Applications of set covering theory to the partitioning of political electoral constituencies

The present work reviews recent computer techniques to the constituency boundary problem. A computer technique based on the set-covering theory is developed and it is shown how the computer results based on the choice of objective can help decision making as regards the optimal plan with respect to equitable apportionment. Data based on the Northern Counties of England was used for the European Assembly Constituency apportionment

Pathophysiology of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a slow developing preventable cancer that occurs after colon or rectal polyps undergo abnormal cellular changes. CRC is a very common cancer but can be preventable if screenings are completed as recommended. This poster will be discussing the pathophysiology of colorectal cancer and nursing implications related to the diseas

Medieval Saints and Modern Screens: Divine Visions as Cinematic Experience

This is a book review of Alicia Spencer-Hall, Medieval Saints and Modern Screens: Divine Visions as Cinematic Experience (Amsterdam University Press, 2018)

Juvenile crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) LC50 mortality from South Louisiana crude, peanut and mineral oil

Nearly every continent has species of crawfish that inhabit wetlands or are near coastal areas where petroleum and other oils are produced, transported, and accidentally released. Most crawfish cannot tolerate polluted water. Thus, they could serve as biomonitors of fossil fuel, biofuel, and other oil releases and assess potential negative impacts such oils have on wetland and coastal ecosystems. The objectives of this study were to estimate the acute toxicity of three oils to juvenile crawfish and determine if toxicity was due to poisoning or interference with oxygen transfer across the gills. Juvenile crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) were tested for acute toxicity (96-h) using South Louisiana crude, peanut and mineral oils. Pairs of randomized tanks, with ten crawfish per tank or twenty per treatment concentration, were used in each experiment. Temperature (22°C±1) and standard water quality parameters were maintained constant based on ASTM protocols. The acute toxicity of South Louisiana crude oil was compared with peanut oil, a representative of biofuels and similar biologically-based oils, and mineral oil, which has a higher molecular weight and represents the heavier components of crude oil and biofuels. Two sets of experiments showed crude oil is acutely toxic to juvenile crawfish from 50 to 100 mg/L, with 84 mg/L being the LC50 (median lethal concentration at 96-h). Peanut oil acute toxicity, identified by another pair of experiments, was approximately one order-of-magnitude lower (LC50 = 600 mg/L) than crude oil. The heavier mineral oil produced another order-of-magnitude lower mortality, with the LC50 exceeding 10,000 mg/L. The gills of crawfish exposed to crude oil did not appear to be coated with hydrocarbons and the mortality observed is putatively due to poisoning, Peanut oil mortality appeared to be due to poisoning plus smothering, whereas mineral oil mortality appeared to be due primarily to smothering. This work suggests possible engineering techniques to reduce the toxic effects of oils and points to toxicity considerations of biofuels. Additional laboratory and field-based studies using juvenile crawfish are needed to provide understanding of the mechanisms of acute and chronic toxicity by hydrocarbon and biologically-based oils in sensitive wetland and coastal ecosystems. Key words: crawfish, crude oil, biofuel, toxicity, ecology, engineerin

Overcoming Barriers to Effective Missions

Much today is known regarding the Great Commission of Christ to the church before his ascension for which every member is called to actively engage in missions until Christ’s Second Coming. The Greek word ethne, translated in English as “nation” is better understood as people groups (Matt 28:19). The challenge and responsibility of the Adventist Church, therefore, is to reach the diverse and numerous people groups proximal and distant, by employing all possible means and methods that God has provided for this task. The assignment undoubtedly may appear daunting, however, it still is “mission possible.” For this goal to be achieved the church, especially its leadership, needs to overcome certain barriers inhibiting effective mission. This paper seeks to highlight a few of those barriers; however, it is not exhaustive in scope due to certain understandable limitations. Its objective is to enlighten and arouse mission leadership concerning obstacles to be overcome in order for more effective mission to be conducted in all respective territories. It seeks to create awareness of the reality of the mission situation, the acknowledgment that there might be barriers occurring within our territories, and engender action plans to rectify the present scenario. Other literature may provide several different perspectives on this subject; however, from the present Adventist standpoint the focus is on five issues I consider crucial at this point in time. The five barriers to effective missions discussed in this paper include knowledge, timidity, identity, spiritual, and logistic barriers

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s Cashless Policy in Nigeria: Benefits and Challenges

The paper examines the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced in 2011, and on April 1,2012 it commenced operation in Lagos as a pilot project. The policy aims at shifting the Nigerian economy froma cash-based economy to a cashless one, with a view to among others, achieving the requirements of Nigeria’svision 20:20 20 development agenda; reducing the cost of banking services; and improving the effectiveness ofmonetary policy in managing inflation and driving economic growth. Given the policy’s objectives, the paperx-rays the associated benefits of the policy as well as the attendant challenges that may encumber the successfulachievement of the policy’s objectives. The paper therefore makes some suggestions that will make the policysucceed. They include: periodic review of the policy by the CBN to iron out grey areas; embarking on intensiveawareness campaign and sensitization of the citizenry by the CBN; putting adequate security mechanisms inplace to forestall fraudulent practices; making the public power supply work efficiently; and exempting cashlodgments and public holidays from cash management charges.Keywords: Cashless Policy, Central Bank of Nigeria, Vision 20:20 20, Benefits, Challenges

Obubra Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: An Assessment of the Economic Development of a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria

The paper carried out an empirical investigation into the state of economic development of Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria, right from inception in 1902 to date. Economic development was examined from the perspective of poverty reduction, human and infrastructural development. The paper then adopted a descriptive approach and empirically analyzed stylized facts captured in human development index (HDI), Human Poverty Index (HPI) as well as field surveys and personal interviews. The findings showed that the pace of economic development in Obubra is rather slow and not commensurate with the age of the Local Government Area. The paper therefore drew agenda to serve as a road map for sustainable development of Obubra in the future, as follows: full utilization of natural resources for economic development; adoption of sound educational policy; provision of basic infrastructural facilities; fostering economic empowerment/social inclusion and imbibing the principles of environmental sustainability. Keywords: Obubra; Economic Development; Local Government Area; Cross River State; Nigeria; level of Poverty and Human Development. Jel Classification Codes: O10, O12, O13, O15 and O18