Fair Value Measurement versus Historical Cost Accounting: A Comparative Effect on Firms’ Performance in Nigeria

This study comparatively examined the effect of fair value measurement (FVM) and historical cost accounting (HCA) on the performance of quoted firms in Nigeria. Data were sourced from the online published accounts of ten quoted firms for a period of ten years segregated into HCA regime (2007 – 2011) and FVM regime (2012-2016). Descriptive Statistics (Mean) and Inferential Statistics (Paired sample t-test) were employed in the analysis of the data collected with the aid of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Findings from the analysis revealed that a positive but insignificant difference exists in the profit after tax of the firms between the FVM and HCA regimes; and that fair value measurement exerts negative but insignificant effect on the earnings per share and return on equity of the firms. The study thus concluded that fair value measurement as it is being practiced and implemented by Nigerian firms, exerts no significant change in firms’ performance as was reported under the HCA regime. It therefore recommended, among other things, that the International Accounting Standards should review the current provisions on the fair value practices in the International Financial Reporting Standards to ensure improved operations of firms across national borders. Key Words: Fair Value Measurement, Historical Cost, performance, Earning per Share, Profit after Tax, Return on Asset

PARTUM AND POST-PARTUM BEHAVIOURS OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF DOES AND KIDS

Seventeen West African Dwarf does housed intensively were used for this study. Does were naturally mated and pregnancy was confirmed by non-return to oestrus. The predicted parturition date was calculated. Two days to the predicted date of parturition, the does were closely monitored until the day they actually kidded. The behaviours of the does (duration of parturition, and latency to groom kids) and the kids (latency to stand) were recorded. Data were subjected to independent T-test of SPSS statistical package. The mean duration of parturition in WAD does was 9.5±2.65 min and the latency of kids to stand was 10.5±3.45mins. Duration of parturition was greater (P<0.05) in the 1st than 2nd parity does. A significant negative correlation was established between parity and duration of parturition (r =-0.635, P˂0.05). Kids from 1st parity does stood up earlier (P<0.05) compared to those from the 2nd parity does. A positive correlation was established between parity and the latency of the kids to stand (r = 0.598, P˂0.05). In conclusion, the duration of parturition and latency of kid to stand were not affected by the sex of the kid delivered, however WAD does groomed female kids earlier than the male kids.    &nbsp

Infant Feeding Practices Among Mothers and Their Infants Attending Maternal And Child Health In Enugu, Nigeria.

Inappropriate feeding of infants has long been observed in our society and it is one of the global problems responsible for about one-third of the cases of malnutrition world wide. The study assessed the Infant feeding Practices among mothers and their infants attending Maternal and child health in Enugu, Nigeria. Samples of 410 infants (0-12 months) and mother pair, were randomly selected from these hospitals: Institute of Child Health University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Poly Clinic Asata, Christ Specialist Hospital Ogui and ESUT Teaching Hospital (Parklane) all in Enugu State of Nigeria. These four hospitals were purposefully selected because of their involvement in maternal and child health. Information  on infant feeding practices, demographic data, socio-economic data, were obtained from the mothers with a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 to percentages, frequences and reprensented in a descriptive statistic in tables and charts. Results showed that most (43%) mothers were within the age of 26–30 years, 92.2% were married, 41% had secondary education, 45.1% were civil servants, 36.8% earned a monthly salary of less than ?10,000 per month. Majority (97.5%) of the infants were Breastfed, 53% initiated breastfeeding within one hour after birth, 65.3% breastfed on-demand, 62.2% of the infants were exclusive breastfed, only 34.5% were breastfed exclusively for a duration of 5–6 months, 38.8% of mothers practiced prelacteal feeding on their infants, 44% were fed on breastmilk substitute, 72.4% were fed on complementary food, 48.3% initiate complementary feeding at the age of 5 to 6 months, 70% were fed on Pap (Akamu, Ogi) as a complementary food. This study depicted high prevalence of inapropriate infant feeding practices among mothers despite all the nutrition education and promotion of optimal breastfeeding and adequate complementary feeding practices in our maternal and child care institute. Key Word: Infant, Breastfeeding, Exclusive breastfeeding, Complementary Feeding

Major limb amputations in a tertiary hospital in North Western Nigeria

Background: Amputation is the removal of whole or part of a limb, often as a life saving measure. It is a mutilating surgical procedure altering the body image and producing severe functional deficit. It is a common orthopedic surgical procedure performed worldwide.Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern and indications for amputation in Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria; between January 2008 and December 2014, in a bid to proffer preventive measures.Patients and methods: This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients who had major limb amputations at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria; between January 2008 and December 2014. Case notes of patients were retrieved with relevant information extracted and analyzed.Results: A total of 112 amputations were studied. The age range of patients was between 3-89 years. Amputation in 23.5% of patients was due to trauma, followed by diabetic foot gangrene in 21% of cases. About 42.9% of the amputations were above knee, followed by below knee amputations in 37% of cases. The lower limbs were involved in 84.8% of cases and upper limbs in 15.2% of cases.Conclusion: Trauma was the most predominant indication for amputation in this study. This was followed by diabetic foot gangrene. This is usually due to the high rate of road traffic accidents and consequent mismanagement by traditional bone setters.Keywords: Limb amputations, tertiary hospital, North Western Nigeri

WOOD ANATOMICAL STUDIES REVEAL TAXONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS, ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE AND PULP POTENTIAL IN FOUR TAXA OF Mussaenda (RUBIACEAE) GROWN IN NIGERIA

Current study was carried out to assess the taxonomic, ecological significance, and paper making potential of four taxa of Mussaenda L. (Rubiaceae) viz., M. elegans, M. erythrophylla, M. philippica var. aurorae, and M. ‘Dona Aurora’ through wood anatomical studies. Each of the taxa was collected from its natural region of provenance in two different ecological zones (Derived Savanna and Tropical Rainforest) of Nigeria. Observations from different planes of sections were made and wood maceration was carried out for fibre morphology. Absent to scanty paratracheal axial parenchyma, septate fibres, pitted vessels, storied heterocellular rays, and simple perforation plates were common features in all taxa. However, multiseriate and wider rays distinguished the exotic species from the indigenous species, and the semi-diffuse porous wood pattern was a unique feature in M. ‘Dona Aurora’. Quantitative data showed considerable variations in case of fibre lengths among the four taxa i.e. M. elegans, M. erythrophylla, M. philippica var. aurorae, and M. ‘Dona Aurora’ and was recorded 0.80 ± 0.02 µm, 0.70 ± 0.05 µm, 0.65 ± 0.03 µm and 0.64 ± 0.04 µm respectively. These observations showed that all species belong to Wood Type II of Rubiaceae and support their inclusion in the Tribe Mussaendeae and Order Ixoroideae. The influence of environmental factors was evident in the significant elongation of wood vessels of samples collected from more humid areas, but with no significant effect on their paper-making potential. More so, M. “Doña Aurora”, had general scores, would be most suitable for pulp and paper making

A Scalable Algorithm for Interpreting DNA Sequence and Predicting the Response of Killer T-Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

The incidence and prevalence of SLE in North America are 23.2 and 241 per 100,000 people per year respectively while the incidence in Africa is 0.3 per 100,000 people per year. The study aims to predict the autoimmune response of killer T-cells in a patient suffering from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by searching for variations in genes regulating the activities of Killer T cells. An approximate matching algorithm applying the Boyer-Moore Algorithm for the matching algorithm. Nucleotide sequences of each of the genes liked to Killer T-cells in reference human genome to DNA sequences of SLE patients. The threshold on all single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is set to 10% of the nucleotide sequence length of the gene. For 50% of susceptibility genes with no match the patient is susceptible. Sixteen (16) patients show that they are all guaranteed to manifest autoimmune Killer T-cells. The algorithm can predict the response of killer T-cells and improve the early detection and treatment of SLE patients. A similar approach can be used for genetically linked diseases like cancer.&nbsp

Kinetics and Equilibrium of Crude Oil Sorption from Aqueous Solution Using Borassus Aeothopum Coir

In this study, Borassus aethopum coir (BAC) which is an abundant, cheap, readily available and biodegradable agricultural waste was modified by acetylation using acetic anhydride and NBS catalyst at room temperature. This was to increase their hydrophobic properties and improve their sorption capacity in aqueous environment. The crude oil sorption kinetic data were fitted by intra-particle diffusion and pseudo-first order for raw BAC but the pseudo-second order kinetic model best fits crude oil sorption data for acetylated BAC.  The Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to elucidate the sorption behaviour of crude oil with raw and acetylated BAC. Freundlich isotherm gave the best fit for the equilibrium crude oil sorption data for acetylated BAC and raw BAC. Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscope analyses showed clear evidence of successful acetylation. The results presented and discussed in the study suggests that acetylated BAC (ABAC) is more suitable for crude oil sorption than raw BAC, therefore, possesses more potential for application and further development in treatment of oil spillage. Keywords: acetylated borassus aethopum coir, kinetics, crude oil sorption, sorbents, sorption capacity. DOI: 10.7176/CMR/11-2-02

Utilization of Tender Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) in Nigeria

The utilization of tender pigeon-pea as vegetable in the preparation of rice dishes was investigated.  Tender pigeon-pea pods were harvested, sorted, dehulled and the seeds were washed with water.  Rice dishes were prepared using tender pigeon-peas, green peas and green beans. Preparations with green peas and green beans served as the controls.  Proximate analysis of the vegetables was determined.  Sensory evaluation of the rice dishes were carried out by 20 panelists using a 9-point hedonic scale at p<0.05.  Tender seeds of pigeon-pea, green beans and green peas comprised protein (6.60%, 8.40%, 5.40%), moisture (64.95%.69.92%.64.20%), fat (13.75%, 7.28%, 7.40%), crude fiber (2.95%, 3.20%, 5.1%), ash (3.92%, 3.32%, 3.40%) and carbohydrate (7.852%, 7.88%, 14.85%) respectively.The proximate composition of pigeon-pea (protein 6.60%, fat 13.75%, fiber 2.95%, and ash 3.92%) has shown that it could be a good source of fat, protein, dietary fiber and minerals. In organoleptic characteristics of the rice dishes, panelists rated the pigeon-pea samples “moderately liked” in color, aroma, texture and overall acceptability, but taste was “very much liked”. Rice dishes with pigeon-peas compared favorably with green beans and green peas samples in all sensory attributes, hence tender pigeon-pea could be an alternative vegetable in preparation of rice dishes and salad. Keywords: Green beans, green peas, organoleptic characteristics, pigeonpeas, rice dishes, vegetables

Evidence-based investigations into the ethnoveterinary use of Mimosa pudica L. (Fabaceae) as an anthlemintic

Purpose: To investigate the toxicity, clinical outcome and anthelmintic effects of M. pudica in vitro and in vivo.Methods: Dried leaves of M. pudica were extracted using 70 % methanol cold maceration method. Acute toxicity inquiry was evaluated using Lorke’s method. Anthelmintic effects were investigated in vitro using the egg hatch assay and in vivo using Heligmosomoides bakeri experimentally infected adult albino mice. Coprological and haematological parameters were recorded during the experiment while the serological analysis and post mortem worm burden were assessed at the conclusion of the research.Results: No mortality was recorded in oral acute toxicity test up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg. A probit-log analysis of the percentage egg hatch of the extract and albendazole gave lethal concentration 50 (LC50) values of 1.160 and -1.042, respectively. A reduction in worm count was observed in all the extracttreated groups post mortem, with the maximum extract group having the least worm count (p < 0.05). Treatment with extract resulted in improvement in the haematological parameters. Serum chemistry revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in alanine aminotransferase and blood urea nitrogen in all groups. However, a dose-dependent increases in the total protein and albumin was observed.Conclusion: These results show that although M. pudica has weak anthelmintic effects compared to albendazole (standard  anthelmintic), in vivo and in vitro, at the doses used in this study, nonetheless, it reduces worm burden and improves haematologic parameters, serum total protein, albumin and overall weight gain of the treated mice. Thus, increased doses may be effective in anthelmintic chemotherapy. Keywords: Mimosa pudica, Anthelmintic, Toxicity, Heligmosomoides bakeri, Ethnoveterinary medicine, Anthelminti