THE ROLE OF ICT IN PROVIDING QUALITY INFORMATION SERVICES TO LIBRARY USERS/CLIENTELES IN NIGERIAN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

Researches into libraries, (most especially academic libraries) have shown that inadequate levels of Information and Communication Technology literacy is one of the major problems facing libraries in Nigeria at this time of digital revolution. In as much as internet is designed to serve the information needs of every individual in the society has eventually given room to effective utilisation of library information resources. The world-wide network has made interaction online to be more efficient in terms of information accessibility, communication and sharing of information resources. This paper delves into the principles behind ICT, provision of immeasurable information, technology in relation to information for the development of a modern library of today and beyond. Furthermore, the paper made some valuable recommendation to all in having a befitting library development.  Article visualizations

REVIEW OF ACADEMIC LIBRARY INFORMATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES: EVIDENCE FROM OSUN STATE UNIVERSITY, NIGERIA

Generally, the library is referred to as the knowledge hub of higher education institutions, saddled with the responsibility of supporting the teaching, research, and community engagement function in the university. These libraries are conceived to enable them genuinely handle the information needs of library clientele. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the human traffic to the physical library shrinks which brings more responsibility to the library personnel who works from home to make the library resources available to users at their various locations. The emerging responsibility motivated this study which investigated the appraisal of academic library information resources and human resources in Sola Akinrinade Central Library of Osun State University in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. A sample of three hundred and forty-five respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Two hundred and seventy-five copies were returned. Findings from the study revealed that available information resources and human resources in the academic library do not meet the accredited academic library standards. Similarly, the academic library is not sufficiently and adequately funded which has grossly affected the provision of the available information and human resources. The researchers recommend that recruitment of professional librarians and other library support staff; provision of quantity and quality information resources, and integration of academic library in the plan of higher institutions among other measures would improve the relevance of library and human resources in higher institutions of learning

AVAILABILITY, ACCESS POINTS AND USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES BY SCIENCE STUDENTS IN SELECTED PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the availability, access points and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by science students in selected private secondary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey design was used and four (4) research questions guided the study. Data was collected from one hundred and fifty six (156) science students from six (6) private secondary schools in Ibadan with the use of questionnaire. The data analysis was done with the use of SPSS. Findings revealed the ICT facilities that were made available to include: computers 125 (80.1%), scanning machine 120 (76.9%), interactive white board 118(75.6%), CD-ROMS 117(75.0%), Internet 116(74.4%), mobile phone 114(73.1%), television 102(65.4%), radio 102(65.4%). Most of the respondents frequently used interactive white board for learning 101(64.7%), television 98(62.8%), and mobile phone 98(62.8%). Similarly, the science students had access to television at school, home and cyber café. There was access to interactive white board at school and home. Similarly, most of the respondents had access to Internet and computers at home and cyber café. However, the challenges faced by the science students on use of ICT facilities in Ibadan Township were: fear of using ICT tools, time constrains, complexity of operating ICT tools and lack of electricity to power the tool(s). The study recommends that teachers should train science students on use of ICT; secondary school management/authorities should adequately supply sufficient ICT teaching equipment to schools; science students should have personal laptop and modem

Sustainability and Landscapes: An Assessment of Landscape Designs in selected Anglican Churches in Ibadan

It is quite paramount to understand the need and importance of sustainability and landscapes. In the designs and patterns of landscapes, approaches to identify and quantify landscape sustainability must be utilized. In religious environments including churches, landscapes differ, with varying adoptions of landscape elements. The aim of this study is to assess the sustainability of landscape designs in three selected Anglican churches in Ibadan. The methodology employed was qualitative approach, and data was collected from primary sources. The study revealed the levels of importance that have been placed on landscape design in these case studies for varying reasons. Hence it is recommended that there is a need for a rejuvenated sustainable landscape design strategy that would be incorporated from the beginning in the wholistic design of a church

A bone to pick-cellular and molecular mechanisms of bone pain in sickle cell disease

The bone is one of the most commonly affected organs in sickle cell disease (SCD). Repeated ischemia, oxidative stress and inflammation within the bone is largely responsible for promoting bone pain. As more individuals with SCD survive into adulthood, they are likely to experience a synergistic impact of both aging and SCD on their bone health. As bone health deteriorates, bone pain will likely exacerbate. Recent mechanistic and observational studies emphasize an intricate relationship between bone remodeling and the peripheral nervous system. Under pathological conditions, abnormal bone remodeling plays a key role in the propagation of bone pain. In this review, we first summarize mechanisms and burden of select bone complications in SCD. We then discuss processes that contribute to pathological bone pain that have been described in both SCD as well as non-sickle cell animal models. We emphasize the role of bone-nervous system interactions and pitfalls when designing new therapies especially for the sickle cell population. Lastly, we also discuss future basic and translational research in addressing questions about the complex role of stress erythropoiesis and inflammation in the development of SCD bone complications, which may lead to promising therapies and reduce morbidity in this vulnerable population

A Simple Dose Regimen of Artesunate and Amodiaquine Based on Age or Body Weight Range for Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria in Children: Comparison of Therapeutic Efficacy With Standard Dose Regimen of Artesunate and Amodiaquine and Artemether–Lumefantrine

A new dose regimen of artesunate and amodiaquine (NDRAA) based on age or body weight range was compared with standard dose regimen of artesunate and amodiaquine (SDRAA) calculated according to body weight and with fixed-dose artesunate–amodiaquine (FDAA) and artemether–lumefantrine (AL) in 304 children afflicted by malaria aged 15 years or younger. In initial comparison (n = 208), children on NDRAA received 1–3 times amodiaquine per kilogram of body weight and 1–1.5 times of artesunate per kilogram of body weight compared with those receiving SDRAA. Parasite but not fever clearance was significantly faster in children who received NDRAA (19.4 ± 8.4 hours vs. 24.6 ± 15.5 hours, P = 0.003). Polymerase chain reaction–uncorrected cure rates on days 28–42 were also significantly higher in children who received NDRAA (P < 0.02 in all cases). Therapeutic responses in children younger than 5 years (n = 96) treated with NDRAA, FDAA, and AL were similar. Changes in hematocrit values and reported adverse events after commencing therapy were similar in those who received NDRAA and SDRAA. All drug regimens were well tolerated. NDRAA based on age or body weight range is simple, is therapeutically superior to SDRAA calculated according to body weight, and is as efficacious as AL in children younger than 5 years

A high performance liquid chromatographic assay of Mefloquine in saliva after a single oral dose in healthy adult Africans

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mefloquine-artesunate is a formulation of artemisinin based combination therapy (ACT) recommended by the World Health Organization and historically the first ACT used clinically. The use of ACT demands constant monitoring of therapeutic efficacies and drug levels, in order to ensure that optimum drug exposure is achieved and detect reduced susceptibility to these drugs. Quantification of anti-malarial drugs in biological fluids other than blood would provide a more readily applicable method of therapeutic drug monitoring in developing endemic countries. Efforts in this study were devoted to the development of a simple, field applicable, non-invasive method for assay of mefloquine in saliva.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A high performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection at 220 nm for assaying mefloquine in saliva was developed and validated by comparing mefloquine concentrations in saliva and plasma samples from four healthy volunteers who received single oral dose of mefloquine. Verapamil was used as internal standard. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a Hypersil ODS column.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Extraction recoveries of mefloquine in plasma or saliva were 76-86% or 83-93% respectively. Limit of quantification of mefloquine was 20 ng/ml. Agreement between salivary and plasma mefloquine concentrations was satisfactory (r = 0.88, <it>p </it>< 0.001). Saliva:plasma concentrations ratio was 0.42.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Disposition of mefloquine in saliva paralleled that in plasma, making salivary quantification of mefloquine potentially useful in therapeutic drug monitoring.</p