This article discusses some of the issues concerning the interaction of material particles with electromagnetic radiation. The investigation is based on solution of the Maxwell-Einstein equations. Basically four issues were explored: (i) A contribution in the ponderomotive force acting onto the probe particle which is determined by the curvature of space-time metric induced by the spherical electromagnetic wave; (ii) A metric which corresponds to the gravitational field created together by a massive source and an electromagnetic wave; (iii) A stability of the electromagnetic vacuum near space-time horizons; (iv) A real topology of space-time. The two last questions involve the non-wave solutions of the Maxwell-Einstein equations. We discuss also the loss of information accompanying the process of transformation a converging spherical electromagnetic wave into a diverging one.

A series of push-pull armchair (5,5) single-walled carbon nanotubes (D-CNTs-NO₂)  saturated with hydrogen at the ends have been studied using semi-empirical PM6 methods. As a result, it is found that the polarizability strongly depends on the strength of Π-electron donor substituent. Particularly, for both static and dynamic polarizabilities the largest increment of Δα is seen to be due to - NMe₂ donor group (Δα =100 a.u.). Miller QSAR-polarizability, empirical models based on molecular volumes(V_m) and electrons number (Ne) correlate  well (R>0.97) with PM6 polarizabilities results.

On the Morrocan Atlantic coast, the Bouregreg estuary was submitted to many anthropic effects. After the dam Sidi Mohammed ben Abdellah was built in 1974, the flow became almost null. The waters of the estuary are meant for recreational activities, fishing, but at the same time they receive water collecting domestic and industrial wastewater. The waste in old landfills was not treated and leaked into the river water. The matter gets worse with the action of tides which make it difficult to escape the pollution load (physicochemical, bacteriological, heavy metals, etc.). The main objective of this study is to monitor the bacteriological quality of the surface waters from Bouregreg estuary (Moroccan Atlantic coast). The bacteriological parameters were determined upstream (S1, S2 and S3) and downstream (S4, S5 and S6) of the Bouregreg estuary. The parameters studied are fecal coliform (FC), fecal streptococci (FS), Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The evaluation of the bacterial contamination of the studied water samples shows that the rate of contamination by fecal coliforms is very high in station S3 compared to other stations. This is explained by the emplacement of this station which is located next to a main rejection of Oued Akrach. The bacterial loads are maximal in this station: 7 10³ CF/100ml for fecal coliforms and 2 10³ SF/100ml for fecal streptococci. The ratio values (CF/SF) for the different stations show that the fecal pollution observed at the studied estuary is of mixed origin with human dominance. The search for pathogenic bacteria namely Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was negative for all the studied samples.

Medicated oil preparation process is named as Sneha Kalpana in Ayurveda and they are used to treat wide range of diseases. Medicated oils are prepared by prolonged cooking with coconut/ king coconut oil, sesame oil, different crude oils like castor oil, mustard oil, ghee and substances like, Kalka (herbal paste prepared by different parts of botanicals), Kvatha (specifically prepared decoction in accordance of Ayurvedic principles) or Drava Dravya (any other liquid such as milk, self-expressed juices, etc.). A considerable amount of sesame oil and ghee is present in many medicated oils such as Dashamooladi Ghrita, Chitrakadi Ghrita, Baladi Ghrita, Nirghundi Taila, Ashwandha Ghrita, Vipadikahara Ghrita, Moolaka Taila, Sacharadi Taila, Swandranstha Taila and Rasna Taila. Therefore, it is very important to assess the quality of the base consist of sesame oil and ghee. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the quality in terms of specific gravity, refractive index, acid value, saponification value and development of TLC profile of the base consists of sesame oil and ghee in a ratio of 1:1 w/w by using standard protocols. Results revealed that specific gravity, acid value, saponification value, peroxide value and iodine value were 0.91± 0.00, 2.00 ± 0.06 KOH/g, 431.57 ± 1.43 mg/g, 1.33 ± 0.06 Meq/kg and 56±1.04 g I₂/100g respectively. TLC fingerprint profiles were developed using 3 solvent systems. In conclusion, present study will help to establish quality control parameters of base of medicated oils which consist of sesame oil and ghee in a ratio of 1:1 w/w.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is commonly resistant to antibiotics, and because of this it is a dangerous and dreaded pathogen. Case-fatality rates are due to drug resistance profile of Pseudomonas. Overuse of drug has enhanced resistance causing havoc of rapid spread of this organism. Examining present scenario it is mandatory to look for medicine readily available from natural resources. Essential oils are sources of novel antimicrobial compounds. Traditional medicines are trusted as a source of potential antimicrobial agents thus essential oil from sources like medicinal plants, herbs and spices are used. The true purpose of this study was to reveal the antibacterial properties of essential oil such as Cinnnamomum zylanicum (Dalchini oil), Eucalyptus globulus (Nilgri oil), Eugenia caryophyllata (Clove oil), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi oil), Allium sativum (Garlic oil) against MDR strains of P. aeruginosa.These MDR strains possessed resistance for antibiotics Gentamicin (GEN) Meropenem (MRP), Cefazolin (CZ), co-trimoxazole (COT). These oils expressed antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.The Cinnnamomum zylanicum oil had strong inhibitory activity against multidrug resistant strains as compared with other oils. Oils potentially inhibit biofilm producing MDR strains.

The aim of the study was to assess performance of Ova Water User Association (OWUA’s) at Konya-Çumra province of Turkey. In research, as performance indicators, mainly water delivered, financial and production performance were analyzed. The results showed that annual water delivery per command and irrigated areas varied from 10360 to 13240 m³/ha and from 5958 to 7848 m³/ha, respectively. Irrigation ratio was between 132% and 192%. Unit area per staff was found as 0.0012 staff/ha. Money collection ratio was found as about 75 % for the average of last six years. The average production output or income for the year of 2014 was calculated as about 1210 $/ha. Although water shortage is the most important serious problem in our region, agriculture is still the single maximum water user sector even more than the world average of 70%. For sustainability of water supplies in region, efficient water use especially in agriculture can be strongly recommended.

A new round of industrial revolution is about to come and the manufacturing will be completely changed. Today, China is already a big manufacturing country, but there is a big gap between industrial power. In the upcoming industry 4.0 time，the development of manufacturing industry is the development of supply chain. Therefore, in order to meet the needs of the development of the industry, China's manufacturing model must be innovative. This paper aims to review some of the literature on industrial 4.0 and supply chain management, and some suggestions are put forward on the research direction of Chinese manufacturing in the future.

This study was conducted to determine water management problems of farmers in Konya-Çumraprovince in Turkey. About 50 farmers were interviewed by using questionnaires. Education levels andfarming experience of those farmers, availability of water, training in water management, size of farmland and cost of irrigation and current crop patterns were researched. The results showed that about 46% of the farmers had primary school education, 30 % of them secondary school education, 20 % high school and 4% university education, respectively.Most of the farmers have more than 20 years of farming experience. Surface water supply was not enough in most during the irrigation season so groundwater has been used intensely. Due to the over water extraction from the groundwater supply, there is gradual water depletion in wells. In general farmers have not informed about the efficient water use in agriculture so they have applied to the water to the cropped lands in accordance of their past experiences. Farmlands in most ranges from 10-19 ha. Around 96 % of the farmersstated that cost of irrigation is expensive.Common crops were cereals, grain or silage maize, sugarbeet, sunflower and dry bean. Although, water consumption of maize crop in is high, it is stillthe highest produce crop in terms of land size.In water shortage regions, crop patterns should be planned in accordance of current water supply.

This review show some performances from both ovine and caprine breed Djallonké in their humid tropical region of West Africa. On one part their individuals good reproductive performances (prolificity, fertility, lambing or kiding interval, birth weight, daily weight gain) andtheir femalesbody, udder or teat physiological caracteristics are reported. On other part their fattening potential or relative good slaughtering performance are also reported. Suggesting that the current developement of sustainable and productive breeding in both ovine and caprine breed Djallonké can permitto reach a higher covering of humans needs in these small ruminants meat from this region of the world.

In the present study, an investigation was conducted to evaluation of tile, brick, fire brick, plaster and concrete wastes derived from construction and demolition (C&D) wastes in Portland cement raw meal production as secondary raw material. Clinker test results showed that using of these wastes in cement was suitable. Then, cement production was performed with using 1, 2.1 and 3.9 wt. % mix C&D waste addition ratios in the cement factory. Desired phases like belite and alite, which are essential for the cement products, were observed at the micrographs. Also, obtained cement products supplied required and standard properties; however, strength and hydration heat values were lower. Finally, optimum C&D waste addition ratio was determined and results were found as practicable. It was shown that mix C&D waste materials can be utilized as secondary raw material in cement production.

The article rise the question from the background of the economic transformation and the difficult survival of small and medium enterprises. In the premise of considering the current situation of financial competition, environment and industry analysis, the article will analyze the status and problems of China Postal Saving Bank. In order to take a strategic analysis and put forward specific implementation measures to supply chain finance of Postal Saving Bank by SPACE analysis, combined with SWOT analysis.

Many reports outlined adverse effects induced by anti-neoplastic drugs such as cisplatin on renal function even though action mechanism is not yet quite understood. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of cisplastin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy on glomerular filtration in cervical cancer women. A hospital-based study was carried out from November 2013 to march 2014. Four milliliter of venous blood was collected at four time points (T₀, T₁, T₂ and T₃) prior to the chemotherapy. Creatininemia and creatinine clearance rate were adequately computed. Questionnaire form was administered for documenting the baseline characteristics of participants. Medical records were carefully scrutinized to collect complementary information. A total of 26 women aged more than 21 years old were included in the study with a mean age of 59.34 ± 9.96 years. A significant decreasing the renal function between T₀ and T₁ (p = 0.0076) was observed although thereafter no longer significant between T₁ and T₂ (p = 0.1947) and between T₂ and T₃ (p = 0.1190). This study revealed a cisplatin related damaging and dose-depending effect on renal function and underscores the need for cisplatin dose related adjustment with respect to renal function in medical practice.

Modern system approaches will be used to realize a 5^th order dynamic differential equation as an analogue circuit using resistors, capacitors, and operational amplifiers. The resulting circuit will be tested using Matlab® and those results will be verified using Multisim. The state space approach will be used to convert the 5^th order differential equation to five first order differential equations. Using the Multisim simulator, various input types were tested across the input terminals of the analog computer and the results were recorded. 

The present study was devoted to elucidate the mode of action and histopathological effects of the spore δ-endotoxin complex of B.t. var aizawai on the larvae of the cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis.The results obtained has clearly shown that the consequence of symptoms of infection could be divided in morphologically distinct four stages. Furthermore, the results of this investigation have indicated that the sequence of symptoms starts with cessation of feeding followed by movement sluggishness, vomiting and diarrheae, excessive sluggishness, complete paralysis and finally death of the insect. On the other hand, the histopathological effects of the endotoxin observed in the dissected insect fed on diet containing the toxin were followed periodically. The results have clearly demonstrated marked histopathological alterations in the midgut epithelium, layers and clumping of both exo-and endocuticle of the integument. Furthermore, the uptake of bacterial δendotoxin has caused a marked degeneration of the nerve cells of the fourth abdominal nerve ganglion. The nerve cells and fibers were partially destroyed. In addition a notable destruction and vacuolation of the fat body cells became evident and the fat tissues became soft and easily crushed as compared to those of the healthy insect.

Iodine deficiency is severe public health problem in Ethiopia. One out of every 1000 population is mentally handicapped due to a congenital thyroid deficiency, and about 50,000 prenatal deaths are occurring annually due to iodine deficiency disorders.  Even though the problem is serious, there were no adequate researches conducted. Therefore, this study focuses on assessment of handling practices of iodized salt and the amount of iodine concentration retained in iodized salts at households and retailers level in Wondo Genet town. The objective of this study was to assess handling practices and concentration of iodine across iodized salt consumption in retailers and households level. Two hundred ninety four households and seventh six retailers were selected by systematic random sampling method for survey using questionnaire and rapid test kit method was used to measure iodine concentration of salt used by the households. The result of this study indicated that iodized salt coverage was found to be 100 % at households and retailers level. Iodine level in the salt examined by iodometric titration, in this study was 4.4 to 70.9 ppm. This indicates the need for further improvement of handling practices of iodized salt. Iodine level in the salt examined by iodometric titration in this study was 60.54% of households and 65.79% retailers salt samples had 15 – 40 ppm iodine concentration. This shows that in the iodized salt there is no adequate iodine content in accordance with the  recommendation. Majority of the households 37.4% add iodized salt half way during boiling of the food/coffee. Although the coverage of iodized salt in the study area was high but availability of adequate iodized salt at household level was low as compared to the WHO recommendation.There for this shows that handling practice of iodized salt at the household and retailer level and utilization practice at the household level is poor.

This study was performed to evaluate water use for sprinkler-irrigated carrot plant at Konya-Kasınhanı Province of Turkey in 2017 vegetation period. In research, current crop patterns, irrigation number, carrot root yield, electricity consumption and common irrigation problems were analyzed. The data were obtained from 19 farms by field observations or face-to-face survey techniques. In examined farms, the maximum crop pattern with a share of 68% was carrot production. Second rank in crop pattern is other vegetables such lettuce, radish, tomato, pepper and cabbage. Including carrot farming, vegetables had 85% of crop pattern in research farms. Seasonal irrigation number was found as about 20 with total applied water of 1500-2000 mm by using sprinkler irrigation system. Depending on cultivars and management activities, carrot root yield varied from 60 to 100 t/ha. Electricity consumptions were determined as about 5338 kwh/ha. In research date of 2017, energy cost of such pump was about 1815 TL/ ha or 485 USD/ha. The most important problems were energy and irrigation labor costs. Carrot production is backbone of the farming activity in region. It has the highest water-consuming crop in region. Therefore, future studies in most should be focused on the efficient water use strategies.

The problem of birth notification and registration has limited the rights of children to education, health, recognition among other human rights. The challenge to sufficient registration of new born babies is traceable to the initial stage of notification. There is a lack of scholarly research on incentives to address both supply and demand barriers for birth registration and a need for more robust literature on the topic. The specific objectives that project sought to address include; investigation of current birth notification system in Kenya, The intention was to allow real time pre-notification of birth events by parents, verification of that information by local agents, and sharing of that data for use by other government agents. The events that take place in hospitals were also included in a broad solution. The study used two approaches where case study of a remote counties of Kwale and Kilifi was used to study rural events and processes Birth registration imposes major challenges in developing countries, with importance to rights, health and all levels of development. Despite targeted initiatives, often with focus on improved access and information, universal registration has been elusive in Kenya.

In this paper, selecting the cargo transportation volume as the index measuring the logistics demand level, we analyzed empirically the economic data of Kashagar Administrative Offices for the period between 2000 and 2016, used the Eviews program to build a multiple linear regression model and found that the Industrial output value and the Total wages of employed persons in urban non-private units had marked impact on the cargo transportation volume of the city.

This study examined effects of real exchange rate on Economic growth of Malawi. Time series annual data for the period of 1980-2014 was used, whereby trends on Real exchange rate, Inflation, Real interest rate, and Real gross domestic product were obtained from Reserve Bank of Malawi, Terms of trade openness and Private investment from Malawi Ministry of Industry and Trade, finally Human capital trends from International monetary fund. Dickey–fuller unit root test and Johansen test for co-integration was conducted, whereby data was stationary after first differencing and co-integrated of order1.The VECM was employed and used OLS technique in analysis of regression models. Results showed that real exchange rate was significant and negatively correlated with Economic Growth. The study recommends among other things, the monetary authorities and Malawian Government to formulate sound macroeconomic policies that are capable of restoring the economy on track with stable rates that promote growth.

Reading is a fundamental skill in pupils’ education and development.. The development of reading skills is a complex intellectual process that requires skilled instructions in learning to read and to developing strong reading skills. Teachers are well-known as the backbone of the educational process and also as the major determining school factor of excellence and efficiency of its outcome. The purpose of this study was to find out the influence of teachers’ demographic characteristics on the acquisition of reading skills among Standard three pupils in Kisii County. Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory of Human Learning guided this study. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design targeting all the Grade III pupils, their class teachers and head teachers of all primary schools in Kenyenya Sub-County. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were employed to select the study sample of 30%. The data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedule and observation schedule.A pupils test was used to ascertain the reading levels among the Class three Pupils. This study found out that teachers’ characteris tics had influence on the acquisition of reading skills. The study further established that most of the class III teachers had limited training on teaching reading skills. The study thus recommends that the Ministry of Education should train and retrain teachers on teaching reading skills through regular teacher professional training, in-service courses, workshops and seminars to ensure that teachers have the necessary skills to teach reading at lower levels.

The heart may be described as the engine room of all mammals. It is responsible for pumping of blood to every part of the body. Digested food nutrient, oxygen and blood are transported to all parts of the body through the a network of veins in a process known as the circulatory system. This transportation is initiated by the heart pumping blood into the system. Therefore the heart is a very important organ of the body and should be cared for. Medically, the wellness of the heart can be determined by the electrical potential it produces. This electrical potential is called electrocardiogram (ECG). ECG may be affected by unwanted signals that may be recorded in the process of recording the signal. One of those unwanted signals is the power line interference (PLI). This paper proposes and demonstrates the removal 0.1mV 50Hz PLI from a contaminated single cycle ECG signal using a Parzen windowed Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter.

Forty mixed breed pre – pubertal male rabbits were used to determine the effect of treated (24 hours soaked and 48 hours soaked in water) and untreated neem rind as inclusion at 10% in rabbits diet on performance (final weight gain, average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed to gain ratio), hematology and serum biochemistry profile. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in all parameters examined under growth performance. Final weight gain, average daily feed intake, and feed to gain ratio were all in favour of animals on the control diet. There were also significant differences (p<0.05) in the haematological parameters, packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration were significantly in favour of animals on the control diet. RBC, WBC, MCV and MCH had values within normal physiologic range across the treatments. Albumin and glucose showed significant difference across the treatments and all the values were within the physiologic range. Soaked and unsoaked neem rind were found out to depress feed intake, daily weight gain, final weight gain and feed conversion ratio of pre – pubertal rabbits.                           

Young people have played crucial roles in shaping the political discourse in Nigeria, both negatively and positively. Picking electoral violence as a negative component of this political engagement, this paper provides a comprehensive analysis as to why young people find themselves enmeshed in violent contestations, especially during election periods. The paper goes beyond superficial labels of criticisms tagged on the Nigerian youth by arguing that there is urgent need to understand the structural dynamics which condition violence. Using theoretical constructions by prominent scholars like Douglas North et al. (2014), Huerta (2015) etc., the paper provides lucid political economy explanations of youth’s engagement in electoral violence. Again, the paper analyses youth’s participation in electoral violence in Nigeria and concludes by providing key recommendations to the various stakeholders, including political parties, electoral management bodies, CSOs and governments on how to dissuade young people from participating in electoral violence.

The major thrust of this work was to investigate the impact of venture capital financing on the growth Calabar metropolis   Cross River State. The rationale for this study was to determine   whether the use of venture capital finance, as one of the new sources of financing options by SMEs in Cross River State could create a significant impact on the growth of SMEs. In carrying out this work, a hypothesis was formulated. The financial contracting theory was adopted by the study. The exploratory research design was utilized. In the study, a non probability sampling method (purposive) was used. Using the Yamane formula, a sample of forty (40) SMEs from among the SMEs in Calabar metropolis was selected. The manager, accountant or account officer and secretary were purposively selected and included in the sample. Information were gathered with the utilization of organized solid and approved polls. An aggregate of 120 polls were directed, however 80 recovered. The information was examined with the utilization of various relapse investigation introduced in tables. The discoveries of this examination uncovered that there was a critical effect of investment back on the general development of SMEs in terms of record keeping, volume of business, access to other sources of funding, sales value, and net Assets.  etc.  Accordingly, the study recommended that awareness be created among SMEs on the existence and operations of venture capital as this could be one of the potent ways of boosting sustainable growth and stability of SMEs in particular and socio economic growth and development of the economy in general.

Schools play a critical role in the implementation of the English curriculum. They ensure that syllabus is adequately covered and that students register impressive academic grades in internal and national examinations. Thus, the purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of school contextual dynamics on the implementation of the English curriculum in public secondary schools in Nakuru East Sub-county, Nakuru County, Kenya. The objectives were: to investigate the influence of teacher  factors on implementation of English curriculum in public secondary schools, examine the influence of instructional resources on implementation of English curriculum in public secondary schools, establish the influence of students’ characteristics on implementation of English curriculum in public secondary schools and find out the influence of the school community support on implementation of English curriculum in public secondary schools in Nakuru East Sub-county. The study was guided by the Ecological Systems, the Modern Cognitive and the Curriculum Implementation Theories. The study applied mixed methods approach and explanatory sequential design which involved collecting, analyzing, and mixing both quantitative and qualitative methods. Questionnaires were used to collect data from students whereas interview schedules were used to collect data from teachers and principals. Data analysis began by identifying common themes from the respondents’ description of their experiences. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically along the objectives and presented in narrative forms whereas quantitative data was analyzed descriptively using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation and inferentially using ANOVA Test Analysis and presented using tables. The study established that teacher factors, instructional resources, school characteristics and school community influence implementation of English curriculum in public secondary schools. Thus, the study recommends that English teachers should undertake refresher courses to acquire emerging strategies on how to implement English curriculum. Schools should ensure availability of suitable, relevant and appropriate teaching and learning resources. Schools should provide opportunities which allow students to interact with colleagues to acquire new approaches of studying English. The Ministry of Education should provide adequate funding coupled with timely disbursement to enable school administrators procure resources for implementation of English curriculum.

This study was carried out to review the use of mobile devices for data collection in Nigeria and to suggest ways to optimize this technology for real-time data collection. The study also looked at the challenges, prospects and opportunities for the evaluation of projects. A cross sectional study was conducted using Survey Monkey software to administer questionnaires to a cross section of stakeholders within 14 days. Out of 1,000 persons who were approached for the survey, a total of 102 persons responded and provided feedback, but 100 responses were accessed and analyzed given a response rate of 10.2% in the survey. The results obtain from the findings indicated that 99.0% of respondents had experience or participated in data collection. While, 53.0% had used both the smartphones/tablets and paper forms for data collection, 33.0% of the respondents had used only smartphones for data collection and 14.0% had used only paper forms for data collection. Data analysis indicated that 24.0% of all respondents who had used smartphones/tablets encountered some forms of problems, while 76.0% did not encounter any issue. 34.0% of respondents indicated that they had problem using the paper form while 60% indicated that they were comfortable with the paper form. Further analysis suggested that 93.0% of respondents preferred the use of smart phone/tablet method for data collection compared to 7.0% who preferred the use of paper-based data collection method. Results further revealed that 95.0% of respondents had skills or training on the use of smartphones for data collection as against 5.0% who had no training nor skills. However, access to internet connectivity is quiet poor in rural areas where most of the data collection activities take place. Overall, the use of smartphones for data collection in Nigeria is on the increase.  It is recommended that the use of real-time data collection with smartphones should be embraced as their challenges are minimal compared to other forms of data collection.

This study examined the perception of Lagos state secondary school students on influence and effectiveness of sex education on sexuality behaviour. Theoretically, the study is grounded in the Perception theory with focus on selective process theory and Uses and Gratification Theory. Descriptive survey method was adopted and data was collected using self-administered, structured close-ended questionnaire. 480 respondents were randomly selected from eight secondary schools from four local governments in Lagos State, Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using Pearson Product-moment correlation. Results indicated that there is a significant positive relationship between sex education and sexuality behaviour of secondary school students (r=0.34), there is a significant positive relationship between sex education and the effectiveness of sex education to sexual behaviour (r=0.24), and also there is a significant positive relationship between effectiveness of sex education and sexuality behavior of secondary school students. (r=0.39).  The results also showed that majority of the students are aware of sex education which has different meaning to them. 63.8% of the students have received sex education with 53.6% of the students indicating from their teachers. 83.9% of the respondents agreed that sex education is relevant in stimulating their interest in sexual behaviour and 75.0% agreed that sex education is relevant in holding their interest in sexual development. The study recommended that parents/guardians should show more interest in the sexual development of their children/wards. Schools should organise effective communication programmes and seminars about sex education for the secondary school students.

In this study, the researcher investigated the interaction effects of method and location on academic achievement of secondary school physics students using constructivist teaching method. Pretest-posttest non-equivalent control group design was adopted. The study was conducted in Enugu North and East Local government Areas of Enugu state. The population of the study was 5,104 senior secondary one (SS1) Physics students. The sample size was 118 (60 males and 58 females). Stratified random sampling was used to draw two co-educational schools, one from Urban Schools and the other from rural schools. In each of the two schools sampled, two intact classes were randomly sampled from SS1 Physics students. One out of the two classes sampled was assigned to constructivist teaching method while control group was assigned to lecture method. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The duration of the experiment lasted for four weeks. Data generated were analyzed using mean with standard deviation. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used in testing the hypothesis at P< 0.05. The results of the study showed that the students’ achievement in Physics was better when they were taught basic concept of electricity using constructivist teaching method than when they were taught using lecture method. The results also showed that location had a significant influence on academic achievement of Physics students in favour of urban schools. From the result of the study, significant (p<0.05) interaction effect due to method and location on students’ achievement in Physics was observed. Based on the findings some recommendations were made.

This paper investigates how non-perpendicularity in a tri-axial velocity sensor would affect the tri-axial velocity-sensor's azimuth-elevation beam-pattern in terms of the beam's pointing direction and directivity. The vertical axis was adopted as the reference axis for the analysis and a rotation matrix developed to represent the non-perpendicularity in Euclidean space. The beampattern of this deformed tri-axial velocity sensor is then analytically studied. It was found that the non-perpendicularity does not affect the overall shape of the beampattern, but only introduces a pointing offset. Also, the non-perpendicularity imperfectionreduces the directivity of the imperfect triaxial velocity sensor relative to a perfect case. This finding developed in closed the pointing bias for the described deformity hence serves for non-iterative post data acquisition correction.

Canine parvovirus enteritis is highly contagious acute enteritis associated with high morbidity and mortality, with very low survival rates in untreated dogs. It is caused by canine parvovirus type 2. It generally affects dogs up to 6 months old. All breeds of dogs are affected although Rottweiler, Doberman pinscher, American Pit-bull terrier, Labrador retriever and German shepherd are at increased risk of infection. Blood is regarded as fluid that aid in the assessment of the health status of animals. Hematology of infected dogs can help in giving an idea about the severity of infection, guide in deciding the treatment protocol and prognosis of the disease. Twenty-nine dogs with clinical signs consistent with canine parvovirus presented at Health Veterinary Clinic in Sumy, Ukraine were analyzed. They were diagnosed using rapid in-clinic enzyme immunoassay test kits (SensPERT^®_, VetAll Laboratories, Kyunggi-Do, Korea). Data indicated that 31.0% (9/29) of the puppies had received at least 1 dose of multivalent vaccine which included Biocan^®, Vanguard 5 plus^® and Novibac^®. Temperature and Hematology were collected on the day of admission. 2mL of blood were collected from the cephalic vein of each dog into a test tube containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The Hematologial parameters (RBC, HGB, PCV, WBC, NEU, MON, EOS, LYM and PLT) were determined by using automated blood counter. The most common hematological finding in all dogs was anemia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia (leucopenia, neutropenia and lymphopenia), leucocytosis, neutrophilia, eosinophilia, lymphocytosis and monocytosis.  All the hematological abnormalities witnessed in this study are consistent with CPVE. This is an indication that different dogs will present different cell mediated immune responses during the course of the disease.

The aim of this study was to focus on financial literacy, trainings and gender equity as social factors that influence access to financial services on tea farmer’s economic empowerment in Kisii County-Kenya. The study comprised of 77035 small scale tea farmers in Kisii County. Stratified and random sampling was used and the sample size was 398 of the respondents. The study used questionnaires and observations to collect data. Data analysis was done by use of SPSS. The objective of the study was to analyze the influence of social factors on access to financial services strategy on economic empowerment among small scale tea farmers in Kisii County- Kenya.  The results show a statistically significant weak positive relationship between social factors on access to financial services and economic empowerment among tea farmers in Kisii County (r = 0.363, p < 0.05). It was concluded that influence of social factors has positive and statistically significant influence on economic empowerment among tea farmers and there exists a positive significant correlation between influence of social factors and economic empowerment among tea farmers.

Reading skills is one of the basic requirements which enable people engage themselves in their daily activities. Reading achievement determines the child’s success in school and eventual career development. School age children are not learning core skills expected at age level. Despite significant gains in expanding access to primary school education literacy outcomes remains significantly deficient. The study focused on influence of pre-primary school experience on pupils’ reading achievement in Laikipia West Sub-county. Ex post facto research design was employed. The target population were grade two pupils in both public and private schools in the sub-county.Quantitative data was tabulated and analyzed by descriptive statistic including frequency and percentages presented through tables and figures. Results revealed that levels of competency in story-reading, word recognition and letter, sound recognition were below average at 60%, 57%, and 50%respectively. From the results, pre-primary experience in key in pupils’ reading achievement, where pupils who attended pre-primary school registering good grades in letter and sound recognition, word recognition and paragraph reading. Recommendations were made that parents be educated on the importance of early year’s education and teachers to design appropriate tasks in order to enhance and boost reading literacy among pupils.

Aqueous leaf extract of Achyranthes aspera was investigated for inhibitory activity against Bitis arietans venom protease and phospholipase A₂ activity. The elemental analysis and phytochemical screening of the plant extract was carried out. The activities of protease and phospholipase A₂ (V_o) of the crude Bitis arietans venom were determined and the data obtained was used to estimate K_M, V_max and K_cat. Inhibition studies were carried out using the same procedure except that different concentrations of the extracts (5%, 10%, 15% for protease assay and 0.5%, 0.75%, 10%, 1.25% and 1.5% for phospholipase A₂ assay) were added to the reaction mixture. The result showed that the Bitis arietans venom protease had a V_max of 0.062 + 0.013 µmol/min,K_M of 0.496 + 0.095mg/ml and a K_cat of 0.125+ 0.001min^-1. The result also indicates that the Bitis arietans phospholipase A₂ had a V_max of 3.27 + 0.030min^-1, K_M of 8.358 + 0.050 mg/ml and K_cat of 0.391+ 0.002min^-1. The aqueous leaf extract produced significant (P<0.05) decrease in the V_max, K_M and K_cat of the Bitis arietans venom phospholipase A₂ in a dose dependent manner and a statistically significant (P<0.05) increase in the V_max, K_M and K_cat of Bitis arietansprotease in a dose dependent manner. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, steroids, saponins and terpenoids in the extract while the elemental analysis revealed the presence of Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, Mn, Fe and Na. The result suggests that aqueous leaf extract of Achyranthes aspera inhibited the Bitis arietans venom phospholipase A₂ in an uncompetitive manner while the protease activity was stimulated by the extracts. It was observed that the use of the leaf of Achyranthes aspera may be important in the treatment of snake bites.

Concentrations of antibiotics below the minimum inhibitory concentration encourages the overgrowth of organisms and the reason they survive is because they are resistant to the drugs prescribed and so able to proliferate quickly, assisted by the sudden access to nutrients and space.This palpable reality is a potential threat to the future of health care delivery and forms a basic consideration in the present study. The influence of sub inhibitory doses of Flucloxacillin or Clindamycin and plasma on Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolate was investigated using standard methods. The immune system is represented with fresh, preserved human plasma freeonly of erythrocytes. The study showed that human plasma can slow growth of invading organisms, even though this will have to be considered alongside the number of the invading organism and time it takes for antibodies to be produced. The exposure of the test organism to sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of flucloxacillin and clindamycin showed clear resistance against the two test antimicrobial agents but significantly against the narrow spectrum flucloxacillin.This further illustrates effect ofadministering sub-therapeutic concentrations of antibiotics and the consequences ofthe invading organism acquiring resistance.Itis hoped that this research will lead to a re-examination of how antibiotics areadministered for management of patients suffering from recurrent S. aureus related diseases.

The paper examined managing retraining programmes for teacher productivity in public secondary schools in Bayelsa State. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The design was a descriptive survey with a population of 191 principals and 3,483 teachers in 191 public secondary schools, giving the numerical strength of the population as 3,674. Using a stratified random sampling technique, the sample size was 367 (10%) made up of 19 principals and 348 secondary school teachers. The instrument was a researchers’- structured 18-item questionnaire titled “Managing Retraining Programmes for Teacher Productivity Questionnaire (MRPTPQ). The response mode was in line with the four-point Likert scale. The instrument was validated by three experts in the area of measurement and evaluation. The internal consistency was established using Cronbach alpha method which yielded a reliability index of 0.76. The findings of this study showed that while retraining programmes have introduced teachers to new teaching methodologies and technologies, the frequency of these programmes is limited by the availability of funds. The paper concluded that for teachers to be adequately informed and productive, workshops and seminars should be given priority in public secondary schools in Bayelsa State. The recommendations include: retraining programmes should be available in Bayelsa State secondary schools in order to continually improve teacher productivity, vice principal academics and others assigned with the duty of organizing workshops for teachers should ensure that teachers are periodically engaged in various workshop sessions in order for teachers’ productivity to be constantly improved.

Pre-primary school learning experiences lays a strong foundation for pupils’ later academic progression and achievement. The experiences equip learners with the requisite competencies and abilities for formal and life-long learning including basic literacy and numeracy skills. Premised on this commonality, the purpose of this study was to establish pupils’ academic achievement in literacy and numeracy on entry to standard one and whether pre-primary school learning experiences and teachers’ level self-efficacy predicted pupil’s literacy and numeracy achievement. The study also investigated pre-primary school learning experiences and teachers’ self-efficacy’s predictive value of standard one pupils’ literacy and numeracy achievement. Free primary school in Kenya is mandatory for six year olds irrespective of their backgrounds. Pre-primary school education is therefore not a requirement for joining primary one (Standard one) class. In a typical standard one class in Kenya, one would expect pupils with unequal pre-primary school learning experiences. Teacher’s self-efficacy equally could influence pupils’ academic achievement. Two theories guided this study; Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory (1982) and the Ecological Systems theory by Urie Bronfenbrenner (1979). Ex post facto research design was used to guide the study. Variables of the study included pre-primary school experiences, gender, teachers’ self-efficacy and type of school. The study was conducted in Gucha District of Kisii County, Kenya. The target population was both public and private primary schools in the District. All standard one pupils and their teachers of the sample schools participated. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were employed. Eight (8) primary schools formed the sample of the study. A total of six public and two private schools formed the study sample. This was comprised of 16% of the population. The total sample was 154 pupils and eight (8) teachers. Descriptive and inferential techniques were employed to analyze data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programme was used to analyze data. Means and percentages were calculated and inferential statistics involved Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). ANOVA was used to test, H01, H02, H03 and H04 while H05 was analyzed using multiple regression. A P ≤ 0.05 level of significance was accepted. The findings of the study revealed that pre-primary school learning experiences together with teachers’ level of self-efficacy significantly predicted pupils’ literacy and numeracy achievement. One of the recommendations based on the study findings was that policy makers at both central and county governments should invest substantial resources in pre-primary school programmes in order to improve academic outcomes in primary school level to avoid investing too much too late.

The performance of commercial banks in Kenya has been hindered by various internal and external factors. The fact that commercial banks have been facing challenges in respect of their financial performance necessitated the carrying out of this study. The general objective was to determine the influence of selected firm-level characteristics on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. In particular, the study examined the influence of the bank size, business scope on the financial performance of the commercial banks in Nakuru town. The study was guided by theory of firm scope and agency theory. A descriptive research design was adopted. The study used quantitative research approach. The target population included all the finance, accounts and the management staff working with the 28commercial banks in Nakuru. The 121finance, accounts and management staff working with the commercial banks in Nakuru town constituted the study population. A sample of 58 respondents was obtained using stratified random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was employed to facilitate data collection. The collected data was analyzed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences programme. Descriptive statistics encapsulated measures of distribution, measures of central tendencies, and measures of dispersion. The inferential statistics was employed Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regressions. The results of the analyses were presented in form of tables. The study observed and adhered to the necessary ethics over the entire duration of the study. From the results the study established that there exists a strong positive and significant relationship between bank size and financial performance of commercial banks in Nakuru town. In addition the findings indicated that there exists a strong, positive and significant relationship between business scope and financial performance of commercial banks in Nakuru town. From the findings the researcher recommends that banks should subscribe to reliable internet providers for effective and efficient service delivery. The study further recommends that customers should be enlightened on the operation of agency banking in order to enhance their confidentiality. The researcher suggested that further studies should be conducted on business process re-engineering on financial performance of other financial institutions.

This study investigated spatial and temporal trends of rainfall and temperature in the Amboseli ecosystem of Kenya. The analysis were based on historical Climate Hazards group InfraRed Precipitation with Station (CHIRPs) and Climate Hazards group InfraRed Temperature with Station (CHIRTs) data for the period 1960-2014 and the period 2006-2100 for the projections. This data was used due to limitations in the observed station data. Projections of rainfall and temperature were based on Regional Climate Models (RCM) from Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) over the Amboseli ecosystem. The long-term annual and seasonal trends of rainfall and temperature were analyzed via Mann– Kendall’s statistical test and linear trend analysis. The annual and seasonal rainfall declined slightly between 1960 and 2014 though not significant. However the temperatures increased more in the annual minimum (1.23 °C) compared to the annual maximum (0.79 °C). The maximum temperatures for the October-November-December (OND) season had highest increases of 0.88 °C while the March-April-May (MAM) season showed an increase of 0.69 °C. The highest increase in minimum temperatures of 1.35 °C was recorded for the June-July-August-September season (JJAS), while the least increase was in MAM (1.04°C). Projected rainfall based on Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) for the periods 2006-2100 varied with RCP 2.6 showing a decline for the four seasons. RCP 4.5 and 8.5 project marginal increase in annual and OND with declines in the MAM and JJAS. Projected maximum and minimum temperature for RCP 2.6 indicate increments of less than 1 °C while for RCP 4.5 the maximum range is between 0.57 °C and 1.85 °Cand minimum is between 0.51 °C to 1.98 °C. RCP 8.5 projected maximum increase are the highest between 1.11°C and 4.34 °C and minimum is between 1.34 °C and 5.26 °C based on period – 2030, 2050 and 2070. The increase of temperatures and changes in rainfall can have large impacts on the resources in the savanna dry lands of East Africa especially on its livestock, agriculture, wildlife and pastoral and agro-pastoral communities.

Research on Tin Bismuth Sulphide (SnBiS2)(TBS) attracts a lot of interest due to its many applications. Chemical bath deposition (CBD) is a relatively inexpensive, simple and convenient technique for large area deposition of thin films at low temperatures. CBD emerges as an excellent technique for elaboration of several semiconductor thin films. The chemical bath solution was obtained by preparing 20ml of 0.5M stannum chloride (SnCl2), 20 ml of 0.5M of Zinc chloride solution with 5ml of Triethanolamine (TEA) (N(CH2CH2OH)3) and 20ml of 0.5M of Thiourea was added into 100ml beaker, NaOH(aq) which was added until a pH of 10 and temperature of the mixture was monitored with the aid of Mettler Toledo AG 8603 pH meter. And, 30ml of distilled water was added into the solution to make final volume of 100ml in the beaker. The mixture was gently stirred at the temperature to obtain a homogenous solution. Finally, the substrates were immersed into the precursor and deposit for 4hrs at about 70oC. The substrates were removed, rinsed with distilled water and allow to dry in air after the deposition. Three of the samples were annealed at 250 oC, 300 oC and 350 oC in an electric furnace. The reflectance graphs of TBS thin films revealed that average reflectance was below 28% for all films. TBS annealed at 350 0C thin films had the greatest reflectance of about 27% than all other films. This made the thin film to be a good material in being the window layer part of the solar cell. From the reflectance spectra, discontinuities were observed at wavelength above 900 nm. All TBS films demonstrated transmittance above 50% for wavelength above 800 nm. Below 800 nm there was a fall in the percentage transmittance of the films, an indication of a strong increase in absorption. The optimized transmittance at λ=900 nm was found to be 60%. TBS films have good absorption at short wavelength region, the absorption decreased with increasing wavelength of solar radiation. The extrapolated band gaps energy values for TBS thin films varies from the range of 3.82 to 3.91 eV. The resistivity increased with increase in heat treatment and it ranged between 5.48 × 106 Ωm and 3.05 × 106 Ωm. The thin films deposited through chemical bath deposition technique (CBD) were found to have high absorbance in UV-VIS regions while the films absorbance increases as the thickness increased, thus they could be find applications in solar radiation absorbers for solar cell applications. The high band gap properties indicate that the films can be used as a window layer in the fabrication of thin film hetero-junction solar cell and other optoelectronic devices. The low reflectance properties make them good materials for antireflection coatings, solar cell absorbers, thermal control and photosynthetic coatings.

Dryland landscapes experiences greater challenges in the regional and international trade for livestock and livestock products due to systems of production, quality control and safety measures. The objective of this study was to characterize livestock food system in Isiolo County and evaluate factors that affect the sustainability of the systems. The main value chains identified were camel milk, beef, sheep and goat products. The food system is driven by domestic trade which face greater threats to suffice sustenance in livestock and livestock products trade due to weak market integration and poor access to regional and international markets. Weak institutional coordination, insecurity and persistent droughts were notable barriers to sustainability of livestock food system in Isiolo County. Environmental degradation accruing from climate related risks and other stressors of biodiversity are also major threats to sustainable livestock production, hence affecting this livelihood system.

Over the past several decades, scholars have been concerned with the poor academic performance of children. Kipkelion Sub-county academic performance has been dismal for the last five years (2007 - 2012). Study investigated the influence of home environment on students’ academic performance on the influence of parental occupation and parental income on students’ academic performance in public day secondary schools, based on Ecology System Theory by Bronfenbrenner. The sample was 210 form four students selected using stratified and simple random sampling based on the causal-comparative research design, since manifestations of independent variables on dependent variable had already occurred. A questionnaire was used to solicit information on students’ home environment. Whereas, document analysis was used to collect information about the students’ academic performance based on Mock Examination. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as: ANOVA. Study revealed that parental occupation significantly influenced students’ academic performance. However, parental level of education had no effect on students’ academic performance. Study recommends active participation of parents on students’ academic affairs regardless of parental level of education, and provision adequate learning materials for example: text books, furniture, lighting, and ample study space at home. 

The effect of Nitric acid on weight loss and fractal dimension for five types of roofing sheets namely, Stone Coated Roofing Sheet (SCRS), Zinc Corrugated Roofing Sheet (ZCRS), Emboss Aluminium Roofing Sheet (EARS), Small Curve Corrugated Roofing Sheet (SCCRS) and Aluminium Zinc Corrugated Roofing Sheet (AZCRS) were investigated. The samples were immersed in acid rain solution simulated from various concentrations of Nitric (HNO₃) acid. The experiments were designed using Central Composite Design (CDD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on three factors. These are concentration c, (0.00 ppm – 350.00 ppm), time of exposure t, (1week – 2week) and pH, (4-7) of acid solution. Weight loss of each sample was determined by the difference in weight before and after immersion in acid solutions. The influences of these parameters on weight loss were obtained from analysis of variance. Microstructural analyses of the corroded samples were carried out using an optical metallurgical XJL-17 microscope while fractal analysis was carried out on the microstructures obtained. At c = 350.00 ppm, t = 1.5 weeks and pH = 4, the highest weight loss of 0.0086 was obtained when ZCRS was immersed in HNO₃ solution. The lowest weight loss of 0.0031 was obtained when EARS was immersed in HNO_3. Based on ANOVA, the weight loss is significantly influenced by all input variables as well as their combinations. EARS has finer grains which reduce intergranular corrosion. ZCRS with fractal dimension (D) of 1.9618 has the worst level of corrosion HNO₃ solution. EARS with D of 1.9177 have the least level of corrosion HNO₃ solution.The results showed that time, concentration and pH significantly influence corrosion. It also showed that, EARS has the least weight loss and corrosion level in acidic medium.

This paper investigates the impact of Trade Liberalization on some selected manufacturing sectoral groups: Food, Beverages & Tobacco (FBT); Cement (CEM) and Basic Metal, Iron & Steel (BM) in Nigeria. Using the DOLS technique of analysis. Trade liberalization was proxied with Trade Openness (OP); other variables expressed exogenously were Labour Force (L), Foreign Direct Investment inflow into manufacturing sector (FDI) and Exchange Rate (EXCH). The results of analysis led to the conclusion that trade liberalization does not have significant impact on FBT,CEM, and BM in Nigeria. FDI is positively signed and thus have direct impact on the three sub-sectors.  The policy implication of the afore-mentioned results of analysis is that FBT, CEM, and BM sub-sectors in Nigeria benefitted chiefly from Foreign Direct Investment inflow, which finds expression in innovative processing ideas, new technologies, capacity building for employees, world class managerial suite of skillsand more.  Also, the coefficient of the labor force (L)is positive and impacts on FBT model suggest that FBT sub-sector employed more people than others, especially under trade liberalization regime. Government therefore should urgently re-strategize and synergies her foreign trade policies with industrial policies to facilitate beneficial trade. For instance, the Government needs to do a proper assessment of the African Continental Free Trade Area Framework before signing on to the agreement, create manufacturing and investment friendly climate. This will no doubt enhance the performance of these sub-sectors, facilitate beneficial trade and prevent an avoidable influx of cheap and inferior foreign products that could negatively affect the manufacturing sub-sectors. Again, there is a need to sustain Nigeria's foreign policies that attract more FDI inflow into the economy, particularly to the manufacturing sub-sectors.

Africa’s development is seemingly menaced by turbulent challenges arising from internal political crises and insecurity of various sorts. The complexities of the continent’s recent trans-border crises exemplified in illicit drug peddling, contraband smuggling, organ harvesting, human trafficking and slavery have nonetheless heightened this mishap. Worse-off is the trending slavery of fellow Africans along the Mediterranean coast by Libyans and other African accomplices. Hence, this study will take a cursory look into the trend of trans-border migration and the pull and push factors in Nigeria. In order to achieve the main aim of this study, data is be sourced from secondary materials published in the forms of textbooks, newspapers, magazines and other documentary texts. Findings from the study show thatthe migration crisis presents a big challenge for Europe and is steering discussions among the member states on the issue of demographic pressure as the result of the ageing European society, concerns over national identity and migrant integration, and questions regarding the economic impact of migration on the member states, as well as the importance of finding a common asylum policy and sufficiently managing the external borders of the EU. The paper recommends that Industrialization of Africa,skill Acquisition and Human Capital Development will help mitigate the desire to illicitly migrate out of Nigeria.

The Nigerian armed forces are doing their utmost to crush the Boko-haram insurgency. However, killing and dislodging members of the group does not indicate total elimination of its ideology. The arguments of the movement against conventional education remain in circulation among people awaiting another generation to champion the course in a new identity. Toeradicate the ideology and its influence, there is need for thorough intellectual and logical responses to those arguments. It is against this background that this paper sought to analyse the movement’s arguments that conventional education should be prohibited on the ground that it originated from the West and was introduced in the country to promote Christianity. The paper realized that this argument is unfounded because conventional education is not a western property, rather a global heritage comprising the remarkable contributions of the Muslim world. Moreover, Islam does not forbid Muslims to benefit from any useful knowledge irrespective of where it originates from as long as it does not contravene Islamic teachings. It also found that using schools for promoting Christianity is not more applicable to many public and private schools in Nigeria today. Thepaper encouraged Muslims to pursue the education to its highest level.

In this research, we used both statistical and analytical methods to obtain relations that may suggestively indicate unification of the four fundamental interactions. These interactions include gravitational, electromagnetic, weak (nuclear) and strong (nuclear) forces.

Indiscipline among students in public secondary schools is a problem that has persisted over the years throughout the world and is worsening each day. A number of studies have associated this problem to drug and substance abuse. The objectives were; assessing the levels of students’ discipline, the influence of drug intoxication, addiction and drug-related depression on students’ discipline in public secondary schools. The study was guided by the Comprehensive Theory of Substance Abuse Prevention and the Assertive Discipline Theory. Quantitative data were collected from students in Forms III & IV using questionnaires while qualitative data were collected from key informants who included six principals and six teacher-counsellors using interviews. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically along the objectives and presented in narrative forms whereas quantitative data was analyzed descriptively with the help of Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS Version 23) and presented using tables and charts. The study established that levels of indiscipline are high amongst students who manifest incidences of violence against colleagues; strikes and school riots, theft, teenage pregnancies, truancy, poor performance and breaking of school rules and regulations. Students who abuse drugs end up suffering from intoxication and thus suffer memory loss, anger and emotions, loss of consciousness, impaired coordination and dizziness. Intoxicated students end up engaging in disciplined acts at school. Students who are addicted to drugs and substances manifest lack of focus, loss of interest in their studies, truancy and absenteeism and lack of concentration. Drug and substance abuse lead to depression amongst students who exhibit mood swings, feelings of isolation, sadness, withdrawal, lack of energy and hostility. This situation leads students to flip into indiscipline acts and undesirable behavior patterns. Thus, the study recommends that secondary schools should be motivated to take up course on Life Skills since they are the custodians of students’ behavior. Students should be advised on the dangers of drug abuse. Parents should partner with secondary schools in combating drug abuse both at home and at school. Teachers should be advised to desist from hands-off attitude when it comes to combating drug abuse amongst their students. The government should formulate a regulation to ensure stricter implementation of policies against drug abuse in public secondary schools.

In the last three decades, the republic of Kenya has witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of chartered universities and a stiff competition for students. The student enrolment base coupled with the emergence of private university education providers turned the university arena in Kenya into a student enrolment market, leading to intense competition between Public and Private Universities. The researcher realizes that, the existing studies relate competitiveness with performance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence of cost-leadership planning strategies on competitiveness of private universities in Nairobi County, Kenya. Resource Based Theory, Competitive Advantage Theory and Generic Framework Theory guided this study. The study applied mixed method approach and thus adopted concurrent triangulation design. Target population comprised 66 Registrar Academics, 66 Registrar Admissions and 33 Directors of Marketing all totalling to 165. Using the Central Limit Theorem, 36 Registrars of Academics, 36 Registrars of Admissions and 18 Directors of Marketing were purposively sampled. Questionnaires were used to collect data from Registrar Academic and Admissions whereas interview guide was used to gather data from Directors of Marketing. Data analysis began by identifying common themes from the respondents’ description of their experiences. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically along the objectives and were presented in narrative forms. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferentially using Chi-Square through Statistical Packages for Social Science and presented using tables. The study established that many private universities have not fully adopted cost-leadership planning strategies to enhance their competitiveness. The study recommends that private universities design and market their academic programmes affordable to students from all socio-economic backgrounds.

Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria has gained recognition as obtained in the developed economies of the world as higher proportion of organizations, both local and multinational operating therein have grafted it in their business philosophies. However, the weak legal system and lack of advocacy by the concerned stakeholders have been relegating the actual performance to the background. The host communities of these organizations (safe the explorative organizations) have been in a state of uttermost negligence while the little real CSR initiatives have been concentrated in already developed areas of big cities and health initiatives outside the reach of the uneducated community members of these organizations who have been avoiding their responsibilities to local communities by passing same to the local, state and federal governments who are the original owners of most resources and infrastructures in such communities.

According to statistics, about 80% of the power interruptions result from power distribution system failure. Historical assessment and predictive methods are normally used to evaluate the reliability of a distribution network. Most utilities focus more on historical assessment rather than predictive methods. Hence, it is vital in design and development of distribution network to study and analyse the reliability.

This research adopted methods involving analysis and evaluation of reliability of one of the Nigeria transmission station (Ganmo 33KV Ilorin) feeders to see how reliability could be improved in the distribution system by incorporating reliability analysis in the systematic planning approach so that optimum reliability is achieved. Analytical method such as Markov model and reliability indices of each feeder was evaluated, assessed and compared to see how risk of failure could be reduced. The reliability indices for the year 2016 and 2017 are being considered as the case study.

The outages on the TCN Ganmo 33KV feeders was studied for 24 months on daily outage data collected from the station. Based on the result obtained from the data analysis illustrated with graphs, it was deduced that dedicated feeders such as KAM and UNILORIN have the highest reliability and more available compared to others residential feeders. This can be attributed to the level of their load demands. Generally, the feeders have least reliability during the period of May to October due to high vegetation and rainfall.

In the contemporary business arena, few businesses operate without credit from banks, with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) lending portfolio by banks in Kenya estimated at KSh332 billion. However,Four hundred thousand SMEs did not see their second anniversary in the recent past in Kenya raising questions about the impact of banks loan collateral requirement on success of the SMEs. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of banks credit accessibility on the performance of small and medium enterprises in Maua Town, Meru County, Kenya. Maua is a cosmopolitan urban centre serving the entire Igembe region of Meru County as well as parts of Isiolo County. Specifically, the study sought to evaluate the effect of loan collateral requirements on the performance of SMEs in Maua Town. The population of the study comprised 250 registered SMEs licensed in Maua Town by the County Government of Meru. Using stratified and simple random, 153 enterprises were selected as the sample of the study. Data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using SPSS Version 21 and presented using frequency tables. Regression Analysis was used to establish the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. Linear regression analysis indicated that the independent variable (collateral requirements) had a negative effect on performance of SMEs. The study recommended that banks should review collateral demands for SME owners to allow for more items of value to be used as security as this will encourage businesspeople to borrow.

Stock market crashes are social phenomena where external economic events combine with crowd behavior and psychology in a positive feedback loop where selling by some market participants drives more market participants to sell. This study empirically established the relationship between stock market crisis and Nigeria’s economic growth and also showed the relationship between stock market price crash and the crisis itself. In this light, this paper examined the interactive influence of movements in the major indicators of the performance of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Market such as the Market Capitalization (MK), All Share Index (ASI), Number of Deals (NOD), Volume and Value of Stock (VV), Total Number of New Issues (TNI) and Inflation (INFR) on the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) using data from 1985-2009. To achieve the two objectives stated above, the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method was employed. To correct for the OLS result biasness the log was applied to GDP and MK and also AR(1) was introduced to the first model. The result shows that stock market crisis has a highly significant effect on Nigeria’s economic growth. The result also shows a significant relationship between stock market price crash and the market crisis itself. It is therefore recommended that in the face of the ongoing crisis in the global stock market, the Nigerian stock market authorities should aim at making the market meet a world class standard. Also, all the sectors of the economy should act in a collaborative manner such that optimum benefits can be realized from their economic activities in the Nigeria market even in the hub of global crisis. 

The study titled Assessment of Business Educators Competency Level in Teaching Office Application and Office Technology segments of Office Technology and Management Courses in selected Polytechnics in Northeast of Nigeria was conducted to determine competency levels of office technology and management business educators. Two specific purposes, two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. Survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 889 which comprised of 49 lecturers and 840 students.  The entire population of lecturers and a sample of 262 students drawn out of 840 population of students using Taro Yamane formula constituted a sample size of 311 which was studied.  A 25-item structured questionnaire on a 4 point Likert scale was used to elicit data for the study. The questionnaire was validated by two experts. Cronbach alpha reliability method was used to test the reliability of the instrument and it yielded a coefficient of 0.89 signifying that the instrument was reliable.  The instrument was administered by the researchers and two research assistants, 98% of the questionnaire was properly completed and was used for the analysis. The weighted mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions.  Independent t-test statistics was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed amongst others that business educators are very competent in teaching the two identified components of the business education courses namely, office application and office technology courses. There was significant difference between the mean responses of lecturers and students on the business educators’ competency level in teaching office application courses in some selected Polytechnics in Northeast Nigeria.  It was recommended amongst others that business educators should encourage students of OTM to be creative and innovative so that they will not be idle after graduation because they are trained for paid jobs and for self-reliance. The spirit of self-reliance should be inculcated into them by teaching them to make frequent use of the machines in the model office and computer laboratory because they are expected to make use of similar machines in their work place.

This main objective of the paper was to examine factors that influence tour guide performance in Kenya. This study is unique in the sense that it investigated a category of employees most of whom were in part-time and temporal employment. It examined tour job benefits and investigated how the benefits influence their job satisfaction job,and performance. The study applied both exploratory and descriptive designs. A total of 310 questionnaires were distributed where 250 were completed and returned.  Binary logistic regression was used to analyze and generate a regression model. The findings indicated that job satisfaction influenced

13 % to 24 % of the guide’s performance and those satisfied with their job were 3.935 times more likely to perform better than those dissatisfied.  There was a positive correlation between job satisfaction and performance. The finding pointes that guide who were insured had a higher level of job satisfaction, (e^-1.502= 0.223) which  increased their performance odds by 77% while having career development as a benefit increased satisfaction (e.^1.924= 6.851) which also increased performance odds by 585%. Tour guides who were given on-job training as a benefit were more satisfied   (e ^-1.557= 0.211) which increased performance odd by 78.9%.

The paper examines how entrepreneurship could be used as a strategic tool for sustainable development in Nigeria. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the study. Fifty,(50) entrepreneurs were used as the sample size out of the one Hundred and fifty,(150) entrepreneurs in Abuja based on convenient sampling. Statistical Package for Social Sciences, (SPSS) was use to evaluate the degree of relationships between the variables. The study discovered that inadequate infrastructure; like poor road network, poor electricity supply, insecurity and high interest rate have been hampering entrepreneurship in Nigeria.  It concludes from the finding that innovation, creativity of entrepreneurs is the only sure way to sustainable development in Nigeria. The study recommends that, Nigerian government should provide enabling environment for entrepreneurs to strive. Financial institutions should also reduce interest rate to enable entrepreneurs to access bank loans.

The main objective of this study was to examine the impact of multiple- taxation on small and medium scale enterprise Finance performance, in Nigeria, particularly Abuja metropolis. This study, surveyed fifteen (15) selected SMEs within the Abuja metropolis precisely AMAC area, with a population of four hundred and fifteen (415) respondents and a sample size of two hundred (200), as calculated using RAOSOFT Sample Size Calculator. A total of two hundred (200) questionnaires were administered. One hundred and seventy-eight (178) copies representing (89%) of the questionnaire were properly completed and retrieved while twenty two (22) questionnaires representing (11%) were not retrieved. Primary source of data was used to gather information for the study and the main instrument of data collection was the questionnaire. The data were presented in tables as frequency distribution in the data analysis; the techniques of percentage frequencies were used. The hypotheses were tested using ANOVA (analysis of variance) at 5% significance level. Having analyzed the data, it was found that the majority of the respondents strongly agreed with all the questions posed with regards to the effects of multiple- taxation and disproportionate multiple- taxation on the finance performance of SMEs in Abuja. The study concluded that there is strong correlation between Multiple-taxation and the financial performance of SMEs in Abuja, Nigeria; there is also strong correlation between Disproportionate multiple taxation practices constitute a major challenge in the budgetary and planning performance of SMEs in Abuja, Nigeria. In view of these findings and conclusions, the researcher recommends, further studies on current taxation policies to ensure that they meet the criteria of good taxes according to Adam Smith in the wealth of nation. Training and awareness programs fortax agents, SMEs owners and theiremployees should be encouraged by the Nigerian Government. Comprehensive vetting of tax levies from government bodies and states by the federal government to weed out unnecessary multiple- taxation. Deregulation of disproportionate taxes to correlate with SMEs incomes. Consolidating all taxes as a lump paid directly to an assigned government account in correlation to income, after which the tax authorities can disseminate according to an agreed sharing ratio to various government purses instead of having multiple and closely related taxes at the same time.

Infectious diseases are prevented through immunization. Rivers State consists of 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs). The State is classified into three Senatorial Districts; Rivers East, Rivers West and Rivers South East. The inhabitants of the state are randomly spread. Ikwerre, Port-Harcourt and Obio-Akpor are the heavily occupied LGAs in Rivers State. This paper gives an overview of Immunization with key interest in showcasing the relationship between persons that require immunization services in Rivers State and the States total population for year 2010 – 2018. Linear Regression, a supervised machine learning tool was used and MatLAB 2015a was used for simulation.

A shallow geophysical investigation for groundwater exploration using 2D electrical resistivity imaging was conducted at the Staff Quarters ofElizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo state, Nigeria. This study was carried out with the aim of delineating areas with groundwater potentials in the study area.

A total of four horizontal profiling using the Wenner array technique with varying length from 95 to 125m were established in the East-West and South-North directions of the study area. Qualitative interpretation was done by visual inspection of the pseudosections generated using the DIPPRO^TM software. The pseudosections revealed layers that were interpreted to be clay, sandy clay and clayey sand. Though these layers were not clearly divided, partly because of the inhomogeneous properties of the soil material. The overburden thickness was found to range from 2.5 to 25m and the resistivity of the fractured basement rock varies from 247 to 628Ωm. The fractured basements are interpreted as water bearing zones.

A VES data acquired on traverse 2 near a failed borehole was interpreted and it was found out that the failure of the borehole may have been as a result of wrong location and probably not drilled to required depth. In general, the results show that groundwater exploration and development is feasible in the study area. 

This study examines the use of social media as a means of promoting library services in the Nigerian University libraries. The population of the study comprised of Library personnel e.g. Librarians, Library Officers and Library Assistants. The study covered 14 Nigerian University Libraries and 188 library personnel. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The instruments were grouped into four sections. Findings of the study revealed that Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter and Myspace were the social media tools that are mostly used for promoting library services in preference to other social media tools, findings of the study also revealed that Whatsapp, Facebook and Googleplus were the social media tools highly utilised and the study showed the effects of social media on library services. It increases the library’s patronage, to identify the information needs of users, to create awareness and reach out to new audience of potential users and to display library news and events. Some of the recommendations were that organisation of seminars, training and workshops on the use of appropriate social media tools to promoting library services in university libraries in Nigeria, library personnel in Nigerian university libraries should fully embraced social media utilization in promoting library services in Nigeria and  libraries should have internet facilities and ICT skills in order to be able to utilise social media tools for promoting library and information products and services in university libraries in Nigeria.

Unemployment is one of the developmental problems that face Nigeria today and this can be reduced through agriculture, the study therefore aims to look into employment creation in Nigeria though agriculture (poultry farming), the general objective of the study was to examine the effect of Agriculture through poultry farming on self employment in the FCT, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to: Describe the socio-economic characteristics of the  poultry farmers in the FCT; Identify the challenges faced by poultry farmers in the FCT; and to Suggest the way forward to promoting employment in Nigeria through poultry farming.  So, this study focuses on exploring the poultry farming business as the way to create employment in Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, several books, journals and other sources of information were use to assess the level and nature of employment in Nigeria. The poultry farming was expressively discussed for easy understanding of those who intend to go for the business. The data was interpreted using descriptive statistics and likert type scale was used for the analysis of the study. Finally, the whole finding were summarize, recommendations were made which include Government and all relevant stakeholders should continue in their quest towards reducing unemployment in making sure that agriculture continue to grow and provision of credit facilities to finance poultry farming.

In recent times, there has been renewed effort to solve problems of traffic disorder, congestion and unauthorized parking of cars in the parking area of busy business premises. The trend in solution to this environmental menace has evolved from the approach of human intervention by traffic and security agents to automatic/electronic assisted processes. The latter  was applied in this work. It was achieved by deploying an electronic space display unit to indicate; 1, the available empty parking slots on a particular level of the three storey parking area. 2, to automatically update the information on an LCD about the parking area should there be a change in the vehicular movement within the area. 3, to indicate when the parking area is full in capacity inorder to avoid further entry of vehicles and any form of congestion. To achieve this work, simulation was performed using C++ program in proteus 8.5 professional workbench. The vehicular movement made within the parking area was detected and the numerical values were displayed on the LCD. The counting operation was achieved by the microcontroller. It counts by incrementing 1 (for entrance) and decrement 1 (for exit) on each level for a specified capacity. This paper therefore, explores ways of ensuring orderly parking of vehicles in a busy parking area, and also ensures drivers locate unoccupied parking slots when in the car park. It further counts automatically, the number of vehicles entering and leaving the car park without human intervention. This work when implemented will ensure that traffic management authorities understand patterns and trends of ensuring good traffic system in busy business environment.

Premium rating like every other insurance has to consider the liabilities that are expected to be incurred by members. In respect of Health Insurance the liabilities will be mainly determined by demographic conditions, incidence of sickness and the distribution function of medical claims. We have derived the functional relationship between premium and there variables, making allowance for expected expenses and contingency reserves. Sicknesses are of various categories, sickness of long duration and heavy medical bills, medium duration and short duration with light bills.Premium rates are designed to follow each category unlike the straight deductions from salaries to cater for all types of sickness. The expected medical expenses is obtained by taking account of the incidence of sickness, age of the individual, medical expenses incurred and the life table  of the population. Health Insurance is categorized into three different packages, high, medium and heavy medical bills and their corresponding premium is calculated.

Tuberculosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries of the world. Monitoring tuberculosis treatment outcomes is important in evaluating the effectiveness of tuberculosis control programme. This study investigated the outcome of tuberculosis treatment at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) in South Eastern Nigeria.

This a retrospective analysis of tuberculosis patients registered at COOUTH from January 2013 to January 2018. The secondary data was obtained from the facility central tuberculosis register, with treatment outcome and tuberculosis type categorized based on the guideline of National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP) of Nigeria. The association of treatment outcome with demographic characteristics and other clinical factors was analyzed using the Chi-square test. Out of the 578 tuberculosis patients, 74.2% were successfully treated, 18.9% were lost to follow up, 5.7% died and 0.3% had treatment failure. Outcome of tuberculosis treatment was significantly associated with age, site of disease and HIV status of patients.

Tuberculosis treatment outcome in COOUTH was satisfactory. However, patients at risk of unsuccessful outcome should be identified promptly and granted appropriate support and follow-up.

This study was carried out to investigate into the management of conflicts in Universities in Edo State. Three research questions were raised, two of which were answered while one was hypothesized. The research design used was the descriptive survey research. The data were collected using simple random sampling technique of 453 academic staff comprising Heads of Departments (HODs) and general staff in the departments across Universities in Edo State. Two research instruments used for the study were questionnaires titled: ‘H.O.D’s Factor Structured Opinion on Management of Conflicts in Universities (HFSOMCU)’ and ‘Staff Factor Structured Opinion on Management of Conflicts in Universities (SFSOMCU)’. The validity of the instruments were subjected to scrutiny and the Cronbach alpha reliability results were 0.87 and 0.81 for SFSOMCU and HFSOMCU research instruments respectively, indicating that the instruments were reliable. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and simple percentages while analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test statistics were used for the hypotheses. Results revealed that the dominating strategy was the mostly used conflict management strategy by Heads of Departments. It was discovered that the management strategies by Heads of Departments in resolving conflicts had not been effective. However, significant differences (p < 0.05) were not found to exist in the conflict management strategies of Heads of Departments the various departments. Based on the findings, it was recommended that University authorities should improve on their communication network between the administrators and staff on one hand and among staff on the other hand. This will ensure that all are aware of management policies and actions. This will eliminate alienation and communication gap. Also, University staff should ensure that their selfish interests do not conflict with the University goals as stipulated by the National University Commission (NUC).

: Cultural dictates expect the females to marry early, in most cases and in some communities as virgins, for them to maintain matrimony respect from the husband’s family.  Most women delay their pregnancies or become pregnant at advanced ages and are confronted with some challenges associated with pregnancies at the extremes of life. Pregnant women are generally encouraged to book early for antenatal care so that those with underlying medical conditions can be detected early and managed appropriately to prevent adverse effect on the pregnancy and also to reduce possible morbidity and mortality. Fertility tends to decrease with increasing maternal age, so may the pregnancy outcome be complicated.

Objectives:   This study intends to find out the obstetric characteristics and mode of delivery and delivery outcome of elderly nulliparous or elderly primigravidae who booked at this centre for antenatal care. It also intends to find out the obstetric characteristics of such patients by assessing their age at booking, the mean gestational age at booking, the reasons for delayed pregnancy and delivery and fetal outcome.

Methodology: This was a prospective study carried out on pregnant women carrying their first pregnancy to the point of booking for ante natal care at or more than 35 years of age. It was a self administered structured questionnaire and directly administered at booking and followed till delivery over a 1 year period. This prospective study was carried out at the University of Calabar teaching Hospital from June 2017 to June 2018. Those carrying multiple pregnancies were excluded from the final analysis to remove biases, since pregnancy changes are exacerbated in multiple pregnancies.

Results: A total of 3,298 pregnant women booked for antenatal care (ANC) during the study period. Of this figure, 218 (6.6%) were elderly primigravidae and elderly nulliparous, while 3,080 (93.4%) were Para 1 and above or below 35years of age. 132 (4.0%) were elderly nulliparous women while 86 (2.6%) were elderly primigravidae. The mean age at booking was 36.3 years. The earliest gestational age at booking was 8-12weeks and did constitute 88(39.8%).  Of the 218 cases studied, 30 (13.8%) had spontaneous vaginal delivery.  Instrumental delivery (forceps and vacuum) constituted 11.1%. Majority of delivery was 142(65.2%) by caesarean section, either elective or emergencies. The most common medical complication associated in elderly gravida was hypertensive disorders of pregnancy 21.8%, with cervical incompetence being the least 12 (5.5%) of 218 and was noticed more among the elderly nulliparous. The fetal outcome is comparable to that of the normal population. 259 (83.0%) of the babies were delivered with good Apgar scores and needed no further intervention.

Conclusion

The human body is physiologically well adapted to procreate during the reproductive age (15-45years). Pregnancies carried at the extremes of life are however saddled with complications of either the pregnancy itself or other co morbidities. It is however not uncommon to see women carrying pregnancies after the age of 35. Most women delay marriage or child bearing due to pursuit of educational carrier, need for economic self independence, cultural reasons where one cannot marry before a senior sibling, prolonged treatment for infertility, cost of assisted reproduction and maybe unstable or unsuitable relationships. 

Before now, the existing curricula used in Nigeria primary and secondary schools have been described as being overloaded, as such could not induce in learners the needed entrepreneurial skills for self reliance and the ability to response to challenges posed by globalization. In an attempt to bridge these observable limitations, the National Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) restructured and re-aligned all extant primary and junior Secondary Schools Curricula, which gave rise to the new 9-year Basic Education Curriculum. This trend has left much to be desired. Hence, this paper is an attempt to identify and give answers to some basic challenges posed by the approaches adopted to reduce the overload identified in the curricula with respect to subject listings and composites subjects presented under sub-themes. Particular references were made to religion and national values as well as basic science and technology. It highlighted the basic features of the basic education curriculum, composite subjects and their corresponding sub-themes. Finally the paper suggested among others, that subject matters which are centered on values and skills acquisition should be presented to the learner in their own right and practices not under sub-themes. Secondly, ambiguous subject listing under a sub-theme would only compound content delivery and assessment requirements.

In Africa, unregulated urbanization is associated with variety of policy issues spanning demographic, economic, and environmental concerns occurring in the context of massive rural-urban migration and rapid urbanization. These lead to structural weaknesses and even breaking points in cities that are not adequately prepared for the uncontrolled influx of rural populations seeking to improve their lives. The growing consensus is that this situation poses one of the major threats to environmental security in the developing world, and that they impact the poor and therefore the most food insecure to the greatest extent. Urbanization is one of the most significant trends in Africa at present, with rural populations migrating at unprecedented rates to urban hubs in search of employment and economic growth. The effect of this includes, among others, the growing of slums, pressure on infrastructure and the social problems, including security that accompany unemployment in an urban setting. Failing to address them adequately, could see emerging markets fall into the trap of replacing rural underdevelopment with urban underdevelopment - a destructive scenario that betrays the enormous potential that is so apparent on the African continent. The challenge of environmental security resonates from energy and climate security, to water and health security. These may affect the total well being of human and its society by making them not to fully access the expected benefits of urban society and may thus hinder its human security. The underlining goal of the concepts of Environmental security is aligned towards achieving sustainable development.

Noise survey of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital “A”, “B” = class room environment and “C” = Hostel environment of the University of Port Harcourt was carried. The study permit by the ethics committees was obtained and covers noise evaluation of the teaching hospital environment. The noise ranged 52 dBA around the wards, 72 dBA around the Motor Park and 112dBA at generator yard of the utility unit. Noise level around the class rooms “B” ranged 57 dBA while lectures are on and 75 dBA when lectures are over, depending on the hall size. The University hostel areas “C” had noise level of 55 dBA during examination week and 78 dBA during the student union week due to games, politics and cultural activities with high electronic sound blast. The statistical analyses of the minimum and maximum range is reflected in tables1, 2, 3 which shows a very high variability between the minimum A and maximum A while maximum B and maximum C shows a great correlation.  A  participatory  interphase   shows that electronic, radio and television noise, including telephone calls and  crowed of visitors can affect the next inmate psychologically and health wise beyond the  sound intensity because of  compact bed spaced despite visiting hours,  the hostels and  open wards needs health educators while  side room- experience is  different  and effectively  coordinated in favour of the private hospitals.

Developing on the theory of planned behavior, this paper provides a reconceptualization of student choice of university. The intent of the survey is to spot out elements that affect students’ choices of university.  A quantitative analysis approach was adapted in providing answers to the study’s objective. A survey was carried out on 50 respondents comprising of both undergraduate and postgraduate students cutting across all colleges in a university situated in Ogun state, Nigeria. The sample size was picked using a random stratified sampling approach. All 50 questionnaires were completed and used for factor analysis. Findings from the survey show that elements such as where the institution is located, qualification of faculty, content of programs, prestige of university, standard of facilities at the university, employment rate for university graduates and advertising strategies strongly influence student’s choice of university.

Suya spices are seasonings added to suya (Barbeque meat) and are becoming famous as compliments to meals such as fries and soups. Suya spice is consumed majorly in the northern part of Nigeria and by a few southerners. This study is aimed at analyzing the proximate and mineral compositions of suya spice obtained within Agege metropolis with respect to ingredients, processing, handling and storage respectively. Suya spice samples were obtained from Oko oba, Mangoro, Abule egba, Oniwaya and Pen cinema areas within Agege and from Ikeja as the control sample. The proximate analyses of the suya spices were determined by adopting the methods as described by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and Pearson’s Chemical Analysis of Food. Results of proximate analyses showed significant differences in most of the parameters. Ash content was observed to be highest in Oniwaya sample (4.65±0.42), crude fibre was highest in the Ikeja sample (14.91±0.02), fat content was highest in Abule egba sample (14.04±0.05), protein content was highest in Pen cinema sample (10.29±0.09), carbohydrate was highest in Mangoro sample and Energy value was highest in mangoro sample (56.34±0.73) respectively, while moisture content was least in Pen cinema sample (6.09±0.06). Results of the mineral composition revealed sodium content to be highest in the Ikeja sample (13.75±0.02), potassium was highest in Oko oba sample (56.70±0.01), iron was highest in Mangoro sample 1.58±0.01, calcium was highest in Abule egba (21.46±0.26) and Oko oba samples (21.46±0.01) respectively,while magnesium (9.59±0.012) and copper (1.59±0.01) were observed to be highest both in Abule egba sample respectively. The lead content was reported to be less than 0.1ppm in all samples. As such, suya spices which are made from natural ingredients and possessing high nutritive values may be recommended as a natural flavour enhancer in foods and sauces.

The work focuses on public policy issues and the role of constitutionalism in Nigeria. Many policies have been made in Nigeria on different issues but we discovered that many hardly see the light of the day. The heroine effect of policy failure in Nigeria have always been on the toiling masses. The point of my argument is that Nigeria has at different times made and promulgate many constitutions right from independent in 1960. The 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria to some extent may be regarded as constitution with constitutionalism, if this is the case then, an adherence to the dictate of the constitution can solved the problem of fail public policy in Nigeria. The country is not bereaved of public policies: the problem is most of them ‘ended in fiasco’. In fact, some scholars linked policy failure in Nigeria to the inability of the government to identify the needs of its citizens before initiating the policies. A close look at the statement indicates that the inability of any government to successfully manage its policy process, encounters grave challenges of development. The present work therefore will examine the possibility of exploring the concept of constitutionalism and it attendant advantage as a way of enhancing the coherent and effective implementation of public policy in Nigeria.

Hydro-geoelectric study has been undertaken within the Smoking Hills Golf Resort Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State. The golf resort is situated on the Crystalline Basement Complex rocks of Southwestern Nigeria with the lithology consisting of variably migmatized Biotite-Hornblende-Gneiss with intercalated Amphibolite and Quartzite. The study involved the Direct Current Electrical Resistivity method of geophysical prospecting. The field technique adopted is the vertical electrical sounding (VES) utilizing the Schlumberger configuration. Twenty five (25) VES stations were occupied within the study area. The sounding curve types obtained from the field data are KH, H, HKH, KQ, AK, KQH, AKQ, K and KHK. The sounding data presented a lithologic sequence consisting of the topsoil, thick weathered basement, partially weathered/fractured basement and the fresh bedrock. The overburden materials within the golf resort which are generally in excess thickness of 21.8 m with maximum thickness of 120.9 m constitute the main aquifer units with possibility of fairly adequate yield at twenty one VES locations. A combination of overburden materials and the partially weathered/fractured basement constitute aquifer units with fairly adequate yield at three VES locations while the partially weathered/fractured basement constitutes the main aquifer unit at one VES point. The groundwater potential of Smoking Hills Golf Resort is of low ranking beneath two VES locations (VES 15 and VES 20) and of medium ranking beneath the remaining twenty three (23) VES locations.

Self-breast examination, (SBE) is a technique which allows an individual to examine his/her breast for any visual or palpable changes which could be an indicator of a breast disease. We embarked on this project to find the level of awareness and practice of SBE among female medical undergraduate students of Abia State University Uturu, (ABSU), Abia State, South East Nigeria.

This was a questionnaire based study on female medical students of ABSU. After ethical clearance, questionnaires were administered to consenting female medical students. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS software programme version 21.

 Out of the 419 questionnaires distributed, there were 384(92%) respondents. Of these, 378(98.4%) have heard about SBE, while 6(1.60%) have not. The major sources of information on SBE were medical and health education in 131(34.1%), the media in 126(32.8%) and friends in 112(29.2%) respondents. Three hundred and sixteen (82.3%) of the respondents knew how to perform SBE, while 68(17.7%) did not know. Fifty three (13.8%) performed SBE monthly. Health education and media are the major sources of information on SBE.

Concerted efforts to enhance firm profitability in today’s present hypercompetitive business environment have seen the emergence of strategic management practices (SMP). As a consequence, a considerable amount of research attention has been paid to investigating the relationships of firm profitability to the SMP. Nevertheless, little is known about the moderating role of strategic capabilities to the relationships. Thus, the paper is poised to fill this gap. Consistent with this objective, we propose that SMP is significantly related to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) profitability in Nigeria. Building from the dynamic capabilities theory, we further suggest that strategic capabilities moderate the relationships between SMP and SMEs profitability in the study area. We test these arguments using a cross-sectional survey data collected through mailed questionnaire administered to eighty-seven (87) sample SMEs operating in the financial intermediation sector selected by two stage sampling techniques: purposive sampling and simple random sampling methods. Reliability of the measurement model is tested using Chronbach Alpha while multiple linear regression model is incorporated to test the hypotheses. Results show evidence of statistically significant relationships between SMP and SMEs profitability. It was also proved that strategic capabilities positively moderate the relationships between the variables but not significant. The link exist among the variables demonstrates the values and important of SMP and strategic capabilities in achieving profitability. Hence, it is recommended that SMP executives and entrepreneurs should always consider strategies effective to competing successfully and sustain financial goals with the global change.

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of governance practices on sustainable development in County Governments in Kenya: A Case of Kitui County. The objectives were; to determine the influence of ethical, human resource management, performance evaluation and risk management practices on sustainable development in Kitui County and to assess the influence of risk management on sustainable development in Kitui County. The study was guided by the governance and sustainable livelihoods theories. The study adopted mixed methodology and thus applied concurrent triangulation research design. Questionnaires were used to collect data from junior employees whereas interviews were used to collect data from senior management employees. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically along the objectives and presented in narrative forms. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using multiple linear regression to assess the relationship between governance practices and sustainable development. This was conducted with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23). The quantitative findings using tables and charts. The study established that realization of sustainable development in Kitui County is still low with many employees being unproductive, not meeting daily deadlines and inefficient as well as high unemployment rates. There are too many unethical work practices, ineffective human resource management practices, infrequent performance evaluation and ineffective risk management practices which has compromised realization of sustainable development. Thus, the study recommends that employees should be trained to understand the essence of productivity at work places, meeting of daily deadlines and being efficient. The county government should enforce adherence to ethical practices as a way of realizing sustainable development. The county government should recruit new employees, remunerate the existing ones very well and ensure promotions of the employees. The county government should constantly conduct job analysis and evaluation in order to place right employees for the right jobs and ensure that no employee has too much workload which might compromise efficiency and productivity. The county government, besides provision of safety materials, should train staff on personal and environment safety measures. This should go a long way in implementing OSHA Act to reduce cases of accidents and injuries which might slow employees’ productivity and efficiency.

The growth of the financial sector all over the world has been imbued with financial innovations aimed at improving financial services and reducing cost of transactions. In a developing economy like Nigeria, financial innovations have gone digital as in the developed countries. This study has been carried out to investigate the effect of financial innovations on economic growth in Nigeria. Data on the e-payment system were used as financial innovation variables spanning 2008 to 2017. The Generalised Methods of Moments (GMM) employed for data analysed revealed that transactions through ATM, Mobile Banking, Internet Banking and Point of Sale terminals have significant positive effects on economic growth. Further results from the adjusted coefficient of determination (Adj R2) showed that about 79% of changes in economic growth can be explained by financial innovations. The study therefore concludes that financial innovation has high predictive power on economic growth of Nigeria and has impacted positively in determining Nigeria’s economic growth. However, care should be taken to identify and eliminate the risk associated with these innovations before promoting them.

Background: Digital Rectal Examination is used in the diagnosis of different urogenital and lower gastrointestinal pathology.

The knowledge and practice of this is taught in the medical schools.

Final year medical students who have completed their clinical rotations are expected to have learnt and practiced this in the course of their training.

This study evaluates the knowledge and practice of DRE amongst final year medical students of University of Ibadan.

Methodology:- A cross sectional study of 2 consecutive sets of final year medical students of University of Ibadan, was conducted just before their final examination using a semi-structure questionnaire. This was done at completion of all their clinical rotation.

Result:- Out of the 120 medical students who consented to the study, 110 (92%) have been taught DRE. Eighty seven (79%) of those who have been taught, have done digital rectal examination.   

Sixty-six (60%) have done 3 or less throughout their ward postings.

Ten precent of the students did not perform DRE due to patient’s refusal while 15% did not want to disturb the patient.

Nineteen percent do not believe DRE is for medical student, while 20% believe that their choice of future specialty affected their attitude toward DRE.

Fifty students representing 41.7% of all students who took part in the study think DRE is not necessary for patients with hemoptysis.

58.5% of all the students regretted not applying themselves fully to their postings.

Conclusion:-  While most student have been taught Digital Rectal Examination (DRE), the practice of this important physical sign falls short of expectation.

There is need for trainers to emphasize the importance of mastering clinical signs by repeated performance in order to make these young medical students better clinicians in future.

Succession in family business is an important factor for business continuity and most of the family business successors are males which shows that leadership is lopsided against females in Jos, Nigeria. This study examined gender preference and succession of family business in Jos, Plateau State. It focused on the perception about the succession process in family businesses regarding gender issues and why daughters may feel discriminated for succeeding their parents in a family business. It examined the influence of cultural stereotype and trust on family business succession with focal point among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Jos metropolis, Plateau State. Structured questionnaire schedule was administered and data were obtained from 220 SMEs using a cross-sectional survey of descriptive research design. Data from the questionnaire were analysed using multiple regression in establishing relationship among the variables. The findings indicated that cultural stereotype and trust has significant influence on the choice of a successor in family business. It was recommended that the ability to manage family business should be paramount in choosing a successor rather than to stereotype daughters on the basis of culture, as that will determine whether the business will survive.

In recent times alluding to the subject of building projects and the built environmentis not without giving considerable attention to sustainability. The thrust of this paper is to present the significance of timber as a sustainable building material, the advantages of its physical and aesthetic qualities, workability, and environmental impact are highlighted. However this is not without proffering solutions to problems associated with its usage, which include; but not limited to the following: acceptability, fungal attacks, fire resistance etc. In Nigeria, the degree to which timber is being utilized by professionals in the building industry is not only limited to understanding of the material, but also by their perception of the material. An issue that stems mostly from insufficient knowledge about its performance characteristics.Combining the review of relevant literature, and qualitative data collection method, this paper reports on evidence based research. This study therefore concluded that through proper planning, and efficient application of timber in highly valued buildings, the potential for sustainable technologies to develop is likely to be greater than if the material is wasted on low value or poorly designed buildings.

The Schlumberger electrode configuration was used to carry out Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) at Irrua, Esan central, Edo State . A total of four (4) Vertical Electrical Soundings were carried out in the study area. The electrode spread was up to 450metres in almost all sites. The main equipment used for the electrical resistivity was the ABEM A.C. terrameter and its accessories. The data was interpreted qualitatively using the partial curve matching technique and quantitatively by computer iterative modelling. The results obtained from the VES stations showed five geoelectric layers made up of dry top soil, sand-clay, clayey-sand and sandstones which were interpreted using hand dug wells data as a control to detect various lithological boundaries and aquifer existence in the area. The thickness of near surface aquifer was found to be between 142m and ∞ while the depth to the deep fresh water aquifer was found to be between 27.5m and 267.5m. Some of the VES sites have good prospect for groundwater potential for shallow hand dug wells.

Genu varum deformity in children remains a major worry for parents. 

Children with pathologic genu varum deformities usually undergo corrective osteotomy to correct the deformity.

Several methods of osteotomy which include closing wedge lateral tibial osteotomy,  dome osteotomy,  opening wedge medial osteotomy have been employed.

Objective:  Objective of the study was to determine the usefulness of autologous fibular strut graft as a substitute for other iliac crest graft, bone substitutes and implants as graft to fill the void and maintain the patency of the open wedge and correction.

Methods

Seventeen children underwent opening wedge osteotomy and the ipsilateral fibular strut was harvested to maintain patency of the open wedge and  fill the void .

Result

15 of the 17 children had their deformities corrected with radiological union showing callus which incorporated the strong fibular strut in serial radiograghs.at 6weeks and  12weeks.

  All expect 2 children bore full weight at 16 weeks with satisfactory correction of the deformity. One patient has deep infections and opted for another referral facility at 16 weeks.

Conclusion:

Autologous fibular strut graft is a very good if not a better graft for open wedge medial tibial osteotomy due to its strength,  durability in maintaining correction, its cost effectiveness, the convenience of graft harvest and limited sites of wound and pain.

This study investigates the progressive collapse of Reinforced Concrete framed structure due to sudden impact or resulting from blast such as terrorist attack, plane crash, vehicle collision and other abnormal loading. Nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was used to investigate the deformation of frame assembly subject to edge column removal scenario. Prior to implementation of the NLFEA, a modelling scheme and its associated material parameters were developed and validated using published experimental data. The validated model was further employed to investigate the load transfer mechanisms and explore parameters influencing the robustness of the frame system subject to edge column removal. Measures to increase robustness of the frame such as; inclusion of increase in material strength were proposed.

Background: The CD4+ T  lymphocyte is used in disease staging in both HIV and Tuberculosis/HIV co infection. Its cost   and technical requirements have   necessitated   search for alternative tests. The search for a cheaper surrogate for the CD4+ T lymphocytes count is imperative in resource limited settings dependent on donor funding as ours   necessitated this study.

Materials and method: The study subjects were new patients who presented to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria during the study period. They underwent clinical evaluation, relevant investigations. Those found to be co infected with TB/HIV further had CD4+ T lymphocytes count, beta-2-microglobulin (β2M) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rates (ESR) evaluated and were consecutively included in the study. HIV negative tuberculosis patients and normal persons served as controls.

Findings: Seventy five study subjects were included in the study. Their mean CD4+ count was 178 ± 116.81 cells/ul., serum beta -β2M level was 3.29mg/L, tuberculin skin test (TST) reaction was 5 ±6.7mm and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 67.88 ± 37.32mm/hr, which were statistically significantly different from the TB only and controls.

Conclusion and recommendation: The ESR and the TST reaction had weak and moderate predictive values for CD4+ count respectively. The association is too weak for these to be recommended as surrogates for CD4+ T lymphocytes count and progression in HIV/TB co infected patients.

Leadership is critical in any venture, most especially in the church because the church today needs dedicated, committed, visionary and motivational leaders who will make things happen. There are three ways by which leaders were appointed in the Bible, such as self-appointed leader, men-appointed leader and God-appointed leader. Jethro-Moses model of leadership reveals that, leadership requires influencing, directing, and managing people. It demands good stewardship. Leadership and teamwork are interwoven because none of these concepts can function independently, if maximum success is to be achieved. The efficiencies and effectiveness of any leadership is to a great extent, determined by how harmonious the leaders are order to effectively harness all resources and abilities together, to achieve set goals and objectives. Leaders, whether secular or Christian, should not be loners. They must have followers to be effective and for institutions to be efficient. Leaders must appreciate the value of those who surround them and allow them play the role they have been gifted and assigned to do. Pastors should value and respect all volunteer leaders and workers, which will allow them to be dedicated and willing to share ideas and suggestions that will add to the value of the church. Jethro-Moses model of leadership can have a great effect and positive impact on the contemporary pastoral ministry in a Local Church and secular Organizations if properly and efficiently implemented.

Tibialization of the fibularis a procedure that requires medialization of the fibular in whole or in part to  replace the function of the tibia. This could be as a result of large tibia defect due to trauma, infection or congenital loss. We report two cases of tibialization of the fibularby modifying the Huntington’s procedure. Only one stage of the procedure was used to tibialize one end of the fibular in each case and then the outcome observed.

Patient A is a 32year old man who  hadinfected fragments of remaining right tibiafollowing gunshot injury a year prior to presentation.  He underwent excision of sinus riddled skin and scars and excision of the infected segment, and tibialization of the proximal end of the fibular to the distal end of the proximal tibia prepared for it while still maintaining its natural articulation on the distal tibiofibular joint. He also had flap cover and skin grafting. Tibialization and fibular hypertrophy was noted over 1year to4year period.

Patient B is a 50year old woman who was a victim of motorcycle crash. She sustained Gustillo and Anderson type 3B open distal lefttibia fracture withmuscle andskin loss. She was resuscitated and underwent an emergency tibialization of the fibular, had muscle advancement flap cover and  skin grafting.Follow up for 3years showed  fibular hypertrophy and painless ambulation.

Conclusion: Modification of Huntington’s procedure is effective in the treatment of tibial bone gap.

Femoral neck fracture in children is very rear. Whenever it occurs, it presents a challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon. There are schools of thought on immediate capsular aspiration and surgery. However, some do not believe that capsular decompression and immediate surgery prevent avascular necrosis of the femur. This is the reason for this report, to lend my findings to the debate.

This patient is a 7year old female child. She was a victim of truck-pedestrian injury. It was a high energy trauma with resultant displaced intertrochanteric femoral neck fracture(Delbert type IV). There was mild head injury which she recovered from. She did not have capsular decompression. She had open reduction and internal fixation 8 days after injury.  We used smooth Kirchner wires for fixation. She was kept on strict bed rest.

6weeks after surgery, she had radiological union and commenced guarded ambulation with a walker(Zimmer frame). Six months post injury, there is no sign of avascular necrosis and patient walks full weight bearing without pain.

Conclusion:  Delayed surgery in a displaced femoral fracture in children did not affect surgery outcome. Open arthrotomy and immediate decompression may not be necessary in displaced femoral neck fracture. Open and anatomic reduction may be a way to reduced poor outcome.

Locally made Ultra Fine Palm Oil Fuel Ash (UPOFA) was processed from waste Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) locally available in oil mills and was used as partial replacement for cement in the production of High Strength Concrete (HSC) at the replacement levels of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%  for various water binder ratios (w/b) of 0.25, 0.27 and 0.29. The workability of the fresh concrete and the mechanical properties of the hardened concrete were investigated. It was observed that the workability reduced with increase in UPOFA content and increased with water binder ratio. The slump values ranged from 0 to 22mm with the highest value recorded for the control with w/b ratio of 0.29. The 28 days compressive, split tensile and flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of the HSC increased with UPOFA content up to 20%, followed by a drop for higher UPOFA content. The maximum values of these characteristics occurred at UPOFA content of 10% and were respectively 82.40, 4.51, 5.45 and N/mm2 The results are in good agreement with those from earlier studies and international codes and standards.

The construction and implementation of a device for measuring heart rate was carried out in this research work. As heart related diseases are increasing day by day, the need for an accurate and affordable heart rate measuring device is essential to ensure quality of health. However, most heart rate measuring tools are expensive. Our proposed heart rate measuring device is economical and user friendly and uses optical technology to detect the flow of blood through index finger. Three phases are used to detect pulses on the fingertip that includes pulse detection, signal extraction and pulse amplification. We compared the performance of the constructed heart beat measuring device with standard digital wristwatch heart beat measuring device of ten persons (all adults). The results showed that the error rate in the device is negligible. This device is recommended for use homes and for individual use. However, because of its less precision and accuracy, individuals should not rely on the measured values. Therefore, more research is needed in order to improve its accuracy and hence making it usable in the clinical world.

This study was conducted to assess the suitability of waste Tigernutfibre as an additive in place of polyanionic cellulose ultra-low (PAC UL) in the formulation of standard water-based potassium chloride (KCl) polymer gel mud. Four mud samples (A, C₁, C₂, and C₃)were preparedwith standard industrial KCl polymer gel. Sample A, which served as the control, was prepared with conventional PAC UL. SamplesC₁, C₂, and C₃were prepared with waste Tigernut fibre of particle sizes 212, 75, and 40 μm respectively. Rheological, API filtration, and selected physicochemical properties of samplesC₁, C₂, and C₃including density, marsh funnel (effective) viscosity, sand content, alkalinity, chloride content, and pH were tested and compared with those of the control mud sample A. Results showed that all but the pH of mud samplesC₁, C₂, and C₃ were slightly higher (albeit within the recommended values) than those of the control mud sample A. In terms of rheological properties, mud samples C₁, C₂, and C₃had better values compared with control mud sample A. The filtration volume for sample C₃ (5.4 cc/ml) at 30 minutes was comparable with that of sample A (5.2 cc/ml) within the same time interval. However, values obtained for samples C₁ and C₂ were totally out of range. These results have conclusively shown that waste Tigernut fibre can be a good substitute for conventional PAC UL additivein the formulation of high-quality standard water-based KCl polymer gel mud, especially for API filtration and rheology control.

Given the level of proliferation of the church and evangelism of all kinds in Nigeria, and the contents of Nigerian music industry, one may be tempted to probe the reason for the survival of such contents amidst heavy preaching against immoralities and indecency in the society. Considering the economy, producers of contents are expected to be financially conscious. In this guise, this study is set to ascertain the reason for the survival of these contents, their production and gratifications obtained among consumers. The study targeted the Christian youths using methodological triangulation approach whereas digital Darwinism hypothesis and the uses and gratifications theory were adopted as the framework for the study. Ten producers, 381 students and 36 top music videos were purposively sampled for the study. Findings revealed that gatekeepers try to survive by producing contents that meet the consumers’ gratifications where consumers’ patronage encourages the persistent production of such contents. The researchers recommended that the church should brace up to duty while the youths should apply the teachings in the church to reduce patronage of sexually explicit contents in order to reduce the rate of its influx in the society for restoration of moral standard preached by the church.

The issue of quality education is very critical when it comes to overall performance of pre-primary schools. Despite this tremendous increase in access rate in the sub-sector, provision of quality pre-primary education remains a challenge across the country. The main purpose of this study was to find out whether teachers’ qualification influences quality of Pre-primary school education in Nairobi City County. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study targeted ninety (90) ECDE teachers and fifteen (15) principals. Random sampling procedure and purposive sampling procedure will be used to sample 40 ECDE teachers and 14 principals. Validity of research instruments was measured through content validity.  Reliability of the research instruments was determined by carrying out a pilot test of the instruments using another similar group with the same characteristics as the one targeted in the study. The collected data was analyzed using quantitative data analysis approach. Descriptive analysis such as frequencies and percentages was used to present quantitative data collected from teachers and principals.The collected data was analysed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0.  Findings indicated that teachers who were well motivated performed their duties with minimal supervision.

The study recommended that head teachers should try as much as possible to recruit qualified staff for effective curriculum implementation and encourage the stakeholders to motivate the ECDE teachers to increase their efficiency.

Life expectancy as stated by WHO, and UNDESA for Nigeria in the last decades indicated that persons in Nigeria does not live up to 55 years. But over the years we have observed that there are persons that live more than WHO, and UNDESA life expectancy report. According to WHO and UNDESA the modifiable lifestyle factors such as exercise, alcohol status, smoking status and diet contribute greatly to longevity but are poorly practice by Nigerians. The study is therefore set to assess the health practices of those who live long: a study of elderly persons in Vandeikya LGA of Benue State, Nigeria. The cross- sectional survey design was use. The snowball and accidental sampling technique was adopted in all the twelve wards of the Local Government Areas. Using these methods, a total of 183 participants were used in administering structured questionnaire. Twelve elderly persons including village heads of the age 60 years above was selected for focus group discussion. Data collected were analyzed through descriptive statistics and chart using statistics package for social science (SPSS). Results of the findings revealed that 34% of the respondents are from the age range of 76-80 years, 24.7 % from 65-69 years which is above 52.7 and 53.8 years life expectancy of Nigeria as listed by WHO, and UNDESA. The study also revealed that people did not eat balance diet and majority of them drink water from the stream or river, majority 82.5% did not take part in exercise and carried out medical check-up (80.3%). The correlation was used to interpret the perceived level of influence of educational background and religious affiliation on longevity. From the correlation, there was a significant relationship between educational backgrounds, religious affiliation on longevity. Based on the finding of the study, it is recommended among others that WHO, and UNDESA should update their finding on life expectancy in Nigeria for proper documentation, and intensive health education should be carried out in the area to improve the awareness on best health practices among elderly persons in the area to enhance their longevity.

Attrition occurs due to particle motion and inter-particle collision and therefore is a major source of catalyst deactivation in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes which results in loss of valuable catalyst materials, reduced process efficiency, and equally affects production.  This work aims at predicting the attrition rate of a commercial catalyst used for industrial FCC operation. Design and operation data were used to carry out technical evaluation, physicochemical property test analysis, and modeling. Results show that mechanical stress rather than the thermal stress gave rise to attrition in this unit. 

Paper The paper presents a study of existing methods for motion and face detection algorithms and their application to the on-board miniature Raspberry Pi computer. The algorithms realized by OpenCV functions were modified to optimize their operation on the mentioned platform, which could be used as an embedded surveillance system. The paper also mentions the training of a custom classifier for hand detection, what could be further used as a basis for detecting hand gestures.

Green concrete is a new form to the existing (regular) types of concrete which resembles the conventional concrete but its manufacturing or usage of this concrete requires minimum amount of heat energy and causes the lowest harm to the surrounding environment. Since it deals into uses of the recycled aggregates and materials, it also reduces the extra load in landfills and mitigates the wastage of aggregates. Thus, the net CO2 emissions are reduced. The reuse of materials also contributes intensively to economy. Green concrete can be considered elemental to sustainable development since it is eco-friendly in nature. One of the methods for manufacturing of green concrete involves reduction of amount of cement in the mix, which add to the reduction the total cement consumption. The use of waste materials also solves the problem of disposing the excessive amount of industrial wastes. This paper discusses the importance of Green Concrete in the present day context and highlights its merits over conventional concrete which otherwise posing a serious threat to the environment through global warming.

Gamification and E-commerce are often combined nowadays to achieve flourishing businesses and engaging experiences for customers. Ascertaining how businesses gain deeper engagement in services and products they offer remains a viable research area.

The complex and varied nature of E-commerce businesses makes it unnecessary to search for a one-size-fits-all solution in gamification as a wide variety of E-commerce functions can be gamified. By focusing on three E-commerce applications: shopping and browsing in webshops, product/brand experience and rating systems; this study presents a review of applied gamification in E-commerce. For each of the selected E-commerce domains, a description of the gamified E-commerce functionality is given, a detailed analysis of an existing system is offered and a list of further examples that also used gamification for the same functions is presented.

This study shows which different common E-commerce elements can be gamified and in which contexts the gamification is best applied.

In this study we focused on the effect of government expenditure on security on the Return On Equity of manufacturing companies in Nigeria. The study adopted ex-post facto research design. a sample size of 20 was purposively selected  from the population of 83 manufacturing companies in the country as at 2016. Secondary data were obtained from published financial statements of listed manufacturing companies in Nigeria, publications of government and the World Bank. Validity and Reliability of the data were based on the reports of external auditors and other regulatory agencies. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The study found that government spending on Security did not have significant effect on the financial performance of the manufacturing firms. ROE(β₂=2.558, t=0.752, p>0.05).

This paper investigated commercial motorcycling operations, public health and safety issues in Ibadan metropolis. Motorcycle injuries have greater implications on public health commuters’ safety in developing countries and particularly Nigeria.The study embraced a case study research design in Ibadan metropolis. The study area covered six Local Government Areas; Akinyele, Ibadan North, Ibadan North East, Ibadan Northwest, Ibadan Southeast and Ibadan Southwest.The sample population comprised a purposive 36 commercial motorcyclists from different points across the six local government areas under study. Data collected from both primary and secondary sources; In-Depth Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. Data gathered from the interviews and FGDs were transcribed, processed, pooled together and categorized into themes based on the research objectives. The data was content analyzed using descriptive and narrative styles. Finding revealed that commercial motorcycle riders failed to comply with the Federal Road Safety Act. They contravene the Acts deliberately for the purposes of generating more income. They carry more than one passenger at a time and fail to use safety equipment like helmets. They do not wear protective clothing when driving, riding motorcycle without license, they take alcohol and drive. And commuters are exposed to differentiated levels of health issues; arms and legs injuries or fracture, serious brain and spinal cord challenges’ including mental health and untimely deaths which become detrimental to the public health. Also, findings revealed that emissions from motorcycles are very dangerous to the public health and it is concluded that commercial motorcycling affects public health and insecurity.It is therefore recommended that non-compliance to traffic rules among commercial motorcyclists and the use of helmet including commuters should be considered punishable under the safety laws to control for these noticeable safety challenges and thereby promoting public safety while minimizing health hazards in Ibadan. Further research should focus on government prevention and control measures aimed at reducing threats posed by commercial motorcycling to commuters' safety and public health through implementation of emission test policy.

Economic analysis of Building Management Systems (BMS) for efficient energy consumption and reduction of operating and running cost  has been adopted as  cost and energy effective solution in advanced countries, hence the need to look into the economics of this method to ascertain its viability as an option for adoption in Nigeria’s industrial and commercial facilities. In order to determine the best alternative between with and without BMS (w-BMS and w/o-BMS), two economic indicators – Benefit/Cost (B/C) ratio and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) were evaluated, and the environmental impact of energy savings is realized from the use of BMS calculated over a 5-year period. Upon completion of analysis, it was observed that Envoy Hotel recorded about 63% energy savings through the use of lighting BMS in the first five (5) years of operation, and this translated to annual monetary savings of about N1, 380,000.00. B/C ratio was determined to be greater than 1 in favor of w-BMS (1.63)and LCC over a useful life of 25 years and a 12% interest rate of w-BMS (N67,826,620.00) was lesser than w/o-BMS (N68,438,710.00), thus justifying the use of lighting BMS by the management of Envoy Hotel.The newly launched Building Energy Efficiency Code by Federal Ministry of Works is indicative of the need to reduce energy consumption in buildings through efficient designs.

The wide speed enhancements & acceptance of wireless communication & networking techniques & miniaturization of electronic circuits has created an ever increasing demand for automatic monitoring & logging of various processes & parameters human physiological & vital parameters also need tabe monifored & logged especially in the case of  elderly conically ill or ander intensive case WBAN (wireless body area network) technologies are emerging day by day to provide for automated monitoring of various vital& non vitsl parameter of the human body the sfandarsds for medical WBAN are defined as IEEE 802.15.6 & IEEE802.15.6
WBAN allowe for weareable non invasive miniaturized sensor nodes to monitor various parameter & human baby  functions   this technology has the potiential to revobionize medice and allied industries especially telemedicine. Dengue ,is a vector generated disecase ,a type of painful fever ,with canse quential and life threating effects as sudden drop in blood pallet .this work is aimed at autenatic monitoring and logging of various vital parrameters of a dengue patient ,who needs continous monitaring ,The propased system ,implements measurement and software defined filtering of ECG Signals along with acquisition of temprature ,Spoz ,& Blood pressure (Systalic and Diastolic ) .All these parrameters are accquired by the sensor mode & Sent to the central service over TCP/IP protocol .The server also in corporades on artifical never all net work ,which analyzes all the parrameters and predicts patient over all health status and generates alomms in case of emmergencies.

This paper comparatively analyzes decagonal 4 clading ring structure having circular & square hole within core and structure without hole in core. All simulations have been performed in COMSOL Multiphysics simulation tool. Effective refractive index is calculated for each design by varying pitch keeping cladding air hole diameter constant and by varying air hole diameter keeping pitch constant. Dispersion is calculated using finite element method. By comparing all the designs Optimized design is obtained.

An election has been the way by which political positions are filled in a democratic setting. While it remains the heart cry of the electorates to see that nothing but eligible and valid votes count, this remains a mirage due to election irregularities. Information and Communication Technology has changed the way activities are run in the world today. It has become a major tool in driving efficiency and reduction in fraudulent activities. Failure toappropriately conduct elections and making the votes count without fear or favour have made electorates wonder whether or not the declared result actually speak to the voting pattern.This work proposed a biometric solution to preserve free and fair elections.The research used fingerprints and revealed 0% false acceptance rate (FAR) with 0.02% false rejection rate (FRR).

Hence automation is a new technique. That is getting widely affordable & derivable especially in the urban housing segment. The proposed system is intended to make home. Automation IOT (Internet of Thing) embedded & expandable which enables control of devices via webpage, hosted on an embedded web server which can be accessed via local wifi network or internet. Also the tots are formation as logic of building blocks makes the system highly expandable. The expansion system work by looping mains power from one block to another & communication is established by a low power ISM bond RF system. Thus a highly versatile home automation system is implemented using low cost esp8266 wifi module running NodeMcu. The module acts as a wifi web server & can operate as standard wifi server or connect to the internet over wifi. 

This paper proposes the utilization of biogas technology as an alternative energy source in Nigerian urban and peri-urban centres with a view to highlighting the use of cow dung, poultry droppings and pig faeces as raw materials for biogas technology. The experimental research design was employed for the study, whereby, the primary data source included the collection of substrates of cow dung, poultry droppings and pig faeces from the Ebonyi State University farm. The collection of substrates was carried out in the early hours of the morning to ensure freshness. A weight of 800 kg per substrates type was measured into each bio-digester (airtight system of 25 liters plastic containers) instrument. About 1600ml quantity of water was added to each bio- digester containing each substrate. The temperature, pH and volume/quantity of gas produced was recorded daily. The pH was measured by an electronic pH meter while temperature was measured by mercury in glass thermometer. Results revealed that total gas generated by cow dung substrates was 25.23 and 49.97 for both CO₂ and CH₄ gas; pig faeces generated 21.72 and 62.97 for both CO₂ and CH₄; while the amount of gas generated by poultry droppings substrates was 18.97 and 63.37 for both CO₂ and CH₄. It was revealed that cow dung generated the lowest level of CH₄ gas which makes it more environmentally friendly. The findings also showed that temperature not pH significantly correlated with the amount of gas generated by substrates in the biogas technology experiment. The study further revealed that biogas can be generated from cow dung, pig faeces and poultry droppings through fermentation using fresh substrates. The study therefore recommended the use of biogas as alternative source of energy in Nigeria so that ecological disasters such as deforestation, desertification and climate change can be arrested or mitigated.

Microfinance is the provision of a broad range of financial services such as deposits, loans, payment services, money transfers and insurance to the poor and low-income households and their micro enterprises. The sector reaches out to 832,794 active borrowers with a loan book amounting to Kshs.28.6 billion and reporting 26.4 % annual growth in Kenya. However, owing to the fact that there is limited literature on the determinants of financial performance, various studies conducted indicate divergent views on the effect of financial indicators on financial performance. For this reasons it is not clear whether or not financial indicators affect financial performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Kenya. The main objective of the study was to investigate the effect of financial indicators on financial performance of MFIs in Kenya. Fixed effect model was the preferred model based on the Hausman specification but the study used random effect model since fixed effect model gave insignificant results. Random effect model results revealed that debt to equity ratio had a negative but insignificant relationship with return on assets ratio. Portfolio to assets ratio had a positive relationship with financial performance but the relationship was not significant. Operating expense ratio had negative and significant relationship with return to assets ratio. The results for lagged ROA the coefficient was positive and was statistically significant. Autoregressive distributed lag model on debt to equity ratio preferred model random effect model findings postulated that debt to equity ratio had positive and significant relationship with return to assets ratio. Lagged DER had positive and significant relationship with return to assets ratio. ARDL model on portfolio to assets ratio preferred model random effect findings revealed that PAR had positive and insignificant relationship with return to assets ratio. Lagged PAR had positive and significant relationship with return to assets ratio.ARDL model on operating expense ratio and preferred model fixed effect model showed that OER had negative and significant relationship with return to assets ratio. The lagged OER had positive and insignificant relationship with return to assets ratio .The study concluded that negative and significant effect of operating expense ratio on financial performance shows that an increase in expenses decreases the performance of the MFIs industry in Kenya.

The study was conducted to evaluate the proximate, fibre fractions, mineral compositions and phytochemical screening of Piliostigma reticulatum pods obtained in the senatorial districts of Kebbi State. Three areas covering three grazing reserves were randomly selected from each senatorial district. In each area 50m x 50m plot size were measured and demarcated where there are uncultivated stands of the browse plant. Matured pods were harvested during the dry season of 2015 to 2016 (December to February) from selected plant stands in all the areas in each district and pooled together as a representative sample. Representative sample for each senatorial district were dried, milled and taken to the laboratory for proximate, fiber, minerals and phytochemical analysis. Data on the various components (crude protein, ether extract, ash, crude fibre, nitrogen free extract, fibre fractions and minerals) were subjected to analysis of variance using SPSS 20.0 (2015) software package. The results indicated that all the parameters measured for proximate composition and minerals were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by their locations with the exception of sodium and phosphorus. Kebbi North was significantly (P<0.05) higher in DM, CP, CF and NDFcompared to Kebbi South, while there was no difference (P>0.05) between Kebbi North and Kebbi South in Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) and Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL). However, there was a significant (p<0.05) difference in the sodium content among the means. But no significant (p>0.05) differences occurred among Kebbi North and Kebbi Central. The highest potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus contents were recorded in Kebbi North (5500mg/kg), Kebbi Central (106mg/kg), Kebbi South (1.45mg/kg), Kebbi South (1.95mg/kg) and Kebbi North (6.90mg/kg) respectively. The phytochemical screening of the Camel’s foot pods revealed the presence of saponins, phenolics, tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids at moderate and trace levels. The pods of P. reticulatum obtained across the senatorial districts of Kebbi State have nutritive value which livestock can effectively benefit in their diet.  

Temporal Assessment of soil loss in Owerri is a GIS-based time series study which incorporates the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) soil erosion model to calculate annual soil loss value and estimate soil erosion linked with precipitation and landuse in Owerri. Five parameters are used in the RUSLE model to estimate soil loss namely rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length and steepness factor (LS), cover management factor (C) and conservation practice factor (P). In the GIS environment and application “Flow Length” was used instead of “Flow Accumulation” to estimate the slope length and steepness (LS) factor. The modeling was carried out for year 2000 and 2015, using a LANDSAT remotely sensed data, digital elevation models, rainfall data from the study area, as well as existing soil maps. After running the RUSLE model and analyzing the result maps, no significant change in soil erosion trends or patterns were found, as well as no significant change in precipitation trend and land cover changes during the period 2000 to 2015. The study shows that the average annual soil loss for Owerri was estimated to be 315 t h-1 yr-1 .Rainfall erosivity was 3260.85 MJ mm ha−1 h−1 y−1 in year 2000 and increased to   3355.08 MJ mm ha−1 h−1 y−1 in year 2015 with a corresponding erodibility value of to 0.1302 t h-1 yr-1 in 2000 which increased to 0.1395 t h-1 yr-1 in year 2015. Observations shows that the areas of the study area where the topography is hilly and cut through by streams appear to have high risk of soil loss compared to the western part of the study area and also have a good NDVI analysis.

The study sought to assess the influence of employee rewards on transfer of skills from training to work in Kenyan state corporations. It was informed by the observation that a lot of resources are used to train public servants but the quality of services offered to the citizens has not significantly improved. The study adopted a descriptive study design. The target population for this study were all the employees of the 202 State Corporations in Kenya. The state corporations are categorized into 8 groups based on their different functions.From the 202 state corporations, the researcher sampled20 state corporations which forms 10%.The researcher further adopted stratified random sampling to get the sample size of State Corporation in each category. The 20 sampled state corporations had a total population of 40467. The sample size   was determined using Slovins’ formula to get 396 respondents for the study. Proportionate stratified sampling was used to get the sample size from each of the sampled state corporations. Data was collected by use of a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was pilot tested on 38 respondents drawn from 2 state corporations. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 24 to generate descriptive and inferential statistics and finally, data was presented with the help of frequency tables. Correlation analysis was used to test the direction of relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Regression analysis was used to test whether the independent variable have any influence on the dependent variable. The findings revealed that employee rewards have a significant influence on transfer of skills from training to work in Kenyan State Corporation. The study recommended that Kenyan state corporations come up with better reward systems to recognize the efforts put by employees who transfer training.

In this study, simple random sampling was used to select 4 primary units out of 8 primary units and 8 secondary units out of 20 secondary units using Fisher and Yates random number table. The population for this research study is sets of data simulated with R-package of a gamma distribution with different scales and each scale contains different shapes. The scales are used as the stratification variable for primary unit while the shape serves as the stratification variable for the secondary unit or sub-unit, samples from the data simulated were then taken and analyze for precisions.

The present study investigated the effect of storage periods (0, 24, 48, 72, and 96h) on fish semen cryopreserved with Mounibs  Extender (500mg of potassium bicarbonate, 100mg of reduced glutathione and 2135mg of sucrose in 50ml of distilled water) and mixed with cyoprotectant (5% Dimethyl sulphide DMSO). The quality of semen (motility  and duration) and performance (fertility, hatchability percentages and fry survival) were compared with control (unpreserved fresh semen not subjected to storage). The fertility rate was significantly higher among the stored semen at 24hrs (68.5%), 48hrs (64.7%), 72hrs (59.8%) and 96hrs (59.1%) than fresh semen (56.6%).  Hatchability rate showed the highest performance at 24hrs storage period (67.9%) followed by 48hrs (64.2%) than unpreserved semen (57.9%) which did not differ with 72hrs (59.3%) and 96hrs (58.9%). Fry survival was significantly higher in preserved stored semen 24hrs (99.4%), 48hrs (99.1%), 72hrs (98.6%) and 96hrs (98.5%) than control (97.4%).  Motility duration was significantly higher P<0.05) in control (50s) compared to stored semen at 24 (48s), 48 (47.6s), 72 (46.8s), and 96 hours (46.5s) but differences did not exist (P>0.05) in motility rate between control and stored semen.  Cryopreserved semen at 24 and 48 hours storage periods gave better sperm viability, fertility, and hatchability and survival rate than fresh semen and should be adopted in fish hatcheries in the tropics, to prevent semen deterioration, ensure its quality and availability for artificial insemination.

The study investigated agenda setting and educational policy implementation in public universities in Rivers State. Objectively, two research questions and two hypotheses were generated to guide the study. The population consist all the 2508 academic staff in all the public universities in Rivers State. Stratified random sampling technique was used to determine a sample of 344 academic staff. Among this, there were 186 (54%) academic staff from federal universities and 158(46%) respondents from state universities. In other to elicit information from the respondent, the researcher designed a research questionnaire tagged (AEPIQ), with a reliability coefficient of 0.78. Mean scores and standard deviation was used to answer the research questions, while z-test was used to analyze hypotheses. The study found out that policymakers’ gives out official information regarding the extent of policy implementation, educational policy makers make calculated attempt to provide the desired and much appropriate details on the educational policy that the media believes would meet their criteria for the content considered as a salient issue. The study also concluded that policymakers has the central role in providing a blueprint that gives a general directives to goal attainment and thus recommended that the media should be able to create the level of awareness that would ensure that the members of the public are fully aware of the level of educational policy implementation.

Firm performance of the telecommunication companies is thus important in Kenya's context. However, comparing the firm performance of Telkom Kenya Limited with other mobile phone service providers, Telkom Kenya Limited has performed relatively low compared to its peers as evidenced by data from communication authority of Kenya.  Competitive strategies have been noted as key drivers of firm performance around the world. This study sought to examine the role of competitive strategies on the firm performance of Telkom Kenya. In particular, the study examined the influence of differentiation strategy and cost strategy on firm performance of Telkom in Nakuru. The study was guided byInstitutional Theory and Michael Porter Theory. This study utilized a correlational research design. The target population of this study is 56 Telkom Kenya staff involved in marketing, finance and operations aspects of the Telkom offices at Nakuru East Sub County. The study used the census method in selecting sample members. The sample size of the study is therefore 56 Telkom Kenya staff based in Nakuru East Sub County offices. The study used structured questionnaires for the purposes of the data collection process. A pilot study was undertaken in Naivasha offices of Telkom Kenya.  The validity of the instrument in this study was examined using the content validity of the instrument. Reliability of the research instrument in this study was examined using the Cronbach alpha coefficient. Data was coded into the SPSS software in preparation for data analysis. The data from the questionnaire was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The statistics to be undertaken include frequencies, chi-square, and linear regression analysis.The results of this study indicate that a positive statistical significance relationship existed between differentiation and firm performance. In respect to the influence of the cost strategy on the firm performance, the results indicated that there was a positive and statistically significant relationship between cost strategy and firm performance.The study recommended that the competitive strategies such as focus strategy, differentiation strategy and cost strategy should be implemented continuously by the organization. The study further recommends that Telkom Kenya as a firm should place its emphasis on cost strategy as it had the most influence on the firm performance at the organization followed by focus strategy, and differentiation strategy respectively.

The stories of disparity between budget and its implementation in Nigerian public sector are replete in newspapers, public discourses and academic journals. Reasons advanced for this include: corruption, fluctuating oil revenue, unstable economic parameters and poor budget monitoring. The main objective of this paper was to examine the constraints to budget implementation. Relevant  literature review gave the research the conceptual frame work desired for the exercise. Data were collected through questionnaires and other secondary data source.  Chi-square was used in testing the hypotheses. Three hypotheses were set forth and tested using two ministries namely: education and finance in  Bauchi State of Nigeria. Thirty high ranking staff involved in budget preparation and implementation out of thirty-five administered with questionnaires responded to time. Using the students t-test, the first hypothesis (There is no significant relationship between corruption and budget implementation  ) it was discovered with t-cal. (3.41) greater than t-tab (1.679) corruption  always hinder budget implementation. The second hypothesis (ministries have no adequate measures to address budget variances), with t-cal. (3.497) greater than t-tab (1.699), the two ministries do not adequately monitor budget so as to achieve the expected goal. It can be concluded that reasons for budget implementation constraints can be explained outside those factors. The paper concludes by making recommendations to solve implementation constraints in government departments.

Savings and credit cooperatives play a very important role in uplifting the socio-economic wellbeing of thousands of Kenyans. These entities are expected to be highly competitive due to their reduced lending rates and ease of access of their services. However, a number of local Saccos have been outcompeted and outwitted to the extent of closing down their business. In light of this and in addition to scanty empirical evidence, this study sought to investigate the influence of external pressures on competitiveness of deposit-taking Saccos in Nakuru County, Kenya. Of specific interest was examining the extent to which regulatory and normative pressures influenced the aforesaid competitiveness. The study was guided by Regulation and Normative theories. The study adopted a descriptive research design and employed quantitative approach. A total of 176 staff working with deposit-taking Saccos in Nakuru County constituted the study population. Stratified random sampling technique was employed to draw respondents from the accessible population. A structured questionnaire was used in collection of primary data. The questionnaire was pilot tested with the object of assessing its validity and reliability before it was used in collecting data for the final study. Relevant approval, permit, authorization letter and consent were obtained prior to collecting data. Data analysis was facilitated by the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences tool. Specifically, descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis. The null hypotheses were tested at 95% confidence level. The results of the analysis were presented in tables and were interpreted and discussed in tandem with study objectives.The study concluded that there existed standard external policies which the Saccos must abide.The study further concluded that lending rates charged on the loans and deposits were regulated.It was further concluded that deposit taking Saccos were always under immense pressure.The Saccos rarely addressed the demands of the local community. From the findings the study recommended that the surveyed Saccos ought to full comply with the coercive and regulative pressures from SASRA, CBK and other regulating bodies.

The need for educational administration in Nigeria to leverage on the dynamism of entrepreneurial education in our collective bid for socio-economic development can hardly be over stated. Entrepreneurial skills are needed in the real sector, for growth to be sustainable and measureable. This fact is aptly recognised by the government in the introduction of entrepreneurial studies in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The paper explores valid skills that can be picked up by learners and practitioners of education as they studiously desire self-reliance. Also enunciated are strategies for re-designing entrepreneurial education with a view to producing better quality graduates who can dare the monstrous phenomenon of unemployment, acute poverty and foreign dependence. Furthermore, a model has been provided depicting the role educational administration plays in fostering a dependable entrepreneurial education    Not only have strategies for effectiveness in the teaching of entrepreneurial education been suggested, the paper has outlined recommendations that can be adopted to make the field better poised to deliver on the stated objectives.

The heavy metal characteristics of soils and the physicochemical parameters of the leachate of a municipal solid waste dumpsite in Ariara, Aba, southeastern Nigeria were investigated for possible pollution impacts. Soil samples were collected in three replicates from three sampling points within the dumpsite and a control located about 150m at three horizons at 0–15, 15–30 and 30–45cm depths. Leachate samples were also collected and tested for qualities using standard methods. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and geochemical index were used to analyze data at P<0.05 and 0.01. As, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr and Cd ranged as follows: (4.15–5.38mg/kg), (73.4–93.8mg/kg), (122.5–141.0mg/kg), (180.4–232.2mg/kg), (61.1–76.5mg/kg) and (25.8–44.0mg/kg) while pH, EC, COD, BOD and TDS from the leachate averaged 8.1±0.81, 1763.3±154.4mg/l, 1383.1±148.2mg/l, 123.4±20.6mg/l and 2.43x106±3.57x105mg/l respectively. Means for Sulphate (163.5±13.1mg/l), Chloride (1231.8±67.22mg/l), Nitrate (82.1±12.2mg/l), Coliform count (225.0±15.0cfu/ml) and Faecal coliform (160.3±4.5cfu/ml) all recorded elevated values in the leachate.  Mean sand and clay compositions were (54.6± 1.57%), (21.5±5.92%) and (23.8± 0.48%) respectively. There were significantly higher concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr and Cd at the dumpsite than control location at P<0.05, with their levels exceeding the background levels in mineral soils. At 0.01 confidence limit pH recorded significant negative correlation with all the heavy metals; whereas clay showed significant negative correlation with Zn (r=-0.486*) and Cd (r=-0.476*). Cd, Cr and Pb recorded high geoaccumulation index value and the order of heavy metal enrichment was Cd>Cr> Cu >Pb>As>Zn. The subsoil (16–45cm) recorded the highest geoaccumulation index making it the most affected of the depths investigated; which is attributed to high precipitation in the area causing leaching. The high porous sand compositions, high heavy metal levels and microbial abundance, as well as low clay compositions recorded in the study could make groundwater aquifers of the study area susceptible to pollution from the dumpsite origin. Both Federal and state government should be committed to stipulated environmental standard as enshrined in our laws.

Service delivery is the main mandate of the public sector and efficiency is critical to service delivery.  However, the public sector has experienced several challenges in service delivery provision that impact the quality, timeliness and costs of these services. In the Directorate of Immigration and Registration of Persons (DIRP),consequences for poor service delivery includes lack of adequate access to documents such as national identity cards, birth and death certificates. Consequently, the public sector in Kenya has been making substantial investment in strategic technology to improve its service delivery capability. However, how this strategic technology improves service delivery function remains a key question given the challenges the DIRP. This study, therefore, sought to examine the influence of application of strategic technology on service delivery at DIRP. Amongst the aspects of strategic technology that were examined include the influences of records management aspects and proficiency of technology usage on service delivery. This study used correlation research design and targeted the DIRP in Nairobi National Headquarters. The accessible population comprised all the 1059 employees of the directorate working at the head office distributed amongst diverse service departments. From these, Nassiuma’s formula was applied to obtain a sample size of 91 respondents. This study used proportionate stratified sampling method. They used copies of a pre-tested structured questionnaire to collect data. Data was analyzed using t-test, f-test, chi squares, correlations and multiple linear regressions. From the observations of findings, it was evident that that use of strategic technology had enhanced records management at the DIRP. In relation to Proficiency of Strategic Technology Usage, the study established that there was a significant correlation between proficiency of strategic technology usage and service delivery in the Directorate of Immigration. The study, therefore, recommends that the protocols for retrieval of information through the use of digital record management systems should be made easy for the staffs in the Directorate. The management of the Directorate should also put more emphasis on skills upgrading through trainings and workshops to ensure that skills transfer happen rapidly and that emerging issues and challenges are broadly addressed at this point.

Recycling is greatly felt on both Local and National scale in Nigeria as a central aspect in sustainability and mainly as pro-environmental consumer behavior. The paper assesses the impact of recycling in obio-Akpor local government area. Through my literature review and participant observation, Qualitative approach was used in data collection and stratified random sampling was used to select respondents. Random sampling was used to administer 203 questionnaires to the masses; Descriptive statistic was used to analyze the impact and benefit of recycling. The result indicates that recycling has significant impact on environmental sustainability in Obio-Akpor in Rivers State therefore requires an urgent need to educate the masses about mitigation strategies for sustainable development such as waste recycling, reduce, re-use materials to ensure that our environment is cleaner, healthier and a greener place to live. These strategies will help to guarantee a sustainable future where our economy can thrive and good health is fostered across every border.

County Governments have been facing a lot of challenges and accusation on loss of funds. Low awareness by communities and fund managers of their roles and responsibilities in the management of the funds has contributed to poor performance, and total failure in some cases. No mechanisms exist to deal with projects such as roads, water systems, agricultural projects and schools that may cut across constituencies entailing shared benefits. No clear mechanisms exist to avert duplication of functions and committees to vet how funds from the county government have been used. The study sought to establish the effects of corruption and government regulations on performance of counties. The study adopted a descriptive design and the population comprised of three counties where 190 respondents were targeted. Census was used and the study gathered both primary and secondary data. The collected data was analyzed and the findings presented using tables and figures. The study established that corruption have significant effect on performance of counties. The study concludes that corruption and financial literacy are key determinants of performance of counties. The study recommends that policy makers and agencies like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) should enhance its active role in fighting corruption among counties in Kenya. The judicial system in Kenya has an important role in fighting corruption as far as hearing and determination of the reported cases of corruption is concerned. All public servants including employees working in County governments should be sponsored to attend refresher sources in personal financial management so as to enhance their financial literacy.

This paper delved into the link between ethical financial standards and financial reporting quality. Data were collected from 45 accountants in selected companies in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The Pairwise correlation was applied to scrutinize the data. The outcomes disclosed that integrity and objectivity were positively and substantially related to timeliness and adequacyof financial reports. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended amongst others that engagement processes of firms should be enhanced so that men and women with top level of ethical standing would be appointed. Companies in Nigeria must provide principles and conformity unit to guide and supervise ethical application in their everyday tasks; companies reportage arrangement must follow closely the financial reporting structure disseminated by the International Financial Reporting Standards for healthier and more satisfactory financial reports; accountants as upholders of reliable financial reports must adhere to the principles of professional practice issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), ACCA, CPA, ANAN for their everyday duties; and all the relevant professional accounting bodies in Nigeria should scrutinize the actions of their associates to certify that the rules of ethics are adhered to in the formulation of quality financial reports in the country.

This research titled Incidence of Pulmonary Mucormycosis among Poultry Farmers in BarkinLadi Local Government Area of Plateau State was aimed at determining the number of Poultry Farmers who are infected with pulmonary mucormycosis. Sputum from 100 Poultry Farmers was investigated by cultivation on Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar containing antibiotics and examined for fungi. Fungal identification was carried out by direct microscopy and colony morphology using the Papanicolau stain, standard mycological stains and reagents. Consent was obtained from the participants and questionnaires were used to obtain their Bio-data. Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version-25 software was used for Chi-Square and t-test analyses of the research findings. A total of 6 (6.0%) persons were infected with Mucor, other fungi were isolated in 14 (28%) of the farmers. Abnormal squamous epithelial cells were seen in 24 (48%) and inflammatory cells in 11 (22%) of farmers. Mucor was not isolated from the sputum of Persons with mean duration in years of poultry farming activities of 2.5 years and 6.5 years while those with 18.5 and 22.5 years had 2 (%) rate of infection each. Infection with mucor in relation to years of poultry farming was statistically significant, x2(5) = 16.31, p ≤ 0.05. There was however no significant difference in abnormal substances found in the sputum of males (M = 4.61, SD = 2.05) and the sputum obtained from females (M = 4.33, SD = 1.83); t (109) = 0.742, p = 0.460. There is need for farmers to regularly use face mask to avoid inhalation of dust. Environmental sanitation should be regularly carried out so as to reduce wastes which serve as breeding ground for fungi. There is also the need for Farmers to also engage in routine medical checkups.

The present research assessed the use of fruit juice as cryopreservants of fish milt with the intent of obtaining a semen preservation protocol that can serve as a means of making fingerlings available to fish farmers all year round. The motility values recorded in Pineapple  (44.30, 45.83, 45.83, 46.03) and Orange  (44.83, 44.86, 45.00, 45.43) (p < 0.05) on day 1, 2, 3 4 were significantly higher compared to control.  Significant differences did not exist ( p > 0.05) between cucumber and orange compared to control in all the treatment days, but significant differences (p < 0.05) was shown to be higher in COP (0.017 – .018) and Pa (0.029, .031, .04) on days, 1, 3, 2 and 3, 1, 4 respectively for COP and Pa. Catalase activity was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) in treatments compared to the control (0.0256 – 0.0303). The highest value of CAT was recorded to be 0.298 in COP on day 4, while the least value of 0.18  recorded in COP in day 1. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in all treatments compared to the control (0.293 – 0.347). The highest value of (0.084) was recorded in COP on day 4 while the least value was recorded in Cu (0.513) on day 1. Significant differences did not exist ( p > 0.05) between cucumber and orange compared to control in  all the treatment days for LPO, but significant differences (p < 0.05) was shown to be higher in COP (.0167 – .0183) and Pa (.0290, .0310, .0400) for LPO on days, 1, 3, 2 and 3, 1, 4 respectively for COP and Pa. Therefore the use of orange and cucumber fruit juice  which did not elicit lipid peroxidation  may be used with the control to improve  cryopreservation of C.gariepinus semen.

The Geo-Electric Resistivity Survey in Jalingo, Yorro and Zing Local Government Areas of Northern Taraba State, Nigeria was carried with the aim to tackle water scarcity problem from the source. Sixty pilot investigation structured questionnaires were administered to persons of sixty years and above of age, in order to have knowledge of water sources 102 years ago, how these sources are changing overtime, the factors responsible for these changes and to use this result as a prerequisite to the vertical Electrical sounding(VES ) or schlumberger array method in the area. This research has shown that for the period of 102 years ago of human settlement within the three Local Government Areas, 210 water sources existed out of which 94 sources depleted constituting 44.7%. It is the surface water source that suffered the most loses due to: human activities, global warming, increasing in population, negligence, pollution, development, and hence necessitating the need for ground water exploration so as to Compplement these loses. VES method was then chosen with the aim to achieve the following objectives: To determine and analyzed aquifer properties in terms of apparent resistivity, thickness, depth to the sub surface of the units in the study area and to delineate the water bearing zones. Fifteen VES were carried out using Schlumberger configuration with maximum current electrode spacing of 200 m, that was herald by reconnaissance study using two brass rods and the centre of array of each VES station was located. Using ABEM SAS 300 system Terrameter , data obtained was analyzed using Interpex IXI-D. It was found that in the study areas two curve types, the H-and the A-types were obtained. The H-curve types dominate with 93.3% and the A-curve type is 6.7%. It is also underlain by rock materials whose layer ranges from two to three. Geo-electric parameters; low apparent resistivity and large thickness favoured presence of availability of ground water in light of this all VES points in Jalingo and Yorro Local Government Areas are favorable for ground water exploration while four in Zing are favorable with VES 15 un suitable.

Man questfor urbanization and industrialization has resulted to more pollutants introduced to the biosphere on a daily basis. Heavy metals are one form of pollutant that get into the biosphere and are transferred to humans through the intake of food contaminated with heavy metals, direct breathing of air contaminated with heavy metals and through skin contact which possess serious health concerns. The objective of this present study is to assess the heavy metals in animal organs in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The metal concentration of lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) were obtained in 84 meat and poultry samples using a Solar Thermo-Elemental Flame Absorption Spectrometer (S4 710). The result of the metal concentration showed that the liver of the animal organs tends to accumulates more heavy metals than any other animal organ parts. The highest mean metal concentration for lead(9.56±3.95ppm) was found in cow meat liverwhich was higher than the maximum limit of 0.5ppm for animal offal and 0.1ppm of animal meats. The highest mean concentration of cadmium was found in cow meat liver with a mean concentration of 0.02218±0.013ppm while the lowest mean concentration of cadmium was found in broiler chicken muscle with a mean concentration of 0.00248±0.002ppm. The result from the ANOVA showed that there was significant different in the mean metalconcentration for lead in the different animal organ but there was no significant different in the mean metal concentration for Cd. The result of the study indicate that cow meat liver and muscles in the Niger Delta region in Nigeria are heavy polluted with heavy metal and should not be regularly consumed.

The Schiff base (L1) and  its copper(II) complex (Cu(L1)2) were synthesized with the percentage yield of  86.96% and 70.65%  respectively and  characterized by solubility, molar conductivity melting point, UV-Visible spectrometry,  FTIR Spectroscopy and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Agar well diffusion method was adopted for the susceptibility testing.  The physical characterization of the synthesized ligand L1 and its copper complex Cu(L1)2 indicates that, both Cu(L1)2 and L1 are non-electrolytic compounds with molar conductivity of  0.00 µS.  Cu(L1)2 and L1  are stable to heat with melting point of  2280C and 1880C respectively. Both Cu(L1)2 and L1 are crystalline  and possess black and yellow colour respectively. The complex (Cu(L1)2)  is insoluble in water and  in polar organic solvent but soluble in non-polar solvent  (chloroform) while the ligand L1 is insoluble in water but soluble in polar organic solvent (methanol, ethanol, petroleum ether etc).  UV-visible spectroscopy of the complex (Cu(L1)2) and  ligand ( L1) shows a λmax(nm) of 203 and 2010 respectively. FTIR spectroscopy indicate the present of νM-O, v(M-N) and v(-HC=N , νC=O, νC=C, CH3 str. and νC-H ) bonds in the synthesized complex and the absence of νM-O, and  v(M-N) bonds in the ligand. The metals ligands bonds ν(M-O) and v(M-N)  indicate the formation of a complex. The carbon-nitrogen double bond v(-C=N) indicate the formation of  the Schiff base. Gentamicin (10 µg/disc) was used as control. Copper(II) Complex of  the Schiff  base was found to posses significant antimicrobial activity on the tested microorganisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa,  Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus aerius and E.coli. The ligand and the solvent (DMSO) indicate non antimicrobial property when subjected to same organisms.

This study demonstrates the capability of geographic information system technology in the identification and mapping of urban flood-prone areas in Port Harcourt metropolis, Nigeria. The primary source of data for the study is the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) to generate coordinates for the urban flood-prone areas in the study area. ArcGIS software and Kenson electronic measuring wheel were used to determine the extent of the various urban flood-prone areas while the standard height meter rule was used to determine the depth of the flood in the identified urban areas. The reconnaissance survey was done in June 2019 while the actual study was carried out between July and September 2019. Based on the depths and extent of floodwater in the identified urban flood-prone areas, three (3) different areas in the metropolis were classified into lowly, moderately and highly flooded areas. The study revealed Twenty-five (25) urban flood-prone areas in the metropolis, out of which eight (8) are lowly flooded, nine (9) are moderately flooded and eight (8) are highly flooded. The results show details of geographic coordinates of the lowly, moderately and highly flooded areas and three (3) geo-referenced maps showing the three categories of urban flood-prone areas in Port Harcourt metropolis. The results of the study revealed that all the identified lowly flooded, moderately flooded and highly flooded areas of Port Harcourt metropolis are completely built up with high population concentration which brings to the fore, the need for effective urban physical planning in Port Harcourt metropolis and other high-density cities of the global south. The study further recommends that present and future urban developers in the metropolis should adhere strictly to municipal development control decisions as regards plans and site approval. It also suggests the demolition of properties on natural and man-made drainage channels in the study area.

This study analysed the methodological trends in Education science and Curriculum studies Ph.D. dissertations undertaken in the Department of Curriculum Studies and Educational Technology, Faculty of Education of the University of Port Harcourt from 2005 to 2015. It was revealed that 74.1% of the curriculum and education science studies undertaken in the department adopted the experimental research design. The simple random sampling technique was applied in 46.1% of the studies. Achievement tests were used to collect data in 61.3% of the studies while ANOVA, ANCOVA, t – test and the descriptive method were variously applied in the analysis of data. It was concluded that the Department of Curriculum Studies and Educational Technology of the University of Port Harcourt is duly poised to contribute to the technological development of the country through educational intervention projects. The study is then recommended to policy makers in the field of education science and curriculum studies.

Hydrogeological parameters in part of crystalline basement rock terrain were characterized using pumping test data. Five boreholes were used in this study for the evaluation of transmissivity (T), hydraulic conductivity (K) and specific capacity (Sc) of the study area. The transmissivity values obtained from the five boreholes shows that the aquifer potentiality of the study area varies from weak to high potential with an average value of 209.21m²/day, which signifies a moderate aquifer potential condition for the study area. The values of the hydraulic conductivity obtained shows that the aquifer is typical of clean sand (fine and coarse) and gravels. The result of the specific capacity obtained from the present study show that the aquifer in the study area is an unconfined aquifer.

This study investigated the assessment of water quality of some private borehole in Port Harcourt metropolis case study Diobu Community. Four research questions and four hypotheses guided the study.

The related literature review was done under the theoretical/conceptual, empirical studies and summary which identified the assessment of water quality of some private borehole in Port Harcourt metropolis. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study.

A 40- item structured questionnaire development by the research was used. Questionnaire was used for data collection, Descriptive statistic of mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research question while chi-square was used to test the hypotheses at 005 level of significance. The finding indicated that there is no significant mean difference in the causes of water contamination of private borehole in port Harcourt metropolises. The study revealed that the ground water pollution causes contamination of water in private borehole. Some  private borehole owner in Diobu community do not test the quality of their boreholes. It is re-commended that standard measures should be taken by the appropriate authorities to ensure proper treatment of the water to safeguard the health of the innocent consumers.

This study investigated domestic violence and assessed the influence ofgeographical location on the occurrence of domestic violence among women in Ekiti State, whichmight assist policy makers in the health and education sectors to embark on awareness programs thatcan be helpful in reduction of cases of domestic violence in Ekiti State.  The descriptive research design of the survey type was adopted for this study. The sample consisted of 2100 women in Ekiti State. The sample was selected through Multistage sampling procedure. An adapted close-ended questionnaire was used to measure the variables investigated. Face and content validity of the instrument were ensured by the supervisor and other experts in Health Education and Tests and Measurement. Reliability of the instrument was ensured by having one shot test on respondents who were not part of the sample. The data collected was analysed using Crobach’s alpha and a coefficientof 0.85 was obtained. The instrument was administered on the respondents in their place of residence by the researcher and twelve research assistants. The research question was answered with descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentage, mean and bar chart. Hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance using t-test. The findings of this study showed that 37.9% of the women experienced physical violence, 40.8% experienced sexual violence and 43% experienced psychological violence in Ekiti State. Geographical location significantly influenced the occurrence of domestic violence among women in Ekiti Statetcal(2.851) .

Based on findings of this study, it was recommended that enlightenment programmes which might promote social and supportive environments that are intolerant towards domestic violence should be organized periodically especially in rural communities.

This study examined effect of reading intervention on reading culture orientation among senior secondary school students in Ondo State. This was with a view to providing information on the students’ status of reading culture by investigating students’ reading habit, interest in reading and assessing students’ improvement on reading culture.The study adopted the quasi-experiment research design. The populationcomprised all the senior secondary school students in Ondo State. The sample of 146 students were selected using stratified random sampling technique to select two Local Government Areas (Ondo-West and Ondo-East LGAs). A mixed school was randomly selected at the extreme end of each LGA. Seventy SSII students were purposively selected because the researcher needs to know and set out to find students who will provide the information by virtue of experience in school “A” (Experimental Group) and seventy-six SSII students were also randomly selected in school “B” (Control Group). One intervention implemented extensive reading and received talk on importance of good reading culture (Experimental group) and the other had direct instruction (Control group). A questionnaire was administered at the beginning and at the end of the term.  The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test.

The results showed that there was a positive change in the participants’ reading habit, interest on reading culture and after orientation on reading culture there exist positive intervention.

The study concluded that reading culture in terms of students’ reading habit, interest on reading culture were poor and the improvement of students reading culture reflected positively in the study after the intervention and this portrayed better outcome.

Glass is a unique material that has been produced for thousands of years. The glass industry’s products are an integral part of the world economy and everyday life. Glass products are used in food and beverage packaging, lighting, communications, transportation, and building construction. The purpose of this research work is to determine the suitability of sand deposits at River Yargamji for making container glass. The materials used were: sets of sieves, sieve shaker, EDXRF machine, Beakers, Weighing balance, Plastic containers, HCl and distilled water. The sand samples were obtained by hand digging with hoe and were collected from five  different locations in the site, they were mixed thoroughly, divided into two and were labeled A and B respectively. The samples were washed with tap water until a clear water start flowing. Undiluted HCl acid was poured into sample A, while, 50% by 50% HCl and distilled water were mixed and poured into sample B, the mixtures were stirred simultaneously. After 25minutes, the mixtures were decanted and the samples were thoroughly washed with distilled water, then the samples were allowed to dry. Particle size analysis was determined by passing the material through a series of sieves stacked with progressively smaller openings from top to bottom and weighing the material retained on each sieve. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analysis was used to carry out the chemical analysis of the samples and the results were tabulated. Batch was calculated and formulated. The results shows that the sand deposits is suitable for glass making due to their high SiO2 content and low Fe2O3 content coupled with suitable grain size distribution fractions. The sand deposits in Katsina is recommended for the production of glasses such as container, float, windscreen, fluorescent tubes, etc. because the sand contain high percentage of SiO2, it also yielded a clear glass.

The human capital is the most important and most underutilize asset in an organization. The wage reward system could affect the employee’s performance and also may reflect on the corporate and financial standing of the organization. Piece rate pay and employee’s performance could be the solution for optimum employee’s performance and reduction of inefficiencies and hence this study becomes very apt. The study adopts a survey research design. A census study was considered because the target population was small to sample hence the entire population of Satcom Block Industry employees totaling 25 were used for this study. The major technique used for data analysis is ANOVA and multiple regression. The result shows a positive effect of Equilibrium Piece Rate Pay and High Piece Rate Pay on Employee’s Performance while the result shows a negative effect of Low Piece Rate Pay and Partial Piece Rate Pay on Employee’s Performance. The study recommended that:- Piece rate pay-setting should be subjected to collective bargaining. piece-rate systems should be simple and transparent, rewards employees according to the difficulty and quality of their work, ensuring that workers can earn substantially more than the minimum wage. Employers should organize special training for workers to inspire confidence among workers and also improve the quality of their output.

Morphological and cytological evaluation of pepper accessions is important for breeding and improvement programme on the crop. The lack of understanding on the genetic variation of pepper accessions has led to little progress in breeding and improvement of the crop. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to characterize some available pepper accessions based on morphological, agronomic and cytological characters and their suitability for subsequent use in breeding programme. The field experiment was conducted at GidanMangoro, Bosso Local Government Area,Minna, Niger State, in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The cytological investigation was carried out at the laboratory of the Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State. Data were collected on plant height, leaf length, leaf width, days to first flowering, days to 50 % flowering, fruit length, fruit girth, number of fruits, average fruit weight average seed weight and plant growthhabit. From Analysis of Variance, genotypic variance (GV), phenotypic variance (PV), genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV),heritability and genetic advance were estimated. There were significant differences in the accessions studied. Analysis of variance for genetic diversity revealed that plant height, leaf width and all yield components studied contributed to genetic diversity. The highest heritability value was observed in average fruit weight per plant (98 %). Accessions DKD-RD and DG-SB performed best as characterized by early days to first flowering, number of fruits per plant, number of branches and fruit girth. The variance of component of variation result revealed that PCV values were greater than those of GVC. Also, genetic advance (GA) was higher than heritability. The cytological study showed that at meiosis, two daughter cells divides and formed four daughter cells thereby contributing to genetic variation. Based on the findings of this research work, it is recommended that breeders should collect germplasm from DKD-RD, DG-SB, DSKT-RD and DADAM for further breeding and improvement programme of the crop.

The ideal purpose of the state has been variously conceived in political theory, leading to competing theories of state, one of which is the Social Contract Theory. With its earliest systematic postulation in the political philosophy of Thomas Hobbes, this theory gained much currency in the modern era. Although it was briefly eclipsed towards the turn of that era after Kant, it has been revived in contemporary political discourse, such as it is posited by John Rawls. The Social Contract Theory is both a theory of morality as well as a theory of the state. This study focuses on the latter dimension of the theory, in which it attempts to provide philosophical basis for the existence of the state and offers justifications for political obligation. It regards the state as the product of a pact or covenant. Perhaps most importantly, it offers a rational framework for reconciling the imperatives of governmental authority with the rights of the governed. This study sought to find out the impact of social contract theory on civil disobedience in Nigeria. It follows from this theory that the Constitution of the state must originate from the people or at least, according to some versions of

it, be a hypothetical expression of their rational will. From that premise, this work suggests that the Nigerian state should be governed on the basis of commonly shared principles of justice. It goes further to argue that the Social Contract Theory of the state is an ideal.

In the selection of transportation mode, decision makers are confronted with a lot of criteria; such as availability, delivery time or speed, price, reliability and safety. Under these criteria, two transportation modes are considered in this study. They include pipeline and marine for GTL products from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to US or Europe. AHP is a very useful tool in this respect. It applies statistics and modelling to decision selection. Based on the model, marine transportation mode result was calculated to be 0.590 while pipeline was calculated to be 0.410. Hence marine transportation mode becomes the preferred option.

This article presented organisation of employee records for governance and protection of human right in Federal higher educational institutions in Adamawa State, Nigeria. There is definition of the terms: records management, governance, accountability, protection of human right. The article identified the type of employee records management practices, the arrangement patterns utilised, the challenges associated with the management of employee records in the institutions studied. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. 235 questionnaire were administered and 220 were returned duly completed. Lack of adequate number of professional staff in the management of employees records in the institutions and many others were among the challenges in the institutions. Conclusion were drawn and possible solutions provided.

Background to the Study- Livestock contributes about 12% of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), about 42% of the agricultural GDP and 50% of the agricultural sector employment (GOK, 2018). Over 60% of the livestock is found in the arid and semi-arid Land (ASAL) of Kenya. The sector employs 90% of the local population and the ASALs form about 80% of the country’s land area (Barrett al., 2003). Kajiado County lies in the Kenya’s ASAL, and pastoralism is the main means of livelihood. Pastoralism as source of livelihood has faced increasing challenges due to population and land pressure, animal diseases, policy issues and climate variability. Further Barrette et al. (2003) noted that it is not known how much herd structures have changed in the ASAL in the preceding ten years as a result of increased commercialization and other factors. Availability of beef animals may be far less than development planners acknowledge. However GoK  (2011) acknowledges that Kenya was already not self-sufficient in beef and mutton. It is likely that the country might also behaving deficits in other livestock products.

Transforming livestock from subsistence to commercialized undertaking by applying modern technologies acquired through continuous research and innovations (GoK, 2019).  Use of traditional ways of Livestock farming amongst pastoralists in Kajiado has not given way to adoption of modern farming methods that would greatly improve livelihoods in line with the Kenya Vision 2030 and the big four food security agenda. According to the (GoK, 2019), the rural-based nature of livestock activities makes livestock keeping a suitable enterprise to improve household food and nutrition security, incomes, job creation and contribute to sustainable livelihoods for many people in the rural areas

It is appreciated that over 80% of Kenya’s land mass is arid and semi-arid and livestock is the main source of livelihood in these areas. It is further noted that even in the non-ASAL areas, the livestock sub-sector constitutes an important source of family income and food security. In addition, livestock directly contributes to the foreign exchange earnings for our nation through export of livestock products, live animals and germplasm. As such, livestock development agenda in the country will be pursued towards commercialization (GoK, 2019). Value addition of livestock can provide opportunities for increased production and in-situ conservation of indigenous species. In addition, exploiting the potential in value addition especially in terms of enhancing the productivity of the livestock will in the long run be cost effective due to controlled feeding and monitored health condition of the animals (Aklilu and Wekesa, 2002). Pastoralist livestock trade, especially with cross-border involvement, also has positive effect on indigenous animal genetics utilization and conservation, importation of exotic genetics and, but may also lead to transmission of trans-boundary diseases. It has been reported that growing financial pressures, food insecurity and frequent droughts are increasingly pushing pastoralists to sell more animals than before, regardless of productivity, age or sex (Pavanello, 2009). Value addition in agricultural commodities can be defined as improving the natural and conventional form, quality and appeal of a product, thus increasing the consumer valuation beginning from farm level to marketing of finished products. The potential for value addition within the agricultural sector is enormous for most of the commodities, and so would be the gains from value addition (Mlote et al., 2012). The present study examined the value addition of livestock at farm level among the pastoralists.

Over the years, most institutions and industries in Nigeria are connected to the electrical grid but due to the inconsistent power supply of electricity in the country, most of these communities meet their electricity demand through diesel generators and in rare cases, gas generators. The major purpose of this study is to propose the best hybrid technology combinations for electricity generation from a mix of renewable energy resources to satisfy the electrical needs of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state, Nigeria. The hybrid systems will be chosen to the requirements of approximately 15MWh/day with a peak load of 1.285MW. Two renewable resources namely, wind system, and solar photovoltaic systems and bio-diesel generators are considered. The software that will be employed for the analysis of generation mix is HOMER because it performs hundreds or thousands of hourly simulations over and over in order to design the optimum system. It offers a powerful user interface and accurate sizing with detailed analysis of the system. The analysis drawn from this is that, it is more cost effective, reliable and environmentally friendly to use the optimal hybrid option than the conventional method used by the school as the 10 biodiesel generators have a total capital cost of approximately $534,426 and cost of operation and maintenance is approximately $780,360 per year and BEDC charges the university approximately $497,679 per yea, therefore the university spends a total cost of about $32,075,619 for 25 years. On the other side, running a hybrid renewable energy generation including grid cost a total of about $8,000,000 for 25 years. That is the hybrid system is more viable than the current system of operation of the university with relatively reduced carbon dioxide.

Though sheep value addition is common in Abera, producers complain that their margin from the practice is low. Abattoirs also complain that they are working below their potential due to lack of sheep supply. Therefore, this study is aimed to identify factors affecting performance of sheep supply and marketing chain in terms of value chain analysis. To do that, data were collected from randomly selected 134 sheep producers, 4 cooperatives, 27 traders, 10 processors and 25 consumers. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, mapping approach and econometric model. The result indicated that there were 5 main value chain actors in Abera. Namely, input suppliers, producers, traders, processors and consumers. Feed, veterinary, transport,training/advisory; and credit suppliers were identified as support chain actors. 22 sheep flow channels were identified. Channels I, II, VI, VII, and XV were long and sophisticated. Large volume of sheep was flowed through channel XXI from which farmers got low margins. The mean profit of producers was birr 427.25; of traders was birr 507.13; and of processors was birr 3097. Largest profit was earned by processors and the smallest by producers. 13 variables were hypothesized to determine intensity of participation in sheep value addition. Of these, 6 variables, total income, experience, family size, education, total land holding and credit use, were found to be significantly affecting households’ extent of participation in sheep value addition. The study indicated the need to establish linkage among farmers; shorten long supply chain; expand formal education, supply credit; introduce IGAs; and provide experience sharing mechanisms.

Aneurysmal bone cysts are uncommon lesions, especially in the spine. They account for 1.4% of all primary bone tumors and 15% of all primary spine tumors. ABCs are expansible cystic lesions and can be locally aggressive.

There is a definite predilection for the lumbar region and the neural arch is the part of the vertebra most commonly affected. It is recommended that treatment should consist of total excision or when this is not possible, curettage. Radiotherapy should be reserved for those few cases where operation is inadvisable.

Radiation-induced gliomas represent a relatively rare but well-characterized entity in the neurooncologic literature. Age-related cerebral vulnerability could be a specific factor in the genesis of these complications.

The occurrence of a malignant glioma at the site of a preexisting medulloblastoma is exceptional.

Our purpose is to review the literature regarding the role of radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of patients with radiation-induced malignant gliomas (RIMGs)

These findings support the notion that radiation-induced GBM should be considered a distinct clinical entity. Further understanding of multiple genetic changes after radiation will help protect patients who have already been cured of their original malignancy.

Background: Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of male mortality despite advances in its treatment and prevention. The low level of awareness is thought to contribute to delayed diagnosis and hinders goal-directed interventions in prostate cancer prevention.

Objectives: To determine the level of awareness and screening for prostate cancer among males in a peri-urban population.

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study and cluster sampling was used to select a sample size of 385 men. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire which captured information on demographics, level of awareness and screening for prostate cancer.

 Setting: The study took place in Maili Nne, Eldoret Municipality in Uasin- Gishu County.

Subjects: Men aged 40 years and above.

Results: Out of the 385 men 112 (29.1%) were aware of prostate cancer. In response to any cancer they had heard of, 42.14% had heard of breast cancer while 23.5% and 10.7% had heard of cervical and prostate cancer respectively. Given a list of possible symptoms of prostate cancer, 67% could identify at least one symptom. The majority (56.43%) did not know any method of screening for prostate cancer, and among those who knew, the tests identified were a urine test, PSA/Blood Test, digital rectal examination and bone test by 17.4%, 12.86% and 10.71% and 2.9% respectively. Ten percent of the men had been screened for prostate cancer in the five years preceding the study. There was no significant association between prostate cancer awareness and screening behavior (OR 1.704, 95% CI 0.868 – 3.347). Men 40 – 50 years were less likely to have been screened. A belief that prostate cancer is curable; having heard of prostate cancer and knowing that prostate cancer affects men only were significantly associated with the probability of having undergone screening.

Conclusion: Awareness of prostate cancer among men in Maili Nne is low, and screening remains unacceptably low. Public health interventions aimed at reducing prostate cancer mortality should aim at increasing awareness as well as behavior change to embrace screening.

Large mature teratoma (Dermoid cysts) in pregnancy is rare, occurring in 1 in 1000 pregnancies. A 26-year-old Gravida 6, Para 2+3(2alive) woman, post caesarean pregnancy at term, presented with clinical and Ultrasound scan diagnosis of a large, symptomatic rapidly growing and complex left cystic ovarian mass of a month duration. Obstetrics findings were normal. Exploratory laparotomy with ovarian cystectomy was done and a live female infant weighing 2.65kg was delivered by caesarean section. Histopathology analysis showed benign mature ovarian cystic teratoma with corpus luteum cyst.  The patient and infant had uneventful post-operative recovery and were discharged 7 days later. Both were well at 4 weeks of follow up and were   discharged to the gynecology and family planning clinic for ongoing follow up. Dermoid cyst is a possible differential in a rapidly growing adnexal mass coexisting with pregnancy. Prompt surgical intervention should be considered to achieve successful pregnancy outcome.

Small and medium enterprises (SMES) in any country play a vital role in economic growth and development of a nation. The main purpose of this research is to examine the impact of small and medium scale enterprises on Nigeria economy growth and development. A simple random sampling (SRS) was adopted for the selection of sample of this study. Data were collected using questionnaire, library and desk research were employed for the methodology of this thesis; a pilot survey was organized to deduce and discern any ambivalence questions that were poorly constructed. The research shows that SMES contribute in economic growth of a nation through creation of employment opportunities, it also shows that government to contribute positively to the development of SMES in the study area. The study concluded that small and medium enterprises remain an important contributor to the development of Nigeria. The study recommended that Since SME’s is a tools for economic growth in Nigeria, the state government should readily and freely assist the SME’s sectors to have access to information relating to business opportunities, raw materials, markets goods and services which enable them reduce their operating cost and be more efficient and comparative, also more credit scheme should be provided.

Extrapelvic endometriosis a is rare condition and most cases occur after gynecological or obstetrics procedure involving the uterus. Uterocutaneous fistula is a rarely reported clinical condition after uterine procedures. In this case report, endometriotic uterocutaneous fistula with lower uterine synechiae following complicated caesarean section was diagnosed simply with fistulogram in a 21year old Nigeria woman. She was managed by fistula tract excision, uterine wall repair, adhesiolysis with rail-roading, combined with medical treatment using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist to prevent recurrent fistula and preserve fertility.

Breast cancer can metastasize to many sites, but the eye is an uncommon location. A long interval typically occurs between diagnosis of primary breast carcinoma and detection of orbital and ocular metastasis. It is generally a feature of widespread disseminated disease.

The symptoms of ocular metastasis can be very variable. Diagnosis is based on a thorough medical history and clinical evaluation.

 The treatment is multidisciplinary in order to definie the optimal management of each patient but often with palliative intention and have no effect on survival rates.

 We report a case of a 46 year old woman with a triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma of the right breast, diagnosed and treated 5 years before, who developed an ocular metastasis.

The launch and growth of digital financial services has led to an unprecedented increase in the number of people enjoying access to formal financial services in Africa. Mobile money solutions and agent banking now offer affordable, instant, and reliable transactions in rural villages and urban neighbourhoods where no bank had ever established a branch. This is revolutionary, but Nigeria though having many mobile money operators are more financially excluded than other countries in Africa. Financial exclusion rate in Nigeria is 37%. This is as a result of concentrating only in urban areas and neglecting the smallholder households in the rural communities. This paper examined different mobile money business models such as M-Pesa, Tigo cash and Mobicash that other African countries have used to penetrate their rural communities which made them to be more financially included. Nigeria should then leverage on these models to achieve the same results.

Undoubtedly, the aim of formal education is to enable children to develop knowledge and competencies required to thrive in the world of work - industry, technology, science and commerce. To achieve these children must acquire basic numeracy skills that are critical in predictive of children’s future school attainment. In addition, numeracy skills are important for individual activities such as problem solving. Despite the indisputably importance of mathematics pupils’ numeracy levels in lower primary in Kiambu county, is perennially low and yet most important skills of numeracy are acquired at the foundational basic level of a child’s learning. This study examined the influence of institutional variables on numeracy levels among lower primary school pupils in Kiambu County, Kenya. This paper focuses on  two objectives of the study: to examine the influence of school physical facilities on numeracy level among lower primary school pupils and to establish the influence of  availability of teaching and learning materials on numeracy levels among lower primary school pupils in Kiambu County. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. A sample size of 84 respondents comprising of   42 head teachers and 42 lower primary school teachers was obtained through stratified sampling, simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaire, interview schedule and observation check list were used in data collection.  Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages and presented in tables while qualitative data was analyzed thematically based on the research objectives and presented in narrative forms. The findings revealed that school physical facilities and teaching/learning materials influenced classroom learning environment which contributed to low numeracy levels in lower primary schools in Kiambu County. It was recommended that parents be sensitized to participate in initiatives to help primary schools get funds for physical facilities and teaching /learning materials. Furthermore, government agencies such as County Development Funds (CDF) and county Government funding be increased to help improve school physical facilities. More so, the Government should increase the Free Primary School funding to enable schools buy more teaching/learning materials and improve school infrastructure.

Antibiotics are the most frequently used group of drugs in healthcare delivery. Their usage pattern varies between countries and healthcare facilities. Hence, the assessment of their usage pattern in healthcare facilities is pivotal to the successful management of infectious diseases. A descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study on antibiotic prescription pattern in public hospitals in Nasarawa State, Nigeria was carried out. A total of 2800 case sheets of patients which accessed public hospitals during the period of 10 years (2008-2018) were randomly sampled and reviewed. The socio-demographic data of the patients in the case sheets were also collected. Antibiotic use by the patients and the use in relation to their socio-demographic factors were determined using descriptive statistics. The overall percentage antibiotic use in Nasarawa State was 45.8%. Nasarawa West (64.4%) had highest use; while Nasarawa South (52.7%) was the lowest. More females (63.4%) than males (61.3%) used antibiotics. Highest use was observed at age 0-10 yr (67.0%); and lowest at >50 yr (49.9%). More in-patients (75.6%) than out-patients (52.7%) used antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin (28.0%) was the most commonly used antibiotic; and streptomycin (0.4%) was the least used. More oral antibiotics (63.4%) than injectables (36.4%) were used. the antibiotic use in typhoid fever (39.8%) was highest; and lowest in eye infections (0.5%). The percentage used of antibiotics under the period reviewed was high and antibiotics namely; ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and metronidazole were most common antibiotic prescribed.

The study examined the contribution of transportation to economic development in Nigerian economy between 1980 and 2018. The study adopted anex-postresearch design approach using secondary data collected from various sources and econometrics method of ordinary lest square regression analysis techniques. The analytical framework of the model was based on the Endogenous Growth Model of the Neo-Classical economists. Time series analysis of the study data revealed that the all the variables were not stationary at level, but became stationary after first differencing. Cointegration analysis of the model specification shows that there is a stable long run relationship between transportation system development and economic development in Nigeria. Estimate of the error correction model shows that both transport sector output and investment in transportation infrastructure have positive and significant impact on economic development. Based on these findings, the study concludes that transportation is important to economic development and recommends government investment in transportationinfrastructure as strategy for economic development. 

Among the various alternatives for fossil fuel, biodiesel is emerging as a promising choice for compression ignition engine due to its renewable nature and superior emission characteristics. This research work focused on the production, characterization and optimization of gmelina seed oil fatty acid methyl ester (GSOFAME). Solvent extraction was employed for extraction of oil from gmelina seed. The oil was characterized based on American Society  for Testing and Materials (ASTM) method. The fatty acid profile of gmelina seed oil (GSO) was analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC MS) while the functional groups of the triglyceride were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effects of process parameters on the yield of GSOFAME was investigated using one factor at a time method .The oil was pretreated to reduce the free fatty acid beolw 1% and then trasersterified using methanol in the presence of potassium hydroxide catalyst. The fuel properties of the GSOFAME produced were determined based on ASTM standards. Optimization of gmelina seed oil biodiesel was carried out using response surface methodology. The physiochemical properties of the oil for density, free fatty acid, saponification value, iodine value, flash poit, pour point, moisture content gave the values of, 896kg/m3, 2.04%, 181.31mgKOH/g, 64.12gI2/100g, 2400C, 20C, 4%, respectively. The fatty acid profile of GSO consist of saturated fatty acids; lauric acid 15.05%, myristic acid 5.85%, palmitic acid 54.94% and stearic acid 4.57% and unsaturated fatty acids; oleic acid 8.4%, linoleic acid 1.98%, and linolenic acid 8.9% . The main constituent functional groups of GSO are alkene group, hydroxyl group , carboxylic group. alkyne group, amine group etc. The process parameters of methanol to oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature and reaction time immensely affected the biodiesel yield as their increase resulted in the increase of biodiesel yield until an optimum value was attained when the yield started decreasing. The fuel properties of the GSOFAME which is within the ASTM standards were determined as acid value 0.5mgKOH/g, density 874.1mm2/s, flash point 5%, cetane number 64.2, calorific value 38.33MJ/Kg, pour point 30C, iodine value 34.2gI2/100g. The use of quadratic regression model from design expert version 12.0 for response surface methodology (RSM) showed optimal biodiesel yield of 91.5% at the optimum reaction conditions of methanol to oil molar ratio 9:1, catalyst concentration 1%wt. reaction temperature 500C, and reaction time 65 minutes.     

The aim of this research was to assess the synthetic function of the liver amongst apparently healthy students of Niger Delta University. An analytical cross-sectional study on 102 individuals (55 males and 47 females) between ages 20-40 was conducted. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the socio-demographic characteristics and probable risk factors of disease. Blood specimen was collected for measurement for total protein and albumin concentration. Result revealed that the female albumin and total protein value was found higher than the male value with a mean ± standard deviation of 39.47±1.16 and 67.98±8.16 (female) and 38.55±7.21 and 67.75±10.02 (male) but was not statistically significant at p<0.05. The albumin and total protein value of individuals between 20-30 years was higher than the albumin and total protein value of individuals between 31-40 years. The result also showed majority of the respondents were within the normal laboratory reference ranges for albumin (35-50g/L) and total protein (62-80g/L). In conclusion, these results indicates hepatic synthetic function  amongst  majority of the studied respondents.                                                           

The purpose of the study was finding out if differences exist in the enrolments and achievements of male and female students' in integrated science in colleges of education in Nigeria. The populations of the study are all the students' that enrolled and studied integrated science in colleges of education in Nigeria. The sample consisted of 839 students', made up of 129 males and 710 females. The sampling technique was purposive. The design of the study was ex-post-facto. The instruments for data collection were students' enrolment lists and integrated semester results for 2014-2018. The, semester results were selected by cluster, and as well, simple random sampling techniques. Two research questions and two hypotheses posed for the study. Mean, standard deviation, t-test and Z-test statistics at 0.05 significant levels were used to analyze the data collected. The results obtained showed that differences exist in the enrolments and achievements of male and female students' in integrated science, and these differences were not statistically significant. The observation above implies that there are no gender differences in the enrolments and achievements of male and female students' in integrated science in colleges of education in Nigeria. The researcher also highlighted the implications of the findings to the teaching and learning of basic science in primary and junior secondary schools in Nigeria. The researcher recommended, among another, that authorities of colleges of education in Nigeria shall endeavour to enroll, without discrimination, male and female candidates to study integrated science in their schools.

The method of equivalent Lagrangians yields transformation maps which can be used to find solutions and conserved quantities of a class of Kuramoto Sivashinsky equations. Furthermore, we utilize the Lie algebra admitted by the equation to obtain an optimal system of one dimensional subalgebras for the equation. All equivalent invariant solutions corresponding to these subalgebras are presented.

Health challenges appear to be advancing at almost equal pace with technology and science within the globe. Governments in both developed and developing countries seem to be overwhelmed with these challenges. In Nigeria, apart from the dreaded coronavirus that entered in February 2020, the emergence and re-emergence of Yellow Fever, Monkey Pox, Lassa Fever, Cholera among others have exacerbated government challenges. Health authorities at global and national level recommended that citizens must be well informed and embraced proper hygiene practices irrespective of their age and status. To achieve this, education and perhaps the school is one of the key sectors that must be engaged to attain the SDGs 3 by 2030. Thus, the implementation of the School Health Policy (SHP) becomes imperative in order to make the education system contribute significantly to the fight against emerging diseases. This paper therefore appraised the scope and status of the SHP. The constraints to SHP implementation were categorized into school and government factors. The emergence of viral diseases which thrive on poor attitude towards immunization, vaccination and hygiene practices were identified as the major health challenge confronting Nigeria. The prospects of health programmes prescribed in the SHP in combating emerging health problems especially in the areas of sensitization, early discovery of diseases and provision of essential health information were discussed. It was inferred that the health programmes recommended in the SHP were not comprehensively and uniformly provided in all schools in the country. The study recommended that the Federal Ministry of Education should come up with policy compliance measures that will involve proper monitoring, assessment and evaluation in order to make the school active in combating emerging and re-emerging health challenges in the country.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing health concern worldwide. The use of plants for treatment of DM is widely practiced in Africa. Tumeric is traditionally used as antidiabetic medications. The present study evaluated the effects of ethanol extraction of these plant on the blood glucose tolerance and the pathology of pancreatic β-cell mass, liver and kidneys in diabetic rats. DM was induced in adult male Albino rats, using intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg BW alloxan. The diabetic rats were assigned into three groups, two of which were treated with extract of tumeric (50 mg/kg) and the rats of the third group, as the untreated group received ordinary diet. Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) which is the determination of body ability to utilize glucose. This test can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes. Administration of these extracts tended to aids the utilization of glucose and also decrease the blood glucose concentration, while the blood glucose of the untreated rats remained significantly high and uncontrolled. Histopathologically, tissue sections of the pancreas in the treated rats did not show a significant difference compare to the untreated diabetic rats which has a disrupted pancreas islets cell. The liver of the treated diabetic rats with tumeric extract revealed slight improvement in the hepatic tissue compared to those of the untreated diabetic rats. This study indicated a significant anti-hyperglycemic effect of tumeric and supported its traditional usage in treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Extracts of Tapinanthus globiferus and related species are being increasingly used as traditional remedies for diverse diseases including diabetes mellitus, hypertension and nervousness. Yet, scientific reports on the safety and efficacy of extracts and fractions of these medicinal plants are sparse. Theaim of the current study is to investigate the acute toxicological and anxiolytic activities of the fractions obtained from the hydroalcoholic Tapinanthus globiferus leaf extracts (HTG) by Lorke’s method and standard behavioural assays, respectively.Fractionation of HTG yielded mainly aqueous and chloroform fractions. Both fractions had LD50 greater than 5000 mg/kg (oral route). Both extract fractions also demonstrated significant (P<0.05) anxiolytic activities when compared to the negative control on most anxiety parameters in both open-field and elevated zero-maze tests.  However, the aqueous residue fraction exhibited superior anxiolytic activity over the chloroform fraction. These findings suggest that aqueousand chloroform fractions are safe and possess anxiolytic activity, and need be developed further as alternative anti-anxiety agents.

Here, we studied growth and characterization of Tin (II) oxide doped with oil bean seed extracts. Tin (II) oxide was grown by reacting some quantities of aqueous Tin chloride and aqueous sodium hydroxide. Oil bean seeds were grinded, dissolved in distilled water, stirred, and sieved to remove the undissolved parts. Analytical grade glass slides were inserted in the beaker.Samples B6 was un-doped, B7 was doped with 0.2 ml of oil bean extract, B8 was doped with 0.3 ml of oil bean extract, B9 was doped with 0.4 ml ofoil bean extract and B10 was doped with 0.5 ml of oil bean extract.Optical characterization showed that oil bean seed extract decreased the transmittance with peak 50% at wavelength of 800 nm, but improved the absorbance of Tin (II) Oxide with peak above 0.5 at wavelength of 300 nm. The reflectance was too low with maximum peak of 0.2 at wavelength of 800 nm. Samples B7, B8 and B9 have no band gaps but samples B6 and B10 have band gaps of 3.8 and 3.9 respectively and as such can be used as refractory materials.

This paper explores ways of establishing liberation for women and making their voices heard. This paper seeks to give women their pride of place in our contemporary society.  The realities of gender inequality, and consequently, gender emancipation in contemporary Africa are explored here. This endeavour will seek to shade upon this discourse light from the scriptures that will lead to authentic living and collaboration, for the authentic transformation of society through works of justice, love and the acquisition of rights, equal to those enjoyed by men, and thereafter draw a meaningful conclusion. The Bible teaches that “God created man and woman in His image and likeness…" (Gen. 1:27) and both had to cooperate with God in bearing and bringing forth children into the world. They were also commanded to conquer and have dominion over all other creatures of the earth… (Gen.1:28). God never intends or made suggestion to discriminate on issues of social and gender distinction. If God ever intended that there should be distinction between man and woman, he would probably have created a separate birth channel for the man, so that the inequality will be clearly spotted. This paper has, however, opined that traditional and religious laws stipulate that women should obey their husbands and be submissive to them, to the church and the society. This paper has advocated for the right and total emancipation of women in all aspects of life, educational and professional opportunities that are equal to that of men. This paper insightfully opines that women who live in oppressive circumstances should find consolation in the Word of God, as the Bible provides the solution to their plights. It consoles, nourishes and sustains them in their struggles and brings them hope. This, however, does not imply that women should sit idle and expect God to redress their suppressed status. They are to stand up and insist for the equality of the children of God.

Among the various alternatives for fossil fuel, biodiesel is emerging as a promising choice for compression ignition engine due to its renewable nature and superior emission characteristics. This research work focused on the Synthesis and optimization of castor seed oil fatty acid methyl ester (CSOFAME). Solvent extraction was employed for extraction of oil from castor seed. The oil was characterized based on American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) method. The fatty acid profile of castor seed oil (CSO) was analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC MS) while the functional groups of the triglyceride were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effects of process parameters on the yield of CSOFAME was investigated using one factor at a time method .The oil was pretreated to reduce the free fatty acid beolw 1% and then trasersterified using methanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide catalyst. The fuel properties of the CSOFAME produced were determined based on ASTM standards. Optimization of castor seed oil biodiesel was carried out using response surface methodology. The physiochemical properties of the oil density, free fatty acid, saponification value, iodine value, flash point, pour point, moisture content gave the values of, 766kg/m3, 3.04%, 180.5mgKOH/g, 78.2gI2/100g, 2630C, 0.50C, 0.5%, respectively. The fatty acid profile of CSO consist of saturated fatty acids; stearic acid 0.98%, palmitic acid 1.8% and unsaturated fatty acids; oleic acid 6.i%, linolenic acid 0.91% and recinoleic acid 80.41%. The process parameters of methanol to oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature reaction time and agitation speed immensely affected the biodiesel yield as their increase resulted in the increase of biodiesel yield until an optimum value was attained when the yield started decreasing. The fuel properties of the COFAME which is within the ASTM standards were determined as acid value 0.460mgKOH/g, density 866Kg/m3, flash point 1560C, cetane number 60.9, calorific value 40.02MJ/Kg, pour point 30C, iodine value 35.20gI2/100g. The use of quadratic regression model from design expert version 12.0 for response surface methodology (RSM) showed optimal biodiesel yield of 91.9% at the optimum reaction conditions of methanol to oil molar ratio 7:1, catalyst concentration 0.9%wt. reaction temperature 600C, and reaction time 65 minutes.     

Maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality are major public health concerns in most developing countries and in under resourced settings. Provision of safe motherhood is of utmost importance in the reduction of maternal mortality. Increasing the proportion of babies that are delivered in health facilities is an important factor in reducing the health risks to both the mother and the baby. This study explored maternal healthcare choices of expectant mothers in Lunga Lunga Sub County, Kwale County. The objectives of the study were; the identification and description of maternal healthcare providers in the area; the examination of the determinants for maternal healthcare choices; and the exploration of the perceptions and attitudes of the local community towards both formal and informal maternal healthcare providers. This was a community based cross-sectional descriptive study, the study employed community survey for which mothers with children below eight months were purposively sampled. Key informant interviews involving twelve maternal healthcare providers, from popular, professional and folk sectors were also purposively sampled to shed light on services they provide to expectant mothers. The study also used focused group discussion of discussants, who were sampled by region in the area. Information on maternal health care providers in the area, the kind of maternal healthcare services they provided, social support system and the perception of the community towards maternal healthcare providers was collected guided by the Disease Explanatory Model (DEM) proposed by Kleinman (1980). All analysis was done in SPSS version 21.0 for windows. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results were considered significant at 95% confidence level. Results of the study indicates that, among the 333 mothers who participated in the study, 293(88%) were married and 219(65.8%) were of Islamic religion. Most of the mothers, 266(85.2%) had not completed Primary level of education. Of all the deliveries, 212(64%) were under skilled attendants at the health facilities. Mothers from Shimoni were less likely to deliver at the hospital as compared to those from Vanga, Mwena, Malamba and Mzizima. Controlling for distance from the facility, Mothers education level, Sub location of residence, presence of a health facility in the locality and mothers preference to a particular Maternal health service provider were significant predictors of choice of place of delivery among the study participants (p<0.05). In conclusion, the study revealed that utilization of skilled delivery attendance services was still low than expected with a high number of deliveries being attended by unqualified lay persons at home. There was need to strengthen the education infrastructures, implement cost effective and sustainable measures to improve the quality of maternal health services with an aim of promoting safe delivery and hence reducing maternal mortality.

Maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality are major public health concerns in most developing countries and in under resourced settings. Provision of safe motherhood is of utmost importance in the reduction of maternal mortality. Increasing the proportion of babies that are delivered in health facilities is an important factor in reducing the health risks to both the mother and the baby. This study explored maternal healthcare choices of expectant mothers in Lunga Lunga Sub County, Kwale County. The objectives of the study were; the identification and description of maternal healthcare providers in the area; the examination of the determinants for maternal healthcare choices; and the exploration of the perceptions and attitudes of the local community towards both formal and informal maternal healthcare providers. This was a community based cross-sectional descriptive study, the study employed community survey for which mothers with children below eight months were purposively sampled. Key informant interviews involving twelve maternal healthcare providers, from popular, professional and folk sectors were also purposively sampled to shed light on services they provide to expectant mothers. The study also used focused group discussion of discussants, who were sampled by region in the area. Information on maternal health care providers in the area, the kind of maternal healthcare services they provided, social support system and the perception of the community towards maternal healthcare providers was collected guided by the Disease Explanatory Model (DEM) proposed by Kleinman (1980). All analysis was done in SPSS version 21.0 for windows. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results were considered significant at 95% confidence level. Results of the study indicates that, among the 333 mothers who participated in the study, 293(88%) were married and 219(65.8%) were of Islamic religion. Most of the mothers, 266(85.2%) had not completed Primary level of education. Of all the deliveries, 212(64%) were under skilled attendants at the health facilities. Mothers from Shimoni were less likely to deliver at the hospital as compared to those from Vanga, Mwena, Malamba and Mzizima. Controlling for distance from the facility, Mothers education level, Sub location of residence, presence of a health facility in the locality and mothers preference to a particular Maternal health service provider were significant predictors of choice of place of delivery among the study participants (p<0.05). In conclusion, the study revealed that utilization of skilled delivery attendance services was still low than expected with a high number of deliveries being attended by unqualified lay persons at home. There was need to strengthen the education infrastructures, implement cost effective and sustainable measures to improve the quality of maternal health services with an aim of promoting safe delivery and hence reducing maternal mortality.

Quantitative phytochemical, proximate and nutritive composition of the seed of Landolphia owariensis P.Beauv. (Apocyaceae) was studied using standard analytical method. The result of the quantitative phytochemical analysis indicates the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, resins, proteins, steroids and terpenoids. Proximate composition analysis of Landolphia owariensis seeds indicates that it contains 1.50, 3.35, 0.40, 11.03, 2.79 and 80.93 % of moisture, ash, fats, protein, fibre and carbohydrate respectively. The elemental analysis shows that it contains 2.297, 0.120, 3.840, 0.836, 0.0598 and 1.081 mg/100g of iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, sodium and potassium respectively with a minute quantity of phosphorus (15.555 ppm) and zinc (1.339 ug/100g). The vitamin contents were 3.102, 0.743, 0.933, 0.736, 0.887, 2.356 and 0.489 mg/100g of vitamins E, B1, B2, B3, B6, C and K respectively. Vitamin A is also present but in a minute quantity (3.942 ug/100g). This result shows that the seed of L. owariensis contains appreciable amounts of nutrients that justify its use in treatment of ulcer, worm infestation and rheumatism.

Attempts have been made by independent Kenyan governments to settle historical injustices in the country. Committees have been formed to investigate and offer possible solutions to these chronic problems, unfortunately those attempts have not been successful as implementation of the recommendations from the committees have not been put into practice. Following many failed processes to offer a permanent solution, many Kenyans view these initiatives as a norm that every sitting president has to set committees to offer possible solutions to the historical problems which after the release of the recommendations the hard work, advice and input in restoring tranquility in the country is rendered useless as the recommendations are put in a bay. Many Kenyans have questioned the possibility of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) offering solutions to the nation given that it is just a report like the previous ones which have been archived. This paper highlights the historical injustices in the country which probably will put the BBI in a weighing balance to determine whether it will offer solutions to the problems or else it will soon be forgotten before its implementation. The study offers possible recommendations to ensure that BBI is fully implemented.

The study was carried out to look at the effect of tacit knowledge for effective teaching and learning of computer science processes among lecturers at Alvan Ikoku Federal College Education (A.I.F.C. E), Owerri, Imo State Nigeria. The searcher is to look in to teacher’s awareness of tacit knowledge, staff training in tacit knowledge among lecturers and to emphasis the need for adequate infrastructure. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study, all together fifty lecturers from the department of Computer Science, Information Technology and Communication (ITC), and General studies, were used as a sample size. A questionnaire was used to collect data. A simple percentage was used for analysis of data. The research findings revealed that not all lecturers are aware of what tacit knowledge is in A.I.F.C.E, There is need for faculties and departments to organize staff/lecturers training programme to boost lecturers’ tacit knowledge, there are infrastructures to harness tacit knowledge, that tacit knowledge is a tool for effective teaching and learning process.

Virtually all over the world teaching and learning has been stopped due to scare and danger brought by Covid-19 pandemic. Consequently, online teaching and learning has taken the centre stage as a way of circumventing the challenge.For a number of years Imenti north sub-county has been posting poor results in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) inbiology. Governments all over the world are modernizing their teaching methods to improve the quality of education such as integration of ICT in education, therefore this study sought to establish whether Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources are used in teaching and learning of biology in secondary schools in Imenti North Sub-County (INSC). Application of ICT resources in school goes beyond the training and equipping of schools with ICTresources, it ought to be a deliberate effort geared into ensuring everything is in place for successful uptake in class. Besidesdeveloping ICTskills, it is important it be integrated in teaching of biology in both offline classes and onlineclasses. With the changing dynamics in classes and rapid evolution of ICT, the need for teachers to acquaint themselves with ICT both in class has become imperative. The study was driven by the ideathat all the countries are in cutthroat competition to be ahead of each other in developing and use of ICT resources in all spheres of life. The study sampled 34 schools that is fiveprivate,three extra county and 26 Sub-County schools selected through stratified random sampling. The study sample composed of, 1305 students, selected through random sampling, 42 teachers selected through random sampling, and 34 head teachers selected through purposeful sampling. Datawas collected through use of interview schedules and questionnaires. Data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics, wherequalitative data was discussed under suitable themes derived from the objectives of the study while quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages. The study established that schools are rarely using ICT resources in teaching of biology. The study recommend that ministry of education and school managementto take a more proactive role to ensureICTresources are used in the teaching of biology in Imenti North Sub-County.

The study investigated the extent of implementation of computer education programme in colleges of education in Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Four research questions guided the study. The population for the study comprised the colleges of education in south-east Nigeria. A sample of 400 lecturers from six colleges of education was used for the study. Instrument used for data collection was an 18 item structured questionnaire. Mean rating, standard deviation and frequency were employed in data analysis. Result of the analysis revealed that computer education was suitable for training of teachers in colleges of education, and also showed that the objectives of national policy on computer education cannot be not achieved from the provisions of the curriculum contents for computer education in colleges of education. Useful recommendations were proffered.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak which initially started around mid-December 2019 in Wuhan, China has spread to almost all countries of the world including Nigeria. There are very few studies on some of the basic epidemiological features: exponential growth (EG) and mortality (CFR) ratesof this outbreak in the country while in some cases there are no reliable estimates of these parameters region or state wise. In this study, a purely data-based statistical method was employed to estimate the EG and CFR of the COVID-19outbreak. Daily numbers of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19cases and deaths were collected from April 3 to May 15, 2020 for four regions: Lagos, Kano, Nigeria (except Lagos and Kano) and Nigeria. Simple linear regression model was applied to estimate the CFR while a curve estimation regression model was used for the EG for each region. By 15 May 2020, the estimated exponential growth (EG) rate ranged from 7.0% (95% CI: 6.9–7.8%) in Lagos through 9-0% (95% CI: 8.5–9.3%) in Nigeria and 10% (95% CI: 9.5–10.5%) in Nigeria (except Lagos and Kano) to 12.7%(95% CI: 11.6–13.7%) in kano with a doubling time ranging from 5.5 days in Kano through 6.9 days in Nigeria (except Lagos and Kano) and 7.7 days in Nigeria to 9.9 days in Lagos. The estimated CFR ranged from 1.3% (95% CI: 1.1–1.5%) in Lagos through 3.2% (95% CI: 3.1 – 3.3%) in Nigeria and 4.4% (95% CI: 4.2 – 4.5%) in Nigeria (except Lagos and Kano) to 4.5% (95% CI: 3.9 – 5.0%) in Kano. The study estimates suggest that Lagos is better managed than other regions. Kano has to improve on measures to slow the transmission and reduce mortality rate. Nigeria’s overall situation is still manageable but efforts should be improved upon in curtailing transmission most especially in states where early detection is still low and clinical responses not effective.

This experiment was designed to evaluate the phytochemical, hematologicaland histopathological effects of peanuts when administered to male albino rats. Before the commencement of the experimentation, phytochemical screening of the extract was done.Thirty two albino rats comprising of 8 males and 24 females were used for in vivo experiment. The 8 males were further divided into two groups (A & B). Group A served as control while group B was given 800mg/kgpeanut extract (PE) for 21 days after which 3 female rats selected at random were introduced for each male to breed. The females were left with the males for ten days. After, the males were sacrificed and blood collected for hematology while testes and brain were collected for histopathology. The result obtained showed that peanuts contain among others, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides and carbohydrates. Hematologic profile of male rats treated for 31 days showed that PE treated rats had lower hemoglobin, PCV, RBC but increased WBC all at P≤ 0.05. However differential WBC of the albino rats revealed that PE treated rats had lowered neutrophils, lowereosinophils but increased monocytes and lymphocytes all at P≤ 0.01. The lymphocyte value varied from 42.25±0.559 in treated to 27.00±2.435 in control (n=4).Histopathologic lesions revealed that PE treated rats had densely populated spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules than control. Conclusion: The research shows that peanut extract contains flavonoids which implies that peanuts have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, anti-viral and anti-cancer potentials. Peanuts also boost the over-all immunity due to the increased lymphocyte and monocytes observed in the treated rats. It is then suggested that peanut diet be recommended among others for immune compromised persons.

this paper discussed the sources, types, measurement and some of the determinants of growth in the Nigerian economy, using some of the existing data that advances the field of humanities through information, science and technology. Based on existing growth theories, this paper empirically established how economic data could be utilized for robust information gathering that advances the field of humanities in the growing world of science and technology. Time series data was employed to validate soundness of the determinants of economic growth employing Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) to establish the stationarity of the data, while Auto regressive distributed lagged model (ARDL) was used as the research estimation technique, meanwhile, the existence of serial autocorrelation was tested using Durbin-Watson test to avoid spurious results. The result shows that the robust economic data spur growth in Nigeria. The study recommend that data depository should always scrutinize and solidify the veracity of published economic data to empower researchers in making formidable economic forecasts which could be relied upon for effective policy formulation.

The effects of most drugs result from their interaction with macromolecular components of the same organism. These interactions have the capacity to alter the functions of the pertinent component and thereby initiate a cascade of biochemical and physiological changes that are characteristic of the response to the drug in question. The term receptor therefore, denotes the component of the organism with which the chemical agent is presumed to interact.

This drug-receptor is closely related to the enzyme-substrate complexes or that of antigen and antibody; these interactions have many common features, perhaps the most noteworthy being specificity of the receptor for a given ligand. However, the receptor not only has the ability to recognize a ligand, but can also couple or transduce this binding into a response by causing a conformational change or a biochemical effect

The concept of drugs acting on receptors generally is credited to John Langley (1878) while the word receptor was introduced in 1909 by Paul Ehrlich. A J Clark was the first to quantify drug-induced biological responses (using an equation described firstly by A V Hill in 1909 and then in 1910) and proposed a model to explain drug-mediated receptor activation. So far, nearly all of the quantitative theoretical modelling of receptor function has centred on ligand-gated ion channels and G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs). However, the richest sources of therapeutically exploitable pharmacologic receptors are proteins that are responsible for transducing extracellular signals into intracellular responses. These receptors may be divided into four families: 1) ligand-gated ion channels, 2) G protein–coupled receptors, 3) enzyme-linked receptors, and 4) intracellular receptors. The type of receptor a ligand will interact with depends on the nature of the ligand. Hydrophobic ligands interact with receptors located on the cell surface (families 1, 2, and 3). In contrast, hydrophobic ligands can enter cells through the lipid bilayers of the cell membrane to interact with receptors found inside cells (family 4). This review also addressed the basic theoretical concepts of full and partial agonism, neutral antagonism, inverse agonism and protean and ligand-selective agonism, and the relevance of these concepts in current rational drug therapy. In this review, the relative shortage of literature in this area of study constitutes a serious knowledge gap waiting to be filled up. Hence, this very review.

In this study,  we sought to extent previous studies by  looking at how social media are used to promote  learning efforts among undergraduates in federal universities in South-East Nigeria. To effectively implement the study, the researchers made use of descriptive survey was adopted while 600 respondents from five universities- Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Abia State; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State; Federal University of Ndufu, Ebonyi State; University of Nigeria Nsukka Enugu State and Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State- were selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. Findings showed that social media also have a positive influence on students' learning. The implications of the results on the theory of e-learning and teaching and learning have also been discussed. Based on the result of this study, the researchers recommended, among others, that stakeholders in the education sectors should explore ways of using social media to improve the quality of teaching and learning in Nigeria. 

Analytical approaches are adopted for the modelling of post punching shear response of slab-column connections. These models emphasis on the load displacement response of connections for their validation. This is because load displacement relationships are easily obtained through experiment on post punching. Validation of local damage progression during post punching are often neglected, though they form the basis of compatibility relationships in analytical models. Hence, the need to verify analytical local damage progression in slab-column connections during post punching. A comparative assessment of analytical and numerical local damage progression was carried out in a view to ascertain the accuracy of existing analytical post-punching shear models. Assessments were carried out using six isolated slab test specimens available in literature. On comparison of different analytical models for modelling post punching shear, results showed similar response trends with percentage differences below 20% for local damage progression at most stages of the analysis. Analytical prediction of local damage progression compared well with results of numerical models. Average percentage differences between analytical and numerical values of local damage progression for both flexural and integrity reinforcement were below 15%. Results show that local damage progression during post punching shear response of slab-column connections obtained analytically were satisfactory and analytical models were adequate for assessment of symmetric post punching shear response of reinforced concrete slab-column connections.

Effect of starter and adjunct cultures on amino acid profile of fermented African oil bean samples was studied. African Oil Bean was processed and subjected to chance fermentation. The fermentation process lasted for a period of 96 (h) . Preliminary analyses on fermentation time, temperature, pH, total titratable acidity (TTA) and organoleptic acceptability such as appearance, aroma, taste and texture to determine the best option for the addition of adjunct culture during starter fermentation of African Oil Bean with B. subtilis were investigated.  The amino acid profiles of  fermented African oil bean samples were investigated. All the fermented African Oil Bean samples analysed contained all the essential amino acid.There were reduction in the values of some amino acids like methionine, cystine and trptophan while others like glutamic acid, glycine, aspartic acid, leucine, arginine, alanine, valine, and phenylalanine increased. Starter culture fermented African oil bean samples had high lysine content than the samples fermented traditionally likewise cooked unfermented samples.

Preceding conventional model-based control techniques applied to the DC motor has not been effective in achieving reference tracking, canceling parametric uncertainties and rejecting external disturbances. Hence, this paper presents a two-degree-of-freedom (2DOF) active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) structure for the speed control of the separately-excited DC motor, where good set-point tracking and disturbance rejection are both achieved. Its aim is fundamentally built on the prospect of online estimating the unknown disturbance inputs affecting the DC motor by means of suitable observers and proceeding to canceling them via an appropriate feedback control law, using the gathered disturbance estimate. An extended state observer (ESO) in real-time estimates the general disturbance, consisting of the external disturbance and internal uncertainties, and feeds it back in the control loop thus canceling them out. While the state controller provides usual feedback control. The proposed controller features a revolutionary departure from the model-based feedback control paradigm, as it does not require a precise but coarse model of the motor to design a suitable controller.Computer simulations are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.

Introduction: Ceramics tiles have been used for building decoration in Nigeria. However, the glazing materials and other chemical additives in their production could increase their radionuclides. Analysis of radionuclides: Uranium-238 (²³⁸U), Thorium-232 (²³²Th) and Potassium-40 (⁴⁰K) in commonly used tiles is hereby presented.

Materials and Methods: Radionuclides in 16 different samples of tiles, 10 made in Nigeria (LMT) and 6 imported (IT), were analysed using Canberra NaI(Tl) Gamma ray detector at the Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory, National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research, Ibadan, Nigeria. Radiological hazard indices namely, Radium Equivalent Activity (Ra_eq), External Hazard (H_ex), Internal Hazard H_in), Gamma Index(I_γ), Alpha Index(I_α), Absorbed Dose Rate (D_R), Annual Effective Dose (AED), and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), associated with each sample were thereafter calculated. Results were compared with the international recommended limit (IRL).

Results: The mean concentration (Bq/kg) of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K obtained from LMT were 18.46±10.46, 138.55±31.27 and 478.95±39.09 while that from IT were 26.87±16.34, 108.35±37.20 and 796.23±227.52 respectively. The mean values of Ra_eq, H_ex, H_in, I_γ, I_α, D_R, AED and ELCR obtained from LMT and IT were 253.46 and 243.12(Bq/kg);  0.68 and 0.66; 0.73 and 0.73; 0.91 and 0.90; 0.09 and 0.13; 115.50 and 115.90(nGy/h); 0.57 and 0.57(mSv/year);  and 1.98 and 1.99(x 10^-3) respectively.

Conclusion: It was observed that Ra_eq and AED obtained from both LMT and IT selected for this study were less than IRL of 370 Bq/kg and 1 mSv/year respectively. Tiles of these samples are considered safe for building decoration.

The world has practically gone digital as almost everything has moved from analogue to digital. There is also an increasing appetite for digital data among people. Academic libraries of the 21^st century operate   in such a digital environment. However, studies examining the impact of digital transformations on libraries have remained largely scarce. In this study, the researcher  examined the impact of digital transformation on libraries. The survey research design was used for the study. A total of 240 library users and 240 library professionals took part in the study. The questionnaire was used  as the instrument for data collection. The results showed that all the  five assumptions tested  in the study were supported. In particular, the researcher found that digital transformation of  information have significantly  impacted libraries in the areas of service delivery, service utilization, library management,  library materials format and library patronage. Based on these results, the researcher recommends, among others, that libraries should continue to monitor and respond to changes that digital transformation trigger.

In the ‘60s through the ‘80s, the Nigerian educational system was a model for many African countries, and its tertiary institutions attracted many gifted students and scholars from all over the continent and beyond (Adeaga 2012). In fact, Nigeria was regarded as the UK and the US of Africa where parents sent their children for further studies. However today, the story is a complete reverse since rich Nigerians now send their children not only to the UK and US, but astonishingly, to South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and even Uganda for further studies. What went wrong? Who were responsible for the fall of the Nigerian academic Ivory Tower? How could the old glories of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions be restored? In addition to exploring, identifying and scrutinizing answers to these questions, this paper proposed successful strategies to tame the elephant in the room - corruption in the country’s academia. However, the biggest task of this work isto elucidate how to implement those policies. This is important because corruption must be stopped not just by punishing the culprits but also by sanitizing the entire education system in order to make it extremely difficult for corruption to breed in(Egbefo 2012). Therefore, this article recommends the following “best practices” (Johnson 2012). 1. Promoting the culture of transparency at all levels; 2. Institutionalization of ethical government; 3. Education against corruption for all; 4. Nigerian organizations uniting against corruption; 5. Access to

basic academic procedural information and 6. Role of the family. It concludes qualified candidates for admission and recruitment into any tertiary institution in Nigeria should not give any bribe to be admitted or hired because it is their basic human right. On the other hand, those who are not qualified should not deprive those who are, of their right and positions. Any tertiary institution in Nigeria where honesty, fairness and the rule of law abide, will be corruption-free

corruption in the political life of a nation is a tragedy while corruption in the educational sector is a double tragedy. Because the educational sectors have tremendous capacity to set in motion an uncontrollable reproductive process of corruption in the larger society and thereby mare the development of structures (Onwuka 2009).

This study investigated the perceived role of “Igbe” religious practice in the development of mental illness among the Tiv people of Benue State. The “Igbe” religious practice has been part of the Tiv culture for quite a very long time now and despite attribution of the practice to the development of some mental illness no empirical research has been carried out to substantiate this fact. A quantitative and qualitative design was utilized for the study. A purposeful and convenient sampling technique was used for the study. A total of 1540 participants comprising of1037 (64.8%) male and 503(31.8%) female were sampled for the study. The Igbe Inventory a self developed inventory by the researcher for the measure of Igbe and Religious Commitment Scale were used for data collection. Three hypotheses were tested using simple linear regression, independent t-test and chi-square. It was found among others that Igbe religious practice played a significant role in the development of mental illness among the Tiv people. The result also showed a significant age difference on the influence of Igbe religious practice in the development of mental illness among the Tiv people and a significant influence of Igbe religious practice on other ethnic groups in the development of mental illness. Based on the study findings, recommendations were made.

The difference is often a fact of most social setting. Because of this, systems and societies are regularly saddled with their management. People are eventually differentiated in peace, growth and development, based on their ability to engender harmony indifference (Nnoli, N., 1998). In societies where the difference is better managed, conflict, tensions and fears are likely reduced, leading to progress. The reverse may be the case in a social order where the ability to manage difference is lacking. Heterogeneity requires negotiation, consensus-building and control for advancement to come.  Theoretically, homogenous societies are not also absolute, given the reflection of some difference, if not in ethnic identification, but other forms of classifications or divider like class, income or age groups, or in educational or social exposures (Mbogu, N. 2014). Sameness could, however, come from a difference over time and scale, given the possibility of experiencing common practices (Olukoju, 1997). In a society like Nigeria, the practices could be in language, manners and mannerisms, unconsciously developing over periods of intermixing and interrelationship (Edewor, P. et.al, 2014). This paper identifies accent and greeting as conducts through which boundedness have emerged, rather involuntarily, amongst peoples of the multiethnic nation, which could be identified and harnessed for unity, especially in the face of the continuing crisis of unification.

The impact of covid-19 on different facets of life cannot be overemphasized, especially on socialization. Socialization is a way of life of the people, especially in the way they relate with one another and their engagement in social activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of Covid-19 on the socialization of the people of Calabar Metropolis in Cross River State, Nigeria. A simple survey design was used for the study. A total of 200 respondents were systematically sampled from the study area. Mainly, data were collected from respondents in their residents using a questionnaire designed by the researcher to determine the effect of Covid-19 on the socialization of the metropolitans. The survey had ten items that were used to elicit responses, of which some were open-ended while some were close-ended questions. Data were collected within 18 days. Data collected were sorted, coded, credited, and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software. The hypothesis set was tested using simple regression analysis significant at a 95% Confidence Interval (0.05). The results were presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. The following were the identified effects of Covid-19 on socialization: people relationship 135(67.5%), affecting religious worship life 167(83.5%), buying pattern 110(55.0%), people's exercise and physical activity 134(67.0%), outing patterns 200(100%), health consciousness 89(44.5%), and personal hygiene 98(49.0%). People avoided handshakes 140(70.0%), embrace 102(51.0%), and hospitals for fear of being diagnosed of Covid-19 of contacting it from health workers or patients 65(32.5%) while increased frequent hand washing 70(35.0%), the use of face mask 180(90.0%) and use of hand sanitizers 83(41.5%). The hypothesis stated showed that there is a significant influence of covid-19 on socialization (P < .000). Continuous adherence to precautionary social measures was recommended, among others.

Buildings are key contributors to climate warning that is very detrimental to the health of the fragile earth that we live in. The climate change needs to be curbed through reduced global warming and since buildings are key contributors of green gas emissions, that’s the right place to start as it is cost effective. The arrival of M2M (Machine to Machine), IoT (Internet of Things), AEP (Application Enablement Platform) technologies that are able to interconnect sensors attached to devices in a building and intelligently, monitor the building is a solution to energy efficient smart buildings. The goal of this study is to develop a model for successful Adoption of Internet of Things Based Smart Energy Building. The study contributes to the widening debate about how the transformation of energy efficient buildings in cities responds to the changing smart technologies and climate change.The developed model was validated through partial least squares Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The quality of both levels defined in -SEM analysis, i.e., the measurement model and the structural model, were assessed on performance measures defined in literature using  data collected from  national Construction Authority. According to the findings, the study recommends that Internet of Things smart building technologies area necessity for energy efficiency which, if adopted en-mass by an enforceable legal framework, could lead to significant improvement in the adoption rate of Smart Building in Kenya resulting in reduced global warming.

This article looks at the similarities between the two most common system development tools, Data Flow Diagram DFD and Unified modelling Language UML diagrams. It explored the intricacies of the function of notations and meanings of the symbols used in the two modelling tools by pointing out the similarities and contrast between them, then subsequently established facts of how the two modelling tools can be blended together to leverage a combined benefits of the two modelling tools as an entity in system development process.  The research also put side by side the techniques for process modelling which includes interview, questionnaire, survey group and observation. Hence, it provided detailed analysis to justify when one can be preferred over another and made further recommendation on the most efficient model to adopt during process modelling. The article chose as a case study a coach system captioned World Wide Tour Management System (TMS) operating in most part of Europe but predominantly in the UK which is broad enough to provide scenarios for demonstrating the benefits of using Use Case Diagram (UCD), Class Diagram, Communication Diagram and Sequence diagram during both analysis and design phase of process development. In conclusion it was established that DFD are most suited for understanding of functionality of the system operations at requirement gathering stage where as UML models seamlessly reveals all software objects necessary for constructing the proposed system under consideration. 

What happens to students after transiting to high school? Many students, who pose good marks in their primary school, unfortunately, fail to record the same while in high school. This can be explained by a close examination of how motivated students are while in secondary school. The core purpose of this study was to investigate factors that may enhance a more sustainable academic motivation during the high school period so that students benefit from the educational process.  Lack of motivation in studies while in secondary school has led to dismal performance in National exams, and many students do not benefit much even after the four years of secondary schooling. Such a concern called for an investigation. This study thus sought to investigate the predictors of Academic Motivation in public secondary schools in Kiambu County, Kenya. To accomplish this task, the study was guided by two research hypotheses. These included: There is a significant relationship between parental involvement and academic motivation in public secondary schools in Kiambu County. There is a significant relationship between school connectedness and academic motivation in public secondary schools in Kiambu County. The study made reference to Deci and Richard Ryan, Self-Determination Theory (1985). The study also made use of SPSS computer software for data analysis. The study also made use of descriptive survey design because it is useful in enabling the researcher to establish the relationship between the two predictor variables and their influence on Academic Motivation.  Among the population, comprised of the form three students. The sample consisted of 240 students from 8 public schools who were selected through simple random sampling. The researcher also carried out a pilot study to check out if the respondents were consistent with the items provided in the questionnaire. Expert judgment was sought from the supervisor in developing and in the revising of the research instrument to ensure that there was validity and also to ensure that the research instrument yielded consistent results after repeated trials. Statistical Procedures were carried out using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The data was analyzed through the quantitative technique. The study revealed that students whose parents are concerned with their studies depicted higher levels of academic motivation.  Students also recorded high levels of motivation if the school environment was conducive.  If these factors were met and strategies laid down for implementation, many students would benefit academic-wise.  Among the recommendations that emanated from the findings was that; parents should be enlightened on the need to get actively involved in the academic activities of their students. The teachers should strive to understand and meet the students’ needs while in school, this will motivate students to learn and eventually attain value for education, which is the core purpose of any education process.

This essay explores the developments of eschatology in world Christianity to show how Christian thought and practice have interacted in various societies and contexts to produce unique understandings of time and history. The kingdom of God is not an abstract concept, and biblical eschatology does not consist of speculative theology. The focus of biblical eschatology is on “the last Adam”, (1 Cor. 15:45) who by his life, death, resurrection and ascension ushered in the age to come, a new creation. The church of Jesus Christ is the eschatological community and is composed of people united by faith in Jesus, people living on the basis of the Good News of his kingdom as one finds among Ibibio Christians. This article makes a scholarly contribution by mapping the main developments in the field of eschatology among Ibibio Christians, and requires careful hermeneutical exploration and articulation. This essay covers the question of human uniqueness in Ibibioland as in every cultural context since eschatology represents the climax of a rich narrative of creation and redemption in which God as supreme agent preserves and restores the world from its collapse into sin and death. Thus, this essay proposes a reconceptualization of Christian future expectations as human participation in God’s vision of comprehensive optimal well-being among Ibibio Christians, opening up new vistas, challenges and opportunities.

This is a retrospective study of 7 cases of primary adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder collected during a period of 10 years (between 2007 and 2017) at the national institute of oncology of Rabat.

The aim of our study is to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, radiological, pathological, and treatment and prognosis of primary adenocarcinoma of the bladder.

The mean age of our patients was 51.5 years. The main risk factor found is tobacco (57.1%). The macroscopic hematuria was the master symptom in all patients. The anatomopathological study  revealed 4 histological types: 1 enteric adenocarcinoma, and 2 cases for each the signet ring cell, mucinous and not otherwise specified adenocarcinomas.

Two patients were metastatic at the time of diagnosis but they did not receive chemotherapy because of their general condition. For the five non-metastatic patients; two were lost to follow-up and three underwent surgical treatment by cystectomy. Two of the operated patients received adjuvant therapy.

During the follow-up, the 3 patients relapsed after an average delay of 18.3 months.  The three patients received palliative chemotherapy with FOLFOX as the first line regiment for 2 cases and Gem CDDP for 1 case, but the three progressed. Two of them received a second line chemotherapy; FOLFIRI or Gem CDDP type. The patient who received FOLFIRI relapsed 16 months after the end of chemotherapy. Overall survival was 42.8% at 2 years versus 28.5% at 3 years.

This study compares Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory in estimating item difficulty of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) Mathematics Questions in Makurdi-Nigeria. To carry out the study two research questions were posed and one hypothesis was formulated. The study adopted ex-post factor study design. The population of the study consists of 7743 Junior Secondary School Students in JS III from 127 Government approved public and private schools in Makurdi-Nigeria. A total of 1520 JS III students responded to the four (4) research instruments used for the study. Multistage sampling procedure was used for the study. First the researcher used purposive sampling   technique; this is because in purposive sampling, specific elements which satisfy some   predetermined criteria are selected. The predetermined criterion here is that elements drawn for the study must be students of JS III who are preparing to take the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Kuder-Richardson 20 formula (K -R20) was used to obtain reliability coefficients of 0.81, 0.84, 0.70 and 0.71 for the four instruments. BILOG-MG" was used to compute the item parameters of CTT and IRT (item difficulty index). Independent t-test was used to test the hypothesis formulated. The result of the study revealed that; majority of the estimates of the item parameters in CTT were outside acceptable range of 0.30 to 0.70 while IRT have fewer items outside the acceptable range of -2 to 2. CTT-based and IRT-based item difficulty estimates were not statistically comparable; there is statistically significant difference between item difficulty estimates of students" responses to Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) Objective Questions in Mathematics based on CTT model and IRT model. Based on the findings, the study recommended that; the examination bodies using multiple-choice test instruments should employ the use of both IRT and CTT statistics in test development validation processes. Benue State Examination Board should frequently organize workshops, seminars and conferences to train and retrain their staff and test developers on test development process. This will improve the quality of BECE test items for effective assessment of learner’s ability at basic level of education among others

Indiscipline among senior secondary school students has been problem in the achievement of educational objectives. The purpose of this study is to investigate the case of indiscipline among senior secondary school students. Descriptive survey research design was used. Three research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide this study. Cluster, stratified random sampling technique was used to select 8 schools that are 80 teachers and 160 students were used for the study. Structured questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The instrument with a reliability coefficient of 0.83 (students and 0.84 (teachers) using Cronbach Alfa was face-validated by 3 experts in measurement and evaluation. Data were analysed using mean, standard deviation and z- test statistics. The result identified the cause of indiscipline and strategies for checking them. The result also indicates the significant difference, on the mean responses of students and that of the teachers on the strategies for reducing indiscipline. The educational implication with respect to parents, students, school administrators, Ministry of Education, researchers and teachers were discussed. Based on the result the researcher recommended as follows: regular motivation of teachers; effective supervision, regular workshop, seminars, and conferences; proper monitoring of children and peer they keep; enforcement of teaching of moral and religious instruction among others. The limitation and the suggestion for further study were highlighted.