Bilingual Publishing Co. (BPC): E-Journals
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Development of an Extended Medical Diagnostic System for Typhoid and Malaria Fever
No full textIn developing countries like Nigeria, malaria and typhoid fever are major health challenges in society today. The symptoms vary and can lead to other illnesses in the body which include prolonged fever, fatigue, nausea, headaches, and the risk of contracting infection occurring concurrently if not properly diagnosed and treated. There is a strong need for cost-effective technologies to manage disease processes and reduce morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Some of the challenging issues confronting healthcare are lack of proper processing of data and delay in the dissemination of health information, which often causes delays in the provision of results and poor quality of service delivery. This paper addressed the weaknesses of the existing system through the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven extended diagnostic system (EDS). The dataset was obtained from patients’ historical records from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and contained two-hundred and fifty (250) records with five (5) attributes such as risk level, gender, symptom 1, symptom 2, and ailment type. The malaria and typhoid dataset was pre-processed and cleansed to remove unwanted data and information. The EDS was developed using the Naive Bayes technique and implemented using software development tools. The performance of the system was evaluated using the following known metrics: accuracies of true positive (TP), true negative (TN), false positive (FP), and false negative (FN). The performance of the EDS was substantially significant for both malaria and typhoid fevers
Climate Justice Dimensions: Approaching Loss and Damage and Adaptation towards a Just City
No full textThe escalating occurrence of severe climatic events over the past decade, with a projection for further intensification due to the climate emergency, underscores the critical role of urban and regional planning in climate action towards just cities. Municipalities and regions are both significant contributors to CO2 emissions and are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. This paper contends that urban and regional planning must undergo a paradigm shift to address this challenge. Climate justice, encompassing dimensions of inequality and environmental equity, is a pivotal dialogue in these contexts. Through a comprehensive review, this study contributes to the evolving landscape of climate justice planning and policy, offering insights that could resonate across the Global South and beyond. As an illustrative case, the authors delve into Brazil’s climate challenges, discussing adaptation planning and post-disaster response, and emphasizing the need for localized and community-driven initiatives. This article delves into the interplay between Loss and Damage, adaptation, and just cities, with a focus on the Global South. The authors scrutinize the emerging discourse on Loss and Damage, its associations with climate impacts, and the quest for a just and equitable approach. The work advances the understanding of the distinction between adaptation and Loss and Damage actions, highlighting the significance of a dedicated fund for addressing Loss and Damage in vulnerable countries
Spatial and Temporal Variation of Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and Its Health Effects during the Haze Event in Malaysia
No full textThis study aims to assess and compare levels of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in urban and industrial areas in Malaysia during haze episodes, which typically occur in the south west monsoon season. The high concentrations of atmospheric particles are mainly due to pollution from neighbouring countries. Daily PM concentrations were analysed for urban and industrial areas including Alor Setar, Tasek, Shah Alam, Klang, Bandaraya Melaka, Larkin, Balok Baru, and Kuala Terengganu in 2018 and 2019. The analysis employed spatiotemporal to examine how PM levels were distributed. The data summary revealed that PM levels in all study areas were right-skewed, indicating the occurrence of high particulate events. Significant peaks in PM concentrations during haze events were consistently observed between June and October, encompassing the south west monsoon and inter-monsoon periods. The study on acute respiratory illnesses primarily focused on Selangor. Analysis revealed that Klang had the highest mean number of inpatient cases for acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma (AEBA) and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) with values of 260.500 and 185.170, respectively. Similarly, for outpatient cases of AEBA and AECOPD, Klang had the highest average values of 41.67 and 14.00, respectively. Shah Alam and Sungai Buloh did not show a significant increase in cases during periods of biomass burning. The statistical analysis concluded that higher concentrations of PM were associated with increased hospital admissions, particularly from June to September, as shown in the bar diagram. Haze episodes were associated with more healthcare utilization due to haze-related respiratory illnesses, seen in higher inpatient and outpatient visits (p < 0.05). However, seasonal variability had minimal impact on healthcare utilization. These findings offer a comprehensive assessment of PM levels during historic haze episodes, providing valuable insights for authorities to develop policies and guidelines for effective monitoring and mitigation of the negative impacts of haze events
Practical Considerations for Implementing Adaptive Acoustic Noise Cancellation in Commercial Earbuds
No full textActive noise cancellation has become a prominent feature in contemporary in-ear personal audio devices. However, due to constraints related to component arrangement, power consumption, and manufacturing costs, most commercial products utilize fixed-type controller systems as the basis for their active noise control algorithms. These systems offer robust performance and a straightforward structure, which is achievable with cost-effective digital signal processors. Nonetheless, a major drawback of fixed-type controllers is their inability to adapt to changes in acoustic transfer paths, such as variations in earpiece fitting conditions. Therefore, adaptive-type active noise control systems that employ adaptive digital filters are considered as the alternative. To address the increasing system complexity, design concepts and implementation strategies are discussed with respect to actual hardware limitations. To illustrate these considerations, a case study showcasing the implementation of a filtered-x least mean square-based active noise control algorithm is presented. A commercial evaluation board accommodating a low-cost, fixed-point digital signal processor is used to simplify operation and provide programming access. The earbuds are obtained from a commercial product designed for noise cancellation. This study underscores the importance of addressing hardware constraints when implementing adaptive active noise cancellation, providing valuable insights for real-world applications
Higher Education Admission Policy and Social Class of Ethnic Minority: The Case of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
No full textGaokao has been considered as the gatekeeper of intergenerational class reproduction in today’s slowing social mobility in China. In order to bolster the fairness of Gaokao, the Policy of Bonus Scores for Ethnic Minority Candidates (PBSEMC) has been issued, whose, however, effectiveness in promoting upward social class has not been adequately empirically explored. The difference-in-differences (DID) analysis based on cross-sectional data, which is distinct from the traditional DID analysis paradigm, was implemented to assess the Reform of PBSEMC in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 1988. The results showed that PBSEMC had a significant and positive impact on the social classes of ethnic minorities, and gender, residence type and occupation type were also relevant to social class, aligning with the previous literature. The PBSEMC is effective in improving the social classes of ethnic minorities. However, the PBSEMC policy should be made more precise, in order to benefit the candidates who are in genuine need of assistance
Some Results of Direct FR Technology Applied to Study Methane Seepage Areas in the Arctic Region
No full textThe experimental study of the seepage processes' sources formation in structures of the Arctic Region was carried out using modified methods of frequency-resonance (FR) processing and decoding of satellite images and photographs with the vertical scanning of the cross-sections. The newly obtained results show that the intensity and dynamics of the methane seeps and pockmarks fields’ formation depend on active deep degassing processes in the continental margin structures. The use of direct FR-sounding technologies allows for determining the probable origin and depth of geological sources of gas migration at marginal migration centers in Greenland, and Norwegian and Barents Seas. New results confirm the crust-mantle gas fluids’ influence on the nature and degassing processes features in the scan points of polar marginal structures. These data are important arguments in favor of the “volcanic model” of various structural elements formation in this and other regions. The FR technologies data also showed a possibility of seeps use as shallow and deep hydrocarbon field indicators in gas emission areas. These independent data can be used in compiling models of the deep lithosphere structure and possible mechanisms of abiogenetic hydrocarbon formation in Arctic margin structures. The authors suppose that hydrocarbons through deep channels migrate (from 57 km deep) to the upper crustal horizons where their fields can form. During this migration, gas seeps and pockmarks are formed on the sea bottom and part of the gas can migrate into the atmosphere. Data show that basaltic volcanoes in Greenland scan points can be the real channels through which hydrogen migrates to the upper crustal horizons and further into the atmosphere. Active gas migration in Arctic seepage areas can be an important factor in the global climate change processes
Assessing the Contribution of Ecotourism to Economic Growth and Rural Development Offered by Wildlife Resources to People Living in Communities around Matusadonha National Park
No full textEcotourism is one of the major drivers of economic growth and rural development in many countries involved in wildlife resource management. The objective was to assess the contribution of ecotourism to economic growth and rural development offered to people living in communities around Matusadonha National Park. A total of 140 participants were interviewed and questionnaires were administered to the same number of people. Data were analysed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Results show that the majority of participants (57%) were females. Safari operations were the major (54.7%) ecotourism activity in Matusadonha National Park. Above half (58.8%) of participants indicated that ecotourism contributed toward economic growth in communities around Matusadonha National Park. Most people (343) were employed on a part-time basis from 2000 to 2022. Participants indicated that the standard of living in most communities increased by more than 50%. Above 50% of participants were satisfied with the contribution of ecotourism towards rural development. It can be concluded that ecotourism has the potential to improve economic growth and rural development if close monitoring and accountability of funds are monitored closely. Local people should be included in the accountability of funds and management of wildlife resources to improve economic benefits to local people
An Insight of Parasitic Weeds in Africa and Scientific Developments: A Review
No full textParasitic weeds are a major threat to food security in Africa and control measures mostly done by smallholder farmers are not effective in eradicating the parasites. This results in a yield loss up to 100%. Parasitic weeds comprise Alectra vogelii, Striga spp., Orobanche spp., Rafflesia spp., and Phoradendron spp. Parasitic attachment is successful when three necessary conditions have been fulfilled namely the compatible host, suitable environment, and parasitic weed. These species parasite plant species through special attachment features such as modified leaves, suckers, haustoria, or modified roots. In Africa, the variability of parasitic weeds is largely driven by environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall, soil type, and crop husbandry practices. Warmer temperatures create more hospitable conditions for certain parasitic weeds, and allowing them to spread to new areas. Parasitic weed control is vital for effective crop production and the control strategies can be achieved through integrated weed control method that embraces mechanical, cultural, chemical, and biological methods. However, the most effective and crucial method is the cultivation of resistant varieties that provide long-term protection against parasitic weeds. Studies have been done on host-parasite attachment where dodder can send out new roots to infected neighbouring plants and spread their parasitic behaviour. More insight and knowledge should offer new goals for control within the life cycle of the parasitic weeds and their metabolic activities. Lastly, disciplines such as agronomy, plant breeding, nutrition, economics, and IT should play their roles effectively in combating parasitic weeds
Formation and Transport of a Saharan Dust Plume in Early Summer
No full textThis research studies the capability of the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with the Chemistry/Aerosol module (WRF-Chem) with and without parametrization to reproduce a dust storm, which was held on 27th June 2018 over Sahara region. The authors use satellite observations and ground-based measurements to evaluate the WRF-Chem simulations. The sensitivities of WRF-Chem Model are tested on the replication of haboob features with a tuned GOCART aerosol module. Comparisons of simulations with satellite and ground-based observations show that WRF-Chem is able to reproduce the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) distribution and associated changes of haboob in the meteorological fields with temperature drops of about 9 °C and wind gust 20 m·s–1. The WRF-Chem Convection-permitting model (CPM) shows strong 10-meter winds induced a large dust emission along the leading edge of a convective cold pool (LECCP). The CPM indicates heavy dust transported over the West African coast (16°W-10°W; 6°N-21°N) which has a potential for long-distance travel on 27th June between 1100 UTC and 1500 UTC. The daily precipitation is improved in the CPM with a spatial distribution similar to the GPM-IMERG precipitation and maximum rainfall located at the right place. As well as raising a large amount of dust, the haboob caused considerable damage along its route
Evaluating the Impact of Workshop Management on the Progress of Road Construction Projects (Case Study: Road Construction Projects of Tehran Province)
No full textConstruction projects, including road construction, are very important. Therefore, a lot of money is spent on these projects every year. So, the lack of proper planning will increase the cost and cause irreparable damage to the country. The role of workshop management is one of the most important factors in increasing the cost of these types of projects. Generally, workshop management plays a very important role in improving the quality and quantity of projects and has an important place in the project implementation process. Therefore, this study evaluated the impact of workshop management on the progress of road construction projects on a case-by-case basis in road construction projects in Tehran province. According to the purpose of the research, this study was a descriptive-survey type. In addition, the tool used in this research was a questionnaire. The statistical population of this research included all experts and specialists in road construction projects, among whom 65 people were selected by snowball method. Then the collected data were analyzed using SPSS software. The results of this study showed that the management of the workshop and its role in the control and implementation of projects is a complex process, which can be implemented at high levels and effectively by combining scientific and experimental training. And a very important point in the discussion of workshop management is applying scientific management to the use of valuable experiences from others. Because management knowledge not only does not negate the use of these experiences, but also emphasizes the necessity of using them. In other words, improving the knowledge of workshop management is one of the requirements for the implementation of value engineering in construction projects, especially road construction, and it is very important