Foundational Theory for Understanding Policy Routing Dynamics

In this paper we introduce a theory of policy routing dynamics based on fundamental axioms of routing update mechanisms. We develop a dynamic policy routing model (DPR) that extends the static formalism of the stable paths problem (introduced by Griffin et al.) with discrete synchronous time. DPR captures the propagation of path changes in any dynamic network irrespective of its time-varying topology. We introduce several novel structures such as causation chains, dispute fences and policy digraphs that model different aspects of routing dynamics and provide insight into how these dynamics manifest in a network. We exercise the practicality of the theoretical foundation provided by DPR with two fundamental problems: routing dynamics minimization and policy conflict detection. The dynamics minimization problem utilizes policy digraphs, that capture the dependencies in routing policies irrespective of underlying topology dynamics, to solve a graph optimization problem. This optimization problem explicitly minimizes the number of routing update messages in a dynamic network by optimally changing the path preferences of a minimal subset of nodes. The conflict detection problem, on the other hand, utilizes a theoretical result of DPR where the root cause of a causation cycle (i.e., cycle of routing update messages) can be precisely inferred as either a transient route flap or a dispute wheel (i.e., policy conflict). Using this result we develop SafetyPulse, a token-based distributed algorithm to detect policy conflicts in a dynamic network. SafetyPulse is privacy preserving, computationally efficient, and provably correct.National Science Foundation (CISE/CCF 0820138, CISE/CSR 0720604, CISE/CNS 0524477, CNS/ITR 0205294, CISE/EIA RI #0202067

Strategies for Communicating Health and Safety Information on Construction Sites in Nigeria

The construction industry (CI) has earned the notoriety of being a risky or profoundly unsafe industry. Studies have credited the majority of the mishap on construction sites to poor communication of health and safety (H&S) information among all the parties engaged in construction activities. The study assessed strategies for communicating H&S information on construction sites and evaluates factors influencing the choice of communication strategies for H&S information on construction sites. The data for the investigation were gotten using multiple-choice questionnaire administered on 20 construction sites domicile in Abuja, Nigeria. A sum of one hundred (100) questionnaire were administered to respondents; out of which eighty-five (85) were returned speaking to 85% reaction rate. Data received were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at 95% degree of certainty. The study revealed that safety signs and training are most important medium of communicating H&S information on construction sites and shown that cost implication of the strategy significantly influences the choice of communication strategies for H&S information on Nigerian construction sites. The study therefore, recommends that contracting firms be duty-bound to engage signs and symbols in communicating H&S information, as communication that involves images is clearer and can be directly understood. Quantity surveyors should ensure that adequate provision is made in the bill of quantities for implementing H&S procedures on construction sites. Safety awareness ought to be incorporated in the overall procurement procedure, and workers should be consistently train and re-train on H&S procedures

Hypertension in pregnancy among rural women in Katsina State, Nigeria

Hypertension in pregnancy (HIP) is defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥140 or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg or both. It could be described as chronic, gestational, preeclampsia or eclampsia depending on the gestational period, tendency for postpartum resolution, presence of proteinuria or convulsion. Hypertension in pregnancy affects about 5-22% of pregnancies especially in developing countries. Though preeclampsia and eclampsia seems to create more concern than others, evidence abound that any form of hypertension in pregnancy places women at increased risk of adverse outcomes.Keywords: Hypertension, Pregnancy, Women, Eclampsia, Nigeri

Effect of problem-based learning on Colleges of Education students’ achievement in probability and attitude towards solving probability related problems

This paper deals with the effect of Problem-Based Learning on Colleges of Education students’ achievement in, and attitude toward Probability in Tamale Metropolitan of Ghana. The research design was quasi-experimental pre-test post-test two-group design. Convenience and simple random sampling techniques were employed to obtain a sample of 100 students which comprised of 51 students in the control group and 49 in the experimental group. Tests, questionnaire and semi-structured interview were the instruments used for data gathering. Descriptive, Independent samples t-test, ANCOVA and paired samples t-test were used in analysing data. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between students of the experimental group exposed to Problem-Based Learning approach and control group exposed to Traditional Method. Problem-Based Learning developed students critical thinking, good problem solvers and self-directed learners which would lead to life-long memory of Probability concepts and its applications to real-life situations

A Study on Ordinary Portland Cement Blended with Rice Husk Ash and Metakaolin

Abstract. This paper tries to investigate the effect of replacing Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with Metakaolin (MK) and Rice husk ash (RHA) on the physicomechanical properties such as consistency, setting times, soundness and mortar compressive strength of ternary cement up to 40 % cement replacement. The soundness of the blended cement pastes and compressive strength of the blended mortars were conducted using Le Chatelier apparatus and Tonic Technic compression machine while the initial and final setting times were conducted on the blended cement paste using Vicat apparatus. Nineteen ternary cement mortars were prepared to comprise of OPC, RHA MK at different proportions and tested at 2, 7, 28 and 60 days. Results indicated that as RHA was gradually increased up to 25% at constant MK content, the volume expansion of the ternary cement paste increased gradually. On the other hand, as MK was increased from 5-25% at constant RHA, the volume expansion diminished. The water consistency of ternary cement paste experienced a variation as MK was increased up to 25 wt% at constant RHA up to 10 wt%. However, at 10 wt% constant RHA as MK was increased the water demand gradually increased. Similarly, an increase in RHA at constant MK increased the water demands of the ternary blends. An increase in RHA from 5-25 wt% at 5-25 wt% constant MK resulted in an acceleration in the initial and final setting times of cement blends. These accelerations could be attributed to the pozzolanic activity leading in shorter setting time. Whereas a series of accelerations and retardations of both setting times were experienced as the MK was increased from 5-25 wt% at 5-25 wt% constant RHA. It was observed that increment in the MK or RHA up to 10 wt% at constant RHA/MK up to 10 wt% resulted in improved mortar compressive strength of the ternary blend in comparison with control. This improvement was attributed to the high silica/alumina contribution to the matrix by MK inclusion, the C/S ratio in the cement matrix and RHA pozzolanic reactivity despite its unburnt carbon. All mortar compressive strength of the cement blends and control experienced an increase as the curing days were lengthened from 2 to 60 days. The enhanced strength compared with the control especially beyond 28 days could be attributed to the slow pozzolanic reaction resulting from the formation of additional CSH and CAH from the interaction of the residual CH and the silica available in the MK and RHA. The best compressive strength at 60 days was obtained at cement replaced with 15 wt% and 20 wt% at MK 5 wt% RHA producing a mortar compressive strength of 40.5 MPa

EFFECT OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND MARKETING COMMUNICATION MIX ON CUSTOMERS’ LOYALTY IN THE GHANAIAN BANKING INDUSTRY

The study investigates the effect of customer satisfaction and marketing communication mix on customers’ loyalty in the Ghanaian banking industry. Explanatory design was used to investigate the association between the independent variables: customer satisfaction, public relations, advertising, sales promotion and the dependent variable: customers’ loyalty. Questionnaire was the main instruments for data collection from 250 customers of banks in Accra, Ghana. SPSS version 20 was employed for data analysis. The study revealed a strong positive relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in the Ghanaian banking industry. Also, the study showed a moderate but significant relationship between public relations and customers’ loyalty in the Ghanaian banking industry. On the bases of these findings, the study recommended that the banks should continue to strive to achieve customer satisfaction by fulfilling customers’ needs and wants since it can engender customer loyalty. This can be done by understanding all the factors affecting customer satisfaction. Also, it was recommended that public relations must not be discarded but strengthened to complement the other marketing communication mix to help encourage customer loyalty in the Ghanaian banking industry. Article visualizations

Efficacy of Process-Based Instruction In Enhancing Secondary School Students’ Academic Performance And Science Skills Acquisition In Identification of Cations In Faskari, Katsina State-Nigeria

This study examined the effect of process–based Instruction on secondary school students’ academic performance and science-skills acquisition in Faskari Education Zone, Katsina State, Nigeria. The study employed quasiexperimental design using a sample of 103 students drawn from a population of 984 in the study area. Two instruments namely Identification of Cations Performance Test (ICPT) and Test of Science Process Skills (TOSPS) duly Validated by expert with a reliability coefficient of 0.69 and 0.75 respectively were used for data collection. Research hypotheses were tested using t-test statistics at 0.05 levels of significance. One of the finding from the study indicates that there is significance difference in the acquisition of Science- Skills between students taught identification of cations using Process–Based instruction and those taught the same concept using lecture method. Based on the research findings, it was recommended among others that periodic workshops, seminars and conferences should be organised for teachers on the selection and implementation of appropriate strategy for teaching chemistry concepts

LIBRARY SERVICES, LIBRARY AUTOMATION PROGRAMMES AND THE SOFTWARE INDUSTRIES IN NIGERIA

Library services are undergoing transformation. The transformation from manual to automated systems is changing the services provided by these libraries and the way they are performed. But the automation programmes of Nigerian libraries are facing serious threat of inadequate funding. Inadequate funding is affecting the ability to adopt good software that incorporates all the features that can turn around library services. It has however been discovered that there are some government parastatals which can be made to be of assistance to these libraries. These are software oriented industries like NITDA, ISPON, Digital Bridge Institute, et cetera. These institutions can be made to work in partnership with the libraries on how their services can be enhanced. Some renowned institutions that have assisted libraries and research in the developed countries were also discussed

A Comparative Study of Biogas Yield from Various Brewery Wastes and Their Blends with Yam Peels

A study was undertaken to determine biogas yield (% methane) from various local brewery wastes and their blends with yam peels (YP). The wastes investigated were Kunu chaff (KC), Burukutu (BKT) and spent grain (SG). The wastes were in two blends A and B. The blend A was SG:BKT:KC = 40:30:30 and blend B was SG:BKT:KC:YP = 40:20:20:20. All the waste types and their blends were bio-digested in an anaerobic digester in replicates for 20 days at ambient temperature experiment. The N, TS, VS, C, C:N, pH of the feedstocks were determined by standard methods. The gas yield was obtained by downward displacement of water. ANOVA at p ≤ 0.05 was used to determine if there was any significant difference in the biogas yield from the waste types. The gas yield were of the order blend B > KC > blend A > SG > BKT > YP. Blend B which had the highest yield of 75.6% had the highest C:N of 27;1 while YP which had the least of yield 52.3% had the least C:N of 10:1.The results obtained indicate good prospects for generation of biogas while managing the wastes generated from various brewing activities in Nigeria both for small- and large-scale applications. Keywords: Comparative, biogas, local brewery wastes, anaerobic digester, spent grain, yam peels, blends