Investigation of thermal and hydraulic properties of sandy-loam soils under diverse land-use systems

Information about soil thermal properties (STPs) based on different land-use patterns will support optimum utilization of ground-based thermal energy. This study quantified in-situ soil thermal properties (STPs) and some associated hydraulic parameters under different land practices in parts of Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria. Five sampling points for thermal and hydraulic properties were established within 80 m by 40 m on each of grassland (GL), oil palm plantation site (OPS), football pitch (FP), dumpsite (DS), automobile mechanic workshop (AMW), and block making site (BMS). Thermal properties were measured in situ using KD2 Pro Thermal Properties Analyzer while topsoil hydraulic parameters were determined using standard laboratory procedures. Pearson's correlation and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to determine the interrelationships and variations of measured STPs among the diverse land use patterns. Results of assessed STPs indicated that the average values of thermal conductivity (λs) were higher in AMW and DS (1.77 and 1.53 s W/mK, respectively) relative to that of other land uses (0.37- 0.79 W/mK). In the investigated land uses, highest and lowest mean values of thermal diffusivity (TD) (0.850 and 0.209) were recorded in AMW and GL, respectively. The OPS had lowest mean specific heat capacity (CS ) (1.381 MJ/m3 K) and bulk density (BD) of ≈1.5 sMg/m3 while DS topsoil had maximum value of average C (3.930 MJ/m3 K) but least BD of 1.17 Mg/m3 . The highest values of average thermal admittance (µs), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat ) and soil moisture content (MC) were observed in FP while least values of µs, Ksat and MC were recorded in AMW. The mean thermal resistivity (TR) values in DS and AMW were within the 90 °C-cm/W recommended for safe cable engineering practices. Correlation analysis revealed strong direct relation between λs  and TD while ANOVA results showed that most of the measured STPs were significantly different (p<0.05) among the six land-use systems. Most of the measured STPs can be regarded as dynamic characteristics that are intensely swayed by land uses

LATEST ADVANCES ON SECURITY ARCHITECTURE FOR 5G TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES

The roll out of the deployment of the 5G technology has been ongoing globally. The deployment of the technologies associated with 5G has seen mixed reaction as regards its prospects to improve communication services in all spares of life amid its security concerns. The security concerns of 5G network lies in its architecture and other technologies that optimize the performance of its architecture. There are many fractions of 5G security architecture in the literature, a holistic security architectural structure will go a long way in tackling the security challenges. In this paper, the review of the security challenges of the 5G technology based on its architecture is presented along with their proposed solutions. This review was carried out with some keywords relating to 5G securities and architecture; this was used to retrieve appropriate literature for fitness of purpose. The 5G security architectures are mojorly centered around the seven network security layers; thereby making each of the layers a source of security concern on the 5G network. Many of the 5G security challenges are related to authentication and authorization such as denial-of-service attacks, man in the middle attack and eavesdropping. Different methods both hardware (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, field programmable logic arrays) and software (Artificial intelligence, Machine learning, Blockchain, Statistical Process Control) has been proposed for mitigating the threats. Other technologies applicable to 5G security concerns includes: Multi-radio access technology, smart-grid network and light fidelity. The implementation of these solutions should be reviewed on a timely basis because of the dynamic nature of threats which will greatly reduce the occurrence of security attacks on the 5G network

Carbapenem resistance expressed by Gram-negative bacilli isolated from a cohort of Libyan patients

Background and objectives: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and other Gram-negative bacteria are among the most common pathogens responsible for both community and hospital acquired infection. The global spread of cephalosporinases in Enterobacteriaceae has led to the increased use of carbapenems resulting in the emergence and rapid spread of CRE. This has become an alarming public health concern, yet the condition in Libya remains unclear. The aim of this study was to obtain a better understanding of CRE strains prevalent in Libyan patients by investigating their phenotypic characteristics and antibiograms. Methods: Gram-negative bacterial species were collected from Misrata Central Hospital, Misrata Cancer Centre and Privet Pathology Laboratories. Clinical samples and swabs were obtained from hospitalised and non-hospitalised patients and from mechanical ventilation and suction machines. Patients who had received antibiotic therapy for at least three days prior to the study were excluded. The identification and characterization of the isolated species were achieved using the growth characteristics on MacConkey and blood agar, spot tests and API 20E or API 20NE biochemical testing systems. Screening for carbapenem resistance was performed using the disk diffusion method with carbapenem 10 μg and cephalosporin 30 μg disks and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) determined using the Sensititre Gram-negative Xtra plate format (GNX2F). All strains demonstrating resistance or reduced susceptibility to one of the four carbapenems were subjected to carbapenememase activity detection using the RAPIDEC CARBA NP test, Modified Hodge test and carbapenem inactivation methods. Results: A total of one hundred and forty isolates representing fourteen bacterial species were isolated from 140 non-duplicated specimens. Clinical specimens included urine samples (96/140, 68.57%), sputum (15/140, 10.71%), surgical wound swabs (18/140, 12.85%), foot swabs from diabetes mellitus (DM) patients (6/140, 4.29%), ear swabs (3/140, 2.14%) and wound swabs (2/140, 1.43%). Thirty-four (24.29%) isolates demonstrated resistance to at least one of the four carbapenems with Klebsiella pneumoniae representing 73.53% (25 isolates) of all carbapenem resistant species, followed by 8.82% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3 isolates), 5.88% for both Proteus mirabilis (2 isolates) and Escherichia coli (2 isolates) and 2.94% for both Citrobacter koseri (1 isolate) and Rahnella aquatilis (1 isolate). The other isolates were either susceptible or cephalosporinase producers. Conclusion: This study has revealed the high rate of carbapenem resistance amongst Libyan patients and emphasizes the crucial need for accurate screening, identification and susceptibility testing to prevent further spread of nosocomial and community acquired resistance. This may be achieved through the establishment of antibiotic stewardship programmes along with firm infection control practices.National Research Foundation of South Africa; Libyan GovernmentWeb of Scienc

Farmers’ and Extension Personnel's View of Constraints to Effective Agricultural Extension Services Delivery in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined farmers’ and extension personnel's View of constraints to effectiveness of agricultural extension services in Oyo State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 100 farmers and 20 extension personnel. Data subjected to descriptive and correlation analyses were collected using questionnaire and interview schedule. Findings reveal that constraints to effectiveness of extension service include inadequate extension equipment ( = 3.73), insufficient extension personnel ( = 3.44) and poor planning of extension programme (= 2.8). About 54% of farmers perceived that extension service is ineffective while about 46% of extension personnel perceived it to be effective. Results show a weak correlation between personal characteristics of farmers and their perception towards the effectiveness of agricultural extension services (r = 0.081, p< 0.05). It is concluded that constraints to effective extension service might not significantly affect the peoples’ view of extension effectiveness, however, the less the constraints to extension services the better the perception of extension services

Farmers and Extension Personnel View of Constraints to Effective Agricultural Extension Services Delivery in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined farmers’ and extension personnel's View of constraints to effectiveness of agricultural extension services in Oyo State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 100 farmers and 20 extension personnel. Data subjected to descriptive and correlation analyses were collected using questionnaire and interview schedule. Findings reveal that constraints to effectiveness of extension service include inadequate extension equipment/facilities (χ= 3.73), insufficient extension personnel (χ= 3.44) and poor planning of extension programme (χ= 2.8). About 54% of farmers perceived that extension service is ineffective while about 46% of extension personnel perceived it to be effective. Results show a weak correlation between personal characteristics of farmers and their perception towards the effectiveness of agricultural extension services (r = 0.081, p&lt; 0.05). It is concluded that constraints to effective extension service might not significantly affect the peoples’ view of extension effectiveness, however, the less the constraints to extension services the better the perception of extension services.Keywords: Extension, Effectiveness, Constraints, Perception and Agricultur

Farmers’ and Extension Personnel's View of Constraints to Effective Agricultural Extension Services Delivery in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined farmers’ and extension personnel's View of constraints to effectiveness of agricultural extension services in Oyo State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 100 farmers and 20 extension personnel. Data subjected to descriptive and correlation analyses were collected using questionnaire and interview schedule. Findings reveal that constraints to effectiveness of extension service include inadequate extension equipment ( = 3.73), insufficient extension personnel ( = 3.44) and poor planning of extension programme (= 2.8). About 54% of farmers perceived that extension service is ineffective while about 46% of extension personnel perceived it to be effective. Results show a weak correlation between personal characteristics of farmers and their perception towards the effectiveness of agricultural extension services (r = 0.081, p< 0.05). It is concluded that constraints to effective extension service might not significantly affect the peoples’ view of extension effectiveness, however, the less the constraints to extension services the better the perception of extension services