Traektoria Nauki
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Simulation-Based Optimisation of External Plant Placement and Leaf Area Index for Building Indoor Thermal Comfort
Full text linkIn hot, humid regions like Nigeria, sustainable alternatives to energy-intensive air conditioning are crucial for achieving indoor thermal comfort. This research investigates the impact of external planter placement and Leaf Area Index (LAI) on enhancing comfort within a lecture room through simulation. The researchers employed a quantitative methodology using EnergyPlus in DesignBuilder to compare a base case without plants against four experimental cases, where planters were placed at varying distances of 300 mm to 1200 mm from the building's exterior wall. The researchers simulated each case across three LAI values (3, 4, and 5) and conducted a comparative analysis of thermal comfort metrics — operative temperature, Predicted Mean Vote (PMV), and Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied (PPD). The findings indicate that incorporating external planters consistently improved indoor thermal comfort relative to the base model. Planters situated closest to the exterior wall (300mm) yielded the most significant reduction in operative temperature and the lowest PMV and PPD values. While increasing LAI generally resulted in minor improvements, the distance of the planters exhibited a more pronounced influence on thermal performance. This study highlights the efficacy of strategically positioning external vegetation to enhance indoor thermal comfort in hot-humid climates. Simulation-based optimisation provides valuable insights for architects and urban planners in designing effective passive cooling strategies, considering both plant distance and plant density, thereby promoting sustainable building design and energy conservation
Rhetoric of Transition: a Pragmatic Analysis of Inaugural Speeches Under Extraordinary Political Succession in Nigeria
Full text linkThis study examines the inaugural speeches of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State in two distinct political contexts: first, following the sudden demise of his immediate predecessor, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and second, after he emerged victorious in the 2024 governorship election. Adegbija's Eight Discourse Tacts approach underpins the analysis and provides a viewpoint for inspecting the strategic deployment of language in political discourse. These speeches are analysed to examine how Aiyedatiwa navigates the waves of leadership transition, political collapse, and popular expectation.Through discourse analysis, this research identifies some of the key rhetorical devices Aiyedatiwa employs, including affiliation, mitigation, persuasion, and empathy. The speeches demonstrate a deliberate use of language to exert power, mobilise the electorate, and convey a vision of governance. Aiyedatiwa's rhetoric is centred on issues of continuity, oneness, and inclusiveness, both in terms of addressing the emotional and material needs of the people of Ondo State. The research also reveals how Aiyedatiwa employs ethos to establish his credibility, uses rhetorical questions, and fosters constructive opposition in building rapport with the audience and promoting cooperation, cutting across political lines.This discussion contributes to the growing literature on political communication, presenting insights into how language shapes the public image of individuals and consolidates political legitimacy. In particular, within an unusual political transition scenario, the discussion highlights the importance of effective political rhetoric in promoting stability in government and addressing socio-political issues in a complex democratic environment
Automated Construction Monitoring Using Drone Technology And Digital Twins
Full text linkThe construction industry faces significant challenges in terms of project tracking, quality assurance, and making real-time decisions. The study examines the transformations that are possible when considering the use of drone technology in combination with digital twinning structures to automate construction site monitoring. This paper demonstrates that integrating uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and digital twin models enables the transformation of construction supervision. Key results indicate an increase in monitoring efficiency, with a potential decrease in inspection time of up to 75%, improved accuracy in tracking progress, and cost savings resulting from early identification of problems. The embedding enables real-time data synchronisation between the actual construction site and a virtual digital twin model, supporting predictive capabilities and active project management. This study contributes to a strategy guide on industry adoption, technical difficulty, regulatory, and organisational issues, emphasising the importance of this technology convergence to innovative construction practices
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Low-Resource Settings: A Molecular And Public Health Investigation Into the Role Of Environmental Reservoirs And Over-The-Counter Antibiotic Use In South-South Nigeria
Full text linkAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant public health challenge worldwide, particularly in underserved communities where access to healthcare is limited. Researchers are increasingly recognising that the clinical overuse and misuse of antibiotics drive antimicrobial resistance, and they also highlight habits such as the use of over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotics and environmental exposure as significant accelerators of resistance. People in underserved communities often buy antibiotics without prescriptions, misuse them or use them to treat non-bacterial sickness. Microbial resistance and resistance genes are spread due to poor sanitation and contaminated water. This study combines practical microbiological sampling and molecular analysis with public health surveys to investigate the interaction between OTC antibiotic use and environmental exposure. Common antibiotic resistance genes, such as blaTEM, tetM, and ermB, were tested for in samples collected from household water, sewage drains, and clinic sources in South-South Nigeria. The results showed that blaTEM was present in 47% of the samples, tetM in 38%, and ermB in 31%. Out of 45 environmental samples collected, 86% yielded growth of bacteria resistant to at least one antibiotic, 58% showed multi-drug resistance (MDR). Researchers surveyed 300 residents in selected communities across the Delta and Rivers States to assess their antibiotic practices and awareness of antimicrobial resistance. 78% of the participants reported buying antibiotics without a prescription, 66% admitted using antibiotics for fever, body pain, and infection before visiting a clinic, and 43% stopped their medication as soon as they felt better. Only 27% were aware of antimicrobial resistance. We found that environmental and clinical samples share the same resistance genes, particularly in areas with high rates of self-medication. People's habits and their environment play a significant role in the continued spread of antibiotic resistance. There is a clear connection between environmental risks and self-medication, even though the relationship is correlational
Modelling Water Flooding Scheme in Dual Porosity Reservoirs: An Integrated Approach
Full text linkWater flooding is one of the most widely used secondary recovery techniques in petroleum reservoirs to enhance oil recovery. However, its application in naturally fractured reservoirs (NFRs) presents significant challenges due to the complex dual-porosity and dual-permeability nature of such formations. In NFRs, the high-permeability fracture network provides rapid fluid flow paths, leading to early water breakthrough and bypassing a significant portion of the oil trapped in the low-permeability matrix; this results in inefficient sweep efficiency and poor overall recovery, making conventional water flooding strategies less effective. BOAST (Black Oil Applied Simulation Tool) is a well-established reservoir simulator used for modelling black oil. However, BOAST may require modifications or integration with empirical models to improve water flooding performance in NFRs. The research team modelled a naturally fractured reservoir as a single-layer formation using a 15×1×1 parallel Cartesian grid in MATLAB. They then integrated the developed model into BOAST. They performed a water-flooding simulation to predict pressure distributions within each grid block, as well as production data (oil, gas, and water volumes), and well pressure and shut-in pressure. The simulation results indicate that cumulative oil production reached 1.3 MMSTB after 2000 days, corresponding to a recovery factor of approximately 25%. The reservoir, however, experienced early water breakthrough in the fracture system, leading to increased water cut and reduced oil production after year four. The operators initially maintained pressure support through water injection, but its effectiveness declined as water saturation in the fractures increased. Gas-Oil Ratio (GOR) remained stable throughout, indicating no significant gas breakthrough or solution gas drive. The results of this study show that BOAST faces uncertainty in accurately simulating and predicting performance in fractured systems due to complex fracture–matrix interactions, early water breakthrough, and poor sweep efficiency. However, researchers can use BOAST as a rapid real-time screening tool for dual-porosity reservoirs when selecting candidates for a water-flooding program, provided the model fully captures fracture–matrix interactions
Diagnostic Analysis of Student Misconceptions on Viral and Bacterial Concepts in Introductory Biology Courses
Full text linkThe fundamental aspect of biology education is not only understanding the difference between viruses and bacteria, but also recognising that this knowledge is essential for everyone worldwide, as public health requires a clear distinction between the two. Even though teachers cover these topics in secondary school, students still confuse the two microorganisms, even at the university level. This study investigates how first-year students in biological sciences understand viruses and bacteria, particularly their structural characteristics, reproduction, treatment options, and roles.Researchers surveyed 160 first-year biology and microbiology students across three universities in Imo State using a mixed-methods approach. The survey included multiple-choice questions, open-ended responses, and short case scenarios designed to probe both factual knowledge and deeper conceptual understanding. We also conducted follow-up interviews with 20 students to clarify some of their written responses and explore their reasoning in more depth.Our findings indicate that the majority of students correctly identified viruses as non-living and bacteria as living; however, a high number still believed that antibiotics can treat viral infections. Also, many students felt that viruses are smaller versions of bacteria or that both reproduce in the same way. There were misunderstandings among students regarding the role of bacteria. Many students classified bacteria as pathogenic organisms that cause disease, forgetting that they play beneficial roles in ecosystems, human health, and the microbiome.Early gaps, the ongoing reduction in science teaching in primary and secondary schools, and the spread of misleading information through the media and in conversation are significant causes of the misconceptions observed among students. This study emphasised the need to implement an effective teaching method for introductory biology courses at all levels, from primary to university, particularly those focusing on theoretical understanding and addressing students' initial beliefs. To help students build a solid foundation and knowledge in advanced biology, these misunderstandings need to be addressed, as they will support decision-making in public health
Форсайт аутсорсингу маркетингових послуг в Україні
Full text linkThe article examines trends and prospects for the development of the marketing services market in Ukraine, considering the specific characteristics of outsourcing models. The relevance of the topic is determined by the impact of military and socio-economic challenges, the digitalisation of business processes, and integration into the European space.The purpose of this article is to identify trends and prospects for the development of marketing services outsourcing in Ukraine, considering its foresight. The work analyses changes in the volume of the marketing services market from 2010 to 2024, identifies the peculiarities of development in the main areas – advertising and market research – and traces the structure of the advertising segment by type of media. The study revealed that the marketing services market is susceptible to crises but demonstrates a high capacity for recovery, as evidenced by a sharp decline in 2022 followed by a subsequent recovery in 2023-2024. It was found that the key growth factors are digitalisation, increased flexibility in budgeting and a stronger focus on customer retention. At the same time, the main problems persist, including the reduction of the consumer base due to migration, a shortage of highly qualified personnel, a decline in the population's purchasing power, and economic instability. The results of the forecast modelling until 2034 indicate a gradual growth in market volume, with an average annual increase of UAH 3-4 billion, which creates a basis for developing long-term planning strategies and forming sustainable business models.The research hypothesis was confirmed: outsourcing marketing services is becoming a key tool for ensuring the sustainability of companies, allowing them to adapt more effectively to uncertainty and increase competitiveness.The scientific and practical significance of the work lies in the fact that the results obtained can serve as a basis for making informed management decisions, enhancing the strategic planning system, and developing adaptive marketing strategies in the complex conditions of the Ukrainian economy.У статті досліджуються тенденції та перспективи розвитку ринку маркетингових послуг в Україні з урахуванням специфіки аутсорсингових моделей. Актуальність теми зумовлена впливом воєнних і соціально-економічних викликів, цифровізації бізнес-процесів та інтеграції до європейського простору.Метою статті є визначення тенденцій та перспектив розвитку аутсорсингу маркетингових послуг в Україні в контексті їхнього форсайту. У ході роботи проаналізовано зміни обсягів ринку маркетингових послуг у 2010-2024 роках, визначено особливості розвитку за основними напрямами – рекламною діяльністю та дослідженням кон’юнктури ринку, а також простежено структуру рекламного сегмента за видами носіїв. Дослідження показало, що ринок маркетингових послуг є вразливим до кризових явищ, проте демонструє високу здатність до відновлення, що підтверджується різким падінням у 2022 році та подальшим відновленням в 2023-2024 роках. Виявлено, що ключовими факторами зростання виступають цифровізація, підвищення гнучкості у бюджетуванні та посилення фокусу компаній на утриманні клієнтів. Водночас, серед головних проблем залишаються скорочення споживчої бази через міграцію, дефіцит висококваліфікованих кадрів, зниження купівельної спроможності населення та економічна нестабільність. Результати прогнозного моделювання до 2034 року свідчать про поступове зростання обсягів ринку, із середньорічним приростом у межах 3-4 млрд грн, що створює підґрунтя для розвитку стратегій довгострокового планування та формування сталих бізнес-моделей.Гіпотеза дослідження підтвердилася: аутсорсинг маркетингових послуг стає ключовим інструментом забезпечення стійкості компаній, дозволяє ефективніше адаптуватися до невизначеності та підвищувати конкурентоспроможність.Науково-практична значущість роботи полягає у тому, що отримані результати можуть бути використані як базис для прийняття управлінських рішень, удосконалення системи стратегічного планування та формування адаптивних маркетингових стратегій у складних умовах розвитку української економіки
Local Histological Stains and Dyes in Nigeria: a Review of Reviews
Full text linkNigeria's healthcare system faces critical dependency on imported histological stains, creating supply vulnerabilities and foreign exchange pressures that limit diagnostic accessibility. This systematic review evaluated the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and implementation potential of indigenous Nigerian histological stains through a comprehensive synthesis of existing evidence. We conducted searches across six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, AJOL, African Index Medicus, and Google Scholar) from 2000 to 2024, identifying reviews that examined locally sourced staining materials within Nigeria's geographical boundaries. Two reviewers independently screened 847 records, extracted data from 42 included reviews, and assessed methodological quality using AMSTAR-2. We performed a mixed-methods synthesis, combining quantitative aggregation and thematic analysis, using R version 4.3.2 and NVivo 14. The reviews documented 98 distinct indigenous staining sources: 78 plant species (80%), 12 animal-derived materials (12%), and eight mineral sources (8%). Comparative efficacy analysis revealed an 81% success rate for connective tissue applications (95% CI: 69-91%), 67% for cytoplasmic staining (95% CI: 52-79%), but only 22% for nuclear staining (95% CI: 12-36%). Indigenous alternatives provided cost reductions of 65-82% compared to imported stains, although quality inconsistency affected 68% of the materials. Implementation rates varied dramatically: 63% in teaching institutions versus 17% in clinical laboratories (χ²(1) = 21.4, p < 0.001). Indigenous Nigerian histological stains represent scientifically viable and economically advantageous alternatives that require systematic standardisation and regulatory frameworks to achieve clinical adoption
Impact of Financial Intermediation on Manufacturing Sector Output In Nigeria
Full text linkThis paper examines the impact of financial intermediation on manufacturing output in Nigeria between 2012 and 2021. The actions of financial intermediation bore the names of deposit mobilisation, credit provision to the manufacturing industry, and the rate of interest. Through ordinary least squares regression analysis, the study found that deposit mobilisation has a positive and significant effect on manufacturing industry output, with a p-value of 0.0025, which is vital at the 1% level. Credit extension to the manufacturing sector was also observed to have a positive and significant impact on the sector's output, with a p-value of 0.0421, which is statistically significant at the 5% level. The value of the coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.941684 indicates that the independent variables explain 94.16% of the variation in manufacturing sector output. The study has concluded that financial intermediation plays a pivotal role in realising the potential of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria. It has been recommended that the Central Bank of Nigeria design monetary policies with a view to increasing financial savings and seek ways to provide incentives to banks in an effort to encourage more savings to be deposited and lent to the manufacturing sector
Morphological and Variational Analysis of Upper Limb Superficial Vein Patterns in Human Identification and Forensic Anatomy
Full text linkTraditional forensic identification does not work well when tissues are damaged, bodies are incomplete, or when people try to hide who they are. Studies of blood vessel patterns are less accurate outside the lab. We tested whether visible arm vein patterns can reliably identify people for forensic use. We studied 384 people (192 men, 192 women, aged 18-72) from three Nigerian states from January 2023 to March 2024. The ethnic groups were Igbo (38.2%), Yoruba (31.5%), and Hausa (22.1%). We used special cameras, clear photos, and an ultrasound to record the vein patterns of both arms under the same conditions. We analysed the shapes and patterns using sorting and computer tools. We reached 96.8% accuracy with seven main features, and computer learning methods reached 98.5%. Four main pattern types had different results: complex (98.3%), network (97.2%), hybrid (96.8%), and linear (96.1%). The features stayed the same over 12 months, with similarity scores consistently above 0.94. Age, gender, and ethnicity helped improve identification. In summary, upper-arm vein patterns are strong forensic identifiers, making them valuable for modern forensic analysis