as a construct from the perspectives of 186 construction firms within Peninsular Malaysia. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted where data was gathered from G7 construction firms through a well-structured questionnaire. Findings from this study revealed that organizational internal factors (Managerial attitudes, social responsibility, and company culture), and technology orientation have significant effects on the environmental sustainability performance (ESP) of Malaysian construction firms