An Investigation of the Awareness and Use of Open Access Initiative at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria

Issa, A.O.,Igwe, K.N.,Akangbe, B.R.,Aliyu, M.B. Korea Institute of Science and Technology Informat 2014 Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice Vol.2 No.3

This study investigated the information environment of lecturers in Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria, in relation to their information seeking behavior, extent of use of the polytechnic library, perceptions of the resources and services of the library, level of awareness and extent of use of the open access model of scholarly communications, as well as the challenges of accessing and using information resources. It adopted the survey research method, using a questionnaire for data collection, while the descriptive statistics method was used to analyse the data, using tabular presentation and simple percentages. From a population of 280 lecturers for the study, a purposive sample of 164 was drawn. The findings showed that the lecturers' information needs are focused on online use; they hardly use the polytechnic library due to their perceptions of the resources and services of the library. They are, to a greater extent, aware of open access initiatives, but do not publish in open access outlets, while various challenges affect their access and use of information resources for teaching and research. A recommendation was made, among others, that the polytechnic management should pay more critical attention to the library especially in the areas of adequate, current and comprehensive collections on all the programmes of the institution, as well as the provision of wireless internet services on the campus through a public-private partnership arrangement.

Improved Reactive Power Sharing for Parallel-operated Inverters in Islanded Microgrids

Issa, Walid,Sharkh, Suleiman,Mallick, Tapas,Abusara, Mohammad The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.3

The unequal impedances of the interconnecting cables between paralleled inverters in the island mode of microgrids cause inaccurate reactive power sharing when the traditional droop control is used. Many studies in the literature adopt low speed communications between the inverters and the central control unit to overcome this problem. However, the losses of this communication link can be very detrimental to the performance of the controller. This paper proposes an improved reactive power-sharing control method. It employs infrequent measurements of the voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC) to estimate the output impedance between the inverters and the PCC and then readjust the voltage droop controller gains accordingly. The controller then reverts to being a traditional droop controller using the newly calculated gains. This increases the immunity of the controller against any losses in the communication links between the central control unit and the inverters. The capability of the proposed control method has been demonstrated by simulation and experimental results using a laboratory scale microgrid.

Enhancement of nuclear radiation shielding and mechanical properties of YBiBO₃ glasses using La₂O₃

Issa, Shams A.M.,Ali, Atif Mossad,Tekin, H.O.,Saddeek, Y.B.,Al-Hajry, Ali,Algarni, Hamed,Susoy, G. Korean Nuclear Society 2020 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.52 No.6

In this study, nuclear radiation shielding and rigidity parameters of Y (0.1-x)B0.6Bi1.8O3La2x glassy system were investigated in order to determine it's suitability for use as nuclear radiation shielding materials. Therefore, a group of bismuth borate glass samples with La₂O₃ additive were synthesized using the technique of melt quenching. According to the results, the increase of the La₂O₃ additive increases the density of the glass samples and the mass attenuation coefficient (μ_m) values, whereas the half-value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP) values decrease. The effective atomic number (Z_eff) is also enhanced with an increment of both mass removal cross section for neutron (Σ_R) and absorption neutron scattering cross section (σ_abs). In addition to the other parameters, rigidity parameter values were theoretically examined. The increase of La₂O₃ causes some other important magnitudes to increase. These are the average crosslink density, the number of bonds per unit volume, as well as the stretching force constant values of these glass samples. These results are in concordance with the increase of elastic moduli in terms of the Makishima-Mackenzie model. This model showed an increase in the rigidity of the glass samples as a function of La₂O₃.

Display power analysis and design guidelines to reduce power consumption

Issa, Joseph The Korean Infomation Display Society 2012 Journal of information display Vol.13 No.4

Cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) are used to provide lighting for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). This paper presents a set of guidelines for measurement characterization and design to reduce the power consumption of CCFL LCD backlight inverters and panel electronics. The proposed methods aim to reduce the backlight power consumption by fine-tuning a back-light inverter for a specific LCD, using several methods. First, the authors describe their power measurement methodology; and next, they identify different areas for tuning a backlight inverter for a given display. The experiment results showed that power savings can range from 50 to 200mW if the backlight inverter is properly tuned. This paper also proposes an optimized configuration for light-emitting device (LED) panels to reduce power loss by selecting a LED with a specific input voltage and number of cells to help minimize power loss.

The Mathematical Operations in Bàtɔ̀nū Numeral System

Issa O. Sanusi,Lateefat Oluwatosin Yusuf 세종대학교 언어연구소 2018 Journal of Universal Language Vol.19 No.1

This paper examines the morphological properties of Bàtɔ̀nū numerals. The primary aim of the paper is to investigate the mathematical operations involved in the Bàtɔ̀nū numeral system. Based on this, the study has the following objectives: To show a descriptive analysis using the lexical phonology and morphology approach in the derivational processes of the numeral system, to show the relevant constraints or imperatives for well-formedness (addition, multiplication, subtraction and conjunction), to examine the representation of number in quality and amount, in line with the system of forming complex numbers and counting operations, finally, to determine the patterns and also the agreed method of counting in Bàtɔ̀nū. The study adopted Mohanan‟s (1982) and Kiparsky‟s (1982a) lexical phonological and morphological theories based on their problem-solving effectiveness and their reliability in handling African language data. Data for the study were generated from both primary and secondary sources. The informant method was adopted in collecting data, through the use of frame technique. The study concluded that Bàtɔ̀nū employed subtractive mechanism in the formation of numeral system. The language uses productively the additive element “kà”1 meaning „and‟ in adding other base numerals. Generally speaking, it could be observed that money counting system in Bàtɔ̀nū employs the mathematical operations of addition, subtraction and multiplication in order to achieve simplicity in the counting system.

On the characteristics and seismic study of Hat Knee Bracing system, in steel structures

Issa JafarRamaji,Massood Mofid 국제구조공학회 2012 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.13 No.1

In this study, a new structural bracing system named ‘Hat Knee Bracing’ (HKB) is presented. In this structural system, a special form of diagonal braces, which is connected to the knee elements instead of beam-column joints, is investigated. The diagonal elements provide lateral stiffness during moderate earthquakes. However the knee elements, which is a fuse-like component, is designed to have one plastic joint in the knee elements for dissipation of the energy caused by strong earthquake. First, a suitable shape for brace and knee elements is proposed through elastic studying of the system and several practical parameters are established. Afterward, by developing applicable and highly accurate models in Drain-2DX, the inelastic behavior of the system is carefully considered. In addition, with inelastic study of the new bracing system and comparison with the prevalent Knee Bracing Frame system (KBF model) in nonlinear static and dynamic analysis, the seismic behavior of the new bracing system is reasonably evaluated.

Retraction: Birth Weight Predicts Anthropometric and Body Composition Assessment Results in Adults: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study (J Obes Metab Syndr 2021;30:279-88)

Issa Al Salmi,Suad Hannawi 대한비만학회 2022 Journal of obesity & metabolic syndrome Vol.31 No.2

Antiproliferative Effects of Free and Encapsulated Hypericum Perforatum L. Extract and Its Potential Interaction with Doxorubicin for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Issa Amjadi,Mohammad Mohajeri,Andrei Borisov,Motahare-Sadat Hosseini 대한약침학회 2019 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.22 No.2

Objectives: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is considered as a deadly medical condition that affects a growing number of people worldwide. Targeted therapy of ESCC has been suggested recently and required extensive research. With cyclin D1 as a therapeutic target, the present study aimed at evaluating the anticancer effects of doxorubicin (Dox) or Hypericum perforatum L. (HP) extract encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles on the ESCC cell line KYSE30. Methods: Nanoparticles were prepared using double emulsion method. Cytotoxicity assay was carried out to measure the anti-proliferation activity of Dox-loaded (Dox NPs) and HP-loaded nanoparticles (HP NPs) against both cancer and normal cell lines. The mRNA gene expression of cyclin D1 was evaluated to validate the cytotoxicity studies at molecular level. Results: Free drugs and nanoparticles significantly inhibited KYSE30 cells by 55-73% and slightly affected normal cells up to 29%. The IC50 of Dox NPs and HP NPs was ~ 0.04-0.06 mg/mL and ~ 0.6-0.7 mg/mL, respectively. Significant decrease occurred in cyclin D1 expression by Dox NPs and HP NPs (P < 0.05). Exposure of KYSE-30 cells to combined treatments including both Dox and HP extract significantly increased the level of cyclin D1 expression as compared to those with individual treatments (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Dox NPs and HP NPs can successfully and specifically target ESCC cells through downregulation of cyclin D1. The simultaneous use of Dox and HP extract should be avoided for the treatment of ESCC.

Birth Weight Predicts Anthropometric and Body Composition Assessment Results in Adults: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Issa Al Salmi,Suad Hannawi 대한비만학회 2021 The Korean journal of obesity Vol.30 No.3

Background: A poor intrauterine environment is associated with increased risks of hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and/or diabetes. This study evaluated relationships between birth weight and body habitus in a representative sample of the general population. Methods: Adult participants were asked to complete a birth weight questionnaire. Associations between various current anthropometric and body composition measurements and birth weight were investigated. Results: Of 7,157 respondents, 4,502 reported their birth weight, which ranged from 0.4 to 7.0 kg with a mean and standard deviation of 3.37±0.7 kg; of these, 384 had low birth weights (LBWs; <2.5 kg). In females, lower birth weights were associated with lower height, weight, lean body mass (LBM), total body water (TBW), fat mass (FM), fat%, and fat-free mass (FFM) than those of higher older birth weights (quintiles); however, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) were similar across quintiles. In males, LBW was similarly associated with lower height, weight, LBM, TBW, FM, fat%, and FFM, and also with lower WC and HC. The obesity markers such as WC, WHR, and body mass index (BMI) were 47%, 61%, and 45% greater, respectively, in LBW females compared to normal birth weight females, while these associations showed non-significant trend in males with LBW. Conclusion: In adult male and female respondents, LBW was associated with lower body habitus: central obesity and body fatness (BMI, FM, fat%, FFM, FM/FFM, and FM/FFM2) were more pronounced in females than males, even after taking into account current physical activity and socioeconomic status. These findings indicate LBW may contribute to high blood pressure, dysglycemia and metabolic-abnormalities in adults.

The Syntactic Position of Negative Markers in Idoma and Tiv: A Deviation from Language Universal Validity

Issa Olarongbe Sanusi,Lydia Damilola Oyewole 세종대학교 언어연구소 2019 Journal of Universal Language Vol.20 No.1

Syntacticians and typologists have carried out a cross-linguistic study of the syntactic position of the negative marker with respect to the verb in a given sentence (Greenberg 1966 and Dryer 1988). The objective of this study is to carry out a comparative study of the negative marking strategies in both Idoma and Tiv languages, spoken in Benue State, Nigeria. Given the fact that the two languages belong to the same genetic family (Benue -Congo) and share the same basic word order (subject, S; object, O; verb ,V); the study is intended to find out the extent to which the negative marking strategies in the two languages conform to the assumption under language universals. The assumption is that there is an overall tendency for the negative marker to precede the main verb in SVO languages. That is, a location between the subject and the verb. Since none of the two writers speaks any of the two languages, data were collected through interview method. And the frame technique method was adopted in presenting structured grammatical sentences in English to native speakers of the two languages to translate to both Idoma and Tiv. The Principles and Parameters approach was employed for our analysis in this study. Our findings revealed that what obtains in both Idoma and Tiv negative constructions is contrary to the assumption under language universals. Instead of preceding the main verb, the negative markers occur at the sentence-final position, in each of the two languages. Notwithstanding the deviation from the language universal validity, we have discovered a high degree of similarities in the syntactic behaviour of negative markers in both Idoma and Tiv languages.