CONSTRUCTION OF EROTIC NUANCES ON WHATSAPP AND BBM BY NIGERIAN STUDENTS

WhatsApp and BBM are popular instant messengers among Nigerian youths, particularly those of tertiary education age. Both applications are used by different shades of people across both genders as means to achieve different end. This study investigates how both apps are used in the construction of erotic conversations. The study is exploratory in nature and is intended to sketch initial understanding from different pictures painted by individual participants. Consequently, semi-structured interview of the qualitative method was used to extract responses from 20 participants, 10 each from both genders. All participants were drawn randomly from National Diploma (NDI) students of Mass Communication Department of Lagos State Polytechnic, Isolo Campus, Nigeria and year three and four students of Mass Communication Department of Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria. Findings revealed that for technical, operational and financial reasons, participants prefer WhatsApp to BBM. Majority of their erotic experiences occur on WhatsApp, involving, largely, chat buddies they have physical familiarity with. Also, most of the participants received more of nude, sexually explicit pictures of a chat buddy at some point in their erotic chat experiences in addition to pornographic films and sexually charged voice notes.   &nbsp

Performance of Glass and Steel Slag Mixtures as a Partial Replacement for Fine Aggregate in Asphalt Concrete

Solid waste management is a significant challenge  particularly in developing countries for example Nigeria. The waste disposal technique is inadequate as negative effects from improper solid waste dumping can be easily visible in the environment. Recycling and reuse of wasteas aggregate in asphalt production may be an economic way to reduce these problems. This research evaluates the viability of crushed waste glass combined with steel slag (GSS) as fine aggregate in asphalt wearing courses. The Marshall mix method was used in production and evaluation of samples. GSS mixtures in the ratio 70:30 (steel slag: glass) were substituted for fine aggregate at varying percentages of 0 to 50 %. This mix ratio was adopted so that the glass content does not exceed 10%.Five samples of GSS content   (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%and 50%) were prepared and their Marsha lstability,Voids in Mineral Aggregates, Voids filled with Bitumen and bulk density were evaluated and compared to nominal asphalt mix. While a 10% GSS replacement in modified asphalt resulted in a greater peak stability value of 16.21 kN compared to the standard mix peak stability value of 12.68kN. The 20% GSS replacement resulted in a lower flow value and a significantly higher Marshall quotient of 5.11KN/MM was recorded at 20% replacement, making it preferable. As a result, a 20% replacement is advised for heavily trafficked highways, whereas up to 30% replacement is permissible on lightly traveled roads. &nbsp

Determination of Optimal Crew Size in Project Segmentation to Minimize Cost

Stakeholders and contracting board have begun to utilize innovative contracting methods that provide new incentives for reducing construction duration. These methods have placed increasing pressure on decision makers in the construction industry to search for an optimal construction plan that minimizes construction time and cost while preserving quality. This paper considers the problem of finding the optimal number of segment(s) that minimizes total project cost of a non-homogenous road construction project located in a city in South West, Nigeria. A mathematical programming model approach was adopted to obtain the optimal number of segments as opposed to when the activities of the project are scheduled sequentially. Also, Binary interaction matrix (BIM) was used to define stated relationships between fixed and variable quantities of the cost and duration respectively. Given stipulated due date of 8 months with a penalty / bonus of N 63091791/month. The analysis shows that the optimal number of segments into which the project can be divided into is three and that by working in parallel the project will be completed in 5 months at a cost of N1,409,609,413. This is opposed to the original contract lump sum of  N 1, 577, 294, 775 with a normal duration of 12 months. A saving of 1.55% was realized. This work demonstrated the possibility of dividing a continuous repetitive project into a numbers of segments of equal work content, working in parallel, using optimum crew size such that the duration and the total cost of the project can be minimized. Key words: Project Management, Scheduling, Construction planning, Natural Rhythm, Project Segmentatio

Application of value management methodologies to project selection in Nigerian construction industry

Abstract: Previous researchers have proposed that efficient project selection is one of the critical factors that determine project success. Current realities indicate that end users do not accept certain projects despite attempts by these projects at meeting targets of quality, cost and time. Such is the case of certain government-sponsored projects in Nigeria which gets abandoned or fail to attain full utilization. Policy makers assume they know what the people need without consulting them. The value question is hardly adequately answered and agreed upon across the spectrum of stakeholders. The senario above created the need for this research which explores how value management methodologies can be applied to project selection processes in Nigeria. The study adopts mainly the review of literature of value management. The findings showed that a more inclusive, benefits-oriented, value-laden project selection process will lead to a decrease in unused and underutilized public projects in Nigeria. Hence, improving end user satisfaction. This supports the position of established literature and scholarly position in the field of value management which emphasized team oriented, stakeholders inclusive process

Assessment of antibiotics sensitivity of microbial isolates from fish hatcheries

The study assessed the antibiotics sensitivity of bacterial isolates from fish hatcheries. The result revealed that bacteria of public health importance were isolated, however, the TVC did not exceed 105 CFU/g. A total of 16 isolates were detected. Thirteen (13) antibiotics recorded over 50% resistance, with the highest resistance (100%) observed in amoxicillin clavulanate (AUG). Ofloxime (OFX), gentamycin(GN) and levofloxacin (LBC) recorded the lowest resistance of 18.75%, 37.5% and 43.75% respectively. Only these antibiotics with least recorded resistance had susceptibility ranging between 50% (LBC) and 68.75% (OFX). The overall average resistance of the isolates to antibiotics was 68.75%; susceptibility 26.67% and intermediate 4.58%. Isolates 15 showed the highest resistance of 100%, followed by isolates 12 and 10 with 93.33% and 93.33% resistance, respectively. Resistance range of 60% to 86.67% was observed in isolates 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16 and 17. Isolates 3, 8 and 11 had resistance below 50% ranging between 26.67% and 46.67%. The highest multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) was observed in isolate 15 with MARI of 1. Isolates 10 and 12 had MARI of 0.93. This was followed in descending order by isolates 2 and 9 (0.86), isolate 5 (0.8), isolate 14 (0.73), isolates 6 and 7 (0.67) and isolates 4, 13, 16 and 17 (0.6). The least MARI recorded were observed in isolates 3 and 11 (0.47) and isolate 8 (0.27), respectively. The emergence of antibiotic resistance on fish farms in Ijebu-Ode region calls for public health intervention strategies.Keywords: antibiotic; fish health; isolates; resistance

Bacteriological pollution indicators in Ogun River flowing through Abeokuta Metropolis

Water resources are significant part of integrated community development policy and good health. Hence, the need to reduce the impact of natural and anthropogenic pollution causes so as to enhance water quality. The bacteriological quality of the Ogun River was investigated to determine the sanitary conditions of the water body between March and August, 2014. Total heterotrophic bacteria counts (THBC), total coliform counts (TCC) and total Escherichia coli counts (TEC) using standard plate count and Most Probable Number (MPN) techniques were determined. The isolates were identified using 16SrRNA gene. Total heterotrophic bacteria counts varied between 1.13 × 106 and 4.1 × 107 CFU/ml, TCC ranged between 2.5 × 105 and 2.33× 107 CFU/ml and TEC was between 5 × 104 and 1.3 × 106 CFU/ml. Most Probable Number of coliforms in all samples varied between 120 and 1600 MPN/100 ml. Isolated microorganisms include Escherichia coli strain SUS9EC, Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain SSI7, Escherichia coli strain BW25113, Escherichia coli strain C-X1B, and Klebsiella oxytoca strain KU-5. One-wayanalysis of variance showed significant difference within the samples at (P<0.05).The results revealed high bacteria counts which is higher than the recommended value of 1.2 × 102 for THBC, a zero E. coli count and not more than 10 coliforms per 100 ml by World Health Organization standards for drinking water.Keywords: Water, bacteria, Escherichia coli, pollutio

Survival of Escherichia Coli in Lagos Lagoon

There was a gradual decrease in the population of Escherichia coli incubated in autoclaved and unautoclaved (raw) water samples obtained from three different sampling stations of the Lagos lagoon. The survival period of the bacterium was generally shorter in the unautoclaved than in the autoclaved water sample; and also varied with the season. In November, 1976, the survival periods in unautoclaved (raw) samples were 6 and 8 days respectively; while in February, 1977 they were 12 days for all three water samples. For the autoclaved water samples the survival periods in November 1976 were 12 and 14 days; while in February, 1977 they were 22, 24 and 32 days. The survival period was also affected by seasonal variations in some physic-chemical parameters of the lagoon

Alarming increase in the incidence of Cucumber mosaic virus in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) in northern Nigeria

Cowpea plays a key nutritional role in the diet of the Nigerian people. Viral diseases are a major limitation to cowpea production worldwide, and thus, constant viral surveillance is crucial for monitoring and management purposes. In this study, cowpea leaf samples from fields in three northern Nigeria states, Kano, Kaduna and Niger, were tested to determine the status of six common viruses previously reported in these cowpea-producing states following the release of virus-resistant varieties. Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV), Blackeye cowpea mosaic virus (BICMV), Cowpea mottle virus, Southern bean mosaic virus and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) were detected. Cowpea yellow mosaic virus, which was previously reported in all three states, was not detected in any of the samples tested, while CMV that was previously regarded as unimportant to cowpea production in Nigeria had the highest incidence in all three states, and the overall highest incidence of 58.8%, while CABMV had the lowest incidence (7.5%). CMV was also present in seven of the ten mixed infection combinations detected. Dual infection of CMV and BICMV, which often results in cowpea stunt, the most devastating cowpea disease in the USA, was the most frequently detected mixed infection (28.1%) and was detected in all three states. This observed elevation in CMV infection in cowpea must be closely monitored and swiftly managed to avert possible devastating crop yield losses

Strengthening Capacity for Prostate Cancer Early Diagnosis in West Africa Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Realist Approach to Rethinking and Operationalizing the World Health Organization 2017 Guide to Cancer Early Diagnosis

Two years after SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) was declared a global public health emergency, the restoration, at least, to the pre-pandemic level of early diagnostic services for prostate cancer has remained enormously challenging for many health systems, worldwide. This is particularly true of West Africa as the region grapples also with the broader impacts of changing demographics and overly stretched healthcare systems. With the lingering COVID-19 crisis, it is likely that the current trend of late prostate cancer diagnosis in the region will worsen with a concomitant increase in the burden of the disease. There is, therefore, a compelling need for innovative and evidence-based solutions to de-escalate the current situation and forestall the collapse of existing structures supporting early prostate cancer diagnosis in the region. In this viewpoint, we make a case for the operationalization of the World Health Organization (WHO) guide to early cancer diagnosis to strengthen the capacity for early prostate cancer diagnosis in West Africa using a realist approach, drawing on participatory health research and evidence-based co-creation. Ultimately, we demonstrate the potential for developing COVID-19 responsive and context-specific models to optimize patient navigation/journey along the essential steps of the World Health Organization guide to early cancer diagnosis