volume 5 ~ issue 2

The aim of this research is to analyze the techniques for the prediction and estimation of pore pressures that have been used for many years and recent method (F.Nweke and A. Dosunmu's method) in the Niger Delta region, focusing on prediction of abnormally-high pressure in Niger Delta regions with non-equilibrium compaction. The describe methods are divided into two groups: methods used before drilling and methods used during drilling. The first group includes: methods for the prediction of abnormally-high pressure using geological and geophysical data in regions with non-equilibrium compaction; methods for the prediction of abnormally-high and abnormally-low pressures in regions with uplift and erosion, or subsidence, of compacted sedimentary rocks; methods for the prediction of low pressure in regions with permafrost; and methods of seismic exploration. The methods belonging to the second group basically involve the use of well-logging and drilling data: the method of equivalent depth, the method of normal compaction trend, and the method of compressional curves.

Keywords -Drilling data, Abnormal pore pressure, Niger Delta, Pore Pressure Predictions methods, Well Logs,

Pore pressure, fracture pressure and geomechanical studies require accurately determined overburden stress magnitudes, which sum up the combined weight of overlying materials to the depth of interest. Ideally, overburden stress is determined from in-situ density data. Such data is not available for pre-drill studies where offset data or an overburden model must be used. Often, a quick-fix approach is to assume a simple constant gradient (usually 0.9 psi/ft or 1.0 psi/ft) for the overburden or any missing sections of the density log. A simple overburden function or trend is not appropriate in the Niger Delta region due to the unexpected changes with depth in lithology and sediment compaction state. In order to minimize this limitation, overburden stress models are developed based on some distinct, geologically driven, density trends that are seen in the Niger Delta brown/developed oil and gas fields.

Keywords: Density Well Logs, Fracture pressure, Niger Delta brown fields, Overburden stress, Pore Pressure.

Wireless sensor network (WSN) consists of a large number of sensing devices which are called sensor nodes and they are interconnected through wireless links to perform distributed sensing tasks. The source using the data collector in network, data collector is called as Sink. This data transmission may occur through Multihop transmission, where the sensor nodes act as routers. Since the sensed data are typically transmitted through wireless channels, so adversaries can easily eavesdrop the information about location of source nodes.In this paper we develop a realistic adversary model which can monitor multiple parts of thenetwork and can analyze the traffic in those areas. Next we propose anattack based privacy preserving scheme by creating fake traffic ofirregular shape which provides an efficient mechanism to protect the source node's location in addition to that we also generate the fakepacket at a particular time interval so that adversary cannot correlate the expected hotspot regions like pond or river with theinconsistencies in the network. Next we are introducing the concept of context aware location privacy where the sensor nodes are havingthe ability to perceive the presence of adversary in their vicinity in order to transmit data packets in more energy-efficient manner.

Keywords: Data collector, Sink,Context Aware Location Privacy, WSN.

The significance of the applications of ergonomics in design of equipment, machine, machine tools and components of technological systems cannot be overemphasized. This study considers the ergonomics of motorcycle used for commercial transportation in Nigeria using participatory ergonomic intervention approach (PEIA), and expert opinion pull to evaluate characteristics of motorcycles and the musculoskeletal disorder associated with occupational cycling. The prevalent risk factors identified in the study were found to be bimodal with state of road (27 %) and stress/fatigue (27 %). These factors were responsible among other musculoskeletal problems for cumulating pains stress, strain and other discomforts at the operator's shoulder, lower back, thigh, eyeball, chest, hand, ankle, and calf. Mismatch between the driver and the motorcycle characteristics was generally suspected as the reason for the untold hardship experienced in the occupation. This suggests the need for a bio mechanics study of commercial and noncommercial motorcyclist in Nigeria. Ergonomics of motorcycle for sustainable design and development of users friendly means of transportation should been considered in-depth in other to improve particularly the safety, comfort and productivity of business motorcycle riders.

Keywords: Motorcycle, Body part, Stress, Business Riding, Posture

The main objective of this study was to investigate the physical properties of High Performance Concrete (HPC) using silica fume and fly ash as mineral admixtures along with the addition of glass fibres. High Performance Concrete (HPC) mixes incorporated various doses of silica fume (0%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 12.5%) as partial replacement of cement. Another concrete mixes incorporated various doses of silica fume (0%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 12.5%) and 10% fly ash as partial replacement of cement. For all the above mixes a 0.3% of glass fibres is added by volume fraction. The HPC mix, grade M75 with a water-cement ratio of 0.26 is adopted and it is designed as per ACI 211.4R-08.To improve the workability of concrete, super plasticizer of 0.8% by weight of cement is added. The mechanical behaviour were expressed in terms of compressive, split-tensile and flexural strength. The experimental results show that the specimens containing 10% silica fume and 0.3 % glass fibres and another mix containing 10% silica fume, 10% fly ash and 0.3 % glass fibres experienced higher mechanical properties compared to that of the control specimen.

Keywords: Compression Strength, Fly Ash , Flexural strength, Silica Fume, Split-tensile strength.

Solar energy the ultimate and future source of energy, getting its importance day by day and will become the prime source of energy for humankind in the near future. Solar power inverters in grid power supply for solar lighting system is used in rural homes of Indian villages. The power supply system comprises of solar (PV) array, PWM converter incorporating PWM control strategy and energy storage battery devices. The model of the system has been designed for its operation of a prototype solar power converter. Varieties of inverters are available in the market in that square wave inverter is cheaper. But it has poor efficiency and used only for resistive load. The sine wave inverters which are available in the market are costlier. Modified sine wave inverter is similar to a sine wave inverter but its output wave is not as smooth as that of sine wave and the modified sine wave inverter is good for all loads. The modified sine wave inverter is analyzed by using different PWM generating IC's like CD4047 and SG3525 and with different designed transformer to reduce the cost and size of the inverter to improve the efficiency.

Keywords: PWM, CD4047, SG3525, Inverter transformer

To plan effectively and successfully manage the solid wastes, proper quantification and characterization are essential. Recovery from solid waste is an important aspect where as disposal is only the final option. Recovery of methane from landfills is rarely practiced in India. Solid waste management from Rajam, a municipality in Srikakulam district , AP is considered in the present study where there is a potential for huge generation of solid waste generation but not following the proper management practices. Systematic studies are conducted in Rajam for quantification, determination of composition, study of route analysis and recovery value from solid wastes. Rajam is generating 9000 kg/day of solid waste with per capita waste generation of 0.214 kg/day, 74% food wastes with average density of 320 kg/m3 and estimated methane gas generation of 180 m3/tonne of waste. Due to high biodegradable content (6.66 tonnes/day), compost and biogas generation options are studied. Optimum distribution of biodegradable solid waste among these two options is studied. A combination of 4.66 tonnes for composting and 2 tonnes for landfilling with net recovery of Rs 12,846 per day is suggested. The recovery value of non-biodegradable items such as paper and plastic are also studied. It is found that, Rajam can make a recovery of Rs 53,73,165 per year excluding the construction and operation cost incurred for establishment of compost plant and landfill biogas collection system. Improvements to the route analysis are suggested to reduce the number of trips of collection.

Keywords: Solid waste management, Route analysis, Recovery value, Quantification, Characterisation, Composition, Rajam

This paper examines the effects of real credit rating changes (upgrades and downgrades) on capital structure decision making for 292 American firms listed on the S&P 500 index from 2008 to 2010. The results show that both upgrades and downgrades of credit ratings affect significantly leverage decisions of the following year. Firms downgraded to the speculative grade will reduce their debt issuance in the following year, in order to reach again the investment grade. However, once the investment grade reached following an upgrade, firms will increase again their debt issues without fear of being downgraded again. The effects of credit ratings on capital structure persist significantly in the context of tradeoff and pecking order theory. These findings imply that credit ratings are an important factor in the capital structure decision making.

Keywords: Real credit ratings changes, capital structure, debts, investment grade, speculative grade.JEL Classification: G32

Organic carbon is one of the important components in soil measuring the fertility. Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy is used for rapid detection of organic carbon. As the multiplicative scattering effect may affect the accuracy of spectral analysis, we discussed the effect of the optical path length estimation and correction (OPLEC) method applied to the spectral pretreatment. Using the grid search technique, we searched for the optimal value of the key parameter in OPLEC process. In comparison with Savitzky-Golay smoother and no pretreatment, the results show that OPLEC method output obviously better pretreating effects. The calibration model established on the most optimal OPLEC-pretreated data output well-performed results both in the validating part and in the testing part. It is indicated that OPLEC method is feasible to be applied to the FT-NIR pretreatment for soil organic carbon, and is expected for further applications.

Keywords: FT-NIR, OPLEC, Organic carbon, Pretreatment, Soil.

Continued increase in crime rate over the years has aroused growing concern for security of life, property and infrastructure all over the world. This paper presents a method of identifying clients that request for real-time surveillance security service activated by Short Message Service (SMS) or phone call in event of invasion or suspected robbery attack. The business model for on-demand Real-time Security System discussed in this paper is activated by Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) interfaced with a microcontroller to automatically resume video recording using video surveillance cameras, and instantly transmit the data wirelessly to a remote location for storage via Internet Protocol (IP) technology. A surveillance control station has been designed to receive SMS or phone call from a subscriber and utilize location data stored in the database to trigger relevant components for surveillance action over the area. The paper also discusses use of servo motor to rotate surveillance cameras such that a camera could serve more than one subscriber to minimize equipment procurement costs.

Keywords: surveillance video, security, GSM, client subscription, microcontroller

Radio transmission involves the use of part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is a natural scarce resource. Although use of spectrum is regulated by government agencies such as Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States, scarcity of the same is a trending issue. Cognitive radio provides solution to the spectrum scarcity problem. The biggest question related to spectrum sensing is in developing sensing techniques which are able to detect very weak primary user signals while being adequately swift and low cost to implement

Keywords: Cognitive Radio; spectrum analysis; Neural network, Energy detection technique, Cyclostationary detection

With the continuous growth in the information theory (IT) revolution, we are facing many sudden dangers and problems that accompany any civil and technical development. Technological advances that carried advances to all aspects of life including crime methods and tools have led to the emergence of what is known as electronic crimes. A development in the size of the electronic crime and the way it's used has been taking place. This caused new crimes that were not known before to arise as a result to what has been achieved in scientific advances and technical development and whatever accompanied that as social and cultural changes on all societies. This research has addressed the ways to keep up with modern technology and how to secure it once it is spread, how to put it to work in the field of crime prevention and control and how to provide qualified and trained manpower to work on these new equipment to achieve high performance. It also discussed the means of cyber crimes and prevention methods in order to make people aware of it and its damages.

Keywords: Cyber crimes, cybercrime definition, types of cyber crime, cyber crime goals, prevention methods of cyber crime, Perpetrators, means of cyber crimes

The role of corporate portal on consolidating an organization's internal and external information and knowledge repositories has been recognized by many organizations worldwide including manufacturing firms. The purpose of the study was therefore to create a Content-Incentive-Usability Framework for Corporate Portal Design from a Knowledge Management Perspective looking at Unga Group Limited. It specifically investigated the creation and integration of content-Incentive-Usability Framework for Corporate Portal Design; Experimental research design was used as the research design. The architecture described here realized data integration using EAI systems. These offerred functions for the mapping and transportation of heterogeneous data from the different applications involved. The web service standards SOAP, WSDL and UDDI provided the framework for inter-organizational and cross-application system-to-system communication through remote function calls. While portlets only allow reading access to the data of different heterogeneous applications, EAI systems such as e.g. the IBM Websphere Business Integration Suite or the mySAP Exchange Infrastructure provided coordinated writing access to different systems and their data. The study therefore concluded that there was a created, integrated, developed and Validated Content-Incentive-Usability Framework for Corporate Portal Design for Unga Group Limited and recommends that Unga Group Limited should invest more in content management tools that offer abilities to integrate, classify, and codify knowledge from various sources.

The popularity of home automation has been increasing vastly in recent years due to much higher affordability and simplicity. Being able to control aspects of our houses, and for having the feature to respond automatically to events, it is becoming more and more popular and necessary due to security and cost purposes. We propose to implement an integrated home automation and security system. Our project proposes a low cost solution using off the shelf components to reduce cost and open source software to get around licensing requirements of software. An Arduino controls sensors and actuators that monitor a defined location and take action based on specified parameters like ambient light, temperature etc. The Arduino can also send alerts if it detects an abnormality. The voice recognition schema allows the user to use voice commands to control his house.

Keywords: Home Automation, Arduino, Voice Recognition, Graphical User Interface, Microsoft Visual Basic.

With the continuous growth in the information theory (IT) revolution, we are facing many sudden dangers and problems that accompany any civil and technical development. Technological advances that carried advances to all aspects of life including crime methods and tools have led to the emergence of what is known as electronic crimes. A development in the size of the electronic crime and the way it's used has been taking place. This caused new crimes that were not known before to arise as a result to what has been achieved in scientific advances and technical development and whatever accompanied that as social and cultural changes on all societies. This research has addressed the ways to keep up with modern technology and how to secure it once it is spread, how to put it to work in the field of crime prevention and control and how to provide qualified and trained manpower to work on these new equipment to achieve high performance. It also discussed the means of cyber crimes and prevention methods in order to make people aware of it and its damages.

Keywords: Cyber crimes, cybercrime definition, types of cyber crime, cyber crime goals, prevention methods of cyber crime, Perpetrators, means of cyber crimes.

Main problem is naturally raised is how to improve the efficiency and uses of composite materials in the aircraft structures and the aerospace industries. This paper deals with the studying of the effect of stacking sequences for the composite laminate on the failure modes under low velocity impact. Using the carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) in different layups as three groups (A, B, C). It has same material system but with different stacking sequences to investigate the effect that on failure modes and the composite material resistant to the impact. As well as understanding of the deformation mechanism and the damage that occurs in the laminates under low velocity impact. Through the results of experimental methods were the effect of stacking sequence on failure modes is very clear.

Keywords:stacking sequences, delamination area, depth of indentation, composite laminates

The Family Planning in Indonesia in regency level has been decentralized since 2003/2004 into a county program. During a-10-year implementation, it did not decrease the total fertility rate as it only pertained 2.6. The purpose of this study was to understand one of the regencies in Indonesia in implementing family program policy in its own local area that was in South Konawe regency, Southeast Sulawesi province. Data processed quantitatively resulted "decentralization and policy implementation significantly influenced fertility rate which means the lower the program decentralization of Family Planning and the higher the implementation of Family Planning regency will decrease the total fertility rate in fact." Meanwhile, qualitative discussion concluded that: this program management after decentralization was weaken, County budget toward this program annually was low, this program was not considered as a priority since it did not yield county income, means and infrastructures were not supported by county operational, among 87 authorities decentralized there were only 47.1% been implemented; in general field officer's career was not shifted, some tended to be worse due to their unpaid functional increment for over a year. The only one positive aspect was several field officers were promoted to the higher position by county government.

Keywords: Decentralization, Implementation of demography program, family planning, fertility rate.

A survey was conducted from July 2013 to October 2013 to determine the prevalence of coccidiosis and Eimeria species in layers and broilers at slaughter in Makurdi metropolis. A total of 384 whole intestines were sampled from the slaughter houses. The contents of each intestinal tract were examined microscopically for the presence of Eimeria oocysts using the simple floatation technique. Eimeria species were identified by the location of intestinal area parasitized and morphology of sporulated oocysts. The overall prevalence rate of coccidial infection was 40.1% (154/384), 41.5% (49/118) for layers and 39.5% (105/266) for broilers. There was no statistical difference (p>0.05) between the prevalence rates of coccidial infection in layers and broilers. The prevalence was significantly higher (p<0.05) among layers and broilers reared in deep litter than those reared in battery cages. Seven Eimeria species of chickens were identified with the following prevalence rates: E. necatrix (22.6%), E. maxima (20.4%), E. tenella (19.4%), E. mitis (15%), E. acervulina (10.4%), E. praecox (6.9%) and E. brunetti (5.3%). Mixed and single Eimeria species infections accounted for 89.6% (138/154) and 10.4% (16/154) respectively of all infections. In conclusion, the prevalence of coccidiosis in Makurdi is high and the deep litter system of management remains an important risk factor in the occurrence of the disease. Proper sanitation, good bio security measures and the use of the battery cage system of management should be adopted by farmers to reduce the effect of the disease.

Keywords: Coccidiosis; Prevalence; Eimeria species; Chickens

The purpose of this study was to acknowledge: (1) the effect of Empowerment on coastal community welfare; and (2) the effect of economic empowerment of the coastal communities on welfare through Social Capital. This study was conducted to the coastal community at Southeast Sulawesi Province. Three districts are considered, which are Konawe, Kolaka and Kendari. Research population is all receivers of the revolving grant in these three districts, counted to 1526 persons. Sample is determined by Slovin equation, resulting in 122 persons. The analysis tool is path analysis with Partial Least Square (PLS) approach. The result of this study indicated that ; (1) economic empowerment of the coastal communities has positive and significant on coastal community welfare, meaning that economic empowerment of the coastal communities is less optimum to contribute to the community welfare. Based on four indicators explaining latent variable of economic empowerment of the coastal communities, however, Micro Finance and Fuel Station for Fisherman are very strong to develop economic empowerment of the coastal communities; and (2) there is strong effect of economic empowerment of the coastal communities on welfare through Social Capital, meaning that economic empowerment of the coastal communities for welfare is stronger as mediated by Social Capital grown in the community.

Keywords: Empowerment, Social Capital and Coastal Community Welfare

Inhibition of carbon steel corrosion in sea water medium by 2-Chloroethylphosphonicacid (2-CLEPA), Trisodium 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate (TSC) and Zn2+ ions was investigated by weight loss measurement, potentiodynamic polarization, , Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results indicated that the TSC acts as an optimum in the inhibition efficiency (97%) is observed for a concentration close to 300 ppm. Potentiodynamic polarization studies inferred that this mixture functions as a cathodic inhibitor. Surface characterization techniques (FT-IR, SEM, EDS are also used to ascertain the nature of the protective film. The mechanical aspect of corrosion inhibition is proposed

Keywords: 2-Chloroethylphosphonicacid (2-CLEPA), Carbon steel, Polarization, FT-IR, SEM, EDS.

The purpose of this study was to analyze and determine the influence of corporate culture that consists of mutual trust, integrity, cared and learner to employee's performance either simultaneously and partially. The population in this study was all employees at PT. PLN (Persero) Area Gorontalo 50 people. The data Collected through a list of questions and two stages of test validity and reliability for each item in the list of questions. Method of data analysis used path analysis. The results of this study indicated that partially trust has significant effect on performance of employees amounted to 30.3%, integrity has positive and significant effect on employee's performance of 19.3%, a matter has positive and significant effect on the performance of employees is 32, 5%, and learners has positive and significant effect on the performance of employees amounted to 41.1%, simultaneously corporate culture has positive and significant effect on the performance amounted 75.5% .

Keywords: Corporate Culture and Employee Performance

Coupling is the extent to which the functions performed by a subsystem are related. Low coupling is a characteristic of a well-designed subcomponent. The problem noted for research in this paper is lack of standardization of measures, ambiguity in definition of measures and poor conceptual links between coupling components. The key objective of this research paper is to propose a model for coupling measurement in object oriented software system. A review of related work is conducted on coupling frameworks. In this research data was collected from various software systems, analyzed using a Poisson distribution model and unified coupling model generated. From the model an algorithm was developed for assessing coupling in software systems. In conclusion coupling model of five components; object level coupling, static level coupling, dynamic and static level coupling is developed an algorithm proposed to support coupling measurement in object oriented software systems. In the unified model developed a coupling value of 0.049 and below indicates low coupling while a coupling value of 0.05 to 0.1 indicates high coupling in the software system.

Keywords: Coupling, Model, Framework, Object Oriented Measurement, Measure..

The mean filter is a multipurpose spatial technique extensively used in image processing and pre-processing applications. Its execution time strongly depends upon the image and kernel size. Therefore, inefficient implementation of the mean filter wastes the time and energy of the computing hardware. According to the literature, researchers in this field rely only on static analysis techniques (such as counting the number of mathematical operations) to determine the performance of any algorithm or to compare the performance of different algorithms. This article investigates the state of the art mean filtering techniques and proved theoretically and experimentally that such analysis techniques are not accurate in measuring the performance of any implementation. Interestingly, this paper proposes a new mean filtering implementation that outperforms the optimum existing technique for large image sizes, although it does more number of mathematical operations.

Keywords: Mean filtering, performance, algorithm, instruction

The focal point of the study is based on analysing the mixing rate, pressure drop and other thermodynamic properties of water sample and disinfectants in water treatment process with the aid of Solid works simulation tool. It is imperative to critically examine this concept because of the incompatibility of mixing two or more fluids mostly liquid together. The technological idea behind this research is to create and maintain hygienic water distribution system to the society through engineering philosophies. The significance of the study cannot be over emphasized. All efforts to combat this dreading global fight are on the shoulders of researchers. However, the paper is aimed to compare different water samples with the help of a designed water treatment plant using Simple Osmotic Water Filtration Technology (SOWFIT) with an aided Solid works Simulation programme to analyse the mixture of disinfectant in the water sample selected. Meanwhile, laboratory test results were also obtained in the process and were compared to World Health Organisation's (WHO) standard based on their turbidity, hardness, conductivity, alkalinity, PH range, temperature, salinity, etc. Sample results from borehole were validated with WHO's values which makes it more considerate in selection with respect to other samples. The selected sample were further analysed in the Solidworks simulation tool to attest the mixing condition of the fluid, the necessary pressure drop and other thermodynamic properties. The results obtained confirm effectiveness of the software in respect of the objectives of the study.

Keywords: Model, Osmotic Pressure, Pressure drop, Semi-preamble membrane, Simulation, Solidworks, Treatment plant.

Floristic composition and vegetative succession were studied in secondarily developed floating island. Species cover was estimated in 1m*1m quadrates and the resulting data set was analysed with Raunkiaer's law to test the vegetational succession and the significant biotic factor to the formation of the floating succession.

Keywords: Succession, Raunkiaer's law, Floating island, Floating mat.