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A Decentralised Framework for Issuing Electronic Exam Pass Using Hyperledger Fabric
Get PDFConventional exam pass systems face persistent challenges of security breaches and
administrative inefficiencies due to the centralised nature of these systems. There is need to
address the problem of centralisation to enhance the security of these system and fortify the
integrity of the examination process by mitigating the risks of data manipulation and
unauthorized access. This paper introduces a decentralised framework, powered by
Hyperledger Fabric private blockchain, to revolutionize exam pass management. The
framework involves network initiation by an administrator, followed by the creation of
specialized channels that maintain a ledger for students and invigilators alike. Furthermore,
a unique channel is established for the administrator to maintain a ledger of registered
students and their exam-pass information, enabling seamless sharing with peer nodes.
Subsequently, distinct artifacts, including a Membership Service Provider (MSP), a
Certificate Authority (CA), and an orderer node, are established to facilitate administrative
rights, assign digital identities, and order transactions, respectively using cryptographic
protocols. Registration and identity assignment are confined to the chain code deployed and
maintained by the administrator. A front-end web application ensures seamless and secure
interactions for participants of the system. The results encompass a marked reduction in
fraudulent activities, optimized pass issuance procedures, and heightened security for all
involved parties
Motion Detection System Using Passive Infrared Technology
Get PDFHaving technology around us that can be used for household and entertainment purposes to signal
any potential threat in our surroundings and trigger alerts is vital. The study designed a technology that is aimed
at providing security to the environment and properties since it can detect movement at a certain angle and also
give an alert. The system used a Passive infrared radiation (PIR) module HC-SR501 to detect motion and an
Arduino uno microcontroller unit (MCU) to process and control the sensor data. The PIR sensors detect infrared
radiation emitted by moving objects, such as human beings or animals. Several tests showed that the system
performed well under different conditions, with the PIR sensor able to detect motion at different sensitivities
distances, and angles. The designed prototype system reveals that our environment, properties, and even human
lives can be secured, hence the technology can be deployed as a surveillance. However, the limitation could be
power outages from public utilities, in terms of functionality
Analysis and Measurement of Tuberculin Skin Test Induration Using Deep Neural Network
Get PDFThe World Health Organization (WHO) posited that tuberculosis (TB) is among the world’s ten
greatest causes of mortality. Early case identification and timely treatment could minimize TB
morbidity and death rates. This study adopts the UNets model for automatically detecting TB
in subjects by using a deep neural network to assess the size of induration after tuberculin
was injected into their hands. In order to do this, two neural network models were fine-tuned
utilizing pre-learned weights from the 2012 ILSVRC ImageNet. Algorithms were developed to
perform semantic segmentation of induration and compare it to that of a reference object of a
known dimension. This was used to classify the status of the subject as either positive or negative.
A series of experiments performed demonstrated that the optimal selection of neural
network hyperparameters may provide a satisfactorily high F1 score of up to 0.977
Investigating and combatting the key drivers of viral zoonoses in Africa: an analysis of eight epidemics
Get PDFInvestigating the interplay of factors that result in a viral zoonotic outbreak is difficult, though it is increasingly
important. As anthropogenic influences shift the delicate balance of ecosystems, new zoonoses emerge in humans.
Sub-Saharan Africa is a notable hotspot for zoonotic disease due to abundant competent mammalian reservoir hosts.
Furthermore, poverty, corruption, and an overreliance on natural resources play considerable roles in depleting
biological resources, exacerbating the population’s susceptibility. Unsurprisingly, viral zoonoses have emerged in
Africa, including HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Avian influenza, Lassa fever, Zika, and Monkeypox. These diseases are among
the principal causes of death in endemic areas. Though typically distinct in their manifestations, viral zoonoses are
connected by underlying, definitive factors. This review summarises vital findings on viral zoonoses in Africa using
nine notable case studies as a benchmark for future studies. We discuss the importance of ecological recuperation
and protection as a central strategy to control zoonotic diseases. Emphasis was made on moderating key drivers
of zoonotic diseases to forestall future pandemics. This is in conjunction with attempts to redirect efforts from
reactive to pre-emptive through a multidisciplinary “one health” approach
ANAEROBIC DIGESTER APPLICATION TO PRODUCE ORGANIC MANURE FROM CASSAVA PEELS AND PALM OIL SLUDGE FOR SUSTAINABLE CROP GROWTH
Get PDFThis study explores environmental sustainability through a focused examination of innovative waste management approaches in agriculture. The primary emphasis is on the application of digestate, a byproduct of anaerobic digestion, as organic manure. Utilizing a purpose-built anaerobic digester compliant with ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards, a substrate mix comprising cassava peels, palm oil sludge, cow dung, crushed eggshells, and water underwent processing. The digestate extraction involved a constructed screw press designed to segregate liquid and solid components. The liquid fraction was stored at room temperature, while the solid fraction underwent a drying process. Transitioning to the planting phase, four experimental variables were introduced: a control group, soil with chemical fertilizer, soil with solid fraction of digestate fertilizer, and soil with liquid fraction of digestate fertilizer. Fertilization was applied at a rate of 1 gram per kilogram of soil. Over a two-month period, significant impacts on plant growth were observed across the various fertilization methods. Notably, the soil treated with liquid fraction of digestate fertilizer exhibited advantages in leaf count, stem width, and crop yield, culminating in a total yield of 99 seeds. In conclusion, the incorporation of digestate as organic manure demonstrates clear potential for enhancing sustainable agriculture practices. The specially designed anaerobic digester and screw press offers an economic waste-to-resource solution, supported by experimental outcomes highlighting the benefits of digestate. Recommendations include further research to optimize digestate composition and application methods tailored to crop-specific requirements. This study contributes insights to the evolving field of sustainable agriculture, emphasizing eco-friendly practices in waste management and crop cultivation
Radioactivity distributions and biohazard assessment of coastal marine environments of niger-delta, Nigeria
Get PDFThe Unumherin community in Nigeria’s Niger Delta is home to coastal marine polluted zones,
and this research examines the radioactivity distributions and biohazard in the coastal environment.
The activity concentrations of 40K, 238U, 232Th, as well as the outdoor dose rate of
contaminated coastlines were measured using a calibrated RS-125 Gamma-Spec and a NaI(Tl)
gamma-detector. The laboratory examination of sediments, water, and fish from the same
coastal region – Clarias gariepinus Pseudotropheus elongated Oreochromis niloticus and
Stromateus fiatola – was combined with the in-situ observations of gamma dose rates. With
a value of 100nGy=h, the hotspot at site 4 is shown by the geographic distribution of gamma
dose rates. The findings showed that the activities of the primordial radionuclides varied, with
average values for the sediments and water exceeding suggested limits. Similarly, the corresponding
mean hazard indices mostly exceeds the allowable limits. The species specificity of
the fish species accounts for the variation in the mean concentrations of 40K, 238U and 232Th. C.
gariepinus, having accumulated higher concentrations of 40K and 238U, may be the first to elicit
health hazards in the future if pollution continues unmonitored. Hence, continuous monitoring
of the aquatic environment alongside is highly recommende
Ethical Leadership and Employee Engagement in Nigeria Public Administration amid Global Challenges
Get PDFApplication of Artificial Intelligence (AI)in Sustainable Building Lifecycle; ASystematic Literature Review
Get PDFWith buildings accounting for a significant portion of global energy consumption and
greenhouse gas emissions, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) holds promise for enhancing
sustainability in the building lifecycle. This systematic literature review addresses the current
understanding of AI’s potential to optimize energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact
in building design, construction, and operation. A comprehensive literature review and synthesis
were conducted to identify AI technologies applicable to sustainable building practices, examine
their influence, and analyze the challenges of implementation. The review was guided by a
meticulous search strategy utilizing keywords related to AI application in sustainable building
design, construction, and operation. The findings reveal AI’s capabilities in optimizing energy
efficiency through intelligent control systems, enabling predictive maintenance, and aiding design
simulation. Advanced machine learning algorithms facilitate data‐driven analysis and prediction,
while digital twins provide real‐time insights for informed decision‐making. Furthermore, the
review identifies barriers to AI adoption, including cost concerns, data security risks, and challenges
in implementation. AI presents a transformative opportunity to enhance sustainability in the built
environment, offering innovative solutions for energy optimization and environmentally conscious
practices. However, addressing technical and practical challenges will be crucial for the successful
integration of AI in sustainable building practices
Assessment of microplastic-contaminated liver through gene expression profiling of four commercial fish species in the Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria
Get PDFMicroplastic (MP) occurrence in the Lagos Lagoon has been on a progressive increase in recent
years. The potential impacts and hazards of MPs on commercially available fish species from the
Lagoon have been understudied. This study aims to assess molecular damage due to microplastic
accumulation in the liver of four commercial fish species (Oreochromis niloticus, Chrysichthys
nigrodigitatus, Clarias gariepinus, and Gymnarchus niloticus) sourced directly from the Lagoon. The
results revealed that MP load in the liver of the fish species ranged between 7.2 ± 1.9 and 9.5 ±
4.4 particles/individual, with G. niloticus recording the maximum concentration. The observed
extracted MPs are predominantly black and blue fibres while the Fourier Transform Infrared
spectroscopy revealed polyethylene dominance in the plastic polymers. Relative gene expression
results revealed statistically significant downregulation of the CYP 1a gene and upregulation of
the HSP 70 gene in all the microplastic-laden liver samples except in G. niloticus. The findings
from this study suggest that microplastic contamination in fish tissues may exacerbate cellular
toxicity in commercially available biota in the Lagos Lagoon, thereby calling for urgent measures
to curb microplastic and ultimately plastic pollution. However, there’s a need for in-depth
research on the effects of environmentally relevant microplastics on edible fish tissues to
further elucidate their molecular impact
Antibacterial Activity of Cell-Free Supernatants of Probiotic Lactobacillus against Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Vaginal Infections
Get PDFVaginal infections are common female disease conditions that account for the
prevalence of gynecological disorders which facilitate the increasing antimicrobial
resistance and failure of prevalent treatment choices. In this study, the
antibacterial activity of cell free supernatants (CFS) of probiotic Lactobacillus
obtained from ogi (fermented maize) was evaluated against bacterial pathogens
associated with vaginal infections. Bacterial pathogens isolated from high vaginal
(n=22) and endocervical swabs (n=18) were bio-typed and assayed for hemolytic
activity, biofilm production, antibacterial susceptibility pattern, and the CFS
antagonistic activity. The occurrence of the vaginal bacterial pathogens was
33.0% for Streptococcus spp. and 31.0% for Staphylococcus aureus, with more
than 70% resistance rates to amoxicillin, cefotaxime, imipenem/cilastatin,
nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone sulbactam, ampiclox,
cefixime and levofloxacin. More than 30% of the isolates produced biofilms. Of
the four identified probiotic strains, only CFS from L. plantarum and L.
acidophilus exhibited observable antagonistic reaction, with L. plantarum
showing higher antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus condimenti, and L.
acidophilus against Klebsiella pneumoniae. With the results of this study
revealing the antibacterial activity of probiotic Lactobacillus CFS against vaginal
bacterial pathogens, probiotic Lactobacillus can be suggested for use as
prophylactic and bioprotective agents in the therapeutic management of vaginal
bacterial infections and preservation of the vaginal microbiot