Assessment of traditional procurement system in Nigeria: key challenges and proposed solutions

Traditional procurement system is commonly used in Nigerian construction industry. However; despite the wide choice of other procurement system, there are numerous of key challenges that affects cost, time and quality of completed project. This challenge contributes negatively to both parties namely clients and contractor. To date, there are limited works that assess the key challenges of traditional procurement system in Nigeria which hinders the proposition of possible solutions to the problems. Hence, this research aims to identify the key challenges that are associated with traditional procurement in Nigerian construction industry with a view to identify areas of weakness and propose a solution. It also involves identification of the most frequent use of traditional procurement system. Structured questionnaire was distributed to 136 contractors that actively participated in the construction industry with 78 percent response rate. The use of mean, ranking, correlation and analysis of variance were used to analyses the data. The result shows that all the challenges have a significant relationship with the open tendering method. Further analysis also show that all the key challenges: Cost certainty, Time certainty, Build ability and Fragmentation of organizational interface have a significant relationship with one another. All the formulated solutions such as creation of unified project team, improvement in line of communication, early participation of contractor in design stage were found to be related to all the individual challenges and are therefore, suitable in overcoming all the key challenges

EXTEMPORANEOUS PREPARATIONS IN PERSONALIZED THERAPY: THE DESIGN OF ORODISPERSIBLE DOSAGE FORMS.

L'avvento di numerose tecnologie per produzione di film orodispersibili (ODF) ha suscitato un crescente interesse verso l'impiego di questa forma di dosaggio nell’ambito della personalizzazione della terapia. Difatti, la possibilità di ottenere ODF di diverse forme, colori e dimensioni permette a pazienti di identificare facilmente il medicinale, aumentando così la sicurezza e dell’aderenza al trattamento farmacologico (Capitolo 1). Tale avanzamento tecnologico deve tuttavia procedere parallelamente allo sviluppo di saggi non distruttivi e di facile esecuzione in farmacia per la determinazione e il controllo della qualità chimica e fisica degli ODF, come requisito imprescindibile alla sicurezza e all’efficacia (Capitolo 2). Scopo della presente tesi di dottorato è quello di dimostrate la possibilità di produrre film orodispersibili su piccola scala mediante l’uso di una una nuova tecnologia di stampa costituita da una siringa termostatata in grado di estrudere a velocità costante la massa fusa di principio attivo ed eccipienti su un piatto mobile. La composizione della miscela comprende una maltodestrina plasticizzata con glicerica in quanto questi eccipienti sono idenei per la produzione di ODF sia per i pazienti pediatrici, sia per gli anziani. Il metodo di preparazione prevede dei semplici passaggi: la miscelazione del principio attivo con il polimero, plasticizzzante ed eventuali altri eccipienti; il caricamento dell’impasto nella siringa e il preriscaldamento dell’impasto fino a completo rammollimento; la conseguente forzatura attraverso l’ago per depositare il film orodispersibile con una forma definita su un foglio di alluminio che costituisce il confezionamento primario. La versatilità di questo approccio è stata verificata preparando ODF contenenti principi attivi con diverse caratteristiche chimico-fisiche. Tra le varie molecule modello, il paracetamolo è stato scelto per dimostrare la fattibilità di caricare una quantità di attivo (74 mg/ 6 cm2) più elevate rispetto mercato dosaggi di ODF presenti sul mercato (100 mg/9cm2) (Capitolo 3). Nel caso dei film caricati con diclofenac sodico, utilizzato come esempio di sostanza termosensibile, non si è evidenziata la formazione di prodotti di degradazione dovute alle temperature utilizzate per rammollire la miscela (Capitolo 4). Per migliorare la managgevolezza e le proprietà organolettiche dei film, spesso sono aggiunti altri eccipienti quali edulcoranti, aromi e agenti che ne limitano l’appicicosità. In questo ambito, il diossido di titanio, selezionato come opacizzante, non solo ha permesso di migliorare le caratteristiche estetiche dei film, ma ha anche la rimozione del film dal materiale del confezionamento primario, aspetto che risulta particolarmente importante per evitarne la rottura durante la manipolazione da parte del paziente (Capitolo 4). Infine, è stata caricata nei film una quantità pari a 10 mg olanzapine, come modello di sostanza soggetta a polimorfismo. In questo caso il confronto con processi di produzione che richiedono l’utilizzo di una sospensione su base acquosa, ha permesso di evidenziare che la tecnologia proposta elimina la possibilità di conversione dalla forma I alla forma pseudopolimorfica che è caratterizzata da una minore solubilità che potrebbe influire negarivamente sulla biodisponibilità di questa molecola (Capitolo 5). In conclusione, la tecnologia basata su una modifica dell’estrusione a caldo potrebbe essere utilizzata per stampare film costituiti da maltodestrine e glicerina, limitando gli inconvenienti legati all’uso di solventi e altre temperature. Questa formulazione può essere sfruttata per ottenere film contenenti principi attivi con caratteristiche chimico-fisiche diverse, e altri eccipienti richiesti per migliorare le caratteristiche organolettiche di questa forma farmaceutica finita.The advent of printing technologies for the production of orodispersible films (ODF) guides a growing interest in the application of these dosage forms to precision dosing in personalized medicine. Indeed, the tailoring of ODF shape, colour and/or dimension allows end-users to easily identify their own medicinal product, improving both safety and adherence (Chapter 1). At the same time, to open real perspectives towards ODF for personalized dosing, the design of such technologies should advance along with the development of easy and non-destructive assays, based on colorimetry and spectroscopy, which can allow to establish the physical and chemical quality of ODF (Chapter 2). This doctoral thesis aimed to demonstrates the feasibility of a novel printing technology to extemporaneously compound ODF on-demand. The basic idea was to propose a novel apparatus that combines a hot-melt ram extruder with the plate of a 3D-printer. As far as the formulation is concerned, maltodextrins plasticized with glycerol were selected since they are excipients accepted for both children and elderly. The preparation method consists of simple operations, involving the mixing of the drug substance with maltodextrins and other excipients, then the loading of the mixture into the ram extruder, heating, and printing of the single ODF directly on the packaging aluminium foil. The versatility of this technology was tested by loading ODF with drugs having different physicochemical characteristics. First, paracetamol was selected as a model to demonstrate the drug payload which resulted in loading up to 74 mg/ 6 cm2 and, therefore, allowing the preparation of ODF with a drug amount higher than the highest in the market (i.e., 100 mg/ 9cm2) (Chapter 3). Then, diclofenac sodium was loaded as a model of heat-sensitive and bitter drug to prepare ODF intended for the treatment of migraine in paediatric population. The data revealed that, the exposure to relatively low temperature (i.e., approximately 90 °C) during the printing limited the formation of degradation by-products of the drug (< 0.2%). Furthermore, to improve ODF palatability and patients’ handing, a combination of taste-masking agents (TMA), opacifiers, and, when required, an anti-sticking agent are often loaded into ODF. Thus, the effect of these excipients on the physical properties of ODF loaded by diclofenac was also studied. The results revealed that titanium dioxide, selected as an opacifier, improved not only the ODF aesthetic appearance, but also ODF detachment from the primary packaging material, an aspect particularly relevant to prevent breakage during handing (Chapter 4). Olanzapine (OLZ) was finally tested because it can undergo solid-state modifications under different processing conditions. In this case, the comparison on the performance of OLZ ODF prepared by the proposed technology and consolidated solvent casting technique, which requires the use of a large amount of water, revealed that hot-melt ram extrusion prevented the conversion of OLZ from anhydrous Form I to a pseudo-polymorphic form with lower solubility, which could affect the drug bioavailability (Chapter 5). In conclusion, hot-melt ram extrusion printing can be advantageously used to prepare small batches of ODF made of maltodextrins and glycerine, avoiding the use of solvent and harsh temperatures. This basic formula can be exploited to load drugs differing in physicochemical characteristics, and other excipients to provide suitable organoleptic features of the final dosage form

Phytochemical analysis, analgesic and antipyretic properties of ethanolic leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina Del.

Introduction: Vernonia amygdalina Del. has been traditionally used in relieving pain and inflammatory conditions as well as in treatment of feverish conditions by local people of the North-east Nigeria. Consequently this study aims at evaluating the phytochemical content, antipyretic and analgesic properties of V. amygdalina (biter leaf).Methods: The leaf of V. amygdalina was soxhlet extracted with ethanol and sequentially partitioned using solvent of different polarities. Phytochemical test was conducted to ascertain the secondary metabolites present in the extract using standard procedures. Acute toxicity (LD50) of the extract on laboratory rats was estimated by following protocols of Lorke. The antinociceptive activity of the ethanolic extract was also evaluated using acetic acid induced pain and hot plate method.Results: The results revealed the presence of tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, carbohydrates, cardioactive glycoside, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids and terpenes. Anthraquinones were absent in the extract. The intraperitoneal LD50 was found to be 3721 mg/kg. On administration of 5000 mg/kg dose of the extract via oral route, there was no dead. The extract demonstrated significant antinociceptive activities as 36.0 ± 0.81, 43.8 ± 0.11 and 52.8±0.37 (Mean number of writhings) respectively for the doses 600, 400 and 200 mg/kg i.p.) as compared to the control (60.0 ± 0.11). High dose of 400 mg/kg significantly reduced rectal temperature (P < 0.05)Conclusion: These results demonstrated the medicinal potentiality of V. amygdalina and might be used as analgesic, and antipyretic agent. Phytochemicals found in such as flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and steroids seem to be implicated in having such pharmacological activities

Economic assessment of biomass gasification technology in providing sustainable electricity in Nigerian rural areas.

Renewable Energy Technologies (RET) in general, and biomass source in particular, remains one of the means of providing sustainable electricity to rural areas in developing countries. This is because of its strategic value in identifying when and where electricity is really required thus, reducing/eliminating the high cost of grid network. The majority of Nigeria's rural dwellers are farmers and use little or none of their residues at the end of the farming season. Nigeria has also been experiencing dwindling power supply at both national and rural level with accessibility representing only 35% and 10% respectively. The rural areas are the most affected causing significant disruption of their socio-economic settings. Considering the enormous biomass resources in these communities, and they constitute approximately 65% of the country's total population, it is feasible to provide sustainable electricity to these communities through Biomass Gasification Technology (BGT). Cost has been found to be the major constraint in adopting RETs. Hence, this paper aims to evaluate and optimise the unit cost of generating electricity through BGT in Nigerian rural areas. Whole Life Costing approach has been used to evaluate various capacities of BGT. The findings reflect that cost/kW of BGT ranges between US{dollar}594(NGN118, 800)-US{dollar}3,604(NGN720,800) for capacities between 125kW-10kW. The Net Present Value(NPV)/kWh of generating electricity has been calculated for several scenarios including 125kW, 100kW, 50kW, 32kW, 24kW and 10kW system capacities under 3 different operational hours (8, 12 and 16), with and without feed-in tariff(FIT) incentive is from US{dollar}0.015-US{dollar}0.11(NGN3.08-N21.79). The only scenario that exceeds the current unit price of generating electricity from fossil fuel source in Nigeria which is averagely US{dollar}0.083(NGN16.50) is 8 hour operation without FIT at 10kW capacity. More so, in the event fuel wood price increases by 50%, 75% and 100%, the average increase in NPV/kWh will be 13%, 20% and 27% respectively

Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy: The Role of Traditional Versus Alternative Approach

Hypnosis is a state of mind that is characterized by focused attention and heightened receptivity for suggestions. It is either established by compliance with instructions or achieved naturally; the critical nature of the mind is bypassed during hypnosis and acceptable suggestions are delivered. Misperceptions about hypnosis by clinical practitioners and their clients have been shaped through years of inaccurate but interesting portrayals of hypnosis in books, plays, and movies. Part of the misperceptions is that individuals with seemingly magical powers to manipulate the unsuspecting innocent with their authoritative voice commands and penetrating eyes are depicted as hypnotists. This chapter will review the traditional and conventional approaches used in hypnosis, their advantages and disadvantages as well as where hypnosis is used as a complementary or alternative therapy to the modern day orthodox medicine. Despite the pejorative image display of hypnosis and misconceptions surrounding it, hypnosis still has numerous applications in contemporary medicine. Hypnotherapy conducted by a trained therapist is considered as a complementary or safe alternative to present day orthodox medication for numerous ailments

Graphical Techniques of Presentation of Hydro-Chemical Data

Water is vital to man’s existence and early human civilizations centered on springs and streams for their day to day activities with water which is vital for survival. Throughout history, people around the world have used groundwater as a source of drinking water and even today, more than half of the world’s population depends on groundwater for survival. Pure water does not exist in nature due to various interactions between the geologic Formation as well as atmospheric gases such as Carbon dioxide and Oxygen, hence the need for chemical analysis of water. Determination of concentration of various ions is one major form of chemical analysis. Because of the number of ions involved, it is usually more convenient to present the results in graphical forms for easy understanding of the water samples analyzed. There are several methods of graphical presentation which includes Bar Chart, Pie Chart, Stiff Diagram, Schoeller Diagram, Piper Diagram and Scattered Plots.  For instance Bar chart, Pie Chart, Stiff Diagram are good for small numbers of chemical data, whereas the Schoeller, Piper Diagrams and Scattered Plots are suitable for presentation of results for large numbers of chemical data. Keywords: Groundwater, Hydrochemistry, Graphical, Molality and Water typ

Civil Service and Sustainable Development in Nigeria

The aim of this research work is to critically examine the two concepts the Civil Service and Sustainable Development in Nigeria.  Civil Service performed services such implementation of government policies and programmes, promoting unity, sustainable and equitable economic growth among others.  Sustainable Development demands that quality of human life, availability of resources for current and future generations be sustained.  The methodology employed by the research work is questionnaire survey design to collect primary data.  The research study found that there is no significant relationship between civil service and sustainable development in Nigeria.  Some of the recommendations of the research work include need for the government to give more training, motivation and so on to win the confidence of the civil service

Globalization and Indigenous Public Policies in Nigeria

This research attempts a critical examination of the impact of globalization on indigenous public policy in Nigeria.Globalization demands that countries must obviously open their borders to allow easy flow and movement of goods and services. This condition, therefore, demands that Nigeria must adjust her indigenous public policy mechanism and apparatus to accommodate the movement of these goods and services. With effect of globalization on Nigeria in both political, economical and technological aspects etc the research findings conclude that globalization itself is not a strong predictor of indigenous public policies in Nigeria.  The research employed the use of questionnaire to collect primary data and documentary research method was utilized to collect secondary data

Evaluation on the effectiveness of the use of Management Information System (MIS) by students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. Niger State

This study investigated the effectiveness of the use of management information system (MIS) by students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai. Specifically, four research questions guided the study such as what are the factors influencing the need for management information system to students in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai? How effective is management information system to students in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai in terms of e-learning, e-accounting, e-administration, records keeping and e-communication? It adopted a descriptive survey design and had a population of 845 undergraduate students in the department of business administration Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai. The study used two hundreds undergraduate students through simple random sampling in business administration department. Two hundred (200) copies of the questionnaire were distributed with one hundred and seventy (170) returned; representing a return rate of 85%. The data collected were analyzed using percentages. The findings of the study revealed that there is need for management information system for effective records keeping of both students and staff files, the effectiveness of management information system has helped in the smooth running of university records, the challenges of management information system are lack of basic ICT skills, inadequate power supply, lack of management involvement in the design of MIS, low data concentration, lack of management support and inadequate ICT professionals. The study recommended that attention should be given to management information system for effective records keeping. There is the need to have an effective management information system in place for effective records keeping, the challenges facing management information system should be looked into and solve once and for all so that Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai will have an effective and reliable management information system for records keeping. Keywords: Management Information System (MIS), University, Students, Computer, Evaluation, Record