STUDY OF THE POLAR CAP PLASMA FLOWS WITH THE CLYDE RIVER SUPERDARN RADAR

Plasma flows in the high latitude ionosphere reflect complex physical processes occurring when the Sun-originated solar wind blows around the Earth. One way of monitoring and quantifying these flows is to use Doppler velocity measurements with ground-based high-frequency (HF) radars such as the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radars. The research presented in this thesis includes two major topics. First, we investigate quality of SuperDARN HF velocity measurements for a relatively new radar in the network, the Clyde River (CLY) radar. This has never been done in the past while the radar is critical in the network as its field of view allows one to measure plasma flow velocity roughly along magnetic parallels at extremely high latitudes. Second, after successfully validating the Clyde River radar measurements, variations in the plasma flows at radar latitudes are investigated. To accomplish the first task, measurements of the plasma velocity collected over the year 2016 at Clyde River are compared with nearly simultaneous velocity measurements from the Resolute Bay Incoherent Scatter Radar-Canada (RISR-C). Our results show that the CLY radar velocity measured in beams 4-6 is statistically comparable to the ExB component of the plasma drift along these beams (azimuthal plasma flows) measured by the RISR-C. The agreement between the two types of radars was found to be not ideal; the lines of linear fit had slopes in the range of 0.5-0.7. This is comparable with the slopes in other experiments, but slightly lower than usual. We showed that the correction of HF velocities for the index of refraction effect does not increase the slope of the line to 1 mostly because of lower HF velocities at large ExB drifts of > 700 m/s. This “underestimation” effect was found to be stronger at nighttime and its compensation by considering the index of refraction effect was less successful than at daytime. We carried out a similar comparison between Rankin Inlet (RKN) SuperDARN radar velocity measurements and that of RISR for the same period of 2016 and found reasonably good agreement as well. We showed that the strongest disagreements between HF and RISR-C velocity occurred for periods with very low CLY and RKN velocities, below 100-200 m/s in magnitude, indicating that some ionospheric echoes could be misidentified by the SuperDARN radar processing technique; this effect is more pronounced for the RKN radar. Finally, we investigated self-consistency of SuperDARN HF measurements by comparing velocities of the CLY radar and the SuperDARN radar at Inuvik (INV) in about the same direction. We found that the CLY-INV agreement is reasonable for ranges of >1000 km with pure F region echo detection by both radars. Evidence is presented that measurements at short ranges of <800 km, that are traditionally thought to be pure F region scatter as well, is sometimes contaminated with scatter from the E region with velocities below the ExB drift. On the second task, we considered multi-year CLY data set to assess seasonal variation of the plasma flow velocity in the azimuthal direction, at magnetic latitudes of ~ 81 degrees and at southward orientation of solar-related interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz 0, CLY velocities remain much longer negative. In general, we found that CLY velocity data in the azimuthal direction can be interpreted in terms of a more “round” overall pattern in summer

The role of contracting strategies in social value implementation

Published ArticleThere has been an increasing demand for social value (SV) implementation to assume a cardinal position in the infrastructure delivery efforts of infrastructure client organisations (ICOs). However, whereas successful implementation has been recorded in some projects, monumental failures have also been recorded in others. This variance in implementation performance is a cause for concern. The mode of governance applied in an infrastructure delivery endeavour has been identified as capable of influencing the implementation of SV. This observation makes imperative an investigation into the role of contracting strategies – an integral part of governance modes – adopted by ICOs on SV implementation performance. This is the aim of this study. Using a case study approach, three infrastructure projects which used different contracting strategies were selected from two different countries, the UK and Nigeria. Semistructured interviews were conducted with ICO representatives on these projects and subsequently analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings confirmed that the kind of contract adopted by ICOs influenced their ability to drive the successful implementation of desirable SV objectives through their supply chain. It is therefore recommended that ICOs ensure that the selected contracting strategies are capable of ensuring successful implementation of the desired objectives

TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE INFLUENCE OF NATIONAL CULTURE ON ORGANISATIONAL VIABILITY: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Published ArticleViability connotes a system’s ability to become ultra-stable through effective self-regulation of its internal processes and information processing among its subsystems. Applying this to an infrastructure delivery system (IDS) context, this study proposes that an IDS can successfully deliver on client requirements only if they attain and maintain viability. Research into the influence of National Culture (NC) on an IDS’s viability appears to be lacking; hence this study. Adopting a multi-case study, qualitative research design, this study explores three IDSs involved in the delivery of infrastructure projects in two different NC contexts; Nigeria and the United Kingdom. 25 semi-structured interviews were conducted across the cases to provide for an in-depth understanding of existing interactions between participants in these delivery systems: client/project sponsor; main contractor and sub-contractors and to understand the influence of the prevailing national culture on such interactions, if any. Findings indicate that NC in project delivery environments influence the ability of IDSs to attain viability, especially as it pertains to the sustenance of Team Quality Attributes (TWQ) within the system. Based on these findings, it is expected that in modelling IDSs for viability, adequate consideration should be given to the prevailing NC by project managers and planners

Insights into the use and affordances of social and collaborative applications for student projects

The use of social and collaborative computing has the potential of assisting learning and improving the ability to work together as part of a team. Team work is a graduate attribute that students need to acquire before transitioning from university into the workplace. The aim of this exploratory research was to provide insights into the use of social and collaborative applications by Computer Science students, and the emergent affordances student project teams have created with the use of these applications. It answers the questions: What elearning platforms or applications do students use to collaborate for team projects? What technology affordance draws students to use these applications? This study adopts affordance theory as the theoretical framework. Two types of content analysis: conventional content analysis and summative content analysis were used to analyse the data. Data was gathered using a pre-designed questionnaire with the teams during the first semester of 2016. Findings show that the university’s elearning platform is utilised for some of their courses; however students seem to prefer free and open source platforms. Student project teams used applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Dropbox, Google Drive, Google Docs, as well as email messages, to work jointly, and were successfully able to complete their team projects. Four types of technology affordances: communicative-affordance, document share-affordance, course resource-affordance, and integrity-affordance, were identified as being relevant

Needs And Strategies For Curriculum Reform In Chemistry Education For Sustainable Development In Secondary Schools

Education is the life wire and indispensable variable in any sphere of sustainable development of a nation. Effective chemistry education is an essential integral for both science and technology sustainable development. The latter cannot be attained without curriculum. Curriculum is a stepwise planned scheme focus on attainment of the set goals. These include attainment of prescribed skills and competence through knowledge empowerment; for sustainable development of the economy. This study reviewed the issues on the need for developing a new curriculum and the strategies of achieving this goal for chemistry education in secondary schools. We concluded that such new curriculum must practical and skill centered, while the teachers must be trained on the needed expertise that support the attainment of its goals, in order to make it relevant in this jet age of national rapid development

A health education video in an indigenous Nigerian language to dispel misconceptions associated with reversal of eruption sequence of anterior teeth

Research findings conducted in Nigeria have revealed grave misconceptions regarding eruption of maxillary anterior teeth before the mandibular ones in children as affected individuals are believed to be evil, carriers of misfortune and their families are deemed cursed. Such children are stigmatized, abandoned and may be gotten rid of. A twenty three minute culturally appropriate video in the Yoruba language titled “Baba Yoyin” (meaning male tooth extractor -traditional dentist ) was developed to demystify the Nigerian community about misconceptions associated with reversal of eruption sequence of teeth and educate them about hazards associated with patronizing traditional dentists and the need to visit a dentist/doctor for advice. In the pre -production stage, the video was designed and planned and the cast , crew and appropriate locations for shooting the film shooting were selected . In the production stage, filming was done with several wide, medium and close shots. At post production, the film was edited with a sound mix comprising of sound effects and music. Computer graphic effects were added digitally. This video was produced in Yoruba, an indigenous Nigerian language to serve as a culturally appropriate community dental health education tool targeting nursing mothers, pregnant women, and traditional birth attendants from the lower social class in south western Nigeria. The storyline in this video tape will be translated into Igbo and Hausa , the two other major Nigerian languages. This videotape can be repeated in other African settings whose societies experience similar misconceptions about tooth eruption.Keywords: Reversal of eruption sequence, child, health education, videoAfr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 22 (January, 2019); 97- 10

Use of Social Networking Sites (SNS) by Undergraduates of Federal University Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

Purpose: The revolution of social networking sites (SNS) is a global phenomenon, and has become an inseparable part of daily activities, especially among university students. This study examined pattern of use of SNS by undergraduates of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: The study employed descriptive survey research design. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select sample from the total population. The questionnaire method was used as instrument of data collection. Descriptive statistical tools of frequency count, percentage and mean score were employed for the data analysis.Findings: Findings revealed that 98.3% of respondents used Facebook, 95.1% Whatsapp and 86.1% YouTube. For intensity of use, Whatsapp, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter were the most frequently used SNS. The SNS were used more for non-academic engagements (social interactions and daily activities) than for academic related purposes. The students spent average of 4.8 hours per day on SNS. Identified challenges were lack of efficient internet access and too much time spent using SNS. Originality/value: The paper provides useful empirical insight unique to FUOYE on usage of SNS by undergraduates

Development of a tool for dispelling myths associated with natal/neonatal teeth: “Adunni” a health education video in a native Nigerian language

Studies have revealed that Nigerians irrespective of social class have negative attitudes and practices towards children born with natal teeth and those who erupt teeth within the first 30 days of life. This has been associated with the strong cultural myths and beliefs that exist among the populace. Children with natal teeth and their families have been stigmatized and are believed to be cursed. This stigmatization affects their social life and consequently impacts on their quality of life. Therefore, there is a need to develop an intervention such as a video to help dispel these myths. Videotapes have been shown as an intriguing means of communication and valuable tool in health education. To help dispel the myths associated with natal teeth, and neonatal teeth a twenty-eight-minute culturally appropriate video in the a local Nigerian language (Yoruba) titled “Adunni” targeted for people from the low social class was developed. This film has been sent to primary health care centers in suburban and rural areas and will be shown to mothers, pregnant women, nursing mothers and traditional birth attendants with a view to appropriately inform them and the entire communities that eruption of natal or neonatal teeth is not a curse.Keywords: Child, Natal teeth, Neonatal teeth, Health education, Vide

Determinants of Attitudes of Oil and Gas Companies to Host Communities: A Social Responsibility Perspective

The study was designed to explore the social responsibility attitudes of oil and gas companies to host communities. It presumed that these determinants fall broadly into endogenous and exogenous factors. Three oil and gas companies were sampled from the twelve listed in the Nigeria Stock Exchange for the study. The study found that for Oando Plc., Return on Assets, Earnings size and Debt-Equity ratio were determinants of attitudes of oil and gas companies but not so with MRS Plc. and Seplat Plc. Exogenous factors were found to be largely responsible for the social responsibility attitudes of oil and gas companies towards their communities. Keywords: Oil and Gas Companies, Host Communities, Social Responsibility, Attitude