Information needs and access of Members of Vigilante in Adamawa State, North -East Nigeria

ABSTRACT The study investigated the Information needs and access of Members of Vigilante in Adamawa state, North-eastern Nigeria, one of the three states bedeviled by the Boko Haram insurgency. Quantitative research methodology and Cross-sectional survey design was applied for the study. The population of the study comprised of One Thousand Four Hundred Members (1400) drawn from Nineteen (19) local governments areas in the state. Krejcie and Morgan Table (1970) was used to draw (302) members as sample of the population, while Walpole’s (1982) formula for proportions was used in arriving at a sample for each stratum (i.e. each local government area). In collecting data, a total of Three Hundred and Two (302) copies of questionnaires were administered, and Two Hundred and Forty 240 copies (79.47%) were returned and found useful. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The outcome of the study revealed that the information needs of members were daily mainly work related and from informal sources, as there were no public libraries/information centers in 17 local governments’ areas of the state. The outcome of the research also revealed barriers to information access to include general lack of formal information infrastructure such as libraries/information centers, poor and unreliable informal information sources, as well as lack of training on information literacy skills for members of Vigilante. It is recommended that there is a need for those involved in vigilante information delivery to continuously examine and identify evolving information needs of members of vigilante in order to meet such needs. Government should resuscitate the dying public libraries in all the local government areas of Adamawa state to provide information services. Libraries should organize training on information literacy and other information use skills for members of vigilante, because if this is done, it will enhance and improve information access across communities in Adamawa state. Finally, information resources be repackaged in order to take care of challenges of proximity to sources of information, language barrier and other challenges faced by members of vigilante

Combining search strategies for distributed constraint satisfaction.

Many real-life problems such as distributed meeting scheduling, mobile frequency allocation and resource allocation can be solved using multi-agent paradigms. Distributed constraint satisfaction problems (DisCSPs) is a framework for describing such problems in terms of related subproblems, called a complex local problem (CLP), which are dispersed over a number of locations, each with its own constraints on the values their variables can take. An agent knows the variables in its CLP plus the variables (and their current value) which are directly related to one of its own variables and the constraints relating them. It knows little about the rest of the problem. Thus, each CLP is solved by an agent which cooperates with other agents to solve the overall problem. Algorithms for solving DisCSPs can be classified as either systematic or local search with the former being complete and the latter incomplete. The algorithms generally assume that each agent has only one variable as they can solve DisCSP with CLPs using virtual agents. However, in large DisCSPs where it is appropriate to trade completeness off against timeliness, systematic search algorithms can be expensive when compared to local search algorithms which generally converge quicker to a solution (if a solution is found) when compared to systematic algorithms. A major drawback of local search algorithms is getting stuck at local optima. Significant researches have focused on heuristics which can be used in an attempt to either escape or avoid local optima. This thesis makes significant contributions to local search algorithms for DisCSPs. Firstly, we present a novel combination of heuristics in DynAPP (Dynamic Agent Prioritisation with Penalties), which is a distributed synchronous local search algorithm for solving DisCSPs having one variable per agent. DynAPP combines penalties on values and dynamic agent prioritisation heuristics to escape local optima. Secondly, we develop a divide and conquer approach that handles DisCSP with CLPs by exploiting the structure of the problem. The divide and conquer approach prioritises the finding of variable instantiations which satisfy the constraints between agents which are often more expensive to satisfy when compared to constraints within an agent. The approach also exploits concurrency and combines the following search strategies: (i) both systematic and local searches; (ii) both centralised and distributed searches; and (iii) a modified compilation strategy. We also present an algorithm that implements the divide and conquer approach in Multi-DCA (Divide and Conquer Algorithm for Agents with CLPs). DynAPP and Multi-DCA were evaluated on several benchmark problems and compared to the leading algorithms for DisCSPs and DisCSPs with CLPs respectively. The results show that at the region of difficult problems, combining search heuristics and exploiting problem structure in distributed constraint satisfaction achieve significant benefits (i.e. generally used less computational time and communication costs) over existing competing methods

Responses of Some Cowpea Varieties to Two Striga Stains in Nigeria

The research was conducted in a greenhouse at the Internatinal Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to investigate the response of eighteen (18) cowpea varieties to two (2) Striga gesnerioides strain from Samaru of Kaduna Stete and Mingibir in Kano state Guinea and Sudan savannah of Northen Nigeria respectively. A total of 0.5g of the  available S. gesnerioides seed from each location was infested in eighteen pots. The dormancy was broken followed by planting of the Cowpea variety. It was observed that the angiospermic parasite response to some Cowpea varieties while some of the Striga was not sensitive to the root exudates. Samarium strains posses high number of Striga emergence but produce high yield. Compared to that of Mingibir. No any response in B301 in both the Samaru’s and Mingibir’s strains

Dioxins and Furans: Emerging Contaminants of Air

Dioxins and furans are classified highly contaminating toxic chemicals having serious effect on human health. This chapter begins with a brief summary on the formation, occurrence and toxicity of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) with their potential health effects, mitigation measures of these harmful compounds. Depending on position of chlorine atoms on aromatic rings, about 210 chemically different PCDD/PCDFs known as “congener” are present in the environment. The expected biological activity of PCDD/PCDFs is expressed relatively to the activity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) using a common metric. TCDD is the most biologically potent among all the congeners. Toxic level of a mixture of PCDD/PCDFs is therefore expressed in TCDD toxicity equivalents or TEQs. There are two mechanisms for the formation of dioxins and furans, one from precursors and other by de novo synthesis. PCDD/PCDFs followed a mechanism which uses macromolecule carbon and chlorine in fly ash to form dioxins at low temperature. There are various sources of the formation of PCDD/PCDFs like hospital waste incinerators, industrial combustion and burning of domestic waste. Dioxins and furans have very harmful effects on the human health causing cancer, diabetes, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity and chloracne. It has been experienced that hybrid method secure a sustainable future for the incinerators and PCDD/PCDFs removal technologies. This chapter will help the researchers and practitioners for better understanding and decision making for future research to establish a sustainable PCDD/PCDFs free life

Diagnostic Accuracy Of Acromioaxillosuprasternal Notch Index For Prediction Of Difficult Airway Taking Cormack And Lehane Grading System As Gold Standard

Background: General anesthesia is still needed for several surgical interventions and requires endotracheal intubation. The difficult airway is a well-known entity, and a long list of predicting scores is present, yet a high degree of diagnostic accuracy still needs to be improved. Acromioaxillosuprasternal notch index (AASI) has shown some excellent results in recent times. Objective: Its objective is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of acromioaxillosuprasternal notch index for predicting difficult airways and to take the Cormack and Lehane grading system as the gold standard. Methodology:   In this study, adults of both genders aged 20 to 70 years undergoing any surgery under general anesthesia having ASA class I to IV were included. AASI score of equal or less than 0.49 was taken as difficult airway while on Cormack and Lehane grade; it was labeled as yes where grade III or IV was seen. Results: The total number of cases were 350 cases, out of which 218 (62.29%) were males, and 132 (37.71%) were females. The mean age was 40.20±12.86 years, and the mean BMI was 24.71±3.13 (table 17). There were 294 (84%) cases in ASA Class I and II and 56 (14%) in class III and IV. Difficult intubation on AASI was seen in 54 (15.43%) and 57 (16.29%) cases on Cormack and Lehane grading.  The diagnostic accuracy of AASI for prediction of difficult intubating a difficult was 96.29% with sensitivity of 90.74%, specificity of 97.30%, PPV of 85.96%, NPV of 98.29% with p= 0.001. This difference was also statistically significant with all the confounding variables like age, gender, ASA class, and BMI.  Conclusion: The acromioaxillosuprasternal notch index is a significant predictor for tubing a difficult airway and taking Cormack and Lehane's grading as the gold standard. This difference is considerably better regarding age, gender, BMI, and ASA class.&nbsp

Analyzing an Appropriate Blend of Face-to-Face, Offline and Online Learning Approaches for the In-Service Vocational Teacher’s Training Program

Blended learning approaches are considered as the most viable for the delivery of training to remote areas and accessing learners at a mass level. Blended learning is a combination of different learning approaches to facilitate the learners’ needs. The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) conducted an in-service vocational teachers’ training program through blended learning approaches in Pakistan. This study aimed to find the appropriate blend of face-to-face, online, and offline learning approaches for the training of in-service teachers in Pakistan. A mixed methods research approach was adopted. A survey collected data from 781 in-service vocational teachers who participated in training programs through blended learning approaches. The ANOVA test was applied to find the difference of the training participants’ attitude toward different modes of learning. It was found that trainees had more positive attitude toward a face-to-face learning approach than online and the online learning approach than offline learning. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with training participants, admission and placement officers, and principals. They also endorsed that face-to-face learning approaches must be given more weight than online, and the online approach should have more weight than the offline approach. This study has practical implications for technical education and vocational training (TVET) institutes in developing countries such as Pakistan to design blended learning approaches for the training of in-service vocational teachers. Future research may be conducted on the effectiveness of in-service vocational education teachers through blended learning

Analyzing an Appropriate Blend of Face-to-Face, Offline and Online Learning Approaches for the In-Service Vocational Teacher’s Training Program

Blended learning approaches are considered as the most viable for the delivery of training to remote areas and accessing learners at a mass level. Blended learning is a combination of different learning approaches to facilitate the learners’ needs. The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) conducted an in-service vocational teachers’ training program through blended learning approaches in Pakistan. This study aimed to find the appropriate blend of face-to-face, online, and offline learning approaches for the training of in-service teachers in Pakistan. A mixed methods research approach was adopted. A survey collected data from 781 in-service vocational teachers who participated in training programs through blended learning approaches. The ANOVA test was applied to find the difference of the training participants’ attitude toward different modes of learning. It was found that trainees had more positive attitude toward a face-to-face learning approach than online and the online learning approach than offline learning. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with training participants, admission and placement officers, and principals. They also endorsed that face-to-face learning approaches must be given more weight than online, and the online approach should have more weight than the offline approach. This study has practical implications for technical education and vocational training (TVET) institutes in developing countries such as Pakistan to design blended learning approaches for the training of in-service vocational teachers. Future research may be conducted on the effectiveness of in-service vocational education teachers through blended learning

Development and validation of scale for self evaluation of soft skills in postgraduate dental students

Objective: To develop and validate a soft skills questionnaire, and to use it for self-evaluation by postgraduate dentistry students.Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at University College of Dentistry, , University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan, from February 2020 to April 2020 and comprised of residents from first to final year of training for either Masters in Dental Surgery or Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan programmes. A soft skills questionnaire was generated and was validated through exploratory factor analysis of the elements and items of the questionnaire using SPSS 23.Results: Of the 60 subjects, 37(61.7%) were MDS residents and 23(38.3%) were Fellowship residents. The mean age of the sample was 29.650±2.815 years, and 26(43.3%) subjects were males. The questionnaire was validated (p\u3c0.001). Three domains measured the attitude of dentists, with 7 scenarios having 5 items per scenario. Both categories of trainees had high agreement in understanding and application of non-technical skills, with the exception of leadership skills. However, the difference between the groups was non-significant (p\u3e0.05).Conclusions: A self-generated questionnaire was successfully validated

Growth and Ionic Composition of Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus L.) in Response to Soil Salinity and Water Stress

Salinity and bad quality irrigation water is very common problem in Pakistan due to limited rainfall, more evapo-transpiration and high temperature. So, there is need to select salt and drought tolerant plants. In view of that a pot experiment was conducted to study the growth performance and ionic composition of Conocarpus erectus L. under saline and water stress conditions. Eight treatments (Control, 10 dSm-1, 20 dSm-1, 40 dSm-1,  water stress, 10 dSm-1 + water stress, 20 dSm-1 + water stress, 40 dSm-1 + water stress) were evaluated in order to assess their effect on plant growth and ionic composition . At T8 (40 dSm-1 + water stress), plants did not survive. The data regarding growth parameters and physiological were recorded at different stages of plant growth. Plant ionic parameters including Na+, K+ were determined in stem, leaves and root after harvesting. The data were analyzed statistically. It is concluded that Conocarpus erectus L. can tolerate salinity up to 40dSm-1 with full water but at salinity and water stress level of 40 dSm-1 + water stress, there was no survival of even a single plant. Keywords: Growth, potassium status, buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus L.), soil salinity, water stres