Convergence and stability theorems for the Picard-Mann hybrid iterative scheme for a general class of contractive-like operators

In this paper we use the general class of contractive-like operators introduced by Bosede and Rhoades (J. Adv. Math. Stud. 3(2):1-3, 2010) to prove strong convergence and stability results for Picard-Mann hybrid iterative schemes considered in a real normed linear space. We establish the strong convergence and stability of the Picard iterative scheme as a corollary. Our results generalize and improve a multitude of results in the literature, including the recent results of Chidume (Fixed Point Theory Appl. 2014:233, 2014)

Globalization, Consumerism and the Challenge of Sustainable Development in Africa

Globalization is an uneven process, and Africa has benefitted from it marginally. It creates enormous wealth and advances research and technological development in countries that produce technologies while deepening poverty and underdevelopment in countries that do not produce but consume those technologies. Nowhere is this oxymoron of globalization more evident than in economic relations between Africa and the industrialized West and Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, China and India. One of the greatest inimical fallouts of globalization in Africa is the rising culture of consumerism. Globalization has exported mass consumption of goods and services to Africa without promoting mass production attitude which is necessary for Africa’s development. Hence most Africans today crave for the latest cars, laptops, smart phones and other technological revolution, yet there is little or no effort to produce them in the continent. Globalization appears to be encouraging Africa not to think, but to allow the industrialized world to do the thinking and technological invention for her. In this way Africa is further exploited and dominated, and globalization seems to be energized by these exploitation and domination. This paper argues that the on-going globalization process has made Africa to be complacent with consuming and not producing. It has created consumerist culture which is increasingly reinforcing dependency in Africa and hindering the continent's quest for sustainable development.Keywords: globalization, Consumerism, Albatross, Sustainable development, Afric

Laying Down the Foundations for International Student Journey. Students as Academic Partners Project Report.

The aim of this project was to explore the lived experiences of being an international student studying at a University within the UK and to make recommendations for future provision. There are increasing numbers of international students studying at Universities within the UK. Positive learning environments and arrangements are the responsibility of the host University and international students’ needs should be taken into consideration. This project was led by international students in collaboration with academic staff. It involved a qualitative exploration of international student perspectives and their experiences of studying within the UK. Ten international students completed a questionnaire that was designed by international students. Respondents were asked questions in relation to three areas: coming to the UK, arriving in the UK and studying in the UK

Influence of size and temperature on the phase stability and thermophysical properties of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles: molecular dynamics simulation

Nanoparticles have attracted the attention of researchers in a number of multidisciplinary fields as they possess enhanced structural and physical properties, which make them desirable to a wide range of industries. These enhancements have mostly been attributed to their large surface area-to-volume ratio. However, the effect of temperature on the structural and surface properties of nanoparticles of different sizes is still not well understood, an aspect addressed in the present work. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we have performed investigations on anatase TiO2 nanoparticles with sizes ranging between 2 and 6 nm and at different temperatures. Structural and surface properties including surface energies are reported for the different nanoparticle sizes, temperature and simulation time step. Comparisons of surface energies for the different nanoparticle sizes show that surface energy increases to a maximum(optimum value) especially for temperatures between 300 and 1,500 K, as the particle size increases after which no further significant increase is observed. Studies conducted on the change of final structure with respect to the initial structure of the particles, revealed that atomic structural disordering is more visible at the surface layer compared to the bulk or core of the final structure. Further studies conducted on the sphericity of the nanoparticles showed that the particles became less spherical with increase in temperature

United Nations and multilateralism: appraising USA’s unilateralism in world affairs

Multilateralism as symbolized by the United Nations Organization, seems to have come under threat today, and nowhere is this more evident than in the United States-United Nations relations particularly in the area of military interventions around the world. The aim of this paper is to appraise the practice of the principle of multilateralism over the years and the implications of the growing disregard of the principle by the United States as its unilateral actions in world affairs in recent times indicate. Using realist approach as the framework of analysis, and data from secondary sources, this paper argues that the U.S. unilateral actions are mainly driven by its national interest of global hegemony which it strives to consolidate by demonstrating and reinforcing its military power across every nook and cranny of the world. It concludes that these unilateral actions (like the US invasion of Iraq) are not only at variance with the Charter of the United Nations which the U.S. is signatory to, but also constitute a serious threat to global peace and security, as well as the survival of the United Nations. This is because such actions are partly responsible for the skyrocketing global arms race, the increasing aggression of strong states against weak states, and the decreasing power and influence of the United Nations in world affairs as the lingering crisis in Syria demonstrates. All these events could lead to the collapse of the United Nations, and likely another world war in foreseeable future unless urgent and proactive measures are taken by all the concerned stakeholders in the international system.Keywords: United Nations, multilateralism, United States, unilateralism, national interest, UN Charte

Molluscicidal activities of ethanolic extracts of Calotropis procera and Morinda lucida against Lymnaea natalensis

Snails control is considered the most eff ective method in reducing the transmission of fascioliasis. Chemical molluscicides are reported to be toxic and ineff ective due to snail resistance, hence, the need for safer and eff ective molluscicides. The aim of this study was to assess the molluscicidal activities of two medicinal plants against snail host of Fasciola gigantica. The molluscicidal activity of Morinda lucida and Calotropis procera was investigated against Lymnaea natalensis, the intermediate host of F. gigantica. Ethanolic extract of leaves of the tested plants were evaluated for their lethal activity against the embryos within the egg masses and adult L. natalensis. All the two tested plants exerted toxic lethal eff ect against both the embryos and the adult snails. While M. lucida extract appeared to be more potent at lower concentration on the embryos, the extract of C. procera leaves was signifi cantly more potent than that of M. lucida in adult snails (P<0.05). The LC50 of ethanolic extracts of M. lucida and C. procera was 1.698 mg/ml and 0.500 mg/ml, respectively, at 72 h exposure time of adult L. natalensis. The two tested plants have molluscicidal activities, but these activities could be stage specifi c at certain concentrations

Community Voices: A Participatory Approach for Measuring Resident Perceptions of Police and Policing

Community Voices, a participatory research project, aimed to change the ways residents are heard and police are held accountable. The central tenet of the project was that creating an authentic representation of community sentiment towards the police has the capacity to reshape power dynamics between law enforcement and marginalized communities. This brief provides an overview of the pilot of Community Voices in Austin, Texas, discusses its impact, and includes attachments that provide more extensive details about the findings and related products

EVALUATION OF TWO ANIMAL PROTEIN SOURCES IN SINGLE PHASE FEEDING OF BROILER CHICKENS

A study was carried out to compare the use of blood meal and fish meal as protein sources in single phase feeding of broiler chickens.&nbsp; Three isonitrogenious and isocaloric diets containing between 20.5 to 21.1 % CP and 3440 to 3454 kcal/kg ME were formulated. The control diet contained none of the animal protein sources while the other two diets contained blood meal and fish meal at 6%, respectively. After six weeks of straight feeding, data were collected on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio was calculated. Carcass characteristics and cost benefit were also calculated. The results indicated that birds fed fish meal based diet&nbsp; consumed more feed (p&lt; 0.05) than those on control diet,&nbsp; while intake of those on blood meal based diet&nbsp; was an interphase between the control and fish meal based diet groups. The birds fed fish meal based diet also recorded higher (p&lt; 0.05) daily weight gain than those on control and blood meal based diets. Feed conversion ratio was better in the group fed fish meal based diet than those fed the control diet, but similar (p&gt; 0.05) to the group fed the blood meal based diet. The dressing percentage of the birds was similar (p&gt;0.05) in the control and blood meal based diet groups, but they were higher (p&lt;0.05) than the fish meal based diet group. The neck, back, drumstick and head were significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in the control group than in the groups containing animal protein. Cost benefit analysis showed that feed cost and cost per kg weight gain were higher (p&lt; 0.05) in fish meal based diet group than in control and blood meal based diet groups. Revenue per bird and gross margin were higher (p&lt; 0.05) in the blood meal based diet group than in the control diet and fish meal based diet groups. In conclusion, fast growing broiler chickens for eatery houses can be better reared with a single diet of 21 % CP and 3440 kcal/kg ME using blood meal as a protein source. &nbsp; Keywords: , , , , , , &nbsp

Organisational Justice and Organisational Citizenship Behaviours among Academic Staff of Private Universities in Southeast Nigeria

The study was carried out to explore the relationship between organizational justice and organizational citizenship behavior among academic staff of private universities in Southeast Nigeria. The study employed questionnaire for data collection on three selected private universities in Nigeria. Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used for data analysis. The results show that there is a significance positive relationship between the organizational justice and the organizational citizenship behaviour. The researcher therefore, recommends possible ways to amend the situation. Key words: Organizational justice, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), Pearson correlation, private university, academic staff and significance factor

The effect of anaesthesia and antenatal care on feto-maternal outcome after caesarean section in a developing country

Background: The feto-maternal outcome after delivery is precarious in developing country. The anaesthetic technique and antenatal care as it affect this outcome is assessed.Methods: This is a 5-year retrospective study carried out at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu. Obstetric theatre records of patients who had caesarean section between January 1st 2011 and December 31st 2015 were reviewed. Data extracted from the records using a proformer included socio-dermographic characteristics, indications for surgery, maternal and neonatal outcome, and anaesthetic technique. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 17 [SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA].Results: A total of 1574 patients had caesarean section within the study period and 1158 (73.6%) of the patients were booked, while 416 (26.4%) were unbooked. The total number of deliveries during this period was 6235 giving a caesarean section rate of 39.6%. More deaths on the operating table were recorded in the unbooked patients as compared to booked parturient (x2=20.013, p<0.001). More babies of the unbooked patients died perioperatively (17.3%) when compared to booked paturient (3.4%) p<0.001.Conclusions: The commonest anaesthesia administered was subarachnoid block. Maternal and neonatal mortality was significantly higher in paturient who did not attend antenatal care compared to those who attended