Effect of crude oil extracts on early stages of African catfish Heterobranchus longifilis (val.) reared under controlled condition

Eggs and larvae of Heterobranchus longifilis were exposed to extracts of different concentrations of Nigerian Bonny light crude oil and Exxon Mobil Oso off-shore condensate during a comparative toxicity experiment carried out in the Institute of Oceanography Fish Farm, University of Calabar, Nigeria. Petroleum hydrocarbon was extracted from the two oils in separate 30litre glass aquaria and the eggs and young larvae were contaminated by exposing them to three concentrations of both oils, viz: 101, 103, 102ppm for approximately 10 days. Young eggs seemed to be more sensitive from 5 to 30 hours after fertilization. Extract from 104 ppm of Bonny Light Crude and Oso condensate caused 40% and 30% mortality respectively, after 100h. Embryos contaminated with Bonny Light crude extract did not recover on transfer to clean water. Delayed development was observed in the two-highest concentrations. Heterobranchus longifilis larvae were found to have a “mean critical time” of 4.2 days in the highest concentration of Oso condensate extract when larval integument was damaged. It is concluded that Bonny light crude could be a more dangerous pollutant to juvenile fish than the Oso condensate.KEYWORDS: Heterobranchus longifilis, crude Oil extracts, Mortality, Bonny Light Crude, Exxon MobilOso Condensate

Cement Stabilized Structural Foundation Lateritic Soil with Bone Ash Powder as Additive

Investigation on the potentials of bone ash powder on cement stabilized structural foundation was carried out in this paper. The aim of the study was to discover local waste material as complement for cement to reduce construction cost. Three soil samples were collected from different borrow pits in Ile-Ife and Ibadan, Nigeria called sample A, B and C. Preliminary tests such as the natural moisture content, specific gravity, grain size analysis and Atterberg’s limits were performed on the samples at their natural states and when stabilized at the condition of 8, 8 and 6% cement for samples A, B and C respectively. Engineering tests such as compaction, California bearing ratio (CBR) and undrained traixial were also performed on them at their natural states, when stabilized with optimum cement and when bone ash powder (BAP) was introduced at 2, 4, 6 and 8% to the samples. The results of the engineering tests showed that BAP increased the maximum dry density (MDD) of all the samples. With the optimum cement content kept at 8% for samples A and B and 6% for sample C, the values increased from 1687.89 to 2219.05 kg/m3 and 1634.12 to 2174.71 kg/m3 at 4% in samples A and B respectively and 1521.59 to 1620.70 kg/m3 in sample C at 2% BAP content. The unsoaked CBR values of all the cement stabilized samples dropped with BAP contents. The values dropped from 4.79 to 1.79%, 3.88 to 2.31% and 4.84 to 2.43% respectively in samples A, B and C. However, the shear strengths of samples A and B increased from 604.77 to 740.09 kN/m2 and 317.73 to 616.05 kN/m2 respectively. It was therefore concluded that BAP is not an effective additive on cement stabilized structural foundation soil, except in the compaction and shear strength characteristics

RESPONSE OF STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY TO FOREIGN EQUITY INVESTMENTS

This study evaluates the response of stock market volatility to foreign equity investments. Specifically, the study examines how foreign portfolio investment and foreign direct equity investment influence stock market volatility in Nigeria, using monthly data from January 2007 to July 2017. Results of preliminary analyses of stock market returns series show evidence of negative skewness, leptokurtosis, non-normal distribution, and average positive monthly return. Estimates from the GARCH-X (1,1) model show evidence of volatility clustering in the stock market returns. The estimates also show that stock market volatility responds to changes in foreign portfolio investment. On the other hand, changes in foreign direct equity investment do not influence stock market volatility. The key implication is for investors to adjust their portfolio to changes in the foreign portfolio investment, in order to mitigate stock market volatility, and for stock market regulators to encourage more inflow of foreign direct equity investment as a more stable source of foreign equity investment

Evaluation of Geotechnical and Structural Performance of Cement-Stabilized Soil with Saw Dust Ash (SDA)

Availability of good soils for the construction of Civil engineering works is pivotal to the development and progress of any nation. Where good soils are lacking, it is necessary to make the soil fit through soil improvement methods. This study investigates the geotechnical performance of soil stabilized with the blend of cement and saw dust ash (SDA). The blend consists of 9% cement by weight and up to 10% of SDA at interval of 2%. The tests conducted on both stabilized and unstabilized soils samples at three different locations, identified as A, B, and C were: particle size distribution, natural moisture content, Atterberg’s limits, compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS). The results showed decrease in plasticity index from high to medium, increase in CBR values: 4 – 10% for sample A, 2 – 12% for sample B and 5 – 8% for sample C, and increase in unconfined compression strength values: 45.23 – 65.88 kN/m2 for sample A, 34.01 – 59.18 kN/m2 for B and 41.80 – 63.94 kN/m2 for C. The results of this investigation showed that improvement of soil for construction purpose can be achieved when SDA is applied as a stabilizer in a cement-stabilized soil, up to 6% by weight of cement. Specifically, improved shear stress demonstrated up to 6% replacement is an indication of fitness for application of such soil in the design of footing, especially for columns, where shear stresses usually control the footing thickness

Hydrology of the major water sources of Lake Bosomtwe in Ghana

The paper seeks to identify the major inflows of Lake Bosomtwe, the meteoritic lake sited in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It seeks to establish major annual flows as against the lake evaporation in an attempt to establish the water balance of the lake with a view to understanding the factors that are critical to the sustainability of the lake. The average annual rainfall observed in the catchment was estimated to be 350 mm. This is far lower than the average long-term rainfall recorded in the area, of 1,565.9 mm for the period 1950-1971 or that of 1,263.4 mm for the period 1971 to 1991. Even though there appears to be a decline in the two periods, indicating reduction in rainfall amounts with time, the recorded rainfall is not representative. Based on the recorded rainfall and stream flow data, an estimated annual inflow of 0.14027 km3 was derived, with the major inflows being direct rainfall onto the lake surface (99.81%), Nana Abrewa stream (0.15%), Abono bɔ stream (0.04%) and Atafram stream (0.00% insignificant). In view of the reduced flows as a result of lower rainfalls, it is prudent to both conserve and adapt measures to ensure the lake is sustainably managed

Credit Risk Management and Financial Performance of Microfinance Institutions in Kampala, Uganda

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether relationship exist between credit risk management techniques and financial performance of microfinance institutions in Kampala, Uganda. Specifically, the study examined whether there is a relationship between credit risk identification, credit risk appraisal, credit risk monitoring, credit risk mitigation and financial performance of microfinance institutions in Kampala using sample of 60 members of staff in finance and credit departments of three licensed microfinance institutions in Kampala, Uganda namely Finca Uganda Ltd, Pride Microfinance Ltd, UGAFODE Microfinance Ltd. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and it comprised of closed ended questions. Secondary data was collected from the microfinance institutions (MDI’s) annual reports (2011 - 2015).  Frequencies and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the population. Pearson linear correlation coefficient was adopted to examine relationship between credit risk management techniques and financial performance.  The findings indicate that credit risk identification and credit risk appraisal has a strong positive relationship on financial performance of MDIs, while credit risk monitoring and credit risk mitigation have moderate significant positive relationship on financial performance of MDIs. The study recommends, among others, that the credit risk appraisal process should identify and analyse all loss exposures, and measure such loss exposures. This should guide in selection of technique or combination of techniques to handle each exposure.  The study concludes that MDIs should continually emphasise effective credit risk identification, credit risk appraisal, credit risk monitoring, and credit risk mitigation techniques to enhance maximum financial performance

Credit Risk Management and Financial Performance of Microfinance Institutions in Kampala, Uganda

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether relationship exist between credit risk management techniques and financial performance of microfinance institutions in Kampala, Uganda. Specifically, the study examined whether there is a relationship between credit risk identification, credit risk appraisal, credit risk monitoring, credit risk mitigation and financial performance of microfinance institutions in Kampala using sample of 60 members of staff in finance and credit departments of three licensed microfinance institutions in Kampala, Uganda namely Finca Uganda Ltd, Pride Microfinance Ltd, UGAFODE Microfinance Ltd. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and it comprised of closed ended questions. Secondary data was collected from the microfinance institutions (MDI’s) annual reports (2011 - 2015).  Frequencies and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the population. Pearson linear correlation coefficient was adopted to examine relationship between credit risk management techniques and financial performance.  The findings indicate that credit risk identification and credit risk appraisal has a strong positive relationship on financial performance of MDIs, while credit risk monitoring and credit risk mitigation have moderate significant positive relationship on financial performance of MDIs. The study recommends, among others, that the credit risk appraisal process should identify and analyse all loss exposures, and measure such loss exposures. This should guide in selection of technique or combination of techniques to handle each exposure.  The study concludes that MDIs should continually emphasise effective credit risk identification, credit risk appraisal, credit risk monitoring, and credit risk mitigation techniques to enhance maximum financial performance

Effect of Groundnut Shell Ash on Laterite Soils Stabilized with Lime for Civil Structures

This research considered the viability of groundnut shell ash (GSA) on lime stabilized lateritic soil for roadway structural works. Three samples of lateritic soil named samples A, B and C were gathered from Idita-Mokuro, NTA-Mokuro and ETF burrow pits individually, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Preliminary tests were completed on the samples in their natural states and when stabilized with optimum lime. Engineering tests were performed while varying rates of GSA were added to the soil samples at optimum lime. The Atterberg limits tests showed a significant reduction in plasticity index for samples A and C when stabilized with lime. Compaction test showed a decrease in the maximum dry density from 1685kg/m3 to 1590kg/m3 for sample A, 1599kg/m3 to 1512kg/m3 for sample B and 1396kg/m3 to 1270kg/m3 for sample C on stabilizing with lime, introduction of GSA to stabilized lime-soil diminishes the maximum dry density for all the soil samples with sample A reduced to 1435kg/m3, 1385kg/m3, and 1350kg/m3 at 2, 4 and 6% GSA contents respectively. Addition of GSA contents improved the engineering properties of lime stabilized soils as the unsoaked CBR esteems expanded for all soil samples. At optimum lime dosage, addition of 2%  GSA content expanded the triaxial shear strength from 60.43kN/m2 to 188.36kN/m2 for sample A, and at 4% GSA content, both soil samples B and C increased from 19.19kN/m2 to 201.48kN/m2 and 30.62kN/m2 to 111.65kN/m2 respectively. Conclusively, groundnut shell ash improved the toughness and strength of lime stabilized lateritic soil for highway structural works. is compulsory. First sentence describes the nature or the background information on the field of study. Subsequent sentences provide the problem statement or objectives and scope of the research. Next sentences explain the methods and materials used in the work. Main results and important findings are then highlighted. Finally, a summary of conclusions is put forth. Length of abstract can be proportional to the length of the articl

Dimensions of Emotional Intelligence and Transformational Leadership: A Correlation Analysis

The study was designed to explore the degree of relationship between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership style. Goleman who popularized the concept of the science of emotional intelligence and brought it to its academic zenith drew on a wealth of research to argue that successful leaders need emotional intelligence, or the attributes of self-awareness, impulse control, persistence, confidence, self-motivation empathy, social deftness, trust worthiness, adaptability, and a talent of collaboration. Data were generated through 5 – point Likert-type questionnaire based on Schutte, Self Report questionnaire. Pearson’s correlation analysis was carried out through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, and a strong positive correlation of r = .90, was found between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership style

Sensitivity of Capital Market Development to Public Debt in Nigeria

This article investigated the sensitivity of capital market development to public debt in Nigeria using descriptive statistic, regression analysis, and the Engle-Granger co integration techniques for the period ranging from 1981 to 2014. The estimates from the descriptive analysis showed that both the market capitalization and public debt series were not normally distributed at 5% significance level. The ADF unit root test showed that the market capitalization and public debt series were integrated of order one (i.e., I (1)). The results from the regression model provide evidence to show that capital market development is not sensitive to domestic debt at any conventional level, but it is sensitive to external debt at 10% significance level. The estimates of the Engle-Granger co integration tests show that capital market development is not co integrated with public debt. It is recommended that capital market and debt management authorities should formulate policies will enhance linkage between the markets