MODELLING GAIT SYNDROME IN HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE: THE GENETIC ALGORITHM APPROACH

Huntington’s disease (HD) which usually affects the patients at middle age results from malfunctioning of the basal ganglia. It is characterized by cognitive impairment, involuntary movements, neuropsychiatric and psychological disturbances. Early motor signs of Huntington’s disease typically include the gradual onset of clumsiness, balance difficulties, and brief, random, fidgeting movements. A popular approach to solving symptoms arising from HD has been through the administration of drugs. But drugs debase human activities, thus the application of electroconvulsive therapy. This work proposes a genetic algorithmic (GA) simulation of chorea in HD patient as a pedestal for the design of a therapeutic device aimed at managing the phenomenon. Earlier efforts have led us to the formulation of such models in recent past. We also compared the GA model with our foremost effort: the electromechanical model, and we observe that the GA model adequately capture the physiological presentation of gait phenomenon in Huntington’s disease. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i3.3

Performance appraisal of the traffic intersection complex at Mokola, Ibadan, Nigeria

Throughput time reduction is an integral part of transportation benefit analysis and traffic engineering optimization objectives. It is for this reason, that a large majority of transportation projects view throughput time reduction as one of their principal objectives. An appraisal of the performance of a traffic intersection complex at Mokola, Ibadan, Nigeria using a conflict intensity approach is presented. This work was carried out in order to quantify the effects of the flyover on the reduction of throughput times of vehicular traffic at the intersection. Conflict intensities were measured through traffic volume counts at various conflict points (through, merging and diverging locations). A floating vehicle equipped with a GPS was adopted to capture throughput times through several trial runs at the intersection. Statistical relationships were established between conflict intensities and throughput times using regression analysis. These relationships served as a framework for simulation for generating travel times (augmented), assuming the absence of a flyover. The results show a statistically significant reduction in throughput times due to the presence of the flyover with p-value of < 0.0001 at alpha level of 0.05 using Wilcoxon-Signed rank test. Specifically, reductions of 40.2seconds (33%) for northbound traffic and 27.6 seconds (28.8%) for southbound traffic were observed. This work has shown that the flyover reduced throughput times. The construction of the flyover is therefore justified and its residual potentials are enormous to handle traffic growth in the area in the near future.Keywords: Intersection Performance, Conflict Intensities, Flyover, Throughput time

MODELING, OPTIMISATION AND ANALYSIS OF RE-ENTRANT FLOWSHOP JOB SCHEDULING WITH FUZZY PROCESSING TIMES

This paper presents a makespan minimization of -jobs -machines re-entrant flow shop scheduling problem (RFSP) under fuzzy uncertainties using Genetic Algorithm. The RFSP objective is formulated as a mathematical programme constrained by number of jobs and resources availability with traditional scheduling policies of First Come First Serve (FCFS) and the First Buffer First Serve (FBFS). Jobs processing times were specified by fuzzy numbers and modelled using triangular membership function representations. The modified centroid defuzzification technique was used at different alpha-cuts to obtain fuzzy processing times (FPT) of jobs to explore the importance of uncertainty. The traditional GA schemes and operators were used together with roulette wheel algorithm without elitism in the selection process based on job fuzzy completion times. A test problem of five jobs with specified Job Processing and Transit Times between service centres, Job Start Times and Job Due times was posed. Results obtained using the deterministic and fuzzy processing times were compared for the two different scheduling policies, FCFS and FBFS. The deterministic optimal makespan for FBFS schedule was 61.2% in excess of the FCFS policy schedule.  The results also show that schedules with fuzzy uncertainty processing times provides shorter makespans than those for deterministic processing times and those under FCFS performing better than those under FBFS policy for early jobs while on the long run the FBFS policy performs better. The results underscore the need to take account of comprehensive fuzzy uncertainties in job processing times as a trade-off between time and costs influenced by production makespan. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i3.2

Conceptual and Simulated Semi-Automatic Urban Waste Management System using Global Systems for Mobile Communication and Customer Reliability Indices

: Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) poses great challenges to many cities around the world. The challenges are fuelled by population explosions all over the world, especially in the major urban centres, against the backdrop of limited resources to manage wastes efficiently. In this paper, a conceptual and simulated semi-automatic approach to MSWM is considered using the prevalent Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM) technology to engage both the waste generators and collectors. This system connects users into a central database where data about their waste bin levels are harnessed. Users are prompted via GSM handsets daily for the level of the waste bin. Waste Collection Vehicles are routed based on the responses while an updatable Reporting Reliability Index (RRI) is computed for each user based on estimate of actual level of waste collected as against the reported level to factor future reporting. With history of collection volume at a location known, forecast is made as to the generated waste level when a customer’s response to prompt is not available. The system is tested on a simulated 30-node housing estate and two dump sites with vehicles routed to optimize distance covered and volume of waste collected. Customers report when prompted with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 for waste levels ranging from empty to full bin fills. Vehicles are routed to collect wastes at locations with a minimum threshold level of 2. Results obtained showed statistically insignificant differences in distribution of means of collection distance covered weekly but 13.31 volume units/km collected with this method compared with 3.08 volume units/km run of fixed routing scheme, at = 0.05. The cost saving potential and environmental benefits of timely waste disposal of this scheme is thus demonstrable.Keywords: Municipal Solid Waste, Waste Management, SMS Gateway, GSM, Reporting Reliability Index

Assessment of Home-Based Nigerian Engineers on Risk Management Approach during Project Implementation

The objectives of this paper are to identify possible gaps in identification, evaluation, analysis, implementation and effectiveness of risk management approaches among home-based consulting Engineers in Nigeria vis-à-vis the implementation of such practices. Structured Questionnaire method was adopted as the survey instrument to collect data centred on issues on the subject matters. Out of 80 questionnaires distributed, 61 were returned and 6 of the returned responses rendered invalid leaving 55 valid questionnaires. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Correlation methods were adopted for statistical analysis with respect to which four hypotheses based on the subject matter were formulated and evaluated using the F-and Correlation statistics. The first premised on risk identification resulted in comparative F-statistics of Fcat = 0.057592 < Fcrit = 2.866081, the second on risk evaluation yielded Fcat = 0.194683 < Fcrit = 2.866081 while the third based on risk management implementation resulted in Fcat = 0.093474 < Fcrit = 2.866081. The results of the first three hypothesis indicted the home-based Consulting Engineers of not identifying, analysing/evaluating and implementing risk management approaches in project execution respectively. The fourth hypothesis premised on correlation between management approach and policy implementation yielded a correlation statistics of 0.501642 establishing a positive correlation between the two among the home-based Consulting Engineers. The study thus establishes risk management practices as key to successful project management and its neglect as major causal factor for project failures in Nigeria

Modeling and optimization of an electric power distribution network planning system using mixed binary integer programming

In this paper, the electric distribution network expansion planning problem (EDNEPP) was solved by a mixed binary integer programming (MBIP) formulation of the network, where the steady-state operation of the network was modelled with non-linear mathematical expressions. The non-linear terms are linearized, using piecewise linearization of the non-linear expressions, so as to ensure the model computational compatibility with existing commercial optimization solvers. The linearized formulation is verified to ensure its solution optimality and degree of error deviation. The proposed network model formulation considers the alternatives of installation of new transformers of various capacities to reinforce already existing ones at substations of the network, choosing and construction of new substations given feasible locations, re-conductoring of existing feeders in the network, construction of new feeders given various conductor types alternatives, cost lost as a result of power interruption, and changes in the overall network topology. The cost of interruption would contain a cost term called ‘cost of goodwill’, which was brought into the model formulation, to measure the loss in confidence of consumers to distributors of power as a result of interrupted power supply, which is prevalent in developing nations. Two test systems of 23 and 54 nodes was used in showing the efficiency of the proposed network model formulation.Keywords: Distribution network, mixed binary integer programming, linearization, re-conducting, optimization

An approach for critical evaluation of examination questions in an engineering faculty using the classical bloom taxonomy

Ideally, teaching curricula are designed to exude some learning behavioural outcomes in students. When students are examined through oral, practical and or theoretical evaluation schemes in examinations, the primary objective is to measure the relative extent to which students can exude the desired behavioural outcomes. Thus it is important that appropriate means and expressions are employed in assessment to measure learning. Based on an average-occurrence-rating scale, a set of Action verbs of the classical Bloom’s taxonomy were used in this study in assessing the level of learning outcomes required in each of 21 Engineering Core Course examination-questions used. Rates were computed for Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation levels of the Bloom’s Taxonomy. Marginalized One-Factor Statistical experiments and randomized two-factor Statistical experiments were designed using the rates computed. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) technique was used to test within- and between-treatments variations of the differences of means for the six Bloom’s taxonomy levels using hypotheses at 0.05 levels of significance for each of the experimental design scenarios. Analyzed results show significant differences in course ratings at different Bloom taxonomy levels and significances in differences in ratings of the taxonomy for different courses. Group tests of hypotheses on differences of mean-ratings for the courses show significance. The study brings to light the need for examiners in these courses to put more effort in upper levels of behavioural outcomes especially on Synthesis and Evaluation which are germane for training of good Engineers.Key terms: Learning outcomes, Bloom’s taxonomy, Assessment, Synthesis and Evaluation, cognitive level, hierarchical system

Optimal routing for automated emergency vehicle response for incident intervention in a traffic network

Congestion constitutes a major problem in modern urban traffic networks if not well managed. Its monstrous effects, on occasions, can paralyze a traffic network eating deep into the productive hours of commuters as well as vehicles and persons on essential services. Particularly affected are incidence-intervention vehicles such as emergency vehicles and fire-fighting vehicles. Whatever the cause of the congestion, its effect is counter-productive and an indication of an inefficient traffic network. This work, as presented in this paper, is concerned about the issue of traffic route management for emergency service (emergency vehicle) for which a delay of few minutes may cause tremendous loss of lives and properties. The route management scheme built for this purpose integrates information obtained from the use of Radio Frequency Signals for Traffic Light Preemption at Intersections in a Proteus Simulator environment and the use Arc GIS as a mode of routing the emergency vehicle from base to the incidence location, then to Health Facilities and from thence back to the emergency vehicle base in an optimal routing time. Traffic information are loaded into the Arc GIS environment which predicts the required tri-legged optimal routing and its duration using Dijkstra’s algorithm. Different scenarios of emergency vehicle, incidence and health facility locations were exploited using the scheme and compared with situations without their implementation. The proposed scheme outperforms the trial and error routing of emergency vehicles and can be embedded into traffic advisory system or as stand-alone emergency vehicle management system.Keywords: GIS, Dijkstra’s algorithm, Facility Location, Emergency-Vehicle, Optimal Routin