Educational building conditions and the health of users

In order to maintain a healthy learning environment, diagnosis and management of defects in the educational facility are paramount. The preliminary results of the ongoing research reported here seek to identify defects associated with educational buildings and their effects on the health of polytechnic students and staff in Nigeria. A questionnaire survey, including 34 defects based on a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) was used to establish relationships with the health of polytechnic students and staff. Two hundred (200) respondents were randomly selected based on their schools (faculty) within Lagos State Polytechnic. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis of the collected data. The results of the study indicate that defects such as plumbing and dampness problems, cobwebs and dust, are prominent in the institution. Also the relationship between building conditions (defects) and health problems was established, with the predictors of the health problems. Based on the findings, it is important for designers and managers of facilities within tertiary institutions to develop and implement design and maintenance policies targeted at minimizing the likelihood of plumbing, dampness, electrical, cobweb and dust problems in educational buildings due to the health risks induced by the defects. It is evident that effective maintenance schedules and policies should be put in place to ensure that facilities are not left to decay before replacement

Physico-chemical Properties of Serendipity Berry (Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii) Fruit

This study evaluates the physico-chemical properties of serendipity berry. Physico-chemical properties of the serendipity berries were analyzed. The total number of berries in a bunch of fruit ranged from 45 to 98. This depends on the size of the bunch. The results revealed the dry matter, moisture, soluble solids and vitamin C to be 19.56%, 80.44%, 11.20% and 12.80mg/100g respectively. Titratable acidity and pH were 0.21 % and 6.6 respectively. The number of berries per bunch ranged from 45-98 and the 10-fruit weight was 5.30g. Total carotenoid value was 2.01 mg/100g in the fruit. The fruits have appreciable amount of total soluble solid which could serve as a source of energy. Serendipity berry fruits compared relatively with other fruits used in the fruit industry.Keywords: Carotenoids, Fruit, Physico-chemical properties, Serendipity berr

KNOWLEDGE SHARING BEHAVIOUR AND LIBRARIANS JOB PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

This study sets out to investigate knowledge sharing behavior as a predictor of job performance in universities in the South-West zone of Nigeria. The survey research design was employed for the study that used 364 librarians in the universities in the zone as its population. 343 copies of the research instrument (questionnaire) that was administered were retrieved, and only 329 copies were found useful for the study. Four research questions and one hypothesis (tested at 0.05 lvel of significance) were formulated. The data generated were analysed using the Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The research questions were answered using descriptive statistics, while inferential statistics was used to analyse the hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that there is a high level job performance and knowledge sharing behavior among the librarians. The study also found significant positive relationship between knowledge sharing behavior and job performance. The research concludes that there is a need for high job performance in libraries predictable by the librarians knowledge sharing behavior. The study recommends the documentation of knowledge sharing policy in the university libraries, as well as the encouragement of knowledge sharing behavior among librarians by the various library management

Changes in Functional and Pasting Properties of Trifoliate Yam Flour during Storage

This work aimed at determining the changes in functional and pasting properties of trifoliate yam flour during storage. Freshly harvested trifoliate yam tubers were processed into flour and stored in sealed low density polyethylene polyester for four months. Functional and pasting properties of the flour were evaluated monthly. Moisture contents ranged from 7.49 to 15.30 %. Moisture contents increased with month of storage. Bulk density ranged from 0.58 to 0.69 g/cm3, water absorption capacity 1.44 to 1.93 ml H2O/g and swelling index 1.38 to 2.22. The functional properties decreased with length of storage. Flour obtained at the initial period had the least peak viscosity (3180 cP) while the highest value (3338 cP) was at the second month of storage. Storage of trifoliate yam flour improved the holding strength and final viscosities of the flour. Holding strength and final viscosities increased with length of storage. Flour stored at fourth month had higher setback value (1098.5 cP). There were reductions in the pasting time of the flour with storage periods. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in pasting temperatures of the flours. Storage of trifoliate yam flour for three months is advisable due to high moisture contents which may be detrimental to keeping quality of the flour.Keywords: Trifoliate yam flour; storage time; pasting properties; functional properties; environmental conditio

Comparative efficacy of visual inspection with acetic acid versus cytology for cervical cancer screening in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Background: Screening test for cervical cancer using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) has been advocated by World Health Organization as a suitable, low cost and feasible alternative modality for control of cervical cancer in resource-poor settings as compared to cytological and colposcopic screening. The need for reproducibility, accuracy and comparable efficacy will influence the acceptability of VIA as primary screening modalities for cervical cancer.Methods: A cross–sectional comparative study conducted at BUTH. Data were obtained from 318 consenting women aged 30–65 years using a systematic random sampling method and an interviewer–administered structured questionnaire. Pap smear samples were taken followed by visual inspection with acetic acid. Using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0, Frequencies were obtained and Chi-square test (X2) was used to compare rates and proportions with the level of statistical significance set at less than 0.05.Results: Positive results for premalignant cervical lesion was 1.3% and 4.1% for VIA and Pap smear respectively (X2=4.52; p=0.034). The sensitivity of VIA was 7.7% with positive predictive value of 25% while specificity was 99.0% with a negative predictive value of 96.2%. The prevalence of abnormal cervical lesion in the population studied was 4.1% (95% CI 2.2% – 6.9%).Conclusions: The detection rate for pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix using VIA was significantly lower than that of Pap smear in this study. There may be needed to exercise caution in adopting VIA as primary screening modality for cervical cancer

Inclusive Growth and Distribution of Growth Opportunities in Nigeria

This study examines growth inclusiveness in Nigeria, and investigates optimum distribution of growth opportunities in a typical developing economy like Nigeria, using the framework of equity in the distribution of opportunities. Analyses of benefits from growth, and participation in growth show that consistent growth recorded in Nigeria for more than a decade has not been inclusive. Further employment investigations (aggregate and sectoral) using employment elasticity technique, reveal that aggregate employment’s responsiveness to output is not large enough to reduce unemployment in Nigeria. Sectoral analyses show that manufacturing contributes negatively to employment growth. However, agriculture, extractive, building and construction, and services contribute positively to employment growth, with services taking the lead. Building on utilitarian social welfare function, the study concludes that in order to achieve an optimum distribution of growth opportunities, government must redistribute growth opportunities to wane sector(s) of the economy

Corporate Marketing Strategy and Attainment of Competitive Advantage: Evidence from Nigeria Money Deposit Banks

This study investigates the effect of corporate marketing strategy in the attainment of competitive advantage in Nigeria money deposit banks. Descriptive research design was used. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to select six (6) banks out of twenty (21) deposit money banks currently in Nigeria. Similarly, ten (10) financial experts (i.e. senior and junior staff) were quotally allocated to each bank thus a total number of 60 questionnaires were administered to the targeted respondents on the ground that they are considered to be of interest to this study. Using correlation (r) inferential statistics as analytical tool, the result of the first hypothesis showed that there is a significant positive relationship between marketing strategies of Nigeria money deposit banks in attaining competitive advantage. The finding also revealed from the second hypothesis that there was statistical significant relationship between corporate marketing strategy and customers’ loyalty. Based on this finding, we recommended that financial institutions must assess the rate of success and or failure of marketing strategies to be adopted for better competitive advantage. Keywords: Corporate Marketing Strategies, Competitive Advantage, Deposit Money Banks, Banks’ Share, Customer Loyalty

Microstructural characterisation, physical and chemical properties of rice husk ash as viable Pozzolan in building material: a case study of some Nigerian grown rice varieties

Recycling of agricultural wastes such as rice husk ash as pozzolan is being increasingly encouraged, particularly in developing countries. In this paper, preliminary investigation on the physical and chemical composit ions of r ice husk ash using different techniques was carried out. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of the r ice husk ash showed residual p ores to be distributed within the ash sample, indicating th at the silica is a highly porous material with a large internal surface area . Samples burnt at 4000 C for 6 hours and 6000 C for 4 hours for ‘Bukus’ and ‘Soro/ Olomo nla’ show aggregates with clearly defined layers of loose flakes compared to ‘Faro 58’. The Energy dispersive x ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis of rice husk ash performed to determine percentages of silica present in the samples were graphically represented. Nine elements (Al, Si, K, Ca, Br, Fe, Mg, Na, Mn) and their corresponding oxides (Al2O3 , SiO2 , K2O, CaO, Br, Fe2O3 , MgO, Na2 O, MnO) were detected with varying concentrations. The three varieties , on the average possess good silica content of over 50% considering the two varied temperature and time. Therefore , the chemical analysis results show that burning at combustion temperature of 6000 C for 4hrs, gives optimal result than at 4000 C for 6hrs because all the samples show high Silica content (Faro 58; 61.9, Bukus; 62.6 and Soro/Olomo nla; 59.5). Keywords : Rice husk ash, Scanning electron microscopy, Energy dispersive x - ray spectroscop