Role of Media Publics in the Implementation Of New Technologies

The use of media publics is an ideal tool for the successful marketing of a technological enterprise. A public can be described as any group or community that affects the level of impact of an organization (Mules, 1998). Media publics plays a major role in creating a perception on how consumers receive a product. Furthermore, the use of media publics give technology firms a platform to reach its intended target. The aim of this poster is to explore the role of the media publics and how it also affects the implementation of new technologies

Parameters for building materials specifications in Lagos, Nigeria

The responsibility of specifying materials for building construction purposes within Nigeria rests on the architects. Understanding the appropriate parameters for specifying building materials that could lead to immense financial proportion is required from the architects. The level of understanding and knowledge of architects is germane to the optimum performance of buildings throughout their life cycle. The methodology applied for this research involved the administration of a structured questionnaire on professional architects within the study area to determine the basis of their decision on the materials they specify or chose for building finishes. The parameters used to measure the specification of materials for finishes are client's choice, cost, climatic compliance, and maintenance demand of materials. Findings show that the maintenance demand of materials is the most important factor that determines the specification of materials irrespective of the choice of client and climate. However, cost occupies a prominent role in the decision process. It also shows that most architects are not fully aware about the role of climate in determining the life cycle of materials in tropical environments. The compliance of materials to ever-changing climate does not constitute a major factor in the specification of materials in the area

The Effects of Land Configuration and Wood-Shavings Mulch on the Properties of a Sandy Loam Soil in Northeast Nigeria. 2. Changes in Physical Properties

Mulching and ridge tillage are proven technologies for improving soil productivity in semi-arid regions. Yet data quantifying the combined influences of these practices are limited. Our objectives were to determine the changes in selected physical properties of a sandy loam after 4-years of annual tillage and wood-shavings mulching. The tillage and wood-shavings treatments consisted of: Flat bed (FB), Open ridge (OR), Tiedridge (TR), FBM, ORM and TRM were same as FB, OR and TR, respectively except that wood-shavings at a rate of 10 t/ha were surface applied ≈ 2 weeks after sowing each year to serve as both a mulch and an organic amendment. At the end of the trial in 2002, bulk density, penetration resistance, total porosity and soil water content from each of 0-0.075, 0.075-0.15 and 0.15-0.30 m depths were determined. Composite samples from the surface (0.075 and 0.075-0.15 m) layers from 3 replicates of each treatment were also collected for the determination of wet aggregate stability and from 0-0.15 m and 0.15-0.30 m layers for determination of saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat). After 4 years of annual tillage and addition of woodshavings, soil bulk density and penetration resistance were consistently lower and total porosity higher in the FBM, ORM and TRM treatments than in the FB, OR and TR treatments. Penetration resistance in all treatments was strongly related to soil water content. A 'hoe pan' was established below 0.15 m depth beneath the furrows of the ridged treatments. This could be attributed to human traffic during field operations and ponding of water, which occurred in the furrows following heavy rains. Wet aggregate stability estimated as the proportion of aggregates of size > 0.25 mm (macro-aggregates) in the 0-0.15 m layer were significantly (P< 0.05) higher under FBM, ORM and TRM than under FB, OR or TR treatments. Ksat was not influenced by either tillage or wood-shavings treatments but were higher for the mulched plots than for the bare treatments in both soil layers

Integrated Geophysical and Geochemical Methods for Environmental Assessment of Municipal Dumpsite System

Leachate originating from open refuse dumpsite systems can be delineated through an integration of qualitative and quantitative methods. This study was designed to examine extent of leachate and pollution from one of the numerous open refuse dumpsites in Lagos metropolis. Qualitative assessment was determined using electrical resistivity tomo- graphy (ERT), vertical electrical sounding (VES) and induced polarization geophysical methods. Both ERT and VES methods revealed persistent low resistivity (1 - 20 Ωm) of leachate to the depth above 35 m. The two methods were projected to produce 3-D view of the site which shows a NW-SE flow pattern of the leachate and possibly, the ground- water. IP values observed over the polluted zone was −2.9 - 8 ms, indicating a sandy layer. Quantitative assessment was achieved by analysis of geochemical substances in the water samples taken from wells and boreholes in the precinct of the dumpsite. Here, we examine the macroelements, salts (sulphates, nitrates and chlorides), heavy metals, radioactive metals contents and physical parameters of the water samples. The analyses reveal the presence of these substances in the water and their strong correlations justified the provenance as the same. As part of the quantitative evaluation, physical parameters (pH, TDS, DO, salinity, total hardness, turbidity, electrical conductivity EC and temperature) of the water samples were also determined. The samples pH plotted in the acidic domain unsuitable for human consumption. Leachate flow direction was generated from the decreasing concentration of measured parameters (geochemical ele- ments and physicals properties) in NW-SE direction which agrees with similar flow pattern deduced from ERT results

Groundwater Quality and Identification of Hydrogeochemical Processes within University of Lagos, Nigeria

Water samples from twenty one boreholes were col lected within University of Lagos and analyzed for physical properties. trace elements and cations using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Physical analysis of the samples shows slight acidity and alkalinity with 78% of the samples exceeded recommended standards. They can be classified as fresh water based on TDS and EC. Chloride concentrations fall within water standards in most s<1mples while AI, Na, Pb and Br exceeded·recommended standards in most samples. Gibbs plot, rel ationship between total c<1tions. Na + K . Ca .,. Mg and Cl showed that all the groundwater samples fall in the water-rock interaction field which suggests that the weathering of rocks and influence of sea water primarily controls the major chemistry of groundwater in the area. Sodium Absorpti on Ratio (SAR) for all the water samples was less than 10 and excel lent for irrigntion purpose. Only 33% of water samples were su itable for irrigation based on Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP) and Magnesium A dsorption Ratio (MAR), whereas based on Kellys Ratios (KR) all the water samples were not good for irri.gation purpose having KR greater than I. Fifty percent of the water samples showed pollution index (PI) above I with highest contribution (37.8%) from lead (Pb). Mn, AI, N i, Fe and As contributed 29.3%, 19.13%, 8.66%, 4.25% and 0.8:2% respectivel

Maintenance Challenges of Multi-Owner Multi-Storey Residential Buildings in Lagos, Nigeria

It is noted that in Nigeria, buildings begin to demand for maintenance almost immediately after completion and handing over to users. As a single building belongs to several owners, corporate decision is required in maintaining it. The process of arriving at a workable decision remains a problem in the maintenance of such buildings due to protracted consultation and individual differences. This paper analytically investigates the frequency of maintenance of multi storey buildings compared with single owned building within the area Lagos, Nigeria. This paper examines these processes, the challenges and possible resolution for meeting point of ideas in order to sustain the commonwealth without jeopardizing the interest of any through a field survey. Structured questionnaire and non-participant case study were adopted in collecting quantitative and qualitative data. This study adopted quantitative analysis in form of tables to evaluate the attitude of respondents towards the maintenance of external surface of buildings vis-à-vis painting in the area. Three hundred and eighty four structured questionnaires were administered in six randomly selected Local Government Areas within the study area in April-May, 2012. The findings show that buildings that belong to single owners are better maintained than buildings that belong to multi-owners due to sense of ownership and ability to take decision on maintenance issues swiftly. Multi ownership system requires some level of enlightenment and thorough education in the area. The primary culture of the people in the selected area supports the compound system which multi ownership denies