Fabrication of Polymeric Multimode Waveguides for Application in the Local Area Network and Optical Interconnects.

We report the fabrication of multimode polymeric waveguides using spin coating, photolithography, and reactive ion etching. Different layer structures have been used, e.g., a UV curable resin is used as a core layer and PMMA as a lower and upper cladding. The layer systems can be spun with good uniformity with thicknesses matching multimode fiber dimensions, and smooth waveguide side-walls have been obtained after etching. The measured performance of these waveguides demonstrates that low-loss waveguides can be fabricated cheaply. The waveguides are used in the realization of novel compact multimode power splitters and star couplers

Building a Multimodal, Trust-Based E-Voting System

This paper addresses the issue of voter identification and authentication, voter participation and trust in the electoral system. A multimodal/hybrid identification and authentication scheme is proposed which captures what a voter knows – PIN, what he has – smartcard and what he is – biometrics. Massive participation of voters in and out of the country of origin was enhanced through an integrated channel (kiosk and internet voting). A multi-trust voting system is built based on service oriented architecture. Microsoft Visual C#.Net, ASP.Net and Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition components of Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 was used to realize the Windows and Web-based solutions for the electronic voting system

Internet Privacy

The benefits of the Internet have come at some cost, one of which is a loss of privacy, which is often regarded as a moral right or a legal right. Internet privacy is primarily concerned with protecting user information. It is widely acknowledged as the top consideration in any online interaction. New threats to privacy and civil liberties are emerging daily and privacy practices are not one size fits all. This paper provides a brief introduction to online privacy

Finite Element Approach of Shielded, Suspended and Inverted Microstrip Lines

In this paper, we present finite element method (FEM) to investigate the electromagnetic analysis of two-dimensional (2D) shielded, suspended and inverted microstrip lines for microwave applications. In the proposed method, we specifically determine the values of capacitance per unit length, inductance per unit length, and characteristic impedance of the microstrip lines. Extensive simulation results are presented and some comparative results are given with other methods and found them to be in excellent agreement. We extend the analysis by designing our new model of shielded, inverted microstrip lines and compared it with shielded, suspended microstrip lines; we found them to be very close. Also, we determine the quasi-TEM spectral for the potential distribution of these microstrip lines

Urban growth assessment and its impact on deforestation in Bauchi metropolis, Nigeria using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Urban areas are rapidly expanding due to population growth and development, leading to deforestation and land degradation. This study employed remote sensing and GIS techniques to assess urban growth and its impact on deforestation in Bauchi metropolis, Nigeria within the last three decades (1986-2016). The study made use of Land sat images of four epochs; Thematic Mapper (TM) of 1986 and 1996, Enhanced Thematic Mapper of 2006, and Operational Land Imager (OLI) of 2016. Color compositions were made after which the images were geometrically and radio metrically restituted. The images were classified using maximum likelihood algorithm and the accuracy of the classification was assessed by cross-validation using confusion matrices and ground truthing by the use of a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS). The classified images with their kappa indexes were TM of 1986 (0.83%) and 1996 (0.87%), ETM+ of 2006 (0.90%) and OLI of 2016 (0.92%), respectively. Post-classification comparisons and analyses were performed and the results revealed that changes have taken place in bare surface (+32.43%), built-up area (+565.24%), farm land (+66.42%), forest (-91.80%) and rock outcrop (-49.21%) in the metropolis between 1986 and 2016. The land cover features of the metropolis were reclassified into forest and non-forest for cross-tabulation analysis and the result of the analysis indicates a change-over of 14965.97Ha (39.68%) form forest to non-forest (deforestation) and that of 467.69Ha (1.24%) form non-forest to forest (afforestation) between 1986 and 2016. This shows a rapid increase in built-up area (urban growth) and rapid decrease in forest (deforestation), which may be attributed to lack of improper environmental protection strategy in place in the metropolis. The study demonstrates the potentialities of remote sensing and GIS in assessing urban growth and its impacts on deforestation. The outcome of the study can serve as input into a relationship model for predicting the impact of urban growth on deforestation

Addressing Contending Issues and Embracing Emerging Trends in Library and Information Science Education for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

The emergence of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was largely attributed to the inability of many nations to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. This paper identifies unresolved contending issues in Library and Information Science (LIS) education and training in Nigeria, with case for embracing emerging trends, not only for sustainability of LIS schools, but also to contribute positively towards actualization of the SDGs. With specific references to polytechnic-based and university-based LIS schools, the contending issues range from nomenclature, curriculum, infrastructure and human resources. In polytechnic-based LIS schools, many courses need to be merged so as to create avenue for integration of contemporary courses; and possibly develop specializations such as information resources management, knowledge management, records and information management, and publishing and multimedia technologies at the Higher National Diploma (HND) level. For university-based LIS schools, the development of a new programme tagged ‘BSc. Information Science and Media Studies’ by the National Universities Commission (NUC) with curriculum that reflects information management and multimedia technology, may or may not be a threat to LIS education; however, rebranding and repackaging LIS to Information and Knowledge Management in line with global best practices is a way forward. In addition, a case for Master of Knowledge Management (MKM) programme in universities was made in order to address emerging opportunities. The paper concludes that these contending issues need to be addressed, emerging trends embraced, and university-based LIS schools in Nigeria should work towards ensuring that future master degree holders (MLIS graduates) possess practical computing skills in areas of programming, web design, content development, and library management systems

Modelling performance of ocean-thermal energy conversion cycle according to different working fluids

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a promising renewable energy technology with the concept to harness the energy stored at the surface seawater (SSW) and the cold deep seawater (DSW). The operation is based on the Rankine cycle, and involves at a minimum temperature difference of 20 K of the SSW and DSW to generate electricity. This research focuses on the economic efficiency of different working fluids used in the OTEC Rankine cycle. The various working fluids include ammonia, ammonia-water mixture (0.9), propane, R22, R32, R134a, R143a, and R410a. Most of the existing commercial OTEC systems use ammonia as the working medium despite its toxic nature. This study shows that the ammonia-water mixture still gives the best results in terms of heat transfer characteristics because of its greater transport properties and stability compared to other fluids. However, fluids such as propane and R32 can also be used as a substitute for ammonia-water mixture despite having slightly lower efficiency, because they are non-toxic and safer towards the environment. The same developmental model was used to present the proposed modified OTEC Rankine cycle, which shows a 4% increase in thermal cycle efficiency. This study reveals economically efficient and environmentally friendly working fluids

Chitosan/silica composite membrane: adsorption of lead(II) Ion from aqueous solution

Chitosan membrane has the potential to separate lead(II) ions from aqueous solution. However, the kind of membrane has a drawback due to the low structural properties. Thus, this study investigates the role of silica in improving chitosan-based flat sheet membrane for removal of lead(II) ions from aqueous solution. The functional groups and structural morphologies were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared-Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectrometer and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), respectively. The membrane performance in terms of adsorption study was conducted at different pHs and initial concentration of lead(II) solution. The FTIR-ATR spectrum showed the existence of new absorption peak of chitosan/silica membrane. SEM images revealted the presence of microvoids on the cross-section of the chitosan/silica membrane whereas pure chitosan membrane possessed dense structure. The adsorption study showed that the composite membrane exhibited higher efficiency of lead(II) removal at optimum pH of 7.0 which was 89.27% as compared to 11.50% of pure chitosan membrane. The amount of lead(II) adsorbed onto the membrane was 57.60 mg/g. Therefore, it indicates the potential use of silica to improve the properties of chitosan membrane for removal of heavy metal from water solution

User friendly system for the visually impaired in learning Al-Quran

This study presents a method to enable the visually impaired Muslim to learn and read the Al-Quran using Braille Display with software help. The system reads the database which contains all verses of Al-Quran and user will need to select the verse and ayah to read. Besides that, this system can be used in a class to teach visually impaired students to learn Al-Quran. Every word or character typed by the instructor in the main Braille Panel will be transmitted to the sub Braille Panel that is connected to the main Braille Panel. The selected verse of Al-Quran and ayah will also generate an index before being transmitted to the Braille Panel. The index will be transmitted to the Braille Display for people to touch and read the display. A user friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) will be used to fulfill the ergonomics for the visually impaired user's physical capabilities. Several approaches are used to design and implement the interface for the visually impaired like speech or sound output and Braille display. The Braille codes can be displayed using the Braille panel. The design interface and structure of the system for the visually impaired users in learning Al-Quran is presented