The Eradication of Complexities in Human-Computer Interface Design for Increased System Usage Productivity

Computer applications have been developed for virtually all sectors, ranging from medicine, banking to education. The mostimportant factor for the proper use of a computer program is the interface; however in recent times, some computer programshave become highly intricate and uneasy to manipulate. Efforts by programmers to make productive and interactive systemshave been successful yet there is the tendency to introduce complexity and sophistication in the interface designs. This paperattempts to review issues surrounding Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and its relationship to Information Systems. Weidentify some causes of complexity in user interface design and provide solution paradigms to mitigate these complexities.Keywords: Interface design, Human-Computer Interaction, Complexities, Systems and Usabilit

OIL VALUE VARIATIONS AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS TOWARDS WEALTH CREATION OF OIL AND GAS VENDING CORPORATIONS

The study investigated the effect of oil value variations and cost-effectiveness towards wealth creation of oil and gas vending corporations. The main objective of the study was to determine whether oil value variation impact on cost-effectiveness in the processes of wealth creation in oil and gas vending corporations in Nigeria. Data were obtained from secondary sources such as annual financial reports of corporations which were within the coverage years of investigation. Simple regression technique was used to analyze the data collected. The findings revealed that, oil value variations do not significantly affect cost-effectiveness in the processes of wealth creation of oil and gas vending corporations under consideration. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the management of companies should devise effective strategies in regulating and controlling the effect of oil value variations on their corporate cost-effectiveness towards wealth creation. JEL: L20; L22; L72  Article visualizations

Utilization of banked blood in pediatric surgical procedures in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Performing major surgery in a child demands that blood is cross-matched and saved to be transfused as indicated. Because the cost of crossmatching and donation of blood can be enormous and may equal or surpass the cost of surgery in our setting, it is pertinent to evaluate its  utilization. The aim of this study was to determine how banked blood meant for pediatric surgical procedures was utilized with the hope of streamlining our blood requisition policy. This may be useful to pediatric and other surgeons involved in the operative care of children in similar settings.Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study of all children who had ELECTIVE or EMERGENCY surgical procedures between January 2009  and June 2010. The age, sex, nature of surgery, blood loss, banked units of blood and amount transfused were collected and analyzed.Results:  Eighty two patients had 81 units of blood banked for them. Forty – eight and half units (59.9%) of the banked blood were for the emergency group but only 18 units (22.2%) were actually transfused at the end (P = 0.044) leading to inadequate use of the product.Conclusion: Banking large quantities of blood but utilizing only little istantamount to inadequate use and delays surgical intervention. Indirectly, it increases cost of surgery. There is need to rationalize our blood ordering habits without causing harm to patients.Key words: Banked Blood, Calabar – Nigeria, pediatrics, surgical procedures, utilizatio

Pediatric trauma in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges in overcoming the scourge

All over the world, pediatric trauma has emerged as an important public health problem. It accounts for the highest mortality in children and young adults in developed countries. Reports from Africa on trauma in the pediatric age group are few and most have been single center experience. In many low-and middle-income countries, the death rates from trauma in the pediatric age group exceed those found in developed countries. Much of this mortality is preventable by developing suitable preventive measures, implementing an effective trauma system and adapting interventions that have been implemented in developed countries that have led to significant reduction in both morbidity and mortality. This review of literature on the subject by pediatric and orthopedic surgeons from different centers in Africa aims to highlight the challenges faced in the care of these patients and proffer solutions to the scourge

Primary Swenson Pull-Through in Infants Less Than 4-Months: A Preliminary Report

Background: In our center, our approach has been to practice the traditional staged procedure for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease. This prospective study was to determine the feasibility of early neonatal pull through and in infants less than 4 months. Methods: 5 consecutive patients with Hirschsprung's disease under 4 months of age were recruited in to the study. Full thickness rectal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis in all the patients. A primary definitive Swenson's pull through was using standard technique with intraoperative frozen section when available. Perioperative Ceftriaxone and metronidazole was administered preoperatively. A rectal tube made from a 2cc syringe was left in situ for 5-7 days after the operation Results: Four of the patients were seen within the neonatal period and a patient presented at 13 weeks, the male to female ratio is 4:1. The mean weight at admission is 3.20kg while the mean weight at surgery was 3.75kg. Intra-operative frozen section revealed that two patients had aganglionosis up to the proximal sigmoid colon while 2 other patients had an aganglionosis up to the proximal descending colon and the distal transverse colon respectively. All the patients were commenced with oral intake on or before 4th post-operative day. Wound infection and paralytic ileus occurred in the immediate post operative period in one patient each while another developed an incisional hernia. None of these complications was life threatening and were all managed as required. Bowel opening in the patients range from 2-5 times daily. Conclusions: Based on this preliminary study it can be concluded that primary neonatal and early infancy pull through is feasible and advantageous to the patients. Further prospective works in this area are needed coupled with improvement in the neonatal care facilities. Keywords: Hirschsprung's disease, Primary Swenson pullthrough, infants > African Journal of Paediatric Surgery Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 56-5

Experience with Exomphalos in a Tertiary Health Center in Nigeria

There is paucity of data on the pattern, presentation and outcome ofmanagement of exomphalos in developing countries. Aretrospective study of all cases of exomphalos managed within a at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching hospital, Ile Ife, SouthwesternNigeria. Ninety-one cases of exomphalos were managed over the study period. Forty-six (50.5%) were males and 45 (49.5%) were females (M:F=1:1). The mean age at presentation was 2.48days (range 2hours - 15 days). The median weight was 3.0kg (range 1.6 - 4.95kg). Sixty four (7.3%) patients had major exomphalos (defect > 5cm) while 27 (29.7%) were minor (defec