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Executive Remuneration and the Financial Performance of Quoted Firms: The Nigerian Experience
Get PDFThis study examined executive remuneration and firms’ performance in Nigeria. Specifically, the study seeks to ascertain the nexus between executive remuneration, firm size and board size variables and the performance of quoted companies. The population of the study consists of all the quoted firms as at 31st December, 2014. A sample of sixty (60) companies excluding non- financial firms was selected for the period 2013 and 2014. Summary statistics such as descriptive, correlation and granger causality tests were used. Inferential statistics, using panel Generalized Least Square (EGLS) with fixed effect was used for the purpose of empirical validations. This was after the application of diagnostic test to enhance the study. The study ascertained that executive remuneration has a relationship with firm performance, but negatively impacted on it; though was not statistically significant. Firm size was ascertained not to have significant positive relationship with firms’ performance; though it has a causality relationship with the performance of the firms. Board size was found to negatively affect the performance of firms and is statistically not significant. Premised on this, the study suggests that executive remuneration of quote firms should be pegged constantly in a flexible manner. This will enable shareholders known the causality relationship between what is paid to the executive and how that influence performance
BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS AFTER TREATMENT WITH ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF Croton Zambesicus (Müll. Arg.)
Get PDFObjective: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of C.
zambesicus on total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and
glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.
Methods: Seventy adult male wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n=10). Group A, control
rats; Group B, untreated diabetic rats; Group C, diabetic rats in which C. zambesicus therapy started
2 weeks prior to induction of diabetes; Group D, diabetic rats administered orally with C. zambesicus
leafextract for 2 weeks after the initial four weeks of diabetic induction; Group E, diabetic rats
administered orally with C. zambesicus leaf extract for 4 weeks after the initial four weeks of diabetic
induction; Group F, normal rats administered orally with C. zambesicus leaf extract for four weeks;
Group G, diabetic rats administered with glimepiride (2 mg/kg/day) for four weeks after the
initial four weeks of diabetic induction. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were weighed
and sacrificed. Serum was obtained for TP, ALB, LDH and G6PDH analysis using respective
diagnostic kits.
Results: The results showed an improvement in protein metaboloites (TP, ALB, GLO) whiles the LDH
and G6PDH in the extract and glimepiride treated groups were restored near normal level when
compared with normal control (group A).
Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed that C. zambesicus leaf extract exerts positive effects
on serum levels of TP, ALB, GLO, LDH and G6PDH in diabetic rats. Thus, ethanolic leaf extract
of Croton zambesicus can be adopted in the management of diabetes mellitus
Performance assessment model for academic libraries: the Covenant University Library example
Get PDFThe study explores performance assessment models in academic libraries and show-cases the practical experiences at the
Covenant University Library. The paper which is based on an observational study of the researchers’ daily work experiences
and review of literature identified constraints to performance assessment in academic libraries and has attempted to give
solutions. The paper concludes that academic libraries should overcome constraints and imbibe the culture of performance
assessment that involves a continuous and periodic process of fine-tuning critical management and functional processes, either
reactively or proactively through deliberately designed parameters (indicators). It extrapolated from the unique experiences of
the Centre for Learning Resources, Covenant University to construct a model (Lib-PERFQUAL) for libraries around the world.
This is a model that comprises all indicators necessary to maintain continuous relevance and achieve utmost efficiency
Towards a model for enhancing ICT4 development and information security in healthcare system
Get PDFInformation and Communication Technology (ICT) is gaining ground in all areas of life, and, developing countries are taking advantage of this phenomenon in numerous sectors including, socio-economic development, education and healthcare. With particular emphasis on healthcare, where access to appropriate information can minimize visits to physicians and periods of hospitalization for patients suffering from chronic conditions that can cause untimely death if not properly treated, e.g. asthma, diabetes, TB and HIV/AIDS diffusion. The overall objective of this paper is to discuss and describe a model for enhancing ICT for development (ICT4D) and the significance of information security in healthcare institutions. The paper focus is important because we are particularly interested in the information security aspect of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) with patients' information protected from possible security threats in hospitals, when sensitive information has to be communicated among healthcare agents. We have identified some healthcare ICT information sharing components in the context of our proposed model as fundamental characteristics to fulfil the information requirements. We further describe how the identified agents in healthcare ICT readiness components interact with a required data to generate the desirable output we have termed in this paper as healthcare ICT SMART Impact. We believe our SMART model will provide support for the local indigenous communities, our target group in a developing economy through Telemedicine
Dynamics of vertical profile of Radio Refractivity in Akure South-Western Nigeria.
Get PDFThis research investigated fractal and chaotic dynamics in the vertical profile radio refractivity in the atmosphere using Tsallis Entropy, Hurst Exponent and Largest Lyapunov Exponent (LLE). Daily temperature, relative humidity and radio refractivity data obtained from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis Project at thirty seven (37) different atmospheric pressure level from 1979-2014 were used in this study. The Hurst Exponent parameter obtained, using the method of Detrended Fluctuation Analysis, in the radio refractivity profile studied showed that there is persistence across all levels. Tsallis entropy did not reveal any structure or significant variations from the tropopause to the surface. To determine if any of the radio refractivity is chaotic at any of the studied level, the Largest Lyapunov Exponent (LLE) was computed. Positive values were obtained at all levels for radio refractivity, indicating deterministic chaos in the profile of radio refractivity
Inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase and oxidative stress by some common apple varieties
Get PDFIn recent times, the consumption of apples has been encouraged for the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, but biochemical evidence to support this practice is lacking. Therefore, this study investigated α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability, Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation potential as well as the total phenol and flavonoid contents of aqueous extracts
of the apple varieties Malus sylvestris (green apple), Malus pumila (red apple) and Syzygium samarangense (wax apple). The results showed that all apple varieties inhibited α-amylase (IC50=12.66–16.98 µg/ml) and
α-glucosidase (13.55–16.23 µg/ml) in a dosedependent manner, with green apple showing the highest inhibitory activity while wax apple had the least. Similarly, all apple varieties showed dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity (EC50=222.92–278.71 µg/ml) with green apple also showing the highest scavenging activity while wax apple showed the least. Furthermore, the aqueous extracts of the apple varieties dosedependently inhibited Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat pancreas (38.60–53.57 µg/ml), with wax apple exhibiting the highest inhibitory potential. Also, the total phenol content of the apple varieties ranged from 16.14 to 17.45 mg GAE/100g, while the flavonoid content ranged from 4.17 to 5.56 mg QUE/100 g, with green apple having the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents.
The biological activities exhibited by the apple varieties could be attributed to the presence of biologically active photochemicals. Furthermore, the apple variety (green apple) with the highest phenolic content showed the best overall activity, indicating the potent role of phenolic compounds in the management of diabetes, thereby providing biochemical support for the use of apples as a functional food in diabetes management
Exporing business management obscurities encountered by female entrepreenuers in Nigeria: Prospecting an agenda for social change
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to examine difficulties facing Nigerian female entrepreneurs in developing their businesses. The paper addresses the gap in literature on the challenges confronting female entrepreneurs in a non-Western context that tends to obscure any meaningful contribution made by women in this area of work. Using a qualitative methodology, a thematic analysis design was used on the data obtained from semi-structured interviews conducted with 30 women engaged in entrepreneurship retail businesses in two states-Lagos and Oyo States located within the South-West regions of Nigeria. The findings revealed cultural biases, lack of acceptance, inadequate literacy as well as the challenges in accessing funding for their ventures as root causes of business failure. The study results further highlights agendas that are perceived solutions for entrepreneurship development in this context. The practical implication of the study is to draw the attention of policy-makers and scholars of genderthemed research of this nature to begin to focus on probing conditions marginalising industrious females wishing to actively participate at the mainstream
Phytochemical screening and proximate analysis of young Cola acuminata leaves
Get PDFOxidative stress and impaired antioxidant system have been implicated in the pathophysiology of diverse disease states. Phytochemical screening and proximate analysis of dried young cola nitida leaves used in folklore medicine were carried out. The result revealed the presence of bioactive components comprising of alkaloids, phenolic acid, carotenoids, and flavonoid. Quantitative phytochemical analyses showed that alkaloid have the highest concentration. Proximate analysis of the sample showed the moisture content of the sample is (23.10±0.12), carbohydrate (36.80±0.25), crude fibre (19.20±0.1), crude protein (13.50±0.10), and ash content (6.70±0.07). The presence of secondary metabolites in this plant is indicative that if well researched, novel bioactive compounds can be discovered in it
A case study on occupational stressors and effective stress management interventions from a call center perspective
Get PDFThis case study explores the realities of work stress in the Nigerian call center context and
employees’ views on how effective stress management practices can improve workplace
well-being. A total of 30 participants (20 call center agents and 10 team managers) employed
in two different call centers took part in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted
about the impact of call center working conditions on employee well-being while thematic
content analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings unveiled various interpretations of
how participants perceived call center stressors and the various coping strategies used in
managing job stress. Furthermore, recommendations were made for call center organizations
within this context to implement organizational-levelled stress management practices rather
making employees indulge in individual coping abilities. Thus, the implication of study is to
create a scholarly awareness on how occupational stress is perceived and interventions
conceptualized in service jobs within a non-Western context where literature is rare
Biochemical characterization and kinetic studies on a purified yellow laccase from newly isolated Aureobasidium pullulans NAC8 obtained from soil containing decayed plant matter
Get PDFThe study investigated the biochemical characteristics and kinetic parameters of laccase from a newly isolated Aureobasidium pullulans NAC8 obtained from soil containing decay plant litters. This was with a view to identifying the type of laccase and its possible suitability for biotechnological applications.
The fungal strain was identified as A. pullulans NAC8 by sequencing of its 5.8S rRNA and adjacent internally transcribed sequences (ITS) 1 and 2. A. pullulans NAC8 laccase was purified 2.0-fold with a yield of 59.3% and specific activity of 9.34 μmol/min/mg protein. The kinetic parameters KM, Vmax, kcat and kcat/KM for laccase with guaiacol as substrate were 1.05 ± 0.12 mM, 12.67 ± 0.55 μmol/ml/min, 25.3 × 10−1 s−1 and 2.4 × 103 M−1 s−1 respectively. Laccase exhibited maximum activity at 45 °C and optimum pH of 4.5. The enzyme showed stability at a temperature range of 45–55 °C after a 2 h incubation. The molecular weight determined on SDS–PAGE was 68.4 kDa. The enzyme was stable at 10% of all organic solvents used but displayed a loss of activity at 50%. 2.5 mM thioglycolic acid (TGA) and 0.05 mM sodium azide inactivated the enzyme. The substrate specificity was guaiacol > catechol > tannic acid > gallic acid. There was no peak observed at 610 nm and the ratio of absorbance at 280 nm and 610 was 26. This suggests a yellow laccase.
The biochemical properties of A. pullulans NAC8 yellow laccase makes it potentially useful in several biotechnological applicationsN/