Perception and attitude of postgraduate students of Library and Information Science towards scholarly publications in Nigeria

The paper investigated the perception and attitude of postgraduate (PG) students of Library and Information Science (LIS) towards scholarly publications in Nigeria. The study is a survey research anchored on the post-positivism research paradigm. The research employed the use of questionnaire and interview in order to allow for effective triangulation of the research findings. Purposive sampling was used to select five universities accredited to run both Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Library and Information Science by National University Commissions. The population of the study is fifty which comprises of ten postgraduate students from each of the five purposively selected universities. The findings of the study revealed that LIS postgraduate students are aware of scholarly publications and their attitude toward publishing from their research works is regarded as very good policy. In addition, journal is the most used channel in which they make their research findings known to the academic communities. Inadequate mentoring opportunity is a challenge facing the LIS graduate students in developing interest in scholarly publications. Based on the findings of the study, there is a need for the university managements through the postgraduate schools to create enabling environments that will promote research and innovation in Nigerian universities. Qualified lecturers should be employed to handle research aspects of LIS PG curriculum. Keywords: perception, attitude. postgraduate students, Library and Information Science, scholarly publications, Nigeria

A Dependable Model for Attaining Maximum Authentication Security Procedure in a Grid Based Environment

Grid computing is an emergent computing innovation which offers endless access to computing infrastructure across various organizations (academia and industry). Since this technology allows aggregation of various computer systems for usage by different users to run applications, the information stored on it which may be sensitive and private, remains vulnerable. According to related research on the attribute based access control for grid computing there is no adequate and appropriate security mechanism to authorize and authenticate users before accessing information on a grid system. The issue of security in grid technology has not been fully addressed even though it is a precondition for optimizing grid usability. Having realized the paucity of security guarantees, this research work focuses on developing a model for securing data and applications deployed on a grid on the basis of double identity authentication and public key. The implementation of the model has undoubtedly guaranteed the security of sensitive information on a grid vis-a-vis strict adherence to security policies and protocols

UDCA: Energy Optimization III Wireless Sensor Networks Using Uniform Distributed Clustering Algorithms

Transceivers are the major energy consumption in a Wireless Sensor Network which is made of low-power, small in size, low cost and multi-functional nodes. These sensor nodes are operated by batteries which put significant constraint to the energy available to them. Each sensor node collects sensed data and forwards it to a single processing centre called the base station which uses all reported data to detect an event or determine the changes in an environment. In present study, we propose energy optimization in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) using uniform distributed clustering algorithms. One ofthe algorithms distributes cluster heads uniformly in each cluster and each non -cluster head transmit its data to the cluster heads with short distance which reduces the communication distance of each node. Thus, minimizes the energy consumption of sensor nodes. The second algorithm generates cluster heads in hierarchical form in order to transmit the aggregate data to the base station. It was observed that there is increase in energy savings as we move from bottom up in the hierarchy. Both UDCA protocol and Low Energy Adaptive Cluster Hierarchy protocol (LEACH) were simulated. The simulation results show significant reduction in energy consumption of sensor nodes and cluster heads are more uniformly distributed among all nodes in UDCA compare with LEACH and extend the wireless sensor networks lifetime

Threats to E-Government Implementation in the Civil Service: Nigeria as a Case Study

The rapid advancement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has undoubtedly influenced positive changes in carrying out administrative functions in government institutions. The ICT adoption rate in Africa is not impressive when compared to the more developed countries of the world. Nigeria, as a case study in this scenario, has also not implemented E-Government impressively, according to the required standards set up by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). A comprehensive study conducted on the application and implementation of E-Government in Nigeria has provided some metrics that examine the stumbling blocks for realization of adequate and efficient E-Government implementation in the civil service. The research was carried out in the federal civil service in Nigeria in two phases namely, pre-IT implementation phase and post-IT implementation phase. Our findings reveal that ICT implementation will remain elusive in the civil service as long as the as threats explained below remain unaddressed. It has therefore been asserted that the need to overcome these threats is a precondition for realization of E-Government implementation in the federal civil servic

Mechanical properties of high strength eco-concrete containing crushed waste clay brick aggregates as replacement for sand

Utilization of clay brick wastes for production of high strength eco-concrete enables the combat of raw resources depletion due to excessive mining as well as mitigating environmental pollution caused by demolition of old brick structures in an effort to achieve environmental sustainability in line with the sustainable development goals (SDGs). This study investigates the beneficial usage of crushed clay brick as partial replacement for natural sand in producing high strength eco-friendly concrete. The replacement percentages of the crushed clay brick in respect to sand are 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% by weight using a mix proportion ratio of 1:1:2 at a constant water-cement ratio of 0.25, aiming at the 28 days compressive strength of about 40 MPa. The chemical characterization of the crushed clay brick and cement was conducted via X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The mechanical properties tests were performed on about 80 specimens using 100 x 100 x 100 mm for cubes, 100 x 100 x 500 mm for beams and 100 x 200 mm diameter for cylinders after 7, 14 and 28 days of curing in water. Results showed that concrete containing crushed clay brick as partial replacement for sand compare favourably well with the control. Consequently, it is suggested that generated clay brick wastes can be crushed and used as replacement for natural sand for the production of eco-friendly high strength concrete

Nitrogen-rich hyper-crosslinked polymers for low-pressure CO2 capture

A series of poly[methacrylamide-co-(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate)] (poly(MAAM-co-EGDMA)) porous polymeric particles with high CO2-philicity, referred to as HCP-MAAMs, were synthesised for CO2 capture. The polymers with a MAAM-to-EGDMA molar ratio from 0.3 to 0.9 were inherently nitrogen-enriched and exhibited a high affinity towards selective CO2 capture at low pressures. A techno-economic model based on a 580 MWel supercritical coal-fired power plant scenario was developed to evaluate the performance of the synthesised adsorbents. The presence and density of NH2 moieties within the polymer network were determined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the polymers were thermally stable up to 515–532 K. The maximum CO2 adsorption capacity at 273 K was 1.56 mmol/g and the isosteric heat of adsorption was 28–35 kJ/mol. An increase in the density of amide groups within the polymer network resulted in a higher affinity towards CO2 at low pressure. At a CO2:N2 ratio of 15:85, CO2/N2 selectivity at 273 K was 52 at 1 bar and reached 104 at ultra-low CO2 partial pressure. The techno-economic analysis revealed that retrofitting a HCP-MAAM-based CO2 capture system led to a net energy penalty of 7.7–8.0%HHV points, which was noticeably lower than that reported for MEA or chilled ammonia scrubbing capture systems. The specific heat requirement was superior to the majority of conventional solvents such as MDEA-PZ and K2CO3. Importantly, the economic performance of the HCP-MAAM retrofit scenario was found to be competitive to chemical solvent scrubbing scenarios

Perceptions of psychosocial impacts of epilepsy by affected persons in northern Nigeria

Background Globally persons afflicted with epilepsy suffer social and psychological problems due to factors such as stigmatization and discrimination, overprotection and seclusion by parents and social isolation. This descriptive cross sectional study set out to investigate psychosocial impacts of epilepsy on affected individuals in Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria.Method Two hundred and forty two adults attending epilepsy clinic at two tertiary hospitals were questioned on impacts of epilepsy on personal developments and social interactions.Results The subjects comprised 168 (69.4%) males and 74 (30.6%) females with mean ages of 29.5±12.4years and 30.7 ±16.0 years respectively. Their respective mean ages of onset of epilepsy were 18.6 ±14.0 years and 20.9 ±17.4 years. 8% had no formal education, 50% stopped school at various stages, while 28%, 12% and 2% completed primary, secondary and tertiary education at respective ages of 12.8 ±2.1 years, 18.2 ± 1.9 years and 24.4 ± 0.9 years. 73% were unemployed and 79% were unmarried due to rejection by spouses. More than 90% were unhappy about epilepsy, 4% were depressed and 0.8% had suicidal ideations. 28% would not socialise because of stigmatization and discrimination at home or workplace, while 5% experienced hostility from employers and colleagues at workplace.Conclusions The study highlighted some psychosocial impacts of epilepsy in more than 90% of persons with epilepsy in Kaduna State, Nigeria.Key words: Epilepsy, Nigeria, Perceptions, Psychosocial impact