Social Media as a Destination Marketing Tool for a Sustainable Heritage Festival in Nigeria: A Moderated Mediation Study

This study explored how social media is used as a destination marketing tool for the sustainability of heritage festival quality in Nigeria, drawing on the theory of planned behavior. The festival, which is an exploration of heritage, was specifically premeditated to celebrate the slave trade period by highlighting the unique connection of African American history to the diaspora ancestors who were literally taken away as slaves through “the point of no return” in Badagry, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was utilized as a research instrument to gather information aimed at examining the influence of social media (SM), website quality (WQ), and online word of mouth (eWOM) on tourists’ festival satisfaction (FS) and festival revisiting intention (FRI). Data were gathered from samples of 473 diaspora tourists at Badagry Diaspora Festival in Nigeria and analyzed using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with the aid of WarpPLS (7.0). The findings of the study revealed that social media (SM), festival quality (FQ), website quality (WQ), and electronic word of mouth (eWOM) had a positive and significant relationship with tourists’ festival satisfaction. Additionally, this study found that festival quality had a positive impact on the intention of the tourists to revisit the Badagry Diaspora Festival because tourist attitude is influenced by the socio-cultural background of tourists. Moreover, the result revealed the partial mediating effect of festival satisfaction in the relationship between (a) SM, (b) FQ, (c) WQ, and (d) eWOM and tourists’ festival satisfaction. Similarly, cultural motivation was also found to mediate the relationship between tourists’ festival satisfaction and festival revisiting intension (RI). Based on the findings, the implications of the festival sustainability and future research directions were discussed.publishedVersio

STUDY MODE DIFFERENCES IN STUDENT’S PERCEPTION OF EDUCATION SERVICE QUALITY IN SELECTED POLYTECHNICS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

This investigation was designed to determine student perception of Polytechnic education service quality dimensions in relation to their mode of study in Northern Nigeria. Six null hypotheses were constructed to guide the study. The quantitative research adopted the descriptive survey design method. The target population are all Polytechnic students studying different programs in Northern Nigeria. A sample size of 441 respondents were determined based Krejice and Morgan Table, and sampled using stratified random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire (SERVPERF) was adopted consisting of 27 items used in similar studies (Brochado, 2009; Cronin & Taylor, 1994, etc.) as tool for data collection. The tool was structured on five point Likert ratting pattern ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). The composite reliability of the tool was .980 coefficient determined using Cronbach alpha method. Copies of the instrument were personally administered during classes and data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential; statistics with the help of SPSS. The findings reveal that the level of students’ satisfaction was negative and insignificant, while the perceived level of loyalty was significant. There was significant relationship between each of the service quality dimension and student’s satisfaction, student satisfaction and loyalty. Students in evening/weekend and distance learning mode of study are more satisfied compared to their counterparts on full-time basis. Equally, older students who are more matured and experienced complain less than the younger ones. Based on all these, recommendations were made towards improving the service quality and customer satisfaction in Polytechnic education by the institution’s managers, administrators and policy makers and implementers

Self-Efficacy, Motivation and Academic Performance of Senior Secondary School Students in Damaturu, Metropolis, Yobe State Nigeria

This study examined the teachers self-efficacy, motivation and academic performance of senior secondary school students in Damaturu, Metropolis, Yobe State Nigeria. Two research hypotheses were raised and tasted. The study adopted a correlation research design. The study has the total population of 2,998 teachers spread across the 9 secondary schools in Damaturu Metropolis. A sample of 250 teachers were selected from six (6) senior secondary Schools in Damaturu Metropolis by using multistage sampling techniques. The study used two instruments for data collection%253A The teachers sense of efficacy scale and Students termly academic results. The internal consistency of the items was established to be 0.94 using Cronbach Alpha Statistical Method. Data Collected were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation at lt%253B0.05 level of significance. The results of the study indicated that, teachers self-efficacy was found to have significant positive influence on academic performance of students. Similarly, teachers motivation is significantly related with students academic performance of students. The researchers concluded that proper training and work on motivation of the teachers towards the teaching should be improved. As such, the study recommended that, government should enhance professional training for teachers welfare and teachers educational programmes to develop a sense self-efficacy and motivation for teachers

Problems and Prospects of Almajiri Integration Programme in North West Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria

The term Almajiri in Nigeria is used to describe those children or youths who left their hometowns in search for Islamic education. Unlike pre-colonial Nigeria, the Almajiri system of education flourished and recorded exceptional accomplishment in literacy and social services, but today the system is faced with a myriad of challenges with glaring abnormalities. The aim of this study was, therefore, to conduct an empirical inquiry into the problems and prospects of the integration programme in North West Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria. A total of 240 Almajiris/pupils and 60 mallams/teachers responded to questionnaires designed for the study, while 33 community leaders and school heads were interviewed. The study reveals that authorities are performing below expectations in the area of education, which hinders the achievements of quality education for Nigerian Almajiris. Shortage of qualified teachers in some schools and inadequate numbers of Almajiri integrated schools in North West Nigeria were also recorded. The researchers further discovered that the government is not consistent in its policies and programmes there were a lot of irregularities and corrupt practices in institutionalized education, including the Almajiri Integrated Programme. It is therefore, recommended that the government should be consistent in its policy and programmes for the betterment of its citizens. Authorities’ approach to quality education should be centred on the eradication of corrupt practices. Almajiri Integrated Programme should be handled as introduced by president Goodluck’s Administration

Biosynthesis, characterization and antimicrobial study of silver nanoparticles (agNPs)

In this paper, biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Syzygium guineenses stem extract with 1mM, 2mM and 3mM AgNO3 concentrations has been presented. The plant extract was prepared with distilled water. The characterization and morphological composition of the synthesized AgNPs were determined by UV-visible spectroscopy and SEM respectively, while FTIR analysis was performed to identify the presence of the possible functional groups in the synthesized nano particles. It was observed from the UV and SEM analyses that the particles formed have diameters in the range of 23.5nm - 89.3nm, which is the range of nanoparticle size. Antibacterial test was carried out on the sample with six pathogenic microbes (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococus aureas, Vancomycin Resistant Entrococci, Staphylococcus aureas, Bacillus sublitis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) to ascertain the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized AgNPs. Both the characterization and antimicrobial activity test were very successful and could lead to significant economic viability, as well as being environmentally friendly for treatment of some infectious diseases.Keywords: Syzygium guineenses, Green Chemistry, Spectroscopy, Optoelectronics, Biomedical Sensor

Sensitivity of Vapor Cloud Explosion Exceedance Analysis to the Ignition Probability Model for Offshore Process Systems

Probabilistic methodologies have been strictly recommended in the offshore field since the worst offshore explosion disaster in terms of lives lost in the North Sea in 1988. For todays offshore projects, essential design specifications including design loads for critical hazardous events are produced by quantitative risk analysis (QRA), which substantially governs the success of offshore projects. The offshore topside process systems are most vulnerable to hydrocarbon-relevant disasters such as vapor cloud explosion (VCE) and fire. However, it still remains extremely challenging to properly predict and mitigate the risk of such complex offshore topside systems, due to the nature of complexity in the system in addition to harsh environmental and operating conditions. Therefore, this study aims to advance the understanding of uncertainties and risk in the complex offshore systems exposed to multiple interrelated natural and man-made hazards (i.e. winds, VCEs). This study investigates the effects of uncertainties on the risk quantification focusing on VCE risk and ignition probability models, which has not been studied yet. A detailed probabilistic risk quantification of VCE is performed for a specific offshore topside system. The estimated design explosion load based on the VCE risk is compared for different ignition probability models.Research reported in this paper was supported by an Early-Career Research Fellowship from the Gulf Research Program of the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Gulf Research Program of the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Facilitating Public Access to Information: the Role of Niger State Library Board Minna

This study investigated the role of Public libraries in facilitating public access to information. The purposive sampling technique was adopted for the study. Questionnaire and observation checklist were used to collect data from seven (7) Professional librarians and forty-one (41) Para-professional library staff given a total of forty-eight (48) respondents. The sample size for the study was thirty seven (37). The data collected were analysed mean scores. Textbooks, reference sources and newspapers were the only information resources available in the library. Only four (4) out of twelve (12) mechanisms were adopted by the library in providing and enhancing access to information. Lack of fund, lack of current textbooks and lack of conducive learning environment were the major constraints in the library. All the remedies were accepted by the respondents. Based on the findings, the study concluded that public libraries in Niger State lack adequate information resources in providing access to information. This study recommended that public libraries should be adequately funded by the State government.Keywords: Access; Information; Library Board; Public libraries; Role; Minna

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection among students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence on HBV co-infection rates with HIV infection among individuals remains conflicting. The study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HIV infections and the possible potential risk factors among students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from 600 consenting consecutive students aged between 16 and 40 years old at the University Health Services, ABU, Zaria. The sera were screened for HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc using diagnostic kits and for Human Immunodeficiency Virus using DetermineTMHIV-1/2 kits. Reactive sera for HBsAg were further confirmed using ELISA kits. For HBsAg, 9.2% (55/600) tested positive among which, none had detectable anti-HBs antibodies, indicating recent infection. About 7.3%, 36.4% and 94.5% were positive for HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc respectively. Seroprevalence of HIV infection was 2.8% (17/600). One (0.2%) of the student was infected with both HBV and HIV. There was a significant association between age group (p=0.016), gender (p=0.049), family history of HBV infection (p=0.000), and seroprevalence of HBsAg. While for HIV, only menial jobs (p = 0.001) was significantly associated with the infection. The results showed close contact among family members to be a predisposing factor to these viral infections. A total of 314 students were ignorant of HBV and four of them were infectious. The seroprevalence of HBsAg obtained in this study indicates high endemicity according to WHO classification. However, seroprevalence of HIV and its co-infection rate with HBV were very low. This was encouraging and it indicates that the campaign on HIV is yielding the desired result. Therefore similar campaign should be extended to Hepatitis B.Keywords: Seroprevalence; HIV; HBsAg; Serological markers; Students; Nigeri

Efficacy of Low‑dose Suxamethonium in Reducing Induction Dose of Propofol for Laryngeal Mask Airway Insertion in Nigerian Adults

Background: Propofol is commonly used as a sole induction agent during laryngeal mask airway (LMA)  insertion, and additional doses are often required with systemic consequences. Objective: Our study evaluated the effect of 0.1 mg/kg suxamethonium on the dose of induction of propofol when used during insertion of LMA. Methodology: Eighty patients aged between 18 and 60 years were included in this prospective study. Patients undergoing elective  procedures under general anaesthesia with LMA and spontaneous ventilation were randomized into two groups. Patients in both groups were induced with an initial dose of 2.5 mg/kg of propofol; the control group (group P) and the second group (group S) received 5 ml of normal saline and 0.1 mg/kg of suxamethonium made up to 5 ml, respectively. The need for additional doses of propofol following  insertion of LMA was then assessed based on insertion conditions (ease of insertion, severity of airway response in terms of coughing, gagging, laryngospasm, and patient movement). The total dose of propofol required before successful insertion was recorded, as well as the incidence and duration of apnea post-induction. The pulse rate (PR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were assessed at 0, 1, 3 and 5 min after insertion of LMA for each group. Results: The total dose of propofol required for successful LMA insertion was significantly lower in group S (2.82 ± 0.39 mg/kg) compared to group P (3.13 ± 0.49 mg/kg), P = 0.002. Haemodynamic parameters (SBP, DBP, MAP, PR, and SpO2) were well-controlled post-LMA insertion and were comparable between the two groups. Furthermore, no incidence of hypotension or bradycardia requiring intervention was observed at different time intervals, throughout the study period, in both groups. Conclusion: The dose of propofol is lesser when low‑dose suxamethonium (0.1 mg/kg) precedes its use for induction during LMA insertion, and there is a reduction in the duration of apnea; however, it causes a higher apnea incidence. Vital signs were similar in the two study groups

Effects of Scientific Collaboration between Domestic and Foreign Authors on Quality Indices of Journals

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of scientific collaboration between domestic (Iranian) and foreign authors on their quality indices in articles published in Iranian medical journals, indexed in the Web of Science citation database. The present scientometric study was conducted on the 22 Iranian medical journals that indexed in Web of Science from 2010 to 2016. Using stratified systematic random sampling method and Cochran formula, the sample size was determined 1230 articles. The data analysis was performed by Microsoft Excel and descriptive methods. The qualitative indices were determined using the Klimogrof-Smirnov test, Kruskal-Wallis test and correlation coefficient. The results revealed that 4.66 percent of the articles were compiled by Iranian authors, 29 percent written by foreign authors and 6.4 percent was written by scientific collaboration between Iranian and foreign authors. The average number of authors for each article was 4.9. The journals that have articles which have Iranian authors have a lower Impact Factor (0.69%) than the journal's articles which is the product of the collaboration of Iranian and foreign authors (0.82%). In conclusion, international collaboration in the writing of articles has a direct effect on qualitative indexes of articles, including Impact Factor, 5-years Impact Factor, Immediacy index and journal's Impact Factor