Smooth Transition GARCH Models in Forecasting Non-Linear Economic Time Series Data

The need to capture the heterogeneous and volatility nature of both financial and economic time series theory and modeling their behavior in practical work have stimulated interest in the empirical modeling of variances which forms the basis for this study. In the study we augmented GARCH models with smooth transition model by dropping the assumption of autoregression of the model; necessary theoretical frame work was derived and properties of the new model established and illustrated with foreign exchange rate data from Federal Republic of Nigeria (Naira), Great Britain (Pound), Botswana (Pula) and Japanese (Yen) against United States of America (Dollar). The smooth transition GARCH model is better than the classical GARCH model as there were reduction in the variances of the augmented model; this claim is confirmed by the empirical illustration with foreign exchange data. Within the group of smooth transition GARCH model, Logistic Smooth Transition is adjudged the best as it produced the least variance

Development of a Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Machine

Indiscriminate discharge of refrigerants into the atmosphere during servicing or overhauling of refrigerating systems by Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC) Practitioners is one of the major contributing factors to ozone depletion and climate change. The objectives of this study are to: design, fabricate and evaluate the performance of refrigerants recovery and recycling machine. The machine with 19.44 kg/hr rated capacity produced at cost of N106, 503.00 (about USD 500) with locally sourced materials comprises: compressor, drier, capillary tube, solenoid valves, two (2) pressure gauges and heat exchanger as functional parts. In order to evaluate the performance of  this machine, R-12 and R-22 refrigerants were considered for its analysis and results showed that for every 1 kg refrigerant recovered and recycled it has average recovery and recycling efficiencies of 88.5 % and 85.68 % whilst recycling used refrigerant to 99.9 % of its original purity. Keywords: Refrigerants, Ozone Depletion, Global Warming, Recovery, Recycling, Performance evaluatio

MARKOV MODELS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS

Most real world situations involve modelling of physical processes that evolve with time and space, especially those exhibiting high variability. Such events that have to flow with time or space are called dynamical systems. The mathematical notions of a dynamical system serves to depict the flow of causation from past into future (Kalman 1960). In this study, Markov model which is a signal model based on the Markovian property with state space approach was adopted for the analysis of dynamical systems. The Nigerian monetary exchange rate data was used in the application with the use of R statistical software package. The study incorporated the Chapman-Kolmogorov equation in the construction of absolute limiting distribution of the system via the state variables. The procedure gives an easy and effective means of analysing complex and time varying dynamical systems. The study showed that the Nigerian monetary exchange rate is ergodic with stationary probability distribution. &nbsp

Review of Organizational Strategy and Structure (1962-2015)

Improving on performance is of greater interest to all organization leaders in today's business environment. Researches relating to large, small and medium sized firms constantly stress a positive link between business strategies, management activities and organizational performance. Because it is often detailed that best business strategies produce outstanding organizational performance. This study used secondary method of data collection to review various empirical literatures on business strategies and their effects on organizational performance. The study was able to ascertain from various literature reviewed that business strategies such as (customer orientation, employee autonomy, communication, training and development job satisfaction, corporate social responsibility, motivational factors) have major role to play in organizational performance. Recognizing the causes of organizational performance is important especially in the perspective of the current global crises because it helps an organization to identify those factors that should be given priority attention in order to improve the organizational performance. Hence, this study recommends that business organizations should adopt appropriate strategies that would enhance adequate organizational performanc

Early Changes in Plasmodium falciparum Asexual and Sexual Populations in Children with Acute Infections Following Treatment with Artemisinin-Based Combination Drugs

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) may influence malaria transmission but the early changes in parasite populations have not been frequently evaluated. The changes in Plasmodium falciparum asexual and sexual populations in the first 16 h following treatment with artemether-lumefantrine (AL) or artesunate-amodiaquine (AA) were evaluated in 443 children with acute infections. The effects of gametocyte density on gametocyte sex ratio (GSR) were characterized in another cohort of 52 children treated with AL and AA. Stages of asexual and sexual parasites in peripheral blood were determined morphologically. In 167 children there were significant increases in peripheral asexual parasitemia at 1 h, and in 15 of these, an insignificant increase in gametocytemia at 1 h, followed thereafter by a precipitous and significant fall in all patients. Time-course of GSR showed a female-male-female-biased cycle at 0 h, 4 h, and 8 h. Pre-treatment GSR and time-course of GSR post-treatment were independent of density in the additional cohort of 52 gametocyte carriers treated with AL or AA. Population changes were similar in AL- and AAtreated children. Treatment with AL or AA is associated with early increases in asexual and sexual parasites and is closely followed by rapid elimination of these parasites

Archival Review of the Influence of Organizational Strategy on Organizational Performance

Improving on performance is of greater interest to all organization leaders in today's business environment. Researches t·elating to lat·ge, small and medium sized fit·ms constantly stress a positive link between business strategies, management activities and organizational performance. Because it is often detailed that best business strategies produce outstanding organizational performance. This study used secondary method of data collection to review various empirical literatures on business strategies and their effects on organizational performance. The study was able to ascertain from various literature reviewed that business strategies such as (customer orientation, employee autonomy, communication, training and development job satisfaction, corporate social responsibility, motivational factors) have major role to play in organizational performance. Recognizing the causes of organizational performance is important especially in the perspective of the current global crises because it helps an organization to identify those factors that should be given priority attention in order to improve the organizational performance. Hence, this study recommends that business organizations should adopt appropriate strategies that would enhance adequate organizational perfot·manc

A Simple Dose Regimen of Artesunate and Amodiaquine Based on Age or Body Weight Range for Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria in Children: Comparison of Therapeutic Efficacy With Standard Dose Regimen of Artesunate and Amodiaquine and Artemether–Lumefantrine

A new dose regimen of artesunate and amodiaquine (NDRAA) based on age or body weight range was compared with standard dose regimen of artesunate and amodiaquine (SDRAA) calculated according to body weight and with fixed-dose artesunate–amodiaquine (FDAA) and artemether–lumefantrine (AL) in 304 children afflicted by malaria aged 15 years or younger. In initial comparison (n = 208), children on NDRAA received 1–3 times amodiaquine per kilogram of body weight and 1–1.5 times of artesunate per kilogram of body weight compared with those receiving SDRAA. Parasite but not fever clearance was significantly faster in children who received NDRAA (19.4 ± 8.4 hours vs. 24.6 ± 15.5 hours, P = 0.003). Polymerase chain reaction–uncorrected cure rates on days 28–42 were also significantly higher in children who received NDRAA (P < 0.02 in all cases). Therapeutic responses in children younger than 5 years (n = 96) treated with NDRAA, FDAA, and AL were similar. Changes in hematocrit values and reported adverse events after commencing therapy were similar in those who received NDRAA and SDRAA. All drug regimens were well tolerated. NDRAA based on age or body weight range is simple, is therapeutically superior to SDRAA calculated according to body weight, and is as efficacious as AL in children younger than 5 years

STRATEGIC ROLES OF BRANDING ON ORGANIZATION SALES PERFORMANCE

Branding according to empirical literature is the creation of three dimensional characters of a product. It is further described in terms of name, packaging, colours and symbols that help to differentiate the products from its rivals. And also helps the customer to develop a relationship with the product. The practice of product branding is very crucial in determining the degree of sales performance of business organisations. The purpose of this study is to find out the benefits of product branding and the impact on sales performance of manufacturing firms. This study adopts both secondary and primary sources of data collection to gather information. The primary source of data was collected through survey method with the use of structured questionnaires. The questionnaires were directed to 150 respondents who are members of staff of a Coca-cola Company plant located in Lagos, Nigeria as well as consumers of a particular Coca-cola brand. Secondary data was gathered from journals,conference articles, internet sources, textbooks and unpublished works

Marketing Strategies And Enhanced Performance Of Entrepreneurial Firms

Marketing has been recognized as very critical to the growth of entrepreneurial firms. This is as marketing continue to gain increasing prominence as an orientation that everyone in the organization should share. Empirical literature takes the view that though a firm‟s market orientation is undeniably important, the marketing function should play a key role in managing several important connections between the customer and critical elements of an entrepreneurial firm, including connecting the customer to the product, service delivery, and financial accountability. Specifically, what role should the marketing function play, and what value does the marketing function have, if any, in an entrepreneurial organization. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of marketing in today‟s entrepreneurial enterprises and examines how it affects the performance of such group of firms. This study adopts secondary data collection by reviewing published articles international conference proceedings and journals, relevant websites, internet sources, news magazines, dailies and databases using related keywords. The study finds that the marketing function contributes to the perceptions of an entrepreneurial firm‟s financial performance, customer relationship performance, and new product performance which is explained by a firm‟s market orientatio