Investigating the Imperfection of the B – S Model: A Case Study of an Emerging Stock Market

The Black – Scholes (B-S) model is one of the widely used models in the pricing of financial option. The B-S model like most other models hinges on assumptions; one of which is the normality condition. A lot of researches have shown that using the log-return of developed market index that this assumption does not hold. We have shown in this paper using the log return from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2012 in an emerging (Nigerian Stock Exchange) market All Share Index (ASI) to further support the reports of the non - normality condition of the B-S mode

Trends of critical care management of obstetric patients in a tertiary hospital in sub-Saharan Africa

Background: The maternal mortality rate in sub-Saharan Africa is high compared to other regions of the world. Management of critically ill obstetric patients is very challenging. We therefore evaluate the trends, clinical characteristics and outcome of the obstetric patients admitted into the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in sub Saharan Africa.Methods: This was a 9- year retrospective study carried out at the multidisciplinary Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a University Teaching Hospital which serves as a referral centre for the south east region of the country. Data were collected from the patients’ record, ICU admission and discharge register. Also collected was data concerning labor ward admission and deliveries. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 17 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).Results: The total admission into the ICU during the study period was 1243 patients of which 73 (5.87%) were obstetric patients. They were between the ages of 17 and 54 years with mean of 32.05±5.96 years. The total number of deliveries within the period was 11224 (1247 per year). The commonest obstetric cases admitted into the ICU were (pre) eclampsia 28.8% followed by obstetric hemorrhage 24.7%. The overall mortality rate in this study was 39.7%. The commonest intervention carried out in the ICU was mechanical ventilation.Conclusions: The two leading indications for ICU admission and maternal mortality are (pre)eclampsia and obstetric hemorrhage

The Woes of Scientific Realism

This paper investigated the disagreement between Realists and Anti-realists on the observable and unobservable distinction in scientific practice. Whilethe realists maintain that machines and gadgets can simulate the human act of perception there-by making all realities under the screen of science observable, the anti-realists or the instrumentalists insist that what cannot be observed with the human senses even if detected with gadgets are not observable. This paper contended against the realist position which says that machines can simulate the human activity of perception. Hence the distinction between what is observable and unobservable is shown to be indisputable

How university students in South Africa perceive their fathers’ roles in their educational development

The larger study that has influenced this article was designed to explore what influenced rural men’s capabilities to actively participate in children’s early social development and its impact on transition to adulthood among their university-going children. Studies have established an increase in the level at which fathers in South Africa have been found wanting in terms of supporting their children’s development at early stages in their lives. It has been reported that this unacceptable behaviour can be transmitted or carried over from one generation to the next. There is the belief that the majority of the young male children who experienced non-supportive fathers will grow up repeating this behaviour with their children. This calls for a study on the perceptions of young people about what fatherhood is all about, hence this study. This study used a descriptive survey with a sample size of 300 students studying education in one university in the Eastern Cape Province. A 25-item questionnaire titled Perception of Fatherhood by University Students (α = 0.75) was used to collect data that were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The participants perceived that the experience and level of education influence men’s perception of fatherhood positively. Extra‑curricular programmes for proper fatherhood transition of young boys are recommended, commencing from Grade 1 through to Grade 12, to expose them to the kinds of dispositions that will enable them to be responsible fathers. There is also a need for compulsory empowerment programmes such as for designers, artists and sportsmen and other semi-skilled professions for male children who cannot acquire higher education to strengthen them socio-economically to provide education for their children

Transformation and decolonisation of mathematics education for sustainable development: A case study of its learning trend in Nigeria

the quest to contextualise education in Africa has been on-going for a while and many countries have been making efforts towards it. During this time of educational review, conscious efforts should be made to identify problematic levels of some subjects that are dreadful to the learners to pave the way for curriculum re-design for context appropriateness. Mathematics learning in African countries has been a source of concern to all educational stakeholders despite several efforts towards its deconstruction. An examination of performance trend in the subject might reveal at what point the learning started declining and this will suggest intervention towards decolonisation of its content. This study measured the academic performance of pupils from preschool level up to the end of primary education (VI class). A descriptive survey research design was adopted and 720 Primary VI pupils were selected through multi-stage sampling technique in a state in Nigeria. Primary School Mathematics Performance Record Sheet (PSM_PRS) was used to collect mathematics scores from preschool through Primary VI class. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and graphs. Pupils started experiencing major declines in mathematics from Primary III class. Results also indicate no significant difference in the class where male and female pupils’ performances started declining. Therefore, there is the need to review and contextualise mathematics content from third year in primary/elementary school for effective learning. Activity-based and exploratory strategies using contextual experiences and resources to deliver mathematics lessons were recommended for third year in primary/elementary schools and beyond

Chemical and Sensory Characteristics of Fufu Made From Mixtures of Cassava and African Breadfruit Flours

Cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) tubers and  African breadfruit (Treculia africana) were processed separately into instant flours and mixed at different proportions. Five samples were developed using ratios of; 50:50, 60:40, 70:30, 80:20 and 90:10% of cassava flour to African breadfruit flour respectively. These  were made into fufu and subjected to sensory and chemical evaluation. The results of proximate analysis showed that the protein contents of all samples were statistically different from each other (p<0.05) with the highest content coming from 50:50 cassava-breadfruit fufu (3.28g/100g). Cassava-breadfruit fufu 90:10% ratio had the highest  energy value of 367.64Kcal/100g and was also significantly different from all the other samples. The highest content of all the minerals examined (iron, zinc, calcium, copper) were in 50:50% cassava-breadfruit fufu. While cassava breadfruit fufu 90:10 recorded the lowest mineral content. Sensory evaluation showed the taste of cassava breadfruit fufu 50:50 to be preferred to that of others (p<0.05) but the colour of cassava breadfruit fufu 90:10 had  the highest acceptance. The addition of breadfruit increased energy, protein and iron contents of cassava fufu. &nbsp

Compaction and consolidation characteristics of lateritic soil of a selected site in Ikole Ekiti, southwest Nigeria

The compaction and consolidation characteristics of lateritic soils in Ikole area of Ekiti State were investigated. The investigation was carried out through laboratory tests on disturbed and undisturbed soil samples obtained from three borings (BH1, BH2, and BH3) of Holy Apostolic Nursery/Primary School, Ootunja, Ikole Local Government Area (L.G.A.) of Ekiti State Southwest, Nigeria. The soils are all lateritic and mostly fine-grained. Compaction tests indicate maximum dry densities of 2.05Mgm-3, 1.78Mgm-3, and 1.69Mgm-3 at optimum moisture contents of 14.3%, 20.7% and 19.6% for soil samples obtained from BH1, BH2 and BH3 respectively. Compression indices (Cc) obtained from oedometer tests are 0.04816, 0.03820 and 0.04318 while the calculated coefficients of volume compressibility (mv), are 1.308*10-4, 1.065*10-4 and 1.093*10-4 m2kN-1 for samples in BH1, BH2 and BH3 respectively. The unsoaked California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value at 2.5 mm penetration ranges from 42.10% to 92.40% and CBR value at 5.0 mm penetration ranges from 52.70 to 89.10% indicative of good materials for road subgrade, sub-base and base courses.Keywords: Compaction, Consolidation, CBR, Southwest Nigeria

Distribution of Lead and Cadmium in Soils on Koko Seaport, Delta State, Nigeria

Soil contamination by Lead and Cadmium is a prevalent ecological problem that requires attention because these two metals are toxic and could accumulate and translocate in soil over time, which poses a risk of entering the food chain and affecting the living organisms in the food web. The objective of this study is to evaluate the levels of Pb and Cd in soil from selected sampling locations of the Koko Seaport in Delta State, Nigeria. Five areas near Koko Seaport were investigated for the transport of these heavy metals in the soil. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and chart models was used to determine the concentration of these metals. Cadmium and lead levels that were significant were found in the studied areas. The data did not show any differences between the two metals due to the significance of the *p>0.05 value. The variations showed a surge in comparisons of the amounts of cadmium in stations 2 and 3, respectively, as well as significant values for cadmium compared to lead. The outcome was directly influenced by the type and quantity of hazardous wastes present in the research area. The recommended remedial actions for these metals include soil cleansing, immobilization, and the choice of plants with hyper bio accumulation for phytoremediation methods that allow the use of genetic engineering

Zika virus and birth defects: an obstetric issue

Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that is relatively unknown, unstudied and under-diagnosed, but has potentials to spread to new geographical areas that favour survival of Aedes mosquitoes. It is associated with an alarming rise in babies with microcephaly that require much care and support with a lot of financial assistance. This is a review article on Zika virus and birth defects; a worrisome issue in today’s obstetric and medical practices. Since Zika’s discovery in Uganda, the virus was known to occur within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to Asia with no or mild symptoms. It has emerged as a global public health threat over the last decade with accelerated geographic spread of the virus in the last nine years. The risk of Zika virus to the fetus is poorly understood, difficult to quantify and problematic. The causal link between Zika virus and microcephaly was initially speculative, strongly suspected and scientifically unproven. However, on 13th April, 2016, it was concluded that Zika virus is the cause of microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authors reviewed and weighed evidences using established scientific criteria to conclude after a careful review of the report published in the New England Journal of Medicine. There is no prophylaxis, treatment or vaccine to protect against Zika virus infection. However, preventive personal measures are highly recommended to avoid mosquito bites