Contextual and Ethical Issues with Predictive Process Monitoring

This thesis addresses contextual and ethical issues in the predictive process monitoring framework and several related issues. Regarding contextual issues, even though the importance of case, process, social and external contextual factors in the predictive business process monitoring framework has been acknowledged, few studies have incorporated these into the framework or measured their impact. Regarding ethical issues, we examine how human agents make decisions with the assistance of process monitoring tools and provide recommendation to facilitate the design of tools which enables a user to recognise the presence of algorithmic discrimination in the predictions provided. First, a systematic literature review is undertaken to identify existing studies which adopt a clustering-based remaining-time predictive process monitoring approach, and a comparative analysis is performed to compare and benchmark the output of the identified studies using 5 real-life event logs. This curates the studies which have adopted this important family of predictive process monitoring approaches but also facilitates comparison as the various studies utilised different datasets, parameters, and evaluation measures. Subsequently, the next two chapter investigate the impact of social and spatial contextual factors in the predictive process monitoring framework. Social factors encompass the way humans and automated agents interact within a particular organisation to execute process-related activities. The impact of social contextual features in the predictive process monitoring framework is investigated utilising a survival analysis approach. The proposed approach is benchmarked against existing approaches using five real-life event logs and outperforms these approaches. Spatial context (a type of external context) is also shown to improve the predictive power of business process monitoring models. The penultimate chapter examines the nature of the relationship between workload (a process contextual factor) and stress (a social contextual factor) by utilising a simulation-based approach to investigate the diffusion of workload-induced stress in the workplace. In conclusion, the thesis examines how users utilise predictive process monitoring (and AI) tools to make decisions. Whilst these tools have delivered real benefits in terms of improved service quality and reduction in processing time, among others, they have also raised issues which have real-world ethical implications such as recommending different credit outcomes for individuals who have an identical financial profile but different characteristics (e.g., gender, race). This chapter amalgamates the literature in the fields of ethical decision making and explainable AI and proposes, but does not attempt to validate empirically, propositions and belief statements based on the synthesis of the existing literature, observation, logic, and empirical analogy

Nigerias Oil and Gas Production and Niger Delta Militant: The Need of Oil Resource to Stop Oil Reliance for Sustainable Development

Nigeria is the largest oil producing in the Sub- Saharan Africa with 32 and 34 2 of Africa s oil and gas reserves respectively the fifty largest exporting countries in the Organisation of Petroleun Exporting Countries OPEC and the largest oil exporting country to the US Like many other oil producing countries Nigeria has not been spared the agony of recurring conflicts associated with the management of her oil resources This paper carries out exploratory survey of Nigeria oil and gas industry with focus on the incessant conflicts in the oil producing communities security environmental problem fraud and corruption that are ranking high and serving as impediment to the sector from achieving its operational excellence Findings in this work revealed that communal conflicts pipeline vandalization kidnapping sabotage crude oil theft among other militant activities are all impediment to the economy growth and have posted greater challenges to oil and gas industry inversely impacting on upsteam and downstream oil production The terrible sharp as decline in nation oil proceeds in the recent years coupled with global decline in the oil prices has given a final blow proved right that much hyped revenue from the famous black gold can no longer sustain Africa s largest economy Suggestions are raised for restructuring the nation dwindling oil and gas industr

Curriculum Integration in Social Studies as Predictor of Academic Performance in Social Sciences

The study investigated curriculum integration in Social Studies as predictor of academic performance in Social Sciences. Integrated curriculum came into focus in the school system with the introduction of Social Studies in to the school curriculum. Integrated curriculum is considered more effective on students compared to single subject approach. Survey design was used to carry out the study. The study was guided by using one hundred and forty (140) students offering social sciences subjects such as geography, economics, and government, were purposively selected from four secondary schools as study sample. T-test and Pearson moment correlation co-efficient statistical methods were used for data analysis.The result shows that there is no statistical evidence to suggest a wide gap between subjects with integrated curriculum and the subject with single subject approach. It further revealed that Social Studies and Economics have a considerable related mean figure of -  54.25 for Social Studies and 55.67 for Economics, which shows a low mean difference of 1.41.Based on these, the researchers concluded that there is a relationship in integrated curriculum subjects; however, this has no substantial impact on students’ academic performance. Key Words:        Integrated Curriculum, Academic Performance, School Curriculum, Teacher’s Competenc

A rare case of equine Haemotropic Mycoplasma infection in Nigeria

Equine haemotropic mycoplasmosis (EHM) is a condition rarely reported worldwide. A horse presented with unspecific clinical findings and non-response to treatment to the common and endemic haemoparasitic and bacterial infections, warranted a thorough molecular investigation of suspected haemoparasitic infection given the fluctuating parasitaemia and the low sensitivity and specificity of Light Microscopy (LM) detection of haemoparasitic infections. Blood collected from an adult horse, domiciled at the University of Ibadan Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria was screened by LM and PCR techniques for haemo-parasites. The 16S rRNA gene of pan-Hemoplasma spp was targeted amplified and sequenced using Sanger automatic sequencing techniques. This case shows the very first molecular evidence of EHM in Africa and Nigeria, and the third case in the World. Microscopic examination of the horse’s blood smear presented with signs of lethargy, inactivity, anorexia and moderate emaciation, showed numerous coccoid-shaped epierythrocytic parasites. Subsequent 16S rRNA sequence data and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of a haemotropic mycoplasma (‘Candidatus M. haemocervae’–like) in the horse. The hemoplasma sequence obtained falls in the same clade with some Candidatus Mycoplasma haemocervae sequences with which it shared more than 98.7% homology. This finding suggests that horses in this geographical region may also be suffering from EHM and calls for the need of epidemiological surveillance of equine hemoplasmosis with emphasis on their clinical, economic, performance and zoonotic implications in the sub-region. Keywords: Nigeria, Horse, Haemotropic mycoplasma, ‘Candidatus M. haemocervae’–lik

Citizenship Education and Curriculum Development in Nigeria

The article highlights the evolutionary trends of citizenship education in Nigeria. The 1914 British amalgamation of erstwhile Northern and Southern Protectorates gave birth to Nigeria as a state. The disparage ethnic composition of the new state, especially after independence, necessitated finding a common ground to promote committed citizens, against primordial ethnic cleavages and indigenization. It is not therefore surprising that the role of education in fostering national citizenship and consciousness was emphasized. Initially, social studies was used as a curriculum framework, until lately when a new subject, civics, was created in primary and junior secondary schools. The author considers the historical, cultural and political context underlining these curricular changes and identifies the current and future challenges face by the implementation of Civics curricular in Nigerian schools

Renal Doppler Indices in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome: Findings from a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Summary: The resistive and pulsatility indices are known tools for assessing renal function in kidney diseases, especially in proteinuric conditions like Paediatric Nephrotic syndrome (NS) which is a glomerular disease. However, there is a limited knowledge in the use of Doppler Resistive and pulsatility indices in the management of this disease condition. This was a case control study involving 53 cases and 57 controls. The Doppler parameters, resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the renal interlobar arteries were determined for the upper, middle, and lower poles bilaterally for both controls and cases. The mean RI on the right and left were 0.59 ± 0.06 and 0.58 ± 0.06 respectively for the NS cases whereas for the controls it was 0.61 ± 0.05 and 0.60 ± 0.04 on the right and left respectively. The mean PI on the right and left measured 0.96 ± 0.16 and 0.94 ± 0.15 respectively for the NS cases while that for the control cases measured 0.98 ± 0.13.and 0.95 ± 0.12 on the right and left respectively. Although, the interlobar arteries mean RIs were generally less than that for the controls, but only the left middle pole showed statistically significant mean difference (p= 0.004). There was also statistically significant mean difference (p= 0.048) between the cases and controls in the left middle pole PI. However, no correlation was found when the renal RI and PI are compared with the serum albumin and creatinine. Although there was no statistical significance between the mean RI and PI of the NS cases and controls, except in the left middle pole RI, it is recommended that Doppler ultrasound should still be part of management of Nephrotic syndrome patients especially those who have developed end stage renal disease in order to monitor their renal function.Keywords: Paediatric, Nephrotic Syndrome, Renal, Resistive Index, Pulsatility Inde

The role of information and communication technology in open distance and e-learning environment

Technological advancement has changed the way things are done in this era. Instructing and erudition process in conventional and Open Distanced and e-Learning (ODeL) is no exception, thus, creating a stint in the manner in which educators educate and the manner wherein students learn. This dissertation focusses on the role of ICT in ODeL environment. Guided by the transactional distance theory and the rhizomatic learning, this study tried to investigate the role of ICT in ODeL environment. The design was to investigate: (a) The effectiveness of ICT tools for instructing and learning; (b) whether ICT boost learning interaction; (c) foster flexibility; (d) supports the students to make decisions; and (e) allows students to connect learning in ODeL. The study utilized a blended techniques approach, and data was congregated through a questionnaire and interviews. A sample of 52 registered postgraduate students in the master of education (M.Ed programme) and seven lecturers within the College of Education were purposively and conveniently selected in the study. The survey questionnaire comprised of 53 question items for students, and 48 question items questions for lecturers. The questionnaire for both students and lecturers also had open-ended questions. Considering distance learning, it was difficult for the researcher to administer a questionnaire using any other method except the online tools. The congregated data was analysed utilizing descriptive and inferential statistics. The outcomes revealed that the integration of ICT in ODeL environment was effective and enhanced the educational process, promote interaction, foster the flexibility of the education programmes, support student autonomy and allow students to connect with different learning nodes. It was established in the study that ICT in ODeL has helped in transforming the education process. The study recommends that the institution should avail ICT facilities and provide users with high speed Internet. The institution should also make provision for technical support to users. Furthermore, both students and lectures should be armed with relevant technological know-how and dexterities.Science and Technology EducationM. Ed. (Technology Education

Re-Engineering Technical Vocational Education And Training (TVET) Towards Safety Practice Skill Needs Of Sawmill Workers Against Workplace Hazards In Nigeria.

The study was carried out to identify safety practice skill needs of sawmill workers against workplace hazards in Nigeria. Survey research design was used for study. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The population of 96 comprised 54 sawmill workers and 42 woodwork teachers. The instrument was face validated by three experts in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Cronbach Alpha was used to establish the reliability which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.88. The data collected were analyzed using mean to answer the research questions and t-test to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. It was found that all the safety practice skills identified are needed by the sawmill workers for effective and functional operations against workplace hazards. It was recommended that the safety practice skills identified be put to use by sawmill workers through enforcement by Forestry Services Department in Nigeria. The safety practice skills should be integrated into the curriculum of woodwork in Technical Colleges. KEYWORDS: Safety, Skill, Sawmill, Workplace Hazards, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Re-engineering

Pedagogical and Technical Implication of Conversion from Face-to-Face to Blended Learning

Technology is changing our world. The advancement in science and technology has propelled a drastic change in nature and structure of the modern world. Events that look weird or impossible years back are part of ‘normal’ things in our contemporary world. Education has had its share of the paradigm shift in the anal of technological revolution. The paper discusses the adoption of open and distance education along the traditional face-to-face mode of educational delivery. The implication of this change in respect to curriculum development models, design and pedagogy and the role of instructors in open and distance education were analysed. The authors propose that blended learning should be viewed from transformational perspective of improving teaching and learning through designing of relevant curriculum and implementation of constructive based pedagogy