Science & Tech

IoT In Agriculture And Its Application

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  The introduction of the IoT in agriculture and its application is one of the contributing factors to the growth of the agricultural sector. IoT has brought huge benefits to the agricultural industry, such as increased water availability, increased production, and many more. What Is IoT, and What Is Its Importance in Agriculture? The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices embedded with software and sensors for the sole purpose of data collection and exchange with other devices and systems over the internet. IoT is the driving force behind increased agricultural production and the availability of produce all year. The IoT has saved farmers time and energy from intensive labor. It also reduces the excess use of resources such as water. This is helpful in regions of the world that experience drought.   Application of IoT in Agriculture The following are applications of the Internet of Things in agriculture: 1. Climatic conditions 2. Precision farming 3. Agricultural drones 1. Climate Conditions Climate and climatic conditions play a crucial role in farming. IoT solutions help farmers to know real-time weather conditions. Sensors are placed in and outside the agricultural fields. These sensors collect data from the environment, which aids farmers in making decisions on when to plant and harvest according to every climatic condition. Alerts are sent if any disturbing weather conditions are found. All of these are targeted at increasing agricultural productivity.   2. Precision Farming Precision farming is the most common application of IoT in agriculture. The goal of precision farming is to analyse the data generated via sensors and use the data provided to generate accurate information that will help farmers make quick and smart decisions. Common precision farming techniques include irrigation management, livestock management, and many more. All of these techniques play significant roles in ensuring efficiency and effectiveness. Farmers can now analyze soil texture, porosity, conditions, and other parameters concerning crop and livestock productivity. 3. Agricultural Drones Drones are used in agriculture for ground and aerial assessments of crop health, productivity, and field analysis. Drones are also used for planting, crop monitoring, irrigation, and the spraying of pesticides. With proper strategy and monitoring, drones give a huge makeover in the agricultural industry. Conclusion IoT is helping agriculture implement modern technological solutions to achieve effective results. IoT bridges the gap between increased production, quality, and quantity yielded. In turn, this has improved business operations, executed more tasks faster and helped produce reach consumers in the fastest time possible.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Smart Farming:The Future Of Agriculture 

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agriculture

Smart agriculture also known as precision farming is the implementation of technology, software and equipment to optimize and automate farming processes for a faster and better result. These new technologies include the use of AI, drones, IoT, satellites, big data and more to provide more innovation in food production. Smart agriculture is one of the recent approaches to solving the issue of food scarcity.  In refining the agricultural sector, smart agriculture focuses on increasing the production of crops and livestock to meet the needs of the populace.  Major objectives of smart agriculture include: Increasing agricultural activities and production  An increase in employment rate thus high income generation through employing more farmers and relevant workers in the agricultural system.  Reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses emission through activities that contribute to the generation of greenhouse gasses.   To help food production rate while still producing quality crops, smart agriculture uses minimal resources such as water, seed and organic fertilizers to achieve bountiful harvests irrespective of weather conditions.  To ensure this is running smoothly, sensors in the system help control the use of resources in large proportions and also reduce the impact on the environment.  Smart Farming Technologies There are various smart farming technologies and tools used to optimize agricultural activities. The most effective and efficient tools are: Machine learning Smart farming sensors Big data Internet of Things (IoT)    Conclusion  Smart farming is described to be the future of agriculture and allows for effective production management to meet the population demands. It is also creating an eco-friendly system that humans can thrive in. The spread of smart farming is aided by the development of technology, especially satellite and AI as they play a key link in making production decisions. The future of smart farming and agriculture is on a great path.  

Work Habits and Its Amazing Effect On the Health Of the Eyes 1

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WORK HABITS AND ITS EFFECT ON THE HEALTH OF THE EYES

In this article our focus will be on how our work habits can affect the health of the eyes in amazing ways and how we can manage our screen time be it computer, phones or television. The eyes is one of the five sense organs which works with our brain to tell us the size, shape, color and texture of an object; in other words it allows us to see our environment. The eyes’ anatomy is made up of several parts (Iris, Pupil, muscles, conjunctiva, Cornea, Lenses, Retina, Optical nerve, etc.) which works together to help us see clearly. Sometimes, we can inherit defects (short nearsightedness, long farsightedness, etc.) from our parents. Over time, age or our lifestyle can also make our eyes deteriorate faster. How can work habit affect the eyes? Work habits can affect the eyes in the following ways: It could lead to computer Vision syndrome (digital eye strain). This eye problem is caused by prolonged use of computer and it has symptoms such as eye irritation, blurred vision, headaches, backaches, neck aches, muscle fatigue, etc. Computer Vision Syndrome is becoming a prevalent issue among the working class. Most especially those whom their work involves long/constant screen time. Computer Vision syndrome is not known to have permanent damage on the eyes but the symptoms can be very discomforting. Photo sensitivity – The constant exposure to ultraviolet rays from computer screen in the long run causes one to be very sensitive to light rays, sunlight inclusive. It can make one’s eyeballs elongated. As the pressure of the eyes increases as a result of long screen time, the eye balls gradually become elongated altering its shape. How to Manage our Screen time durind work? To ensure our eye health do not deteriorate significantly it is very important to manage our screen time properly. Some solutions to these environmental causes include: Adjust your computer: Move the computer screen 20 to 28 inches from the eyes or just beyond the arm’s length to improve the comfort of the eyes. Blink Frequently – This helps the eyes from drying out. According to a research by the University of Iowa, we blink 66 percent less while on a computer. Take regular screen breaks to rest the eyes. Reducing glare and harsh reflections on the computer screen by modifying the lighting in the room, closing window shades, changing the contrast or brightness of the screen, or attaching a filter or hood to the monitor. Use the right glasses: It’s important to get glasses needed for viewing digital screens. If you use glasses, always check for time to time that the prescription of your lenses is not weak. Blue ray glasses helps to reduce the radiation from the screen from penetrating the eyes. Adjust your posture: Sit up straight, keep your shoulders relaxed, and use a chair with the right height and good back support. Take regular breaks: This one can do by practicing the following Follow the 20-20-20 rule i.e. look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes; learn to blink constantly when you can not help but sit. Rest for 15 minutes after every 2 hours of continuous screen use and Do non-screen tasks: Rather than read e-book, get hard copy books, play cheese, scrabble and other activities that will not involve looking at screens (computers, tablets, phones, etc. Use eye drops to reduce dry eye symptoms. Poor eyes can lead to decreased work efficiency and huge loss of productivity. So it is important that we care for our eye health and ensure we regularly (at least once a year) go for proper eye checkup apart from practicing the above screen time management techniques so our eyes can remain healthy.

Sustainable Agricultural Practices; Navigating The Future Of Food Production

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agriculture

  Agriculture is the future of food production and sustainable agricultural practices is the best method of navigating the future of food production. There is a continuous demand for the production of more food and food products. Studies state that by 2050, food production will increase by 70%. One of the prominent reasons there will be an increase in food production is the rapid growth of the world’s population.  Over 800 million people in the world’s population will be malnourished by 2030 if there are no innovations in the agricultural sector. Mitigating these challenges requires a team of farmers, investors, government and stakeholders working together to create sustainable agriculture. Farmers and agricultural organisations need to invest in more technology and strategic means to combat future insufficiency.  How do we sustain agricultural practices so that they navigate the future of food production?   Sustaining agricultural practice stands on the existing principle that the world’s needs must be met without a negative impact on the future of agriculture. To do so, farmers must incorporate healthy, economically profitable, environmentally beneficial approaches to agriculture. These include: Cultivating healthy planting and maintaining healthy soil. Promoting biodiversity Reducing agricultural runoffs Preventing food wastage Minimise and eradicate all forms of pollution Integrate mixed farming system (livestock and crop farming) Encouraging agroforestry practices Enhancing the lives of farmers and farming communities  Promoting ethical and green farming practices. Sustainable practices include urban agriculture, permaculture, agroforestry, crop rotation, biodynamic farming, natural pest management, natural animal rearing, crop protection, mulching and biological weed control.    Conclusion The future of farming is bright, and to ensure we have a sustainable agricultural system requires fundamental changes regarding the management of our natural environment. With the latest technology gadgets, tools, and top research, it is possible to make changes to protect our environment and also ourselves as we are the end users. This is only achieved through sustainable agriculture.

Ethical Issues Of Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare

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Ethical Issues Of Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare The role of artificial intelligence in healthcare is fast becoming prominent. However, ethical issues such as data privacy, data handling, biases, patient confidentiality, and more have raised concerns about the reliability of AI in healthcare.  Over the past decade, AI and technology (machine learning) have helped to provide new insights into clinical cases and drug discovery. With AI, health workers, particularly nurses, are more well-rested and overburdened with problems machines can solve. This is a massive breakthrough for the healthcare sector.  In this article, we will discuss some of these ethical issues. Data handling and Security  Drug development  Biases  1. Data handling and Security In healthcare, medical personnel use electronic records or data collected from patients can be used for scientific purposes such as clinical and academic research to improve healthcare quality. However, there are risks of these data being hacked by cybercriminals and third parties.  This ethical issue leads to a break in patient-doctor confidentiality. In some scenarios, sensitive data has been sold to unprofessional sources. 2. Drug Development  In drug development, artificial intelligence helps in drug development, which used to be strictly human-led. Data generated from patients can be used to develop specific drugs and models that are gene, organ, and tissue specific depending on the needs of individual patients.  However, concerns are being raised about the current regulatory laws and whether there is a need to implement more rules to allow data privacy, especially in drug development. This is to protect the patient’s privacy.  3. Biases  AI biases are another ethical issue that threatens the growth of AI in the health system. These biases are anomalies that arise when human designers unknowingly introduce them to the AI model during creation. Another instance of bias occurs during incomplete data collection. Although these biases are not intentional, they can lead to differential treatment, improper diagnosis, and less effective treatment. Conclusion  In conjunction with policymakers, the government at all levels needs to work together to ensure that ethical issues, such as data privacy, the safety of patient information, and informed consent, are tackled promptly to have a beautiful working system.  

The Role Of AI In Transforming Healthcare

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The Role Of AI In Transforming Healthcare

The healthcare sector constantly faces a growth in demand in all parts of the world. This demand has prompted the use of AI to transform the healthcare sector.  An increasing population drives this demand, the outbreak of zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases, a rise in genetic conditions, lifestyle changes, and a continuous cycle of innovative technology. With all these demands, it is difficult for the healthcare sector to keep up without structural and transformational modifications. This is where AI comes in. In combination with machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. AI contributes to better diagnosis, treatment prevention and management, personalised care, and delivery of accurate prediction of diseases in the population, all of which have transformed the healthcare sector. Here are some of the uses of AI in healthcare. 1. Imaging and diagnostics The use of AI and diagnostic imaging, especially in radiology, helps to improve imaging analysis and provide adequate care and treatment based on diagnosis. The introduction of AI reduces the chances of error in diagnosing clinical conditions. Examples of diagnostic tools used for imaging include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). 2 Precision medicine Precision medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating patients based on genetic makeup rather than signs and symptoms. The evolution of AI aids healthcare providers to personalise treatments and improve patient outcomes. Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies use precision medicine knowledge to develop more potent drugs with limited side effects. READ ALSO: Wearable Devices: The Impact On Personal Health Conclusion AI in healthcare has come a long way and gives promising solutions for using AI in diagnosis, treatment management, and data collection, which can improve patient outcomes. In the next few years, they have taken over the healthcare sector, thereby improving efficacy and efficiency, reducing the cost of production, and the rise of certain medical conditions. However, concerns and challenges, especially about the ethical indications of AI centered around patient confidentiality, data privacy, and others, should be addressed to have an effective system.

Opay Controversy: Safeguarding Trust in the Digital Finance Age

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IoT In Agriculture And Its Application

On the 2nd day of October 2023, a video circulated throughout social media showing Opay agents storming the financial institution’s office in Lagos. This was due to large sums being removed from Opay users’ accounts and transferred to unknown accounts. Other activities included purchasing airtime and receiving calls from loan companies, as the account holders’ phone numbers matched their account numbers. The trust level of customers of the Digital Finance company in Nigeria is depleted. The earlier controversy was used to make many fear the financial risk sensed through the enragement of the agents in the video. The customers’ confidence was shattered. This made them indict the Opay company as a scam. The incident was reported by TVC News, whose credibility raised suspicious concern among Opay users. Opay, as a Digital Finance company, had been a lifeline, especially during the strenuous cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the leadership of the then Governor, Godwin Emefiele. During this period, Nigerians began to trust Opay for transactions. This was because of their no transaction fees, swift, and fast services, as opposed to other commercial Banks which had network failure and were unable to meet customers’ expectations. The period of the cashless period controversy led to the discovery of this Fintech company by businesses, it was a renowned and vast payment method and with this Opay built customer confidence, security of funds due to their fast alerts, and safety from scams. It is in the nature of Nigeria to be paranoid,  that is, at any hurdle, they label a digital finance company as a scam. This is because of their experience with companies like MMM and others, which made many Nigerians go bankrupt. So, to win customers’ confidence in the country is hard. Many Nigerians had to withdraw their funds from Opay to prevent potential bankruptcy immediately the video surfaced, and they advised their friends to do so. Nigerians are not to be blamed; the nature of Nigerians’ present situation has made them a little bit skeptical of Digital Finance companies. Coupled with the fact that their offices cannot be located easily, which makes them a little skeptical of their funds. Opay is a one-stop mobile-based platform for payments, transfers, loans, savings, and other essential services. Opay Digital Service Limited is a company founded by Opera Norway AS Group with emerging markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America in countries like Mexico, Nigeria, Egypt, and Pakistan. Opay is a digital finance company. A digital finance company, also known as a fintech (financial technology) company, is a business that leverages technology to provide financial services and solutions to individuals, businesses, or other organizations. As a company that operate primarily in the digital space, using online platforms, mobile apps, and advanced software to deliver a wide range of financial services. Opay offers services such as Digital Payments, Online Banking, Investment and Wealth Management, Lending (though through other services), and, Remittances. Other Digital Finance companies in Nigeria include: Interswitch, Paystack, Flutterwave, Carbon (formerly Paylater), Kuda Bank, Cowrywise, Renmoney, Paga, and Opay.  These companies must adhere to regulatory requirements and data security standards to ensure the safety and protection of customer information and transactions The company (Opay) is keen on the security of its customers, they do so by continuously analyzing risks that could affect customers and mitigating them before something wrong could happen. They use risk assessment methodology, which is consistent with PCI-DSS standards. The company went further to build the Continuous Awareness Training Programme, which helps the company’s personnel or staff to gain and test their knowledge against possible security threats like phishing or stealing passwords. The company also got PCI-DSS Compliance Level 1 Certification, which is proof that its product is built and maintained in alignment with all security standards. Notably, Opay is insured by NDIC, which means Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation. They are a system the government set up to protect depositors against the loss of their insured deposits placed with member institutions in the event that a member institution is unable to meet its obligations to depositors. NDIC protects the Insurance Fund and saves customers from scams by keeping it with the CBN and investing the Fund in safe but liquid financial instruments such as Treasury Bills, Federal Government Bonds, and instruments of similar nature. Opay is licensed by the central bank to operate as a microfinance and NDIC, which provides sound risk management in the Nigerian banking system. In defense of its integrity, Opay issued a disclaimer over the allegations, assuring customers that the video was old and the allegations were resolved in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The failure of the Nigerian banking sector made Opay rise to prominence, and the resurfacing of the video might have resulted from rivalry aiming to bring down the company’s reputation. Your favorite Opay bank is secure, and customers’ accounts and funds remain safe.