HIFASS-LOPIN-3 Empowerment Programs and the Wellbeing of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria

This study examined the various empowerment programs carried out by Health Initiatives for Safety and Stability in Africa – Local OVC Partner in Nigeria – Region 3 (HIFASS-LOPIN-3) as they affect the wellbeing of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Three objectives were outlined to include investigating the relationship between HIFASS-LOPIN-3 educational empowerment program and OVC’s school enrolment; HIFASS-LOPIN-3 provision of health services and OVC’s accessibility to quality healthcare facilities; HIFASS-LOPIN-3 skills acquisition training/financial empowerment program and the income level of OVC/caregivers. An Ex-post facto research design was employed in this study and a sample size of three hundred and eighty (380) respondents was drawn using multi-stage, simple random, stratified and snowball sampling techniques. The reliability test of the instrument was done using the test-retest reliability method. Primary data was obtained using a questionnaire and in-depth interview schedule, while secondary data was sourced from journals, texts, newspapers, internet, unpublished papers. The hypotheses were tested using Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) and Chi-Square statistical techniques, together with frequency/percentage analysis. The study revealed among others that HIFASS-LOPIN-3 educational empowerment has significantly improved OVC’s school enrolment; HIFASS-LOPIN-3 skills acquisition training/financial empowerment program has significantly improved the income level of OVC/caregivers, nevertheless, almost all the OVC who reported having income-generating skills experienced challenges like insufficient start-up capital, insecurity, and crippling economic policies. It was recommended that government should make provision for OVC’s subsidized medical bills and adequate provision for start-up capital/equipment or materials should be made for older OVC/caregivers who receive skills acquisition training.

Skill Acquisition

The purpose of the study was to examine the extent to which skill acquisition would influence economic development in Nigeria. The descriptive research design of the survey type was adopted in the study. The population of this study comprised all the students of government technical colleges in Southwest Nigeria. The reliability of the instrument was estimated using Chronbach's Alpha reliability method. The data collected for this study was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of the study revealed that skill acquisition program has a positive and significant effect on the ability of students of technical colleges in Southwest Nigeria to be self-reliant at graduation; skill acquisition program has a positive and significant effect on the ability of students of technical colleges in Southwest Nigeria to produce goods for local consumption. It was also recommended based on the study that the various government parastatals should review, standardize, and expand the curricula of all skill acquisition schemes in Nigeria among others.

Reliability analysis of slender columns using the general method with linear creep theory

To analyze the reliability of slender columns subjected to axial force and uniaxial bending moment, with a slenderness index between 100 and 140, 216 columns were modeled. The square cross-section was adopted, with three different configurations for longitudinal reinforcement. In the calculation, the general method with the linear creep theory was applied. Several factors were varied: slenderness index, reinforcement ratio, steel bars arrangement, compressive strength of concrete, and first-order relative eccentricity. For analysis purposes, the Monte Carlo method was adopted, followed by the First Order Reliability Method (FORM). Considering the results obtained, it was observed that the reliability index is usually higher for lower reinforcement ratios and varies according to the configuration of the cross-section.

Reliability Engineering Techniques Applied to the Human Failure Analysis Process

Human reliability and human error are factors that are present in all areas: industrial, economic, social, etc. All these areas require to a greater or lesser extent a physical and mental effort to satisfy their own needs, those of others, or established requirements that, depending on the circumstances and the nature of the person, can lead to errors. Certainly, it is not possible to find a single human reliability method that can meet all the expectations and technical demands related to the analysis of human errors. However, it is important to note that the orientation of all human reliability methods is focused on the study and analysis of the risk factor (frequency by consequences). In other words, as can be observed throughout this chapter, all human reliability methodologies seek to help us reduce the uncertainty in the process of evaluating the frequencies of unforeseen events (human errors) and the consequences that such human errors can bring to safety, the environment, and the operations within the framework of an industrial production process.

A simplified approach to reliability evaluation of deep rock tunnel deformation using First-Order Reliability Method and Monte Carlo simulations

abstract: The Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) and First-Order Reliability Method (FORM) provide a reliability analysis in axisymmetric deep tunnels driven in elastoplastic rocks. The Convergence-Confinement method (CV-CF) and Mohr-Coulomb (M-C) criterion are used to model the mechanical interaction between the shotcrete lining and ground through deterministic parameters and random variables. Numerical models synchronize tunnel analytical models and reliability methods, whereas the limit state functions control the failure probability in both ground plastic zone and shotcrete lining. The results showed that a low dispersion of random variables affects the plastic zone's reliability analysis in unsupported tunnels. Moreover, the support pressure generates a significant reduction in the plastic zone's failure, whereas the increase of shotcrete thickness results in great reduction of the lining collapse probability.

Overview of Calculation Methods of Structural Time-Dependent Reliability

Under the action of natural erosion, the strength, durability and other safety performance of structures and elements gradually decrease with time, which has a great impact. To solve the above problem, a series of time-dependent reliability analysis methods were proposed. Based on different structural performance functions, this paper analyzes and discusses different time-dependent reliability theories, including outcrossing-based reliability method, Monte Carlo simulation method, extremum method and other new methods proposed in recent years, which provides reference for later research.

Influence of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Economy of Tokumbo Vehicles Trade in Borno State: Implications for Counselling

The study was an opinion survey that investigated the influence of covid-19 pandemic on the economy of Tokumbo vehicles trade in Borno State, Nigeria. Population of the study comprised of all fairly used secondhand car dealers in the State. However, 150 Tokumbo car dealers constituted the sample. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used in selecting sample. Researchers designed 18 items Structured Interview Schedule (SIS) tagged “Car Dealers Interview Schedule (CDIS)” and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were the instruments used to elicit data for the study. The CDIS was divided into two parts (A & B). Part A collected information on demographic characteristics of the respondents while Part B elicited data on sources of capital for the Tokumbo dealers, brand of Tokumbo vehicles and the influence of covid-19 pandemic on Tokumbo trade in Borno State, Nigeria. The CDIS was validated by three experts in the field of Business Administration of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State and a coefficient of 0.74 was obtained using Cronbach alpha reliability method for the internal consistency which was considered relevant and adequate for the study. Descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentage and bar graph were used in analyzing data collected for the study. Three objectives and three research questions piloted the study. Results of the study revealed loan and personal savings as some of the sources of capital for dealers in Tokumbo vehicles in Borno State. Toyota, Volkswagen, Honda, Mercedes Benz and Peugeot were some of the brands of Tokumbo cars in the study area while rent, loan repayment and gross reduction in sales were some of the effects of covid-19 pandemic on the trade in Tokumbo vehicles in Borno State, Nigeria. Based on the findings, implications for counselling, conclusions and recommendations were made.

A time-varying reliability-based robust design method considering overall efficiency of axial piston pump

Axial piston pumps (APPs) are the core energy conversion components in a hydraulic transmission system. Energy conversion efficiency is critically important for the performance and energy-saving of the pumps. In this paper, a time-varying reliability design method for the overall efficiency of APPs was established. The theoretical and practical instantaneous torque and flow rate of the whole APP were derived through comprehensive analysis of a single piston-slipper group. Moreover, as a case study, the developed model for the instantaneous overall efficiency was verified with a PPV103-10 pump from HYDAC. The time-variation of reliability for the pump was revealed by a fourth-order moment technique considering the randomness of working conditions and structure parameters, and the proposed reliability method was validated by Monte Carlo simulation. The effects of the mean values and variance sensitivity of random variables on the overall efficiency reliability were analyzed. Furthermore, the optimized time point and design variables were selected. The optimal structure parameters were obtained to meet the reliability requirement and the sensitivity of design variables was significantly reduced through the reliability-based robust design. The proposed method provides a theoretical basis for designers to improve the overall efficiency of APPs in the design stage.