Sustainable Social Reporting and Community- Business Relations in South- South Communities of Nigeria

This study basically sought to identify the extent to which sustainable social reporting of oil companies’ impact on community-business relations in Niger-Delta part of Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design and a sample of 104 respondents representing various stakeholders in the affected communities. Hypotheses were formulated in line with the research objectives and research questions and were tested using Spearman correlation statistical tool via Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The significant findings of the study is that sustainable reporting  of the oil companies in the area of  community  projects impact significantly on  community-business relations. The study also revealed that sustainability accounting affect the level of profitability of the companies in Nigeria. The implication of findings is that community- business relations are enhanced through effective reporting of commitments of companies in improving social infrastructure in the communities. This will not only promote healthy relationship between the principal place of location of the companies but will promote the level of profitability of the companies. Keywords:--Sustainability accounting, Social Reporting, Community, South-South Nigeria, Relations

Impact of Sustainable Social Reporting on Community - Business Relations in South - South Communities of Nigeria

This study basically sought to identify the extent to which sustainable social reporting of oil companies’ impact on community-business relations in Niger-Delta part of Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design and a sample of 104 respondents representing various stakeholders in the affected communities. Hypotheses were formulated in line with the research objectives and research questions and were tested using Spearman correlation statistical tool via Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The significant findings of the study is that sustainable reporting  of the oil companies in the area of  community  projects impact significantly on  community-business relations. The study also revealed that sustainability accounting affect the level of profitability of the companies in Nigeria. The implication of findings is that community- business relations are enhanced through effective reporting of commitments of companies in improving social infrastructure in the communities. This will not only promote healthy relationship between the principal place of location of the companies but will promote the level of profitability of the companies. Keywords:--Sustainability, Social Reporting, Community, South-South Nigeria, Relations

Role of Cytochrome C and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in Memory Deficit Induced by High Doses of a Commercial Solid Air Freshener in Mice

The study evaluated the role of cytochrome C and pro-inflammatory cytokines in memory deficit produced by a commercial solid air freshener (SAF) in male Swiss mice. The animals were culled into 6 groups (n = 7): group 2-6 were exposed to SAF (10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) for 28 consecutive days through whole body exposure. Mice in group 1(control) were exposed to fresh air. Memory function was evaluated on day 28 using standard models. Mice brains were then processed for estimation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, cytochrome C expression and histomorphologic changes. The chemical constituents of SAF were also determined using GC-MS.SAF (100 and 200 mg/kg) produced memory decline and increased brain contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (p <0.05) but not interleukin-6 (p > 0.05) relative to control. Increased cytochrome C immunopositive cells, reduced neuronal cells and cytoarchitectural changeswere observed in the hippocampus of mice exposed to SAF (200 g). MS GC-profiling showed the presence of 7 major volatile organic constituents in SAF. Increased release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cytochrome C expression might play a role in SAF-induced memory deficit in mice

Spread of African cassava mosaic virus from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) to physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) in Ghana

Investigations were made on the susceptibility of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) to African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and its possible role as an alternative host of the virus in Ghana. Ten J. curcas accessions in a field trial were interplanted with ACMV-infected cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and left to natural spread of the virus from the cassava to the J. curcas plants for a period of 12 months. Populations of the whitefly vector, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and the incidence of African cassava mosaic disease (ACMD) were monitored during the period. The J. curcas plants had low whitefly numbers, both in the wet (September – October, 2008) season and in the dry (January – February, 2009) season. By the end of the experimental period, 37.7% of the 120 J. curcas plants tested in all the accessions were found to be infected by ACMV, as assessed by symptom expression, double antibody-sandwich (DAS) ELISA or sap inoculation to Nicotiana benthamiana indicator plants. There were wide variations within and between the J. curcas accessions in their response to ACMV infection. This work is the first report of the natural infection of J. curcas by ACMV

The Significance of Music to Gifted Students

Music is believed to heal soul. It has been widely practiced to intervene emotional and psychological issues, and further improve students' achievements. However, music is rarely practiced as intervention for gifted students who suffer from the asynchronous development effects such as burnout, depression and suicide. This study thus aims to explore the prominence of music to gifted students. Data collection were conducted through in-depth interview with 15 gifted students who were studying in GENIUS@Pintar National Gifted Centre, Malaysia. A survey with 64 gifted respondents was administered as a supplementary to support the interview data. Results revealed that music offers assistance to gifted students in four domain areas which are emotion, motivation, self-reflection, and awareness. This study has proven that music has contributed beyond emotional and psychological issues. Music sharpens the traits of giftedness and moulds those gifted students as successors that may contribute to the nation