OPTIMAL SELECTION OF DIGITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: LEVERAGING ON COVENANT UNIVERSITY MODEL

The use of institutional repository (IR) has gained tremendous acceptance in several Higher Education Institution (HEI) in many countries. However, many HEIs report poor usage and enthusiasm. This paper develops a decision model to assist in characterization and selection of digital repository solutions in academic libraries. Five technologies, namely: Eprints, Dspace, Fedora Repository, Greenstone and SAP Document System explored. Using the model, these were evaluated with respect to installation process, functionality, performance, cost, security, usability, workflow, scalability and interoperability. The model was found to adequately address the critical transparency requirements for due diligence selection process in the establishment of Covenant University Institutional Repository. It is recommended that leveraging on this model would enhance adoption and usage of digital repositories in developing countries

Design and construction of tilting furnace for producing aluminium matrix composites

Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) are a range of advanced engineering materials that can be used for a wide range of applications within the aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, electronic and sporting goods industries. AMCs consist of a non-metallic rein~orcemeht (SiC) incorporated into Aluminium matrix which provides advantageous properties over base metal (AI) alloys. These include improved thermal conductivity, abrasion resistance, creop resistance, dimensional stability, exceptionally good stiffness-toweight and strength-to-weight ratios and better high temperature performance. Oil fired 20 kG tilting furnace with integral mixing mechanism was designed and constructed for the production of AMC. This cost effective furnace can be used in cottage industries without electric power

Roles of counsellors in promoting national integration as viewed by counsellors in Nigeria

In Nigeria, there are issues of insecurity, disintegration, lawlessness and heightened corruption among others. Issues of this nature need the role of counsellors when stakeholders are formulating policies for national integration. Hence, it is on this premise that this study investigated the role of counsellors in promoting National integration in Nigeria. The research design adopted for the study was the descriptive survey type. A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted in selecting the respondents that participated in the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 460 respondents for the study. The instrument used in gathering the required data was a self-developed questionnaire titled “Role of Counsellors in Promoting National Integration Questionnaire” (RCNIQ). Three null hypotheses were generated and tested at 0.05 alpha level of significance using t-test statistical tool. The result obtained revealed that there was significant difference in the role of counsellors in promoting National integration based on gender, educational qualification and length of years in service. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that more school counsellors should enlighten the students on the need for unity and integration among Nigerians.  Seminars and workshops should be organized by counsellors in collaboration with the government, Non-Governmental Organizations and other stakeholders in order to discuss and tackle contemporary issues on National integration and stability. Keywords: Counsellors, National Integration, Stability, Advocac

Potential Natural Egg Colourant in Laying Chickens

A six-week study involving two hundred and fifty (250) Harco Black layer birds at point of lay was carried out to investigate the effects of potential natural colorant on performance and egg quality traits. The birds were assigned to five (5) dietary treatments, each containing supplements either of control, Baobab Leaf (BL), Waterleaf (WL), Red Pepper (RP), Canthaxanthin (CTX) at 40 g/kg feed and 50mg/kg feed of natural and commercial colorants, respectively. Performance records shows no significant (p>0.05) difference in feed intake across supplements of Red pepper, Water leaf, Canthaxanthin and control diet, however Baobab leaf treatment had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) intake value (94.07 g) when compared with other treatments. Body weight gain and Hen Day Production was not significant influenced (p>0.05) by the dietary treatments, though Baobab leaf supplement had lowest mean HDP of 48.80%, Red pepper and Water leaf supplement averaging 52.79%. There was no significant effect (p > 0.05) of colorants on egg external traits, compared with the control; Canthaxanthin treatment had higher mean egg weight (51.79g), egg length (4.55g), egg breadth (3.29 g); Red pepper treatment had highest mean shell thickness (0.29g), however these differences were not significant (p>0.05). Yolk height, Albumen height, Yolk index, and Haugh unit were not significantly affected (p > 0.05) across treatments. Yolk width was lowest (p < 0.05) in Baobab leaf treatment (2.54cm); Red pepper, Water leaf and Canthaxanthin (2.89, 2.62 and 2.89 cm respectively) were not significantly (p > 0.05) different from the control (2.73cm). Yolk colour score was significantly highest (p < 0.05) in Red pepper treatment (7.50); Water leaf, Baobab leaf and Canthaxanthin ranged between 2.25- 3.31 on the DSM yolk colour fan, Control treatment had the lowest yolk colour score (p < 0.05) of 1.31. The study showed Red pepper as a worthy alternative to commercial yolk colorant. Water leaf and baobab are not good substitutes for canthaxanthin as a yolk colourant.Key words: Egg colourant, Chickens, Livestock

Towards Making World-Class Universities: Case Study of the Role of Information and Communication Technology

Characteristics of a world-class university include indicators such as quality of faculty, research reputation, talented undergraduate, international presence, proper usage of resources, alliances and networks, embrace of many disciplines, technologically smart, good management practices, internationalism of all aspects of the university. Thus, economic activity, innovation, international diversity, institutional indicators and research indicators are manifestations of a world-class university. In today’s digitally connected world, it is impossible to attain this status without a world-class Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure. This paper presents impact of ICT activities on universities ranking of three Nigerian universities thus enhancing their quest towards world-class status

Design and simulation of a mobile robot platform for navigation and obstacle detection

Mobile platforms are expected to gain access to risk zones and hazardous environment. A typical example is the infectious disease environment to deliver items to a sick patient. The robot is aimed to manoeuver round flat grounds in indoor environment. Computer aided design (CAD) models of the selected concepts were developed in Fusion360 and imported into SolidWorks to optimize and improve the design. The design is focused on the development of the wheelbase. Arduino Microcontroller was the system and codes control board and it was developed using the Arduino software. The motor driver was used to drive the DC motor for robot navigation with ultrasonic sensor for obstacle detection at a range of 20 cm. Result shows that the robot was able to navigate round flat ground while detecting obstacles within 20 cm

A review on humanoid robotics in healthcare

Humanoid robots have evolved over the years and today it is in many different areas of applications, from homecare to social care and healthcare robotics. This paper deals with a brief overview of the current and potential applications of humanoid robotics in healthcare settings. We present a comprehensive contextualization of humanoid robots in healthcare by identifying and characterizing active research activities on humanoid robot that can work interactively and effectively with humans so as to fill some identified gaps in current healthcare deficiency

The Development of Molecular-Based Materials for Electrical and Electronic Applications

Aluminum silicon carbide (AlSiC) metal matrix composite materials have a unique set of material properties that are ideally suited for electronics, hence the development of molecular-based materials (MBM) for the electrical and electronic industries. The low material density of AlSiC (3 g/cm3) makes it ideal for weight-sensitive applications such as portable devices over traditional thermal management materials like copper molybdenum (10 g/cm3) and copper tungsten (16 g/cm3). The aim of this work is to develop MBM for electrical and electronic industries. Aluminum (99.66% C.P.) and silicon carbide (SiC) particulates of 240 grit (45 lm), 320 grit (29 lm), 600 grit (9 lm) and 1200 grit (3 lm) at 2.5% weight fraction were used to achieve the objective. The aluminum was melted at 750�C for 25 min in a graphite crucible tilting furnace designed for this work using oil as a firing medium. After melting, a two-step mixing method of stir casting technique was adopted. The cast samples were further analyzed for mechanical and electrical properties. The electrical properties were carried out by using a 4-point probe machine. The result showed that hardness increases at lower grit level, while the electrical properties marginally increased at higher grit. It is therefore recommended that, to make AlSiC composite materials for electrical industries, the higher grit of SiC should be preferre

Fused Deposition Modeling Printed Patterns for Sand Casting in a Nigerian Foundry: A Review

There has been a gradual adoption of Three-Dimensional (3D) printing in pattern making for sand casting absolutely because of its reduced lead-time and higher dimensional accuracy.Pattern making is the most central activity in the production line of any casting operation. A delay in pattern making or a defect in pattern usually translates to increased production cost and time or poor quality castings respectively. Many foundry industries have been concerned with reducing the duration for pattern making and improving the dimensional accuracy of patterns. Adoption of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) based patterns have only provided a limited solution to the challenges of traditional pattern making for sand casting.Some patterns are not suitable for FDM printing due to their size volume which is not usually cost-effective to print. Also,the surface quality and mechanical properties of patterns produced with FDM are usually affected by process parameters thereby leading to post-manufacturing treatment before the patterns are suitable for moulding operation. This study investigated the problems of traditional pattern making and the challenges of FDM-printed PLA-patterns for sand casting and suggested solutions and areas for future research. Related researches on 3D printing in the foundry carried out around the worldwide are discussed

A Systematic Human Counting at Guest House using Sensing Device Technique

The application of vision detector using sensing device techniques is important in systematic counting of people both indoors and outdoors. This technique is broadly used in auditorium, lecture theatre and public market. In this paper, the technique uses a camera attached to an Android-based mobile phone which is then applied to capture images that are then transferred to a storage system via USB for image processing and counting. Also, a model for counting people indoors and outdoors is developed. Also, accurate human counting is observe