Effects of strategic leadership, organizational innovativeness, information technology capability on effective strategy implementation

This study investigated the determinants of perceived organizational strategy implementation among public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Primarily, the study explored the effects of Strategic Leadership (SL), Organizational Innovativeness (OI) and Information Technology Capability (ITC) on Effective Strategy Implementation (ESI). More precisely the direct effect of SL, OI and ITC on ESI were assessed. The study also examines the moderating effect of ITC on SL and OI on ESI. Thirteen (13) public tertiary institutions were considered by the research. One hundred and four (104) deans who serves as the research respondents were sampled out of the population total of 143 deans from the institutions. Hand delivery of questionnaires was used to solicit information from the respondents. Partial Least Squares Method (PLS 2) algorithm and bootstrap techniques were used to test the study hypotheses. The results provided support for most of the hypothesized relationship for the study. Specifically, SL, OI and ITC are found to be significant and positively affect organizational ESI. Additionally, ITC has been found to significantly moderate the relationship between SI and perceive ESI. While negative moderating effect of ITC was found between OI and perceive ESI. PIIT theory as well as Diffusion of Innovation Theory were partly considered as probable reasons for the negative finding. Therefore, significant positive effects of SL, OI and ITC suggest that the variables are important in facilitating ESI. As such, public tertiary institutions should be encouraged to demonstrate these behaviours for enhanced success of organizational strategy implementation. Enhanced success of effective strategy implementation could improve the overall effective function of the organizations. Contributions, limitations, and implications of the study were also discussed

Positron emision [i.e. emission] tomography (PET) in non-malignant chest diseases

Molecular imaging is a functional imaging that identify disease in its earliest stages and determine the exact location of metabolically active tissue such as tumours. Often before symptoms occur or abnormalities can be detected with other diagnostic tests. Two simultaneous studies to explore the potentials of Positron Emission tomography (PET) have been conducted. In the first study, the role of PET in pulmonary drug deposition has been evaluated whereas in the second study, it’s potential in monitoring disease progression and treatment response monitoring in IPF has been discovered.Gamma imaging such as planer and Single Photon Emission computed tomography (SPECT) have been used for decades in the imaging of pulmonary drug deposition, despite numerous advantage of PET very few studies were found in the literature. Two studies were conducted using in-house developed lung surrogate phantom and Andersen cascade impactor to demonstrate PET role in pulmonary drug deposition. The lung surrogate phantom study is a ‘’proof of concept’’ in which series of experiments was conducted leading to the development of a usable model. Each experimental procedure was conducted repeatedly over time to reduce the level of experimental errors. To my knowledge, this is the first phantom experiment quantifying the deposition pattern of aerosolized [18F]-FDG while mimicking human tidal breathing. In a separate experiment the Andersen cascade impactor (ACI) have been used to measure distribution of beclometasone dipropionate (BDP), formoterol fumarate dihydrate (FFA) as well as [18F]-2-fluorp-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]-FDG) along the stages of ACI.The overall activity deposition within the phantom; cylinder and the extra-pulmonary section of the tube were 8.07 ± 3.51MBq. The deposition within the cylinder (lung surrogate) was 6.27 ± 2.55MBq. The average total internal dose (phantom cylinders and the extra-pulmonary section of the tube was calculated to be 0.2mSv/PET scan. These results are expected in human clinical trial under similar experimental conditions.The Aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD) along the fractionating part of the AIM comprises of large particle mass (LPM) and small particle mass (SPM). The LPM is APSD >5μg deposited on stage 1 (representing to upper respiratory tract), whereas, the SPM comprised of the particle size 1-5 μg and < 1 μg deposited on stage 2 (representing the small airways and lung parenchyma) and an exhalation filter. In general, the deposition of the drugs and [18F]-FDG within the fractionating part of the impactor was predominantly within 1-5μg, which is a desirable fine particle fraction (FPF) of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) leading to pulmonary deposition.The potentials of PET imaging in pulmonary drug deposition has been demonstrated in these experiments using lung surrogate phantom and cascade impactor. [18F]-FDG PET imaging has the potentials in providing better understanding of regional distribution of pulmonary drug deposition. Standardization of these methods will enable PET imaging to be used in pulmonary drug development.In the second study, A retrospective studies using PET data was carried out to measure uptake of [18F]-FDG in the region of apparently normal lung in IPF. This was compared to normal control lung images to ascertain differences in their uptake value.HRCT is the current gold standard imaging the diagnosis of IPF. Recently there is growing interest in exploring the potentials of PET imaging in the disease progression and treatment response monitoring in IPF.Patients with IPF that had undergone PET-CT imaging for investigation of concomitant cancer diagnosis were identified retrospectively in a single interstitial lung disease (ILD) tertiary referral centre. Non IPF patients that had a PET-CT scan in the same centre for cancer diagnosis without non-malignant lung disease were identified to form two control groups: a lung cancer control group and a control group with no evidence of intra-thoracic disease (extra-thoracic malignancy controls). These two control groups were identified to allow assessment of whether the presence of thoracic malignancy effected [18F]-FDG uptake. In the event of no effect being identified, a pooled analysis comparing IPF patients and all controls was planned.No difference in standard uptake value (SUV) Maximum (Max) and SUV mean uptake was observed in the mean of 4 (Region of Interest) ROIs between lung cancer controls and extra-thoracic malignancy controls in all 3 normalizations (SUV Max body weight (BW), SUV body surface area (BSA) and SUV activity concentration (AC)) and therefore data from these groups were pooled for comparison with IPF patients. The SUV Max and SUV mean of radiologically normal lung in IPF patients was significantly higher than the normal lung in controls. However, the CT number/Hounsfield unit of the IPF patients and the control group are comparable. In addition, 20 textural features were identified in each ROI both in CT and PET data sets. Five out of the twenty CT textural features shows significant differences between the 2 controls as such, they were excluded. Fifteen were pooled together for comparison with IPF patients. Five out of the fifteen CT textural features shows significant differences when compared with IPF and all are consistent with five features that shows significant difference in PET dataset.Increase [18F]-FDG PET signal within areas of areas of apparently normal lung parenchyma has been demonstrated using SUV with 3 different normalization methods as well as using textural feature analysis. These findings have shown the heterogeneous nature of the disease process indicating the possibility of the disease activity within the apparently normal lung CT lung images. These finding may provide insight into the pathogenesis of the disease and may be helpful in monitoring the disease progression and treatment response

Secured Data Communication using Steganography

Secured data communication is highly needed in today’s communication media like internet due to vulnerable of confidential resource in a network which can be easily hack. This reason makes the researchers and other users to start research in order to have good techniques which will improve the security of any confidential resource in a network; one of the techniques is steganography. The main contributions of this paper are to design and implement an application that will embed the secret information in an image by using LSB. This approach is the simplest and straight forward in steganography technique. Due to the redundant pixel in image the embedding secret information in a LSB of cover image will not change the stego image in such a way that can easily detected as stego image. The copyright control is added, this will improve the security of stego image by providing stego key which will help to control in controlling copyright. The communication can be carryout with this secured technique because the small changes in LSB of image pixel will make the cover image and stego image no difference. Even if the image is detected, the copyright control prevents the unauthorized user (third party) from accessing secret information. With this method the communication security is improved

Framework of the Existing Patterns of Residential Segregation and Housing Quality in Nigeria

Residential segregation, the spatial separation of population sub-groups within a given geographical area, is a phenomenon which is prevalent in both developed and developing countries like Nigeria. This study sought to contribute to existing knowledge by reviewing the existing patterns of residential segregation and housing quality in Nigeria, and developing a framework for the existing patterns of residential segregation and housing quality. The study established that the existing residential segregation patterns are based mainly on religion, ethnicity, age and income; and the factors responsible for residential segregation in the study area are individual and aggregate socioeconomic characteristics, individual preference/taste/choice of neighbourhood and political/institutional factors. While the indicators of housing quality in the study area are building design, type of roofing and wall materials, condition and age of buildings, the type of internal facilities and the source of lighting. And the framework showed that there is a relationship between the factors responsible for residential segregation and housing quality in the study area. Keywords: Framework, Patterns, Residential Segregation, Housing Quality, Bauch

Research Framework Development on the Effect of Intangible Location Attributes on the Values of Residential Properties in Jos, Nigeria

Many previous researchers in the field of residential property value focused their attention on many tangible location factors which form the basis of residential property value. A critical look at these existing models and postulations revealed that residential property value is determined by many factors. It could be established that all these theories have some discrepancies as only few look at some intangible location attributes as indicators of land and landed property value. This study is aimed at developing a research framework that incorporate intangible location attributes as factors that determine and influence the values of residential properties in the study area. The research framework gives an insight into the nature of the research, that is, whether deductive or inductive approach is to be employed. It helps in identifying the research gap which the study seeks to fill in. The theoretical and conceptual framework were described and explained so as to have a clear focus in the conduct of the research. The research framework was primarily developed in order to answer all the research questions, objectives and hypothesis that might be used in the later part of the study. It can be concluded that research on the influence of intangible location attributes on the values of residential properties become imperative and essential due to the fact that few and very little research were conducted in this very important aspect of residential property value indicators. This research is absolutely a pioneering study into the effect of intangible location attributes on the values of residential properties in Jos metropolis, Nigeria. Further research efforts need to be carried out in other cities of Nigeria, to ascertain the general application of present findings. Keywords: Conceptual Framework, Intangible Location Attributes, Residential Property Value, Theoretical Framework and Violenc

Ethno-Religious Violence and Neighbourhood Facilities Provision: Evidence From Jos, Nigeria

Neighbourhood facilities could be seen as auxiliary or ancillary infrastructural utilities and services that are essential part of residential accommodation. The value or worth of housing accommodation is being determined and assessed by looking at the nearby, surrounding and adjoining community public facilities, utilities and services that enhance and improve quality of life of the residents of such area. As a result of the persisting crises and violence that are witnessed in Jos metropolis, neighbourhood facilities were greatly affected. The provision, availability and maintenance of such community infrastructures in Jos are negatively affected and curtailed by the ongoing chaos. The study is aimed at examining the effect of sectarian violence and civil unrest on the provision, availability and maintenance of community facilities, utilities and services in Jos. Proportionate and stratified random sampling techniques were employed so as to generate the sample upon which the questionnaires would be administered. The study adopted different tools of analysis which include: tables, graphs, charts and discussions. The findings revealed that ethno-religious violence influence the provision, availability and maintenance of existing neighbourhood facilities in the study area. The implication of the study lies in the fact that neighbourhood facilities in the areas that are considered as safe zones were found to be in good state of repair as opposed to the unsafe zones. Therefore, the values of residential properties would rise in areas that are violent free and vice versa. The study recommends that neighbourhood facilities should be provided in all the areas affected by the crisis. The government should provide security in all the unsafe areas in order to prevent against vandalizing of the neighbourhood facilities. Keywords: Ethno-religious Violence, Neighbourhood Facilities, Property Values, Services and Utilitie

Residential Segregation and Existing Neighbourhood Pattern in

Residential segregation could be regarded as a process whereby two or more distinct communities who formerly lived together separate from one another due to many factors. Residential segregation is not only applicable to small communities but rather to a larger region. As a result of the ongoing civil unrest that engulfed the city of Jos, there has been a process of residential mobility and relocation among people of different faith. The paper is aimed at examining the implication of intangible location attributes on residential mobility, segregation and relocation in Jos town. Stratified random sampling technique was employed in order to come up with the sample needed to conduct the research. The data needed for the research were retrieved through structured, semi-structured and unstructured interview method of data collection. A qualitative method and approach of data analysis through the use of a thematic network analysis was incorporated in order to analyse the data gotten from the interview survey. The results uncovered that residential segregation in the study area leads to change in the residential pattern of Jos town. The variations and trends in the sales and rental value of residential properties were greatly affected as a result of the persisting residential segregation. The research concludes that residential segregation has a great implication on land and landed property value as variations in the values of residential properties is noticeable. There is a need for those in authority to take a decisive action in order to overcome and halt the persisting mobility and relocation in the study area. Keywords: existing neighbourhood pattern, residential mobility, residential pattern, residential relocation and residential segregation