From Isolation to Exultation: the Spatial Situation of the Artist’s Studio from Industrial Modernity to Financialisation

This article engages a survey of the studio's genealogy in the West, from industrialisation to finacialisation, in order to analyse the shifting relationship between changing conditions of capitalist urban development and the practices and identity of artists. Today, the studio is perhaps one of the last vestiges of creative-led regeneration strategies. We set out to understand why this is, how the studio has itself changed, what its new functions are and how this transforms artists’ lives, artwork and their relationship to the city

Tolerance and adaptive evolution of triacylglycerol-producing Rhodococcus opacus to lignocellulose-derived inhibitors

Background: Lignocellulosic biomass has been investigated as a renewable non-food source for production of biofuels. A significant technical challenge to using lignocellulose is the presence of microbial growth inhibitors generated during pretreatment processes. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are potential precursors for lipid-based biofuel production. Rhodococcus opacus MITXM-61 is an oleaginous bacterium capable of producing large amounts of TAGs on high concentrations of glucose and xylose present in lignocellulosic hydrolysates. However, this strain is sensitive to ligonocellulose-derived inhibitors. To understand the toxic effects of the inhibitors in lignocellulosic hydrolysates, strain MITXM-61 was examined for tolerance toward the potential inhibitors and was subjected to adaptive evolution for the resistance to the inhibitors. Results: We investigated growth-inhibitory effects by potential lignocellulose-derived inhibitors of phenols (lignin, vanillin, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4-HB), syringaldehyde), furans (furfural and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde), and organic acids (levulinic acid, formic acid, and acetic acid) on the growth and TAG production of strain MITXM-61. Phenols and furans exhibited potent inhibitory effects at a concentration of 1 g L−1, while organic acids had insignificant impacts at concentrations of up to 2 g L−1. In an attempt to improve the inhibitor tolerance of strain MITXM-61, we evaluated the adaptation of this strain to the potential inhibitors. Adapted mutants were generated on defined agar media containing lignin, 4-HB, and syringaldehyde. Strain MITXM-61SHL33 with improved multiple resistance of lignin, 4-HB, and syringaldehyde was constructed through adaptive evolution-based strategies. The evolved strain exhibited a two- to threefold increase in resistance to lignin, 4-HB, and syringaldehyde at 50% growth-inhibitory concentrations, compared to the parental strain. When grown in genuine lignocellulosic hydrolysates of corn stover, wheat straw, and hardwood containing growth inhibitors, strain MITXM-61SHL33 exhibited a markedly shortened lag phase in comparison with that of strain MITXM-61. Conclusion: This study provides important clues to overcome the negative effects of inhibitors in lignocellulosic hydrolysates on TAG production of R. opacus cells. The findings can contribute to significant progress in detoxified pretreatment of hydrolysates and development of more efficient strains for industrial TAG fermentations of R. opacus using lignocellulosic biomass

Liquidity Management Measures and Bank Performance in Nigeria: An Empirical Analysis

The paper is on the effectiveness of liquidity management measures on bank performance in Nigeria. The reoccurring liquidity crisis experienced in the industry in time past has raised doubts as per the effectiveness of existing liquidity management measures in enhancing bank performances. Also, dearth of empirical work in this regard all necessitated the need for this paper. Time series data for the research was sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin boardering on Banks Performing Loans and Advances (PLA), Bank Reserves (RSV), Investment in Government Securities (GOVS), Domestic InterBank Claims (DIBC) and Foreign Claims (FORC). The Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) Unit root test, Johansen Co-integration test, Pairwise Granger Causality test, Vector error Correction test and diagnostic tests (Heteroscedasticity, Multicollinarity, Normality and Autocorrelation) of the E-view 7.1 econometrics tools were used for data analysis. The result of the study indicated the existence of causality and long-run relationship between liquidity management measures and bank performances in Nigeria. This was further confirmed by the Vector Error Correction Model that was appropriately signed with a significant t-static. The ordinary least square (OLS) estimation found all the measures to be statistically significant and of positive impact except Foreign Claims (FORC) that was insignificant. Thus, the paper was of the view that policies that encourages existing liquidity management measures should be sustained and non-functional measures reviewed to strengthen their effectiveness. Keywords: Liquidity Management, Measures, Bank Performance

Case Study Effectiveness in a Team-Teaching and General Education Environment

This paper examines the effectiveness of the case study method in a team-teaching environment designed to augment a large capstone communications course that satisfies general education requirements. Results from a survey revealed that the use of case study enhanced the otherwise missing connection between the large lecture and the recitation classes. The authenticity of the case and students' overall satisfaction with the case assignment facilitated their learning. The authors discuss the implications of the results and offer suggestions for further investigation

Institutional Factors Influencing Acquisition of Vocational Skills by Trainees in Public Vocational Training Centers in Kakamega County-Kenya

Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) are anchored in the Technical Vocational Education and Training ACT (2013), which emphases on imparting vocational and technical skills in trainees. The purpose of this study was to determine the institutional factors influencing acquisition of vocational skills by trainees in public vocational training centres in Kakamega County. The study adopted a descriptive survey. The target population of the study was 1740 comprising of 60 county polytechnic, 60 county polytechnic principals, 480 instructors and 1200 second year finalist trainees. A sample size of 282 was picked consisting of 18 county polytechnic principals, 144 instructors and 120 second year finalist trainees as the respondents. Stratified random, purposive and simple random sampling was employed. Questionnaires were used to collect data from county polytechnic principals, instructors and trainees. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established that instructors were inadequate and the existing ones lacked in-service and industrial updates, financial resources were also inadequate to cater for training facilities and payment of more Board of Management instructors, tools and equipment were inadequate and not up to date and this forced instructors to use teacher-centered methods of instructing

Serum Chromium, Zinc and Testosterone Levels in Diabetics in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Calabar Nigeria

This study was aimed at determing the possible effects of obesity and glycaemic control on serum Chromium, Zinc, and Testosterone levels in diabetics and non-diabetic subjects. Twenty five (25) diabetics aged between 35-68years and thirty nine (39) non-diabetics aged matched were investigated for Serum Chromium, Zinc, and Testosterone, and Fasting Plasma glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin using standard methods. Body Mass indices of subjects were also determined.  The result shows that Serum zinc levels in diabetics were significantly higher when compared with the non-diabetics (p<0.05) while serum testosterone was significantly lower in obese non-diabetics and obese diabetics with poor glycaemic control when compared to their non-obese counterparts (p<0.05). Serum zinc correlated positively with fasting plasma glucose in non-obese non-diabetics (r=0.4388, p<0.05) while Serum chromium correlated positively with glycosylated haemoglobin in obese diabetics (r=0.9877, p<0.05). Serum testosterone correlated negatively with serum zinc in obese diabetics, and with fasting plasma glucose in obese non-diabetics respectively (r=-0.9639, r=-0.7364, p<0.05) while a negative correlation was observed between fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin in diabetics (r=0.3830, p<0.05). In conclusion, Obesity and the control of diabetes did influence serum testosterone levels. Serum chromium and zinc levels were observed to be altered in diabetes mellitus condition. Key words: chromium, zinc, testosterone

Money Market Instruments and Bank Performance in Nigeria

The paper examines the relationship between money market instruments and bank performance in Nigeria. The data for the study were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin. This was analyzed with the e-view 7.1 statistical package in line with Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimations. Results obtained showed that stationarity of the data were established with the Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) Unit Toot test, the Johansen Co-integration test indicated the existence of long-run relationship between the variables. Granger Causality as revealed by the Pairwise tests runs uni-directionally and bi-directionally from Performing Loans and Advances to Money Market Instruments. The Variance Inflation Factor test for multicollinearity shows that multi-collinearity is not severe and therefore can be tolerated. The ordinary least square model estimation revealed specifically that money market instruments (treasury bills, commercial papers, and federal government bond) have positive relationships and significant effects on bank performance in Nigeria. Notably, treasury bills, commercial papers and federal government bonds were the main contributors to bank performance while bankers acceptance has a negative relationship and significantly impacted adversely on bank performance. The study recommended that, policy makers and stakeholders in the industry should intensify efforts towards improving policies and reforms that encourage investment in money market instruments by banks for greater performance and sustainable growth. Keywords: Bank Performance, Treasury bills, Commercial papers, Federal government bonds, Bankers acceptance

Empirical Review of the Role of Microfinance Bank’s Operations on Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria

The scourge of poverty and the rate at which the figure is growing has necessitated the establishment of many anti-poverty programmes by different administrations in Nigeria. As at 2010 the number of Nigerians living below poverty line stood at 72 million, this then means that nearly half of Nigeria Population of 160 million is living below poverty line with all the anti-poverty programmes put in place. This figure is still on the increase. Microfinance Banking is the most recent and the only anti-poverty programme that combines financial intermediation with provision of financial services to the poor in the society. This paper therefore examined the role of Microfinance Bank’s operations on poverty alleviation in Nigeria. Data for the study were generated via secondary sources. The study built a regression model in line with the hypotheses. SPSS package version 17.0 was used. We tested for and corrected Autocorrelation and Muiticoliinearity. Our findings were as follows: the operations of MFBs have played significant role in poverty reduction in Nigeria, loans and advances of MFBs have significant negative impact on poverty alleviation. Some of our of our findings were in agreement with the objectives of MFB, while those that were not in agreement reflect the peculiar circumstances of the operations of microfinance  banking  in  Nigeria.  Since the government of Nigeria is interested in alleviating poverty, this work will be of immense help. The government can support Microfinance development by promoting macroeconomic stability, and avoiding interest rate caps and high inflation, ensure that the benefits of Microfinance banking are targeted at the core poor

Savings, Investment and Economic Growth in Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of savings and investment on the economic growth of Nigeria. To achieve the objectives of this study, secondary data were obtained from the central bank of Nigerian statistical bulletin providing record of Nigerian saving, investment and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the period 1980-2014. The data gathered were analyzed using the ordinary least square method of analysis, the augmented Dickey Fuller Test, Granger Causality Test, Error Correction Model and the cointegration test were equally carried out to check the stationarity and the Granger causes directions of the variables and also to check the longrun  relationship between the variables of study. The result of the statistical/econometrics analysis revealed that there is a relationship between saving, investment and economic growth in Nigeria. Consequent on the above, the researcher recommended that; measures must be put in place to encourage savings from the public; effort should be made to increase the consumption of made in Nigeria goods, which includes the usage of raw material that can be sourced locally by Nigerian industries in order to increase foreign exchange earnings. Keywords: Savings, Investment, Export, Foreign Exchange Earnings, Economic Growth

Ecological impacts of invasive alien species along temperature gradients: testing the role of environmental matching

Invasive alien species (IAS) can cause substantive ecological impacts, and the role of temperature in mediating these impacts may become increasingly significant in a changing climate. Habitat conditions and physiological optima offer predictive information for IAS impacts in novel environments. Here, using meta-analysis and laboratory experiments, we tested the hypothesis that the impacts of IAS in the field are inversely correlated with the difference in their ambient and optimal temperatures. A meta-analysis of 29 studies of consumptive impacts of IAS in inland waters revealed that the impacts of fishes and crustaceans are higher at temperatures that more closely match their thermal growth optima. In particular, the maximum impact potential was constrained by increased differences between ambient and optimal temperatures, as indicated by the steeper slope of a quantile regression on the upper 25th percentile of impact data compared to that of a weighted linear regression on all data with measured variances. We complemented this study with an experimental analysis of the functional response - the relationship between predation rate and prey supply - of two invasive predators (freshwater mysid shrimp, Hemimysis anomala and Mysis diluviana) across relevant temperature gradients; both of these species have previously been found to exert strong community-level impacts that are corroborated by their functional responses to different prey items. The functional response experiments showed that maximum feeding rates of H. anomala and M. diluviana have distinct peaks near their respective thermal optima. Although variation in impacts may be caused by numerous abiotic or biotic habitat characteristics, both our analyses point to temperature as a key mediator of IAS impact levels in inland waters and suggest that IAS management should prioritize habitats in the invaded range that more closely match the thermal optima of targeted invaders