Linear Form of 3-scale Relativity Algebra and the Relevance of Stability

We show that the algebra of the recently proposed Triply Special Relativity can be brought to a linear (ie, Lie) form by a correct identification of its generators. The resulting Lie algebra is the stable form proposed by Vilela Mendes a decade ago, itself a reapparition of Yang's algebra, dating from 1947. As a corollary we assure that, within the Lie algebra framework, there is no Quadruply Special Relativity.Comment: 5 page

Quantum spatial superpositions and the possibility of superluminal signaling

Mari et al. [Sci. Rep. 6, 22777 (2016)] and Belenchia et al. [Phys. Rev. D 98, 126009 (2018)] explore a gedankenexperiment in which the (gravitational or electromagnetic) interaction between two objects, one placed in a state of quantum superposition of two locations, seems to allow for faster-than-light communication. Building on the analysis carried out in Mari et al. [Sci. Rep. 6, 22777 (2016).], Belenchia et al. [Phys. Rev. D 98, 126009 (2018)] argue that, by considering the quantization of radiation and the existence of vacuum quantum fluctuations of the fields, the apparent possibility of superluminal signaling is completely avoided. Moreover, in the gravitational case, such a conclusion is taken as providing support for the view that gravity must necessarily have a quantum nature. In this work, we reconsider the situation and find several limitations of these assessments.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figur

Star Product and Invariant Integration for Lie type Noncommutative Spacetimes

We present a star product for noncommutative spaces of Lie type, including the so called ``canonical'' case by introducing a central generator, which is compatible with translations and admits a simple, manageable definition of an invariant integral. A quasi-cyclicity property for the latter is shown to hold, which reduces to exact cyclicity when the adjoint representation of the underlying Lie algebra is traceless. Several explicit examples illuminate the formalism, dealing with kappa-Minkowski spacetime and the Heisenberg algebra (``canonical'' noncommutative 2-plane).Comment: 21 page

Assessing Professionalism in Teaching: The Secondary Education Perspective in Cross River State, Nigeria

The study examined whether or not teaching is a full profession. It also determined the relationship between professionalism in teaching and teaching effectiveness at the secondary education level in Cross River State, Nigeria. A sample of 850 educators (844 teachers, 3 staff of Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria and 3 heads of inspectors of schools) was selected through stratified random sampling, judgemental and wholistic techniques respectively. A 20-item researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents. Survey design was adopted. Test statistics adopted for data analysis were frequency, weighted mean and standard deviation. A mean score of 2.00 and above formed the significant/acceptance level. It was found that teaching is a profession but not in its fullest sense, and that there is a strong and positive relationship between professionalism in teaching and teaching effectiveness in the study area. It was recommended that licensing should be an essential pre-requisite for entry into teaching; a uniform and lengthy training period should be maintained in all teacher training institutions and be followed by inductive training. There should be strict enforcement of Education Act 31 of 1993; and more awareness be created among teachers that professionalism in teaching is essential in their career and depends partly on them

Comparative evaluation of carcass quality and sensory characteristics of meat of rabbits fed Vernonia amygdalina and Mucuna pruriens

Reduction of total fat and cholesterol contents as well as alteration of lipid profile to a more unsaturated kind are some methods for improving quality of meat. One of the safest strategies for achieving this is through dietary inclusion of natural occuring herbs. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Vernonia amygdalina meal (VALM) and Mucuna pruriens meal (MPM) on performance, carcass and sensory quality of rabbits. Seventy-two weaned rabbits were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments, each replicated 3 times with 8 rabbits per replicate. Diet 1 was the control, diets 2 and 3 comprised of 15% each of VALM and MPM respectively each representing a treatment. At the end of 12th week, carcass evaluation, meat lipid profile and sensory evaluation were carried out. Results showed significant (P<0.05) increase in feed intake and daily weight gain for rabbits fed diets 2 and 3 as well as lower feed conversion ratio for rabbits fed diet 3 compared to the control. Rabbits on diet 3 indicated significan (P<0.05) increase in pre-slaughter weight, dressed weight as well as prime cuts (forelegs, thoracic cage, loin and hind legs). Meat lipid profile showed significant (P<0.05) reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL while HDL increased for T3 and T2. Meat protein values showed significant (P<0.05) increase in T3 followed by T2 while abdominal fat decreased as against the control. Sensory evaluation showed significant (P<0.05) decline in tenderness from T3 to T2 without adverse effect on overall acceptability. Inclusion of the VALM and MPM in rabbit diets therefore improved performance, carcass quality and sensory characteristics

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE NEED FOR STRONG INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA - A PHILOSOPHICAL ASSESSMENT

Political development is basically a process that is concerned with the improvement of institutions, attitudes and values that form the political system of a society or nation. In Nigeria, a critical assessment has revealed that despite the nation’s abundant human and natural resources, her citizens are subjected to abject poverty. Thus, this paper sets study is to assess the level of political development in the country and give reasons for establishing strong institutions. This paper concludes that the nation’s political development is hampered by factors like imposition of unrealistic policies on citizens and poor assessment/implementation of such policies, problem of socio-economic inequalities, historical challenge, corruption and mismanagement of resources and lack of credible leadership among others. This work, adopting a method of critical analysis, concludes that in order to tackle these setbacks and ensure sustainable political development in the nation there is urgent need for strong institutions.

Exposure of Petrol Station Attendants and Auto Mechanics to Premium Motor Sprit Fumes in Calabar, Nigeria

A population-based-cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the potential risk of exposure to premium motor spirit (PMS) fumes in Calabar, Nigeria, among Automobile Mechanics (AM), Petrol Station Attendants (PSA) and the general population. Structured questionnaire was administered on the randomly chosen subjects to elicit information on their exposure to PMS. Duration of exposure was taken as the length of work in their various occupations. Venous blood was taken for methaemoglobin (MetHb) and packed cells volume (PCV). Mean MetHb value was higher in AM (7.3%) and PSA (5.8%) than in the subjects from the general population (2.7%). PCV was lower in PSA (30.8%), than AM (33.3%) and the subjects from the general population (40.8%). MetHb level was directly proportional, and PCV inversely related, to the duration of exposure. The study suggested increased exposure to petrol fumes among AM, PSA, and MetHb as a useful biomarker in determining the level of exposure to benzene in petrol vapour

Thyroid function in hypertensives in South-South Nigeria

Background: Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease afflicting humans. It has been reported that hypertensive patients may have a tendency for impaired thyroid function but, these results have not always been confirmed. The aim of this study therefore was to determine the serum level of thyroid hormones in hypertensive subjects and any possible relationship between serum thyroid hormone levels and hypertension.Methods: Blood samples were consecutively obtained from One hundred and seventy (170) consenting subjects. One hundred were hypertensive subjects while seventy subjects were normotensive controls. Triiodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4) and Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were analyzed using ELISA kits. Data was analyzed using student “t” test and analysis of variance. The difference was considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.Results: The mean serum TSH value for hypertensive subjects was 3.01±2.42 µIu/ml and was significantly higher (p<0.0001) than that of the normotensive subjects (1.74±0.92 µIu/ml). Female hypertensive subjects had significantly higher (3.34±2.74 µIu/ml) mean TSH than the female normotensives with mean value of 1.79±0.86 µIu/ml (p<0.002). Mean TSH value for male hypertensive subjects was 2.78±2.4 µIu/ml and was significantly higher (p<0.007) than that of male normotensive subjects (1.72±0.96 µIu/ml). There were no significant differences in the mean serum T3 and T4 levels of hypertensives compared to the normotensives.Conclusions: It is concluded that the hypertensive subjects in this study required significantly higher (p<0.05) stimulation input, as measured from the level of thyroid stimulating hormone, to maintain the same level of thyroid hormones as their normotensive counterparts.