Numerical analysis of structures of revolution using universal matrices approach

Stress and displacement analysis of structures of revolution under axisymmetric loading is of considerable interest in engineering. Many practical problems can be idealized as an axisymmetric case, which simplifies the analysis and reduces the computational work. The axisymmetric triangular element is commonly used for modeling these cases. This paper proposes a method of generating stiffness matrix for the axisymmetric triangular element using universal matrices instead of numerical integration. The computation time of the proposed method was compared against the Gaussian numerical integration. The CPU time ratio for the 3-node element was 1:1.56, 1:1.79, and 1:1.89 for the proposed method against 1-point, 3-points, and 4-points Gaussian numerical integration respectively. The accuracy of the proposed method was 0.012% against the exact integration method. The 1-point, 3-points, and 4-points Gaussian numerical integration have an error of 0.059%, 0.001%, and 0.0006% respectively. Nodal displacements from this method were compared against the results of some commercially available finite element packages. The proposed method has a deviation of 0.44% from the theoretical values, while ABAQUS, ANSYS, and Optistruct has a deviation of 1.26%, 1.29%, and 1.44% respectively using the default number of integration points provided by the packages.Keywords: Stiffness matrix; explicit formulation; closed-form; universal matrix; axisymmetric triangular element

Utilization of youth information sources for community security and socioeconomic development in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria

The continuous access to information sources among youths today in our dear structured communities is creating a conundrum on the very  existence of the people and the general purpose of information usage. The study examines youth’s information sources as a phenomenon and its consequence on community security and socioeconomic development. This situational study applies Information Horizons theoretical bases to explain who a lazy worthless youth is, on one hand and the dynamism of their general information needs and seeking behaviour as its affecttheir community security and livelihood on the other hand. The study adopts mixed methodology and use descriptive research design approach to obtain vital information from the youths. The study area (Gwale Local Government) population is 362,059 and to determine the sample size of 300 respondents from the three wards (Kabuga, Dandago and Goron Dutse) Fischer’s formula was adopted, the study uses cluster and simple random sampling to obtain this representation from the population. Close and open ended structured questionnaires constructed along the theoretical frame were the main instruments used for data collection. The results obtained where presented using descriptive statistics of frequency and  percentage distribution tables. The result shows that the dearth of well assessed information is sine-qua-non to poverty spread among youths and the state of poorly structured information feeders hampers the youth’s ability to understand the structure of their community security and equally contribute positively to its social balance and economic diversity for sustainable development. The potentials of technology should be harnessed by government at local level to design community base eplatforms, e-town hall meetings, e-social forums and social media integrating text, audio,  video, audiovisual and other user graphic interface, where the government presence are guaranteed (e-governance and e-representation) with committed personnel to man the activities and provide all-round-current-information and access links and equally guide through its utilization. Newtrends in information service delivery are important considerations to satisfying youths information needs, the study concludes. Keywords: Youths, Information, Information need, Slouch and Socio-economic developmen

Determining house price for mass appraisal using multiple regression analysis modeling in Kaduna North, Nigeria

The research applied Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) in estimating house price for mass appraisal in Kaduna north, Nigeria. Two basic micro determinants of house price were considered, namely; structural attributes and location of property. Using a sample of 106 house sale transactions data which were recorded between 2011 to 2015, MRA was used to determine the structural variables and locational attributes that have statistically significant influence on the house price. It was found that among the variables included in the MRA, year of transaction, type of house, availability of swimming pool, availability of security post, type of door and location of the property were significant in determining house price in Kaduna. However, number of bedroom, number of living room, type of ceiling, condition of the house were not significant in influencing house price. Using the significant variables, a mass appraisal model was developed for the study area. The performance of the model was evaluated using the ratio study method and the model was found to be satisfactory. It was recommended that, this model be used in mass appraisal of residential properties in Kaduna north in the future, with a view to improve accuracy, objectivity, efficiency, and fairness of the property taxation system, which will lead to generating more revenue for the government and, encourage physical infrastructural development in Kaduna North.Keywords: Mass Appraisal, Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA), House Price, Valuatio

Postoperative Fluid Management in Emergency Abdominal Surgery in Omdurman Teaching Hospital

Background:Postoperative intra-venous (IV) fluid management is still challenging, and despite many well-established guidelines, there are defects in IV fluid therapy. Many studies have shown that mal practice is not uncommon. An individualized approach in choosing types and amounts of IV fluid that meet the patient’s needs, is being advocated. Complications of IV fluid management are common, and might be life-threatening, causes are: mismanagement, mal documentation and poor assessment. Objectives: In this study, we reported the postoperative fluid management in emergency laparotomy at Omdurman teaching hospital Patients and methods: This cross-sectional prospective study included 87 patients. All patients with emergency laparotomy who received postoperative IV fluids, in Omdurman teaching hospital, between April 2018 and March 2019 were enrolled. Results: Age of patients range from 18 to 78 years.Males; 69 (79.3%) and females; 18 (20.7%). Most common cause for emergency laparotomy was penetrating abdominal trauma (36.8%), peritonitis (25.3%), Intestinal obstruction (21.8%), and blunt abdominal trauma (16.1%). Minimum amount given was 3 liters, and maximum amount was 6 liters. The most common type used is D5%, RL, DNS then NS. There were no weight measurements and fluids were seldom given in relation to weight or age. Overload occurred in (43%) of patients, under-hydration in (61%) of patients and electrolyte imbalance in (42.5%) of patients. Hypernatraemia developed in (27.6%) patients, and was related to overprescribing of high doses of saline-contained fluids (>250mmol/day) in about (87.5%) of patients.Fluid overload was related significantly to hypernatraemia. Hypokalaemia developed in (14.9%) of patients which was related to lack of potassium supplementation in all cases. Conclusion: Malpractice of postoperative fluid management was common in patients who underwent emergency laparotomy in Omdurmanteaching hospital. Simple interventions might be introduced to improve outcomes such as training and education in this domain

Surgical Infection of the Hands and Upper Extremities in Adult Patients Presented to Emergency Departments at Some Khartoum State Teaching Hospitals

Background: Hand and upper extremity(HUE) is extremely important in performing day-to-day activities, ranging from simple to very complex tasks. This makes HUE vulnerable to trauma, subsequent infections and a wide spectrum of complications. Objectives: to study the pattern of infection, the anatomical sites distribution, causative organisms, and management offered and the outcome. Patients and methods: This was a prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-study. It was a multicentric study, conducted at Khartoum state teaching hospitals, Sudan. During the period from August to October 2019.  All patients with HUEI attending emergency department in Khartoum state hospitals, were enrolled. Non probability sampling including patient consecutively. Questionnaire were used and included the following variables: type of infection, anatomical site, management done, culture and sensitivity of the offending organism and outcome of treatment. Patients’ informed consent and ethical clearance were obtained in advance. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.0. and the P value was considered significant if < 0.05. Results:this study included 68 patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria. The meanage±SD of patients was 32±14.2 years(ranged from 18 - 68). There is male preponderance 53 (77.9%) with M:F ratio of 3.5:1. Most common causes for HUEI were trauma (47%), puncture or laceration (22%), unknown causes (10%),and postoperative infections (7.4%). Animal bites 2.9%. Spontaneous infections (1.5%), foreign body (1.5%), insect bites (1.5%) other causes (6%). Most frequent site to encounter infection was fingers (20.5%),palm (19.1%), proximal forearm (11.7%), wrist and distal forearm (7.3%),upper arm (3%). Dominant hand affection(69%).Superficial type of infection was found in (60%),and deep in (40%) of the patient. Management included; wound debridement (67.6%), incision and drainage of abscess (29.4%), with antibiotics(97%) of patients. Out of the total patients the admission rates was (56%), Complications rate (85%).Most common isolated organisms in culture were Staph. aureus (52%),Pseudomonas(21%),E.coli(20%),Enterococcus faecalis(11%), Klebsilla(9%), Citrobacter (9%). Other organisms isolated were Staph epidermidis,Streptococcus, Proteus,Acintobacter.MRSA was found in (38%)of cultures. The commonest complications encountered were; delayed wound healing(31%),cellulitis(19%),joint stiffness(16%),and deformities(12%). Necrotizing fasciitis, sepsis and others developed in (7.5%).The mean length of hospital stay was 9±10.3 day. Conclusion: Complications rate in patients with HUEI is high, a new management guide should be incorporated in the system. MRSA is also an merging problem; infection control departments should take role concerning this

Land suitability analysis for decision-making in cassava (Manihot Spp.) cultivation in southern part of Adamawa State, Nigeria

This study assessed the physical land suitability for cassava cultivation in southern part of Adamawa State using Multi-criteria evaluation and GIS technique. Within the study area, the production of cassava is mainly for food and there are only little opportunities for its commercial development. Therefore it is necessary to carry out land suitability analysis in order to provide information on the study area that would guide in sustaining long term production of cassava on commercial basis. The environmental variables examined were Mean Annual rainfall, Mean Temperature, Length of rainfall, Relief and Soil. The primary data were sourced by means of field survey to obtain the coordinates of the current cassava growing areas for mapping. The five factor maps were reclassified based on environmentalrequirement of cassava crop in the IDRISI Taiga environment and different weights were assigned to each factor to represent their relative importance using the pair-wise comparison matrix. The result, which is explicitly revealed on a single map, indicates that the areas that are suitable for cassava cultivation constitutes 65.92% while those that are not suitable amounts to 34.08%. Similarly, the current cassava growing areas were mapped and the areas identified are Dissol, Mbulo, Maitani, Farang, Timdore and Wadore which fell within the suitable category. The study therefore recommends that cassava production should be encouraged among farmers so as to utilize the proportion of land area found to be suitable for cassava production in Southern Adamawa State.Keywords: Land suitability, Cassava cultivation, Multi-criteria evaluation, Pair-wise Comparison Matrix, IDRISITaig

The Influence of Construction Project Team Effectiveness in Higher Institutions’ Building Projects: A Case from Nigeria

Projects are required to meet the stakeholders’ requirements on the stipulated time, quality and budget. The achievement of such requirements is related to team effectiveness. However, there is poor project time and cost performance in Nigeria such that the constructions initiated mostly escalate beyond the cost and time budgeted. The construction project teams in Nigeria are shrouded with dysfunctions leading to undesirable project outcomes. This study aims to examine the influence of project team effectiveness on project performance of higher educational institutions’ construction in Nigeria. A quantitative survey design was employed where 150 questionnaires were administered to construction projects team members in four higher educational institutions in Bauchi state, Nigeria. The result indicated that the team effectiveness factors of communication, role and responsibility as well as team relationships have a substantial influence on project performance. However, goal and objectives, leadership, as well as trust and values factors, do not have significant influence. Overall, the result shows that the variation in the project performance can be explained substantially by changes in the construction project team effectiveness (Adj. R2 =.585). The implication of this finding is that project performance in Nigerian higher educational institutions can be significantly improved by strengthening communications, roles and responsibilities as well as relationships among team members. Thus, this research contributed to the existing body of knowledge on the linkage between team effectiveness and project performance in the Nigeria higher educational institutions' construction projects. The study, therefore, recommended the improvement of team effectiveness factors of the industry by all projects’ stakeholders and participants

The Influence of Construction Project Team Effectiveness in Higher Institutions’ Building Projects: A Case from Nigeria

Projects are required to meet the stakeholders’ requirements on the stipulated time, quality and budget. The achievement of such requirements is related to team effectiveness. However, there is poor project time and cost performance in Nigeria such that the constructions initiated mostly escalate beyond the cost and time budgeted. The construction project teams in Nigeria are shrouded with dysfunctions leading to undesirable project outcomes. This study aims to examine the influence of project team effectiveness on project performance of higher educational institutions’ construction in Nigeria. A quantitative survey design was employed where 150 questionnaires were administered to construction projects team members in four higher educational institutions in Bauchi state, Nigeria. The result indicated that the team effectiveness factors of communication, role and responsibility as well as team relationships have a substantial influence on project performance. However, goal and objectives, leadership, as well as trust and values factors, do not have significant influence. Overall, the result shows that the variation in the project performance can be explained substantially by changes in the construction project team effectiveness (Adj. R2 =.585). The implication of this finding is that project performance in Nigerian higher educational institutions can be significantly improved by strengthening communications, roles and responsibilities as well as relationships among team members. Thus, this research contributed to the existing body of knowledge on the linkage between team effectiveness and project performance in the Nigeria higher educational institutions' construction projects. The study, therefore, recommended the improvement of team effectiveness factors of the industry by all projects’ stakeholders and participants

The Effect of BudgetIng and Budgetary Control in Local Government Administration of Nigeria

The process of allocating resource to meet demand, as well as converting rhetoric to reality in the political system is termed budgeting. That process should link the past, the present and the future in standard and orderly way. Before the beginning of every financial year, Government at all level (federal, state, local government) announces their budget for the New Year. They state the objectives they anticipate in attaining through the period, and the plan of actions necessary. This study in tends to examine the effectiveness of budget and budgetary control in the local government system in Nigeria. This studied being a theoretical analysis, secondary data were used. As such, Available literatures on budgeting and budgetary control as they applicable to local governments in Nigeria were exhaustively used, relevant materials sourced from text books, Journal, newspapers and other official documents were taken into consideration to discover how local government can make use of a prepared budget to achieve effective and efficient results. It was observed that, local governments in Nigeria were confronting some challenges which includes; corruption and mismanagement, skilled manpower, state government interference and finance. This study recommends that, all the activities of the various departments of the local government should be planned and coordinated very well to ensure all departments are in harmony so that the effective budget will be realized. Keywords: Budgeting, budgetary control, Local government, Finance

The Efficacy of the Use of Depreciated/Replacement Cost Method as an Alternative to Profit/Account Method in Valuation of Hotels in Bauchi

Various valuation models were developed to value different interests in land and landed property. Although, the basis of valuation might be the same, the methodology may sometimes differ to capture certain peculiarities and attributes in respect of a particular property. In an ideal situation, the profit method of valuation should be adopted in the valuation of hotel properties. Where this is not attainable, the depreciated replacement cost method is adopted. The aim of the study is to examine the efficiency of the use of depreciated replacement cost method as an alternative to profit or account method in valuation of hotels, Bauchi with a view to suggest and recommend the best method of valuing hotel properties. This research is located in a positivist epistemology, where no objective truth is accepted and truth or meaning generation comes through social engagement with the world. The instruments used for data collection are interviews, house inspection, and document review. The study adopts the depreciated replacement cost method and profit or account method of valuation in analyzing the data obtained. Complete theoretical analysis was equally adopted in analyzing the data. The findings reveal that the cost approach may provide a reliable estimate of value in the case of new hotel properties, but as buildings and other improvements grow older and begin to deteriorate, the resultant loss in value becomes increasingly difficult to quantify accurately. The revealed results confirmed the importance of profit or account method of valuation as the most effective and efficient in the evident that the hotel property is not moving at a lost. The study recommends amongst others that before cost approach could be used in valuation of hotel properties, income-related consideration must be difficult to ascertain. Keywords: Depreciated/Replacement Cost Method, Hotel Valuation, Improvement, Land and Profit/Account Metho