Studies on conducting polymers : the synthesis and anodic electropolymerisation of novel B-functionalised thiophenes

Following a brief review on conducting polymers, eight B-functionalised thiophene derivatives viz; trans-l,2-bis(3 ’-thienyl)ethene, [1]; trans-l-(l ‘-pyrenyl)-2-(3’’-thienyl)ethene, [2]; trans-l-(p-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-(3 ‘-thienyl)ethene, [3]; trans-l-(ferrocenyl)-2-(3 ‘-thienyl)ethene, [4]; (E,E)-3,4-bis-(2 ‘-ethenylferrocenyl)thiophene, [5]; l-(ferrocenyl)-3-(3 ‘-thienyl)prop-2-en-1 -one, [6] ; (E,E)-1,5-bis(3 ‘-thienyl)penta-1,4-dien-3-one, [7] ; all-trans 1,9-bis(3 ’-thienyl)nona-l,3,6,8-tetraen-5-one,[8]; and 3-(trimethylsilyl)thiophene, [9] were synthesised as precursors for anodic electropolymerisation though an anticipated 2,5 ’-coupling of their respective thiophene moieties. The spectroscopic properties of these novel compounds, including their electrochemical behaviour, are presented

Prevalence and Predictors of Erectile Dysfunctions among Men on Antiretroviral Therapy in South‑western Nigeria

Background: Erectile dysfunctions (EDs) are common presentations among men on anti‑retroviral therapy, many of who had a course to discontinue anti‑retroviral drugs or search for alternative treatments.Aim: This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of ED among men on anti‑retro viral therapies (ART) in a Nigerian population.Subjects and Methods: It was a descriptive cross‑sectional survey among 234 HIV‑positive men on anti‑retroviral therapy selected using stratified sampling method after excluding for co‑morbidities. Research instrument was semi‑structured interviewer administered questionnaire, and data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 17.0 (Chicago IL, USA), while binary logistic regression and Chi‑square test were used to demonstrate association between selected categorical variable.Results: Mean age of respondents was 37.1 (1.6) years, 85.6% have not missed their medications, self‑reported adherence was reported as good among 213 [(90.8 %) 213/234], though calculated adherence was 90% among as many as 201 [(85.6%) 201/234]. Pattern of EDs revealed weak erection among 42 [(37.8%) 42/111], 15 [(13.5%) 15/111] said they could no longer achieve erection, 33 [(29.7%) 33/111] said they could not maintain erections, while 27 [(24.3%) 27/111] presented with loss of libido. Delayed and premature ejaculations were reported among 24 [(21.6%) 24/111] and 8 [(7.2%) 8/111] respectively. About 14% (33/234) of respondents said that anti‑retroviral drugs could have caused their ED while 78% (183/234) said it should not. A statistically significant association exists between having weak erections and age above 65 years and calculated the adherence <95%, while none exists between having weak erections and missing pills.Conclusion: Anti‑retroviral drugs are common causes of EDs. Concerns of clients should always be addressed most especially issues that may compromise adherence. Keywords: Adherence, Anti‑retroviral therapy, Erectile dysfunctio

Disruption of Traditional African Orature by Western Pop-Culture: the Need for Rejuvenation

Traditional African Orature is fast declining in Nigeria due to globalization which is almost causing loss of identity. Hitherto, Children folklore has played prominent roles in Children Sociocultural development which should be rejuvenated. This study examined the causes of the decline among the basic School Teachers and Pupils. Five hundred (n=500) participants were randomly selected from rural schools for the study. In-depth interview guide and questionnaire were the instrument used to glean data. The study revealed that teachers and pupils were no longer motivated by the teaching and learning of traditional African orature which is largely due to Religious reasons, for students: (t=4.30,p<0.05) with mean score for Muslim (53.71) and Christian (56.83) and partly because of exposure to pop culture which is said to be more entertaining, electronically accessible and interesting which accounted for 26.2% of the total variance in displacing ATO(R2 =0.262, P <0.05)). It becomes imperative to develop an improved African Oral Literature that can also be electronically accessible among other qualities. Keywords: African,  Orature,  Pop-Culture,  Disruption,  Nigeri

Relevance of Energy Storage Technology in the Development of Solar Power

There is a growing concern in the operating of solar power as a stand-alone and its connection to the grid. This is because; its power quality and sustainability are being affected by intermittency and variability. As the time of the day and the solar intensity changes, the quality of power generation is affected. This has made the use of energy storage inevitable for a quality power generation. This paper considers some existing technologies of energy storage that is applicable in mitigating the challenge facing the deployment of solar power systems. The variability and effectiveness of these storage techniques were considered in terms of technology, efficiency, environmental impact, and response. In conclusion, it was resolved that a self-sufficient solar power system requires appropriate storage techniques to complement its operation. Therefore, understanding the different options of storage is required for a careful selection of the technology which can support the required level of efficiency and effectiveness in electrical energy generation. Keywords: Solar Power, Storage Technologies, Solar Energy, Limitations DOI: 10.7176/JETP/9-3-03 Publication date:March 31st 201

Internet Financial Reporting and Company Characteristics: a Case of Quoted Companies in Nigeria

This study was conducted to analyze the ability of Nigerian listed companies to communicate financial information via the internet. The result shows that 80.8% of listed companies in Nigeria have websites while 19.2% did not have websites or their websites was not accessible. The financial sector has the highest number of companies (55) with official websites while the manufacturing sector has the highest number of companies (14) without official websites. The result of the regression analysis shows that company size (log of total assets) and industrial sector have significant association with internet financial reporting (IFR) index. However, profitability, auditor type and company age were not found to be significant explanatory variables for IFR index. Key words: Internet Financial Reporting, Company Characteristics, Nigerian Listed Companie

Poverty, an African Epidemic: Empirical Evidence of Nigeria

This study examines poverty as an African epidemic, with an empirical evidence of Nigeria. Poverty unarguably remains a global phenomenon that is complex and multi-dimensional in nature. Poverty is an economic situation where a household income is inadequate to meet the minimum nutritional need for growth and long-term survival (World Bank, 1996). The primary source of data was adopted via questionnaire and oral interview. A simple correlation technique was adopted to address the significant relationship among the responses of the respondents gathered though the questionnaire to derive logical conclusion. The study concludes that the blame on poverty is placed on modes of designing and implementing developmental programmes, which are seen to have failed to take the basic needs of the poor into account and historical factors together with the existing social structures that have developed from them. The paper further discovered lots of disparities in people’s income, gender, health, education etc. The study however, recommends that government should articulate a bold vision and establish concrete targets for improving and saving the lives of those threatened by diseases and hunger by way of introducing grants to ‘senior citizens’ – old people, providing monthly allowance to them, ensuring support for children that are orphan, homeless, and even with disabilities etc., in all areas of life. The study further recommends that government in all levels should be identified with the importance of using critical statistical data to corroborate progress report in order to assist in monitoring and implementing poverty alleviation programmes initiated by federal government, and to meet the target of Financial System Strategy, FSS 2020 and Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) by 2015. Keywords: Poverty, Alleviation programmes, Nigeria, Sectorial approach, LAPO, United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), NAPEP

Bilateral sporadic aniridia: review of management

Caroline O Adeoti1, Adeyinka A Afolabi2, Adebimpe O Ashaye3, Adenike O Adeoye41Department of Ophthalmology, 2Department of Paediatrics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria; 3University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria; 4Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife, Osun, Osun State, NigeriaPurpose: To report a rare case of bilateral sporadic aniridia in an African child and review the management modalities.Presentation: We report a case of bilateral sporadic aniridia with horizontal nystagmus, axial cataract optic disc, and fovea hypoplasia in a 5-year-old female patient. She was managed conservatively. Various modalities of treatment are reviewed.Keywords: aniridia, sporadic, nystagmus, cataract, glaucoma, keratopathy, tattooing, syndrome, fovea hypoplasia and optic disc hypoplasi

A Mathematical Model and Sensitivity Analysis of Lassa Fever with Relapse and Reinfection Rate

In this research paper, we depict an unprecedented four-dimensional ordinary differential equation modeling the dynamic transmission of the Lassa fever virus incorporating relapse and reinfection rate. Recent studies showed that the recovered individuals from Lassa fever can again be susceptible; which contradicted the common assumptions made by different researchers on modeling of Lassa fever. So, this article corrects and states the implications of the assumptions on the population density. The numerical simulations unveil the effect of relapse, reinfection, and treatment rate in the affected population. Performing sensitivity analysis suggests all new incorporated parameters can impact the infection dynamics substantially. The stability analysis was carefully estimated where expression for each compartmentalized variable was calculated at both disease-free and persistence (endemic) equilibrium. Also, the basic reproduction number of the novel model was calculated using the Next Generation Matrix. The analytical results justify that the persistence (endemic) and the disease-free equilibrium are locally and globally asymptotically stable using both Routh Hurwitz Criterion and Comparison Theorem. Keywords: Lassa fever, Reinfection rate, Relapse rate, Treatment rate, Sensitivity analysis. &nbsp

Sectoral and Career Preferences of Accounting Students: Predisposing Factors influencing their Choices

Accounting students are usually faced with career choices after graduation. They also have to choose alongside a particular economic sector of their preference. These choices are usually influenced by various factors, which can either be psychological, economical, social, or environmental. This study empirically examined the career and sectoral preferences of final year accounting students in Nigeria. The predisposing fadors influencing these choices were also highlighted. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 488 respondents drawn from tertiary institutions in Nigeria. From our data analysis and findings, we observed that most respondents are willing to work as financial accountants in the private sector preferably in the oil industry. The principal reason is high remuneration package currently obtainable in this particular sector

Hand Washing: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice amongst Mothers of Under-Five Children in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

The hands are central to many of our daily activities and the use of contaminated hands for cooking and eating enhances transmission of contaminants/germs into the body through food, thereby causing ill-health. Mothers serve the dual role of the children’s nurse (handling their faeces, blowing their nostrils, etc.) as well as the household chef (prepares family’s meals, feeds children). This coupled with poor knowledge and practice of simple hygiene increase the risk of spread of diseases to the under-five children. A community based cross-sectional study set out to determine the knowledge, attitude towards and practice of hand washing among mothers of under-five children in Igbona Area of Olorunda Local Government in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. Three hundred mothers of under-five children were selected for the study using a multi-stage technique. Interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect information on participants’ knowledge, attitude towards and practice of hand washing. Overall, respondents had good knowledge of hand washing but their educational status and religion were found to influence degree of knowledge of hand washing (p = 0.01 respectively with higher education and Christianity positively impacting knowledge of hand washing). More than three-quarters (81.6%) of them did not think that the use of soap was important in hand washing. Respondents’ practice of hand washing was influenced by their age and educational level (p < 0.0000001) respectively with older age group and higher educational levels corresponding to better practice. In conclusion, the study found good knowledge of hand washing among the respondents with many of them showing positive attitude in favor of hand rinsing. Those with higher education had better practice of hand washing. To realize the health benefits of hand washing, efforts to improve hand washing in this environment should encourage adding soap to current hand rinsing practices. Keywords: hand washing, mothers, under-five children, knowledge, attitude, practice