An ICT-Based E-Collaborative Application for Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria

ICTs are effectively showing new dimensions to old institutional setups. There is a reinforced thrust for an informed andparticipatory citizenry for efficient e-governance. It goes without saying that impact of ICT on institutional changes is fastspreading across the boundaries of social and political arrangements of societies. This is because ICT is the biggest enabler ofchange and process reforms with minimum resistance. Decades of attempts for government and process reforms fade in the faceof what ICT has achieved in few years. In this paper, the idea to make enterprise applications interoperable via central relationaldatabases to support road safety and crime control system is proposed. The following sections discusses how the notion of onlinedecentralised database can be adopted to structure specific solutions to interoperability problems. Section 5 gives thearchitecture, design and technique for the web-based database implementation; how the database can be processed and accuratestatistics about law enforcement generated and analysed to support planning, decision making and control of operations by theauthorities involved in enforcement of law is shown. The concludes with a summary of the salient points.Keywords: ICT, Government, Collaboration, Law Enforcement Agencies and Interoperabilit

INTELLIGENT ADVISORY SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING COMPUTER-BASED AUTHENTICATION USERS

Authentication is one of the cornerstones of computer security systems today, and most users of computers interact withthese mechanisms on a daily basis. However, human factor has often been described as one of the weakest part of computersecurity as users of authentication are often identified to be the weakest link in the security chain. In related development ithas been demanding to merge usability with security in the choice of authentication method by computer users. To addressthe serious problem, this paper presents an intelligent advisory system based on artificial neural network that can assist usersof authentication systems on making decision on the authentication method that best suits them.Keywords: Intelligent, Advisory system, Authentication, Human Factor

Dermatoglyphic appraisal of multiple births women in Igbo-Ora and Ogbomosho, South west, Nigeria

The scientific study of epidermal ridges on the palms and toes is termed dermatoglyphics. Multiple births occur when more than one fetus results  from a single pregnancy. This study is aimed at determining the relationship if any between multiple births and palmar flexion creases. Two  hundred Igbo-Ora and one hundred Ogbomosho healthy and consenting adult female indigenes aged between 25-50 years were recruited and grouped into 4; group I consisted of multiple births women in Igbo-Ora; group II consisted of single births women in Igbo-Ora; group III consisted of multiple births women in Ogbomosho; and group IV consisted of single births women in Ogbomosho. A total of 600 palms (Igbo-Ora n=400; Ogbomosho n=200) comprising of both hands were used in the study. Palm prints samples were obtained by asking the participants to wash their hands, towel dry them, after which they were stained with stamp ink pad and prints made on A4 paper in duplicates. Palm print patterns of 105 (Igbo-Ora) and 50 (Ogbomosho) women with multiple births were compared with 95 (Igbo-Ora) and 50 (Ogbomosho) women with single births. The percentage number of primary, P and intersection, I of palmar creases with complete transverse creases, C (PIC) 300 bilaterally was significantly  greater (p < 0.005) in the hands of Igbo-Ora multiple births women (52.4 %) than their single births women (37.4%) while same trend was observed for Ogbomosho women although difference was statistically insignificant,(p > 0.005). In both Igbo-Ora and Ogbomosho women, PIC 310 bilaterally was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in both hands of single births women than the multiple births women. Hence, dermatoglyphics can be said to have relationship with a woman’s tendency to giving birth to multiples. Keywords: Multiple births, dermatoglyphics, palmar flexion creases, Ogbomosho, Igbo-Or

Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Diversity Management in Nigeria Breweries in Oyo State, Nigeria

Cases of ethnic bias and other forms of discrimination still take places in organizations during hiring, promotion and other employer-employee relation practices. Hence, managements are faced with the big challenge of managing its diverse workforce and emotional intelligence of their employees. This study investigated the impact of emotional intelligence on diversity management in Nigeria Breweries Oyo State. A total of 100 staff in Nigeria Breweries Oyo State in which 55 (55.0%) were male while 45 (45.0%) were female. The study was a survey which employed Descriptive research design and questionnaire was used to obtain the relevant data. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson rho Correlation and Regression Analysis with the application of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. The results showed that that there is joint significant relationship between emotional intelligence on diversity management It was recommended that emotional intelligence concept would integrate the development programs and job-related training provided to employees to improve their skills, providing a foundation for practicable knowledge

ASSESSMENT OF CHEMICAL AND ANTINUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF BREAKFAST MEAL PREPARED FROM BLENDS OF BANANA AND AFRICAN YAM BEAN

Banana (Musa sapientus) and African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) are nutritional food sources that are valuable industrially even in consideration for a balanced nutrition. This research work evaluates the production of breakfast meal from blends of Banana and African yam bean (AYB). Banana and AYB were mixed in the ratio 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 100:0 (control) for the production of breakfast meal. Crude protein, ash, crude fiber, fat and carbohydrate content of mixtures were determined using the AOAC methods. Vitamins, minerals and anti-nutrient composition of the breakfast meal were determined using standard methods and data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Sensory attributes were determined using 9-point hedonic scale by forty panelists. The results of the proximate analysis showed that protein ranged from 5.41-11.26%, fat content (1.97-4.56%), carbohydrate (72.71-79.89%), fiber (0.39-0.57%), ash (3.23-3.97%) and moisture content (7.86-8.20%). Oxalate (8.73-4.38%) decreased with increase in AYB inclusion. Tannin values ranged from 17.09-26.73% and phytate ranged from 11.59-46.77%. The sensory evaluation by the panelists shows that the product was widely accepted. Samples 100:0 and 90:10 were mostly preferred in terms of colour, texture, taste, crispiness, sweetness, flavour, appearance and general acceptability. Hence, the fortification of banana flakes with AYB can be encouraged as a breakfast meal

Quality Assessment of Selected Public Recreational Waters in Sango-Ota Metropolis, Nigeria

The evaluation of selected public swimming pools within Sango-Ota metropolis was done to determine whether the pools adapt to the recommended WHO standard for swimming pool water. Six pools were selected based on the average population per use and user ratings. A total of 12 water samples were analysed physicochemical and microbial qualities using standard methods. The  physicochemical characterization results are as follows; pH, 5.00 - 5.73 with mean value of 5.3; Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), 44.00 - 48.50 mg/L with mean 46.0 mg/L; Alkalinity, 24.00 - 28.50 mg/L with mean 26.0 mg/L; total hardness, 0.80 - 1.23 mg/L with mean 1.0 mg/L; iron, 0.05 – 0.69 mg/L with mean 0.3 mg/L; residual chlorine, 1.06 – 3.25 mg/L with mean 1.9 mg/L. The microbial characterization results are as follows; Zero count for Salmonella-shigella; Total Aerobic Plate Count (TAPC),1360 - 7270 cfu/mL; Escherichia coli count, 0 - 7 cfu/mL; coliform count, 2 – 25 cfu/mL.  The isolated microorganisms from the pools were Escherichia coli, Proteus Vulgaris, Yersinia Enterocolitica, Proteus Mirabilis, Citrobacter Freundi and Vibro Chlorea occurred in 8.33%, respectively while Klebsiella Pneumonia, Entrobacter Aerogenes, Pseudonomas sp. occurred 16.67%. The pH of the analysed pools didn’t comply with the WHO standards while other physicochemical parameters conform to the standard except for pools C and F which had a higher concentration of iron. However, the existence of pathogenic microorganisms in the pools classified them as unsafe for swimming activities. This study recommends routine testing and comprehensive treatments with respect to regulatory standards.  Pool managers should strictly adhere to the bathing load limit and ensure the pool users take shower before using the swimming pools to forestall the outbreak of waterborne disease

A qualitative study of the feasibility and community perception on the effectiveness of artemether-lumefantrine use in the context of home management of malaria in south-west Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Nigeria ACT use at the community level has not been evaluated and the use of antimalarial drugs (commonly chloroquine (CQ)) at home has been shown to be largely incorrect. The treatment regimen of ACT is however more complicated than that of CQ. There is thus a need to determine the feasibility of using ACT at the home level and determine community perception on its use.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A before and after qualitative study using key informant interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted in selected villages in Ona-Ara local government area. At baseline, 14 FGDs and 14 KIIs were conducted. Thereafter, community medicine distributors (CMDs) were trained in each village to dispense artemeter-lumenfantrine (AL) to febrile children aged 6–59 months presumed to have uncomplicated malaria. After one year of drug distribution, nine KIIs and 10 FGDs were conducted. Participants and key informants were mothers and fathers with children under five years, traditional heads of communities, opinion leaders and health workers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>None of the participants have heard of AL prior to study. Participants were favourably disposed to introduction of AL into the community. Mothers/caregivers were said to have used AL in place of the orthodox drugs and herbs reported commonly used prior to study after commencement of AL distribution. The use of CMDs for drug distribution was acceptable to the participants and they were judged to be efficient as they were readily available, distributed correct dose of AL and mobilised the community effectively. AL was perceived to be very effective and no significant adverse event was reported. Major concerns to the sustainability of the program were the negative attitudes of health workers towards discharge of their duties, support to the CMDs and the need to provide CMDs incentives. In addition regular supply of drugs and adequate supervision of CMDs were advised.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings showed that the use of AL at home and community level is feasible with adequate training of community medicine distributors and caregivers. Community members perceived AL to be effective thus fostering acceptability. The negative attitudes of the health workers and issue of incentives to CMDs need to be addressed for successful scaling-up of ACT use at community level.</p

Characterisation of the opposing effects of G6PD deficiency on cerebral malaria and severe malarial anaemia.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is believed to confer protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria, but the precise nature of the protective effecthas proved difficult to define as G6PD deficiency has multiple allelic variants with different effects in males and females, and it has heterogeneous effects on the clinical outcome of P. falciparum infection. Here we report an analysis of multiple allelic forms of G6PD deficiency in a large multi-centre case-control study of severe malaria, using the WHO classification of G6PD mutations to estimate each individual's level of enzyme activity from their genotype. Aggregated across all genotypes, we find that increasing levels of G6PD deficiency are associated with decreasing risk of cerebral malaria, but with increased risk of severe malarial anaemia. Models of balancing selection based on these findings indicate that an evolutionary trade-off between different clinical outcomes of P. falciparum infection could have been a major cause of the high levels of G6PD polymorphism seen in human populations