Agent-Based Control System as a Tool towards Industry 4.0: Directed Communication Graph Approach

Agent-based control systems composed of simple locally interacting controller agents with demonstrated complex group behaviour. There have been relatively few implementations of agent-based control systems, mainly because of the difficulty of determining whether simple controller agent strategies will lead to desirable collective behaviour in a large system. The aim of this chapter is to design an agent-based control system for sets of ‘clustered’ controller agents through proposed directed communication graph approach as potent tool for the Industry 4.0. To reach global coordination with focus on real world applications, we use cluster algorithm technique in a set of rules for assigning decision tasks to agents. The outcomes include behavioural pattern, trend of agents and multi-agents usage in rail manufacturing enterprise resource planning and supply chain management. The results of this study showed that the combination of multi-agent system has ability to interact effectively and make informed decision on the type of maintenance actions, resource planning, train arrival times, etc

Cultural Dichotomy and Language Learning among the Yoruba Race of Nigerian Society

This study investigated cultural diversity and second language learning among primary school pupils in Ogun state of Nigeria. The study is a descriptive survey in which 300 primary four school children were randomly selected from among pupils attending public primary schools in Ogun state. The Language Achievement Test developed and validated by the researchers was the instrument used in the study. It was a fifty items test designed to measure language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Its convergent validity ranged from .68 to .91 on Cronbach alpha. Findings revealed significant influence of cultural diversity on listening, speaking, reading and writing skills of the participants. It was therefore recommended that a unified Yoruba accent and grammar should be evolved and adopted in all primary schools in all the Yoruba speaking states of Nigeria. Keywords: cultural diversity, language learning, Yoruba languag

HOW USEFUL IS CONTINGENT VALUATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT TO WATER SERVICES? EVIDENCE FROM SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA

Contingent Valuation Methods (CVM) Willingness To Pay (WTP) Tobit (censored) model Quasi-deregulation

Ileal lipoma: a rare lead point for adult ileocolic intussusception

Intussusception is the telescoping of a segment of the gastrointestinal tract within the lumen of an adjacent segment. Adult intussusceptions are rare, with ileal lipoma responsible for only 6% of cases. Clinically, adult intussusception remains an elusive diagnosis. The triad of abdominal pain, vomiting and passage of bloody stool is not frequently seen in adults. Abdominal computed tomography is the gold standard for identifying ileal lipoma as the lead point of an adult intussusception. Definitive management is by surgical excision of the involved segment. This is a case report of a 38-yearold female with intussusception with a 5-cm subserosal ileal lipoma as the lead point. This is the first (to the best of our knowledge) reported case of adult intussusception caused by ileal lipoma in Africa.Keywords: Intussusception, Ileal, Lipoma, Subserosal, Intestinal obstruction, Adul

Professionals In The Built Environment And The Incidence Of Building Collapse In Nigeria

The failure of buildings is a national problem, which not only results in waste of materials, financial and human resources but, sometimes in loss of lives and properties. This occurrence has been a challenge to the professionals in the industry and as such necessitates the need for this study. The study examines the involvement of professionals in the incidence of buildings collapse in Lagos state. The research also identified and assessed the causes of building failure, evaluated the effects of such failures on construction professionals, the client, and the nation as a whole. In achieving these objectives, the study adopts a survey technique with a total of 65 questionnaires mainly for the professionals in the industry in which 50 were retrieved and used for the analysis. Random sampling technique was used in the selecting of the sample size. Data collected were analyzed using the frequency table, mean item score, one sample t test and paired sample t test. The study revealed that the building industry is full of quacks and inexperienced contractors. Their involvement in building construction has led to a lot of collapse in the past and at present. Poor management and leadership on the part of the Site Engineers and Builders have also contributed to many buildings failures. The analysis reveals that there are significant differences in the causes of building failure. The failures of buildings also have significant effects on the stakeholders. The study recommends that for all construction works being undertaken, such should be designed and supervised by qualified and registered Engineers and Builders. Also code of ethical conduct of building profession should be strongly enforced by the bodies concerned as to prevent ethical abuse by the professionals in the industry

Socioeconomic strain, crime and economic growth: evidence from Nigeria

Owing to the challenges posed by crime in Nigeria on citizenry and government financial plans and the implementation, this study explores criminal activities with the aim of seeing how the crime rate can be minimised in the country. Previous studies on crime in Nigeria have made a tremendous contribution to the crime literature, but they have not examined the association between socioeconomic strain and crime and the effect of crime on economic growth statistically. Thus, this study examines how socioeconomic strain factors contribute to the development of crime, and how crimes affect economic growth in Nigeria. Based on previous research, the link between socioeconomic strain, crime, and economic growth was explained via strain theory and rational choice theory. In testing the proposition of the theory, data from 1970 to 2013 were analysed with an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to examine the relationship while the modified Wald test approach to Granger causality was used to provide the causality direction. The results showed that socioeconomic strain affects crime positively, and crime affects economic growth negatively. Besides, the causality ran from socioeconomic strain to crime and from economic growth to crime against person. Based on the results, this study suggests that socioeconomic strain should be monitored and controlled, deterrence institutions should be strengthened, and vigorous policies for various investments should be well planned and implemented to reduce crime in Nigeria. This study believes that the policy that would check and reduce crime would improve economic growth

Self-directed learning readiness and learning style preferences of adult learners

The main purpose of the study was to identify the relationships among demographic characteristics, learning styles, and self-directed learning of adult American and foreign students. Based on adult self-directed learning and experiential learning theoretical frameworks, a conceptual model was formulated and tested;The experiential Learning Style Inventory (LSI), and the Self-directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) were used to collect data from 178 graduate students;The study is based on a correlational ex post facto research design. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and path-analysis were employed for testing the hypotheses of the study;The results of the study indicate that nationality and degree program directly influence readiness for self-directed learning. Also, preference for learning styles and level of education directly influence an individual\u27s level of readiness for self-directed learning;Academic major and years of prior work experience are indirectly indicative of readiness for self-directed learning;Age, gender and type of employment showed neither direct nor indirect influence on inner-outer directedness in learning; therefore they have no predictive capability for either self-directed learning readiness or preference for experiential learning style. The researcher concluded that a combination of active and abstract abilities are required for effective self-directed learning. Propensity for self-direction in learning can be enhanced. With further research, and adequate understanding of the relationships among demographic characteristics, learning preferences and readiness for self-directed learning, intervention efforts can become more feasible and productive. Implications for theory and research were highlighted, along with recommendations for further research