Assessment of Major Bridges Along Nasarawa, Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe State Highway, Northern Central, Nigeria

Nigerian road infrastructure is in a despicable condition most especially the culverts and the bridges across the Country and majority of the bridges constructed on Nigerian highways are girder bridges. Most of the infrastructure are decaying, overstretched and aged, all attributed to poor maintenance of the transport infrastructure. Bridges are essential components of national growth which enables the movement of goods and services across inter-states, regions and beyond national boundaries. The current structural integrity of these girder bridges is either not documented or documentation is unavailable to the general public. This research looked at the current status of girder bridges along the Keffi/Uke - Gombe highway with the objective of building a database on the structural status of the existing bridges and its components. The inspection team documented and graded any concerns and proffered solutions to guide the authorities in deciding repair and rehabilitation requirements where deemed necessary. Visual Inspection Method (VIM) and the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) were the methods used for data collection on the condition of bridges along the route. The data from the inspection carried out indicated the absence of any kind of maintenance, repair or rehabilitation by qualified professionals on most of the existing bridges along the route. However, it was observed that the Dindima and Gwaram Bridges need immediate preventive rehabilitation while the Kwadon / Liji /Kurba Bridge has failed due to poor design and should be reconstructed. Keywords: Girder bridge, Visual inspection, Transport infrastructure, Highway maintenance DOI: 10.7176/CER/11-8-02 Publication date:September 30th 201

THE INFLUENCE OF MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS ON NIGERIAN SMALL, MICRO, AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

Purpose: Poverty is a significant concern in most countries, including Nigeria, which has been dubbed the world's poverty capital. Most developing countries regard small, micro, and medium-sized companies (SMMEs) as a sure strategy to reduce poverty by lowering a country's unemployment rate. Microfinance institutions (MFIs), especially banks, were commissioned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to cater to self-employed people and businesses. There is compelling evidence that MFIs are not doing enough and are failing to fulfill their mandate. As a result, this paper sought to investigate the impact MFIs have on SMMEs in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: This descriptive study, made use of a convenience sample strategy to collect survey data from 384 SMMEs in two Nigerian states: Abuja and Nasarawa. Data was collected from 350 respondents. Findings: The findings showed that MFIs significantly influenced SMMEs regarding technology transfer and financial services and aided SMME (small, medium, and micro enterprises) growth. MFIs in Nigeria are ineffective in offering the services of aspects of facilitator of SMEs growth, tool for social change, provider of banking services to the people and transferor of technology. Practical implications: The CBN should make sure that MFIs, especially the banks focus more on servicing SMMEs. MFIs should do more in the areas of sensitiation and tailor their products to suit their customer base. Originality/value: There are limited studies on the Nigerian context for SMMEs and MFIs

The Effect of Heavy Metal Pollution on Some Haematological Parameters in Domestic Birds: A Study in Camp2 Village, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to evaluate the concentrations of heavy metals in the blood of birds reared for food in Camp2 Community of Akamkpa, Cross River State, Nigeria. Twelve (12) male indigenous jungle fowls (Gallus domestica), six each from the control site (Ugep) and from Camp2 were sampled for the studies. Venous blood samples from the wings of the blood were collected and used for hematological and metal analysis. After digestion of the blood, heavy metals [cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), and Nickel (Ni)] were detected using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results indicated that Cd, Pb, As and Hg) levels in birds from camp2 village was significantly higher (p<0.05; p = 0.0070) than those of the Ugep control site. The average value of nickel in the blood of Camp2 birds (4.72+1.32mg/L) was significantly higher (p>0.05; p= 0.003) than that of the Ugep control site (4.22+1.07mg/L). The result shows that nickel, lead and Cadmium in blood samples were significantly (p<0.05; p = 0.023) higher in Camp2 compared to the control site. Hence, these values were above WHO standard (0.1mg/l) and FAO/WHO standards of (0.2mg/kg) while others were within joint FAO/WHO standard limit. The studies show that domestic birds can bioaccumulate heavy metals in their blood, which in turn, presents serious health risks to humans who consume these birds within the communities. &nbsp

Organ Dose Measurement in Computed Tomography Using Thermoluminescence Dosimeter in Locally Developed Phantoms

Introduction: Organ dose estimation using thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD) is known to be a standard, although many other methods, such as simulation software, optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters, and photodiodes are still in use. This study aimed at directly measuring mean organ doses to the selected organs in the head/neck, chest, and abdominal regions from four computed tomography (CT) units in Lagos, south-west of Nigeria. Material and Methods: This study was conducted on locally constructed inhomogeneous phantoms to measure mean organ doses to the head/neck, chest, and abdominopelvic regions from CT units in the Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. Lithium fluoride doped with magnesium and titanium (LiF: Mg, Ti) TLD was used for the measurement. Statistical analysis was performed by IBM SPSS (version 20). Results: Validation of the designed phantoms was below ± 20% kVp and mAs parameters among the CT units, which was statistically different with regard to the observed dose discrepancies. Generally, a one-way ANOVA showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the investigated mean organ dose (P = 0.043). The comparison of the obtained results from this study with those of other studies revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in the TLDs (P > 0.05). The maximum relative difference in the dose was < 200%. Conclusion: The designed phantoms seemed to be useful for CT dose validation and could be used to validate simulation software in areas where readymade phantoms are not available

Improved species assignments across the entire Anopheles genus using targeted sequencing

Accurate species identification of the mosquitoes in the genus Anopheles is of crucial importance to implement malaria control measures and monitor their effectiveness. We use a previously developed amplicon panel (ANOSPP) that retrieves sequence data from multiple short nuclear loci for any species in the genus. Species assignment is based on comparison of samples to a reference index using k-mer distance. Here, we provide a protocol to generate version controlled updates of the reference index and present its latest release, NNv2, which contains 91 species, compared to 56 species represented in its predecessor NNv1. With the updated reference index, we are able to assign samples to species level that previously could not be assigned. We discuss what happens if a species is not represented in the reference index and how this can be addressed in a future update. To demonstrate the increased power of NNv2, we showcase the assignments of 1789 wild-caught mosquitoes from Madagascar and demonstrate that we can detect within species population structure from the amplicon sequencing data

The Influence of Microfinance Institutions on Nigerian Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises

Purpose: Poverty is a significant concern in most countries, including Nigeria, which has been dubbed the world's poverty capital. Most developing countries regard small, micro, and medium-sized companies (SMMEs) as a sure strategy to reduce poverty by lowering a country's unemployment rate. Microfinance institutions (MFIs), especially banks, were commissioned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to cater to self-employed people and businesses. There is compelling evidence that MFIs are not doing enough and are failing to fulfill their mandate. As a result, this paper sought to investigate the impact MFIs have on SMMEs in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: This descriptive study, made use of a convenience sample strategy to collect survey data from 384 SMMEs in two Nigerian states: Abuja and Nasarawa. Data was collected from 350 respondents. Findings: The findings showed that MFIs significantly influenced SMMEs regarding technology transfer and financial services and aided SMME (small, medium, and micro enterprises) growth. MFIs in Nigeria are ineffective in offering the services of aspects of facilitator of SMEs growth, tool for social change, provider of banking services to the people and transferor of technology. Practical implications: The CBN should make sure that MFIs, especially the banks focus more on servicing SMMEs. MFIs should do more in the areas of sensitiation and tailor their products to suit their customer base. Originality/value: There are limited studies on the Nigerian context for SMMEs and MFIs. Paper type: Research Pape

The Influence of Microfinance Institutions on Nigerian Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises

Purpose: Poverty is a significant concern in most countries, including Nigeria, which has been dubbed the world's poverty capital. Most developing countries regard small, micro, and medium-sized companies (SMMEs) as a sure strategy to reduce poverty by lowering a country's unemployment rate. Microfinance institutions (MFIs), especially banks, were commissioned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to cater to self-employed people and businesses. There is compelling evidence that MFIs are not doing enough and are failing to fulfill their mandate. As a result, this paper sought to investigate the impact MFIs have on SMMEs in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: This descriptive study, made use of a convenience sample strategy to collect survey data from 384 SMMEs in two Nigerian states: Abuja and Nasarawa. Data was collected from 350 respondents. Findings: The findings showed that MFIs significantly influenced SMMEs regarding technology transfer and financial services and aided SMME (small, medium, and micro enterprises) growth. MFIs in Nigeria are ineffective in offering the services of aspects of facilitator of SMEs growth, tool for social change, provider of banking services to the people and transferor of technology. Practical implications: The CBN should make sure that MFIs, especially the banks focus more on servicing SMMEs. MFIs should do more in the areas of sensitiation and tailor their products to suit their customer base. Originality/value: There are limited studies on the Nigerian context for SMMEs and MFIs. Paper type: Research Pape

Bioactivity of Mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonaris) Extract on Some Food Pathogens

The interest in discovering and developing natural antimicrobial has significantly increased due to consumer preferences for food that are free of chemical preservatives while still microbiologically safe. One of the best sourced natural antimicrobials is certain mushrooms as many of them not only have nutraceutical functions but also possess antimicrobial properties. For this work, matured mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonaris) was harvested, clean, dried, and milled into powder. Bioactive extracts were done in ratios of 25 g +200 ml, 50 g + 200 ml, and 100 g + 200 ml both for water and ethanol extracts. The treatments were tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to water extract of mushroom at the concentrations used. Ethanol extracts showed that sample C containing 50 g of milled mushroom compounds had the highest diameter of inhibitory zone of 1.8 cm for Escherichia coli and 1.3 cm for Staphylococcus aureus. Results also indicated samples B and D were not significantly different from each other though there were microbial inhibitions. This report concludes that further study should be carried out to determine the effective of the extract on field crops and stored produce

The Influence of Microfinance Institutions on Nigerian Small, Micro, And Medium Enterprises

Purpose: Poverty is a significant concern in most countries, including Nigeria, which has been dubbed the world's poverty capital. Most developing countries regard small, micro, and medium-sized companies (SMMEs) as a sure strategy to reduce poverty by lowering a country's unemployment rate. Microfinance institutions (MFIs), especially banks, were commissioned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to cater to self-employed people and businesses. There is compelling evidence that MFIs are not doing enough and are failing to fulfill their mandate. As a result, this paper sought to investigate the impact MFIs have on SMMEs in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: This descriptive study, made use of a convenience sample strategy to collect survey data from 384 SMMEs in two Nigerian states: Abuja and Nasarawa. Data was collected from 350 respondents. Findings: The findings showed that MFIs significantly influenced SMMEs regarding technology transfer and financial services and aided SMME (small, medium, and micro enterprises) growth. MFIs in Nigeria are ineffective in offering the services of aspects of facilitator of SMEs growth, tool for social change, provider of banking services to the people and transferor of technology. Practical implications: The CBN should make sure that MFIs, especially the banks focus more on servicing SMMEs. MFIs should do more in the areas of sensitiation and tailor their products to suit their customer base. Originality/value: There are limited studies on the Nigerian context for SMMEs and MFIs