Econometric Analysis of Foreign Reserves and Some Macroeconomic Variables in Nigeria (1970–2007)∗

Countries are showing interest in accumulating foreign reserves to ensure macroeconomic stability. There has been some debate whether to beef up the level of nations’ foreign reserves or make it lower, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Whereas some argue that the foreign reserve determines the country’s rating in the global market, others hold opposing views. In this light, this paper examined the interactive influence of foreign reserve (FRS) on some macroeconomic variables such as: economic size (GDP); trade; level of capital inflows (KFL); exchange rate (EXR); and inflation. Analyzing secondary data from CBN statistical bulletins (1970–2007), the econometric results obtained from cointegration test, vector error correction (VEC) within the framework of autoregressive distributed lags (ARDL) revealed the following: (1) existence of a longrun relationship between the variables and two cointegrating equations; (2) possibility of convergence of the variables from the short run to the long run with slow speed of adjustment. It is thus the conclusion of this paper that accumulation of large foreign reserves is not very productive in Nigeria due to its inability to induce some of the macroeconomic variables

A LabVIEW based data acquisition system for vibration monitoring and analysis

LabVIEW (Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench) is gaining popularity as a graphical programming language, especially for data acquisition and measurement. This is due to the vast array of data acquisition cards and measurement systems which can be supported by LabVIEW as well as the relative ease with which advanced software can be programmed. One area of application of LabVIEW is the monitoring and analysis of vibration signals. The analysis and monitoring of the signal are of concern for fault detection and predictive maintenance. This paper describes LabVIEW based data acquisition and analysis developed specifically for vibration monitoring and used with vibration fault simulation systems (VFSS). On-line displays of time and frequency domains of the vibration signal provide a user-friendly data acquisition interface

Vibration faults simulation system (VFSS): A lab equipment to aid teaching of mechatronics courses

VFSS is an example of a mechatronics system which involves data acquisition and analysis using LabVIEW-based virtual instrument technology. This system can serve as teaching equipment for mechatronics students in the area of data acquisition, sensors and actuators, signal processing and vibration monitoring to aid students' understanding on these subjects. Since vibration fault signals and their causes are important for fault detection and diagnosis, a vibration faults simulation system is developed to gain good understanding of such signals. To achieve this a vibration faults simulation rig (VFSR) is designed and developed to simulate and study most common vibration fault signatures encountered in rotating machines. A LabVIEW-based data acquisition system is used to acquire and analyze the fault signals. The complete system has been developed and tested and the fault signals were compared with normal signals so as to ascertain the condition of the machine under investigation. VFSS has been successfully used to demonstrate some vital concepts in the teaching of DSP, sensor and actuators and mechanical vibration since data are acquired from the physical system and are analyzed to derive information on the system under investigation. This approach further allows students to gain insight into effects of noise on measurements and how such effects can be combated

Iris Recognition System Using Support Vector Machines

In recent years, with the increasing demands of security in our networked society, biometric systems for user verification are becoming more popular. Iris recognition system is a new technology for user verification. In this paper, the CASIA iris database is used for individual user’s verification by using support vector machines (SVMs) which based on the analysis of iris code as feature extraction is discussed. This feature is then used to recognize authentic users and to reject impostors. Support Vector Machines (SVMs) technique was used for the classification process. The proposed method is evaluated based upon False Rejection Rate (FRR) and False Acceptance Rate (FAR) and the experimental result show that this technique produces good performance

Performance of Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Enhanced By Organic Fertilizer in a Forest Agroecology, Nigeria

There is a growing interest in the use of organic fertilizers for vegetable production in Nigeria, it is important to determine the appropriate rate of application. Field trial was conducted in 2016 to evaluate the effects of cow dung application on growth and yield of onion (Allium cepa L) at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.  The treatments consisted of cow dung applied at 0, 5, 10 and 20 t ha-1 arranged in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were collected on plant height, length of leaf, number of leaves, bulb length, bulb diameter and number of bulb, weight of single bulb plant-1, total biological weight and bulb yield. The result indicated that cow dung rates significantly influenced growth of onion with tallest plant, highest number of leaves and leaf length of 53.87 cm, 6.33 and 58.94 cm respectively. The highest number of bulb (51.8), weight of single bulb (51.9 g), total biological weight (57.4 g) and bulb yield  (14.5 t/ha) were obtained with 20 t/ha rate of application. Addition of cow dung can improved the fertility of the soils for onion production in the forest agroecology leading to low cost input by peasant farmers. Keywords: Agroecology, bulb, cow dung, onion, organic manure, yields

Keystroke pressure based typing biometrics authentication system by combining ANN and ANFIS-based classifiers

Security of an information system depends to a large extent on its ability to authenticate legitimate users as well as to withstand attacks of various kinds. Confidence in its ability to provide adequate authentication is, however, waning. This is largely due to the wrongful use of passwords by many users. In this paper, the design and development of keystroke pressure-based typing biometrics for individual user's verification which based on the analysis of habitual typing of individuals is discussed. The paper examines the use of maximum pressure exerted on the keyboard and time latency between keystrokes as features to create typing patterns for individual users. Combining both an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) are adopted as classifiers to verify the authorized and unauthorized users based on extracted features of typing biometric. The effectiveness of the proposed system is evaluated based upon False Reject Rate (FRR) and False Accept Rate (FAR). A series of experiment shows that the proposed system that used combined classifiers produces promising result for both FAR and FRR

Iris recognition system by using support vector machines

In recent years, with the increasing demands of security in our networked society, biometric systems for user verification are becoming more popular. Iris recognition system is a new technology for user verification. In this paper, the CASIA iris database is used for individual userpsilas verification by using support vector machines (SVMs) which based on the analysis of iris code as feature extraction is discussed. This feature is then used to recognize authentic users and to reject impostors. Support Vector Machines (SVMs) technique was used for the classification process. The proposed method is evaluated based upon False Rejection Rate (FRR) and False Acceptance Rate (FAR) and the experimental result show that this technique produces good performance

E-Commerce and Banking Performance in Nigeria

E-commerce is relatively new in Nigeria and this business approach is fast gaining momentum. It has gradually emerged strongly and it’s advancing rapidly in all areas of financial intermediation and financial markets. This development has no doubt earned a competitive advantage owing to the fact that the recent development in telecommunications and information technology has resulted in new delivery channels for banking products and services. One of such derived benefits from e-commerce and its resultant impact on banking performance is its improved efficiency and effectiveness, convenience, reliability, flexibility, speed, etc. in order to enhance effective service delivery and boost banking performance in the Nigerian economy. However, as to how e-commerce practices can be employed in the pursuit of a sustainable development and economic growth is yet to be firmly established. This research work particularly describes the significance of e-commerce system by explaining the transition from the traditional business practices to the evolving electronic commerce practices which has broken many new grounds and has taken a global dimension.  Again, it explains why the electronic commerce channels such as the use of ATM, telecommunications, social networks, internet banking, POS terminals, Mobile phones, software applications, etc could enable business to blossom and reduce the movement of cash/cash handling which in turn helps to curb crime rates, mitigate other barricading challenges and would protect us from many dangers.  Also, it explains why it has gained greater height of acceptability and thus explains how information communication technology (ICT) could be exploited and enhanced for this purpose.  Conclusively, it develops a strategic management framework for leveraging e-commerce practices by providing considerable and practical suggestions on the use of e-e-commerce - its features, benefits, success factors and possible attendant risks associated with e-commerce. It guarantees customers’ patronage,  improve the standard of living, as well as facilitating economic, social and technological changes as certain values are expoused by sustainable development which in turn, would help to foster economic growth in the Nigerian economy . it was recommended that government and banks should establish adequate regulatory framework that will ensure customers’ protection and security of investment. Keywords: e-commerce, e-banking, mobile commerce/mobile banking, internet banking, information technology, social networks.

A quatitative approach for establishing safe weight of lift

The objective of this work was to formulate a mathematical model for predicting a safe weight of lift. Considering the intratruncal pressure, post-work height shrinkage of the worker and strain energy of the intervertebral disc, the SWL function was derived in terms of the Young Modulus of elasticity (E) of the articular cartilage (endplate of the disc); velocity of lift (u); acceleration due to gravity (g); vertical location of the load (V); horizontal length of the load from the ankles (H); vertical displacement of the load (D); the angle of lift ("theta") and the lifter’s anthropometric dimensions. To evaluate the function for a particular individual, the value of the length of the spine from the first thoracic to the last lumbar vertebrae, the heights just before the start and after the close of work were measured to determine the height shrinkage. Additionally, the breadth and depth of the trunk were measured. A range of values of the function parameters: V, H and D were adopted from National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), while E and U were also taken from the literature. SWL values were computed and compared to those of the Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) of NIOSH and Maximum Acceptable Weight of Lift (MAWL) from the literature. At an average height shrinkage of 0.014 m and a maximum permissible shrinkage of 0.21 m, the SWL and SWLMax values were significantly different (at 95% level confidence) from the corresponding RWL and the MAWL values

Preparation of Waste Paper Fibrous Cement and Studying of Some Physical Properties

Waste paper is available in environment from different sources, such as office, newspaper and markets. Waste papers are the abundant source of cellulose and may be used as landfill. Using of these wastes in building materials has two benefits, the first one has reduced the environmental pollution and the second improves the physical properties of concrete and building bricks (or blocks). Addition of waste paper cellulose to concrete at certain percentage improve its thermal insulation properties and affect its density to produce lightweight and insulating building materials. The material which produces by using waste paper is called papercrete. It is a mixture of waste paper pulp, sand, cement and water by replacing the cement by waste paper pulp at a certain percentage. Also fibrous cement could be produced by mixing of waste paper pulp with cement and water. In the current work the waste paper was processed to obtain the raw materials of papercrete and fibrous cement. The processing method includes a sequence of processes which are shredding, soaking, mixing, dewatering and drying. In the dewatering process, a wet pulp was obtained and it can be used as it is in the mixtures of papercrete or fibrous cement. A dry pulp also could be used. It is observed that one kilogram of office paper and that of newspaper produces 3.24 kg and 3.26 kg of wet paper pulp respectively. The dry pulp, which is produced during the drying process is 0.954 kg and 0.949 kg for 1 kg of office paper and newspaper respectively. Design of mix proportion, test of water absorption, apparent porosity and drying curve of samples with different percentage of paper pulp were investigated in the present work. Keywords: wastepaper, papercrete, fibrous cement, porosity, water absorption, bulk densit