Enhancing public safety and security of critical national infrastructure utilizing the Nigerian Satellite Augmentation System (NSAS)

After the First World War, radio time signals offered alternative technology for determination of the Greenwich time and thus longitude at sea. The first manifestation of new technology capable of usurping the super accurate mechanical chronometers occurred in 1904, when the United States Navy began to experiment with the transmission of radio-time signals as an aid to the determination of longitude (Davies, 1978; Lawal & Chatwin, 2011). The challenge in precision continued with precision in Navigation systems, which depends on electromagnetic waves travelling at 300,000,000 m/s, which means that one microsecond error in a vessel’s time will result in 300metres of navigational error. The Global Positioning System (GPS) originated from the Navigation System with Timing and Ranging known as NAVSTAR, which was initiated by the Joint Program Office (JPO) of the U.S. Department of Defence (DoD) in 1973.The first GPS satellite was sent into orbit in 1978. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was reached in July 1993 with 24 satellites, while Full Operational Capability (FOC) was declared on July, 17th, 1995. Improvement in accuracy for general transportation, especially in aviation, ushered in augmentation systems. The quest for performance focused on the ability to accurately transmit and keep time signals stable up to the picosecond level and even more in receivers and clock reference signals for space systems, especially in navigation satellites using high performance oscillators ranging from ultra-stable quartz crystals with ovenized control to high performance atomic circuits (Lawal & Chatwin, 2011). The Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) arose from the need to provide continuity, availability, integrity and accuracy of global positioning signals to eliminate errors and compensate for discrepancies associated with GPS signals and other navigation systems. The NigComSat-1R Navigation (L-band) payload is a Space Based Augmentation System meant to provide a Navigation Overlay Service (NOS) similar to the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). This paper describes the huge untapped potential that the hybrid satellite offers in the area of public safety, security of critical national infrastructure, aviation, maritime, defense, effectiveness of Location Based Services for Emergency and Crisis management amongst other applications; it thus fills a great gap in the augmentation systems for Africa

Hydroxypropylation of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) starch: Preparation, functional characterizations and enzymatic digestibility

Abstract Hydroxypropyl starch derivatives were prepared from pigeon pea starch (NPPS) which is an unconventional starch source. Functional parameters and characterization of both native and modified starches were carried out. The starch granules appeared oval or elliptical in shape with sizes ranging from 7 to 40 μm in width and 10 − 30 μm in length. Hydroxypropylation did not alter the shape of the starch granules in a pronounced way. Generally, the x-ray diffractograms of native pigeon pea starch showed the "A" pattern. However, slight reductions in the diffraction intensity of starches after modification were observed. At all temperatures studied (30–90 °C), swelling and solubility of hydroxypropylated starches were higher than the NPPS. Progressive increases in swelling capacity and solubility were observed as the molar substitution (MS) increased among the hydroxypropylated starches. Hydroxypropylation reduced starch paste turbidity on storage. Also, studies showed that syneresis reduced after hydroxypropylation. In addition, syneresis reduced as the MS of the hydroxypropyl starches increased. The results indicate that pasting temperature and peak temperature reduced after modification but peak viscosity increased in hydroxypropylated starch derivatives compared with the native starch. Setback reduced in hydroxypropylated starches compared with the native starch. Enthalpy of gelatinization and percentage retrogradation reduced after hydroxypropylation and progressive reductions were observed as the MS increased among the starch derivatives. Hydroxypropylation increased enzymatic digestibility

Preliminary Performance Assessment of Intensified Stripper in Post-combustion Carbon Capture through Modelling and Simulation

Intensified stripper used in chemical absorption process based on rotating packed bed (RPB) technology was studied through modelling and simulation in this paper. The model was developed by dynamically linking Aspen Plus® ratebased model with visual Fortran. Suitable correlations for RPB were implemented in Fortran to replace the default correlations in Aspen Plus® rate-based model. The standalone stripper model was validated with experimental data. The paper compared standalone intensified stripper with conventional stripper using MEA solvent. The result shows 9.69 times size reduction. Therefore PI has great potential for use in carbon capture application

Invasive bacterial infections in Gambians with sickle cell anaemia in an era of widespread Pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccination

Background: There is relatively little data on the aetiology of bacterial infections in patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in West Africa, and no data from countries that have implemented conjugate vaccines against both Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of SCA patients admitted to the Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia during a five-year period when there was high coverage of Hib and Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination. We evaluated 161 admissions of 126 patients between April 2010 and April 2015. Results: Pathogenic bacteria were identified in blood cultures from 11 of the 131 admissions that had cultures taken (8.4%, 95% CI 4.5-14.1%). The most frequent isolate was Salmonella Typhimurium (6/11; 54.5%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (2/11; 18.2%) and other enteric Gram-negative pathogens (2/11; 18.2%) and there was one case of H. influenzae non-type b bacteraemia (1/11; 9.1%). There were no episodes of bacteraemia caused by S. pneumoniae or Hib. Conclusions: The low prevalence of S. pneumoniae and Hib, and the predominance of non-typhoidal Salmonella as a cause of bacteraemia suggest the need to reconsider optimal antimicrobial prophylaxis and the empirical treatment regimens for patients with SCA

Evaluation of selected parameters of rat liver and kidney function following repeated administration of yohimbine.

The effects of administration of yohimbine, an aphrodisiac on some functional parameters of rat liver and kidney were investigated. White male albino rats weighing between 200-250g were grouped into two such that one group was orally administered with 14mg/kg body weight on daily basis for 15days while the control received an appropriate volume of sterile distilled water on daily basis for the same period. Bilirubin concentration in the test showed a significant decrease (P<0.01) when compared with the control, with an interruption of a significant increase only on day 5 of administration (P<0.01). Sodium ion concentration showed significant increase only on the first and the last days when compared with the control (P<0.01). The serum albumin content and K+ displayed significant increase throughout the experimental period (P<0.01) while serum content of urea and creatinine decreased significantly throughout the period of administration (P<0.01). The results suggest that yohimbine administration has adverse affect on the functional capacities of the liver and the kidney.Key words: Functional parameters, Kidney, Liver, Yohimbin

Use of Information Resources and Service by Non Academic Staff of Agriculture University Libraries in Eastern Nigeria (UNN, MOUA and FUTO)

The study examines the accessibility, utilization and satisfaction of information resources and services in Nigeria\u27s Agriculture University Libraries. Non-academic staff, from Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Abia and University of Nigeria Nsukka are the respondents. The main objective of the study is to study the information resources, services, utilization and satisfaction at Agriculture University Libraries in Nigeria in order to analyze the types of available information resources, the level of usage and user satisfaction. Questionnaires were provided to users and the researcher took 1.3 % of the entire respondent population= 5878= 78, so seventy eight (78) copies of the questionnaires were given to the respondents. Fifty nine (59) copies of the various Agriculture University Libraries sampled were retrieved and analyzed, representing 75.64 %. Key findings show that in the Agriculture University Libraries sampled, the existing agricultural information tools available, accessible and used are inadequate current information resources, particularly e-journals e-books and loan times, agricultural information related information resources, such as databases, e-journals e-books, as there was not much available for the established information needs. There was no access to adequate information resources for users because of the insufficient number of library employees. The study recommended the enhancement of existing information tools, services and user information needs facilities, offline database subscriptions such as AGORA, HINARI, AJOL, JSTORE and E-Granary to access agricultural information offline, with millions of textbook and journal information resources accessible and added every second

Exploring the growth challenges of social enterprises: Identifying staffing, earnings-generation and communications as critical success factors

How best to support the sustainability and growth of social enterprises is important to multiple stakeholders (Cavusgil & Knight, 2015; Thompson, Mawson & Martin, 2017). Evidence highlights that social enterprises struggle to scale-up, as reflected by a majority of UK-based social enterprises failing to breakeven. This research studies over one hundred social enterprises to explore the reasons for ineffective scaling and to identify where the priorities and challenges lie in achieving success. Recent literature and the Bloom & Smith (2010) SCALERS model (Staffing; Communicating; Alliance-building; Lobbying; Earnings-generation; Replicating; and Stimulating market forces) are used to determine key issues. The findings indicate that the effective scaling and impact (Kim, 2015) of social enterprises is reliant on three critical success factors: Staffing; Earnings generation; and Communications. Social enterprises need to optimise the recruitment and deployment of employees and volunteers, bearing in mind that they are essential for the replication of successes and in building alliances with networks of stakeholders (Stam, Arzalanian & Elfring, 2014). A robust earnings generation model is essential and may require the development of innovative income streams. Effective staff and robust finances helping establish strong coalitions, joint-ventures and partnerships across the stakeholder spectrum

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON USER SATISFACTION WITH THE INFORMATION RESOURCES AND LIBRARY FACILITIES BY FACULTY MEMBERS IN THREE AGRICULTURE LIBRARIES: ABU, FUTM, AND FUTO, IN NIGERIA

The comparative study on user satisfaction with information resources, and library facilities by faculty members in Three Agriculture university Libraries: ABU, FUTM, AND FUTO in Nigeria; the respondents are faculty members, in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Federal University Technology Minna and Federal University Technology Owerri sampled by the researcher. The main objective of the study is to compare the information resources, and facilities of Agriculture University Libraries with view to examine the types of information resources, and facilities available and user’s satisfaction by the respondent’s Library. Simple random sampling was used in selecting the Agriculture University Libraries from the six geopolitical zones. therefore seventy eight (78) copies of the questionnaires were administered to the respondents, however, sixty (60) of questionnaires were retrieved and analyzed from the different Agriculture University Libraries sampled representing (76.92%), Major findings testify that the current agricultural information resources and facilities available, accessible and utilized are insufficient in agriculture University libraries sampled in Nigeria. Infrastructural facilities and internet services existed in agriculture University libraries of Nigeria but were not well developed, current information resources particularly e-journals, e-books and information resources related to agricultural information such as databases, e-journals, e-books were the information needs identified are not much available. The study recommended, the improvement of the existing information resources and facilities for the user’s information needs, subscriptions of offline databases such as, AGORA, HINARI, AJOL, JSTORE and E-Granary to access agricultural information offline with millions of information resources on text books journals available and continue to be added in each seconds. There is a need for policies that facilitate inter- library loan between agriculture University libraries and research institute libraries, collaboration and information sharin

CHALLENGES AFFECTING THE USE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES AND SERVICES BY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA IN (FUAM, MOUA AND FUAA)

The study an appraisal of information resources and services in Agriculture University Libraries in Nigeria; the respondents are postgraduate in, Federal University Agriculture Makurdi, Federal Michael Okpara University Agriculture Abia, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, sampled by the researcher. The main objective of the study is to assess the information resources and services in Agriculture University Libraries in Nigeria with view to examine the types of information resources and services available, extent of utilization and the constraints associated with the use of information resources and services by Library postgraduate students in Agriculture University Libraries under study. Simple random sampling was used in selecting the Agriculture University Libraries from the six geopolitical zones; while questionnaires were administered to users. The researcher has been taken 1.1% of the entire population of respondents=6933 = 78. Seventy eight (78) copies of the questionnaires were administered to the respondents, however, seventy three (73) of questionnaires were retrieved and analyzed from the different Agriculture University Libraries sampled representing (93.6%),. Major findings testify that the current agricultural information resources available, accessible and utilized are insufficient in agriculture University libraries in Nigeria. constraints confronted the postgraduate students, includes internet connectivity, power failure, attitudes of the staff, current information resources particularly e-journals, e-books and loans periods, information resources related to agricultural information such as databases, e-journals, e-books were the information needs identified are not much available. Due to inadequate numbers of library staff, there was scanty access to appropriate information services to the users. The study recommended, the improvement of the existing information resources, services and facilities for the user’s information needs, subscriptions of offline databases such as, AGORA, HINARI, AJOL, JSTORE and E-Granary to access agricultural information offline with millions of information resources on text books journals available and continue to be added in each seconds. To overcome these constraints library management should look in to the possible area of income sources and funding the library beyond annual budget and dependency on TETFun

Delivery of broadband services to SubSaharan Africa via Nigerian communications satellite

Africa is the least wired continent in the world in terms of robust telecommunications infrastructure and systems to cater for its more than one billion people. African nations are mostly still in the early stages of Information Communications Technology (ICT) development as verified by the relatively low ICT Development Index (IDI) values of all countries in the African region. In developing nations, mobile broadband subscriptions and penetration between 2000-2009 was increasingly more popular than fixed broadband subscriptions. To achieve the goal of universal access, with rapid implementation of ICT infrastructure to complement the sparsely distributed terrestrial networks in the hinterlands and leveraging the adequate submarine cables along the African coastline, African nations and their stakeholders are promoting and implementing Communication Satellite systems, particularly in Nigeria, to help bridge the digital hiatus. This paper examines the effectiveness of communication satellites in delivering broadband-based services