Information technology adoption inhibitor-influencer model for SMEs in the construction industry

Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in the Nigerian construction industry has been struggling with the issues of improper materials management practices. In an attempt to address these issues, Information Technology (IT) was initiated primarily to overcome the shortcomings of the conventional materials management practices. Although, IT was aimed to greatly enhance performance and reduce non-value adding activities, IT structures in reality lack clear adoption realisation process to drive in within such factors to deliver the adoption of IT in SMEs. The current trend of materials management practices in small and medium construction companies has been the subject of criticism. IT adoption has not had the expected resounding success of a total adoption and utilisation. This research has empirically identified factors inhibiting and influencing IT adoption in Nigerian SMEs. The research focuses on the factors with respect to their inhibiting and influencing impact to IT adoption within the context of SMEs in Nigeria with the aim to develop IT adoption inhibitor-influencer model for SME’s IT adoption enhancement. The methodology adopted in this research was mixed methods approach. Interview data was obtained from seven (7) SMEs, based on a systematic sampling of the SMEs in the north-eastern region of Nigeria and the data were analysed using content analysis. Whilst questionnaire survey data was obtained from 187 respondents and the data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the relationships between the exogenous constructs (inhibitor and influencer) to endogenous construct in order to validate and confirm the developed influencing factors for IT adoption model. The findings reveal that cost, government, and employees factors have significant influence on SME’s IT adoption, whilst, technology and practices factors were found to have a partial inhibiting effect on SME’s IT adoption. This research provides a multi-dimensional perspective for the enhancement of SME’s IT adoption and can contribute to high project performance. It is also provide mechanism for realising effective materials management practices for delivering successful projects in the SME construction companies. In conclusion, it is timely to reverse the trend of low IT adoption within SMEs in the construction industry in Nigeria

Information technology: a tool for effective SME material management practices

Nowadays, various strategies have been adopted to ensure reduction or elimination of waste in materials management practices in the construction industry for overall project performance. However, there are significant challenges related to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) materials management practices, these challenges arise due to shortage of skills, practical know how, workers capability and financial difficulties in information technology (IT) adoption. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the potentials of IT as a tool for waste elimination or reduction in the Nigerian SME materials management practices for overall projects performance. The data were collected using structured questionnaires and administered to SME in the construction industry in the Northeast of Nigeria. The obtained data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to determine significant level of IT in SME materials management practices. Outcome from the model of this study revealed that, IT adoption is significant with R2 =0.622 (62.2%) which indicates that adoption of IT can improve SME materials management practices for overall projects performance

Effect of Wolbachia as biocontrol agent on fecundity and survival of cassava whitefly in northwest Nigeria

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.) is known to vectored Cassava mosaic virus (CMV) and Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV), these viruses caused major diseases of cassava in Africa. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Wolbachia as biocontrol agent on fecundity and survival of whitefly infesting cassava. Whiteflies infesting cassava were captured and reared using rearing cages. Wolbachia was isolated from infected cassava whiteflies, cultured and used for the inoculations. The experiment was conducted under control conditions using glass cages. Results of this research revealed that number of eggs lay by Bemisia tabaci inoculated with Wolbachia significantly (P = 0.05) reduced weeks after inoculation which significantly differ among the cassava genotypes. Number of eggs lay by B. tabaci free of Wolbachia was significantly higher (964.35) than those inoculated with Wolbachia (46.541) at 4 weeks after inoculation (4WAI). The genotype ‘Dan Aliero’ had the highest number (4WAI 82.33), while, ‘Farin rogo’ had the lowest number of eggs (4WAI 23.33). Number of whitefly nymphs and adults also significantly reduced when B. tabaci was inoculated with Wolbachia. ‘Dan Aliero’ had the highest number of whitefly nymphs and adults (4WAI = 59.00) and (4WAI = 51.00), respectively. ‘Farin rogo’ recorded the lowest number of whitefly nymphs (17.67) and adults (13.00) at 4WAI, respectively. For the first time, Wolbachia were evaluated for whiteflies management. From the finding of this study, Wolbachia can be used as biocontrol agent to suppress whiteflies infestation on cassava and other vegetable crops

Synthesis, characterization and anti-bacterial activity of Schiff Base and its mixed ligand complexes of Cr (II) and Co (II) containing vanillin and 2-aminophenol

Schiff Base are organic ligand that contained azomethine linkage (-HC=N-) which shows biological importance. Schiff Base from vanillin and 2-aminophenol was synthesized in 1:1 mole ratio. The complexes of Cr (II) and Co (II) from Schiff Base in 1:2 mole ratio metal-ligand (M-L) and the mixed ligand complexes from Schiff Base and 2-aminophenol in 1:1:1 mole ratio ligand-metal-ligand(L-M-L) were synthesized and characterized based on solubility, melting point, conductivity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ultraviolet (UV). The solubility result shows that, dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) dissolved all the complexes. The results obtained from melting point, conductivity indicated purity and non-electrolytic of the complexes respectively. In metal complexes, the infrared data showed the ligands is coordinated to the metal ion through azomethine nitrogen, oxygen in methoxyl group and oxygen in phenolic group. In mixed ligand complexes, the infrared data revealed the ligands is coordinated to the metal ion through azomethine nitrogen, oxygen in methoxyl group, oxygen in phenolic group and nitrogen in amino group. The results showed a six coordinate octahedral geometry for these complexes. The ligands and the metal complexes were examined for their antibacterial activity using agar well diffusion method against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pyrogens , Klebsiella pneumonia (gram - bacteria), and Bacillus sutilis, Staphylococcus aureus (gram + bacteria). In comparing the results, the complex of Co(HL1)2 has greater zone of inhibition against the tested organism than the free ligands as antibacterial agent

Influential Factors for Effective Materials Management in Construction Projects

Construction projects are plagued with the issue of poor project performance such as low productivity, wastage, time overrun, compromised quality and cost overrun. Research literature reveals that this issue occurs partly due to ineffective materials management. Nonetheless, the effective management of materials seems like a viable solution to enhance the performance of any construction projects. Despite its importance, not much literature has explored the influential factors for effective management of materials. Since the identification of factors is an essential step to recommend any improvement efforts, thus, this paper examines the influential factors for effective materials management. A questionnaire survey was conducted with practitioners from contractor organisations and 111 valid responses were obtained. Data was analysed using exploratory factor analysis via the IBM SPSS version 21 software. Results indicate that only 50 influential factors were relevant in Malaysian construction project and these were categorised into 8 specific components namely: management, purchasing, expediting, transportation, site storage and condition, supplier, contractual and governmental interference. Summarily, findings reported in this paper constitute part of a questionnaire development process for a research project undertaken to develop an effective materials management model for better projects performance. Thus, the outcome of this study may assist practitioners in decision making process by understanding the identified influential factors that contribute to effective materials management

Caesarean section at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital: a cross sectional study

Introduction: Caesarean section remains the most common major operation performed on women worldwide and the rate is increasing.The World Health Organization (WHO) consider caesarean section rate of 5-15% to be optimum.Objective: To determine the rate of caesarean section, major indications, pregnancy out-come and the complications.Subjects and Methods:This is a prospective study of all the cases of caesarean sections performed between 1st of January,2012 and 31th of December,2013 at UDUTH,Sokoto-Nigeria.The data were collated and analyzed using statistical soft package ware for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.Results: A total of 4,115 deliveries were recorded during the study period and 435 of them (10.6%) were through caesarean section (CS). Emergency CS accounted for 65.1% of caesarean deliveries.The mean age was 28±6 years. Previous CS was the commonest indication for caesarean section (25.7%). Elective CS had better fetal outcome (t = 7.440,df =388.523,p < 0.001),while spinal anaesthesia was associated with less blood loss (t = 4.569, df=63.223 and p < 0.001) and better fetal outcome (t = 4.237, df = 57.224, p < 0.001).Anaemia (19.8%) was the commonest complications encountered in the post operative period.Conclusion: The CS rate from this study is within the WHO recommended rate. Previous CS was the commonest indication,the outcome was better among women that had elective CS under regional anaesthesia.Keywords: Caesarean section, CS rate, indication and outcom

Improving Contractors' Practices of Industrialized Building System (IBS) Implementation in Construction Industry

Abstract: Nowadays, the Malaysian construction industry is moving forward to roll out technology advantage across project life-cycle for enhancing human development skills. Therefore, the government has adopted industrialized building systems (IBS) to enhance control and balance of workforce supply for overall project performance achievement. However, the challenges faced by the construction industry such as delay the completion of construction projects was due to poor contractors' practices. In addition, there are significant challenges related to contractors' practices for instance shortage of skill, practical know-how, worker capability, and financial difficulties in IBS implementation. Therefore the purpose of this study was to identify current practices and influencing factors of contractors' practices for IBS implementation in the construction industry. This study also determines the improved ways of contractors' practices for IBS implementation in the construction industry. The study was conducted in Johor Bahru, Johor where various development and construction activities are currently active. Quantitative method was conducted by distribution the questionnaires to Grade 7 (G7) contractors as study respondents which involved wide practices of IBS construction projects. Data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) 22.0 software. The study reveals that, the problems faced by contractors in their practices of IBS implementation such as low productivity, management aspects, and financial problems. Therefore, training to labour, IBS instruction guideline and improving finance, and procurement mechanism are the top recommended factors to improve contractors' practices for successful IBS implementation. In conclusion, with the improvement of contractors' practices, the productivity of IBS implementation in the construction industry can be improved

Women's health: seminars on antenatal and primary healthcare

Primary health care (PHC) is the first level of contact for individuals, the family and the community with the national health system and “address the main health problem in the community, providing health promotion, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services accordingly.” This study aimed to determine the factors affecting utilization of healthcare services in the rural area of Bauchi State, fifteen years retrospective study on pregnancy-induced diabetes progresses to types-2-diabetes mellitus (DM) in Gombe South senatorial district of Gombe State and the impact of Nigeria State health investment project (Nship) on quality maternal and child health services among women of child bearing age (15-49 years) and children under 5 years in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The study was a sequential mixed methods approach including: (a) descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based research design (b) retrospective review ‘questionnaire survey’ on pre-post field interventions survey and (c) In-depth interview of the respondents. Factors that affect utilization of PHC includes; inexpensive cost and easy access to health facility 26.7%), treatment satisfaction 18.8% and nearness to place of residence 26.7%. The 1.1% of the women had gestational DM (GDM). Nship sharply increased the level of delivery of pregnant women. Improved living conditions increased utilization of health facilities. DM progressing to types 2 DM was not a public health problem in Gombe South senatorial district. Nship positively impacted the quality of maternal and child’s health in Bauchi State from 2016 to 2020

Epidemiology of COVID-19 and Predictors of Outcome in Nigeria: A Single-Center Study.

There is a paucity of information regarding the epidemiology and outcome of COVID-19 from low/middle-income countries, including from Nigeria. This single-center study described the clinical features, laboratory findings, and predictors of in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients. Patients admitted between April 10, 2020 and June 10, 2020 were included. Forty-five patients with a mean age of 43 (16) years, predominantly male (87%), presented with fever (38%), cough (29%), or dyspnea (24%). In-hospital mortality was 16%. The independent predictors of mortality were hypoxemia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3-5.1) and creatinine \u3e 1.5 mg/dL (aOR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.9-9.8)

Nigeria at sixty: An analysis of user participation in an online national competition amidst the Covid-19 pandemic

Activities across the world were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020. Events such as sports, national celebrations, international exhibitions and conferences were cancelled or postponed due to the restrictions posed by governments to mitigate the pandemic. The Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector being loosely constrained by the restrictions, was mandated to facilitate some of these events. In this research, we made computational analysis, by leveraging an Information Technology (IT) platform (Website) to conduct pre-anniversary competitions in celebration of Nigeria’s 60th Anniversary. The aim of using the website was to gather Information regarding the pre-anniversary competitions to determine user participation in online events across Nigeria. Initially, information about the site was propagated via various media outlet to call for participation. Activities performed by participants across all states of the nation (Nigeria) were recorded, as well as the site activities for a designated period of time. An extensive analysis was conducted using the Google analytics tool. Performance show that much needed to be done to improve and engage citizens in participating in national events, which employ IT platforms as an alternative to the main event during the COVID-19 pandemic