Perception and Attitude of Librarians towards Cloud Computing in the University of Dar es Salaam Library

Abstract The study investigated the perception and attitude of librarians towards Cloud Computing in the University of Dar es Salaam library. Five research objectives were raised to guide this research work; some of which are determining the level of awareness of cloud computing by librarians, perception of cloud computing by librarians, attitude of librarians towards cloud computing and others. It applied a descriptive research design using quantitative approach. The population of the study was made up of 125 librarians but a census sampling method was employed to generate 94 respondents and only questionnaire was used to collect data. The study used Statistical Product and Services Solution (SPSS) program version 21 to generate percentages and frequencies from quantitative data which were presented in tables. The findings of the paper revealed that librarians at the University of Dar es Salaam are aware of Cloud Computing technology; they have positive perception about it and also receptive disposition towards cloud computing amongst others. It was therefore recommended that library heads should always encourage staff not to only be aware of new technologies but to take a bold step in applying these technologies. They should endeavour to sponsor staff for further studies, seminars and conferences

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Efficacy of Quasi Agro Binding Fibre on the Hybrid Composite Used in Advance Application

The choice for natural fibre obtained from agricultural products is on the rise due to its solution to eco-friendly, environmental and improved mechanical properties concerns. Its abundant availability, low cost, emission reduction and adaptability to base material for composite make it a prime material for selection. This review explores diverse perspectives to the future trend of agro fibre in terms of the thermo-mechanical properties as it applies to advanced application in building structures. It is important to investigate the ecofriendliness of the products of composites from fibres in agricultural wastes so as to achieve a green and sustainable environment. This will come to fore by the combined efforts of both researchers and feedback from building stakeholders

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits—the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants—determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits—almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Perception and Attitude of Librarians towards Cloud Computing in the University of Dar es Salaam Library

Abstract The study investigated the perception and attitude of librarians towards Cloud Computing in the University of Dar es Salaam library. Five research objectives were raised to guide this research work; some of which are determining the level of awareness of cloud computing by librarians, perception of cloud computing by librarians, attitude of librarians towards cloud computing and others. It applied a descriptive research design using quantitative approach. The population of the study was made up of 125 librarians but a census sampling method was employed to generate 94 respondents and only questionnaire was used to collect data. The study used Statistical Product and Services Solution (SPSS) program version 21 to generate percentages and frequencies from quantitative data which were presented in tables. The findings of the paper revealed that librarians at the University of Dar es Salaam are aware of Cloud Computing technology; they have positive perception about it and also receptive disposition towards cloud computing amongst others. It was therefore recommended that library heads should always encourage staff not to only be aware of new technologies but to take a bold step in applying these technologies. They should endeavour to sponsor staff for further studies, seminars and conferences

Militant Oil Agitations in Nigeria's Niger Delta and the Economy

Abstrac

Classification of Amazonian rosewood essential oil by Raman spectroscopy and PLS-DA with reliability estimation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)The Amazon tree Aniba rosaeodora Ducke (rosewood) provides an essential oil valuable for the perfume industry, but after decades of predatory extraction it is at risk of extinction. The extraction of the essential oil from wood implies the cutting of the tree, and then the study of oil extracted from the leaves is important as a sustainable alternative. The goal of this study was to test the applicability of Raman spectroscopy and Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) as means to classify the essential oil extracted from different parties (wood, leaves and branches) of the Brazilian tree A. rosaeodora. For the development of classification models, the Raman spectra were split into two sets: training and test. The value of the limit that separates the classes was calculated based on the distribution of samples of training. This value was calculated in a manner that the classes are divided with a lower probability of incorrect classification for future estimates. The best model presented sensitivity and specificity of 100%, predictive accuracy and efficiency of 100%. These results give an overall vision of the behavior of the model, but do not give information about individual samples; in this case, the confidence interval for each sample of classification was also calculated using the resampling bootstrap technique. The methodology developed have the potential to be an alternative for standard procedures used for oil analysis and it can be employed as screening method, since it is fast, non-destructive and robust. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.117305311Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)INCTBioConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

The Rhetoric of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 1 in the Niger Delta

Abstract Petroleum exists as the source of an unholy convergence of interests between th