School Play Activities: Assessment of Educators’ Knowledgeability of Physical, Creative and Cognitive Development of Basic Education Children

The purpose of the research study was to assess the educators’ knowledgeability regarding children’s physical, creative and cognitive development through play activities in Basic Education schools in Uyo Urban of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It was assumed that the findings of the study would help educators to have an understanding that pupils’ play activities should not be regarded as time for children to expend excess energy while the teachers take rest. A 5-point structured questionnaire with 30 item-statements based on the fundamental principle of Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) was used to elicit opinion from the respondents. A sample of 180 educators randomly drawn from 18 Basic Education schools in Uyo Urban was surveyed. The reliability index of the instrument was 0.78 determined through Cronbach Alpha method. The data collected were analysed using frequency, percentage and the rank order statistics. The findings of the study showed that educators implementing the Basic Education programme are quite knowledgeable of children’s physical, creative and cognitive development through school play activities but the highest ranking goes for the physical development. This seems to suggest that the goals of play activities are not mutually exclusive, hence, children’s development should be considered wholistically through play activities. Keywords: Play activities, knowledgeability, DAP, physical, creative and cognitive development. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-15-19 Publication date:May 31st 2019

An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Open Market Operations Instrument of Monetary Policy Management in Nigeria

This study empirically examined the effectiveness of Open Market Operations (OMO) instrument of monetary policy management in Nigeria. In doing this, the study adopted the monetarist theory as the basis for measuring the effectiveness of OMO instrument of monetary policy management in Nigeria. The investigation was carried out using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method of estimation. Unit Root and Co-integration tests were performed on all the variables and the results revealed that the variables have long run relationship and are suitable for OLS estimation. The empirical results indicated a significant relationship between monetary policy instruments such as open market operations, required reserve and monetary policy rate with broad money supply which is the proximate target for monetary policy management. This implies that Open Market Operations has been an effective instrument of monetary policy management in Nigeria. The study further showed that monetary policy rate could serve as a veritable instrument for the control of money supply and effective monetary policy management in the economy. It is recommended, among others, that the CBN should review periodically the performance of monetary policy with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of monetary policy instruments in order to achieve macroeconomic stability. Keywords: OMO, Monetary policy effectiveness, Macroeconomic stability, Nigeria

A Comparative study of use of psychoactive substances amongst secondary school students in two local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The use and abuse of psychoactive substances is very rampant, even in our secondary schools. In recent times, there has been a growing concern about negative effects of these substances on youths. The high incidence of school dropouts and other nefarious activities are the resultant impacts on the students. The objectives of the study were: (1) To determine the prevalence of substance use amongst secondary school students. (2) Compare the findings in two different local settings. (3) To determine the socio demographic variables. Four hundred secondary school students from two Local Government Areas were assessed for use of psychoactive substances, during the second term of 2004/2005 school session, using a Youth Survey Questionnaire.A total of 254 (63.5%) students, consisting of 119 from Uyo and 135 from Eket were analyzed. The mean age of the students in both schools was 17.1 +2.0 and 16.6 + 1.7 years respectively. The difference in the mean was statistically significant (t=1.14; df= 3, p > 0.05).More students from Uyo, 37 (31.1%) used kola nuts, 54 (45.4%) sedatives, while more students from Eket, 47 (34.8%) used tobacco/cigarettes, 76 (56.3%) alcohol, 21 (15.6%) Indian hemp, 5 (3.7%) cocaine and 1 (0.7%) heroin. Class level (P=0.04), upbringing (P=0.02) and parents\' marital status (P=0.01) was statistically significant in the use of tobacco/cigarettes. Also, class level (P=0.02) parents\' marital status (P=0.00) was statistically significant in the use of alcohol, while family type (P=0.00) and parents\' marital status was significant in the use of sedatives. Similarly, parents\' marital status (p=0.05) was statistically significant in the use of Indian hemp, while family type (P=0.00), upbringing (P=0.03)was significant in cocaine. The findings of this study confirm the presence and use of psychoactive substances in varying proportions among students. Therefore, there is need to strengthen the monitoring and preventive programs aimed at reducing their spread in schools. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (1) 2008: pp.45-5

Determinants of Capital Structure of Listed Agro Firms in Nigeria

This paper examines the determinants of capital structure of agro-listed firms in Nigeria, using data generated from the financial statements of twenty eight (28) agro-allied firms, which have been listed in the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) from 2005 to 2010. The major tool for data analysis was Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), which was used to analyze the identified firm-specific variables that affect short and long term debt ratios. All measured capital structure were scaled by the book value of total assets. In terms of short term debt ratio, large firms were perceived to have enough tangible assets at their disposal to pledge as collateral and access debt capital. Highly tangible firms also use more short-term debts, as high tangible asset reduced the magnitude of debt loss incurred by debt providers if the firms default. Growing listed firms used more short term debts, presumably due to their huge capital requirement for financing new short term investment opportunities and the need to meet current liabilities and other overhead expenses. Growing firms are presumed to lack both tangible assets and cheap long term credit sources of information and as such depends mostly on short term debts. The result further shows agro-listed firms with high taxes use more short term debts in their finances. Highly profitable firms do not depend on short-term debts, as they are perceived to be liquid enough to finance their short term investment through retained earnings at the expense of taking short term debts. In terms of long term debt ratio, highly profitable firms use less long term debts, implying that they have enough internally generated funds for their financing needs at the expense of borrowing. Large sized firms depend on long term debt for their finances because of high tangible assets at their disposal as collaterals. Firm age was positively related to long term debt ratio. The estimated growth coefficient was positively and significant, implying that growing firms use more long term debts. Finally, asset structure was found to be positively related to long-term debt ratio. Firms with high tangible assets are perceived to use more long term debts. It is recommended among others that appropriate protectionist policy be put in place for agro-based listed firms seeking short-term financing. Keywords: capital structure, listed Agrofirms, finance, Nigeri

Relative signal strength coverage optimization in indoor and outdoor wireless LAN environments

Fading and obstacles constitute major threats to effective quality of service (QoS) delivery in wireless local area network (WLAN) environments. In this contribution, we investigate the signal quality of indoor and outdoor WLANs over a defined coverage area. We present experimental analysis of case studies that will be useful for further research and validate the system’s performance in practice. Using an optimized form of the pathloss models, a simulation of the system is carried out over short and extended coverage. Simulation results show that signal quality could be effectively managed to improve the system’s performance for both indoor and outdoor environments in the presence of fading and other environmental factors.Facultad de Informátic

Relative signal strength coverage optimization in indoor and outdoor wireless LAN environments

Fading and obstacles constitute major threats to effective quality of service (QoS) delivery in wireless local area network (WLAN) environments. In this contribution, we investigate the signal quality of indoor and outdoor WLANs over a defined coverage area. We present experimental analysis of case studies that will be useful for further research and validate the system’s performance in practice. Using an optimized form of the pathloss models, a simulation of the system is carried out over short and extended coverage. Simulation results show that signal quality could be effectively managed to improve the system’s performance for both indoor and outdoor environments in the presence of fading and other environmental factors.Facultad de Informátic

The use of Senilia senilis seashells as a substitute for coarse aggregate in eco-friendly concrete

This research appraised the effects of recycling senilia senilis waste seashells as a full or partial substitution for natural coarse aggregate (granite) in eco-friendly concrete production. The design mix employed a 1:2:4 concrete mix ratio for M25 grade, a w/c ratio of 0.5, river sand as fine aggregate, ordinary Portland cement (OPC) as a binder, and varying proportions of crushed seashells and granite as coarse aggregates (0:100, 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, and 50:50). Laboratory tests revealed that workability requirements were only met with a 10%– 40% seashell addition, workability decreased with increasing seashell percentages. The compressive strength increased with curing age but decreased with the additions of seashells. The seashell-modified mixes failed to reach the design target strength for M25 concrete. Nonetheless, the 10 and 20% seashell-modified mixes achieved the required strength for M20 concrete. Split tensile strength increased with curing age for all mixes, the seashell-modified mixes yielded slightly reduced tensile strength values compared to the unmodified mix at all curing stages. However, the 10%, 30%, and 40% seashell-modified batches attained recommended split tensile strength values on the 28th day. Furthermore, high correlations were observed between the datasets of the some of the measured parameters, and variations for Split tensile strength as a function of seashell percentage and compressive strength were developed discretely by fitting the experimental data to the numerical models. Relationships were also developed for compressive strength and workability as functions of seashell percentage. Eco-friendly building construction recycling waste seashells is encouraged as it offers positive economic and environmental prospects