In this paper, a metamodel based hybrid algorithm was developed for optimization of digital computer simulation models. The simulation models are considered to be computationally expensive. It is also considered to have a single stochastic and unconstrained response function. The hybrid algorithm is developed by modification and integration of several concepts and routines. We employed the nested portioning and the particle swarm optimization algori-thms to develop an efficient search mechanism for the hybrid algorithm. Then we integrated the modified Kriging metamodel to the search mechanism for facilitating the function fitting processes of the simulation’s output. The efficiency of the developed hybrid algorithm was then evaluated through computational experiments. Ten complex test problems were selected from the literatures and the efficiency of the developed hybrid algorithm was evaluated by comparing its performances against three known algorithm which are cited in the literature. The result of these computational experiments revealed that the developed hybrid algorithm can provide very robust solutions with a very low computational effort.

It gives me joy and I am humbled to be given this rare privilege to be chosen amongst other most suitable and very much qualified persons and/or personalities to give this prestigious lecture by one of the most respected and valued professional/prestigious trade unions in the world (NUJ) Bayelsa Chapter. This is more so, when you consider the critical place the media or put differently the press plays in the society. It is in this context that, the topic of our discourse or paper is apt, particularly when considered from the perspective of the broad theme of this years’ World Press Freedom Day (Media Freedom for Better Future: Shaping the Post 2015 Development Agenda). To what extent does free and independent media contribute to good governance and what are the consequences for human development? What is the role of the free press in strengthening good governance, democracy and human development?

Inhalant abuse is defined as an intentional inhalation of solvents or volatile substances present in materials such as glues and paints. The most commonly abused inhalant today is glue due to low price and easy access. Glue sniffing produces fast and pleasurable sensory experience to the abuser. Quantitative analysis of hippuric acid using UV-Vis at wavelength 417 nm was determined successfully. The results gave a regression coefficient of 0.994. The recovery, accuracy and coefficient variance of hippuric acid were 96.57%, 2.94% and 0.50% respectively. Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography using a simple method for the simultaneous determination of hippuric acid and benzoic acid was also described. The chromatography was performed on a Nova-Pak C18 (3.9 x 150 mm) column with a mobile phase of methanol: water: acetic acid (20:80:0.2) using UV detection at 254 nm. The calibration of standards was linear within concentration range of 0.125 to 6.0 mg/mL of hippuric acid and benzoic acid respectively. The recovery, accuracy and coefficient variance of hippuric acid were 104.54%, 0.2% and 0.2% and for benzoic acid were 98.48%, 1.25% and 0.60% respectively. A mobile G.S. Kit was developed which employed a mixture of pyridine, benzenesulphonyl chloride and distilled water use as quantitative analysis.Urine samples containing hippuric acid the metabolite of toluene were analyzed using the G.S. Kit. The results show that the mixture would change its color from yellow to red. This method was successful in screening urine samples of suspect toluene abusers or glue sniffers among secondary school children at Johor Bahru and suspect abuser from Hospital Sultanah Aminah with the collaboration of the National Anti Drug Agency.

Cloud Computing is one of the latest developments in the IT industry which offers on-demand services without requiring to create an IT infrastructure. It provides scalability, high performance and relatively low cost feasible solution for organizations. Despite of all its advantages, security is still a critical challenge in cloud computing paradigm. This paper presents a survey on some possible techniques used for encrypting user data and also providing techniques used in improving virtualization security for the cloud infrastructure.

In the present paper we have solved the well known Axisymmetric Dirichlet problem for a half-space using the Hankel transform of I-function of one variable. Hankel transform is much effective tool for solving the boundary value problems involving cylindrical coordinates. Here we have considered the Axisymmetric Dirichlet problem for a half-space which is mathematically characterized byBoundary conditions areOur main result is believed to be general and unified in nature. A number of known and new results can be obtained by specializing the coefficients and parameters involved in the kernel.

The main aim of any software development organizations is to finish the project within acceptable or customary schedule and budget. Software schedule overrun is one of a question that needs more concentration. Schedule overrun may affect the whole project success like cost, quality and increases risks. Schedule overrun can be reason of project failure. In today’s competitive world, controlling the schedule slippage of software project development is a challenging task. Effective handling of schedule is an essential need for any software project organization. The main tasks for software development estimation are determining the effort, cost and schedule of developing the project under consideration. Underestimation of project done knowingly just to win contract results into loses and also the poor quality project. So, precise schedule prediction leads to efficient control of time and budget during software development. In this paper, we developed a new technique for the prediction of schedule overrun. This paper also presents the comparison with other algorithms of schedule estimation and Tool developed by us and at last proved that Fuzzy cognitive map based prediction tool gives more accurate results than other training algorithms.

Inrecent years, the relationship between graphicdesign and visuals (GDV) has become a source of debate forresearchers. Human beings are symbolically innovative; theyreact to their environment by creating devices that will assistthem in adapting to the numerousproblems of communication. This reaction to environmental influence led to thedevelopment of different devices which are problem solvingtechnologies in their recurrent activities. The springing up, andadvancement of graphic design devices in Information Technologies and Communication, brought series of benefitsand relief to mankind. Modern man exists in an era in whichtechnological innovation and devices are dominating theaccomplishments of human endeavour and the supersonicage of Information Technology explosion in graphic designcommunication which has made life much more meaningful.New innovations and methodologies are applied in graphiccommunication visual system in disseminating information tothe audience. This paper, surveys the impact and the role ofgraphic visuals communication. In cultural developments.

Performance of palm kernel shell, a local (agricultural waste) material as biofilter media was investigated in comparison with a commonly used synthetic injection-moulded polypropylene bioblock. Wastewater was obtained from integrated fish culture. The biofilter media was inoculated with the wastewater and the experiment started after 24 hrs (drying time) of inoculation. The experiment was repeated for 72 and 144 hrs drying times. Water quality parameters measured were Temperature, pH, Dissolved oxygen (DO), Total ammonia-nitrogen (TAN), Nitrite-nitrogen and Nitrate-nitrogen. The efficiency of the biofilter was assessed using Percentage total ammonia-nitrogen removed (PTR) and Volumetric total ammonia nitrogen conversion rate (VTR). All the selected water quality parameters measured were within the range for fish culture and discharge to the environment. The highest PTR of 50.00±0.00% was recorded in PK at 72 hrs and the least (33.75±14.43%) was recorded in PP at 144 hrs drying time. The PK had higher VTR at all the drying time with the highest VTR of 264.76±12.53mgTAN/m3d at 72 hrs drying time while the least VTR of 120.39±104.42 mgTAN/m3d was recorded in PP also at 72 hrs drying time. The difference in VTR was significant between the two media only at 72 hrs drying time and between 24 hrs and 72 hrs drying time in PK. The two media were able to remove TAN from the effluent at all the drying time. The locally available PK is better than PP at all the drying and is also available at a cheaper cost.

The paper contributes empirical evidence on the status of Public- Private Partnership models (PPP) for rural women entrepreneurship development through Self Help Groups (SHGs) in agriculture and classifies them based on the concept of value creation. The study was conducted in Kerala, India during 2009-12, where women entrepreneurship development in agriculture through SHGs is rampant. Ex-post facto design was used to collect data from a purposive sample of 1400 from the four regionally representative zones of the state. Weighted score and case study methods were used in the selection and classification of the delineated models. Study identified 466 women development projects with PPP components. From this 22 cases with working PPP elements were selected for detailed analysis using a weighted score method. Six models with high scores viz Cadbury-KAU Cooperative Cocoa Research Project, Thirumadhuram Pineapple Project, Uravu RSVY Micro Enterprises Project, Sevashram Organic Producer Company, Subicsha Coconut Producers’ Company Ltd and Nendran Banana (Samagra) Project were used for detailed case study. The major public and private agencies involved and focus domains were delineated. Value creation estimated as percentage gains on factors related to income and empowerment for the group members and social and environment gains for the society was used to classify the development models as Public dominated welfare models and Private dominated employment models. Paper establishes the potential of PPP for scaling up entrepreneurship activities in SHGs by convergence of the core assets of public and private sectors. Results also opened possibilities of conceptualization of SHGs as social enterprises and use of PPP strategies in entrepreneurship development.

This paper is an interrogation of the link between the social crisis extantly experiencedby modern African women and the change that occurred in the economic system within the firstsix decades of the twentieth century. It examines the social basis of Oto-Edo and Ughevbughewomen involvement in the pottery industry as a way of demonstrating the nexus betweenproduction activities and the needs of Ughievwen society under the indigenous economicsystem. In the conclusion, the paper posits that efforts shouldnot only be geared at evolvingdevelopmental programmes that will extricate us from dependence on monocultural economy(dependence on crude oil), but also, a re-orientation and aggressive implementation of policiesthat would show case the productive capacities of women albeit integrating same in oureducational curriculum. Empowering women as “mothers” of the society is one sure way ofsolidifying the society and engendering peace and progress.