A Study of Valuation Clients Perception on Mortgage Valuation Reliability

The effect of overvaluation and undervaluation cannot be over emphasized in any economy. Valuation opinions are very crucial to the operations and business dealings of the clients that seek valuer’s advice in decision making. Wrong opinion of value has caused strain in many business dealings. This paper studies the perception of clients on reliability of mortgage valuation in Nigeria. A sample size of 50 lending institutions was randomly chosen representing 57.5% of the target population in Lagos State, the study area. The study used descriptive statistic to analyse the data. The study reveals that clients are of the opinion that valuations produced by valuers were not reliable. This is as a result of the experiences they were having with large disparity between the final opinion of values of those properties on default mortgage that were foreclosed and the final sales price. The study therefore concludes that the estate surveyors and valuers in the country owe their clients a duty of care by presenting accurate and reliable valuation reports since other stakeholders of the real property investors depend on these reports for their investment decision

A patient-initiated DMARD selfmonitoring service for people with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis on methotrexate: a randomised controlled trial

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of a patient-initiated DMARD self-monitoring service for people with rheumatoid (RA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) on methotrexate. Methods: A two-arm, single centre, randomised controlled trial assessing superiority in relation to healthcare utilisation, clinical and psychosocial outcomes. Participants were 100 adults with either RA or PsA on a stable dose of methotrexate, randomly assigned to usual care or the patient-initiated service. Intervention participants were trained how to understand and interpret their blood tests and use this information to initiate care from their clinical nurse specialist (CNS). The primary outcome was the number of outpatient visits to the CNS during the trial period. Differences between groups were analysed using Poisson regression models. Secondary outcomes were collected at baseline and after the 3rd and 6th blood tests. Disease activity was measured using either the DAS28 or PsARC, pain and fatigue using a visual numeric scale and the HAQII, HADS and SF12 were completed to assess disability, mood and quality of life, respectively. Differences between groups over time on secondary outcomes were analysed using multi-level models. Results: The patient-initiated DMARD self-monitoring service was associated with 54.55% fewer visits to the CNS (p<0.0001), 6.80% fewer visits to the rheumatologist (p=0.23) and 38.80% fewer visits to the GP (p=0.07), compared with control participants. There was no association between trial arm and any of the clinical or psychosocial outcomes. Conclusions: The results suggest that a patient-initiated service that incorporates patients self-monitoring DMARD therapy can lead to significant reductions in healthcare utilisation, whilst maintaining clinical and psychosocial well-being

Entomophagy — An evaluation of quality and acceptability of Raphia palm weevil larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) as influenced by thermal processing methods

In this study, the quality and acceptability factor of Raphia palm weevil larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) as influenced by different thermal processing methods were investigated. Raphia palm weevil larvae (n=1000) were randomly distributed into four groups of 250 larvae per group according to a treatment, namely: T1 = boiling (100 °C), T2 = roasting (120 °C) T3 = frying (160 °C) and T4 = oven-drying (180 °C). All treatments lasted 20 minutes. Analyses were carried out to determine the physical, chemical, vitamin and mineral composition, and microbial load. In addition, sensory characteristics were evaluated. Weevil larvae processed by the boiling method had the highest cooking yield (97.59%), water holding capacity (21.78%) and the lowest cooking loss (2.41%). The protein and fat content was higher in weevil larvae processed by frying (37.63% and 17.70%, respectively), while moisture was lowest (18.68%) in oven-dried larvae. The calcium, magnesium and phosphorus content was higher in oven-dried larvae, while there were no significant differences in iron, manganese, zinc and vitamins in the processed larvae irrespective of the methods. Boiled larvae had a higher microbial load, while fried and oven-dried larvae had the lowest microbial load. Fried larvae elicited highest sensory characteristics except tenderness, which was higher in boiled larvae, but fried larvae had higher overall acceptability than those processed by other methods. Therefore, it has been shown that the frying method is an appropriate method of processing Raphia palm weevil larvae for enhanced quality and acceptability.In this study, the quality and acceptability factor of Raphia palm weevil larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) as influenced by different thermal processing methods were investigated. Raphia palm weevil larvae (n=1000) were randomly distributed into four groups of 250 larvae per group according to a treatment, namely: T1 = boiling (100 °C), T2 = roasting (120 °C) T3 = frying (160 °C) and T4 = oven-drying (180 °C). All treatments lasted 20 minutes. Analyses were carried out to determine the physical, chemical, vitamin and mineral composition, and microbial load. In addition, sensory characteristics were evaluated. Weevil larvae processed by the boiling method had the highest cooking yield (97.59%), water holding capacity (21.78%) and the lowest cooking loss (2.41%). The protein and fat content was higher in weevil larvae processed by frying (37.63% and 17.70%, respectively), while moisture was lowest (18.68%) in oven-dried larvae. The calcium, magnesium and phosphorus content was higher in oven-dried larvae, while there were no significant differences in iron, manganese, zinc and vitamins in the processed larvae irrespective of the methods. Boiled larvae had a higher microbial load, while fried and oven-dried larvae had the lowest microbial load. Fried larvae elicited highest sensory characteristics except tenderness, which was higher in boiled larvae, but fried larvae had higher overall acceptability than those processed by other methods. Therefore, it has been shown that the frying method is an appropriate method of processing Raphia palm weevil larvae for enhanced quality and acceptability

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A METALLIC BIO-DIGESTER FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOGAS FROM COW DUNG

Biogas production has contributed greatly as an alternative source of fuel power to solving various developing nations’ problems including high dependency on petroleum products. This gives a clear objective why its production is seriously needed, as it plays a significant role in destroying and converting municipal and agricultural wastes into a useful fuel which can be used in homes and on farms for lighting, heating and moving equipment by supplying the fuel power needed This work focused on design and construction of a metallic bio digester for the production of biogas. Cow dung was mixed with water in ratio 1:2 of particulate mass. The experiment was carried out in a metallic digester under mesophilic temperature. The average retention time for the experiment was 30days. The average internal temperature of the biogas digester was 32.3oC. The total volume of biogas produced was 5.208 m3. The concentrations of methane and carbon dioxide in the biogas produced were found to be 59% and 40% respectively. The developed metallic bio-digester has been found to be appropriate for the production of biogas from cow dung at mesophilic temperature

Evaluating Diversification Strategi Direct Property Investment Portfo

Executive Summary. This paper evaluates diversification strategies adop direct property investments in the Nigerian property market. Annual hold returns were calculated from the data on rental transactions and capital v the 1998-2003 period. Under the assumption that investments are held lon constant correlation model or excess return to standard deviation represe covariance structure of assets’ returns, the findings revealed that property geographic naïve diversification strategies underperformed most of the eff portfolios constructed using constant correlation model. Most of the perfo results were found to be statistically significant at the 0.05 level. The resu that an efficient portfolio may not be more efficient than a naïvely diversif portfolio in all cases

Chrysophyllum Albidum Accelerates Delayed Gastric Ulcer Healing in Rats Through Oxidative Stress Reversal and Proton Pump Inhibition

Background: Chrysophyllum albidum has been documented to exert its gastric ulcer (GU) healing activities by modulating blood inflammatory mediators, however, other probable in-vivo underlying mechanisms are still vague which this study sought to investigate.Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (120-130g) divided into 9 groups (n=15 for groups I-VII; n=5 for groups VIII &amp; IX) viz: Groups I- positive control (DUnA); II and III–250 and 500mg/kg methanolic extract of C. albidum (MeCaB) bark respectively; IV, V and VI-100mg/kg fractions A, B and C respectively; VII–30mg/kg omeprazole; VIII-ulcerated untreated (baseline), IX-negative control. Chronic GU was induced experimentally and delayed using indomethacin with 14 days simultaneous drug treatment. Gastric ulcer score, mucin content, antioxidant and proton pump activities were evaluated by days 3, 7 and 14 of treatment. Data were expressed as Mean+SEM and P&lt;0.05 was significant.Results: C. albidum and fractions treated groups significantly decreased gastric ulcer scores and lipid peroxidation compared with DUnA. Negative control, C. albidum and fraction treated groups significantly increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione levels and mucin content compared with DUnA group by days 3 and 7. C. albidum, Negative and baseline control groups significantly decreased H+K+ATPase activities compared with DUnA by day14.Conclusion: C. albidum and its fractions facilitated the healing of gastric ulcer, probably by enhanced antioxidant levels, mucin content and decreased gastric H+K+ATPase activity. Keywords: C. albidum and chromatographic fractions, gastric ulcer healing, mucin , antioxidant, H+/K+ATPase pump

Effect of Dry Season Tomato Farming on Poverty Alleviation among Women Farmers in Niger State, Nigeria

Generally, the study examines the effect of dry season tomato farming on poverty alleviation among women farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examines the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the women dry season tomato farmers, their major sources of resources for tomato farming, marketing and marketing channels for tomato produced as well as the monthly income generated from the sales of harvested tomatoes and the effect on poverty alleviation in terms of provision for food, clothing, housing, health care and children’s education. Three Local Government Areas (LGAs), from each of  the three geo-political zones of the State were purposively selected .A total of 15 villages were randomly selected from these LGAs and based on the  preponderance of women tomato farmers, respondents were purposively selected to give a total of 233 . Findings showed that over one-half of the respondents (52.4%), had formal education and married (53.2%), with majority (91.3%), of them having four and more people in their households.Morever,41.6% of the women practiced farming as their major occupation. Furthermore, over two-thirds of them cultivated 0.5ha of tomato farm, while only 2.1% of them cultivated above 1ha. Findings indicated that majority of them had more than four years tomato farming experience and access to farm land was never a problem but many of them (51.9%), relied mostly on family labour. Niger State Agricultural Development (NSADP) plays a leading role in the provision of relevant technical information to most of the women farmers especially, in the areas of improved seed varieties among others. Results showed that many of the women (61.7%),usually sold their produce at the village markets ,mostly every week either in retails or in bulks or both(47.6%) with an estimated monthly income of between N6,000 and N15,000 by many of them (63%).In view of this, their expenditure performances indicated that many of the women farmers were above average in meeting the following basic  needs; food (52%), clothing (48.1%), housing (57%),health care (39.9%) and children’s education (19.4%).Generally the effect of dry season tomato farming  on poverty reduction as indicated by majority of  the women farmers was on the high side. Chi-square tests showed significant relationships between some independent variables and the effect of dry season tomato farming as strategy for poverty reduction;   household size ((Χ2=246.29,P<0.05), children’s education  (Χ 2= 353.3,P<0.05) and tomato farming experience (Χ 2 =121.7, P<0.05 ) as well as correlation between income generated and the effect of dry season tomato farming (r=0.85, P<0.05).Cobb-Douglas multiple regression analysis model  showed a significant relationship between contributions to household expenditures and the effect of dry season tomato farming (F=6.54,P<0.05). Housing (t= -3.85,P<0.05), clothing (t=-3.56,P<0.05) and food(t=-2.31,P<0.05) were inverse but significant in explaining 62% variation in the effect of dry season tomato farming on poverty reduction. This implies that the more the income realized to meet these basic needs the less the effect of poverty and vice – versa. Analysis of Variance also showed a significant difference between household size, income generated and the effect of dry season tomato farming on poverty alleviation (F=172.5, P<0.05).Conclusively, income generated from dry season tomato farming, to certain extent  helped in poverty reduction among women farmers. lt is recommended that  improved credit assistance and labour saving devices should be put in place to further empower women economically , while special attention is being paid to health care and children’s educatio