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Distribution Effects of Foreign Direct Investment on the Performance of the Nigerian Economy from 1970 to 2013
Get PDFThis study focused on examining the distributive effect of foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows on the performance of the Nigerian economy, with specific reference to the real sector of the economy. The major problem was that despite increasing inflows of fdi to the Nigerian economy, the sectors identified in this work were performing poorly. Thus, the objective of this
study were to establish the relationship that exists between capacity utilization rate, export volumes, growth rate of gross domestic and the inflows of fdi to mining & quarrying, manufacturing & processing, agriculture and fisheries, transport & communication, building and construction and trading and business. Literature was reviewed and the OLS multiple regression model was used to analyse the relationships.
Keywords: foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows, distribution effect economic performance
Development and Determination of the Age Hardening Characteristics of Al-2.00Mg-2.66Si Wrought Alloy
Get PDFThe study, was carried out by developing the alloy using the foundry route of melting, alloying, and casting. The produced test samples were machined to produce test specimens which were subjected to precipitation hardening treatment. The test specimens were for impact and hardness test to inference the response of the developed alloy to age hardening treatment. The ageing temperature was 190 o C, and the ageing time was from 1-5 hrs. The control specimen was not age hardened and when compared with the age hardened specimens, the tested mechanical properties of the age hardened specimens were better than the control specimen. The hardness was seen to increase, with ageing time peaking at 3hrs of ageing to a value of 38.34 HRB, dropped and rose after 4hrs of ageing and continued to increase, thereby prompting curiosity. The toughness had a steady increase as the ageing time was increased, which clearly showed that the developed alloy responded to age hardening treatment. Introduction. A lot of aluminium–based alloys have been developed and characterized as can be seen in B.S. Aerospace Series, section L (aluminium and light alloys). Specification of the aluminium-based alloys is clearly stated unfortunately the specification for this research work could not be sighted however, close compositions were seen. According to the wrought aluminum alloy designation system, alloys of these series (Al-Si-Mg) are designated 6xxx. Aluminum – Magnesium – Silicon alloys are heat treatable [2, 5, 11]. Solution treatment followed by either artificial or natural ageing allows considerable increase in yield-strength (3-5 times). Ductility of the alloy decreases as a result of the heat treatment. Hardening of the alloys from this group is achieved due to precipitation of the phase Mg-Si occurring during ageing [5]. The phase has a fixed ratio between the elements content (valence compound), therefore amount of magnesium and silicon in 6xxx alloys is balance according to this ratio or with an excess of silicon. Alloys of this series possess high mechanical strength combined with good formability and corrosion resistance. Excess of silicon enhances effect of precipitation of the alloys but decreases their ductility because of segregation of silicon in the regions of grain boundaries. This adverse effect of silicon may be diminished by addition of chromium and manganese depressing recrystalization during solution treatment. Temperature of artificial ageing of 6xxx alloys is 320 – 360 o F (160 – 182
Efficacy of Selected Herbicides on Weed Control, Cowpea (Vigna Uniguiculata L. Walp) Performance and Economic Returns in Akamkpa, Southeastern Nigeria
Get PDFA two year (2007 and 2008) field trial was conducted in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State,
Nigeria to evaluate the effects of selected herbicides on weed control, cowpea (Vigna uniguiculata (L.) Walp)
performance and economic returns to management. A randomized complete block design with a split plot
arrangement was used and replicated three times. The main treatments were three cowpea varieties: Sampea
7(IAR-48), Sampea 4(IAR-176) and IT.4532-1, while the sub treatments were five herbicides: atrazine, diuron,
galex, glyphosate, primextra, and all applied pre – emergence (a day after sowing) at 2.0kg.ai/ha and control
((manually weeded and no herbicide application). Results showed that cowpea establishment did not differ
significantly among cowpea varieties whereas herbicide type significantly (P<0.5) affected cowpea
establishment. High plant establishment was recorded in plots treated with Galex followed by Glyphosate
compared to the high mortality rate in plots Atrazine and Primextra treated plots. Significant differences were
also observed in the injury (mortality) rate of the cowpea. Atrazine was most lethal to cowpea followed by
Primextra compared to other herbicides irrespective of the variety. Weed control efficiency rating differed
significantly among the herbicides with Diuron being the most efficient in controlling the weeds followed by
Primextra. The grain yield did not differ significantly among the cowpea varieties. However, on the basis of
average for both years, the trend was in the order: Sampea7 (2.58 tha-1) > IT.4532-1(2.55 tha-1) > Sampea 4(2.28 tha-1
). In contrast, grain yield differed significantly (P<0.05) among herbicide types irrespective of the cowpea varieties though no clear trend was exhibited. Averaged across both years indicated that Galex (3.42 tha1) promoted grain production in Sampea 7 variety plot followed by Glyphosate (3.13 tha-1) and control (2.56 tha1).In IT.4532-1 plot, glyphosate recorded the highest grain yield (3.20 tha-1) followed by Galex (3.11 tha-1) and
the control (2.35 tha-1). The interaction effects between the cowpea varieties and the herbicide types on grain yield was significant (P<0.05) with Glyphosate, Galex and control highly favoured.The highest economic return (N 999,051.80) to management was obtained from Sampea 7(IAR-48) and was followed by IT.4532-1. This implies that Galex would be more effective in controlling weeds in cowpea plot followed by glyphosate particularly if Sampea 7(IAR-48) and IT.4532-1 varieties are planted
Growth Performance of Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) Fed with Fresh Yellow Sweet Potato Leaves Diets in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study was conducted to determine the growth performance of grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) fed with fresh yellow sweet potato in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The study adopted a pretest-posttest randomized control group arrangement. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select eight (8) eight-weeks old grasscutters allotted to two treatment groups of four animals each. To guide the study, three specific objectives, three research questions and three null hypotheses were formulated and tested at .05 level of significance. Top loading weighing balance, meter ruler, and measuring tape were used as instruments to collect data for the study. The instruments were validated by three lecturers, two from the Department of Vocational Education, Agricultural Education Unit and one from Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture all from the University of Uyo. Data considered were body weight, body length and hind leg length. The research questions were analyzed using mean and the hypotheses were tested using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The following findings from the study showed that there was a significant difference between the body weight, body length and hind leg length of grasscutters fed with fresh yellow sweet Potato leaves (SPL) over those fed with concentrate (PKC) The results revealed that body weight, body length and hind leg length growth performance was better in grasscutters fed with fresh yellow sweet potato leaves feeds among other findings. Based on the findings, it was recommended that grasscutter farmers should use fresh yellow sweet potato leaves and can supplement the feeds to enhance better growth among other recommendations
Assessment of liver function, bile secretory rate and liver histological changes in type 1 diabetes mellitus rats treated with ocimum gratissimum
Get PDFBackground: The liver plays an important role in nutrient metabolism and alterations in the liver function, biliary secretion and cyto-architecture are common in diabetes mellitus (DM).
Aim: Ocimum gratissimum (OG) has been reported to exert hypoglycaemic effect in DM. The study was undertaken in order to assess the impact of OG in the treatment of diabetic complications.
Materials and Methods: Phytochemical and toxicity tests were conducted. Eighteen rats divided into three groups of six rats each were used. Group 1 was the control and given normal feed only. Group 2 was diabetic untreated rats (DM) while group 3 was OG treated diabetic rats (DMT) at a dose of 1500 mg/kg. All groups had access to food and water ad libitum. After 28 days, serum was obtained for analysis of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotranferase (AST). The bile content was collected at 3 hours interval to determine the bile secretory rate. Routine biopsy method was employed for histological studies. Results: Results showed that AST in the DM and DMT groups were signifi cantly higher (P < 0.001) than the control group; DM was signifi cantly higher (P < 0.001) than the DMT. ALT and ALP levels in DM and DMT groups were signifi cantly (P < 0.001) higher than the control; DM was signifi cantly higher (P < 0.001) than DMT. Conclusion: Structural and functional hepatic impairments were observed in DM. OG treatment appeared to effectively ameliorate these complications including enhancement of bile secretion.
Key words: Bile secretion, Liver function test, Liver histology, Ocimum gratissimum, Type 1 diabetes mellitu
Multifaceted Skills in Business Education and Increased Productivity among Business Educators in Colleges of Education in Delta State
Get PDFThe study examined to which extent multifaceted skills possessed increase productivity among business educators in Colleges of Education in Delta State. The identified multifaceted skills in business education include financial skills, managerial skills and office technology skills. The study employed the descriptive survey design. Three research questions were raised and one null hypothesis was formulated to guide the study. A population and sample comprised all the seventy-two (72) Business Educators in the four Colleges of Education in Delta State. Data were collected through a fifteen-item structured questionnaire for each research question with a five point Likert-type rating scale. The questionnaire was duly validated and reliability coefficient was established at 0.83 using Cronbach Alpha test. The analysis of data collected was done using mean to answer the research questions and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used at 0.05 level of significance for testing the null hypothesis. The study found out that the extent of multifaceted skills possessed by business educators, contributed to increased productivity among business educators in Colleges of Education in Delta State. Hence, the study recommended that there is need for quality training of skills in business education for business educators to acquire relevant multifaceted skills for the benefit of rewarding outcome.
Keywords: Multifaceted Skills, Business Education, Increased Productivit
Popcorn Yield and Nutrient Composition as affected Nitrogen Fertilization and Liming in Calabar, Nigeria
Get PDFZea mays L. everta (Popcorn) is a relatively new maize sub-species that is being introduced into the cropping system of arable crop farming in Calabar, Nigeria. Its productivity can, however, be impeded by low N concentration in the soil and high soil acidity that already affect the yield of conventional maize grown in the study area. Therefore, a two year trial was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Calabar, Nigeria to determine the effects of nitrogen and liming rates on growth, yield and nutrient composition of popcorn (Zea mays L. everta). A 3 x 4 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replication was used while treatments consisted of four levels of nitrogen (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha-1), applied as urea (46% N) and fitted in a factorial arrangement with three levels of lime (0, 500 and 1000 kg ha-1) applied as calcium trioxocarbonate (iv) (CaCO3). Results indicated that all plant parameters examined were significantly (p=0.05) higher with the application of 80 kg N ha-1 and 500 kg ha-1 lime rates than other N and lime rates. Grain yield performance was in the order 80 > 120 > 40 > 0 kg Nha-1, which corresponded to 23.78, 33.55,
50.32% during 2009 and 15.14, 36.41 and 76.76% in 2010 above the 120, 40 and 0 kg N ha rates of N applied, respectively. Also, an increase of 20.0 and 24.83% in 2009, and 9.09 and 18.03% in 2010, in grain yield were observed when 500 kg ha-1 lime rates was applied and out-yielded both the 1000 kg ha-1 and control rates, respectively in both years. The application of lime at 1000 kg ha-1 resulted in significantly (p=0.05) higher N and Ca uptake in crop in both years. The P and Mg concentrations were highest from plants treated with 500 kg ha-1 lime. Effect of liming was not significant (p=0.05) in 2009, but was statistically at par at 0 and 500 kgha-1 lime rates and significantly (p=0.05) higher than tissue K content at 1000 kg ha-1 liming rates in 2010. The effect
of lime was not consistent in both years but N xLime (L) interaction was significant while 500 kg ha-1 liming rate was most promising. Maize grain yield performance was better and most rewarding with the application of 80 N ha-1 while grain yield was best when 500 kg ha-1 lime rates was applied, Therefore, application of 80 kg Nha-1 and 500 kg ha-1 of lime are recommended for a profitable popcorn production in Calabar, Nigeria
Social status of parents and students’ academic performance in Aba Educational Zone, Abia State
Get PDFThis descriptive survey examined the academic performance of SS2 students in Aba Education Zone in relation to the social status of their parents. The population of the study comprised all 4955 SS2 students in Abia State from which a sample of 100 students from four secondary schools were drawn for study. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. The Social Status of Parents Questionnaire (SOSPAQ) with a reliability index of 0.81 Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, developed by the researchers was used in collecting data on the social status of parents while students’ academic performance was assessed using the raw scores available from school records. Analyses of research data revealed that parents’ social status influenced the academic performance of students’ in Aba Education Zone of Abia State. The researchers thus recommended that the government, well-meaning individuals and organisations should support parents from disadvantaged social backgrounds in the education of their children by providing— in addition to free, compulsory and qualitative education—bursaries, scholarships and education resources to counteract the impact of low social status of parents on the education of the children
Neural Networks in Materials Science and Engineering: A Review of Salient Issues
Get PDFThe paper ‘Neural Networks in Materials Science and Engineering: A Review of Salient Issues’ has been extensively reviewed. The paper has explained neural networks and had clearly presented it as a powerful predictive tool that can be trained to solve very complex problems in materials Science and Engineering. Attempts have also been made at comparing linear regression model with neural networks and the findings are that neural networks are more sophisticated in terms of providing solutions to materials science and engineering problems than linear regression model. The paper has revealed that neural networks have found wide applications in materials science and engineering particularly in solving very complex problems: problems with established theories but the quantitative determination was lacking because of so many independent and interacting parameters. Finally the paper concluded by raising some salient issues that had to do with the use of neural networks in materials science and engineering. One of such issues is the misapplication of neural network methodologies, thereby limiting their potential benefit.
Keywords: Materials science, Engineering, Application, Neural networks, Salient issues, Artificial
Economic Integration, Trade Balances and Socioeconomic Development in Nigeria
Get PDFThis article examined the link between economic integration, trade balances and socioeconomic development in Nigeria. Specifically, the work was designed to trace the trend of
the variables of exports and imports, trade flows and trade balances as well as the variables of socio-economic development including the gross domestic product (GDP), unemployment and inflation rate in Nigeria from 1981 to 2013. In order to achieve this objective, the exploratory, descriptive and desk research design were used. In line with these, data were sourced from existing documents and materials including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical Bulletin, CBN Annual Reports and Statement of Account, CBN Bullion, Journals, textbooks, periodicals and internet-based sources.
Keywords: economic integration, trade balances, trade flow and socio-economic development