Human Capital Development and the Nigerian Economy: A Dynamic Specification

We employed the autoregressive distributed lag [ARDL] model. This was estimated based on the Bound co-integration technique. We indeed attempted to shed light to relationship between human capital development and economic growth in Nigeria.  Thus, while it cannot be concluded that human capital development has significant contribution to economic growth in Nigeria because both variables of education and health were not found to be jointly significant, it can be concluded that education has contributed significantly and positively to economic growth in Nigeria in the long run. The finding thus holds that education is a catalyst for influencing economic growth in Nigeria. This finding is in line with theory. Therefore, policymakers should take imperative steps in embarking on strategic education in Nigeria with emphasis on secondary schools. Key words: Human capital, GDP growth, Nigeria, ARDL model, education, health

Data on the effect of current density relationship on the super-alloy composite coating by electrolytic route

In thiswork,adetaileffectofnanoparticleloadingandimproved process parameteronthesynthesisofmodified Zn-TiO2 electrocodeposited nanocompositecoatingwaspresented.Thecoatings wereperformedatconstanttimeof20minuteatastirringrateof 400rpmattemperatureof70 °C. Theeffectofparticleloadingand inputcurrentonthepropertiesoftheelectrocodepositedNano- composite wasstudied.Theco-depositionwascarriedoutata current intervalbetween1.0and1.5Aforthecoatingperiod.The basis ofbathformulationasitquantitativelyandqualitatively affects thecoatingsystemwasputintoconsideration.Hence,the electrocodeposition dataforthecoatingpropertiesandcoatingper unit areawereattained.Also,theeffectofannealingheattreatment on thehardnesspropertiesofthenanocompositecoatingswas carried out.Theannealingtemperatureusedwas250 °C soasto ascertain thethermalstabilityofthecoatingsandtoachieve homogenisation ofthecoatingsystem.Theweightgainedunder difference coatingconditionwereattainedandcouldbeapplied using modified Zn-TiO2 electrocodepositednanocompositecoat- ings asaneffectiveandsafealternativecoatingtochromiumand other harmfulcoatings

Effect of Avogadro natural oil on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in hydrochloric acid solution

The inhibition action of Avogadro natural oil on corrosion of mild steel in one molar hydrochloric acid solution was investigated by gravimetric and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. The surface morphology of as-corroded samples was assessed with high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (HR-STEM/EDS). From the results, the presence of Avogadro natural oil in the metal–acidic interface decreased the corrosion rate with all the exposure times. The inhibition efficiency (%IE) increases with the concentration of the inhibitor considered. Results obtained from gravimetric measurements indicate that the natural oil exhibited higher efficiencies of 93.26 % after 384 h of exposure time and 98.26 % recorded in the potentiodynamic polarization method, both at 4.5 g/v inhibitor addition. Equally, results from the linear polarization indicated higher potential value with an increase in the polarization resistance (R p) and lower current density for the inhibited samples than the uninhibited mild steel sample. The inhibitive effect of this oil was explained in view of adsorption on the metal surface. The adsorption process follows the Langmuir adsorption isotherm

Effect of WO3 Nanoparticle Loading on the Microstructural, Mechanical and Corrosion Resistance of Zn Matrix/TiO2-WO3 Nanocomposite Coatings for Marine Application

In this study, for marine application purposes, we evaluated the effect of process parameter and particle loading on the microstructure, mechanical reinforcement and corrosion resistance properties of a Zn-TiO2-WO3 nanocomposite produced via electrodeposition. We characterized the morphological properties of the composite coatings with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with an Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS). We carried out mechanical examination using a Dura Scan hardness tester and a CERT UMT-2 multi-functional tribological tester. We evaluated the corrosion properties by linear polarization in 3.5% NaCl. The results show that the coatings exhibited good stability and the quantitative particle loading greatly enhanced the structural and morphological properties, hardness behavior and corrosion resistance of the coatings. We observed the precipitation of this alloy on steel is greatly influenced by the composite characteristics

Effect of Larvae Treated with Mixed Biopesticide Bacillus thuringiensis - Abamectin on Sex Pheromone Communication System in Cotton Bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera

Third instar larvae of the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) were reared with artificial diet containing a Bacillus thuringiensis - abamectin (BtA) biopesticide mixture that resulted in 20% mortality (LD(20)). The adult male survivors from larvae treated with BtA exhibited a higher percentage of “orientation” than control males but lower percentages of “approaching” and “landing” in wind tunnel bioassays. Adult female survivors from larvae treated with BtA produced higher sex pheromone titers and displayed a lower calling percentage than control females. The ratio of Z-11-hexadecenal (Z11–16:Ald) and Z-9-hexadecenal (Z9–16:Ald) in BtA-treated females changed and coefficients of variation (CV) of Z11–16:Ald and Z9–16:Ald were expanded compared to control females. The peak circadian calling time of BtA-treated females occurred later than that of control females. In mating choice experiment, both control males and BtA-treated males preferred to mate with control females and a portion of the Bt-A treated males did not mate whereas all control males did. Our Data support that treatment of larvae with BtA had an effect on the sex pheromone communication system in surviving H.armigera moths that may contribute to assortative mating

Capital Structure and Firm’s Profitability: Evidence From Listed Consumer Goods Sector in Nigeria

This study investigated the impact of capital structure on profitability of consumer goods firms in Nigerian for a period of eight years (2011-2018). Data of ten (10) randomly selected listed firms of the Nigeria Stock Exchange were derived from the firms’ published financial reports for the period covered. The panel regression results revealed that Debt to Asset Ratio(DAR) is positively significant on Return On Asset(ROA) (Proxy for profitability),while other proxies of capital structure shows that Debt to Equity(DER), Liquidity Ratio(LIQ), are not statistically significant, Short Term Debt to Total Asset Ratio (SDTA) shows a negative connection, Firm Size (FS) has a weak correlation with profit and Long Term Debt to Total Asset Ratio (LDTA) do not influence firms’ profitability of the consumer goods sector of Nigeria economy. In conclusion, capital structure influences the profitability of consumer goods sector of Nigerian Stock Exchange. It was recommended that firms in that sector should leverage on debt financing to boost their earnings as interest payment on debt is tax deductible

Utilization of Ocimum gratissimum and the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf meal in the diet of broiler chicks

This preliminary study was carried out to evaluate the utilization of Ocimum gratissimum and the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf meal in starter diets by broiler chicks, for a total period of 42 days between May-June 2011. Eighty (80) broiler chicks brooded together for 7 days with a mean body weight of 97gm were randomly allotted in a completely randomized design to a control and 3 treatments as follows: Control group = broiler chicks fed starter diet without treatment, T1 = broiler chicks fed 125g each, of O.gratissimum leaf and the calyx of H. Sabdariffa meal; T2= broiler chicks fed 250g of the calyx of H. sabdariffa meal and T3= broiler chicks fed 250g O. gratissimum leaf meal in 100kg of starter diets. Feed and water were fed ad libitium throughout the experiment. The calculated values of metabolizable energy and crude protein were 3024.30kcal/kg and 23.45% respectively. These values satisfied the recommended nutrient  requirement for inclusion in broiler starter diets. The result obtained did not show significant effect (P>0.05) on the feed consumption, body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio. O. gratissimum leaf and the calyx of  H.sabdariffa meal affects growth response and percentage mortality rate in broiler chick production. Inclusion of the calyx of H.sabdariffa meal in broiler starter diets sharply reduced body weight gain (1.38kg/bird),  increased feed consumption (4.17kg/bird) and limited digestibility andutilization of dietary nutrients (FCR;3.06) more than that O.gratissimum meal. The inclusion of O.gratissimum leaf and the calyx of H.sabdariffa meal at the ratio of 1:1 greatly reduced body weight gain (1.28kg/bird) and made chicks to poorly digest and utilize dietary nutrients. Feeding Ocimum gratissimum leaf and Hibiscus sabdariffa meal in broiler starter diets reduced mortality by 15% during production.. This possibly attests to the therapeutic protection against pathogens of the O.gratissimum leaf and the calyx of H.sabdariffa meal included in the diet. Further research study is therefore suggested to find out the cause of reduction in body weight gain and feed utilization of broiler chicks fed Ocimum gratissimum leaf andHibiscus sabdariffa starter based dietsKey words: Ocimum gratissimum, calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa, leaf meal, body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio