Determination of Radon Gas Concentrations and Radon Exhalation Rate in Soil Sample in Selected Regions in Anbar Governorate

In the present work, we have measured the radon gas concentrations in soil samples from depth (5 cm) of selected regions in Anbar governorate by using alpha particles-emitters registrations which are emitted form radon gas in (CR-39) nuclear track detector. The results show that, the average radon gas concentration ranged from 44.2±5.0 Bq/m3 in Hit (Zuea District) region to 228.2±11.2 Bq/m3 in AL-Ratba region, with an average value of 106.62±46.5 Bq/m3, while the radon exhalation rate in terms of area ranged from 120.53 µBq/m2h - 622.30 µBq/m2h ,with an average value of 290.74±126 µBq/m2h. Finally, the radon exhalation rate in terms of mass ranged from 4.24 µBq/kg h - 21.90 µBq/kg h, with an average value of  10.22±4.4 µBq/kg h. The present results show that the radon gas concentration in soil samples from depth 5 cm is below the allowed limit from (ICRP, 1993) agency, apart from regions [AL-Ramadi (AL-Warar District), AL-Ratba and Al-Qaim (AL-Abedi District)] which were higher than the allowed limit given by (ICRP, 1993). Keywords: Radon concentration, Soil , Radon exhalation rate, CR-39 nuclear track detector

Globalization and Organization Performance in Nigeria —A Review of Literature

This study examined globalization and organization performance in Nigeria, a review of literature. Globalization has become an experience that has turned the entire world into a global business village that can not be ignored by any organization if maximum or improve performance is to be achieved. This study was conducted using data from a single source. Information was obtained from magazines, articles, journals, periodicals, textbooks, the internet, and other unpublished materials applicable to the work written by different authors on the current topical issue. The secondary source of data collection was therefore adopted with the data examined using the content analysis approach due to its dependence on the secondary source data

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Parvovirus B19 Infection among Blood Donors: A Hospital‑Based Study in South‑West, Nigeria

Background: Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a transfusion transmissible infection that can result in severe consequences in vulnerable population that includes pregnant women, immunocompromised and chronic hemolytic anemia patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with B19V infection amongst blood donors in South–West Nigeria. Materials and Methods: We conducted a comparative cross‑sectional study to determine the seroprevalence of B19V immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody among 183 blood donors at the blood bank of a tertiary hospital. The results were analyzed with SPSS 23 software, prevalence and associated factors were determined using frequencies and logistic regression, respectively. Results: The prevalence of B19V IgM was 7.1% (95% confidence interval: 4–11) with a higher prevalence among male donors compared to females (84.6% vs. 15.4%, P = 0.54). There was a statistically significant difference in the seropositivity of B19V IgM amongst the ethnic groups with the Yoruba ethnic group having a higher proportion of B19V IgM‑positive participants P = 0.04. Ethnicity, gender, and steady employment were also associated with increased odds of infection, while increasing age appeared to be protective; though none of these factors were statistically significant. Conclusion: This study has shown that there is still high exposure to transfusion transmissible B19V infection. Keywords: Blood donor, parvovirus immunoglobulin M antibody, sickle cell anaemi

EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE FINANCING FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: SURMOUNTING CHALLENGES

The significance of Entrepreneurship development can be appreciated from the perspective of the promotion of growth, innovation and prosperity of economies. An effective financial system is one that can provide incentives in form of financial resources to a broad range of enterprises in diverse circumstances and channel financial wealth from different sources to business investments. However, availability, accessibility and sufficiency of appropriate financial capital to achieve growth and expansion of entrepreneurial endeavour has been the major constraint on entrepreneurs in contributing adequately to economic growth as well as achieving entrepreneurship development more importantly in developing economies. This review examined targeted government assistance towards entrepreneurial financing as well as the extent to which entrepreneurs are utilising alternative financing avenues to meet their financing needs in Nigeria. The study revealed that the adoption of alternative channels of funding is gradually gaining ground in Nigeria aside the use of traditional lending instruments. This is in addition to government support that focuses on establishing diverse schemes and various specialized financial institutions to deliver appropriate funding to the SMEs subsector. It is imperative to have a purposeful and focused government policy initiatives aimed at instituting cost effective financing framework and awareness targeted towards ameliorating the financing needs of entrepreneurs

NEXUS BETWEEN INFORMAL NETWORKS AND RISK-TAKING: IMPLICATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES) IN NIGERIA

An evolving dimension of entrepreneurial research reveals that entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurial networks are critical factors in fostering performance outcomes. However, there is death of studies that examined the relationship between risk-taking dimension of entrepreneurial orientation and informal networks on SMEs performance. This study set out to examine the influence of risk-taking and informal networks on the performance of selected small and medium enterprises in Nigeria. Descriptive research design in which questionnaire was used to collect data from 381 SMEs owner-managers guided the study. Correlation, multiple regression and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were employed to test the hypotheses with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) for measurement model validation. The results revealed that both risk-taking and informal networks have significant positive effect on SMEs performance. It is recommended that SMEs managers should strive to embrace risk-taking as well as optimize the opportunities offered by informal networks potential towards expanding their contacts and enhance SMEs performance. The study contributes to entrepreneurial orientation dimension and informal institutional framework through the integration of risk-taking and informal networks with SMEs performance

Data on empirical investigation of direct and indirect effect of personality traits on entrepreneurs’ commitment of SMEs

This data article presented the effect of the Big Five Personality traits on entrepreneurs’ commitment. 400 copies of questionnaire were administered to practicing entrepreneurs whom were members of a business guild in their annual end of year meeting and award day. 369 copies were duly filled and returned for use. Using statistic package for social science (SPSS 20) and Amos 22, correlation and regression analysis were used to find out the relationship between the two constructs and the strength of the relationship respectively. The Amos path diagram revealed the standardized estimates of the regression coefficien

Strategic Imperatives of Managing Change in Nigerian Financial Institutions

In recent times, there have been changes within the Nigeria financial institutions due to globalisation and technological innovations. While the changes are expected to bring about transformation of the industry in line with global best practices, the attendant effects of strategic alliances between financial institutions and re-structuring exercises occasioned by various banking reforms have brought about untold hardship unto the bank employees. With emerging entities embarking on downsizing of workforce as a cost cutting management strategy, the victims (individuals) who have lost their jobs have to grapple with the need to cope with life, the survivors (staff who survived the downsizing exercise) have to battle with the challenges of work place, while the organisation (executioner of change) have to contend with managing the resistance to change. Successful management of change is therefore crucial to any organization to survive in the present highly competitive and continuously evolving business environment. In order to understand why some change implementations succeed and some fail, how the resistance to those changes work and where it comes from becomes imperative. The study reviewed facets of change and situated resistance to change within the context of Nigerian financial institutions based on secondary data and information. It identifies amongst others, clear and unambiguous objective setting, effective communication, consultation, dialoguing and bargaining, motivation, negotiation, manipulation, co-option and coercion as possible tactics for managing resistance. Managers should take cognisance of the human elements in coping with challenges of change through sustained flexibility and adaptability to consequences of change

Survey data on bureaucratic processes and entrepreneurial venture performance in SMEs in Nigeria

This article presents data that examined the impact of bureaucratic processes on the performance of small and medium enterprises in Nigeria. A survey was carried out by administering the questionnaire to 400 business owners selected from three reputable associations, namely:NASME,NASSI and ASBON(NigerianAsso- ciation of Small and Medium Enterprises,National Association of Small Scale Industrialists and Association of Small BusinessOwn- ers ofNigeria)inthreegeo-politicalzones.Datawereanalysed using PredictiveAnalyticsSoftware.CorrelationandRegression wereemployedasinferentialstatisticaltoolofanalysis.Dataset revealedtheexistenceofrelationshipandtheextenttowhich bureaucraticprocessesimpacttheperformanceofentrepreneurial ventures

MODELLING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENTREPRENEURIAL CLIMATE AND VENTURE PERFORMANCE: THE MODERATING ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCIES

Entrepreneurial ventures constitute important drivers for economic growth and corporate success irrespective of size, age or the industry they play. This study examines the moderating impact of entrepreneurial competencies on the relationship between entrepreneurial climate and venture performance. A sample of 400 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that affiliated with selected professional associations in three geographical regions in Nigeria participated in this study. Hierarchical Multiple Regression, Structural Equation Modelling and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to test the proposed model. The results reveal that entrepreneurial competencies strongly moderate the relationship between entrepreneurial climate and venture performance. In addition, entrepreneurial climate and entrepreneurial competencies significantly predict venture performance. The study underscores the significance of entrepreneurial competency dimensions, the understanding of the complexities of the macro environment and the need to focus attention on pertinent entrepreneurial competencies. Our findings suggest that collaboration between government and SMEs practitioners to define suitable institutional settings and capacity building can enhance the survival and performance of entrepreneurial ventures

Data on modeling of nexus between entrepreneurs'commitment and business performance in a developing country

This article presents data that examined the modeling of nexus between entrepreneurs'commitment and business performance in a developing country. 315 copies of questionnaire were retrieved from 400copiesthatwereadministeredtoNigerianAssociationof Small ScaleIndustrialists(NASSI)Southwestchapterswhich comprised ofsixstates.Inadditiontodescriptiveanalysisofpartof the data,correlationandregressionanalysiswereusedtopresent the datathroughstructuralequationmodel(SEM).TheSEMpath analysisshowstheestimatesoftheinterconnectednessofthe majorconstructsinthedat