Estimation of Sedimentary Thickness of Part of Anambra Basin Nigeria using Aeromagnetic Data

This paper estimated the sedimentary thickness of part of Anambra Basin Nigeria using Aeromagnetic data. The study area is part of Anambra Basin, South Eastern Nigeria. Geographically, it is located between Longitude 7000’E – 7030’E and Latitude 6000’N – 6030’N. Three methods were used in the estimation –graphical method (which gave an overall average thickness of 2.4km), spectral analysis method (which yielded average thickness of 3.95km) and Euler deconvolution method (which verified the depths while giving insight on structures involved).These thickness values are in agreement with previous works thereby negating the possibility of  appreciable petroleum accumulation in this area. Umuagu and Ugbene regions are minor exceptions though, due to their relatively thicker values (above average) and their favourable Euler solutions which qualify these regions for mineralization and hence mineral prospecting interests. Key words: Allocyclic events, Anticlinal domes, Igneous intrusions, Half-Slope, Vitrinic reflectance.

Contingent Valuation in Community-Based Project Planning: The Case of Lake Bamendjim Fishery Restocking in Cameroon

The study examined the usefulness and relevance of the contingent valuation method (CVM) in community-based (CB) project planning and implementation. To elicit willingness to pay (WTP) values for the restocking of Lake Bamendjim with Tilapia nilotica and Heterotis niloticus fish species, the study used pre-tested questionnaires interviewer-administered to 1,000 randomly selected households in the Bambalang Region of Cameroon.The datawere elicitedwith the conventional referendumdesign and analysed using a referendum model. Empirical findings indicated that about 85% of the sampled households were willing to pay about CFAF1,054 (US$2.1) for the restocking project. This amount was found to be significantly related to the starting price used in the referendum design, household income, the gender of the respondent, the age of the respondent, household poverty status, and previous participation of a household in a community development project.The findings prompted the following recommendations. Firstly, in order to reduce community burden due to cash constraints, it is advisable for the mean estimate obtained for the scheme to be split into four instalments over a year. Secondly, since the success of the scheme largely depends on the governing roles of the scheme, it is further advisable for the community to allowthemanagement of the scheme to be handled by the elderly community members. Finally, it will be important during the financing of the scheme, to levy wealthier household heads an amount sufficient to subsidize poorer household heads who cannot afford to pay the threshold price.

Comparison of some preconcentration methods for certain metal ions in human milk and yogurts

Five samples each of yogurts and human milk were separately collected, deproteinized, pre-concentrated differently with 1% 8-hydroxyquinoline, 1% ammonium pyrrolidine-dithiocarbamate (APDC) and extracted with methyl-isobutylketone (MIBK). Activated carbon powder in HNO3 was also used. The extracts obtained were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry for some metal ions. In yogurts, the powdered activated carbon in HNO3 exhibited the highest complexing ability with values of 0.04–0.17, 335–476, 1.52–3.82, 0.08–0.27, 0.09–0.28, 1.31–8.78 and 888–12693 mg/L concentration for Zn2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Cr3+, Cu2+, Fe3+ and Ca2+, respectively. The concentrations of Zn2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Cr3+, Cu2+, Fe3+ and Ca2+ ions were determined to be in the range of 0.02–0.03, 1.10–9.47, 0.05–0.11, 0.02–3.08, 0.01–0.87, 0.47–18.08

Mosquito Control Strategies In Ishiagu Rural Communities: Implications To Public Health

Mosquito control strategies adopted by the residents of two Ishiagu Communities (Okue and Ihie)were investgated. 53 households in Okue and 54 in Ihie were sampled. Simple structured questionnaires were prepared and administered. Percentages and chi square (X2) test of significance was employed in analysing the data. The result revealed that 429 % of the residents of the two communities used insecticides, 25.2% used mosquito coils, 6.5% used smoke of local herbs and 5.6% were insensitive to mosquito nuisance and careless about mosquito control. Choice of control measures by residents of the two communities were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Occupational related preferences revealed that farmers ranked highest in the use of insecticides and coils (21.5%) each. 131% of teachers use insecticides and 37% use nettings. Statistical analysis of the occupational related choice patterns was significant (P < 005). Keywords: Mosquito, Rural Communities, Control, Implications, Public Health.Animal Research International Vol. 3 (1) 2006 pp. 431-43

Determinants of Antenatal Care Services Utilisation in Nigeria

This study reports on recent evidence on determinants of antenatal visits in Nigeria using data from Demographic and Health Surveys for 2003 and 2008. Using count data models, the results show that women education beyond primary education level increases significantly the likelihood that a pregnant woman would complete at least four antenatal visits before delivery. The results also show that household wealth status has significant positive effect on the number of visits before delivery. There are significant differences in the number of antenatal visits determined by geopolitical zones and the place of antenatal also determines significantly the number of visits. These findings suggest that there is room for policy to control the attitude of women to care utilisation during pregnancy by influencing their education level and income. Keywords: Antenatal care, women, Negative binomial, Nigeri

Monetary Policy and Output-inflation Volatility Interaction in Nigeria: Evidence from Bivariate GARCH-M Model

Abstract:This article reports on a recent study that applies bivariate GARCH methodology to investigate the existence of a tradeoff between output growth and inflation variability in Nigeria and to ascertain the impact of monetary policy regime changes (from direct control regime to indirect or market based regime) on the nature of the volatility tradeoffs. Investigations reveal the existence of a short run tradeoff relationship between output growth and inflation within and across both regimes. However, no strong evidence of long run volatility relationship could be established. Our results further reveal that regime changes affected the magnitude of policy effects on output and inflation. Monetary policy had a stronger effect on output growth than on price stability during the period of direct control while it has a much larger impact on inflation during the current period of market-based regime. Also volatility of output and inflation became more persistent during the period of indirect control. Keywords: Monetary Policy, Output-Inflation Volatility, Bivariate GARCH-M Mode

Does nurses’ self-concept mediate the relationship between job satisfaction and burnout among Nigerian nurses

AbstractThe study explored the mediating role of nurses’ general self-concept on the relationship between job satisfaction and burnout among a sample of 170 nurses in two Nigerian public health facilities. Three self-report measures were used to collect data for nurses’ general self-concept, job satisfaction and burnout from the participants. The study combined correlation and cross-sectional survey design. The result of the Pearson r correlation showed that nurses’ general self-concept correlated positively with job satisfaction but both of them correlated negatively with burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment). Further analysis with conditional process analysis (Hayes, 2013) showed that nurses’ general self-concept mediated the relationship between job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion, job satisfaction and reduced personal accomplishment, but it did not mediate the relationship between job satisfaction and depersonalization. The discussion was based on the findings while limitations, suggestions for future studies and implications of the findings were highlighted

Macroeconomic Models and the Challenge of Growth in African Economies: The Context

This study addresses the challenges of theorizing the economy of Africa in the context of using macroeconomic models to reshape the future of its non-inclusive growth. It argues that the catastrophic policy summersault of economies that rely on theoretical macro models is traceable to the fact that such models rather than represent the uniqueness of every economy sees all economies as having the same characteristics.  Thus it avers for eclectic African models that can redefine economic theory rather than use economic theory to define the economies of Africa. This calls for portfolio of complementary models through constant refinements rather than portfolio of outcompeting models. Keywords: Africa, challenge of growth, eclectic model, macroeconomic mode

Lost Revenue Due to Trade Liberalization: Can Nigeria recover her own?

The aim of the study is to find out the possibility of recovering the tariff revenue that will be lost in the process of liberalization through restructuring of the domestic tax system in Nigeria by examining the buoyancy and elasticity of the tax system. Using the dummy method, commonly known as the Singer approach, the Nigerian tax system as a whole was found to be relatively buoyant but not elastic. The buoyancy however showed a decline close to 16% after the 1991 trade reform. Import duty despite the decline in its share in total tax from 47.3% before the reform to 28% over the reform period showed a positive increase in buoyancy. CIT collection measured by tax-to-base elasticity declined by 46% over the reform period, suggesting that there is an urgent need to improve on tax administration. Also, the result confirm the ineffectiveness of the various reforms and (DTMs) in enhancing the productivity of the tax system, showing that much need to be done in our domestic tax system, both in structure and administration before thinking of engaging in any bi- or multilateral trade agreement.   Key words: Nigeria, Trade liberalisation, Lost revenue and Domestic tax syste

HYPOGLYCAEMIA AS A CONSEQUENCE OF PRE-OPERATIVE FASTING: MYTH OR REALITY?

Background: The fatal risk of pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents during anaesthesia had since been recognized and consequently preoperative fasting guideline is usually prescribed to prevent this. Concern about development of hypoglycaemia during prolonged fasting has often been expressed, especially in children. AIM: This study is intended to determine the fasting blood glucose in preoperative patients of different age groups who were fasted for varying duration of time, and determine whether indeed hypoglycaemia occurs during inadvertently prolonged fasting which we often encounter in our practice setting. Methodology: A prospective cohort study of fasting blood glucose (FBG) of patients presenting for elective surgery in the principal investigator's operating rooms at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria was carried out. Blood glucose meter was used for estimation of glucose in capillary whole blood of the patients and the obtained data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0 statistical software. Comparison of mean values was done using the Chi-square test with statistical significance put at P &lt; 0.05.&nbsp; Results: Out of one hundred and thirty three patients studied with mean age of 30.2 ± 19.60 years (range: 1-72 years), and mean duration of fasting 12.73 ± 2.01 hours, (range: 8-16 hours), the mean fasting blood glucose was found to be 91.49 ± 13.36mg/dl (range: 58 - 124mg/dl). No relationship was found between age and FBG (Pearson's correlation coefficient, r = 0.025). Likewise duration of fasting did not relate with FBG (Pearson's correlation coefficient, r = 0.088). One patient (0.8%) had hypoglycaemia, with blood glucose of 58mg/dl. Conclusion: Hypoglycaemia as a consequence of pre-operative fasting is rare, even in non-infants fasted for considerably long hours. Neither patient's age, gender, nor duration of fasting had any significant influence on the fasting blood glucose of the patients. Keywords: Hypoglycaemia; Pre-operative fasting; Whole blood; Plasma