THE USE OF ICT FOR SECURITY AND THEFT PREVENTION IN TWO UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA

The study investigated the use of ICT for security and theft prevention in two university libraries in Nigeria. Population of the study is made up of 80 library staff of the two universities, 40 library staff from Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina and 40 library staff from Al-Qalam University Katsina. Five research questions guided the study. The data was analyzed with the use of simple statistical tools like frequencies and percentages. Findings of the study revealed that maximum security in the libraries will prevent theft mutilation. It also revealed that a video surveillance system working in conjunction with a barcode and magnetic book control system could help prevent book theft and monitor the move of books and other resources as it moves from one user to another. Lack of literate or skilled personnel: libraries and information Centre’s lack skilled personnel that can operate, teach and instruct the use of these telecommunication security systems even when they are made available in the library. Poor power supply: These telecommunication security systems or devices need electricity to power them and due to the poor power supply, these systems often time are not working and as such are incapable of performing their expected task of securing the library and its collection. Hardware and software failure: This is major threat to the use of telecommunication security system in the library. When there is software failure or hardware breakdown that may require the need for an engineer who may not be available to put them in place as at when due, then the library system and its collections is at risk. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the librarian and information experts should take out time to educate their parent organization on the benefits associated with libraries and information Centre’s in the use of telecommunication security systems and devices so that the library parent body can release adequate fund which will be used for the purchase of telecommunication security devices in the librar

Removal of of Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) Ions from Aqueous Solution Using Pentaclethra Macrophylla Stem Activated Carbon

Pentaclethra Macrophylla stem activated carbon (PMSAC) was utilized as biomass derived adsorbent for adsorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) from aqueous solution. The activation was chemically carried out using ZnCl2 solution. The Physicochemical analysis of PMSAC showed high fixed carbon and pore volume values. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray were used to characterize the PMSAC. Simultaneous batch adsorptions used to evaluate the optimal operational conditions for the adsorption showed initial metal ions concentration (5 mg/L), solution pH (6), contact time (90 min), adsorbent dose (3.0 g for Cd(II) and 4.0 g for Pb(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II), particle size (30 µm) and carbonization temperature (400 oC). The Langmuir isotherm model gave better fit for the adsorption process. Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm indicates physical adsorption. The kinetics and thermodynamic parameters were studied

Managing smart campus and smart libraries: a look at challenges and the way forward for libraries in developing countries

The paper focused on the challenges faced in creating and managing smart libraries in developing countries. The highlight of the paper are an overview of smart campuses and smart libraries; the justification for smart campuses and smart libraries. The key points for driving a smart campus and smart libraries include deep understanding of smart technological architecture; availability of smart devices and availability of smart platforms; The related technologies for smart libraries in smart campus include but not limited to cloud computing, radio frequency identification (RFID), mobile technology applications, internet of things (IoT) and wireless technology. Several challenges were identified such as unavailability of digital infrastructure, low level of partnership drive, lack of ict skills among library and information science professionals, high cost of maintenance and shortage of smart librarians. Provision of digital infrastructures, engaging in sustainable partnership initiatives, training and re-training of library and information science professionals, organizing of in-house training for library and information science professionals, recruitment of smart librarians, adequate funding were recommended. Keywords: Smart libraries, smart campuses, developing countries, librarie

Printing Morphology and Rheological Characteristics of Lead-Free Sn-3Ag-0.5Cu (SAC) Solder Pastes

Solder paste plays a crucial role as the widely used joining material in surface mount technology (SMT).The understanding of its behaviour and properties is essential to ensure the proper functioning of the electronic assemblies.The composition of the solder paste is known to be directly related to its rheological behaviour. This paper provides a brief overview of the solder paste behaviour of four different solder paste formulations, stencil printing processes, and techniques to characterize solder paste behaviour adequately. The solder pastes are based on the Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu alloy,are different in their particle size, metal content and flux system. The solder pastes are characterized in terms of solder particle size and shape as well as the rheological characterizations such as oscillatory sweep tests, viscosity, and creep recovery behaviour of pastes

Effect of sucrose replacement and resistant starch addition on textural properties of gluten-free doughs and biscuits

There is a need to develop low-sugar healthy products. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of maltitol and inulin as sucrose replacement alongside resistant starch (RS) and green banana flour (GBF) on the texture and physical properties of gluten-free doughs and biscuits formulated with buckwheat, sorghum and lentil flours. These properties are important to predict the dough workability, how easy the biscuits could be mass-produced and determine consumers’ acceptability. Results showed that partial and complete substitution of sucrose could be achieved and appropriate concentration of resistant starch or green banana flour contributed to better dough and biscuit texture. RS content showed the biggest influence on dough stickiness and biscuit hardness and could be used to correct the negative effect of sucrose replacement and to maximise both the dough processability and biscuit acceptability

Multi-scale collision risk estimation for maritime traffic in complex port waters

Ship collision risk estimation is an essential component of intelligent maritime surveillance systems. Traditional risk estimation approaches, which can only analyze traffic risk in one specific scale, reveal a significant challenge in quantifying the collision risk of a traffic scenario from different spatial scales. This is detrimental to understanding the traffic situations and supporting effective anti-collision decision-making, particularly as maritime traffic complexity grows and autonomous ships emerge. In this study, a systematic multi-scale collision risk estimation approach is newly developed to capture traffic conflict patterns under different spatial scales. It extends the application of the complex network theory and a node deletion method to quantify the interactions and dependencies among multiple ships within encounter scenarios, enabling collision risk to be evaluated at any spatial scale. Meanwhile, an advanced graph-based clustering framework is introduced to search for the optimal spatial scales for risk evaluation. Extensive numerical experiments based on AIS data in Ningbo_Zhoushan Port are implemented to evaluate the model performance. Experimental results reveal that the proposed approach can strengthen maritime situational awareness, identify high-risk areas and support strategic maritime safety management. This work therefore sheds light on improving the intelligent levels of maritime surveillance and promoting maritime traffic automation

DNA from Plant leaf Extracts: A Review for Emerging and Promising Novel Green Corrosion Inhibitors.

With growing global awareness and concern for environmental protection through the use of less hazardous and environmentally-friendly extracts of plant origin, there has been a plethora of green corrosion inhibitors research with far reaching contributions to the science of corrosion prevention and control. Attention has increasingly turned towards green corrosion inhibitors, compounds of natural origin with anti-oxidant activity towards metals and their alloys. Green inhibitors have been investigated for their corrosion and adsorption properties with good results. The findings from these research works provide evidence of the adsorption behavior of green inhibitors which was confirmed by the adsorption isotherms that were proposed. Adsorption is the first step of any surface reaction and since corrosion is a surface phenomenon the effectiveness of green corrosion inhibitors is related to their ability to adsorb on metal surfaces. This review proposes the potential of plant dna as an emerging and promising novel inhibitor for mild steel. It begins with a list of plants that have been used in studies to determine corrosion inhibition properties and moves on to establish the adsorption behavior of bio macromolecules; protein, polysaccharides (chitosan) and dna. It reviews studies and investigation of dna interaction and adsorption on inorganic surfaces before focusing on the use of salmon (fish) sperm dna and calf thymus gland dna as green corrosion inhibitors for mild steel. It concludes that plant dna is a promising candidate for green corrosion inhibitor given the similarity between the plant and animal dna structure and function, and the fact that the use of plant is more environmentally sustainable than animal-based produc

Strategies to prevent HIV transmission among heterosexual African-American men

BACKGROUND: As part of qualitative research for developing a culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate videotape-based HIV prevention intervention for heterosexual African- American men, six focus groups were conducted with thirty African-American men to determine their perceptions of AIDS as a threat to the African-American community, characteristics of past situations that have placed African Americans at risk for HIV infection, their personal high risk behaviors, and suggestions on how HIV intervention videotapes could be produced to achieve maximum levels of interest among African-American men in HIV training programs. METHODS: The groups took place at a low-income housing project in Houston, Texas, a major epicenter for HIV/AIDS. Each group was audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using theme and domain analysis. RESULTS: The results revealed that low-income African-American men perceive HIV/AIDS as a threat to their community and they have placed themselves at risk of HIV infection based on unsafe sex practices, substance abuse, and lack of knowledge. They also cite lack of income to purchase condoms as a barrier to safe sex practice. They believe that HIV training programs should address these risk factors and that videotapes developed for prevention should offer a sensationalized look at the effects of HIV/AIDS on affected persons. They further believe that programs should be held in African-American communities and should include condoms to facilitate reduction of risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the respondents taking part in this study believe that HIV and AIDS are continued threats to the African-American community because of sexual risk taking behavior, that is, failure to use condoms. Further, African-American men are having sex without condoms when having sex with women often when they are under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering substances and they are having sex with men while incarcerated and become infected and once released resume unprotected sexual relations with women. According to the men, substance abuse is an important part of the problem of HIV in the African-American community. This is in keeping with research that shows that drug use, especially crack cocaine, is linked to sexual risk taking among African Americans and to increased likelihood of becoming infected with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV. Thus, interventions for men should address condom use, condom availability, skills for using condoms, eroticizing condoms and substance abuse prevention. Men in the present study also strongly recommended that HIV/AIDS videotaped messages should include footage of the sensational effects of the disease

Feasibility work to inform the design of a randomized clinical trial of wound dressings in elective and unplanned abdominal surgery

Background: Designing RCTs in surgery requires consideration of existing evidence, stakeholders' views and emerging interventions, to ensure that research questions are relevant to patients, surgeons and the health service. When there is uncertainty about RCT design, feasibility work is recommended. This study aimed to assess how feasibility work could inform the design of a future pilot study and RCT (Bluebelle, HTA ‐ 12/200/04). Methods: This was a prospective survey of dressings used to cover abdominal wounds. Surgical trainees from 25 hospitals were invited to participate. Information on patient risk factors, operation type and type of wound dressings used was recorded for elective and unplanned abdominal procedures over a 2‐week interval. The types of dressing used were summarized, and associations with operation type and patient risk factors explored. Results: Twenty hospitals participated, providing data from 727 patients (1794 wounds). Wounds were predominantly covered with basic dressings (1203 of 1769, 68·0 per cent) and tissue adhesive was used in 27·4 per cent (485 of 1769); dressing type was missing for 25 wounds. Just 3·6 per cent of wounds (63 of 1769) did not have a dressing applied at the end of the procedure. There was no evidence of an association between type of dressing used and patient risk factors, type of operation, or elective and unscheduled surgery. Conclusion: Based on the findings from this large study of current practice, the pilot study design has evolved. The inclusion criteria have expanded to encompass patients undergoing unscheduled surgery, and tissue adhesive as a dressing will be evaluated as an additional intervention group. Collaborative methods are recommended to inform the design of RCTs in surgery, helping to ensure they are relevant to current practice