An Assessment of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) Utilization in Two Selected University Libraries in Lagos State, Nigeria.

The main purpose of this study was to assess the computerized catalogue and its utilization in university libraries in Lagos state. Survey research method was employed for the study. The population for the study was drawn from two university libraries in Lagos state that have automated their catalogues. These libraries are the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the Lagos state University (LASU). Four research questions were formulated for the study. The instrument used to collect data for the study was the questionnaire. Undergraduate student, Postgraduate student,Researchers and Staff constituted the respondents for the study. The data obtained were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. It was found out that the computerized catalogue is a very important service for any librarysystem, because this has helped the users in their information seeking. Some problems faced with Computerized Catalogues include shortage of terminals, improper working OPAC modules and lack of proper orientation. The need to acquire necessary software, need for proper orientation as well as provision of more OPAC terminals were recommended

Effect of Sowing Dates, Intra-Row Spacings and Nitrogen Fertilizers of the Productivity of Red Variant Roselle (Hibiscus sabdarifa L)

Field experiments were conducted during the rainy seasons (June - Odober) of 1999 and 2000, at the research farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria to study the effects of some agronomic practices on the growth and yield of roselle. Three agronomic practices (sowing dates, intra-row spacing and nitrogenous fertilizer levels) at three levels each, were factorially combined to give a total of 27 treatment combinations. These were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Most of the results obtained were highly significant (P50.01). Sowing dates (June) gave the highest mean calyx (2035.15 kg/ha) and seed (2391.19 kg/ha) yields in both years. Intra-row spacing (80 em) gave the highest mean calyx (1651.11 kg/ha) and seed (2024.40 kg/ha) yields. Also, application of 60 kg N/ha gave the highest mean calyx (1671.99 kg/ha) and seed (2067.36 kg/ha) yields. It is evident from the results of this experiment that, the earlier the sowing of dates, the wider the intra-row spacing and the higher the nitrogenous fertilizer level, the higher the productivity of red variant roselle. Sequel to these facts, roselle sown in June at intra-row spacing of 80 em should be applied with 60 kg N / ha for optimum productivity in the study area

An Alternative Choice in Heighting

Comparison of orthometric heights obtained from the combination of GPS/Levelling survey method with that obtained from Lidar, Srtm, and Astergdem data is an area of research which is of great interest to Geomaticians. This area of research makes possible the discovery of other suitable methods of determining orthometric height which can be selected for use depending on the region, extent and nature of the terrain where the project is to be executed.The X, Y, Z coordinates and the geoidal heights for all the existing controls within university of Lagos were determined using the GPS/ Levelling survey method, the required orthometric height (H) was then obtained as the differences between ellipsoidal and geoidal heights. Extracting orthometric heights for the X and Y coordinates of observed control points overlaid on each of Lidar, Srtm and Astergdem required the use of spatial analysis tool in an arc map environment. From the profile plot (Figure 3.5) of all the orthometric heights, the heights relationship was easy established. From the descriptive statistics test (Table 3.4), the one way ANOVAs test at 1% and 5% level of significance (Table 3.8), the number of points in other methods whose orthometric height is closed to that of Levelling/GPS method (Table 3.7) and correlation test on the various orthometric heights obtained (Table 3.5) it is obvious that all the applied methods operates at different spatial resolutions, of all the four methods, GPS/Levelling method was the most reliable and most accurate method followed by lidar method, then by astergdem method and Srtm has the least. In a nutshell, Orthometric heights generated by method of Lidar are very close to that generated by GPS/Levelling method at several stations, thus method of Lidar was considered as the most suitable alternative to GPS/Levelling method, whenever the use of later method cannot be easily accomplished.

Performance characteristics and egg quality of Commercial Layers Fed Processed Mango Seed Kernel meal at varying inclusion levels

The effect of dietary inclusion of mango seed kernel meal (MSKM) was investigated in commercial layers using 390 twelve weeks growing pullets. The mango seed kernel was cut opened sliced and divided into four equal parts. First part was soaked in cold water for 24 hours then drained and sundried. Second part was soaked in lye for 24 hours drained and sundried while the third part was parboiled for 20 minutes then sundried and the last part was sundried only. These were then used to formulate twelve experimental diets and one control diet. Birds were fed for a period of 8 and 12 weeks during growing and laying phase respectively. Growth performance, egg production and quality parameter were monitored. A significant (P<0.05) difference was recorded in the final weight, weekly weight gain and feed conversion ratio with 15% parboiled having the overall best performance. Egg production performance took a different dimension, birds placed on 10% lye treated MSKM based diet had the best results in feed intake per 30 eggs and cost of feed per tray of egg. Laying birds placed on 20% sundried MSKM based diet was least performed. All parboiled MSKM based diets proved to be better than the control. Haugh unit and yolk index were influenced significantly (P<0.05) by the utilization of differently processed MSKM. Birds fed 15% lye and 15% cold water treated MSKM based diet produced egg with best and least haugh unit respectively

OPTIMAL ROUTE DETERMINATION FOR POSTAL DELIVERY USING ANT COLONY OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHM

There are a lot of optimization challenges in the world, as we all know. The vehicle routing problem is one of the more complex and high-level problems. Vehicle Routing Problem is a real-life problem in the Postal Delivery System logistics and, if not properly attended to, can lead to wastage of resources that could have been directed towards other things. Several studies have been carried out to tackle this problem using different techniques and algorithms. This study used the Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm along with some powerful APIs to find an optimal route for the delivery of posts to customers in a Postal Delivering System. When Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm is used to solve the vehicle routing problem in transportation systems, each Ant's journey is mere “part” of a feasible solution. To put it in another way, numerous ants' pathways might make up a viable solution. Routes are determined for a delivery vehicle, with the objective of minimizing customer waiting time and operation cost. Experimental results indicate that the solution is optimal and more accurat

Autologous blood donations and transfusions among patients undergoing elective orthopaedic, gynaecologic and elective caesarean section at a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria

Introduction: Allogeneic donor blood is becoming increasingly costly, scarce and associated with multiple risks; there is need for more conservative transfusion strategies, one of which may be adoption of Autologous Blood Donation and Transfusions (ABDT). Despite increased acceptance of ABDT by clinicians and patients in most developed world, awareness in this part of the world is still low.Materials and methods: this is a cross sectional survey of knowledge and acceptance of ABDT by patients scheduled for elective orthopaedic, gynaecologic and elective caesarean section surgeries using structured interviewer administered questionnaire on socio-demographics, clinical presentations, knowledge of blood donations and transfusions, and acceptance of ABDT. The study population comprised of 171 subjects.Results: Gynaecologic/obstetric patients were 120 (70.2%) while 51 (29.8%) of the subjects were Orthopaedic patients. Majority (43.95%) were within the age range 31-45 years, 38.6% were less than 31 years while 17.5% were older than 45 years. Females constituted the larger proportion (77.2%). Twenty one (12.3%) subjects had donated blood in the past, 45 (26.3%) had previous blood transfusions and 30 (17.5%) had knowledge of ABDT. Eight one (47.4%) of all subjects accepted ABDT for the scheduled surgeries while 123 (71.9%) subjects accepted to be voluntary blood donors after surgery. Pre-deposit is the commonest form of ABDT preferred by the subjects (66%), followed by Haemodilution (28%) and Cell salvage (6%). A significant number of the subjects who accepted ABDT were ready to become voluntary blood donors after surgery (90.1%).Conclusion: Acceptance rate as high as 47.4% was recorded in this study despite low awareness. This is higher than what was reported by most authors’ locally but similar to the findings from Europe and Asia. Pre-deposit form was the commonest ABDT acceptable to these patients.  Improving awareness on ABDT will boost voluntary blood donations and improve blood transfusion safety

Chemical composition of steam and solvent crude oil extracts from Azadirachta indica leaves

This work identifies the chemical components of Azadirachta indica (neem plant) leave extracts . A. indica is a vascular plant which belongs to the Meliaceae family and its use as herb in folk medicine is widely acclaimed. Essential oils were extracted from leaves of A. indica. Steam and solvent extraction methods were used with two sol- vents: Ethanol and Hexane. The crude oil extracted using both extraction methods were analyzed using GC–MS. The result of the analyses show that the major con- stituents were Eicosane (9.7662%), Diacenaphtho[1,2-j:1 � ,2 � -l]fluoranthene (11.301%), Phenol, 4-[[(4-methoxyphenyl)methylene]amino]- (11.84%) and (3Ar,6S,9ar)-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9a- octahydro-8-methyl-3a,6-methano-3ah-cyclopentacycloocten-10-one (36.883%) in steam extracted oil; Eicosane (10.259%), Diacenaphtho[1,2-j:1 � ,2 � -l]fluoranthene (13.51%) and Butanamide, N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxo- (16.615%) in the ethanol extracted oil, and (3Ar,6S,9ar)-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9a-octahydro-8-methyl-3a,6-methano-3ah-cyclopentacycloocten- 10-one (10.72%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (14.688%) and 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, (Z,Z,Z)- (34.719%) in the hexane extracted A. indica essential oil

Economic policy uncertainty index for Nigeria

We construct an index of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) for Nigeria following the news-based approach developed by Baker et al. (2016). The index is based on news articles published by five Nigerian newspapers over the period April 2016 – June 2023.The computed index tracks major events in the country, increasing during periods of higher uncertainties around key economic and political developments. For instance, the economic recession of 2016, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the country’s election cycles were associated with higher levels of the index. The computed index is useful for economic and policy analyses

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF NEEM LEAVES AND LEMON GRASS ESSENTIAL OIL EXTRACTS

In this study, the antimicrobial activity and phytochemical constituents of neem leaves and lemon grass oil extracts were evaluated. Oil extracts of neem leaves and lemon grass were obtained by solvent extraction method using hexane and ethanol. Antimicrobial activity screening of plants’ oil extracts were conducted using agar well diffusion method and the oil extracts were tested against three gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella specie, Escherichia coli), one gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and two fungi (Candida albicans, Rhizopus specie). Phytochemical components of the ethanolic oil extracts were anthocyanin and betacyanin; quinones; terpenoids and acid for lemon grass. In addition to other phytochemicals present in lemon grass ethanolic oil extract, neem ethanolic oil extracts tested positive to flavonoids. Lemon grass oil extract shows high activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans which are representative of the three categories of microorganisms considered. Neem leaves oil extracts have relatively low activity against most of the selected microorganisms