Operability of Mobile Agent Applications in a Protected Environment

There is a shift toward increasingly heterogeneous networks in today�s communications environment. Such diversity requires that network operators have greater experience and increased training. Managing these diverse networks especially in institutions requires the collection of large quantities of data from a dependable network that must be analyzed before management of any activity can be comenced. In this research, we have identified the operability of mobile Agents in a protected network environment

OPTIMAL ALLOCATION OF PIPE DIAMETERS IN PIPE NETWORKS USING MODIFIED ASSIGNMENT PROBLEM APPROACH

Water supply to areas of need via pipe network has been a problem since the pipes layout involved may be complex and thereby making the determination of pipe diameters for cost minimization difficult. In this paper, attempt was made on the determination of optimal diameters of pipe that minimizes pipe network cost. The work involves the use of linear programming optimization techniques formulated in a modified assignment problem approach. This was applied to a problem previously worked upon with some other techniques to ascertain the strength of this present approach implemented on MATLAB 6.5 version computing environment. The minimum cost unit of 41900 for eight-pipe, one reservoir and two loop distribution system obtained was the same with that of the “best run” in the previous reported works. Also, 12 functions evaluation in 53 seconds on Pentium 233MHZ processor computer produced this optimal condition as against the 1372 evaluations in 7 minutes on Pentium 100MHZ processor computer for the previous “best run”. These indicate the efficiency and the effectiveness of the studied approach

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF POOR SPECIFICATION ON BUILDING COLLAPSE IN NIGERIA

This paper examines the effects of specification on building collapse in Nigeria. The study became necessary due to the ugly cases of buildings collapsing in the country over the years. In doing so, the study begins with review of relevant literature on the concept of specification, as well as the factors associated with building collapse. The need for specification in building construction projects was enunciated upon. Other factors that culminate in building collapse, such as load types; man-power; technical skills, etc. are discussed herein. The study further examines identifies and documents cases of building collapse in Nigeria to identify the causes and factors responsible for the collapse. Interviews were conducted with practicing professionals in the construction industry. This was done to obtain professional insights and experiences used as part of the data in the research. Findings from this study highlights consequential role of poor specification in causing building collapse, loss of lives and properties. This paper concludes with identifying the relevance of specification in ensuring adherence to appropriate materials and construction methods for structural stability. Recommendations are given to guard against poor specifications that result in the collapse of buildings, properties and ultimately loss of lives

Descriptive epidemiology of cholera outbreak in Nigeria, January-November, 2018: implications for the global roadmap strategy

Background: The cholera outbreak in 2018 in Nigeria reaffirms its public health threat to the country. Evidence on the current epidemiology of cholera required for the design and implementation of appropriate interventions towards attaining the global roadmap strategic goals for cholera elimination however seems lacking. Thus, this study aimed at addressing this gap by describing the epidemiology of the 2018 cholera outbreak in Nigeria. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of surveillance data collected between January 1st and November 19th, 2018. A cholera case was defined as an individual aged 2 years or older presenting with acute watery diarrhoea and severe dehydration or dying from acute watery diarrhoea. Descriptive analyses were performed and presented with respect to person, time and place using appropriate statistics. Results: There were 43,996 cholera cases and 836 cholera deaths across 20 states in Nigeria during the outbreak period, with an attack rate (AR) of 127.43/100,000 population and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.90%. Individuals aged 15 years or older (47.76%) were the most affected age group, but the proportion of affected males and females was about the same (49.00 and 51.00% respectively). The outbreak was characterised by four distinct epidemic waves, with higher number of deaths recorded in the third and fourth waves. States from the north-west and north-east regions of the country recorded the highest ARs while those from the north-central recorded the highest CFRs. Conclusion: The severity and wide-geographical distribution of cholera cases and deaths during the 2018 outbreak are indicative of an elevated burden, which was more notable in the northern region of the country. Overall, the findings reaffirm the strategic role of a multi-sectoral approach in the design and implementation of public health interventions aimed at preventing and controlling cholera in Nigeri

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF POOR SPECIFICATION ON BUILDING COLLAPSE IN NIGERIA

This paper examines the effects of specification on building collapse in Nigeria. The study became necessary due to the ugly cases of buildings collapsing in the country over the years. In doing so, the study begins with review of relevant literature on the concept of specification, as well as the factors associated with building collapse. The need for specification in building construction projects was enunciated upon. Other factors that culminate in building collapse, such as load types; man-power; technical skills, etc. are discussed herein. The study further examines identifies and documents cases of building collapse in Nigeria to identify the causes and factors responsible for the collapse. Interviews were conducted with practicing professionals in the construction industry. This was done to obtain professional insights and experiences used as part of the data in the research. Findings from this study highlights consequential role of poor specification in causing building collapse, loss of lives and properties. This paper concludes with identifying the relevance of specification in ensuring adherence to appropriate materials and construction methods for structural stability. Recommendations are given to guard against poor specifications that result in the collapse of buildings, properties and ultimately loss of lives

Challenges and issues in drug utilization research identified from the Latin American and African regions

Background: Despite advancements in drug utilization research (DUR), these have not been universal. Some regions such as the Latin America (LatAm) and African regions are facing challenges that are impeding the development of DUR. Objectives: To identify the main challenges and issues for DUR in the LatAm and African regions Methods: A collaborative initiative by the International Society of Pharmacoepidemiology Global Development Committee in partnership with the Latin America Drug Utilization Group and the Medicines Utilization Research in Africa Group was undertaken. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify local and international DUR publications. A core group of investigators and experts in DUR reviewed the publications and identified the main methodological challenges and issues. Subsequently, the group exchanged materials, participated in WebEx discussions, and reviewed the draft document. Results: Main issues: 1) Socioeconomic: high unemployment rate with poor standard of living, socioeconomic inequalities, low literacy levels, urban segregation, high migration rates, high rates of violent crime including drug trafficking and possession. 2) Healthcare-related: Disparities of social determinants of health, differences in the quality of public and private health sectors; and epidemiologic transition from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases. Most health care systems are fragmented with variable access to medical care and medicines, and substandard record keeping. 3) Drug utilization-related: Inappropriate use of medicines including the elderly; limited infrastructure to reliably collect DU data; over-prescription of antimicrobials; polypharmacy; high rates of self-medication; and poor patient adherence (e.g. HIV/AIDS, diabetes mellitus and hypertension). Planning for DUR is affected by the multiplicity of drug distribution channels; trading in sub-standard, counterfeit medicines and insufficient quality control centers. Some publications are generated by local investigators, often suffering of methodological issues such as lack of representativeness of the population, limited data validity, and small sample sizes. Conclusions: There are common challenges for DUR when working within the LatAm and African regions. Based on our findings, the group is developing Guidance on Good Practices of Drug Utilization Research in those regions to assist researchers with issues pertaining to the planning, conduct, and evaluation of DUR

Pathogenicity of <em>Salmonella</em> Paratyphi A in Pullets

The pathogenicity of Salmonella Paratyphi A isolated at Debiwise Poultry Farm during a fulminating outbreak was tested. Twenty 16-week-old pullets were inoculated orally with 0.5 ml of 1.3 x 108 CFU/bird Salmonella Paratyphi A, while 20 others of the same age served as uninfected control. By the fourth day postinoculation (p.i.) dullness, ruffled and unkempt feathers, somnolence, yellowish- green diarrhea, decreased water and feed consumption were observed in the infected birds; mortality was 95% by day 16 p.i. Remarkable pathological lesions were recorded between days 7 and 14 p.i. The liver was moderately enlarged, with multiple necrotic foci, and dark brown to bronze coloration. The kidneys were swollen, with widespread focal pale necrotic areas, while the spleen was slightly enlarged. Histopathologically, the proventriculus showed focal glandular necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and moderate perivascular leucocytic infiltration. There was mucosal hemorrhage, matting of intestinal villi with reduction of villous height and presence of epithelial debris in the lumen with increased leucocytic infiltration in the lamina propriae. The liver showed moderate, diffuse congestion of the sinusoid and central veins, as well as multiple foci of necrosis of hepatocytes, mononuclear infiltration and perivascular cellular infiltration. There was diffuse lymphoid depletion in the nodule and around the splenic arterioles as well as throughout the parenchyma. The kidneys were congested with tubular epithelial necrosis characterized by karyorrhexis of the nuclei. The organism was recovered from the liver, spleen, heart, heart blood and bone marrow of infected birds. No clinical sign or gross lesion or pathogen was observed in the negative control