Makerspaces Realities in Nigerian Academic Libraries

Makerspaces and varying new technologies are exciting services now being offered in libraries, particularly academic libraries. The paper focuses on the reality of maker space in academic libraries in Nigeria. Creativity and innovation are the biggest parts of makerspace thus; implementing makerspaces programs into academic libraries also allows students to engage in critical thinking and active learning outside of the classroom. The paper examined the concept of makerspaces as a learning space as well as the value of maker space in academic libraries. The paper itemized steps to developing a successful makerspaces in academic libraries in Nigeria. Also, the paper identified the perceived challenges of creating makerspace in academic libraries in Nigeria, notable among them are technophobia, funding challenges, inadequate spaces, among others; the paper concluded the need to have makerspaces in academic libraries in Nigeria and the need for stakeholders in the educational sector to maximally support and embrace this innovation

INFORMATION NEED, ACCESS, AND USE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE AND FAMILY PLANNING BY RURAL DWELLERS IN IDO AND AKINYELE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA.

Information is a resource of immeasurable value to both rural and urban dwellers. The information available to any individual per time determines to a large extent the decision such an individual will take on issues. The rural areas in Nigeria are often bedeviled with lack of basic infrastructures that could have enhanced the welfare of its inhabitants. Rural areas in Nigeria are characterised with poor roads, lack of pipe borne water, lack of standard schools and health facilities, inadequate or total lack of electricity among others. The information available to the rural man/woman cannot be compared to that of their urban counterparts. The urban dwellers enjoys regular power supply, have opportunity to attend seminars/workshops, have access to standard health facilities; all these give the urban dwellers better exposure to information compared to rural dwellers. This, without missing words will directly or indirectly affect decisions rural dweller will take on issues compared to his/her urban counterparts

Awareness and use of electronic databases by postgraduates in the University of Ibadan

Globalisation through modern information and communication technology (ICT) is revolutionising the conduct of teaching and research in universities all over the world, particularly in developing countries such as Nigeria. One significant impact of globalisation, information and communication technology on teaching and research in developing countries is access to global information resources by researchers and postgraduate students of the universities. The university remains a centre of excellence, a citadel of learning, and more importantly the epitome of research

Awareness and use of electronic databases by postgraduates in the University of Ibadan.

This study investigated the awareness and use of electronic databases by postgraduates in the University of Ibadan. A descriptive survey research design was adopted and questionnaire was used for data collection. The sample for the study was drawn from the population through simple Random sampling technique, and a total of 131 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved and analyzed with simple percentage, mean, mean ratings and standard deviation. Findings showed that 66.4% of the postgraduate students were generally aware of electronic databases but very few of the students were aware of each of the electronic databases that were available in the university. It was discovered that majority of the respondents used electronic databases to a high extent for carrying research work, literature searching, generate new information and to update knowledge. Results from the analysis also showed that the frequent use of the electronic databases by postgraduate students was low. The major hindrances to using electronic databases were found to be slow internet connectivity, incessant power outrage, no access to full text of citation/abstracts and inadequate infrastructure for accessing electronic resources It was recommended that librarians should make these electronic databases known to postgraduate students by educating them on its uses and benefits and to develop their information retrieval skills

Mineralogy, Physicochemical Characteristics and Industrial Potential of Some Residual Clay Deposits within Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria

Residual clay deposits overlying Precambrian Basement Complex situated at Orin, Igbara Odo, Ikere and Ado Ekiti were investigated using several analytical techniques. Field evidence supported by mineralogical and physicochemical analyses suggests that the kaolinitic clay deposits is a product of hydrothermal and in-situ weathering of aplite, and granite. Kaolinite is the predominant clay mineral of the studied clay deposits with subordinate quartz, potassium iron oxide and aluminium phosphatic minerals. There is localised occurrence of halloysite. The absence of vanadium in the EDS data of rolled into tubes kaolinite sheets of Ado Ekiti clay match up with XRF data. This result trend combined with field observation suggests that clay bodies formed from weathering of feldspar is deficient in vanadium. The study suggests that morphology of kaolinitic minerals is influenced by the kind of parent material (i.e. feldspars or micas) and degree of chemical weathering. The pH values of pore water from clay samples range from 7.14 - 9.08. The electrical conductivities (EC) of the clay/water slurries (S/L ratio) range from 0.004mS/cm – 3.02mS/cm.  The oxidation reduction potential (ORP) values range between -62.4 and – 6.8 for the solids or slurries prepared with water. The dissolved oxygen (DO) values range from 6.73ppm – 7.26ppm for solids or slurries prepared with water. The loss on ignition ranges from 2.24-13.39. The SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio of 1.40 and 1.50 for Orin and Ikere clay bodies indicated that a 1:1 clay mineral was the dominant component. The high chemical index of alteration (CIA = 77.97~98.64) and chemical index of weathering (CIW = 97.21~99.93) values probably indicated the complete weathering of feldspars to kaolinite. The weathering index of Parker (WIP) values grouped the analysed clay samples into moderate to intense degree of weathering. This observation is confirmed by the absence of detrital feldspar in the XRD spectra peak. Factor analysis showed enrichment and depletion of major and trace elements which could be attributed to moderate to intense leaching conditions of the presumed parent material. The data shows explicit relationship between the clayeyness value (Al2O3/SiO2 ratio), the relative base loss (RBL) and the cation exchange capacity (CEC). Cluster analysis of major and trace elements showed two groups of chemical differences amongst the elements in the clays; moderate and intense degree of weathered clays. Nevertheless, the variations in the degree of weathering or leaching process have greater contribution to clay deposits differentiation. Assessment of the industrial potential of the studied clay bodies based on their physical and chemical characteristics revealed that they are suitable for the production of refractory bricks and ceramics. Suitable processing would be compulsory if they are to meet the requirements for other industrial applications, such as rubber, paper, paint, cosmetics, and fertilizer industries. Keywords: Clay; Mineralogy; Physicochemical characteristics; Weathering indices; Pore water; Multivariable analysis; Igbara Odo Ekiti; Ikere Ekiti; Ado Ekiti

Musculoskeletal imaging authority, levels of training, attitude, competence, and utilisation among clinical physiotherapists in Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: Direct-access physiotherapy practice has led to a global review of the use of differential-diagnostic modalities such as musculoskeletal imaging (MI) in physiotherapy. OBJECTIVE: To explore the MI authority, levels of training, attitude, utilisation, and competence among clinical physiotherapists in Nigeria. METHODS: This national cross-sectional study analysed a voluntary response sample of 400 Nigerian physiotherapists that completed the online version of the Physiotherapist’s Musculoskeletal Imaging Profiling Questionnaire (PMIPQ), using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Friedman’s ANOVA tests. RESULTS: Of the 400 participants, 93.2% believed that physiotherapists should use MI in clinical practice. However, only 79.8% reported having MI authority in their practice settings. The participants’ median (interquartile range) levels of training =10 (24) and competence =16 (24) were moderate. Nonetheless, levels of training (χ2 [15] = 1285.899, p = 0.001), and competence (χ2 [15] = 1310.769, p < 0.001) differed across MI procedures. The level of training and competence in x-ray referral and utilisation was significantly higher than magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scan, ultrasonography, scintigraphy, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, in that order (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the levels of training and competence (rho =0.61, p < 0.001). The participants had a positive attitude =32 (32) and occasionally used MI in clinical practice =21 (28). CONCLUSION: Majority of the respondents believed they had MI authority although there was no explicit affirmation of MI authority in the Nigerian Physiotherapy Practice Act. Participants had a positive attitude towards MI. However, levels of MI training, competence, and utilisation were moderate. Our findings have legislative and curriculum implications

A population-based estimation of maternal mortality in Lagos State, Nigeria using the indirect sisterhood method.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and delivery deaths represent a risk to women, particularly those living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This population-based survey was conducted to provide estimates of the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Lagos Nigeria. METHODS: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in mapped Wards and Enumeration Areas (EA) of all Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Lagos, among 9,986 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) from April to August 2022 using a 2-stage cluster sampling technique. A semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire adapted from nationally representative surveys was administered using REDCap by trained field assistants for data collection on socio-demographics, reproductive health, fertility, and maternal mortality. Data were analysed using SPSS and MMR was estimated using the indirect sisterhood method. Ethical approval was obtained from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Health Research and Ethics Committee. RESULTS: Most of the respondents (28.7%) were aged 25-29 years. Out of 546 deceased sisters reported, 120 (22%) died from maternal causes. Sisters of the deceased aged 20-24 reported almost half of the deaths (46.7%) as due to maternal causes, while those aged 45-49 reported the highest number of deceased sisters who died from other causes (90.2%). The total fertility rate (TFR) was calculated as 3.807, the Lifetime Risk (LTR) of maternal death was 0.0196 or 1-in-51, and the MMR was 430 per 100,000 [95% CI: 360-510]. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that the maternal mortality rate for Lagos remains unacceptable and has not changed significantly over time in actual terms. There is need to develop and intensify community-based intervention strategies, programs for private hospitals, monitor MMR trends, identify and contextually address barriers at all levels of maternal care

Optimal Location, Sizing, and Appropriate Technology Selection of Distributed Generators for Minimizing Power Loss Using Genetic Algorithm

Genetic algorithm (GA) is utilized to select most suitable Distributed Generator (DG) technology for optimal operation of power system as well as determine the optimal location and size of the DG to minimize power loss on the network. Three classes of DG technologies, synchronous generators, asynchronous generators, and induction generators, are considered and included as part of the variables for the optimization problem. IEEE 14-bus network is used to test the applicability of the algorithm. The result reveals that the developed algorithm is able to successfully select the most suitable DG technology and optimally size and place the DGs to minimize power loss in the network. Furthermore, optimum multiple placement of DG is considered to see the possible impact on power loss in the network. The result reveals that multiple placements can further reduce the power loss in the network

Awareness and use of electronic databases by postgraduates in the University of Ibadan.

This study investigated the awareness and use of electronic databases by postgraduates in the University of Ibadan. A descriptive survey research design was adopted and questionnaire was used for data collection. The sample for the study was drawn from the population through simple Random sampling technique, and a total of 131 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved and analyzed with simple percentage, mean, mean ratings and standard deviation. Findings showed that 66.4% of the postgraduate students were generally aware of electronic databases but very few of the students were aware of each of the electronic databases that were available in the university. It was discovered that majority of the respondents used electronic databases to a high extent for carrying research work, literature searching, generate new information and to update knowledge. Results from the analysis also showed that the frequent use of the electronic databases by postgraduate students was low. The major hindrances to using electronic databases were found to be slow internet connectivity, incessant power outrage, no access to full text of citation/abstracts and inadequate infrastructure for accessing electronic resources It was recommended that librarians should make these electronic databases known to postgraduate students by educating them on its uses and benefits and to develop their information retrieval skills