Intangible Assets and Value Relevance of Accounting Information of Listed High-Tech Firms in Nigeria

Accounting has been developed overtime in response to the needs of users of financial statements for information relevant to support economic decisions and judgments. During industrial era this prime role of accounting was discharged accordingly. However, in this information era, firms particularly high-technology firms are operating on intangible assets and some of them are not recognized by the accounting system. This is in spite of their critical role in enhancing the value of firms, together with the major role of accounting in providing information relevant for economic decisions. Therefore, there is a great concern that the absence of some of these intangible assets on the balance sheets have led to the deterioration of the quality of accounting information. As evident in the wide gap between market values and book values of equity, and the decline in the value relevance of accounting information, which is usually attributed to the absence of some of intangible assets in the balance sheets. However, it is argued that intangible assets lack reliability due to their accruals nature. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the joint incremental value relevance of intangibles assets, brands, not recognized in the current accounting practice. The study also explores the contribution of these assets towards improving the informative quality of accounting information to the users; and assesses the reliability of reporting intangible as assets. Using a sample of nine high-technology firms during the period of seven years (2005-2011), the study employed Ordinary Least Square Regression technique for data analysis using Edward, Bells and Ohlson Price model. We found that, there is joint incremental value relevance of recognizing intangible assets in the statement of financial positions of High-Technology firms in Nigeria at 99% confidence level. That is, recognizing intangible assets, brand in this case in the statement of financial position of listed high-technology firms in Nigeria will increase the quality of accounting information of the firms. Similarly, the study found that intangible assets are value relevance and reliable. We recommend amongst others that, IAS 38 should be broadened to include brand assets. Keywords: Intangible Assets, Brand Assets, Value Relevance, Accounting Information Qualit

Synthesis And Characterization Of New Series Of Liquid Crystalline Compounds Containing Azobenzene And Bisazobenzene Moieties

New molecular structures based on azobenzene and bisazobenzene mesogenic units, which can support mesophase were prepared, in particular four different types of liquid crystalline materials have been synthesized and characterized, following the general criteria. All materials were characterized by spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, NMR, MS and CHNS analyses) and the liquid crystalline properties were investigated using differential scanning colorimetry (DSC), optical polarizing microscopy (OPM) and, X-ray diffraction. The presence of smectic A mesophase was confirmed by the textures and X-ray diffraction studies (XRD). The calamitic liquid crystals (rod-shaped) compounds were generally synthesized via diazotization of primary aromatic amine, coupling with phenol and subsequent etherification of phenol with ten fold excess of an appropriate α,ω-dibromoalkane which was further etherified in methanol to give the final compounds, giving rise to a typical features of calamitic liquid crystals (rod-shaped) compounds. Four of the liquid crystalline compounds containing azobenzene moiety denoted as AZOn series, exhibited enantiotropic smectic A phase AZO3-AZO6 (C3-C6) while, compound AZO8 (C8) show monotropic smectic A phase. The liquid crystalline trimer (AZOTn series) containing azobenzene with a short acetyl mesogenic group and a biphenyl as central mesogenic core were prepared by employing the procedures described for the calamitic mesogenic compounds above. The final compound was produced by etherification of the 4`4-hydroxybiphenyl with two-fold mole ratio of 1-bromoalky-(4-phenylazo)acetophenone. Compound with C5 polymethylene flexible alkyl spacer (AZOT5) exhibited enantiotropic nematic and smectic A liquid crystalline properties. While the compound with C6 polymethylene flexible alkyl spacer showed an enantiotropic nematic phase, the (AZOT6) exhibited the higher values of melting and clearing temperatures. The calamitic bisazobenzene liquid crystal series (BAn series) were synthesized from 4-phenylazoaniline as mentioned above. All the compounds were found to show enantiotropic mesophase behavior and the presence of enantiotropic behavior throughout the series might be connected to the bisazobezene core and the terminal groups that extend the molecules along their molecular axes which, increase thermal stability of the mesophases and anisotropy of molecular polarizability. The photoisomerization experiment indicates a decrease in intensities of the absorption bands for compound BA4 (BAn series). These show that the structure of the compounds does not have significant effect on the photoisomerization rate. This group of compounds have potential application in photonics more specifically, in reversible optical data storage, optical switching devices, optical computing and integrated optical devices for communication. The final series of compound 4-propyloxy-[4-biphenyloxyalkyl]-4`-(4-phenylazo)azobenzene for the dimer containing bisazobenzene mesogenic moiety and alkoxybiphenyl linked by flexible spacers (BAOnO.3 series) was prepared by reacting the 4-propyloxy-4-hydroxybiphenyl with 1-bromoalkyloxy-4`-(4-phenylazo)azobenzene. The synthesized compounds exhibited enantiotropic phase with dimer containing propyl, butyl and octyl as flexible alkyl spacers showing SmA and those with pentyl and hexyl spacers exhibited SmA and SmC phases respectively. The stability of the smectic layer depends on the spacer length for the compounds studied

Ten golden rules for optimal antibiotic use in hospital settings:the WARNING call to action

Antibiotics are recognized widely for their benefits when used appropriately. However, they are often used inappropriately despite the importance of responsible use within good clinical practice. Effective antibiotic treatment is an essential component of universal healthcare, and it is a global responsibility to ensure appropriate use. Currently, pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to develop new antibiotics due to scientific, regulatory, and financial barriers, further emphasizing the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. To address this issue, the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery established an international multidisciplinary task force of 295 experts from 115 countries with different backgrounds. The task force developed a position statement called WARNING (Worldwide Antimicrobial Resistance National/International Network Group) aimed at raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance and improving antibiotic prescribing practices worldwide. The statement outlined is 10 axioms, or "golden rules," for the appropriate use of antibiotics that all healthcare workers should consistently adhere in clinical practice.</p

Development of a scale to measure catheter associated urinary tract infection prevention knowledge

Aim: One important intervention to decrease catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is improving healthcare professionals' knowledge. Appropriate knowledge measurement is therefore essential to evaluate the impact of such interventions. We aim to report a series of projects developing a tool to measure CAUTI prevention knowledge among healthcare professionals. Methods: Deductive and inductive approaches to instrument development based on the catheter lifecycle model and the COSMIN checklist. We conducted systematic literature and clinical guidelines reviews, followed by a two-round Delphi survey with 76 participants from 14 countries and an experts’ workshop to develop more knowledge items and validate the existing ones. The collaboratively developed pool of questions was then evaluated based on responses from 259 participants from 13 countries in an online study. Results: The systematic review established that the existing tools have insufficient psychometric quality, making them unfit for CAUTI prevention knowledge measurement. The review led to an extension of the catheter lifecycle model and a large pool of questions aimed at assessing this knowledge. The psychometric study resulted in an optimised set of questions using classic and modern test theory criteria to evaluate CAUTI prevention knowledge. Conclusion: The study contributes to the infection prevention and control literature by producing a more valid and reliable CAUTI prevention knowledge measurement scale that meets the appropriate psychometric standards. While further evaluation in research and clinical applications is needed, this is currently the most valid and reliable knowledge measurement tool. This will ensure that future CAUTI prevention knowledge interventions to improve patient care quality and reduce healthcare costs are more effective

Clinico-pathological changes in buffalo calves following oral exposure to Pasteurella multocida B:2.

Background and aim: Pasteurella multocida B:2, which causes hemorrhagic septicemia of ruminants, is believed to enter the host via respiratory and oral routes. While the role of respiratory route of infection has been established, the present study describes the clinical and pathological alterations following oral exposure of buffalo calves to live wild-type Pasteurella multocida B:2. Methods: Nine 8-month-old buffalo calves were selected and divided into three groups. Calves of group 1 were exposed orally to 50 mL of the inoculums containing 109 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL of live Pasteurella multocida B:2. Calves of group 2 were exposed intra-tracheal to 5 mL of the same inoculums while calves of group 3 were exposed orally to 50 mL of phosphate-buffered saline. Results: Only one calf had to be euthanized at 48 h post-intra-tracheal exposure due to persistent clinical signs of hemorrhagic septicemia. The mean respiratory rate and rectal temperature had significantly increased in calves of groups 1 and 2. The pathological alterations included submandibular and brisket edema, generalized lymphadenopathy, acute fibrinous pneumonia, acute colitis and hemorrhagic typhilitis and proctitis. Nevertheless, oral infection with 109 CFU/mL of live wild-type P. multocida B:2 failed to produce a typical clinical disease. However, P. multocida B:2 was present along the gastro-intestinal tract, including the rectum of the calf that succumbed to the infection at 48 h post-intra-tracheal exposure. Conclusions: The presence of P. multocida B:2 along the gastro-intestinal tract is of concern since transmission via the gastro-intestinal tract of diseased animals is strongly possible

Prediction of Compressive Strength in High Performance Concrete with Hooked-End Steel Fiber using K-Nearest Neighbor Algorithm

In this study, the predictive capability for compressive strength of IBK a K-Nearest Neighbor algorithm was put to test in High Performance Concrete (HPC) with steel fiber addition. To achieve this objective, 150 x 300 mm cylindrical specimens were casted at least three for each batch and steel fibers were added from 0.50% - 2.00% at 0.25% interval. The mean and standard deviation were determined, and these were used to generate 100 compressive strength values within this range for each proportion. IBK classifier with K =1 nearest neighbors and 3 split percentages for training and testing were utilized. Results indicate that it is possible to generate good compressive strength results from good mean and standard deviation values. The prediction capability was very high using this algorithm with small amount of associated errors. Validation of the model using predicted versus actual results shows a very high correlation coefficient. This result indicates the efficiency of the model and its predictive capacity. It also indicates that this can improve the optimization capacity of HPC mixtures with steel fiber addition

Development of a scale to measure catheter associated urinary tract infection prevention knowledge

Aim: One important intervention to decrease catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is improving healthcare professionals' knowledge. Appropriate knowledge measurement is therefore essential to evaluate the impact of such interventions. We aim to report a series of projects developing a tool to measure CAUTI prevention knowledge among healthcare professionals. Methods: Deductive and inductive approaches to instrument development based on the catheter lifecycle model and the COSMIN checklist. We conducted systematic literature and clinical guidelines reviews, followed by a two-round Delphi survey with 76 participants from 14 countries and an experts’ workshop to develop more knowledge items and validate the existing ones. The collaboratively developed pool of questions was then evaluated based on responses from 259 participants from 13 countries in an online study. Results: The systematic review established that the existing tools have insufficient psychometric quality, making them unfit for CAUTI prevention knowledge measurement. The review led to an extension of the catheter lifecycle model and a large pool of questions aimed at assessing this knowledge. The psychometric study resulted in an optimised set of questions using classic and modern test theory criteria to evaluate CAUTI prevention knowledge. Conclusion: The study contributes to the infection prevention and control literature by producing a more valid and reliable CAUTI prevention knowledge measurement scale that meets the appropriate psychometric standards. While further evaluation in research and clinical applications is needed, this is currently the most valid and reliable knowledge measurement tool. This will ensure that future CAUTI prevention knowledge interventions to improve patient care quality and reduce healthcare costs are more effective

Cloaking Neo-Imperialism in the Shadows of Human Rights and Liberal Peacebuilding

The concept of intervention to curtail humanitarian crisis in conflict zones has generated a great deal of polemics on the matters of state sovereignty, human rights, democracy and even the legitimacy of liberal peacebuilding. These discussions often include the justification or otherwise of both political and militarised interventions. While interventionism has become the most common approach by world powers, the concept of liberal peace building with its cloaked connotation of fostering and sustaining tranquillity and curtailing humanitarian crisis is seen by many as lacking in the not only the protection of people but also in ensuring sustainable peace. The view of some scholars is that, intervention in the name of humanitarianism raises so many questions as world powers continue resorting to militarised approaches that do not translate to the welfare of those they claim to protect. Instead, the outcome has been largely a convoluted and surging circle of crisis across many corners of the world. Keywords: Conflict, Intervention, Humanitarian, Law, Protection, Sovereignty DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/88-08 Publication date: August 31st 201

Developing a Java-based Genetic Algorithm to Solve the Travelling Salesman Problem

In this paper, software was developed to solve the travelling salesman problem. The Travelling Salesman Problem is a computational optimization problem that requires a lot of time to solve using brute force algorithm. The research aims at developing java-based software that provides an optimum solution to the Travelling Salesman Problem using the concepts of genetic algorithm within reasonable time frame

Effect of Chinese Product Price, Quality, Innovativeness and Brand Awareness on Customers’ Loyalty: An Empirical Analysis of Local Industries in Northern Nigeria

The global economy is witnessing the massive influx of Chinese products across the global market. Nigeria in particular, is one of the countries that have a strong trade relationship with Chinese industries. Chinese products dominate most of the Nigerian market with very affordable price and compromised quality. Their pricing strategy, product design and ability to create brand awareness give their products an edge over the competitors. The study is the survey research that used regression analysis and examined the effect of Chinese product price, quality, innovativeness and brand awareness on customers’ loyalty. A sample of 1000 respondents was selected from three states of Northern Nigeria. The study discovered a significant negative effect of Chinese product price, innovativeness and Chinese brand awareness on customer loyalty; however, the effect of Chinese product quality on customers’ loyalty is positive and statistically insignificant. Therefore, the study concluded that Chinese product price, innovativeness and brand awareness negatively affect customers’ loyalty on the local products. The study recommended that the local entrepreneur needs to undergo training in areas of cost cutting, efficient use of resources while being encouraged to form clusters in order to benefit from economies of scale thereby driving down cost and by extension price of products. Local entrepreneurs must embrace new technology; pursue more creativity by perusing through imported brochures for inspiration and adapting designs to suit our own peculiarities. They should also create awareness using social media, publicity, advertisement, exhibition among other methods of creating awareness