The impact of Green Information Systems on sustainable supply chain and organizational performance

This paper reports about a research in progress focusing on the impact of green information systems on sustainable supply chain performance. Green information systems, supply chains and their relation to sustainability and performance measurement are explained. The preliminary literature review resulted in a draft conceptual framework where sustainable supply chain measures focusing on economic, environmental and social aspects are combined with traditional supply chain performance measures of cost, quality, dependability, flexibility and speed. The measures for the triple bottom line of sustainability are listed as internal and external indicators. The research challenges addressed in this preliminary work comprise of integration of sustainability performance with traditional performance objectives in the supply chain, measurement of the social performance of supply chain and establishment of the relationship amongst the sustainable supply chain and performance indicators using a green information system infrastructure

Pi-Conjugated Phosphole Derivatives: Promising Building Blocks for ?-Conjugated Organic Materials

Pi-Conjugated organophosphorus derivatives have recently emerged as valuable building blocks for the tailoring of functional molecular materials. In order to guide the synthesis of novels materials with low band gaps, theoretical study on the geometries and electronic properties of new conjugated compounds based on low coordinate heterophosphole compounds were carried out. The theoretical ground-state geometries and the electronic structures of the studied molecules were obtained using the density functional theory (DFT) method at B3LYP level with 6-31G(d) basis set. The effects of the phosphorus and different heteroatom elements on the geometries and electronic properties of these materials were discussed. The results from this study show that conjugated molecules containing phosphorus atom gives better electronic properties compared to their organic counterparts that had been used in optoelectronic devices. Hence these compounds could be a good promising building blocks candidate for opto-electronic applications. Keywords: Conjugated Compounds, Electronic Properties, Density Functional Theory, Opto-Electronic Devic

Impacts of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Reportage on Abeokuta Residents’ Opinion of Corruption in Buhari's Administrations (2015-2023)

This study examined the impacts of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) reportage on Abeokuta residents' opinion of corruption in Buhari's administrations (2015-2023). The objectives were to find out the level of Abeokuta residents' awareness of NTA reportage on corruption in Buhari's administration; examine Abeokuta residents' opinion of NTA's objectivity in reporting corruption during Buhari's administration and ascertain Abeokuta residents' opinion on the impacts of NTA’s corruption reportage in Buhari's administration. The Agenda setting theory was the theoretical framework. Survey served as research design while questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. The researchers found that NTA's corruption reportage during Buhari's administration had both positive and negative impacts. The positive impacts include increased pressure on the government to curb corruption, strengthened anti-corruption agencies, and recovery of stolen funds. Based on the findings, it was recommended among other things that the media should give more attention to the issue of corruption to set the agenda for the public to focus on this important issue and that this can be achieved by increasing the frequency and depth of coverage of corruption-related issues

Antisickling agent in an extract of unripe pawpaw (Carica papaya): Is it real?

Investigations into antisickling and reversal of sickling activities of an aqueous extract of unripe pawpaw (Carica papaya) were carried out on blood from sickle cell patients (Haemoglobin SS, HbSS) using 2% sodium metabisulphite in a sickling test. The minimum concentration of the extract that achieved maximum antisickling in vitro and the fraction of the extract where the antisickling agent resides were determined. Our findings confirmed both antisickling and reversal of sickling activities ofthe extract. It was established that 1.0 g of unripe pawpaw in 1.0 ml of physiological saline was the minimum concentration that achieved maximum antisickling. Solvent partitioning of the extract withethyl acetate and butanol revealed that the antisickling agent in the extract of unripe pawpaw resides in the ethyl acetate fraction as this fraction prevented sickling of Hb SS red cells and reversed sickled HbSS red cells in 2% sodium metabisulphite whereas the butanol and aqueous fractions had none of these properties. We concluded that extract of unripe pawpaw really has antisickling agent and that thisantisickling agent lies in the ethyl acetate fraction of the extract

Toxicity evaluation of waste effluent from cassava-processing factory in lagos state, nigeria using the Allium cepa assay

Mutagenic and genotoxic effects of cassava wastewater (CWW) were investigated by assay of Allium cepa root meristematic cells. The physicochemical parameters of the wastewater samples showing cyanide content were also determined. In Allium root growth inhibition test, experimental onion bulbs were cultivated in various concentrations of the CWW and distilled water was used as a negative control. After 72 h, the root tips from the treated bulb were processed for cytological studies by orcein squash technique. The mean lengths of root bundles were obtained and effective concentration (EC) values calculated. The cytotoxic effects on the onion root tips showed strong growth retardation at high concentrations of the effluent with EC value of 10%. The 50 mitotic index (MI) rapidly decreased with increasing effluent concentration compared to control. There was significant increase in frequency of chromosome aberrations (sticky chromosome, c-mitosis, vagrant chromosome, bridges fragment, binucleated cells, multipolar anaphase, attached chromosome and laggard chromosome) in root tip meristem cells of Allium cepa at all tested concentrations. Further analysis using oneway ANOVA revealed that there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in concentration-dependent inhibition of onion root growth, mitotic index and induction of chromosomal aberration in the Allium cepa test. The results indicate that the effluent samples collected were highly mutagenic. The results of physicochemical analysis revealed that the concentrations of some parameters (conductivity, total suspended solid (TSS), total dissolved solid (TDS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate, cyanide, chloride and metals-magnesium, aluminum, chromium, cadmium, manganese and iron) were above the maximum permissible limit set by world health organization (WHO) and could partly be correlated with the toxicity of wastewater. The findings indicate that the substances contained in the cassava effluents may be toxic to living organisms and may pollute the environment if untreated

From Theory to Implementation: Adaptations to a Quality Improvement Initiative According to Implementation Context

As countries continue to invest in quality improvement (QI) initiatives in health facilities, it is important to acknowledge the role of context in implementation. We conducted a qualitative study between February 2019 and January 2020 to explore how a QI initiative was adapted to enable implementation in three facility types: primary health centres, public hospitals and private facilities in Lagos State, Nigeria. Despite a common theory of change, implementation of the initiative needed to be adapted to accommodate the local needs, priorities and organisational culture of each facility type. Across facility types, inadequate human and capital resources constrained implementation and necessitated an extension of the initiative’s duration. In public facilities, the local governance structure was adapted to facilitate coordination, but similar adaptations to governance were not possible for private facilities. Our findings highlight the importance of anticipating and planning for the local adaptation of QI initiatives according to implementation environment

Potentials of microorganisms associated with plantain peels in the Lagos metropolis for biodegradation and bioconversion.

The role of microbes in the degradation of plantain derived-wastes and their potential to produce cellulolytic enzymes was assessed. Soil samples of decomposing waste piles were collected from two major plantain markets in the Lagos metropolis and analyzed for physicochemical properties, toxic heavy metal content and microbial populations. Findings revealed that the values of moisture content of the two soils varied between 7.27±0.04 and 8.06±0.19 %. M-12 site had the highest organic matter content of 6.89±0.14 %. A similar pattern was observed for nitrate, phosphate and chloride levels while some heavy metals were also detected in varying and high amounts. The highest viable bacterial counts was 58.0±2.9 x 104 cfu/g at MU and there were no fungi at the site whereas M-12 had a fungal count of 40.0±3.3 x 103 cfu/g. Out of the total of 34 isolates encountered, 8 isolates having maximum cellulase activities were selected for further studies by the primary screening technique. These test organisms were then evaluated by secondary screening for enzyme production. The test organisms were phenotypically and biochemically characterized and identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae spp pneumoniae (2 strains), Klebsiella pneumoniae spp ozaenae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Providencia alcalifaciens, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger respectively. Both the bacteria and moulds were found to be capable of utilizing lignin and cellulosic substrates for growth and for production of cellulolytic enzymes. It is suggested that such microorganisms could be useful in bioconversion of cellulosic substrates like plantain-derived wastes for biotechnological application

An innovative tailored instructional design for computer programming courses in engineering

Industry 4.0 and 5.0 topics are emerging fields and have seen rising demand recently. There is a critical need, on the other hand, for improved methods of instructing programming languages since a growing lack of student motivation during the pandemic has had a deleterious influence on the education of programmers. In this context, online/hybrid computer programming courses must be addressed with innovative solutions to support the field with well-educated professionals. In this paper, we present a case study to propose an innovative tailored instructional design for the online/hybrid learning environments for programming courses in engineering faculties. To develop the instructional design, the Kemp Instructional Design Model was followed. The instructional design is a result of the main outputs of the RECOM “Redesigning Introductory Computer Programming Using Innovative Online Modules” project, which aims to bridge the gap between the existing course design in programming courses and the needs of "Covid” and “post-Covid” generation students

Medical theses as part of the scientific training in basic medical and dental education: experiences from Finland

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Teaching the principles of scientific research in a comprehensive way is important at medical and dental schools. In many countries medical and dental training is not complete until the candidate has presented a diploma thesis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nature, quality, publication pattern and visibility of Finnish medical diploma theses.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 256 diploma theses presented at the University of Oulu from 2001 to 2003 were analysed. Using a standardised questionnaire, we extracted several characteristics from each thesis. We used the name of the student to assess whether the thesis resulted in a scientific publication indexed in medical article databases. The number of citations received by each published thesis was also recorded.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A high proportion of the theses (69.5%) were essentially statistical in character, often combined with an extensive literature review or the development of a laboratory method. Most of them were supervised by clinical departments (55.9%). Only 61 theses (23.8%) had been published in indexed scientific journals. Theses in the fields of biomedicine and diagnostics were published in more widely cited journals. The median number of citations received per year was 2.7 and the range from 0 to 14.7.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The theses were seldom written according to the principles of scientific communication and the proportion of actually published was small. The visibility of these theses and their dissemination to the scientific community should be improved.</p

The risk factors for unexplained antepartum stillbirths in Scotland, 1994 to 2003

Objective: To determine the factors contributing to unexplained antepartum stillbirth in Scotland. Study Design: A 10-year birth database in Scotland was used to compare the unexplained antepartum stillbirth with other birth outcomes. The sample unit was a pregnant mother with a gestational age of 20 weeks and above and with a fetal birth weight of 200 g and above. Result: Maternal age of 35 years and above, lower deprivation category, inaccessible area of residence, maternal smoking, maternal height of <160 cm and gestational age of above 39 weeks were significantly associated with unexplained antepartum stillbirth. In multivariable analysis only maternal age (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.8, confidence interval (CI): 1.1 to 3.0, P=0.02), smoking during pregnancy (adjusted OR: 2.0, CI: 1.1 to 3.5, P=0.02), and maternal height (adjusted OR: 1.4, CI: 1.1 to 1.8, P=0.01), remain significant. Screening of pregnancies based on these three risk factors had 4.2% sensitivity and 99.4% specificity. The prevalence of stillbirth for this population was 0.2%. A positive predictive value of only 1.2% implies that only 1 in 83 women with these three risk factors will have antepartum stillbirth. The remaining 82 will suffer needless anxiety and potentially diagnostic procedures. Conclusion: Advanced maternal age, maternal smoking, and shorter maternal height were associated risk for unexplained antepartum stillbirth but screening based on these factors would be of limited value