Towards a Model of E-Learning in Nigerian Higher Institutions: An Evolutionary Software Modelling Approach

This paper presents an ongoing study on the development of an e-learning scheme in a particular higher institution in Nigeria. E-learning is an evolving technology that has become a new paradigm for delivering online and distance learning programmes to users. However, the strength of recent e-learning systems lies in the emergence of Web 2.0 tools which have influenced e-learning systems in terms of pedagogy and delivery. We introduce an evolutionary software modelling in developing an e-learning platform. The paper argues that rather than developing a model with distinct phases and components that make it difficult to respond to changing users requirements, the development should be broken down into increments with required users' priority for later increments. This approach further increase efficiency and flexibility of the development as well as quality and reusability of the results. We conclude that if the scheme is fully integrated, limitations of the traditional system of learning will be eradicated in the institution of our case study and other institutions interested in adopting the scheme. Keywords: E-learning, Evolutionary modelling, Polytechnics education, Web tool

Assessment of cotton-seed (Gossypium species) meal as ingredient in the diet of Clarias gariepinus juveniles

The effect of feeding graded levels of cotton GossypiumSpp. seed meal as an inclusion in the diet of Clariasgariepinus juveniles for growth performance was analysed in comparison with the conventional commercial fish feed. Six experimental rations formulated were cotton-seed Gossypium spp. meal replaced fish meal at graded levels of 20%, 30%, 40% 50%, and 100% and were fed to Clarias gariepinus juveniles for 56 days. The experiment was conducted in six outdoor concrete tanks in the Department of Biological Sciences Garden, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Data for each parameter were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the means for various experimental diets were compared for significant differences at 0.05% level of inclusion. The results showed that fish fed with diet contained 20% cottonseed meal (D1) gave the best Body Weight Gain (81.28g), Specific Growth Rate (2.23), and Condition Factor (1.49), while diet contained 30% cottonseed meal (D2) gave the least Weight Gain (49.67g), Specific Growth Rate (1.58) Conversion Ratio (3.64) and Condition factor (0.79). The results were significantly different (p<0.05) for both growth and feed utilization parameters. Therefore, cotton-seed meal can be used as a replacement for fish meal at 20% level of inclusion. The results established significant reduction in production cost while optimal production is achieved.Keywords: Cotton-seed (Gossypium species), Diet, Growth performance, Clariasgariepinus juvenile

Optimization and Predictive Models on Strengths and Durability of Reinforced Laterized Concrete

The increasing demand for fine aggregates in turn has led to the astronomical increase in the cost of procuring construction materials thereby making it difficult to meet the shelter provision requirement of the teeming population of a country such as Nigeria. This study aims at optimizing and developing predictive models on the strengths and durability of reinforced laterized concrete using response surface methods with laterite being used as a partial replacement of fine aggregate in reinforced concrete. In this study, the optimized laterite content was determined at replacement level of laterite to fine aggregates at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% with a mix ratio of 1:2:4 and a water cement ratio of 0.65, while for the water absorption, the percentages replacement of laterite to fine aggregates was 0, 10 and 20%. The results of the strength and the durability obtained from the laboratory were subjected to statistical analysis using design expert software version 13(2021). The strength and the durability were found to be 19.044 N/mm2, 27.304 N/mm2 and 3.809% for the compressive strength, flexural strength and water absorption at 10% laterite content at 28 days curing age. It was concluded that, to achieve the maximum strength (compressive and flexural) and durability requirements of laterized concrete should be produced by replacing fine aggregate with 10% laterite and cured at 28 days. The developed models could be used for the predictions of desired strengths and durability of the reinforced laterized concrete

Appraisal of Asphalt Concrete with Coal Bottom Ash as Mineral Filler

This study was conducted to access the performance of asphalt concrete produced with coal bottom ash as partial replacement of cement in the mineral filler. The Marshal Mix design method of hot mix asphalt (HMA) samples preparation and testing was adopted. Fifteen (15) samples of HMA compacted and used for volumetric and stability testing at a varying percentage of bitumen contents (5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0%,) following the Asphalt Institute and Nigeria General Specification for Road and Bridges (NGSRB) approach for determining optimum bitumen content (OBC). An Optimum bitumen content of 5.5 % was obtained and used throughout the study. Another set of 15 samples of the HMA were prepared and compacted at varying percentage replacement of cement with CBA in the order of 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35% by volume of cement to determine the optimum dosage of the coal bottom ash that will satisfy the requirements for the strength and durability of wearing course of flexible pavement. The Marshall Stability, flow, and the volumetric properties test results obtained indicated that the samples prepared with 25% CBA as filler with OBC of 5.5% satisfied the requirements of the NGSRB for wearing course of flexible pavement. Hence, the addition of up to 25% CBA by volume of cement in asphalt concrete can reduce the consumption of cement and provide a proper means of CBA disposal

Using Pavement Condition Index to Evaluate the Condition of Flexible and Rigid Pavements

Pavement deterioration is a continuous problem that reduces the service lifetime of the roads if they're not treated before they get worsen. Generally, quality of the materials and construction isn’t the sole reason, if so, still they'll be controlled by periodic inspection and maintenance. Pavement condition index is one amongst the effective parameters that is important to be observed for each road and suggested to be updated each year. The objective of this study is to calculate PCI for two roads in Sulaimani city, including both flexible and rigid pavement. The procedure of ASTM D6433 was followed for visual observation of the defects and total station instrument was used for locating the real coordinate of the defects on the roads for any actions to be taken. A 720m long Badinan Road surveyed for rigid pavement and it had been found that due to lack periodic maintenances, transverse joints spalled and widened with some other defects that resulted an overall PCI of 41.1 (Fair). For flexible pavement a 1620m long Hawary Shar road surveyed, although transverse and longitudinal cracking were major defects within the road with some other sorts of defects, but the road performed with a PCI of 95.5 (Excellent). Some maintenance procedures were recommended for both pavement type based on the severity level of the defects

Effects of Load Ratio Variation on the Safety of Timber Concrete Composite Floor

This paper presents the structural reliability appraisal of timber concrete composite floor designed in line with Eurocode 5 (2004) and Eurocode 2, (2004). Limit state expressions for timber concrete composite floor subdued to tension, bending, tension and bending, shear and compression were generated and their entailed reliability degrees were assessed. The basic variables associated with the design are considered to be random variables with their properties espoused from the previous studies. Reliability analysis was performed using reliability mothed i.e. first order reliability method (FORM) owing to assess the safety levels of the composite floor structural elements by considering six different modes of failure. The analysis comprised of different selected species of softwood, hard wood and glue laminated timber whose strength class were obtained from BS EN 338, 2008 and concrete of strength class C30 from Eurocode 2. The results obtained disclosed that safety indices decrease as the load ratio steps up that led to cut down of the strength. It was detected that timber with strength classes D70, D50 and C50 are safe against all different failure modes looked at except C50 and D50 against shear failure at load ratio of 1, 1.5 and 2. It was conclude timber of strength classes D70, D50 and C50 would reliable for the construction of composite floor i.e. timber-concrete floor

Optimum Portland Cement-Guinea Corn Husk Ash Blend as Filler in Hot Mix Asphalt

Abstract- Dwindling natural resources and the negative environmental impact that comes with the industrial processing of construction materials are the driving forces to man’s quest for cleaner (green) and cheaper alternative construction materials. Among such alternatives include agricultural wastes. Guinea corn husk ash (GCHA), an agricultural waste obtained from the incineration of Guinea corn husk, has shown potentials of been used as filler material in hot mix asphalt due to its pozzolanic properties. Thus, this research aims to assess the strength and durability properties of hot mix asphalt with the incorporation of GCHA as a partial replacement for filler (cement). Marshal mix design method was used to determine the optimum bitumen content (OBC) at no GCHA content (control mix) within the bitumen content range prescribed by Nigerian general specifications for roads and bridges (NGSRB) for bituminous courses in flexible pavements. This OBC was used to determine the optimum GCHA by replacing the primary filler with GCHA up to 45% in increments of 5%. Marshal indices and volumetric properties of samples prepared at each replacement level were determined according to relevant standards. Mixtures containing up to 20% Portland cement replacement with GCHA were found to produce competitive results against the control mix (only cement as filler). Thus, Marshall indices and volumetric properties of mixtures containing up to 20% cement replacement GCHA satisfy the minimu

Interventional programs for community reintegration after spinal cord injury: a scoping review

Advances in healthcare and technology have led to increased survival rates after spinal cord injury (SCI). To facilitate recovery, regain function, and promote quality of life after SCI, rehabilitation in the acute care setting is of paramount importance. After discharge from acute care, there is difficulty in accessing appropriate intervention to facilitate community rein-tegration. This review examined the content, strengths, limitations, and effectiveness of existing community reintegration intervention programs after SCI to promote the adoption of the existing programs or the development of new interventions for individuals with SCI in a low-resource setting. We conducted a review of the literature using Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework. Six electronic databases were searched from the database inception to September 2022, including Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Sabinet, and Global Health. A manual search of the selected references was also conducted. Seven articles met our inclusion criteria. Overall, 290 individuals participated in the included studies, 80% of the participants were males, and the majority of the participants had an injury at the thoracic level. The studies presented different interventional programs with varying contents addressing different aspects of community reintegration such as household duties, mobility, health maintenance, and recre-ation. All the identified programs have evidence of preliminary effectiveness in some domains of community reintegration (e.g., household duties, mobility, and health). However, most available programs are geared toward addressing a specific aspect of community reintegration and may not be suitable for individuals with complex needs. A robust program that encompasses all critical aspects of community reintegration (housing and household duties, mobility, recreation, health maintenance, pain management, sexuality, social support, and employment) may be required. Therefore, further development and validation of existing programs are warranted

Neonatal sepsis and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries from a facility-based birth cohort: an international multisite prospective observational study

Background Neonatal sepsis is a primary cause of neonatal mortality and is an urgent global health concern, especially within low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 99% of global neonatal mortality occurs. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence and associations with neonatal sepsis and all-cause mortality in facility-born neonates in LMICs. Methods The Burden of Antibiotic Resistance in Neonates from Developing Societies (BARNARDS) study recruited mothers and their neonates into a prospective observational cohort study across 12 clinical sites from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. Data for sepsis-associated factors in the four domains of health care, maternal, birth and neonatal, and living environment were collected for all mothers and neonates enrolled. Primary outcomes were clinically suspected sepsis, laboratory-confirmed sepsis, and all-cause mortality in neonates during the first 60 days of life. Incidence proportion of livebirths for clinically suspected sepsis and laboratory-confirmed sepsis and incidence rate per 1000 neonate-days for all-cause mortality were calculated. Modified Poisson regression was used to investigate factors associated with neonatal sepsis and parametric survival models for factors associated with all-cause mortality. Findings Between Nov 12, 2015 and Feb 1, 2018, 29 483 mothers and 30 557 neonates were enrolled. The incidence of clinically suspected sepsis was 166·0 (95% CI 97·69–234·24) per 1000 livebirths, laboratory-confirmed sepsis was 46·9 (19·04–74·79) per 1000 livebirths, and all-cause mortality was 0·83 (0·37–2·00) per 1000 neonate-days. Maternal hypertension, previous maternal hospitalisation within 12 months, average or higher monthly household income, ward size (>11 beds), ward type (neonatal), living in a rural environment, preterm birth, perinatal asphyxia, and multiple births were associated with an increased risk of clinically suspected sepsis, laboratory-confirmed sepsis, and all-cause mortality. The majority (881 [72·5%] of 1215) of laboratory-confirmed sepsis cases occurred within the first 3 days of life. Interpretation Findings from this study highlight the substantial proportion of neonates who develop neonatal sepsis, and the high mortality rates among neonates with sepsis in LMICs. More efficient and effective identification of neonatal sepsis is needed to target interventions to reduce its incidence and subsequent mortality in LMICs. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation