76 research outputs found
A survey on the use and impact of information technology in quantity surveying service delivery in Nigeria
No full textThe construction industry has recently witnessed a paradigm shift from traditional paper-based method of service delivery to electronic information exchange using Information Technolog (IT), at least in the western world like UK. It is now evident that the adoption of IT can enhance construction productivity and improve communications for effective decision-making and coordination among construction participants. The ability of the industry to avail itself of technology depends on the level of usage by construction participants including the Quantity Surveyor (QS) who plays a major role in the management of project success determinants, such as cost, time and quality. This research therefore evaluates the level of adoption of IT by QS in Nigeria and its impact in discharging their professional obligations to achieve improved service delivery. A review of the relevant literature using published sources was conducted to identify the current state and use of IT in the industry in various parts of the world. In order to assess the level of adoption of technology by QS in Nigeria and to evaluate its impact on their service delivery, data collected through questionnaires administered to practicing professionals were analysed and subsequently ranked using their mean item score (MIS) and the Kruskal Wallis H test. The research revealed that despite the average to high awareness of the importance of IT in improving service delivery and productivity, QS in Nigeria are still reluctant in using these technologies mainly due to the high initial cost of acquisition; lack of infrastructures to support its use and security concerns such as the susceptibility of IT system. It is concluded that the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors should act as a champion in raising the awareness of IT among its members and the Government should provide an enabling environment for its importation and usage
sj-pdf-1-whe-10.1177_17455065211060637 – Supplemental material for Eight-hour versus 24-h urethral catheter removal following elective caesarean section for reducing significant bacteriuria: A randomized controlled trial
No full textSupplemental material, sj-pdf-1-whe-10.1177_17455065211060637 for Eight-hour versus 24-h urethral catheter removal following elective caesarean section for reducing significant bacteriuria: A randomized controlled trial by Emeka Philip Igbodike, Ibraheem Olayemi Awowole, Olufemi O Kuti, Kayode Olusegun Ajenifuja, George Uchenna Eleje, Simeon Olugbade Olateju, Bolatito Opeyemi Olopade, Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi, Emmanuel Oladayo Irek, Njideka Theresa Igbodike, Oluwole Ekundayo Ayegbusi, Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu, Boniface Chukwuneme Okpala, Olabisi Morebisi Loto, Akintunde Olusegun Fehintola, Akinyosoye Deji Ajiboye, Olusola Fajobi, Chima Stephene Abuchi, Uchenna Uchenna Onwudiegwu, Olusola Benjamin Fasubaa, Ernest Okechukwu Orji, Olufemiwa Niyi Makinde, Alexander Tuesday Owolabi and Adebanjo Babalola Adeyemi in Women’s Health</p
sj-sav-1-whe-10.1177_17455065211060637 – Supplemental material for Eight-hour versus 24-h urethral catheter removal following elective caesarean section for reducing significant bacteriuria: A randomized controlled trial
No full textsj-sav-1-whe-10.1177_17455065211060637 for Eight-hour versus 24-h urethral catheter removal following elective caesarean section for reducing significant bacteriuria: A randomized controlled trial by Emeka Philip Igbodike, Ibraheem Olayemi Awowole, Olufemi O Kuti, Kayode Olusegun Ajenifuja, George Uchenna Eleje, Simeon Olugbade Olateju, Bolatito Opeyemi Olopade, Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi, Emmanuel Oladayo Irek, Njideka Theresa Igbodike, Oluwole Ekundayo Ayegbusi, Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu, Boniface Chukwuneme Okpala, Olabisi Morebisi Loto, Akintunde Olusegun Fehintola, Akinyosoye Deji Ajiboye, Olusola Fajobi, Chima Stephene Abuchi, Uchenna Uchenna Onwudiegwu, Olusola Benjamin Fasubaa, Ernest Okechukwu Orji, Olufemiwa Niyi Makinde, Alexander Tuesday Owolabi and Adebanjo Babalola Adeyemi in Women’s Health</p
Household energy conservation behaviour: A socio-economic perspective
No full textStudies on energy conservation and household behaviour were predominantly based on econometrics using secondary data with limited studies employing the primary data. In addition, the use of secondary data from developing countries are not without their inadequacies due to missing data points. However, generating data may lead to over or under estimations which led to this study deploying structural equation model and making use of cross-sectional data from a developing country perspective. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 329 respondents in Akure Metropolis households, Nigeria, that were selected using a random sampling techniques. The study adopted the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling approach. The results of the study showed that socio-economic variables electricity price, household size, income, number of appliance and weather have significant effects on energy conservation behavior with income having the largest structural weight. This implies that income is of utmost importance to residents` electricity saving practices as householders consume more and save less electricity with more income. It is therefore recommended that energy conservation policy should aim at regulating the purchase of electricity units at household levels, where the rich pay more tax than the poor. This will foster energy saving improvement at households sector of the Nigerian economy
INFLUENCE OF AFTER-SCHOOL LESSONS AND STAKEHOLDERS’ FACTORS ON PUPIL ACHIEVEMENT IN MATHEMATICS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA
No full textThe study investigated the influence of after school lessons and stakeholders’ factors (Pupil, Teacher and Parents) on pupils’ achievement in Mathematics in Oyo State, Nigeria. It study adopted the multistage sampling technique which was used in selecting the study population and sample. A total of fifteen (15) private and thirteen (13) public primary schools in Ibadan South East Local Government area of Oyo State was selected for the study. The population of the study comprised of all primary five and six pupils in the primary schools. Sample consisted of two hundred and nineteen (219) pupils, two hundred and nineteen (219) Parents of the pupils’ and forty eight (48) teachers. Data was collected with the use of questionnaires (TAASLS, PUAALS and PAASLS), attitude scale and achievement test; that were all developed and validated by the researchers. The data were collected from March to May, 2018. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation coefficient and Multiple Regression at p<0.05. The predictor variables that are most influential in predicting pupils’ achievement in Mathematics are: pupil parents’ attitude to after school lessons (?=0.57, t=3.60, P<0.05), parents’ academic qualification (?= -0.06, t= 0.95, P<0.05), peer group Influence (?=0.42, t=2.62, P<0.05) respectively. In order to improve Mathematics achievement among learners’ especially at the primary level of education, after school lessons should be reinforced; the stakeholders’ factors’ that predicted learners’ achievement in mathematics should be put into perspective. 
Developing an improved disaster management framework to enhance resilience in Kuwait
No full textDisaster management is considered as a priority worldwide where the aim of national governments has been to reduce the loss of life and properties. Different researchers and experts have tried over decades to develop several disaster management models, which is also known as disaster management life cycle (the phases). This has been used to support the emergency planners in understanding disaster management requirements for each phase. Despite all the efforts spent on developing a comprehensive disaster management model, disasters still cause severe damage globally. In Kuwait, the strategic disaster management committee lacks any clear disaster management standards and guidelines. This has resulted in citizens being exposed to different types of hazards and life threatening dangers. There are several factors which have caused the poor performance of crises management in Kuwait and some of the major factors include; a poor disaster management framework, lack of coordination, communication between key stakeholders, and outdated disaster management acts. The aim of this research is to improve the current disaster management framework in Kuwait, with a view to enhancing government’s response through using comprehensive disaster management practices. To better understand how this research will improve the current disaster management framework, it was thought necessary to scrutinise the experience from the strategic disaster management committee perspectives in uncompromised detail, which led to the use of interpretivism approach to develop theory from practice. Also, to this end a qualitative methodology was adopted with the aim of exploring how disaster management practices can be improved. The data collection mechanism used was a semi-structured interview carried out with 26 participants from the strategic disaster management committee in Kuwait. The data analysis procedure was performed by combining the review of documentary evidence, cognitive mapping along with content analysis. In addition, a focus group technique was used for validating the final framework. These results showed that the current disaster management framework was limited because it lacked the following: acceptable disaster management model, scientific support, accountability of stakeholders in the disaster management and, most importantly, lack of any unified disaster management act. The author argues that this research has added significant empirical guidelines within the disaster management field. As a consequence of this, the study also formulated a theoretical understanding of disaster management by taking into account all phases of the disaster management life cycle. It also incorporates the strengths of the local government through engaging with key strategic stakeholders who are able to understand disaster management models and needs. Finally, this research can be used as a road map for emergency planning that can integrate theoretical factors in the disaster management model such as; the disaster management life cycle
Financial integration and environment in Africa: The role of output growth and foreign direct investment
No full textAs economies integrate financially and both investment and output increase, the environment may be affected depending on the nature of international financial resources attracted into the country. Hence, this study examines the effect of financial integration, output growth, and foreign direct investment (FDI) on the environment in selected African countries involving Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, and Angola between 1980 and 2017. The study uses carbon emissions and particulate emissions (PM) to proxy pollution and analyze the data through the fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) technique. Empirical results show that financial integration worsens pollution in Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, and in Africa; output growth deteriorates pollution in South Africa, Algeria, Angola, and in Africa; while FDI fuels environmental degradation in Egypt and South Africa. We recommend that African countries should strive to establish specific targets for lowering emissions even though the Kyoto Protocoldid not set specific emissions reduction targets for them
Diversity of yeasts involved in the fermentation of tchoukoutou, an opaque sorghum beer from Benin
No full textOpaque sorghum beers are traditional alcoholic beverages in several African countries. Known as tchoukoutou in Benin, the beer is often obtained from an uncontrolled fermentation. It is consumed in an actively fermenting state and has a sour taste. The present study characterized and identified the yeasts involved in the fermentation process of this type of beer using the phenotypical approach. Of 12 beers from 4 different locations, the mean values of the pH, titratable acidity, dry matter content and refractive index were respectively 3.67, 0.70 (% as lactic acid) 18.08% and 7.00. Lactic acid bacteria and yeasts were the predominant microorganisms involved in the fermentation of tchoukoutou. Their counts were respectively 9.1 log cfu/ml and 9.1 logcfu/g. Enterobacteriaceae were not detectable in the beer. Based on the phenotypic characters and the assimilation profiles of 40 isolated yeasts, four genera with seven species of yeasts were identified. The yeast species predominant in the Benin opaque sorghum beer tchoukoutou was Saccharomyces cerevisa
The top 20 authors’ collaboration and coupling networks on <i>P</i>. <i>shigelloides</i> studies.
No full textA. Top 20 authors’ collaboration networks on P. shigelloides studies. Each node in the network represents a different author’ collaboration with other authors. Connecting lines represent collaboration pathways between authors. The number of lines from a node corresponds to a number of co-authorship. B. Top 20 authors’ coupling networks on P. shigelloides studies. Each node in the network represents a different author coupling with other authors. Connecting lines represent coupling pathways between authors. The number of lines from a node corresponds to the number of articles that co-listed the author in their reference list.</p
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