An Assessment of Information Brokerage in Academic Libraries in Nigeria: University of Calabar Library in Perspective.

This study is an assessment of information brokerage in the University of Calabar Library in the discharge of its functions to aid teaching, learning and research from 2005 to 2010. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study and the total sampling procedure was used in selecting the seven divisional heads of the study. A checklist of University of Calabar Library Information Brokerage Delivery (IBD) Systems was prepared together with an interview schedule and used to elicit information from these librarians. The results showed that the University of Calabar Library has been engaging in information brokerage activities in the different units of the library through information merchandizing. It was discovered that patronage on brokerage activities and services were disproportionate among the units surveyed. The study showed that brokerage on publication services and system/technical services rated highest between the period covered by the study. The two brokerage delivery systems undertook 113 and 925 transactions and generated a substantial amount of income for the library. The study concludes that the University of Calabar Library is engaging enormously in information brokerage and thereby sustaining Entrepreneurship Education in library and Information Science in Nigeria. It is recommended that subject specialist librarianship be encouraged in academic libraries to facilitate the attainment of financial goals in the specialized services delivery in University Library as well as other tertiary institutions’ libraries in Nigeria.KEY WORDS: Information Brokerage; Information Products and Services; University of Calabar Library; Fee-Based Services; Entrepreneurship  Education

Impact of Queuing on Call Completion Rate in GSM Networks

Effective utilization of network resource reduces the probability that a call arriving at the base station (BS) of a network will be lost. Performance evaluation plays an important role in modelling and designing of effective schemes to utilize limited network resource. This objective is achieved by an accurate traffic characterization and a precise analysis of the performance metrics in terms of traffic intensity. This has prompted the deployment of various concepts and techniques aimed at delivering solutions on the issue of optimization of GSM networks. In this paper, we use the queuing approach to develop a model for call completion, making signal power considerations as well. A General User Interface (GUI) is designed for the developed model using MATLAB and the impact of queuing on call completion is analysed by carrying out an assessment of the performance of the model at different parametric values.http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v34i1.2

Social influence processes and life orientation in risk perception of drug use among undergraduates

The current study investigated the role of social influence processes: informational social influence and normative social influence, and life  orientation in risk perception of drug use. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 380 undergraduates were recruited using a random sampling technique. Results reveal that within the study sample, which comprised university undergraduates, social influence processes, whether informational or normative, did not influence reported risk perception of drug use. In the same way, life orientation did not also correlate with risk perception of drug use but shows possibility of significant influence at a little above the .05 significant level (p = .059). However, gender showed a significant relationship with risk perception of drug use with females more likely to perceive risk of using drugs than their male counterparts. These results could mean very much to researchers on drug use when we consider other levels of interrelationships among variables. The result indicates that differences in how men and women are socialized form an orientation pattern for each of the sexes and each gender continues in the determined path from generation to generation. An important strategy therefore for men to strengthen their risk perception of dangerous situations is to forge a knit relationship with a network of female folks such as mothers, sisters, co-workers, acquaintances and wives. Female relations on their own part should ensure that they keep a tap on their male relatives and associates show absolute loyalty and allegiance to be able to employ either kinship synergies or diverse forms of sexual politics to restrain them from unwanted and risky behaviours

Control of a dc motor using fuzzy logic control algorithm

This study sought to establish the impact of a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) and a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller in the control performance of an industrial type DC motor using MATLAB. The fuzzy logic controller was developed on the basis of Mamdani type fuzzy inference system (FIS). The centroid method of defuzzification was also adopted. A choice of seven membership functions was designed for the error and change in error inputs alongside the output, hence a resultant of 49 rules was achieved for the fuzzy controller. Simulations for the PID controller and with the fuzzy controller were obtained at no load and for a selected reference speed of 1200 rpm. The simulations were further repeated for a load torque of 7Nm with the same reference speed. The simulated results were compared. Based on the findings, it was observed that the fuzzy speed controlled DC motors perform better than the PID speed controlled DC motors in terms of its faster settling time, absence of an overshoot and its sensitivity to applied load. Sequel to the foregoing findings, the researchers concluded that fuzzy logic controllers should be readily implemented in our local industries to enhance precision and improve performance in operations involving DC motors.Keywords: DC motor, Fuzzy logic, Rule base, PID Controller, Fuzzificatio

Acetylcholinesterase, Tyrosinase, α-Glucosidase inhibition by Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss. & Dur. Fruits Essential oil and Ethanolic Extract and Molecular Docking Analysis

Medicinal and aromatic plants serve as valuable reservoirs of bioactive molecules and mineral compounds that are harnessed for therapeutic and agro-food applications. The objective of this study was to assess the inhibitory enzyme properties of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss & Dur fruit essential oil, as well as its aqueous and ethanol extracts, against acetylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, and α-glucosidase. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of these natural mixtures was evaluated using three different methods: DPPH, FRAP, and β-carotene bleaching tests. Furthermore, this research endeavors to examine the mineral constituents of various components of the plant under investigation. The various natural combinations that were examined exhibited a notable inhibitory impact on the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (67.56-92.30%), tyrosinase (57.52-63.44%), and α-glucosidase (61.22-72.49%). The analyzed extracts also demonstrate a significant antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the results obtained from the analysis indicate a notable presence of both macro and microelements, such as calcium (2.028 mg/g for leaves and 1.787 mg/g for fruits), within the Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss & Dur plant. The current study supports the significance of utilizing Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss & Dur fruits in the medicinal and agro-alimentary sectors. The utilization of molecular docking techniques was employed in order to make predictions regarding the therapeutic effects of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss & Dur fruits

Relative signal strength coverage optimization in indoor and outdoor wireless LAN environments

Fading and obstacles constitute major threats to effective quality of service (QoS) delivery in wireless local area network (WLAN) environments. In this contribution, we investigate the signal quality of indoor and outdoor WLANs over a defined coverage area. We present experimental analysis of case studies that will be useful for further research and validate the system’s performance in practice. Using an optimized form of the pathloss models, a simulation of the system is carried out over short and extended coverage. Simulation results show that signal quality could be effectively managed to improve the system’s performance for both indoor and outdoor environments in the presence of fading and other environmental factors.Facultad de Informátic

Compressive strength and workability of laterized quarry sand concrete

This paper presents an experimental study on workability and compressive strength of concrete using various combinations of lateritic sand and quarry sand as complete replacement for conventional river sand fine aggregate. Quantity of lateritic sand varied from 0 to 50% against quarry dust at interval of 10%. Concrete cubes were prepared for two mix ratios: 1:1.5:3 and 1:2:4 and three water/cement ratios: 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7 and were cured and tested in the laboratory for compressive strength. Slump tests were also carried out for each mix. For each mix and water/cement ratios, control samples were also prepared using river sand as fine aggregate. The resulting concrete cubes fall within the range for normal weight concrete and although laterized quarry dust concrete had poorer workability, their compressive strength compare favourably with those of conventional concrete. The use of laterized quarry sand concrete for structural members is therefore recommended when laterite content is not more than 50%.Keywords: Compressive Strength, Concrete, Lateritic Sand, Quarry Sand, Workabilit

Factors affecting treatment practices of patent medicine vendors for malaria in under-five children: implications for malaria control in Nigeria

Background: Patent medicine vendors (PMVs) are the most common source of antimalarial drugs and treatment for majority of Nigerians. The quality of their practice could have implications for malaria control. This study sought to explore the factors influencing the malaria treatment practices of PMVs for under-five children in Akwa Ibom State.Methods: A cross-sectional survey using an interviewer-administered questionnaire was conducted among 176 PMVs selected by simple random sampling from two local government areas (LGAs). In addition, four focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted to generate qualitative data. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 20 while content analysis was done on the qualitative data.Results: Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) was the most frequently recommended antimalarial treatment by PMVs (75.6%) for children as against chloroquine (17%) and Sulphadoxine/Pyrimethamine (2.8%). However, only 39.2% of PMVs recommended the appropriate antimalarial treatment (ACTs at the right dose for age), while 71% recommended referral for severe malaria. Factors found to be associated with appropriate management of malaria from quantitative analysis included Educational qualification, attending malaria training and their knowledge of malaria. The FGDs showed that severity ofchild’s illness, parents/caregivers drug request and perceived ability of the parents/caregiver to afford the drugs influenced PMVs malaria treatment practices.Conclusion: Knowledge of malaria, severity of child’s illness and parents’ drug request influenced the treatment practices of PMVs. Training PMVs on appropriate malaria management and community health education/sensitization to leverage on the influence of client-demand on ACT use is recommended to improve PMVs treatment practice.Keywords: Malaria, under-five children, patent medicine vendors, ACT, NigeriaFunding: This study was conducted using mainly personal funds of the lead author with some support from the Universityof Uyo Teaching Hospital