Reinforcement Learning, Intelligent Control and their Applications in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Reinforcement learning (RL) has attracted large attention over the past few years. Recently, we developed a data-driven algorithm to solve predictive cruise control (PCC) and games output regulation problems. This work integrates our recent contributions to the application of RL in game theory, output regulation problems, robust control, small-gain theory and PCC. The algorithm was developed for $H_\infty$ adaptive optimal output regulation of uncertain linear systems, and uncertain partially linear systems to reject disturbance and also force the output of the systems to asymptotically track a reference. In the PCC problem, we determined the reference velocity for each autonomous vehicle in the platoon using the traffic information broadcasted from the lights to reduce the vehicles\u27 trip time. Then we employed the algorithm to design an approximate optimal controller for the vehicles. This controller is able to regulate the headway, velocity and acceleration of each vehicle to the desired values. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the algorithms

The impact of the US president's emergency plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR) HIV and AIDS program on the Nigerian health system

The PEPFAR HIV/AIDS program has had noticeable impacts on the Nigerian health system. The impacts are presented using the World Health Organization (WHO) health system six building blocks. These include service delivery, health workforce, health information, medical products, vaccines and technologies, financing and governance. PEPFAR HIV/AIDS program has improved the delivery of prevention and care services for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The most important measure of PEPFAR's success is the availability of free ART in Nigeria for PLWHA who need this. The PEPFAR program has brought about increased political awareness of and raised the priority given to public health by governments and civil society through its scaling up response to HIV/AIDS. The scaled-up program has direct benefits on the health workforce by preserving HIV-infected health personnel's lives so that they can live longer enjoy a better quality of life and return to their jobs; all of which invariably enhances the country's health workforce. Moreover, the training and retraining in PEPFAR HIV/AIDS program have boosted both the morale and the skills of the health workforce. Considerable resources have been brought into Nigeria for scaled-up HIV/AIDS treatment by PEPFAR. However, this has contributed to the development of donor dependency syndrome by Nigerian government. There is a non-alignment between PEPFAR HIV/AIDS program and the recipient country's health system. Attention to maternal mortality and other reproductive health services has suffered as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) pursue AIDS money and local governments receive signals from the political center to prioritize HIV/AIDS over other problems that are just as serious. A functional health system is important in prevention of the HIV epidemic. Hence efforts should be made to strengthen health systems. The PEPFAR HIV/AIDS program should be harmonized with the country's health system for maximum impact. Florence Femi Odekunle et al.sch_iih25468

Application of GIS to assess rainfall variability impacts on crop yield in Guinean Savanna part of Nigeria

The scientific evidence on rainfall variability with its significant impacts on crop yield is now stronger than ever. It is even more so on maize that serves as staple food in most parts of Sub-Sahara Africa. Hence, this study aim at examines and map spatio-temporal impacts of rainfall variability on water availability for maize yield using Geographic Information System (GIS). Major regions where maize is highly produced in Nigeria were selected and rainfall data for 30 years (1970 to 2000) were used for theGeospatial analysis. GIS Interpolation and other geospatial Analysis techniques were carried out to map the impacts of rainfall variability on maize yield. The results of the analysis and the maps produced show that inter-annual rainfall variability consequently affect the rate of maize yield in Nigeria

Influence Of Job Esteem And Job Status On Organizational Commitment Of Employees Of Selected Banks In Nigeria.

With the rate of globalization and industrialization witnessed all over the world, there seems to have been an observable increase in the number of different organizations that are springing up to meet different needs. Some of these organizations are in the financial sector, telecommunications, oil and gas and a host of others. One of the many factors that have enhanced the functionality of these organizations has been the individual(s) who work in such organizations (i.e. the employees). Even in organizations where there are more operating machines than human beings, the fact remains that human beings are needed to operate the machines and direct the affairs of such organizations. Because of the importance of the employees in organizations, their effectiveness may go a long way in determining how well organizations achieve their set goals and objectives. Therefore, it will be pertinent for organizations to pay attention to the well being and satisfaction of their employees in order to increase their (employees’) organizational commitment. It follows therefore, that an effective organization will ensure that its employees are highly committed to their jobs by providing an enabling environment that will enhance employees’ organizational commitment (Adeyinka, Ayeni & Popoola, 2007)

Asymptotic stability results for retarded differential systems

The transcendental character of the polynomial equation of the retarded differential system makes it difficult to express its solution explicitly. This has cause a set back in the asymptotic stability analysis of the system solutions. Various acceptable mathematical techniques have been used to address the issue. In this paper, the integral-differential equation and the positive symmetric properties of given matrices are used in formulating a Lyapunov functional. The introduction of convex set segment of a symmetric matrix is explored to establish boundedness of the first derivative of the formulated functional. The integral-differential equation is utilized in computing the maximum delay interval for the system to attain stability. Its application to numerical problems confirms the suitability of the test

Asymptotic stability results for retarded differential systems

The transcendental character of the polynomial equation of the retarded differential system makes it difficult to express its solution explicitly. This has cause a set back in the asymptotic stability analysis of the system solutions. Various acceptable mathematical techniques have been used to address the issue. In this paper, the integral-differential equation and the positive symmetric properties of given matrices are used in formulating a Lyapunov functional. The introduction of convex set segment of a symmetric matrix is explored to establish boundedness of the first derivative of the formulated functional. The integral-differential equation is utilized in computing the maximum delay interval for the system to attain stability. Its application to numerical problems confirms the suitability of the test

OPTIMIZATION ON ?n BY COGGINS-FIBONACCI METHOD

A   computational   procedure   called   Coggins-Fibonacci   method   for   the   optimization   of   unconstrained                     ?n        functions in       is developed. The method is found to be more efficient and converges faster than        either of the conventional Coggins or Fibonacci search methods.&nbsp

COVID-19; THE NEED FOR INCREASED RECOGNITION OF CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS

It has been over three years since the first case of covid-19 was discovered in Wuhan, China. Since then there have been a lot of discussions around symptoms and sequelae of covid-19 such as respiratory, cardiac, and neurology problems. However, not a lot of attention has been drawn to skin manifestations of this disease despite the fact that the prevalence of covid-19 associated skin lesions could be as high as 20% in some countries

Assessment of heavy metal levels of Agodi Reservoir in Ibadan, Nigeria

The quality of water discharged into Agodi Reservoir was determined by the levels of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Water samples were collected from the inlet, centre and outlet locations of the reservoir and their heavy metal contents were determined by standard methods using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) over a period of twelve (12) months covering both rainy and dry seasons. Test location differences and seasonal variations were examined using ANOVA at P<0.05 to establish any gradient effect associated with pollution dynamics. Results showed no seasonal variations in all the heavy metals except for Co. Also, there is no significant variation in heavy metal concentration between the test locations. The heavy metal profile in Agodi Reservoir, measured in mg/L, was as follows: Mn (64.81) > Fe (43.75) > Zn (23.13) > Cu (12.44) > Co (0.19) > Ni (0.17) > Cd (0.12). Concentrations of Cr and Pb were below detectable level. Compared to WHO recommended limits, Co fell below while others were higher than thresholds. It is concluded that Agodi Reservoir water has a potential environmental hazard unless treated before use.Keywords: Agodi Reservoir, heavy metals, pollution, seasonal variatio

Declining bedside teaching: the need for African medical institutions to adopt a structured approach

Dear Editor, Bedside teaching or ward rounds teaching has for many years been a major component of medical education but its use is currently on the downward trend in several medical institutions. The causes of this decline are diverse including busier hospitals with limited time allocation to complete each day's tasks. This reality calls for innovative ways to make bedside teaching more effective within time constraints. [...