Design and Implementation of a Measurement-Based Policy-Driven Resource Management Framework For Converged Networks

This paper presents the design and implementation of a measurement-based QoS and resource management framework, CNQF (Converged Networks QoS Management Framework). CNQF is designed to provide unified, scalable QoS control and resource management through the use of a policy-based network management paradigm. It achieves this via distributed functional entities that are deployed to co-ordinate the resources of the transport network through centralized policy-driven decisions supported by measurement-based control architecture. We present the CNQF architecture, implementation of the prototype and validation of various inbuilt QoS control mechanisms using real traffic flows on a Linux-based experimental test bed.Comment: in Ictact Journal On Communication Technology: Special Issue On Next Generation Wireless Networks And Applications, June 2011, Volume 2, Issue 2, Issn: 2229-6948(Online

Chemical equivalence assessment of three brands of carbamazepine tablets and their anticonvulsant outcome on electrically-induced seizures in chicks

Assay for content of active ingredients is a critical test of drug quality; failure to meet up the standard for content of active ingredients will result to sub therapeutic quantities. Three brands (A, B and C) of carbamazepine were assayed to determine their chemical equivalence as well as their anticonvulsant activities. This was aimed at determining the possible relation between the chemical equivalence of the brands and their anticonvulsant outcomes. The brands were randomly selected from Community Pharmacies in Zaria, Kaduna State, and assayed for chemical equivalence to establish weight uniformity and identity; percentage content of active ingredients, using UV spectrophotometric analysis. Similarly all the brands were evaluated for anticonvulsant activity using maximal electroshock seizure model in chicks at doses of 20, 10 and 5 mg/kg. All the brands passed weight uniformity test as none of the tablets deviated from the mean by more than 7.5%. Similarly, their melting points were found to conform to standard average melting point (191oC) according to B.P. official monograph. However, the content of the active ingredients for Brands B and C did not conform to official standard of 95-105% while brand A conformed. Thus, the percentage contents for brands A, B and C were 99.49%, 76.02% and 87.59% respectively. Also, all the brands at the tested doses offered protection against seizures, ranging from 70-100%; but Brand C at 5 mg/kg offered only 40% quantal protection. The three brands of carbamazepine tablets were not chemically equivalent and their chemical equivalence indices could not be said to be the determinant of anticonvulsant effect.Key words: carbamazepine, anticonvulsant and chemical equivalenc

Uncovering the hidden values of wetlands to local communities

The values of wetlands are generally classified into use values and non-use values. The use values are straightforward andmeasurable values but the non-use values are not so. Hence they are most often neglected and not incorporated in wetlands assessment and conversion to other uses by policy makers. Although the wetlands under review are obviously being used for farming and fishing, we attempted establishing from the local users if they have other forms of values for them. We therefore interviewed four hundred and ninety four (494) wetlands users in seventeen riparian local communities in Lokoja, Nigeria. The result of our findings shows that apart from the direct use of the wetlands, other form of uses, the non-use values exists. Bequest value was however dominant among the identified non-use values. Unfortunately this type of value is not usually considered in decision making patterning to wetlands in local communities. We recommend valuation of both the use and non-use values of wetlands in local communities that are being considered for conversion to other uses. This is suggested because the unseen hidden values of wetlands can be uncovered only in a study of this nature

Comparative Study of Master Oil (MO) and Lophira Lanceolata (Ochnaceae) Oil (LLO) Lubricants in Sewing Machines

In this paper, the Flash point, Fire point, Cloud point, Pour point, and Volatility of master oil (MO) and locally processed lophira lanceolata oil (LLO) were determined using standard laboratory methods. The results show that LLO has lower volatility which means it can stay longer in moving parts of a machine than MO. Also, the results show that the flash point and fire point of the lubricants lie within the maximum operating temperature range (300 oC) of sewing machines. The high pour point (14 oC) and cloud point (23 oC) of LLO limit its use as a lubricant in low temperate regions of the world as opposed to -14 oC and -7 oC respectively for MO which has universal application.  This implies LLO needs to be chemically blended with some additive agents that can lower its Pour point so that it can favourably compete with other lubricants used in sewing machines worldwide

Detection of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii among Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Clinical Samples

Acinetobacter baumannii is an aerobic, Gram -negative cocco-bacilli, non-fermentative, non-motile, and non-fastidious organism belonging to the genus Acinetobacter. The A. baumannii has emerged as a worldwide nosocomial pathogen causing about 80%25 of nosocomial infections comprising ventilator-acquired pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissues infections associated with high mortality rate of approximately 63.3%25. Although literature shows sufficient information about the drug resistant A. baumannii, there has been inadequate reports on the antibiotic resistance level of this bacterium in the study area. The aim of this research was to detect Multidrug-resistant A. baumannii isolates among Gram-negative bacteria isolated from Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Nigeria. A total of 1008 clinical samples were collected and cultured on MacConkey agar and Blood agar plates at 37o C for 18-24 hours. Following the incubation period, discrete colonies obtained were subjected to Gram staining. The Gram-negative isolates were identified based on conventional biochemical tests with further use of VITEK 2 COMPACT (BioMérieux, France) for confirmation of A. baumannii amongst the Gram-negative organisms. The results obtained showed that 263 Gram-negative organisms were isolated. A. baumannii accounted for 8.5%25 prevalence. Most of the A. baumannii isolated were from the male patients (75%25) within the age range of 33-48 years. Antibiotic susceptibility test using Kirby Bauer method in accordance with CLSI guidelines was done on 20 A. baumannii isolates. The isolates were more sensitive to levofloxacin (60%25), followed by Gentamicin (55%25), then Ciprofloxacin and Tetracycline (50%25) respectively. High level of resistance to Ceftriaxone (80%25), Cefepime (75%25), Ceftazidime (65%25), Piperacillin-Tazobactam (55%25), Ampicillin%252FSulbactam (60%25), Tigecycline (60%25), Meropenem (55%25) and Amikacin (60%25). This study revealed that 15 (75%25) of the A. baumannii were found to be multidrug-resistant. Therefore, antibiotic stewardship is necessary to combat further dissemination of this organism

Estimating the values of wetlands in riparian communities: a tool for decision-making in planning

In spite of the importance of wetlands to the environment and most especially to the host communities, wetlands are constantly under pressure for conversion to other forms of use by policy makers. The reason for undervaluing the significance of wetlands is possibly due to lack of data on its values for it is not easily measured like other environmental goods. This study therefore adopted the use of Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to measure the direct use values and non-use values of riparian wetlands to the communities in Lokoja, Nigeria. Four hundred and ninety four (494) households were surveyed in seventeen (17) riparian communities involving a series of focus group discussions and questionnaire administration. Our findings show that both direct use values and non-use values of the wetlands exist and majority of the people were willing to pay for these values. Most of them were also against conversion of the wetlands to other forms of use. The mean estimate of non-use values was however more than that of direct use values. Unfortunately, non-use values are not usually considered in decision making concerning wetlands conversion to other forms of use. The estimates of the values of the wetlands to the local communities as found can be used as a basis for argument by planners for its conservation and not conversion

Matrix Method of Determining Optical Energy Bandgap of Natural Dye Extracts

In this paper, a total of fourteen dye extracts from different plants’ parts (flowers and fruits) were extracted. Absorbance of light by dye extracts with 5%, 10% and 20%concentrationsweremeasured using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at different wavelengths. A system of linear equations in terms of wavelength and absorbance without film thickness was developed and solved using MATLAB software. Also, optical energy bandgap (Eg) obtained experimentally are at range of 1.77- 2.76 eV. From the solutions of the system of equations, the (Eg) of the natural dyes were obtained. The results show all the dye extracts have (Eg) in the range 1.34-2.09 eV which falls within the range of UV and IR portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Also, the results reveal that sunflower (Helianthus) dye has the smallest (Eg) of 1.34 eV and guava (Guajava) peel dye with the higher (Eg) of 2.09 eV. This means Helianthus dye absorbs more light over a wider part of the electromagnetic spectrum and the easier electron transfer from its valence band to the conduction band. The values obtained via matrix method are in agreement with the experimental values with slight deviation, hence this validates the matrix method of obtaining optical energy bandgaps

The Effect of Varying Soot Concentration and Relative Humidity on Visibility and Particle Size Distribution in Urban Atmosphere

This research used extracted extinction coefficients and common mode radii of urban aerosols to carry out visibility simulations at corresponding spectral wavelengths from 0.4-0.8µm from the improved version of the Optical Properties of Aerosols and Clouds (OPAC 4.0) data at eight relative humidities(RH) (0%, 50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98% and 99% RH). Five models of the urban aerosols used comprised of insoluble (INSO), Water-soluble (WASO) and Soot (Black Carbon). From the average concentration set up by OPAC 4.0, the concentrations of the Soot (Black Carbon) were varied by external mixing. The Angstrom exponent (α), the curvature (α2) and the urban atmospheric turbidity (β) were obtained from the regression analysis of the first and second order polynomial of Kaufman’s representation of the Koschmieder equation for atmospheric visibility. The mean exponents of the aerosol size growth curve (µ) were determined from the aerosol effective hygroscopic growth (geff) while the humidification factors (γ) were determined from the visibility enhancement factors f(RH,λ). With µ and γ, the mean exponents of aerosol size distributions (υ) were determined for all the models. It was observed that at varying Soot (Black Carbon) concentrations and RH there were non-linear relationships between them and visibilities. The values of α > 1 showed the presence of fine mode particles from the WASO part of the aerosol mixture and α2 being positive indicated bimodal aerosol particle distributions. Additionally, visibility deterioration is predicted because of the increase in turbidity (β) with the variation of Soot and RH

Organic Matter and Heavy Metals Leachate Effect on Soils of Selected Dumpsites in Selected North Central States of Nigeria

This research was conducted to assess the presence  of some heavy metals Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn) and Aluminum (Al) in municipal solid waste dumps. Heavy metals in the soils were determined at varying depths of 0-5cm, 5-15cm and 15-30cm to assess the extent of pollution and the effects of pH and organic matter in the soil. Heavy metals concentrations were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the concentrations of heavy metals across varying depth at the dumpsites when compared with control points in the same location. Mn had the highest mean 131.22 ± 25.98 mgkg-1 followed by Fe, which is 69 ± 11.02 mgkg-1 at the dumpsites. Mean concentration of all the Heavy metals investigated at the various dumpsites studied were significantly higher than at the control point and below the maximum standard levels set by FAO and WHO for agricultural soils. Result of particle distribution indicated higher sand content (> 80.0%) and lower clay and silt contents in both dumpsite and control site which implies the ease of movement of dissolved metals in the soil environment. Organic Matter (OM) content at dumpsites was observed to be slightly higher than at the control sites. The data also signifies that as pH decreases and %OM decreases the concentration of these heavy metals decreases down the soil profile. It is, therefore, concluded that accumulation of heavy metals in depth was highly correlated with pH and organic matter content