Criminal Justice Legitimacy in United States in the Light of Post-Conviction DNA Testing

Criminal justice system is an institution which ensures that the moral balance of the society is not disrupted by the malfeasance of any of its members. When an imbalance so feared is created, the system attempts to correct it by punishing the offender. But this punishment system has become a dragnet for both the guilty and the innocent. No one is sure how many innocent people are incarcerated in both federal and state prisons in the United States. This paper examines criminal justice in the light of post-conviction Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing and exoneration in the United States. The outcome is that post-conviction DNA testing has helped to exonerate not less than 438 convicted individuals in the United States who served an average of 15 years in prison between 1989 and 2016. This number casts doubt over the legitimacy of the criminal justice system in the country. As a result, this paper makes a case for mandatory post-conviction DNA testing in all crimes where human material samples are available and where accused persons claim innocence. Keywords: Criminal justice, DNA, Post-conviction, Exoneration, Credibilit

The Strategies Required for Improving the Teaching of Cost Accounting in Colleges of Education in South-East, Nigeria

The study determined the strategies for improving the teaching of cost accounting in Colleges of Education in South East Nigeria. Five research questions guided the study, while five null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population for this study was 123 comprising of 53 accounting lecturers from 3 federal universities and 70 accounting lecturers from state universities. The instrument for data collection was a structured 100-item questionnaire. The instrument was face-validated by 3 experts from the Department of Business Education, University of Nigeria Nsukka. Cronbach Alpha reliability technique was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument and an overall reliability index of 0.83 was obtained. The researcher with the help of five research assistants facilitated the process of data collection for the study. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for answering the research questions while t-test analysis were used for testing the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study found that the teaching of cost accounting in the Colleges of Education in South East Nigeria can be improved using good instructional planning, careful selection of instructional resources among others. Hypotheses tested revealed that there was no significant difference in the mean responses of the accounting lecturers. It was recommended among others that the government through the ministry of education should organize regular workshops, seminars and on-the-job trainings on capacity building for accounting lecturers to equip them with modern accounting knowledge, skills and technique

Modelling the Causal Relationship among Remittances, Exchange Rate, and Monetary Policy in Nigeria

This study examined the relationship and causality that exist between remittance inflows exchange rate and monetary aggregates - money supply, interest rate, and the domestic price level in Nigeria. The Johansen co-integration and the Granger causality techniques were employed. The Johansen co-integration test indicated that long run relationship exist among the variables. The Granger causality test results revealed a unidirectional causality running from money supply (LM2) to remittances (LREM) only at lag one and not in the reverse. In other lags, there was no evidence of causality between the duos. The results also showed that, consistently from lag one to lag five, causality run from exchange rate (LEXR) to LREM and not in reverse direction. Unidirectional causality run from interest rate (INT) to LREM, occurring from lag one to lag four. There was no evidence of causality in any direction between inflation rate (INF) and LREM within these lags. We also found that causality run from exchange rate (LEXR) to money supply (LM2) only at lags one and four and not in the reverse order. Keywords: Remittance Inflows, Exchange Rate, and Monetary Policy.

Assessing aspects of better birth initiatives: a single centre experience

Background: Better birth initiative is a global initiative that promotes humane and evidence-based care for women during childbirth. This study was designed to assess compliance to aspects of better birth initiative and maternal satisfaction with a view to making recommendations. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 396 consenting post-partum women to assess maternity services at AEFUTHA. A sample size of 423 was determined at power of 90% and α-error of 0.05. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Chi-square was used to analyze categorical variables and odds ratios determined. Continuous variables were expressed as mean or standard deviation. P value of <0.05 was taken to be statistically significant. Results: Out of a total of 423 questionnaires deployed, only 396 were completed and duly returned (giving a 93.6% response rate). Majority of the parturient were between the ages of 20 to 34 years (80.3%), multiparas (74.2%) and with tertiary education (74.2%). Although many (74.2%) were not allowed companions, free mobility (78.8%), food (70.7%) and position of choice in labour (100%), they were satisfied with the care. Factors that likely affected maternal satisfaction were the age of participants, having a companion in labour, having a dedicated midwife to each parturient, free mobility in labour, oral fluid intake in labour and good health worker attitude (p value: 0.002, 0.024, 0.002, 0.0002, 0.0001 and 0.00001 respectively). Conclusions: There is need to continuously enlighten health professionals on aspects of better birth initiatives in order to improve client’s satisfaction

A fuzzy logic model for evaluating the standard performance of a prototype online voting system

This paper described the major challenges associated with existing methods of voting; hence a prototype online voting system was developed and proposed for credible election in Edo state with a mind set to trash out the various problems identified with the existing system. In order to determine if the prototype online voting system developed is of standard performance a fuzzy clustering means (FCM) was designed to evaluate and ascertain its performance based on certain criteria gathered using questionnaire designed. The FCM model was simulated and tested for evaluation taking into consideration stakeholders of election that were drawn from twelve (12) local government areas, out of the Eighteen (18) local government areas of Edo state. Opinions of stakeholders of the election concerning the wished-for model were arbitrarily sampled and analyzed for the use of assessment in particular when compared to the present system of selection. In addition, other factors that can promise an open and just election were also discussed and place into consideration throughout the implementation of the developed prototype online voting system. The result from the evaluation revealed that the seven (7) local government areas which formed about (58.33%) of the beyond least standard cluster and the five (5) local government areas, which also formed about (41.66%) of the regular standard cluster of the entire population of (12) local government areas were both above the average acceptable benchmark for elections, which is a key indicator that the developed prototype online voting software meets more than the standard for a credible election process and it is therefore proficient as a verdict announcer for a transparent electoral process when fully implemented and deployed for usage

A comparative study of pregnancy outcome among women with preeclampsia and normotensive at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Nigeria

Background: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific multisystem disease and it is associated with increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Any factor(s) which could reliably predict the likelihood of serious complications would be very valuable in predicting the associated adverse outcome. Objective of this study compare maternal and fetal outcomes of preeclamptic patients with normotensive control in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria.Method: This was a 4-year retrospective case-control study of the pregnancy outcomes among preeclamptic and normotensive women managed in our facility between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2015. Data analysis was done using Epi Info software 7.2.1.Results: During the study period there were 6,585 deliveries among which 92 of the patients were managed for preeclampsia. This gives a prevalence of 1.4% or 14 per 1000 deliveries. There was no difference in the age and parity of the control. Most of the preeclamptic patients managed over the study period were unbooked for antenatal care in the facility (p value <0.0001). Preeclamptic patients were more likely to be delivered preterm (p value was <0.0001), and by caesarean section compared to the control. They were also more likely to have babies with low birth weights and poorer fetal outcomes. There was no difference in maternal mortality between both groups.Conclusion: Preeclampsia is associated with the unbooked status and poorer perinatal outcome compared with normotensive women. There is need to encourage women to book for antenatal care for prompt identification and management of these women

Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of the Nkporo Group (Campanian–Maastrichtian), Anambra Basin, Nigeria

AbstractIntegration of sedimentologic and sequence stratigraphic interpretations of the Nkporo Group has provided the basis for a basin-wide framework for prediction of potential source, seal and reservoir rocks in the Anambra Basin, Nigeria. Lithofacies and biostratigraphic data show that the Nkporo Group in the Anambra Basin contains three main facies associations (fluvio-deltaic facies, estuarine central basin/shallow shelf facies and estuarine channel fill facies) that determine the reservoir containers, flow units and seals. The units are arranged to form two stratigraphic sequences represented by the Nkporo Shale–Owelli Sandstone and Owelli Sandstone–Enugu Shale successions, respectively. The transgressive systems tract in each sequence comprises coarse-grained fluvio-deltaic sandstone and an overlying open marine black carbonaceous mud rock. The highstand systems tracts comprise delta front deposits with average porosity, permeability and net-to-gross values estimated in the ranges of 30%, 3000md and 0.9, respectively. The fluvio-deltaic and delta front facies which are encased in organically rich estuarine central basin/shallow shelf mud rocks are likely the potential reservoirs. Trapping capacity is enhanced by the presence of several N–S trending normal faults, and other microstructures related to the post-Santonian tensional regime in the Benue. The new information presented in this paper on potential seal, source and reservoir lithofacies within the Nkporo Group should serve as a useful contribution to the geological modelling of reservoirs within the Late Cretaceous–Paleocene succession in the Anambra Basin

Human Campylobacteriosis in Developing Countries1

Campylobacteriosis is a collective description for infectious diseases caused by members of the bacterial genus Campylobacter. The only form of campylobacteriosis of major public health importance is Campylobacter enteritis due to C. jejuni and C. coli. Research and control efforts on the disease have been conducted more often in developed countries than developing countries. However, because of the increasing incidence, expanding spectrum of infections, potential of HIV-related deaths due to Campylobacter, and the availability of the complete genome sequence of C. jejuni NCTC 11168, interest in campylobacteriosis research and control in developing countries is growing. We present the distinguishing epidemiologic and clinical features of Campylobacter enteritis in developing countries relative to developed countries. National surveillance programs and international collaborations are needed to address the substantial gaps in the knowledge about the epidemiology of campylobacteriosis in developing countries

ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY AND TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE METHANOL-DICHLOROMETHANE ROOT BARK EXTRACT OF NAUCLEA DIDERRICHII (DE WILD) MERR

Objective: In southeastern Nigeria, Nauclea diderrichii (De Wild) Merr is used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including diabetes mellitus (DM). This study evaluates the antidiabetic activity and toxicological profile of the methanol-dichloromethane root bark extract of N. diderrichii in normoglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetic models.Methods: Dried root barks of N. diderrichii were extracted using methanol and dichloromethane (1:1) to obtain N. diderrichii extract (NDE). The acute and sub-chronic toxicity tests were performed using standard procedures. The effect on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (HB) and total white blood cell (TWBC) count was determined in the rats after treatment. In order to elucidate its antidiabetic mode of action, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed using glucose (2 g/kg) as substrate and alloxan (100 mg/kg; i. v.) induced diabetic model. Glibenclamide (GLI 0.2 mg/kg) was used as the reference standard drug.Results: The results indicated that the LD50 of the extract is&gt;5000 mg/kg. ALT, AST, ALP PCV, HB and TWBC were insignificantly (p&gt;0.05) different compared with the control. No significant changes were observed in the organ weights compared with the control. In the acute and prolonged antidiabetic study, NDE (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly reduced the blood glucose level (BGL) by 14.66, 18.9, 25.80% and 75.11, 80.24, 83.74% respectively. In comparison, GLI, when administered, reduced BGL by 38.18 and 92.86% respectively.Conclusion: N. diderrichii possesses antidiabetic activity with good toxicological profile

Further screening of Venda medicinal plants for activity against HIV type 1 reverse transcriptase and integrase

The use of medicinal plants for AIDS-related conditions is common in South Africa. In order to establish an antiviral rationale for the use of these plants we screened fractions of the methanol extracts of medicinal plants for activity against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase (IN). The n-butanol fraction obtained from the crude methanol extracts of the roots of Bridelia micrantha (Hochst) Baill. (Euphorbiaceae) was observed to be as the most active inhibiting the RNA-dependent-DNA polymerization (RDDP) activity of HIV-1 RT with an IC50 of 7.3 g/ml. However, it had no activity on the 3’-end processing activity of HIV integrase. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the n-butanol fraction yielded friedelin and -sistosterol, which did not inhibit the RDDP of RT or 3’-end processing functions of IN even at a concentration of 500 M. An uncharacterized fraction obtained in the bioassay-guided fractionating process inhibited the RDDP with an IC50 of 9.6 g/ml, but had no inhibition on IN. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of flavonoids and tannins in the uncharacterized fraction.Key words: HIV-1; reverse transcriptase; integrase; medicinal plants; inhibition; Venda; South Afric