ERP Critical Success Factors: Importance of ERP Consultants in ERP Implementation

Enterprise Resource Planning, ERP is one of the most popular and successful information technology solution used in many organizations to share information within different business units to enhance and maximize productivity. The system is expensive, time-consuming, and complicated to implement and manage. The difficulties of ERP implementation have resulted in high rates of unsuccessful ERP implementation according to the stories of many organizations that have implemented the solution. The failure of ERP implementation has then led to several studies to investigate the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) that could influence the ERP implementation during and after implementation phases. Some of the factors identified in most studies are; lack of organization’s top management support, clear project definition, ineffective user training, lack of qualified project team, lack of effective communication, incomprehensive business plan/ unclear vision, lack of detailed project planning, and lack of effective change management process. However, very few has considered the role of consultant in ERP success. Hence, this study would analyze the importance of consultant as CSF in ERP implementation

The Biological Effect of a Class of Alternating Magnetic Field on Life Field Using Distilled Water as Test Materials

This study investigated the biological effect of a class of alternating magnetic field on life field using distilled water as test materials. Extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF - MF) was carried out using a 50Hz AC power as the source, and a self made copper wire solenoid (magnetic chamber) inside which the sample was placed. A variable transformer was used to vary the current in the magnetic chamber to achieve different field intensities. The results indicate that magnetic field affects the rate of solubility of salts in water as well as an alteration in its pH. This study supports initial reports that extremely low frequency magnetic field alters the physiochemical properties of water. Keywords: magnetic field, life field, distilled water, biological effec

HIV, Hepatitis B and C viruses’ coinfection among patients in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Introduction: Hepatitis co-infection with HIV is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out among HIV positive patients and HIV negative blood donors, HIV infected patients were recruited from the antiretroviral therapy clinicsof the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, in Nigeria. The diagnosis of HIV infection among patients and predonation screening of controlblood donors was carried out using Determine1/2 screening rapid kits. (Inverness Medical, Japan). Reactive patients’ sera were confirmed withEnzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (Elisa) based immuuocomb1&11 comb firm kits (Orgenics, Israel). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) andantibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) were assayed using 4th generation Dialab Elisa kits for patients and control sera. Results: Dual presence of HBsAg and anti-HCV was observed in 4(3.9%) of HIV infected patients, while 29(28.4%) and 15(14.7%) were repeatedly reactive for HBsAg and anti-HCV respectively. HIV negative blood donor controls have HBsAg and anti-HCV prevalence of (22) 6.0% and (3) 0.8% respectively. The prevalence of hepatitis co infection is higher among the male study patients 16(50%) than the female32 (45.7%).p>0.001.Data analysis was done with statistical Package for social sciences (SPSS,9) and Chi square tests. Conclusion: This study reveals a higher risk and prevalence of HBV andHCV co infections among HIV infected patients compared to HIV negative blood donors p<0.001

Challenges and contradictions in Nigeria’s water resources policy development: a critical review

The paper is an exploratory review of Federal Government of Nigeria’s gazettes, agencies reports, intergovernmental documents on water resources policy as primary data source and publications by academia; with the aim to contribute insightfully in the ongoing effort of the government and stakeholders in designing a comprehensive water resources policy. The paper identified contradictions and overlapping statutory responsibility that constituted policy implementation impediments’ and galvanized discourse toward effective implementable policy. A paradigm shift is advocated by making the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) the center stage of the nation’s water resources policy development and implementation. But considering the underdeveloped status of Nigeria, there are three critical sectors whose effective functionalities are synergistic for accomplishing the RBDAs vision. These are Energy, Food and Public Health. It is imperative to temporarily focus the nation’s water policy on them for a period of at least ten years through enactment of “Dedicated Water Resources Bill”. The Bill should only address (1) institutional framework (2) Energy, Food and Public Health security and (3) Integrated water resources management. Work should continue on the comprehensive Water Resources Bill through the process of consultation that promote inclusion, accountability, transparency, and the needs of the vulnerable.Keywords: Nigeria, Policy, Water resources, RBDAs, Developmen

An Assessment Of The Performance Of Discriminant Analysis And The Logistic Regression Methods In Classification Of Mode Of Delivery Of An Expectant Mother

The study compares two statistical methods: Discriminant analysis and the Logistic regression model in predicting Mode of Delivery of an expectant mother, Natural birth and Caesarian section. Of the 184 cases examined for Mode of Delivery of an expectant mother, Discriminant Analysis classified the Natural birth correctly (64.6%) while it recorded (64.7%) success rate in classifying the Caesarian section. In the case of the Logistic regression, it recorded (76.8%) and (52.9%) success rate in classifying the Natural birth and Caesarian section respectively. The overall predictive performance of the two models was high with the Logistic regression having the highest value (64.7%) and (65.8%) for Discriminant Analysis. Among the five characteristics examined, Mothers height, Baby’s weight and gender were not significant variables for identifying Mode of delivery by both methods while Mothers weight is important identifying variable for both except Mothers age which was significant in the Discriminant analysis. The study shows that both techniques estimated almost the same statistical significant coefficient and that the overall classification rate for both was good while either can be helpful in selection of Mode of delivery for an expectant mother. However, given the failure rate to meet the underlying assumptions of Discriminant Analysis, Logistic Regression is preferabl

On the Performance of RESET and Durbin Watson Tests in Detecting Specification Error

When a model is created which correctly leaves out one or more important variables, one rarely know which test has the highest power for detecting the associated specification error. This research adopts the use of bootstrapping experiment. The models investigated consist of three omitted variables which have a coefficient that varies from 0.1 through 1 and 2. A bootstrap simulation approach was used to generate data for each of the models at different sample sizes (n) 20, 30, 50, and 80 respectively, each with 100 replications(r). For the models considered, the experiment reveals that the Ramsey Regression Equation Specification Error Test (RESET test) is more efficient than that of Durbin-Watson test in detecting the error of omitted variable in specification error

On A New Weighted Exponential Distribution: Theory and Application

A new two-parameter weighted exponential distribution which has more mild algebraic properties than the existing weighted exponential distribution was studied. Explicit expressions for some of its basic statistical properties including moments, reliability analysis, quantile function and order statistics were derived. Its parameters were estimated using the method of maximum likelihood estimation. The new probability model was applied to four real data sets to assess its flexibility over the existing weighted exponential distributio

Statistical Properties of the Exponentiated Generalized Inverted Exponential Distribution

We provide another generalization of the inverted exponential distribution which serves as a competitive model and an alternative to both the generalized inverse exponential distribution and the inverse exponential distribution. The model is positively skewed and its shape could be decreasing or unimodal (depending on its parameter values). The statistical properties of the proposed model are provided and the method of Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) was proposed in estimating its parameters

Antibacterial activities of leaf extracts of Brassica oleracae var. capitata. (Brassicaceae) against multi-drug resistant clinical isolates in Maiduguri

Brassica oleracae var. C. green cabbage, a herbaceous biennial plant with leaves that form a compact head, is an edible vegetable used historically as a medicinal herb for a variety of purported health benefits. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial activities of ethanolic and methanolic leaf extracts of Brassica oleracae var. C. against clinical isolates of pathogenic bacteria (S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumonia and P. aeruginosa) by agar well diffusion method. The extraction was carried out by cold marceration and qualitative phytochemical analysis was conducted. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and reducing sugars. The ethanolic and methanolic extracts demonstrated a concentration-dependent antibacterial activity against S.aureus, E.coli, and P. aeruginosa. In conclusion, the ethanolic and methanolic extracts of B. oleracae demonstrated antibacterial activities and these findings could contribute to effective use of the plant.Keywords: Antibacterial, Brassica oleracae, Clinical isolates, Multi-drug resistant, Phytochemical constituent

SCREENING FOR HEAVY MOLECULAR WEIGHT HYDROCARBON UTILIZING BACTERIA FROM OIL IMPACTED, NON OIL IMPACTED SOIL AND NATURAL DEPOSITS

Control and treatment of hazardous effects of heavy molecular weight oil (bitumen) pollution are essential in contaminated soil. This study involved the isolation and screening of microorganisms capable of utilizing heavy molecular weight hydrocarbon from oil impacted, non oil impacted soil and natural deposits of bitumen. Total heterotrophic bacterial counts in the samples ranged from 1.4 ªª? 105 CFU/g to 2.0 ªª? 106 CFU/g. Total oil utilizing bacterial counts varied from 1.5 ªª? 104 CFU/g to 3.6 ªª? 105 CFU/g. Isolates were identified using API 20E kit. They belong to the genera Burkholderia, Pseudomonas, and Serratia. Degradation efficiency of the isolates on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and Low Pour Point Fuel Oil (LPFO) were carried out by a colorimetric rapid screen test using 2, 6-dichlorophenol indophenol (DCPIP) reduction test which was monitored by measuring absorbance at 600 nm at every 24 hrs for 120 hrs. Order of ability of the isolates to degrade PMS: P. aeruginosa > P. mendocina > P. borbori > S. rubidae > P. cichorii > B. cepacia while for DPK is P. cichorii > P. borbori > S. rubidae > P. mendocina > B. cepacia > P. aeruginosa. Ability to degrade LPFO: P. cichorii > P. borbori > P. aeruginosa > P. mendocina > B. cepacia > S. rubidae.ª¤