The role of cultural values in understanding the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in Nigeria

This article is (c) Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here (http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/4036). Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.Purpose: This paper examines the challenges female entrepreneurs face in the development of their business in the context of Nigeria. In so doing, it addresses a gap in the literature on the experiences of female entrepreneurs in a non-Western context and acknowledges the contribution that women make in this area of work. Design: It draws on survey data from 274 female entrepreneurs currently engaged in their businesses in three states—Lagos (Nigeria’s largest city), Ogun, and Oyo within the south west of Nigeria. Findings: Results indicate that female entrepreneurs are generally confident and resourceful and that they enjoy the challenge of entrepreneurial activity. As in the West, they experience difficulties relating to family commitments and access to finance – as well as problems gaining acceptance and accessing networks. Originality: It is argued that cultural values specific to the situation mean that these challenges, while common to female entrepreneurs in other national contexts, ‘play out’ differentially and that they are experienced with different levels of depth and ‘intensity’. It is also argued that future research might uncover at a deeper level and drawing on qualitative methodology how some of the factors identified are experienced in women’s day to day lives. The paper suggests some policy implications in the form of support for female entrepreneurs in this context

Information Sources Used by Postgraduate Students in Library and Information Science: A Citation Analysis of Dissertations

This paper is a citation analyses that assesses references of theses submitted to the Department of Library and Information Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1997 to 2007 The results revealed that journals are cited more than other information resources, and online resources cited were very rarely from 1997-2005, but increased from 2006 and 2007. College and Research Libraries is the most cited journal. The major subject area covered in their research is library management/administration; user studies, information communication technology, and collection development while bibliometrics, preservation, special and public libraries were less commonly researched

Potentiality of Diethylamine as Agent of Deproteination and Deacetylation in the Extraction of Chitosan from Scylla serrata Shell

The potentiality of diethylamine as deproteination and deacetylation agent in the extraction of chitosan from Scylla serrata (giant mud crab) shell was investigated. The aim was to find an alternative agent to inorganic alkalis as possible replacement for use in the production of high quality chitosan with the right stability. Pretreatment of the shell was carried out and followed by demineralization using hydrochloric acid. Diethylamine was used for deproteination and deacetylation by modifying some published protocols. Moisture, ash, fat and protein contents of the extracts were determined using their respective standard methods. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) technique was used for spectroscopic analysis. Scylla serrata shell was composed of 14.25% protein, 32.84% mineral (CaCO3), 31.52% chitin and 21.39% chitosan. Moisture, ash, fat and protein contents of chitin extracted from Scylla serrata shell were 2.35%, 3.03%, 1.79% and 3.85% respectively while those of chitosan were 1.65%, 3.84%, 0.53% and 2.80% respectively. Degree of deacetylation (DDA) and carbon to nitrogen ratio were 69.24% and 5.67 respectively. FTIR spectra of the extracted chitin and chitosan from Scylla serrata showed the presence of some active compounds of carbonyl, amide, amine and hydroxyl groups. However, CH3 waging along chain (952 cm-1), CO stretching at 1026 cm-1 and 1073 cm-1, and amide II band (1563 cm-1) were not found in the extracted chitin while HPO42- and amide III were also not found in the extracted chitosan. These moieties were present in the standard chitin and chitosan respectively. This study has shown that diethylamine (organic base) has great potential as agent of deproteination and deacetylation in the extraction of chitosan from Scylla serrata. Consequently, academic activity in the area of investigation of the stability of the extracted chitosan from Scylla serrata using diethylamine as deproteination and deacetylation agent is strongly recommended. Keywords: Diethylamine, deproteination, deacetylation, chitin and chitosan, Scylla serrata shell. DOI: 10.7176/CMR/12-7-07 Publication date:October 31st  2020

SoK: Analysis of Software Supply Chain Security by Establishing Secure Design Properties

This paper systematizes knowledge about secure software supply chain patterns. It identifies four stages of a software supply chain attack and proposes three security properties crucial for a secured supply chain: transparency, validity, and separation. The paper describes current security approaches and maps them to the proposed security properties, including research ideas and case studies of supply chains in practice. It discusses the strengths and weaknesses of current approaches relative to known attacks and details the various security frameworks put out to ensure the security of the software supply chain. Finally, the paper highlights potential gaps in actor and operation-centered supply chain security techniques

Effect of Zinc Galvanization on the Microstructure and Fracture Behavior of Low and Medium Carbon Structural Steels

Microstructure and fracture behavior of ASTM 572 Grade 65 steels used for wind tower applications have been studied. Steels of two carbon level chemistries designed for this grade were used in the study. Fracture toughness of the steels was studied using 3-point bend test on samples coated with zinc and not coated with zinc. Lower carbon steel showed higher resistance to fracture than medium carbon steel after zinc galvanization. SEM study suggests that zinc and zinc bath additives that migrated to crack tips are responsible for the loss in ductility. The phenomenon of Liquid Metal Embrittlement (LME) is suggested to have taken place. Zinc bath additives traced at crack zones are suggested to have migrated at the zinc galvanizing temperatures

Familial adenomatous polyposis with synchronous invasive colonic carcinomas and metastatic jejunal adenocarcinoma in a Nigerian male

Familial adenomatous polyposis is rare. Three cases were previously reported in Nigeria. An intriguing feature of this case is an ulcerated jejunal carcinoma which was metastatic rather than synchronous carcinoma. This patient presented with partial large bowel obstruction and the pathological analysis revealed 4 invasive adenocarcinomas, 3 in the colon and 1 in the jejunum (Dukes stage D). Palliative pancolectomy and jejunal tumour resection with chemotherapy was offered to him. He died eight months after surgery from disease progression. The challenges of managing a hereditary cancer syndrome in a resource poor country are highlighted

INSECURITY AND THE PAUPERIZATION OF RESIDENTS OF OWERRI IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA: AN EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT

Poverty and insecurity are twin recurrent issues in recent times for many countries in the world, especially Third World countries in Africa to which Nigeria belongs. Security is a pillar without which no meaningful development can be achieved and sustained. Nigeria, like most other Sub-Sahara Africa countries, is deeply embroiled in and facing multifaceted security challenges. The wave of insecurity in Nigeria has assumed a dangerous dimension that is threatening both the safety of environment for lives and properties and the conduct of business and economic activities thereby causing untold hardship and poverty. The poverty level in Nigeria is such that many people now live below the poverty line and has become a source of concern and subject of growing attention for both academics and policy makers. This paper, therefore, sought to find out if insecurity has a causative effect on the pauperization of the people of Owerri and vice versa with particular reference to recent happenings in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The survey research design, questionnaire and interviews as instruments of primary data collection and relative deprivation theory as framework were used for the study. Data were analysed with simple percentages while the chi-square was used to test the hypothesis. Secondary data from library research was utilized for analytical discussion. Research findings show that insecurity has both a cause and an effect relationship with poverty cum pauperization and the need to shun violence is recommended.  Article visualizations

Effect of Fermentation on the Anti-Nutritional Factors and

The effect of fermentation on the anti-nutritional factors and mineral composition of melon seed varieties for Ogiri production was studied. Melon seed varieties such as Citrullus vulgaris, Citrulluslanatus, Colocynthiscitrullus, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurmeropisedulis were respectively sorted, washed, boiled wrapped seed were then boiled again for 2 hours, drained, cooled and allowed to ferment naturally for 86 hours (primary fermentation). The primary fermented sees were then pounded and wrapped in little portions with “ofoala” leaf (Icacinatrichantha olive) and kept in wire mesh near a heat source for another 144 hours (secondary fermentation). Samples were drawn from the raw, boiled and fermented melon seed varieties for the quantitative analysis of mineral content and anti-nutritional prepared with the raw and primary fermented samples. Raw seed of Citrulluslanatus had the highest mineral analysis showed a decline in the boiled samples and secondary fermented sample, compared with the raw and mineral composition ranging from potassium, magnesium, cacium, iron and zinc of 1.21, 1.06, 0.89, 0.45 and 0.41mg/100g respectively followed by raw Citrullus Vulgaris with potassium, magenesium, calcium, iron and zinc of 1.18, 1.02, 0.55, 0.44 and 0.38 mg/100g respectively and 1.11, 0.94, 0.81, 0.38 and 0.31 mg/100gof potassium, magenesium, calcium, iron and zinc respectively in the primary fermented product. Statistical analysis of anti-nutrients revealed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in all the processed melon. There was a significant difference in all the processed melon with lowest anti-nutrient content ranging from alkaloid, saponin, HCN, phytate, tannin and flavonoid (0.00, 0.00, 0.00, 0.00, 0.03and 0.09 respectively) and Colocynthiscitrullus had the highest anti-nutrient content in the secondary fermentation. Keywords:Fermentation, anti-nutritional factors, Ogiri, mineral content,melon seed varieties

Metformin mitigates dementia risk among individuals with type 2 diabetes

This mini-narrative review explores the relationship between diabetes and dementia, focusing on the potential mitigating role of metformin in reducing cognitive decline among individuals with type 2 diabetes. The interplay of factors such as glycemic control, diabetic complications, and lifestyle influences characterises diabetes-related dementia. This review emphasises the significance of comprehensive diabetes management in addressing the heightened risk of dementia in this population. Methodologically, the review synthesises evidence from 23 studies retrieved through searches on PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Current evidence suggests a predominantly positive association between metformin use and a reduced risk of dementia in individuals with diabetes. However, the review shows the complex nature of these outcomes, revealing variations in results in some studies. These discrepancies show the importance of exploring dose–response relationships, long-term effects, and demographic diversity to unravel the complexities of metformin's impact on cognitive health. Limitations in the existing body of research, including methodological disparities and confounding variables, necessitate refined approaches in future studies. Large-scale prospective longitudinal studies and randomised controlled trials focusing specifically on cognitive effects are recommended. Propensity score matching and exploration of molecular mechanisms can enhance the validity of findings in clinical practice. From a clinical perspective, metformin can serve as a potential adjunctive therapy for individuals with diabetes at risk of cognitive decline