Fish Classification Algorithm using Single Value Decomposition

Automatic fish classification system plays a very useful role in the process of separating fishes into species for human consumption,ornamentation and other usages. Manual classificationof fishes into different types is difficult and boring. This work proposes a fast and accurate system capable of classifying fish images into distinct classes based on their physical form. The system comprises image-processing, feature extraction and classification method. Fishfeature vector is obtained from Single Value Decomposition (SVD) product extracted from fish block images. Training and testing of the proposed fish classification system are done using Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Experimental test was carried out to determine the species of query fish images. Thirty-six fish images were tested, 94% correct classification result is recorded

HIV Risk Perception and Constraints to Protective Behaviour among Young Slum Dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between HIV/AIDS risk perception and protective behaviour among sexually-active urban young slum dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria. The multistage sampling techniques were used for selecting 1,600 respondents aged 15-24 years. Of these, 1,042 (65%) respondents who reported unprotected sex in the last three months were selected for analysis. Although the sexually-active respondents demonstrated basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS and high risk perception, risky behaviour was common and protective behaviour was poor. About 48% of 505 males and 12% of 537 females had multiple partners. Similarly, 29% of males and 38% of females were engaged in transactional sex. Only 14% of males and 5% of females used any form of protection, resulting in the high rates of sexually transmitted infections reported by 27% of males and 10% of females. Structural and environmental constraints were identified as barriers to adopting protective behaviour. Therefore, programme and policy interventions should be designed to address the peculiar circumstances of urban young slum dwellers to curtail the HIV epidemic

Data driven agent-based micro-simulation in social complex systems

We are recently witnessing an increase in large-scale micro/individual/- granular level behavioural data. Such data has been proven to have the capacity to aid the development of more accurate simulations that will ef- fectively predict the behaviours of complex systems. Despite this increase, the literature has failed to produce a structured modelling approach that will effectively take advantage of such granular data, in modelling com- plex systems that involve social phenomenons (i.e. social complex sys- tems). In this thesis, we intend to bridge this gap by answering the question of how novel structural frameworks, that systematically guides the use of micro-level behaviour and attribute data, directly extracted from the ba- sic entities within a social complex system can be created. These frame- works should involve the systematic processes of using such data to di- rectly model agent attributes, and to create agent behaviour rules, that will directly represent the unique micro entities from which the data was ex- tracted. The objective of the thesis is to define generic frameworks, that would create agent based micro simulations that would directly reflect the target complex system, so that alternative scenarios, that cannot be inves- tigated in the real system, and social policies that need to be investigated before being applied on the social system can be explored. In answering this question, we take advantage of the pros of other model- ing techniques such as micro simulation and agent based techniques in cre- ating models that have a micro-macro link, such that the micro behaviour that causes the macro emergence at the simulation’s global level can be easily investigated. which is a huge advantage in policy testing. We also utilized machine learning in the creation of behavioural rules.This created agent behaviours that were empirically defined. Therefore, this thesis also answers the question of how such structural framework will empirically create agent behaviour rules through machine learning algorithms. In this thesis we proposed two novel frameworks for the creation of more accurate simulations. The concepts within these frameworks were proved using case studies, in which these case studies where from different so- cial complex systems, so as to prove the generic nature of the proposed frameworks. In concluding of this thesis, it was obvious that the questions posed in the first chapter had been answered. The generic frameworks had been created, which bridged the existing gap in the creation of accurate mod- els from the presently available granular attribute and behavioral data, al- lowing the simulations created from these models accurately reflect their target social complex systems from which the data was extracted from

Comparative Study on the Contribution of Asbestos and Gypsum Building Materials to Environmental Radioactivity and Its Radiological Implications

Building materials have been studied and found to contain trace amount of natural radionuclides. In order to estimate the radiological impact to the dweller, the level of radionuclides present in asbestos and gypsum building materials available in Nigeria market were carried out using a well shielded and calibrated gamma spectrometry. The results obtained shown that the natural radionuclides of 238U, 232Th, and 40K are present in the building materials assayed, with activity concentration of 141.76 to 526.29 Bqkg-1, 2.14 to 7.94 Bqkg-1 and 9.89 to 14.23 Bqkg-1 for the gypsum samples and 221.64 to 513.38 Bqkg-1, 15.99 to 34.68 Bqkg-1 and 9.10 to 18.93 Bqkg-1 for the asbestos samples respectively. The average concentration obtained for samples are relatively lower than the worldwide average. The radiation hazard indices estimated are also lower than the international recommended values. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the use of these materials in construction of dwellings may be considered safe for inhabitants and that the dwellers inside the buildings are not supposed to acquire any radiological complication in terms of radiation hazard. &nbsp

Yellow fever childhood immunization coverage in Jos North Local Government Area, North Central Nigeria: 2015 – 2017

Background: The transmission of Yellow fever,a viral hemorrhagic feveris facilitated in countries which have close proximity to the mosquito vectors and large number of unvaccinated population. Globally, mass vaccination campaigns have significantlyreduced the incidence of this disease, but recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), indicates an increase in the rate of transmission, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Between 2017 and 2018,some Nigerian states including Plateau state reported confirmed cases of yellow fever. In this study, we assessed the yellow fever immunization coverage in Jos North Local Government area (LGA) of Plateau state.Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out to assess yellow fever immunization coverage in Jos North LGA over a 3-year period from January 2015 to December 2017, with data obtained from the Local Government Area office. This included both data from routine and supplemental immunization activities. The number of children immunized was then compared to the target population to assess coverage for each year.Results: Overall, 71, 734 children were immunized. This comprised of  infants 9-11 months 69,344(96.7%) and 1 -5 year old infants 2390(3.3%). The overall average immunization coverage was (21,514/92,652) 23.2% in 2015, (24,977/93,569) 26.6% in 2016, and (25,243/94,495) 26.7% in 2017, with a mean coverage of 25.5% over the 3 year period.Conclusion: Yellow fever immunization coverage in this LGA is low. Urgent work needs to be done to increase immunization coverage across the local government, and by extension the state and country, especially in view of the recent outbreak of yellow fever in some states.Key words: Yellow fever, Immunization, North-Central Nigeria

Hysterosalpingographic findings in infertility – what has changed over the years?

Background: Prior studies on Hysterosalpingography (HSG) have shown that pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) related tubal adhesions accounted for 30 – 50% of female infertility, with as high as 80% reported in some studies. With improved access tocontraceptives, antibiotics and promotion of safe practices, the abnormal findings in HSG may have reduced or altered.Objective: To document the imaging findings in the HSG of participants and to compare current findings with prior studies done nationally and internationally.Method: A retrospective evaluation of 974 HSGs done at the tertiary diagnostic center over a 7-year period was conducted and analyzed using diagnostic accuracy tables.Results: Tubal pathologies were the most common abnormality in this study, (35.1% of the cases), comprising tubal blockage and hydrosalpinges; followed by uterine masses seen in 223 (22.9%) of the clients. Tubal occlusion was higher in clients with multiple abnormal findings; .while normal sized and large uterine cavities had a higher percentage of bilateral tubal patency.Conclusion: Tubal factors remain the most common abnormality seen in the HSGs of infertile women in this study, though with lower prevalence compared with prior older studies. Forty seven (47%) of the cases of female factor infertility had normal HSGs with bilateral tubal patency.Keywords: HSG, infertility, female, Africa, tubal factors, uterine masses

Effect of some nitrogen sources of growth medium on

Penicillium solitum and Aspergillus rubrum isolated from deteriorated yam (Dioscorea alata) using potato dextrose agar grew and sporulated at 25oC. They expresse

HIV Risk Perception and Constraints to Protective Behaviour Among Young Slum Dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between HIV/AIDS risk perception and protective behaviour among sexually-active urban young slum dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria. The multistage sampling tech\uadniques were used for selecting 1,600 respondents aged 15-24 years. Of these, 1,042 (65%) respond\uadents who reported unprotected sex in the last three months were selected for analysis. Although the sexually-active respondents demonstrated basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS and high risk perception, risky behaviour was common and protective behaviour was poor. About 48% of 505 males and 12% of 537 females had multiple partners. Similarly, 29% of males and 38% of females were engaged in transactional sex. Only 14% of males and 5% of females used any form of protection, resulting in the high rates of sexually transmitted infections reported by 27% of males and 10% of females. Structural and environmental constraints were identified as barriers to adopting protective behaviour. Therefore, programme and policy interventions should be designed to address the peculiar circum\uadstances of urban young slum dwellers to curtail the HIV epidemic

A Numerical Simulation and Modeling of Poisson Equation for Solar Cell in 2 Dimensions

Solar energy is one of the primary sources of energy replacing fossil fuels due to its abundance. Its versatility and environmental friendliness has made it one of the most promising renewable sources of energy. Solar cells convert solar energy into Electrical Energy. The effort to improve the efficiency of these cells and the reduction of their costs has been a major concern for a long time. Modeling of various structures of solar cells provides an insight into the physics involved in its operation and better understanding of the ways to improve their efficiency. This work modeled Poisson Equation in 2D for an abrupt and linearly graded charge densities system with arbitrary points in space. Linear approximation and differentials, finite difference method, boundary conditions and MATLAB were used to obtain the solution. This is the first step in developing a general purpose semiconductor device simulator that is functional and modular in nature. It was observed that highest electric potential was obtained where the point charge was placed for linearly graded and doping type changed over a small distance compared to the extent of the depletion region for abrupt p-n junction. By solving Poisson equation, voltage, electric field, electric charge density and density of free carriers inside the solar cell can be known

Evolution of ultrasonic impulses in chains of spheres using resonant excitation

It is demonstrated that broad-bandwidth ultrasonic signals containing frequency components in excess of 200 kHz can be created in spherical chains using harmonic excitation at 73 kHz. Multiple reflections created a periodic waveform containing both harmonics and sub-harmonics of the original forcing frequency, due to non-linear Hertzian contact. These discrete frequencies represented some of the many allowed non-linear normal modes of vibration of the whole chain. Excitation at a single fixed frequency could thus be used to produce wide-bandwidth impulses for different lengths of spherical chains. Experimental results were in good agreement with theoretical predictions