MACROECONOMIC SHOCKS, HUMAN CAPITAL AND PRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY: EVIDENCE FROM WEST AFRICAN FARMERS

Little empirical work has quantified the transitory effects of macroeconomic shocks on farm-level production behavior. We develop a simple analytical model to explain how macroeconomic shocks might temporarily divert managerial attention, thereby affecting farm-level productivity, but perhaps to different degrees and for different durations across production units. We then successfully test hypotheses from that model using panel data bracketing massive currency devaluation in the west African nation of Cote d'Ivoire. We find a transitory increase in mean plot-level technical inefficiency among Ivorien rice producers and considerable variation in the magnitude and persistence of this effect, attributable largely to ex ante complexity of operations, and the educational attainment and off-farm employment status of the plot manager.Labor and Human Capital, O1, Q12, Q18,

Nonlinear Vibration Analysis of an Electrostatically Actuated Microbeam using Differential Transformation Method

In this paper, nonlinear vibration of electrostatically actuated microbeam is analyzed using differential transformation method.The high level of accuracy of the analytical solutions of the method was established through comparison of the results of the solutions of exact analytical method, variational approach, homotopy analysis method and energy balance methods. Also,with the aid of the present analytical solution, the time response, velocity variation and the phase plots of the system are presented graphically. It is hope that the method will be widely applied to more nonlinear problems of systems in various fields of study.

A Study on the Effects of Internal Heat Generation on the Thermal Performance of Solid and Porous Fins using Differential Transformation Method

In this study, the impacts of internal heat generation on heat transfer enhancement of porous fin is theoretical investigated using differential transform method. The parametric studies reveal that porosity enhances the finheat dissipating capacity but the internal heat generation decreases the heatenhancement capacity of extended surface. Also, it is established that whenthe internal heat parameter increases to some certain values, some negativeeffects are recorded where the fin stores heat rather than dissipating it. Thisscenario defeats the prime purpose of the cooling fin. Additionally, it is established in the present study that the limiting value of porosity parameterfor thermal stability for the passive device increases as internal heat parameter increases. This shows that although the internal heat parameter canhelp assist higher range and value of thermal stability of the fin, it producesnegative effect which greatly defeats the ultimate purpose of the fin. Theresults in the work will help in fin design for industrial applications whereinternal heat generation is involved

Periodicity, Stability, and Boundedness of Solutions to Certain Second Order Delay Differential Equations

The behaviour of solutions to certain second order nonlinear delay differential equations with variable deviating arguments is discussed. The main procedure lies in the properties of a complete Lyapunov functional which is used to obtain suitable criteria to guarantee existence of unique solutions that are periodic, uniformly asymptotically stable, and uniformly ultimately bounded. Obtained results are new and also complement related ones that have appeared in the literature. Moreover, examples are given to illustrate the feasibility and correctness of the main results

Effect of waste aluminium shavings on the bond characteristics of laterized concrete

The utilization of fibre in concrete production not only solves the problem of disposing this solid waste but helps conserve natural resources. This study investigated the effect of waste aluminum shavings on bond strength of laterized concrete. Laterized concrete spliced beams of 150×250×2150mm150×250×2150mm and 175×275×2300mm175×275×2300mm were prepared. Fifteen specimens with 16 mm and 20 mm were cast with the addition of aluminium shavings at varying percentages of 1vol%, 1.5vol% and 2vol%; another ten specimens with 16 mm and 20 mm diameter bars at 0% of aluminium shavings were cast as control. Concrete cubes of number were prepared, three taken for each set of various percentages of aluminium shavings were used to determine the concrete strength. It was observed from the analysis that the compressive strength decreased as the percentage of aluminium shavings increased, while the aluminium shavings increased the bond between concrete and steel. However, for normal concrete there was an increase in bond resistance with increase in aluminium shavings. The bond resistance of 16 mm was found to be higher than that of 20 mm in all the specimens tested

Threats to E-Government Implementation in the Civil Service: Nigeria as a Case Study

The rapid advancement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has undoubtedly influenced positive changes in carrying out administrative functions in government institutions. The ICT adoption rate in Africa is not impressive when compared to the more developed countries of the world. Nigeria, as a case study in this scenario, has also not implemented E-Government impressively, according to the required standards set up by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). A comprehensive study conducted on the application and implementation of E-Government in Nigeria has provided some metrics that examine the stumbling blocks for realization of adequate and efficient E-Government implementation in the civil service. The research was carried out in the federal civil service in Nigeria in two phases namely, pre-IT implementation phase and post-IT implementation phase. Our findings reveal that ICT implementation will remain elusive in the civil service as long as the as threats explained below remain unaddressed. It has therefore been asserted that the need to overcome these threats is a precondition for realization of E-Government implementation in the federal civil servic

Effect of Weed Control Methods and Canopy Characteristics on Weed Biomass, Yield and Yield Components of Two Contrasting Cassava Varieties in the Rainforest Zone of Nigeria

Weed infestation is one of the reasons why the average cassava yield is low in Nigeria. This study was conducted in 2010 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to evaluate the impact of different cassava canopy structures on (i) weed biomass and (ii) yield and its components. The treatments consist of hand-weeded, herbicidal treatment, and unweeded checks in the main plot. The sub-plots constituted the cassava cultivars (TMS 30572 and TME 1) laid out in a randomized complete block with a split-plot arrangement in three replications. TMS 30572 reduced weed biomass by 59% when compared to TME 1 in the unweeded plot. However, there was no significant difference in the weed biomass between the hand-weeded and herbicide-treated where TMS 30572 and TME 1 were cultivated. Root dry matter of TMS 30572 was higher by 72% when compared to TME 1 in the untreated field. However, there was no significant difference between the yield of TMS 30572 and TME 1 in both hand-weeded and herbicide-treated plots. In conclusion, TME 30572 is recommended for cultivation in regions with similar agroecological patterns coupled with Integrated Weed Management (IWM) especially, when planting TME 1 to obtain optimum yield. Keywords: Weed biomass, TMS 30572, TME 1, Yield, and Integrated Weed Management. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-14-05 Publication date:July 31st 202

Effect of some nitrogen sources of growth medium on

Penicillium solitum and Aspergillus rubrum isolated from deteriorated yam (Dioscorea alata) using potato dextrose agar grew and sporulated at 25oC. They expresse

Determinants of the decision-to-delivery interval and the effect on perinatal outcome after emergency caesarean delivery: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundPreventing prolongation of the decision-to-delivery interval (DDI) for emergency caesarean delivery (CD) remains central to improving perinatal health. This study evaluated the effects of the DDI on perinatal outcome following emergency CD. MethodsA prospective cross-sectional study involving 205 consenting women who had emergency CD at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria was conducted. The time–motion documentation of events from decision to delivery was documented; the outcome measures were perinatal morbidity (neonatal resuscitation, 5-minute Apgar score, neonatal intensive admission) and mortality. Data analysis was performed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 20.0, and P<0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe overall mean DDI was 233.99±132.61 minutes (range 44–725 minutes); the mean DDI was shortest for cord prolapse (86.25±86.25 minutes) and was shorter for booked participants compared with unbooked participants (207.19±13.88 minutes vs 249.25±12.05 minutes; P=0.030) and for general anaesthesia compared with spinal anaesthesia (219.48±128.60 minutes vs 236.19±133.42 minutes; P=0.543). All neonatal parameters were significantly worse for unbooked women compared with booked women, including perinatal mortality (10.8% vs 1.3%; P=0.012). Neonatal morbidity increased with DDI for clinical indications, UK National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Robson classification for CDs; perinatal mortality was 73.2 per 1000 live births, all were category 1 CDs and all except one occurred with DDI greater than 90 minutes. Severe preeclampsia/eclampsia, obstructed labour and placenta praevia tolerated DDI greater than 90 minutes compared with abruptio placentae and umbilical cord prolapse. However, logistic regression showed no statistical correlation between the DDI and neonatal outcomes. ConclusionPerinatal morbidity and mortality increased with DDI relative to the clinical urgency but perinatal deaths were increased with DDI greater than 90 minutes. For no category of emergency CD should the DDI exceed 90 minutes, while patient and institutional factors should be addressed to reduce the DDI

From the breast to the upper jaw: A rare case of metastatic breast cancer

Breast cancer is the commonest malignancy in women globally. Metastasesof advanced breast carcinoma to bones, lungs and liver are well known but spread to maxillary bone presenting as maxillary sinus and palatal swelling is rare. We present a case of advanced breast carcinoma in a female Nigerian with clinical, radiological and histopathological features of lung and right maxillary bone metastases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of metastatic breast cancer to the lungs and maxilla in Nigeria. The debilitating sequelae of advanced untreated breast carcinoma in a resource limited setting with suboptimal comprehensive cancer care are highlighted. Keywords: Breast cancer; orofacial metastasis; resource limited setting, Nigeri