The Role Of Oil Speculation On The Economy: The Problem With The View Of Fattouth, Kilian, And Mahadeva

On July 30, 2012, Fattouth, Kilian, and Mahadeva published and online paper titled, “The Role of Oil Speculation in Oil Markets: What Have We Learned So Far?”  They concluded that the existing evidence is not supportive of an important role of speculation in driving the spot price of oil after 2003.  This paper aims to show that the conclusion of their paper, which challenges the finding of direct correlation between oil speculation and rising spot oil prices in Ajuzie et al. (published in 2009) is fraught with omissions that have led to mistaken conclusions.  In their literature review, they failed to include opposing findings, even when those views are in public domain.  Because of the enormous negative consequences that will result from misapplication of economic policies based on such mistaken conclusions, it is important to address the error in their finding

Identification of the Bacterial Community Responsible for Decontaminating Eleme Petrochemical Industrial Effluent Using 16s RDNA PCR Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis

Identification of bacteria community responsible for decontaminating Eleme petrochemical industrial effluent using 16S PCR denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was determined. Gene profiles were determined by extracting DNA from bacterial isolates and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 16S rDNA eubacterial primers with a GC clamp. PCR amplified DNA was separated by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. Comparative evaluation of primers for PCR amplification of DNA revealed that V6V8F and V6V8R primers were most suitable for amplification DNA. Denaturing gradient gel ratio of 20% : 80% was most suitable for differentiation of bacterial profiles. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of DGGE products were successful displaying 88% -100% similarity and homology to Roseococcus sp. LW5(FM956480.1). Dendograms and similarity matrix revealed 81.5% -100% from sampling points.http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v33i4.

Morphological evaluation of the orbit and peri-ocular glands of the African grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus)

The morphological features of the orbit and peri-ocular glands of the herbivorous African grasscutter were evaluated in this study. Heads of the rats were processed using the cold-water maceration technique, while the peri-ocular glands were obtained and processed for light microscopy using the conventional paraffin technique. The orbit was laterally located and associated with an enlarged maxillary infraorbital foramen. This orbital configuration imparted the grasscutter with a panoramic field of vision and a hystricomorphous improved masticatory ability. The Zeis and meibomian glands were located in the eyelid and showed holocrine histological features with myoepithelial cells surrounding their secretory acini. The gland of Moll was a simple coiled tubular gland that, together with the gland of Zeis, were associated with the palpebral cilia. The large harderian gland situated posterior to the eyeball was a lobulated compound exocrine gland whose secretory cells contained basally-displaced nuclei and foamy cytoplasm. The protruding glandular mass located adjacent to the rostral half of the upper eyelid, which we named the suprapalpebral gland had similar histological features as the harderian gland. These peri-ocular glands produced mainly mucoid and lipid secretions required for maintenance of structural and functional integrity of the cornea and eyelid. The qualitative and quantitative data from this study will be useful in the understanding of the biology of the African grasscutter and in the identification of orbital and peri-ocular glandular pathology in this species

Web-based tools and instructional delivery in selected secondary schools in Owerri education zone 1, IMO state

The study was carried out to determine Web-based tools for instructional delivery in selected secondary schools in Owerri education zone 1 of Imo State. Three research questions were posed that guided the study. The study adopted expost facto design. The study comprised of 250 teachers selected from 65 secondary schools in Owerri education zone I, of Imo state. The researchers developed instrument named "Web-Based Tools for Instructional Delivery Questionnaire (WDTIDQ)" to gather information for the study. The result revealed that teacher's awareness on facebook and e-mail is high; also teacher's usage of facebook and e-mail in teaching and learning in the selected secondary school is high. Furthermore, there exist challenges to the use of web-based tools for instructional delivery in the selected secondary schools in Owerri educational zone 1 of Imo State, such as, lack of power supply, lack of awareness, lack of basic computing skills on the part of the teachers, lack of Internet connectivity in most of the secondary schools investigated and high cost of information and communication technology (ICT) facilities in these selected schools etc. Following from the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that Web-based tools should be provided for teachers use in teaching and learning process. Also, effective and accessible electricity services should be in place in schools for ICT to thrive. It is believed that if these measures are put in place teaching and learning in the secondary schools will be at a par with the developed countries of the world

An assessment of the use of ICT tools by students to the study of business education

An Assessment of the Use of ICT Tools by students to the study of Business Education in Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education. The study adopted a descriptive survey design approach. To guide in the achievement of the purpose of the study, four research questions were raised. The target population of the study was eight hundred and eight (808) students. However, the researchers purposively sampled eighty (80) 300 level students of Business Education of the institution for the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire of a four point rating scale and experts in Department of Measurement and Evaluation of the institution validated the instrument. The reliability index of the questionnaire was calculated using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient statistics and it gave 0.68. The researchers administered the instrument to the respondents while data were analyzed using the frequency counts, percentages and mean statistical tools. Generally, the study revealed that few ICT Resources were available in the department of Business Education of the institution; students of the department of Business education have access to browser phone and e-mail services only, the students as a result, use the available tools i.e. browser phone and e-mail services for their study on daily basis and challenges like inadequate power supply, expensiveness of ICT facilities, lack of infrastructure etc confronts them. Based on these findings, the researchers recommended among others, lecturers and teachers should assist the College management and government in providing ICT Resources for their personal use in instructional delivery in tertiary institutions

Oil Speculation: The Impact On Prices, Inflation, Interest Rates And The Economy

The vector autoregression process is used to estimate a reformulated model of the equation of exchange developed from the quantity theory of money.  In describing the effect of oil speculation, represented by spot oil price, on general price level and the overall economy, new variables are incorporated to take into account current global economic conditions and realities.  A variable, which was introduced in Ajuzie et al, 2008 paper, import of goods and services, is included and impulse-response function is used to forecast future economy and determine policy scenarios.  Results show that an increase in spot oil price last period has a highly statistically significant positive effect on CPI inflation.  This effect is strong enough to eliminate the negative significant impact of import of goods and services on CPI inflation found in the paper of May 2008.  Based on this finding, it is highly recommended that oil speculation should be discouraged and trade relations be bases purely on the principles of comparative advantage.           &nbsp

Nutrition knowledge and attitude of Babcock University medical and nursing students and Inter-professional collaboration with Dietitians in patient care

Objective: The study assessed nutrition knowledge and attitude of final year medical and nursing students and inter-professional collaboration with dietitians in the management of patients. Methodology: This cross-sectional study of all final year medical and nursing and Babcock University students collected quantitative data using a structured questionnaire that contains sections on nutrition instruction hours, knowledge, attitude, and barriers to nutrition. Data obtained was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Statistics were significant at p<0.05. Result: A total of 159 students participated in the study, 73 medical students and 86 nursing students. The proportion of those who had good, average, and poor knowledge scores were 50.3%, 39%, and 10.7% respectively. The attitude towards nutrition was positive. There was no significant relationship between nutrition knowledge and nutrition instruction hours during pre-clinical (P=0.368) and clinical years (P=0.245). Conclusion: Significant proportions of the students had good nutrition knowledge, however, there were gaps in knowledge in clinical nutrition; nutritional management of diabetes, hypertension, and renal diseases, respectively. There was a high positive attitude towards nutrition among the students but nutrition education was not perceived as sufficient to adequately prepare them for nutrition care of patients. Insufficient training for doctors and nurses, lack of confidence in the efficacy of the intervention of dietitians/nutritionists, and Lack of interest from patients to see the dietitian were the prominent barriers to inter-professional collaboration with dietitians/nutritionists

Insecurity Challenges in Nigeria: Human Security Option as a Panacea

Security is an indispensable ingredient in the life of any nation that aspires to develop. This underscores why successive governments in Nigeria have evolved different strategies to restore security in the country. For over a decade now, Nigeria has been battling with the challenges of insecurity. Threat of insecurity in the country is a multi-dimensional phenomenon. It ranges from the problem of Boko Haram Islamic extremism, militancy in the Niger-Delta, rampaging kidnapping in the South-east, armed robbery and ritual killings everywhere in the country.  Unfortunately, every effort by the government at different times to bring back peace in the country has failed to produce result. Until factors fueling this spate of insecurity are addressed, the race for peace in Nigeria is a hopeless one. This paper explores the potency of ‘Human Security’ option as a strategy for achieving peace in Nigeria. Ex-post facto research method was used in the study. Keywords: Human Security, Insecurity, Peace, Panacea, Development