Performance Enhancement in Cellular Network Using Decoding-based Successive Interference Cancellation Technique

Interference if not properly attended to could have negative influence on the air interface performance of any wireless network service. Hence, there is a need to moderate interference in cellular network system. This study is aimed at analysing the performance of decoding-based successive interference cancellation technique. The was done analysing the performance of decoding based successive interference cancellation on uplink High Speed Uplink Packet Access Enhanced Dedicated Physical Data Channel. From the analysis, simulations and results obtained from this study, we have been able to show that this technique would reduce the load of the cell and increase the network capacity of the cellular network provider, thereby improving the quality of service

A new family of kernels from the beta polynomial kernels with applications in density estimation

One of the fundamental data analytics tools in statistical estimation is the non-parametric kernel method that involves probability estimates production. The method uses the observations to obtain useful statistical information to aid the practicing statistician in decision making and further statistical investigations. The kernel techniques primarily examine essential characteristics in a data set, and this research aims to introduce new kernel functions that can easily detect inherent properties in any given observations. However, accurate application of kernel estimator as data analytics apparatus requires the kernel function and smoothing parameter that regulates the level of smoothness applied to the estimates. A plethora of kernel functions of different families and smoothing parameter selectors exist in the literature, but no one method is universally acceptable in all situations. Hence, more kernel functions with smoothing parameter selectors have been propounded customarily in density estimation. This article proposes a distinct kernel family from the beta polynomial kernel family using the exponential progression in its derivation. The newly proposed kernel family was evaluated with simulated and life data. The outcomes clearly indicated that this kernel family could compete favorably well with other kernel families in density estimation. A further comparison of numerical results of the new family and the existing beta family revealed that the new family outperformed the classical beta kernel family with simulation and real data examples with the aid of asymptotic mean integrated squared error (AMISE) as criterion function. The information obtained from the data analysis of this research could be used for decision making in an organization, especially when human and material resources are to be considered. In addition, Kernel functions are vital tools for data analysis and data visualization; hence the newly proposed functions are vital exploratory tools

Green Computing: A Machinery for Sustainable Development in the Post-Covid Era

Socio-economic sustainability has emerged the common song of the policy makers globally. It has been projected as a developmental strategy by international and regional agencies. There has been several campaigns and programs all of which are intended to promote sustainability. In developing countries, the masses have been bamboozled with often unrealistic bogus policies hypocritically crafted in a bid to deceive the uninformed who are undoubtedly helpless in the midst of the conundrum. However, the 2019 reports of the IPCC and OECD respectively on global warming, sustainability and climate change is not a phenomenon that should be swept under the carpet by any sensible government. Though in many jurisdictions, campaigns and policies have long assumed political undertone, it must be stressed that it is time for talking the walk. Governments must put up implementable strategies that are all encompassing across the various sociopolitical classes and the different industry levels. According to the said reports, global warming and climate change pose severe challenges to sustainability and this is attributed to social, and economic root causes. The social sources are conflicts and poor socio-political governance structures whereas the economic sources are connected to industry, electricity, residential, agriculture, and transport. It is reported that 60% of greenhouse emissions globally emanate from the economic source. The worst hit is the sub-Saharan Africa where the dumping of electronic wastes and uncontrolled deployment of unregulated hardware for industry operations have remained a major environmental menace in the last decade. Having regard to the foregoing, this paper seeks to provide a systematic inquiry into the green computing policies and legislations in a major economic hub in the sub-Saharan Africa. The essence of this investigation is to critically review the present status of existing policies, strategies, and legislation vis-à-vis their strengths, lapses, and the contributory effect of these on driving the sustainability programs in the general developmental outlook of the sub region

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

An Object-based Model for Assessment of Quality of Teaching in Institutions of Higher Learning in Nigeria: A Case of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria

In most learning Institutions in Nigeria, the quality of teaching delivered by Lecturers/Teachers are not usually given the attention it requires and where such is done, it is often done in a crude way using semi-automated approaches. This research is conceived to examine how Information and Communications Technology could be employed to collect data for the assessment of quality of teaching delivered by Teachers/Lecturers in the Institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. To achieve this, this research studies a University of Technology in the South-East of Nigeria, conceives and designs an object-oriented model for harnessing the relevant data needed to conduct such assessment into a central database. This system can be used to submit feedbacks on the performances of the Lecturers and also enable educational administrators view statistics of submissions. As the data is collated in a central database, analytical tools could be employed in conducting further analysis on Lecturer performance evaluation to drive advanced decision making

Sustainable Development in Developing Societies: The Place of ICT-driven Computer Education

Computer Science Education (CSE) is a field of study in the 21st century that cannot be ignored by any nation in search of rapid integrated development. When driven by Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools, the field could become a live wire for national socio-economic development with the capacity to transform and sustain same. This paper follows a qualitative approach in examining the relevance of an ICT-driven CSE in sustainable development and advocates for a proper entrenchment of ICT-based pedagogy in the existing curriculum in tertiary institutions for better learning experience and quality education delivery for development. The various areas in which CSE and ICT are applied for sustainable development are appropriately discussed. Also discussed are the challenges and barriers to the deployment of ICT solutions towards the realization of sustainable development goals (SDG) in higher education and technology development. It concludes by reiterating a paradigm shift towards an integrated education model that explores use of ICT at all academic processes across all the three tiers of education in Nigeria to contribute its quota in the realization of the SDGs

Performance Enhancement in Cellular Network Using Decoding-based Successive Interference Cancellation Technique

Interference if not properly attended to could have negative influence on the air interface performance of any wireless network service. Hence, there is a need to moderate interference in cellular network system. This study is aimed at analysing the performance of decoding-based successive interference cancellation technique. The was done analysing the performance of decoding based successive interference cancellation on uplink High Speed Uplink Packet Access Enhanced Dedicated Physical Data Channel. From the analysis, simulations and results obtained from this study, we have been able to show that this technique would reduce the load of the cell and increase the network capacity of the cellular network provider, thereby improving the quality of service

Relationship between body mass index and timing of maturation

Background: Menarche is the first menstrual period. The increasing incidence of overweight/obesity and decline in the median age at menarche had led investigators to hypothesize potential associations of age at menarche with body mass index (BMI). We assess these associations between reproductive and nonreproductive age females.Aim: The present study assessed the relationship between BMI and the timing of menarche among contemporary Nigerian girls.Methods: The present cross‑sectional anthropometric study was performed in 2014 using 600 menstruating and 200 nonmenstruating girls aged 11–18 years in Nigeria. We classified the menarcheal age of our participants into early, ideal, and late. Participants were also categorized based on their nutritional status into underweight, normal, and overweight.Results: Mean age at menarche was 13.54 years. Age at onset of menarche was inversely associated with BMI. Precocious menarche (&lt;12 years) when compared to ideal (12–13 years) or late (≥14 years) menarche was found to be associated with a higher BMI (F = 10.64, P &lt; 0.05). Overweight girls also reach maturation earlier than their contemporaries with moderate to lean body status (F = 15.32, P &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: Girls with high BMI or overweight reach menarche earlier in life than their lean or low BMI counterparts.Keywords: Anthropometric, body mass index, menarche, overweigh