Shareholder Engagement and Chevron’s Policy 520 on Human Rights: The Role Played by the United States Jesuit Conference’s “National Jesuit Committee on Investment Responsibility”

Purpose To demonstrate how the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in the United States through the “National Jesuit Committee on Investment Responsibility” played a significant role as a socially conscious institutional and religious investor in influencing Chevron’s Human Rights Policy 520 and to analyze the factors that contributed to a successful shareholder engagement with the company. Methodology/approach Case study based on firsthand information. Findings Our conclusion offers support for Allen et al.’s (2012) conclusion of legitimacy (credibility) being the dominant force in a successful engagement. We found that coalition-building is a significant moderating variable in increasing shareholder salience. This finding contradicts the study by Gifford (2010). Originality/value of chapter The chapter is based on the actual process of shareholder engagement with Chevron Corporation that led to the human rights policy and is written mainly based on firsthand information

Library and Information Services for Open and Distance Learning: Assessing the Role of Mobile Technologies and Distance Learning in Higher Education

For Reason of it tested capabilities Open and Distance Learning Education has been widely accepted and adopted in many institutions across the worlds. Knowing that the practice of Library and information service to the ubiquitous distance learners promises to be a clear departure from the traditional library system, Academic libraries have become new actors in the process of distance learning among other factors of education and research. Libraries are reshaping its services and Mobile learning services is now represents exciting new frontiers in education and pedagogy. With the features of ‘wearable' computing and multimedia content delivery via mobile technologies, library services and mobile learning becomes feasible and offers new benefits to instructors and learners. The full cost and complexity of providing quality library services to support open and distance education tend to be underestimate

Variable geographic distribution of Blastocystis subtypes and its potential implications.

Blastocystis is a common intestinal micro-eukaryote found in both humans and non-human hosts and known to be genetically very diverse. It has been divided into numerous subtypes (STs), nine of which have been identified in humans to date. Surveys of ST prevalence have started to emerge over the past few years but to date no data are available for any African country except Egypt and Tanzania. In this study, we determined the prevalence of Blastocystis STs in populations from Libya, Liberia and Nigeria, as well as expanding the dataset available for the UK. A total of 356 Blastocystis STs were identified in this study, 271 from the UK, 38 from Libya, 25 from Liberia and 22 from Nigeria. SSU rRNA gene sequences revealed the presence of eight of the nine STs known from humans but at varying frequencies between countries. ST1 was the most common ST in Libya and Nigeria whereas ST3 showed the highest frequency in the other two countries, as indeed is the case in most populations around the world. ST4 was absent in Libya and ST2 in Nigeria, while no ST5, ST6, ST8 or ST9 infections were detected in any of the three African populations. The picture emerging from this and other surveys suggests that there is significant variation in ST prevalence between populations. Some of the possible reasons for and implications of this diversity are discussed

Evaluation of the Effects of Rapid Urban Population Growth on the Health Infrastructures in Selected Urban Centers in Anambra State.

The aim of this study is to ascertain the effects of rapid urban population growth on the health infrastructures in selected urban centres in Anambra State. The study adopted survey research design, using the questionnaire as the main instrument of data generation. Considering the study area, the three major urban centers selected are incorporated into two local government each that is Nnewi north and south for Nnewi, Awka north and south for Awka and Onitsha north and south for Onitsha. A total of 405 persons were sampled, that is 135 each from Awka, Nnewi, and Onitsha. Stratified Random Sampling technique was employed in distributing the questionnaires, with the mean cut–off being applied on the 5–point likert scale questionnaire to analyse the responses. The research established that population growth in the selected urban centres (Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha) negatively affects social infrastructures such as health, recreational and educational facilities. That the effects of population growth on health infrastructure in the three urban centres are significantly the same. The study have been able to prove that health  infrastructure are significantly affected on by population growth in the selected areas. The impact of population growth on social / health infrastructure is the same in Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka. In line with the findings, the following were recommended: There is need to plan and execute a strategic population census, to create a database with the actual population of the actual inhabitants of the urban centres as this is vital to population projections and planning of sustainable social infrastructure (like for today and a target future say next 20-50years). Existing health infrastructures should be expanded in the three urban centres while new ones be initiated to carter for present and future population. High  quality/durable materials  should be used  for health infrastructure construction. More sound health infrastructures should be initiated in the rural areas to reduce population growth in urban areas. Implementation of high quality service delivery in rural areas will reduce population growth in urban centres. In the light of sustainable development it is pertinent that urban population growth is checked for the  sake  of the present and future generation. KEYWORDS: Urban Population Growth, Effects on Health Infrastructure DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-4-06 Publication date: February 29th 2020

The Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistant Diarrhogenic Bacterial Species in Surface Waters, South Eastern Nigeria

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the bacteriological qualities of surface waters in Afikpo, between April and September 2016.METHODS: Surface water samples were collected from three streams for bacteriological analysis. Bacteria species were isolated using standard microbiological and biochemical techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility study was carried out using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method.RESULTS: The result of the mean heterotrophic bacteria count from the streams showed that Okpu stream had 209.5CFU/100 mL, Ohino Ngodo 162.5 CFU/100mL, and Ngwogo stream 162.0 CFU/100mL respectively. Out of the twenty-six (26) isolates obtained, E. coli and Staphylococcus species had the highest percentage occurrence (23.1%) respectively. Klebsiella, Shigella and Enterobacter sp had (11.5%) each, Pseudomonas spp (7.7%), while Salmonella and Streptococcus sp had the least percentage occurrence of (3.8%). The antibiotic susceptibility studies showed that large proportions of isolates were resistant to sulphamethaxoid (SUL), cephalothin (CEP), tetracycline (TET), penicillin G (PEN), oxytetracycline (OXY), cefotaxime (CEF), nalidixic acid (NAL) and cefuroxime sodium (CXM). The most effective antibiotic was azithromycin followed by imipenem.CONCLUSION: The presence of these multi-drug resistant strains in water samples could facilitate transmission of antibiotic resistance. This emphasizes the need for proper treatment of water in the study area.KEYWORDS: Antibiotic resistance, Bacteria, Afikpo, Surface water

Evidence of Academic Self Efficacy, Perceived Teacher Support, Age and Gender as Predictors of School Burnout

School burnout is an increasing area of research in the adolescent education literature The present study extended the literature by focusing on personal variables that can serve as a protective factor against school burnout among students in a rural public university where basic amenities and facilities are lacking Therefore the study investigated academic self-efficacy perceived teacher support gender and age as factors that predict school burnout The study was a cross-sectional ex post facto survey that involved 300 undergraduates randomly selected from a public university in southwest Nigeria The sample comprised 143 males and 157 females whose ages ranged between 14 years and 34 years Mean 22 55 SD 3 37 Data were collected with a questionnaire made up of four sections that measured the variables of interest in the study Demographic variables measured were age sex and level of study Standardized scales that measured school burnout general self-efficacy perceived teacher support were used to administered on participants Result showed significant joint influence of academic self efficacy perceived teacher support gender and age on school burnout Academic self efficacy and perceived teacher support had significant independent influence on school burnou

Census politics in deeply divided societies

Population censuses in societies that are deeply divided along ethnic, religious or linguistic lines can be sensitive affairs – particularly where political settlements seek to maintain peace through the proportional sharing of power between groups. This brief sets out some key findings from a research project investigating the relationship between census politics and the design of political institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kenya, Lebanon and Northern Ireland

Mechanical Properties and Modeling of Fibreglass-reinforeced Epoxy Resin Wastes-filled Polypropylene

The polymer composites were prepared from fiberglass reinforced polymer wastes obtained from cross-arm manufacturing and injection moulded after treating with latex and oven dried to reduce the itching nature of the fiberglass. The samples were size-classified as 150, 200, 250 and 300 microns. Tensile tests were later carried out on them. The mechanical properties determined include Tensile strength, Elongation at break, Hardness and Indentation. It is discovered that the tensile strength and indentation increased with increasing filler loadings while elongation and hardness decreased. The research was modelled to obtain higher filler weight percentage values that were not got in the laboratory after accurate and precise predictions were made with Matlab modelling software. The modeling was used to obtain the optimal and best results of the particle sizes

Organizational Learning Capability, Perceived Organizational Support and Growth of Auto Parts Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria

This study investigated the relationship between Organizational Learning Capability and Growth of Auto Parts manufacturing firms in Nnewi business cluster, Nigeria; and to ascertain whether Perceived Organizational Support would play a moderating role. A sample size of 75 was selected from a population of 103 employees of seven auto parts manufacturing firms. 72 copies of the questionnaire were eligibly filled and data was analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient with the aid of SPSS version 21. The findings showed that whereas risk taking does not substantially enhance growth, interaction with the external environment serves as a catalyst for growth. Findings also revealed that Perceived Organizational Support moderates the relationship between Organizational Learning Capability and Growth. It was therefore recommended that managers of auto parts manufacturing firms should cautiously take risk and interact with the external environment in multiple ways, while making sure that employees are properly taken care of, and their contributions appreciated. The role of government to providing enabling environment for SMEs to thrive was emphasized. Keywords: Organizational Learning Capability, Perceived Organizational Support, Growt