Effect of Market Reforms on Cotton Agriculture in Nigeria (1960-2010)

This study examined the effect of market reform on cotton agriculture in Nigeria using time series data on cotton production from a period of 1960 to 2010.The Autoregressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) modeling approach to co-integration analysis was employed to analyze the data. Results based on co-integration and error correction specification indicated that the exchange rate, import price, external reserve and SAP are the major determinants of cotton production in the long-run while exchange rate and SAP are the major determinant in the short-run. Findings indicated that market reform has a positive and significant effect on Nigeria’s cotton production both in short-run and long-run. KEYWORDS: Cotton, SAP, ARDL, Co-integration

Effect of Foreign Agricultural Aid and Corruption on Agricultural Growth in Nigeria (2002-2013).

This study examines the effect of Foreign Agricultural Aid and Governance on Agricultural Growth in Nigeria between 2002 and 2013. Agricultural growth (proxied as agricultural GDP) was specified as a function of factors such as Foreign Direct Investment, Foreign Agricultural Aid, Land, Real Exchange rate, Control of corruption, Rule of Law, Governance, Population, Government Expenditure, Human capital and Inflation. Augmented-Dickey Fuller (ADF) unit root test was used to check the unit root properties of the variables, while quantitative estimates were based on Ordinary Least Square (OLS) modeling. The study finds that, after controlling for other factors, foreign Agricultural aid and Government Expenditure significantly affect agricultural growth while Corruption has a negative and significant effect on Agricultural growth in Nigeria. These findings suggest that while foreign agricultural aid could be a driver of growth in the Nigerian agricultural sector if well managed, Corruption will continue to hinder the goal of sustainable agricultural growth if not addressed. Keywords: Agricultural Aid, Corruption, Agricultural Growth, Nigeri

Sedimentation, depositional environments, and hydrocarbon potential of the Maastrichtian-Paleocene Araromi Formation, eastern Dahomey (Benin) Basin, southwestern Nigeria

The Cretaceous sediments in southwestern Nigeria are host to one of the largest bitumen deposits in the world. In the current paper, an integrated study on sedimentology, palynology, and applied petroleum geochemistry of the Maastrichtian-Paleocene Araromi Formation was used to determine the depositional environments and hydrocarbon potentials of the formation on the eastern Dahomey Basin. Four sedimentary lithofacies were identified from core samples, namely, lower limestone (F$_{1}$); medium to coarse-grained sandstone (F$_{2}$); lower loosely consolidated sandstone (F$_{3}$); and shale and siltstone (F$_{4}$). Sedimentation in the eastern Dahomey Basin occurred mainly in fluvial and shallow-marine (shelf) environments. The palynological assemblages of the Araromi Formation reflect deposition in coastal through brackish water to shallow shelf environment with periods of localized wind-induced storms. The shale and siltstone samples of the Araromi Formation are characterized by total organic carbon (TOC) values of up to 2.50 wt % and S$_{2}$ (hydrocarbon-generating potential) values ranging from 0.26 to 0.70 mgHC/g rock, indicating poor source rocks. Shales show poor quality and thermally immature organic matter at shallow depth and could neither have generated liquid hydrocarbon nor contributed to the heavy oil occurrence on the bitumen and tar-sand belt of eastern Dahomey (Benin) Basin

Households Demand Analysis For Processed Fruits In Abeokuta Metropolis of Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract This study hypothesized that demand for for processed fruits is price inelastic i

The median nerve and its thenar branch in the carpal tunnel region - a morphometric study

No Abstract. NQJHM Vol. 8 (2) 1998: pp. 235-24

Convergence Rate of Some Two-Step Iterative Schemes in Banach Spaces

This article proves some theorems to approximate fixed point of Zamfirescu operators on normed spaces for some two-step iterative schemes, namely, Picard-Mann iteration, Ishikawa iteration, S-iteration, and Thianwan iteration, with their errors. We compare the aforementioned iterations using numerical approach; the results show that S-iteration converges faster than other iterations followed by Picard-Mann iteration, while Ishikawa iteration is the least in terms of convergence rate. These results also suggest the best among two-step iterative fixed point schemes in the literature

MODIFICATION OF LOG-NORMAL PREDICTION MODEL FOR HSPA NETWORK USING ADAPTIVE NEURO-FUZZY INFERENCE SYSTEM

The transmission of radio signals over a channel for proper path-loss prediction is a core aspect of planning in wireless communication. Some conventional path-loss prediction models such as Log-normal, Okumura-Hata and COST 231 models are not appropriate for predicting the path-loss values due to differences in frequencies of operation which, therefore, need adaptation before employing. This paper, therefore, modifies the Log-normal prediction model for High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) using Adaptive Neuro-fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). The modification is carried out by measuring the Received Signal Strength (RSS) using drive test at Ayetoro area of Lagos, Nigeria on (Longitude 3.19647E and Latitude 6.59167 N). The drive test equipment consists of a computer system integrated with Test Equipment for Mobile System (TEMS) software, Ericson TEMS phone and Global Positioning System (GPS). Suitability of the conventional models is determined using Base Station (BS) parameters of the network after which the modification of Log-normal prediction model is carried out by obtaining the path-loss exponent. The path-loss exponent is used to determine the deviation for proper modification. The modified model is further enhanced using ANFIS model which is developed by training five layer ANFIS architecture for adaptation. The models are evaluated using path-loss values and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) to determine the performances. The results obtained show that ANFIS, COST 231, and modified Log-normal models give the lowest RMSE values with their path-loss values closest to the measured values. Therefore, these models are suitable for predicting the HSPA signal in this area and can be used for future planning of wireless network

Convergence Rate of Some Two-Step Iterative Schemes in Banach Spaces

This article proves some theorems to approximate fixed point of Zamfirescu operators on normed spaces for some two-step iterative schemes, namely, Picard-Mann iteration, Ishikawa iteration, S-iteration, and Thianwan iteration, with their errors. We compare the aforementioned iterations using numerical approach; the results show that S-iteration converges faster than other iterations followed by Picard-Mann iteration, while Ishikawa iteration is the least in terms of convergence rate. These results also suggest the best among two-step iterative fixed point schemes in the literature

Utilization of Iron Filings as Partial Replacements for Sand in Self-Compacting Concrete

The use of industrial by-products in concrete production is part of concerted efforts on the reduction of environmental hazards attributed to the mining of conventional aggregates. Consideration of iron filings (IF), a by-product from steel production process, is an environmentally friendly way of its disposal which is expected to yield economic concrete production. Six self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixes were made by partially substituting river sand with IF at 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% and the mix without IF (0% IF) served as the control. The water-binder (w/b) ratio of 0.45 was adopted for all mixes. The fresh state properties of SCC evaluated include: filling ability determined using slump flow and T500 mm slump flow tests, passing ability determined using L-box test and segregation resistance determined using V-funnel tests. The strength properties of SCC considered were compressive and tensile strengths. All the SCC mixes met the fresh properties requirements for filling capacity, passing ability, and segregation resistance. The 28-day compressive and tensile strengths of SCC increased by 3.46% and 8.08%, respectively, with IF replacement up to 15% compared to the control SCC. However, there was reduction in compressive and tensile strengths of SCC with IF replacement beyond 15%. The strength properties of SCC is considerably enhanced with the addition of up to 15% IF. Hence, the optimum content of 15% IF is considered suitable as a replacement for river sand in SCC. Keywords: Self-compacting concrete; iron filings; fine aggregates; filling ability; passing abilit