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Copyright complications and consequences at the International Library of African Music, Rhodes University: A case study
No full textThis research aims to explore the position of copyright in contemporary South African legislation, with the International Library of African Music (ILAM) being used as a case study. The catalyst was a contract between the Smithsonian Institution, U.S.A. and ILAM for the Smithsonian Global Sound Network project which requested ILAM to trace and find performers of archived materials to pay out royalties. The research was conducted using various approaches, namely qualitative, quantitative and historical methods which were accomplished through substantial internet and library research coupled with source field research. Recorded interviews provided essential historical and qualitative data, while quantitative data was gathered from various sources. The focus of the investigation concentrated on the 1000 tracks from the Sound of Africa Series, which were delivered to the Smithsonian Global Network under a licensing agreement. In an endeavour to assess the feasibility of the GSN/ILAM Contract stipulations, field work was undertaken using both video and audio recordings to detail the complications of trying to locate, if not the original performer of the contracted tracks, then the surviving members of their families in South Africa. The bulk of the research, however, related to deciphering the contract and its associated implications for ILAM and the musicians recorded. The research took place in the Eastern Cape of South Africa and the trial research intervention was confined to a single performer who was recorded by Hugh Tracey in the Ngqushwa (Peddie) District. The research remains relevant, and findings show that all archives currently involved in field recording need to put careful policies in place. Benefit-sharing agreements and Memoranda of Understandings relating to clear copyright and intellectual property ownership declarations must be signed upfront to reassure creatives and musicians that their rights are valued and that the researchers’ obligations will be followed through. 
Comparison of radiographic and CT appearances of covid-19 pneumonia and influenza pneumonia in a sub-Saharan Africa population
No full textBackground: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has infected over 600 million people worldwide with over 6 million deaths as of September 2022. Differentiation of the imaging appearance of COVID-19 pneumonia and the endemic seasonal influenza pneumonia is important as it may provide direction on patient care.Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in radiographic and computed tomography (CT) appearances of COVID-19 pneumonia and influenza pneumonia in a sub-Saharan Africa population.Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study comparing patterns of pneumonia on radiographs and CT examinations of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and influenza pneumonia. The comparisons included the predominant radiographic pattern of pneumonia and extent of pneumonia. The radiographic severity of disease was classified as mild, moderate or severe based on extent of lung involvement.Results: A total of 99 examinations were reviewed, 52 chest x-rays and 47 CT chest examinations. Ground glass opacification had the highest sensitivity (89.5%) and negative predictive value (72.7%) in identification of COVID-19 pneumonia while reticulonodular opacities had the highest sensitivity (53.3%) and negative predictive value (68.2%) for identification of influenza pneumonia. The majority (90.9%) of Influenza pneumonia cases had lower CORADS scores of 2 and 3.Conclusion: The presence of reticulonodular opacities can help differentiate influenza pneumonia from COVID-19 pneumonia. Radiographic differentiation of influenza pneumonia from COVID-19 pneumonia can assist in early triage and management of patients suspected to have either of these two pneumonias which can have similar clinical presentation but often variable severity and outcome
Use of Retrieval Tools for Records Access in the Registry Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Get PDFThis study focuses on Use of Retrieval Tools for Records Access in the Rigistry Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. In order to achieve this, two research objectives were used. To find out the procedures through which the records retrieval tools are used and the challenges associated with the use of records retrieval tools in the registries of the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The research methodology adopted was quantitative and survey design. The population of this study comprised of the entire records managers in the three study areas under Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, totaling twenty six (26) in number. Because the population was small, the researcher used the entire members of the population. The researcher used self- developed questionnaire for collecting data. It was found out among others that majority of the respondents indicated the procedures through which records retrieval tools were utilised are manual records guide, manual records inventories, registers, manual records index and electronic records catalogue. Majority of the respondents also indicated that the challenges faced in the utilisation of records retrieval tools were none indication on the records retrieval tool, for example, records catalogue (manual and electronic) that a particular record is totally lost from the storage devices of the records centre. It was concluded that the records retrieval tools used in the registries of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, were not many and they were mostly manual and not efficient. It was recommended, among others, that the management of the Registries of the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, should update some of the records retrieval tools to align with the present records management system in order to be used like the other ones used in the Division. 
Mutagenic effects of colchicine on the morphology and yield of three tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) accessions
Get PDFThe mutagenic effect of Colchicine on the morphology and yield of tomato was investigated. Seeds of three tomato accessions (NG/MR/May/09/005- SouthWest, NG/SA/07/10/002- NorthEast and NG/CHU/Jun/0201-SouthEast) were presoaked in four different concentrations of Colchicine (0.1mM, 0.3mM, 0.5mM, 1.0mM) and 0.0mM as control. The domestic demand for tomato extremely exceeds the supply with over 2-3 million metric tons annually thereby involving Nigeria into importing about 300,000 metric tonnes worth over $360 million dollar yearly. The experiment was laid in Randomized Complete Block Design in five replications. The morphological parameters used to characterize the mutants were plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf length, number of branches, number of days to first flowering, fruit weight, germination percentage and number of fruit/plant. The results revealed significant difference (p<0.05) in some of the morphological traits assessed when compared with the controls, except in the number of branches and plant height, where the effect of the mutagen was not important (p>0.05). The morphological and yield parameters of the southwest and northeast accessions of tomato as observed in this study, improved with decreasing concentration of Colchicine, while the southeast improved with increase in the concentration of Colchicine. It is thus recommended that, to improve growth and yield parameters in tomatoes, 0.1mM concentration should be employed to improve Southwest and Northeast tomato accessions, while 0.5mM or 1.0mM concentrations should be used in the Southeast tomato accessions. 
The Fear of COVID-19 Infection and Its Correlates with Clinical Practice among Nigerian Dentists
Get PDFBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic was not without its consequences like fear and effect on the economy and health care systems, with dentists being at a high risk of contracting the infection.
Objectives: The study aimed to assess the fear and risk of contracting the disease among Nigerian dentists. It also assessed a self-reported economic impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 disease on dental practices in Nigeria.
Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among Nigerian dentists. The survey link was forwarded on social media platforms of Nigerian dentists. The questionnaire inquired about fear/anxiety, self-reported effect on clinic income, adequacy of knowledge on COVID-19, and use of N95 facemask, among others. The statistical level was set at 5%.
Results: A total of 314 dentists (184 males and 130 females) within the age range of 22 to 63 years responded. The majority (214; 68.2%), were confident about their knowledge of the COVID-19 disease. Almost all the participants (298; 94.9%) entertained fears of contracting the disease through practice and transmission to family members, while 54.1% strongly agreed that the N95 mask should be worn routinely. However, all (100.0%) reported an economic impact of the pandemic on dental practice.
Conclusion: The fear of contracting COVID-19 infection was high among dentists. Therefore, adequate and regular use of protective and preventive measures such as N95 face mask should be a priority among dentists. Attention should be paid to constant medical evaluation to those at risk
Reported incidence of Cluster Seizures in Persons with Epilepsy. Experience from Two Tertiary Hospitals in Enugu South East Nigeria.
No full textBackground: Repetitive seizures are neurological emergencies which may occur in people with epilepsy. Ascertaining the incidence of these episodes of such seizures in the community is wrought with many challenges and few reports exist in sub Saharan Africa, a region with a high burden of epilepsy. The aim of this study was to describe the caregiver reported frequency of acute recurrent seizures in people with epilepsy attending neurology outpatient clinic in Enugu.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was performed in the medical out-patient clinics in Enugu Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from an existing epilepsy register. Cluster seizures were defined as frequent repetitive seizures (two or more) occurring more than usual within a week. Epilepsy was defined based on ILAE criteria.
Results: A total of 73(45.3%) reported a lifetime history of cluster seizures; similar in males 39(48.1%) and females 34(45.9%). P=0.73. About 36.4% and 38.2% of PWE who had a history of traumatic brain injury and stroke had also experienced at least one SC. A large proportion of PWE with SC also had experienced status epilepticus in the past. Seizure cluster was correlated by older age of onset, having various forms of seizures and longer seizure freedom
Conclusions: The reported lifetime history of cluster seizures among people with epilepsy attending a tertiary hospital clinic is high. This may suggest both poor seizure control and severity. Careful patient education will improve both adherence and emergency management of epilepsy to reduce the morbidity of epilepsy in the community
Developing Indicators to Measure the Implementation of the Western Cape Alcohol Harms Reduction Strategy in South Africa
Get PDFThis manuscript describes a process to develop a set of indicators to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Western Cape Alcohol-Related Harms Reduction (AHR) White Paper in South Africa and provide a final set of indicators. Drawing on the framework in Andréasson et al. (2009), a logic model with categories and types of indicators (i.e. prevention, determinants, consumption, and alcohol-related harms) was used to develop an initial set of 255 indicators. The methodological process followed involved a) scoping of a large electronic database maintained by the South African Medical Research Council, b) a comprehensive literature review and, c) reaching out to18 international key informants. Iterative communications with stakeholders from diverse government entities via email, telephone calls and individual and multi-person face-to-face meetings, together with a consensus process involving the study team was used to refine the indicators. The final set included 176 indicators; 108, (61.4%) of these were “core” indicators, and 68 (38.6%) were “expanded” indicators, meaning they added to the core indicators in given areas which would be useful to have but are of a lower priority or are likely to be less easy to obtain. Of the core indicators, 45 (42.4%) were deemed by policy makers/researchers in the Premier’s office as “high-level indicators,” denoting that they were the most essential. This manuscript demonstrates that it is possible to develop evidence-based, location-specific indicators to evaluate policy implementation
Perception of Academic Librarian’s Towards Knowledge Sharing For Service Delivery in University Libraries in Kaduna State.
Get PDFThe study investigated the perception of academic librarians towards knowledge sharing in the university libraries in Kaduna state; to identify the services delivered towards knowledge sharing in the university libraries in Kaduna state and to identify the inhibitors to knowledge sharing among academic librarians in the university libraries in Kaduna state. The study adopted the quantitative research approached from the positivists school of thought, using descriptive survey design. The total enumeration sampling scale was also adopted to administer questionnaires to 172 academic librarians. The data collected was analyzed using mean score value. The findings of the study revealed tha: majority of the respondents have positive perception towards knowledge sharing. The findings of the study also show tha: Current Awareness Services (CAS), reference services and circulation services are the major services delivered by the respondents. Also, findings of the study revealed that: insufficient funds, lack of seffective communication between staff and management and lack of motivation/support from management are the major inhibitors to knowledge sharing among academic librarians in the university libraries. However, the study recommended that the library management should be sending academic librarians to workshops, seminars, conferences and trainings on any topic related to knowledge sharing as this will positively reshape their mindsets, which will in turn, enhance their efficient and effective service delivery. 
Covid-19 Awareness and Prevention Among Health Information Management Students in Nigeria.
Get PDFThis study examines COVID-19 awareness and prevention among Health Information Management Students in Nigeria. The study investigated sources of information to students about COVID-19 as well as students’ knowledge about the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. This is quantitative research which employed the descriptive survey design. A total of 630 students of Health Information Management Programme were recruited into the current study through their various whatsapp platforms. Instrument for data collection was developed using an online Google form which was divided into four main parts based on the formulated objectives and research questions. The instrument was administered through the online platform and responses were monitored for two months before proceeding to data analysis. The collected data was analyzed descriptively using frequency counts and percentage distribution, as well as relative importance index. Relative importance index helps to rank the criteria according to their relative importance. Findings revealed the majority 97.5% of the respondents heard about COVID-19 through mass and social media, 91.4% of the respondents heard about COVID-19 through health workers, 90.2% others through government announcement, 87.6% others learnt about COVID-19 through the internet. The results indicate that students believed that shortness of breath was a significant sign and symptom (RII = 0.92), along with fever (RII = 0.91), sneezing (RII = 0.911), and sore throat (RII = 0.89), cough (RII = 0.88), weariness (RII = 0.85), and muscle discomfort (RII = 0.76) are a few more. The study came to the conclusion that even if the students are taught about the disease's indications and symptoms as well as the preventative steps to take, the disease still spreads among them. Many of the students still struggle to adhere properly to the accepted preventive recommendations. Therefore, in order to prevent the pandemic from spreading in schools, the administrators of health information management programs must take every action at their disposal. 
Equivalent almost periodic functions in terms of the new property of almost equality
No full textIn this paper we introduce the notion of almost equality (or, more specifically, almost equality by translations) of complex functions of an unrestricted real variable in terms of the new concept of ε-translation number of a function with respect to other one, which is inspired by Bohr's notion of ε-translation number associated with an almost periodic function. We develop the main properties of this new class of functions and obtain a characterization through a very important equivalence relation which we introduced in previous papers in the context of the almost periodicity.