Cloud Computing in VANETs: Architecture, Taxonomy, and Challenges

Cloud Computing in VANETs (CC-V) has been investigated into two major themes of research including Vehicular Cloud Computing (VCC) and Vehicle using Cloud (VuC). VCC is the realization of autonomous cloud among vehicles to share their abundant resources. VuC is the efficient usage of conventional cloud by on-road vehicles via a reliable Internet connection. Recently, number of advancements have been made to address the issues and challenges in VCC and VuC. This paper qualitatively reviews CC-V with the emphasis on layered architecture, network component, taxonomy, and future challenges. Specifically, a four-layered architecture for CC-V is proposed including perception, co-ordination, artificial intelligence and smart application layers. Three network component of CC-V namely, vehicle, connection and computation are explored with their cooperative roles. A taxonomy for CC-V is presented considering major themes of research in the area including design of architecture, data dissemination, security, and applications. Related literature on each theme are critically investigated with comparative assessment of recent advances. Finally, some open research challenges are identified as future issues. The challenges are the outcome of the critical and qualitative assessment of literature on CC-V

Interference-aware multipath video streaming in vehicular environments

The multipath transmission is one of the suitable transmission methods for high data rate oriented communication such as video streaming. Each video packets are split into smaller frames for parallel transmission via different paths. One path may interfere with another path due to these parallel transmissions. The multipath oriented interference is due to the route coupling which is one of the major challenges in vehicular traffic environments. The route coupling increases channel contention resulting in video packet collision. In this context, this paper proposes an Interference-aware Multipath Video Streaming (I-MVS) framework focusing on link and node disjoint optimal paths. Specifically, a multipath vehicular network model is derived. The model is utilized to develop interference-aware video streaming method considering angular driving statistics of vehicles. The quality of video streaming links is measured based on packet error rate considering non-circular transmission range oriented shadowing effects. Algorithms are developed as a complete operational I-MVS framework. The comparative performance evaluation attests the benefit of the proposed framework considering various video streaming related metrics

Vulvovaginal candidasis among female patients attending Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital and Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital Kaduna

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a major cause of lower genital infections in women, especially in developing countries and cause significant morbidity and financial burden on the already weak economy. The objective was to isolate and identify Candida spp responsible for Vulvovaginitis. Two hundred (200) vaginal swabs were collected from female patients 15years and above, attending Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital (YDMH) and Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital (BDSH) all within Kaduna metropolis. The samples were analysed for the presence of Candida spp using standard procedures of microscopy, culture and biochemical identification. The overall incidence of VVC was 79.5% (159/200), with higher incidence among patients attending Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital 84.8% (117/138), than Barau Dikko Memorial Hospital 67.7% (42/62).  Four (4) yeast species were isolated and identified which include Candida krusie, Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata. C. krusie had the highest percentage occurrence of 42.5% (39/159), while C. parapsilosis had the least percentage occurrence of 11.3% (18/159). Higher incidence was recorded among age group 40 and above 92.8% (13/14) and lowest among age group 31-40 76.5% (39/51). Highest incidence was also recorded among widow 100% (18/18) and lowest among married 76.8% (109/142). The high percentage of positive samples is an indication that there is a high incidence of candidiasis among the study population. There is need for regular screening of women for VVC and other sexually transmitted infections. Key words: Incidence, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Isolation, Kaduna

PHENOTYPIC VARIABILITY OF FALSE SESAME (CERATOTHECA SESAMOIDES ENDL.) TREATED WITH SODIUM AZIDE

The mutagenic efficiency and effectiveness of sodium azide to induce genetic variability in false sesame (Ceratotheca sesamoides) was evaluated with the aim of obtaining beneficial mutants. The seeds of false sesame were subjected to four concentrations (0.5mM, 1.0mM, 1.5mM and 2.0mM) of sodium azide. Treated and untreated seeds were sown on the field. Harvested M1 false sesame seeds were sown to raise the M2 seedlings. The sodium azide concentration of 1.0mM significantly (p<0.05) induced benefitial variabilities on the agronomic traitsevaluated at M1 and M2 generation of false sesame. The mutagenic effectiveness, efficiency and mutation frequency of sodium azide were not obtained due to the absence of chlorophyll-deficient mutants. Lethality due to mutagen was observed not to be dose dependent. Broad sense heritability estimates for the agronomic traits evaluated ranged from 2.14% to 92.01%. High heritability values recorded for and days to flowering (92.10%), thousand seed weight (75.00%), height at maturity (63.84%) and leaf area (60.35%) broadens the scope for improving false sesame via selection. Results are further discussed to validate the potential of this mutagenic treatment on false sesame breeding and selectio

Effects of Cassia occidentalis aqueous leaf extract on biochemical markers of tissue damage in rats

Purpose: Among the Hausas of Northern Nigeria, it is claimed by local (traditional) healers that the infusion of C. occidentalis leaves is used as a cure for hepatitis. This study was designed to evaluate the possible negative effects of the aqueous extract of this herb on serum total proteins, albumin, bilirubin, alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as part of a larger study undertaken by these authors to ascertain the hepatoprotective potential of the plant extract. Methods: Fresh leaves of C. occidentalis were extracted with water and screened for phytochemical components. The extract was used for the treatment of 18 albino rats. Serum from these animals was used for the determination of the test parameters. Results: The extract showed hypoproteinaemic effect. ALT, AST and ALP levels were significantly elevated (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Hypoproteinaemic effects, and increase in ALT, AST and ALP are indications that the crude extract of C. occidentalis leaves may be slightly toxic as a concoction for liver ailments. Keywords: C. occidentalis, Liver, Serum proteins, Transaminases, Hypoproteinaemic effectsTropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 7(4) 2008: pp. 1137-114

Assessment of Psychometric Qualities of Gender Performance in Basic Education Certificate Examination in Mathematics Multiple Choice Test Items

The study was aimed at assessing the psychometric qualities of gender in&nbsp;Mathematics multiple choice test items in Basic Education Certificate&nbsp;Examination (BECE) in Oyo State. Four research questions and one hypothesis&nbsp;guided the study and was tested at 0.05 level of significance. An instrumentation&nbsp;research design was adopted. The population of this study consisted of all Junior&nbsp;Secondary class three students in Ibadan, Oyo State. The multistage sampling&nbsp;technique was employed to sample out 750 students from the population. The&nbsp;instrument used for data collection was the 2017 BECE Mathematics multiple&nbsp;choice test items. The reliability value of the items using KR20 was 0.78. DIF&nbsp;measure statistics of Winsteps was used to assess the difficulty indices of both&nbsp;the male and the female involved in the study and also tested the stated&nbsp;hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The finding revealed that there were&nbsp;incidences of gender variance in the test scores. Reliability with IRT of .98&nbsp;showed high representativeness of the items but lack local independence of item,&nbsp;hence, it lacked unidimensionality. The test contained 19 bad items and 41 good&nbsp;ones, therefore it was concluded that the 19 items should either be deleted,&nbsp;reviewed, removed or restructured. It was therefore recommended that&nbsp;examination bodies should be mindful of the existence of ‘item noise’ which could cause bias in gender performance in an examination. It was equally&nbsp;recommended that government should developed calibrated MAT items Bank.&nbsp

Relationships between anti-retroviral adherence, self-efficacy, and resilience among women living with HIV in Niger State, Nigeria

The objectives of the study were to describe the level of self-efficacy and its relationship with resilience among women living with HIV in Niger State, Nigeria. Self-efficacy is an important predictor of treatment outcomes among people living with HIV. Using a systematic random sampling technique, 676 participants completed adherence self-efficacy and resilience measures from three selected hospitals in Niger State. The result showed high levels of self-efficacy among the participants, linear relationships between perceived stress and resilience (-.601), perceived stress and self-efficacy integration (-.504), perceived stress and selfefficacy perseverance (-.220), resilience and self-efficacy integration (.667) and resilience and self-efficacy perseverance (.377). Hierarchical multiple linear regression indicated that 48.3% of the variance in resilience was explained by the two sub-scales of self-efficacy (p = &lt; .001). Also, 26% (p = &lt; .001) of the variance in perceived stress was explained by the two subscales of the self-efficacy. It is concluded that self-efficacy is a significant predictor of resilience and perceived stress among women living with HIV in Niger State, Nigeria. Keywords: HIV, Nigeria, Perceived stress, Resilience, Self-efficacy, Women Les objectifs de l'étude étaient de décrire le niveau d'auto-efficacité et sa relation avec la résilience chez les femmes vivant avec le VIH dans l'État du Niger, au Nigéria. L'auto-efficacité est un prédicteur important des résultats du traitement chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH. À l'aide d'une technique d'échantillonnage aléatoire systématique, 676 participants ont complété des mesures d'auto-efficacité et de résilience de l'observance dans trois hôpitaux sélectionnés dans l'État du Niger. Le résultat a montré des niveaux élevés d'auto-efficacité chez les participants, des relations linéaires entre le stress perçu et la résilience (- .601), le stress perçu et l'intégration de l'auto-efficacité (-.504), le stress perçu et la persévérance de l'auto-efficacité (-.220) ), l'intégration de la résilience et de l'auto-efficacité (.667) et la persévérance de la résilience et de l'auto-efficacité (.377). Larégression linéaire multiple hiérarchique a indiqué que 48,3% de la variance de la résilience était expliquée par les deux souséchelles d'auto-efficacité (p = &lt;.001). De plus, 26% (p = &lt;.001) de la variance du stress perçu était expliquée par les deux souséchelles de l'auto-efficacité. Il est conclu que l'auto-efficacité est un prédicteur significatif de la résilience et du stress perçu chez les femmes vivant avec le VIH dans l'État du Niger, au Nigéria. Mots-clés: VIH, Nigéria, Stress perçu, Résilience, Auto-efficacité, Femme

Evaluation of concentrate, grass and legume combinations on performance and nutrient digestibility of grower rabbits under tropical conditions

Thirty-five (35) grower crossbred rabbits were randomly allocated to seven combinations of concentrate, grass and legume in proportions of 50 g:60 g:40 g in a completely randomized design. Thetreatments were: (1) rabbit meal, Rhodes grass and groundnut haulms (RRG), (2) rabbit meal, Rhodes grass and sweet potato vines (RRP), (3) rabbit meal, Rhodes grass and soybean forage (RRS), (4)Soybean cheese waste meal, Rhodes grass and groundnut haulms (SRG), (5) Soybean cheese waste meal, Rhodes grass and sweet potato vines (SRP), (6) Soybean cheese waste meal, Rhodes grass andsoybean forage (SRS) and (7) rabbit meal and Rhodes grass (RR) constituted the control. The control consisted 100 g rabbit meal and 100 g Rhodes grass, which was the normal feeding regime. Diet had asignificant effect (P0.05) differences in daily weight gain forall the treatments. Feed cost/kg gain was, however, higher for rabbits fed RRP combination compared with the other treatments. Dry matter digestibility was higher (

Trajectory Optimization of Quadrotor-UAV Drone Using Genetic Algorithm

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Technology recently attracts attention of many researchers; this is due toits numerous potentialities in civil application. One of the key areas of interest by researches is how to achievea total talent of “Sense and Avoid” in the UAV which will enhance safe and efficient trajectory of the vehicle.This is why this paper is going to use an optimization technique to optimize trajectory path of the UAV flight.The chosen optimization algorithm is Genetic algorithm (GA) which is going to be use to optimize the trajectoryof UAV by determine the shortest path of flight as well as obstacle-free path in order to save energy and timeduring flight. MATLAB and Simulink are used to simulate as well as evaluate the algorithm. In the result fromthe experiment, it appeared that an optimized trajectory path is tremendously better than path from the firstrandomly generated population in term of distance covered as well as time taken before triumph the target pointfrom the initial point