Enhancing the Movement of People and Goods in A Potential World Class University using Transportation Model

Most world class universities are like small cities because of their sizes and compositions. They therefore face urban transportation problems due to increase in human activities. This paper looks at minimizing the time spent to move from one point to another in Covenant University. Covenant University is a potential world class university whose fast growth in the past twelve years can lead to transportation problems in the future if the transportation system is not properly planned. Transportation problem is one of the major areas of application of linear programming. Google map was used to calculate the distance and time it takes to move from one point to the other in the University. Three transportation methods: Northwest corner method, least cost method and Vogel Approximation method were used to find the initial feasible solution, while MODI method was used to find the optimal solution. The optimal solution shows that the movement of people and goods can be enhanced in Covenant University if time spent to move from one point to another is reduced. Reduction in the time spent reduces stress and results in having more time to attend to more pressing issues

Effective Service Delivery of Nigeria’s Public Primary Education: The Role of Non-State Actors

The study examines and analyses the role of Non-State Actors (NSAs) in public provision of primary education in Nigeria using descriptive and econometric techniques. The analysis demonstrates that the major source of funding of public primary education in Nigeria flows from the Federal Government to the State government and finally to the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA). The study shows that NSAs’ activities are mainly the provision of school inputs with little or no role monitoring and management of public primary schools. It was found that the presence of private school inspectors has significant positive effect on pupils’ performance. Parents occupation and household qualities especially type of building were found to have positive impact on the pupils’ performance. Based on these findings, the study recommends the need for adequate involvement of NSAs in the management of public primary schools and improved inspection of schools as ways of improving the quality of primary education in Nigeri

Proximate Composition and Metabolizable Energy of Some Commercial Poultry Feeds Available in Abuja, Nigeria

Poultry feeds are prepared to contain all the nutrients in their right proportions necessary for good health, proper growth and egg production of the chicken. This study was undertaken to determine the proximate composition and variations of nutrient in some commercial poultry feeds sold in Abuja, Nigeria. Seven poultry feed brands in their various ratios were subjected to proximate analysis using standard methods. The results of the analysis revealed that the poultry feeds had proximate composition ranging from 6.58 ± 0.02 - 10.88 ± 0.19 % moisture content, 6.03 ± 0.16 - 14.78 ± 0.73 % ash content, 9.98 ± 0.81 - 20.05 ± 0.08 % crude lipid, 3.57 ± 0.11 - 14.77 ± 0.14 % crude fiber, 16.55 ± 0.07 % - 34.01 ± 0.09 % crude protein, 26.28 ± 1.80 % - 48.21 ± 2.07 % carbohydrate and 2971.48 ± 65.44 - 3686.18 ± 29.08 Kcal/kg metabolizable energy. Generally, there were differences in the proximate composition of the poultry feed brands analyzed, however, the poultry feeds have optimum nutrients in their feeds which meet most of the requirements recommended by SON and NRC. The moisture contents in all the feeds were within the recommended value of not more than 12 % while the mean values obtained in crude lipid were all higher than the maximum recommended requirements in poultry feeds

LAND REMEDIATION AND RECLAMATION TECHNIQUES THROUGH THE BIODEGRADATION OF WASTE PAPERS

Waste materials are one of the major components of solid organic waste that pollutes land. Inappropriate disposal of municipal waste (solid) not only affects land but is also a source of danger to inhabitants. The management of residue from incineration is an integral part of waste disposal/management systems. This research provides a collection and bio-treatment technologies for various types of waste paper such as office paper and newspaper as feedstock using two microorganisms: Serratia and Rhizopus to convert them to reducing sugars. The percentages of reducing sugar present in the samples before, during and after hydrolysis were determined using the dinitrosalicylic (DNS) acid test method. The effect of temperature on the substrate was analyzed at 37, 40, and 45°C. This research shows that waste paper can be converted into useful materials

Knowledge transfer and innovation performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs): An informal economy analysis

SME operators in the informal sector of developing economies have a significant influence on their nation's economies through their involvement in international business relationships. However, the existing deficiency in the literature to show empirical relationships between knowledge transfer, from these SMEs and their international business partners, and innovation performance is a significant gap in the strategic management and international business literature. Therefore, this paper explores the link between knowledge transfer and innovation performance of informal economy SMEs that are involved in international business relationships. The study included a survey of 370 owners-managers and managers of small and medium enterprises in Nigeria's informal electronic market. Using Structural Equation Model (AMOS 22) this study shows that knowledge transfer dimensions, such as R&D and social networking, have varying levels of impact on innovation performance of informal sector SMEs. Knowledge transfer from training showed an inverse and insignificant relationship with innovation performance. The study established implications and recommendations that will be useful for theory and practice

Biodegradation of Waste Papers: A Sustainable Technology for a Clean Environment

Solid wastes have posed problems of pollution in both developed and developing countries where they are found in large quantities due to domestic and industrial utilization of such materials, the inability to recycle all wastes has provided the nudging to delve into alternative method of waste management. This project aims at analyzing the effect of fungi metabolites (Enzyme); (Rhizopus) in the bioconversion of waste papers (Foolscap, Newspaper and Brown envelop) into fermentable or reducing sugars. Proximate analysis, alkaline pretreatment with sodium hydroxide and process of deinking for the removal of inks for higher susceptibility of the substrate were carried out on paper samples. Hydrolysis using enzyme was carried out for 7 days. Concentration of reducing sugar present in the samples was done using the Dinitrosalicylic acid test method. Effects of Temperature on the waste sample were analyzed at 37, 40 and 45°C

Artificial Intelligence and Endo-Histo-OMICs: New Dimensions of Precision Endoscopy and Histology in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Integrating artificial intelligence into inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has the potential to revolutionise clinical practice and research. Artificial intelligence harnesses advanced algorithms to deliver accurate assessments of IBD endoscopy and histology, offering precise evaluations of disease activity, standardised scoring, and outcome prediction. Furthermore, artificial intelligence offers the potential for a holistic endo-histo-omics approach by interlacing and harmonising endoscopy, histology, and omics data towards precision medicine. The emerging applications of artificial intelligence could pave the way for personalised medicine in IBD, offering patient stratification for the most beneficial therapy with minimal risk. Although artificial intelligence holds promise, challenges remain, including data quality, standardisation, reproducibility, scarcity of randomised controlled trials, clinical implementation, ethical concerns, legal liability, and regulatory issues. The development of standardised guidelines and interdisciplinary collaboration, including policy makers and regulatory agencies, is crucial for addressing these challenges and advancing artificial intelligence in IBD clinical practice and trials

The use of formative research to inform the design of a seasonal malaria chemoprevention intervention in northern Nigeria

BACKGROUND:Experience of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is growing in the Sahel sub-region of Africa, though there remains insufficient evidence to recommend a standard deployment strategy. In 2012, a project was initiated in Katsina state, northern Nigeria, to design an appropriate and effective community-based delivery approach for SMC, in consultation with local stakeholders. Formative research (FR) was conducted locally to explore the potential feasibility and acceptability of SMC and to highlight information gaps and practical considerations to inform the intervention design. METHODS:The FR adopted qualitative methods; 36 in-depth interviews and 18 focus group discussions were conducted across 13 target groups active across the health system and within the community. Analysis followed the 'framework' approach. The process for incorporating the FR results into the project design was iterative which was initiated by a week-long 'intervention design' workshop with relevant stakeholders. RESULTS:The FR highlighted both supportive and hindering factors to be considered in the intervention design. Malaria control was identified as a community priority, the community health workers were a trusted resource and the local leadership exerted strong influence over household decisions. However, there were perceived challenges with quality of care at both community and health facility levels, referral linkage and supportive supervision were weak, literacy levels lower than anticipated and there was the potential for suspicion of 'outside' interventions. There was broad consensus across target groups that community-based SMC drug delivery would better enable a high coverage of beneficiaries and potentially garner wider community support. A mixed approach was recommended, including both community fixed-point and household-to-household SMC delivery. The FR findings were used to inform the overall distribution strategy, mechanisms for integration into the health system, capacity building and training approaches, supportive interventions to strengthen the health system, and the social mobilization strategy. CONCLUSIONS:Formative research played a valuable role in exploring local socio-cultural contexts and health system realities. Both opportunities and challenges for the introduction of SMC delivery were highlighted, which were appropriately considered in the design of the project