Characteristics of VHF Line-Of-Sight Propagation for Point-To-Area Network in A Tropical Atmosphere

This paper investigates the degree of influence of weather and the environment on radio signal propagation between a Very High Frequency (VHF) band transmitter and a receiver in the North Central region of Nigeria. Signal strength measurements were made from a Frequency Modulation (FM) station broadcasting at 100.5 MHz using a digital signal level meter. The results obtained showed that received signal strength (RSS) values were higher during the wet season with average values ranging between 41 dBµV and 50 dBµV as compared to lower values of between 36 dBµV and 48 dBµV recorded during the dry season. The computed radio refractivity revealed similar trend of low dry season values in the range of 291 N-units to 345 N-units and high wet season values ranging between 350 N-units and 363 N-units. Also, the cumulative frequency distribution of the signal level computed showed that 50 dBµV had the highest number of samples, while 60 dBµV and 70 dBµV recorded the lowest number of samples. In addition, dry season values of attenuation deduced ranged between 1.6 dB and 2.8 dB, while average wet season attenuation values vary from 1.4 dB to 2.3 dB. Finally, the RSS was modeled using ITU-R P.526-12 to predict losses due to diffraction over the earth’s curvature, and the results obtained revealed that the model underestimated the RSS for the radio link

Observations on the Spatial Patterns of Agricultural Production in Nigeria

This paper examines Agricultural Production in Nigeria using the principles of location relation to market, the principle of comparative advantage and von Thune’s classical theory on land use. Using the above theoretical background, the paper revealed that agricultural production of cereals and pulses are determined by natural factors and nearness to market. The paper concludes that tree crops production are determined by natural factors, internal migrations, agricultural innovation diffusion and existence of marketing boards. Location of oil seeds production are determined and sustained by both natural factors and nearness to market. Livestock which is one of the agricultural products is said to be determined and sustained by existence of market and the vegetation in the North of the Country. Unlike the other agricultural products, industrial crops production tend to be foot-loose (i.e. not so much dependent on nearness to market) and only require a well defined wet and dry season to thrive

Mitigating Electoral Discontents in Nigeria: A Case for SMS Enabled Vote-Casting System

Two decades into the 4th Republic has witnessed 6 elections fraught with varying kinds of anomalies that all 3 electoral reforms within the period have been unable to subdue. Electoral violence has summarily led to countless loss of lives and continued low voter turnout. Borrowing however from the resounding success of e-banking the country can rewardingly procure an e-resuscitation of the electoral sector that is not only guilty of consistent fraud but also liable for continued loss of lives. Nigeria ranked atop as the most improved country in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Mobile Connectivity Index as at 2019 and the seventh most improved globally. This progress was driven by a range of improvements like enabling regulatory framework espoused by the country in this direction and as a result the country now has one of the most affordable handset costs in the world besides a mobile penetration of 187 million active cell phone users of the country’s 212 million population as of 2021. In addition, up from 31% in 2014 to 52% in 2019, Nigeria’s Online Service Index score for e-government shows glaringly that the country is robustly ready for an SMS enabled vote casting system and would do well to rapidly implement same. SMS voting is premised on familiar technology and the use of a single ballot box (single computer Server) is not only fraud-proof but also guarantees eradication of violence and frequent loss of lives associated conventional vote-casting system while also improving political participation and voter turnout

Derivation of Regression Coefficients and Conversion Factors for 1-Minute Rain Rate Statistics in A Tropical Environment

An important characteristic of rainfall levels at a particular place is the statistical distribution of rainfall rate. In this paper, 1-minute, 5-minute and 30-minute integration time rainfall data were obtained from various weather stations in the Physics Department of Federal University of Technology, Minna, North Central Nigeria. The essence is to derive conversion factors that can be used to predict 1-minute integration time rainfall rate from rainfall rates of other integration times. The results obtained revealed that a power law relationship exist between 1-minute (R1) and the equiprobable 5-minute rain rate (R5), derived as R1 = 1.414 R51.640; and between 1-minute (R1) and the equiprobable 30-minute rain rate (R30), derived as R1 = 0.960 R301.897. Also, conversion factors Ce and CR for 1-minute rain rate statistics were derived. The conversion factors Ce derived for T = 5-minute and τ = 1-minute are 1.08, 1.05, 0.98 and 1.04 respectively for 40 mm/h, 60 mm/h, 80 mm/h and 100 mm/h rain rates, while the conversion factors CR derived for τ = 1-minute as against T = 5-minute are 0.70 and 0.71 for R0.01 = 70 mm/h and R0.001 = 100 mm/h respectively. In addition, the CR derived for τ = 1-minute as against T = 30-minute are 0.06 and 0.25 for R0.01 = 6 mm/h and R0.001 = 35 mm/h respectively

Essential medicines in Nigeria: foregrounding access to affordable essential medicines

Within every functional healthcare system, access to quality and affordable essential medicine stands out as one of the building blocks. However, its significance has been underrated due to poor advocacy and research. The implication is that access to quality and affordable essential medicines remains a challenge to many people in low / middle income countries and could create difficulty in the attempt to reform healthcare systems and save lives if not given ample attention. This paper presents a critical discussion of the Nigerian health system with special focus on access to essential medicines as a component of the Nigerian healthcare system by drawing upon primary data, using qualitative research method

Revitalizing higher education in Africa: a review of health research (in social science) in African universities

What is the agenda for health research in Social Sciences in African Universities? To what extent has university led research in the area of health revitalized higher education in Africa? This paper examines through a review of empirical literature, how university led health research in Social Sciences is repositioning African Countries/health systems for effective and efficient performance through generating and disseminating timely knowledge that resonates from the African context. It draws attention to how university-led social science research in health has contributed to the wider society and health system. It argues that the recognition of this in the health sector and by governments stimulates further research funding for university based researchers, however limited, thus creating an environment of energetic research activities, which, in the long run is significant in the revitalisation of higher education. The paper theorises the production of knowledge in the context of health research in the Social Sciences and how this contributes to the revitalizing of higher education in Africa

Health inequality in South Africa: a systematic review

This study presents a review of key empirical studies on health inequalities in South Africa with the aim of contributing to a comparative examination of social inequalities in health across different countries in Europe and other parts of the World. Studies reviewed were identified through a computerised search of key words such as inequalities, health, health inequalities, race, health in South Africa, health systems, socio-economic determinants of health and livelihoods in South Africa. Studies were included if the primary objective was to explore health inequality as a variable in child/adult mortality

Mental health of adolescents who abuse psychoactive substances in Enugu, Nigeria - A cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Association between psychiatric morbidity and substance abuse among adolescent has been reported. However prevalence and pattern of such dysfunctions are unknown in our environment.</p> <p>Aims</p> <p>To determine the prevalence of psychosocial dysfunction and depressive symptoms among adolescents who abuse substance and also note the influence of socio-demographic factors and type of substance on the pattern of dysfuction.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was carried out among 900 adolescents selected from 29 secondary schools in Enugu metropolis. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select the students. The student drug use questionnaire was used to screen respondents for substance abuse. Those who were abusing substance and matched controls (non substance abusers) were assessed for psychiatric symptoms using the 35-item Paediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) and the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Social classification was done using the parental educational attainment and occupation.</p> <p>Result</p> <p>A total of 290 students were current substance abusers. The substances most commonly abused were alcohol (31.6%), cola nitida (kola nut) (20.7%) and coffee (15.7%). Using the PSC scale, 70 (24.1%) subjects compared to 29 (10.7%) of the controls had scores in the morbidity range of ≥ 28 for psychosocial dysfuction. This was statistically significant (χ²= 17.57 p = 0.001). Fifty-four subjects (18.6%) had scores in the morbidity range of ≥ 50 for depressive symptoms using the Zung SDS compared to 21 (7.7%) of controls. This was statistically significant (χ²= 14.43, p = 0.001). Prevalence of dysfunction was not significantly related to age in both subjects and controls (χ²= 4.62, p = 0.010, χ²= 4.8, p = 0.10 respectively). Also using both scales, there was no significant relationship between psychosocial dysfunction and gender or social class in both subjects and control. The prevalence of dysfuction using both scales was significantly higher in multiple abusers compared to single abusers. Subjects abusing alcohol scored more on both scales compared to those abusing other substances.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Prevalence of psychosocial dysfunction is higher in adolescents abusing substance compare to controls. The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was not related to the age, gender or social classes in the study population.We advocate periodic screening of our adolescents for drug abuse regular evaluation of such group for possible psychopathology.</p

Evaluation of the Vertical Profile of Radio Refractivity and its Gradients in a Tropical Atmosphere

This paper evaluates radio refractivity and its gradients over Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, using five years upper air meteorological data obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). From the results obtained, radio refractivity was observed to decrease with increasing altitude. Also, higher refractivity values were observed in wet season, while lower values were recorded in dry season. An average refractivity value of 326 N-Units was obtained at 1 km altitude, while average refractivity gradient values of -34 N-Units/km and -40 N-Units/km were recorded for the dry and wet season months respectively. A total average value of -38 N-Units/km for refractivity gradient was obtained for the five-year study period, thus making the atmospheric condition over Abuja to be sub-refractive. The effective earth radius factor (k-factor) computed for the location was also observed to be higher in the wet season months than the dry season months. An average k-factor value of 1.32 was obtained for the study period

Sorption kinetics and intraparticulate diffusivities of Cd, Pb and Zn ions on maize cob

The kinetics of sorption and intraparticulate diffusivities of Zn, Cd and Pb using maize cob was studied. The amount of the metal ions adsorbed increased with time. The highest sorption rates of the three metal ions were 71% for Z2+, 32% for Cd2+, and 30% for Pb2+. The fractional attainment of equilibrium showed that Zn2+ reached equilibrium before Pb2+ ion and then Cd2+ ion. This study showed that the sorption of Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions on maize cob is particle diffusion controlled. The rate coefficients for particle diffusion were 0.07 min-1 for Zn2+, 0.053min-1 for Pb2+ and 0.081min-1 for Cd2+.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (6), pp. 509-512, 200