FOREIGN BANKS’ PRESENCE, BANKING SECTOR OPENNESS AND NEW FIRM CREATION IN SELECTED AFRICAN COUNTRIES

This paper analyzes the dynamic impact of foreign banks’ presence and openness of banking sector on new firm creation in a panel of African countries. The analysis is based on Panel corrected standard error estimate (PCSE) and system Generalised Method of Moment (SGMM). Using data of sixteen countries in Africa between 2006 and 2017, the results reveal that foreign banks’ presence and banking sector openness have significant positive impacts on new firm creation. The study also examines the causality between the variables via Toda and Yamamoto approach. The results confirm a bidirectional causality between banking sector openness and new business creation. This means that there is a two-way flow between the variables. Banking sector openness drives entrepreneurial development and entrepreneurial activities also drive openness of the banking sector. This implies that foreign banking firms through their access to advanced technologies, increase the efficiency in the domestic banking sector of the economy. They grant loanable funds to domestic entrepreneurs for setting up new firms. The findings suggest that the presence of multinational banks is a blessing to African economies. Keywords: Foreign Banks, Liberalization, Entrepreneurial Start- up. &nbsp

Assessment of some key issues that affect the acceptance of Building Information Modelling (BIM)

The study evaluated how technological integration affects Building Information Modelling (BIM) acceptance. Quantitative research design was used, whereby survey was employed using questionnaire as a means of data collection. A total of 190 questionnaires were distributed to the professionals in the Nigerian construction industry, 170 questionnaires were retrieved; SPSS software was employed for analysis with descriptive statistic and multiple regression as tools for the analysis. The finding shows that there is positive relationship between rapid change in technology, cost of integration, government policy and BIM acceptance. It means that rapid change in technology and cost of its integration in conjunction with lack of government enforcement affects BIM acceptance. Therefore, government should formulate and enforce policies that can control the adoption and implementation of a new or integrated technology.Keywords: Building Information Modelling; Integration; Technolog

Trend of neonatal mortality in Nigeria from 1990 to 2017 using time series analysis

The study examined the incidence of the rate of Neonatal Mortality in Nigeria. The incidence tested with use of Time Series Analysis (ARIMA). The trend plot of the incidence shows that there has been steady decrease in the incidence rate over the years. The series was stationarity using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) Test, the result found to be stationary. The Correlogram of the incidence also supports the stationarity of the series at 1% level of  significance. The model that best describes the incidence was tested using the Box-Jenkins four step procedures, which involve identification, explanation, diagnostic and forecasting. ARMA (1, 1), and ARIMA (1, 1, 1) models were tested, and ARIMA (1, 1, 1) model happens to be the best model that best fits the series. The time series analysis shows that neonatal mortality rate has reduced by 17.8% from 51. 7% in the year 1990 to 33. 9% in the year 2017.Keywords: Auto regression, Moving average, Mortality, Stationarity, Correlogra

The assessment of cadmium, chromium, copper, and nickel tolerance and bioaccumulation by shrub plant Tetraena qataranse

Heavy metals constitute some of the most significant environmental contaminants today. The abundance of naturally growing Tetraena qataranse around Ras Laffan oil and gas facilities in the state of Qatar reflects its toxitolerant character. This study examined the desert plant’s tolerance to Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb relative to soil concentration. Analysis by inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) showed that the plant biomass accumulates higher Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni concentration than the soil, particularly in the root. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of all metals in the root and shoot indicates the plant’s capacity to accumulate these metals. Cd had a translocation factor (TF) greater than one; however, it is less than one for all other metals, suggesting that the plant remediate Cd by phytoextraction, where it accumulates in the shoot and Cr, Cu and Ni through phytostabilization, concentrating the metals in the root. Metals phytostabilization restrict transport, shield animals from toxic species ingestion, and consequently prevent transmission across the food chain. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis further corroborates ICP-OES quantitative data. Our results suggest that T. qataranse is tolerant of Cd, Cr, Cu, and Ni. Potentially, these metals can accumulate at higher concentration than shown here; hence, T. qataranse is a suitable candidate for toxic metals phytostabilization. © 2019, The Author(s).Qatar University's student grant QUST-CAS-SPR-2017-33 supports this study. The authors also wish to acknowledge the Environmental Studies Center (ESC) and Central Laboratory Unit at Qatar University for providing support to ICP-OES and FTIR analysis, respectively. We thank Dr. Chaevien S. Clandinen for the critical reading and language editing of revised manuscript. The publication of this article was funded by Qatar National Library.Scopu

Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays on variability for yield attributing traits in Fonio (Digitaria exilis [Kippist] Stapf.)

A study was conducted to determine the mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of different doses of gamma rays in inducing variability that could be exploited in the genetic improvement of fonio. Seeds of five accessions of fonio were irradiated with five different doses of gamma rays (100 Gy, 200 Gy, 400 Gy, 500 Gy and 0 Gy as control). The seeds were sown in a plot in a completely randomized design with three replications to rise the M1 generation which was advanced to M2 generation. The result obtained from the M2 mutants revealed highly significant difference (P≤0.01) in the effects of different gamma rays doses on the growth and yield traits of fonio. This implies the presence of high genetic variability induced by the mutagen in fonio. The effect is concentration dependent, increase with decrease in irradiation dose. More so, the effectiveness of the mutagen decreases with increase in dose. Seven different chlorophyll deficient mutants were found in the form of: Albina, Chlorina, Lustescent, Striata, Viridis, Viriscent and Xantha, with Xantha, Chlorina and Albina as the most frequent chimeras, The result indicated that lower dose of gamma rays (100 Gy) is more effective and efficient as it induces favorable mutation that could be utilized in the genetic improvement of fonio. Accession Nkpowas was found to respond more to the mutagenic treatment. Keywords: Accessions, Fonio, Gamma Rays, Mutation

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection among students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence on HBV co-infection rates with HIV infection among individuals remains conflicting. The study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HIV infections and the possible potential risk factors among students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from 600 consenting consecutive students aged between 16 and 40 years old at the University Health Services, ABU, Zaria. The sera were screened for HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc using diagnostic kits and for Human Immunodeficiency Virus using DetermineTMHIV-1/2 kits. Reactive sera for HBsAg were further confirmed using ELISA kits. For HBsAg, 9.2% (55/600) tested positive among which, none had detectable anti-HBs antibodies, indicating recent infection. About 7.3%, 36.4% and 94.5% were positive for HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc respectively. Seroprevalence of HIV infection was 2.8% (17/600). One (0.2%) of the student was infected with both HBV and HIV. There was a significant association between age group (p=0.016), gender (p=0.049), family history of HBV infection (p=0.000), and seroprevalence of HBsAg. While for HIV, only menial jobs (p = 0.001) was significantly associated with the infection. The results showed close contact among family members to be a predisposing factor to these viral infections. A total of 314 students were ignorant of HBV and four of them were infectious. The seroprevalence of HBsAg obtained in this study indicates high endemicity according to WHO classification. However, seroprevalence of HIV and its co-infection rate with HBV were very low. This was encouraging and it indicates that the campaign on HIV is yielding the desired result. Therefore similar campaign should be extended to Hepatitis B.Keywords: Seroprevalence; HIV; HBsAg; Serological markers; Students; Nigeri

Assessment and Evaluation of Bris Soil and its Implication on Maize Crop in Merang- Terengganu Region of Malaysia

The research objectives focus on the evaluation of the physical properties of BRIS soil; to investigate the limiting factors for maize crop; also to create the awareness of the farmers as to the fertility and soil characteristics for better maize production and the effort to increase maize crop production.        Soil fertility status of soil series are classified as very low to low, except Base Saturation because the soils are strongly influenced by sea movement. The soil suitability was S3-twrne for Baging and Rhu Tapai, S3-twrnx for Rudua, and S3-twrn for Jambu with the soil productivity of around < 1, 1-2 and 2-3 tons dried maize per ha per year respectively. The needed efforts to improve soil capability from actual to potential soil suitability for maize cultivation are i.e. cover the soils with mulch, make sprinkle irrigation, make dam for water holding and retention, give and maintain organic matters in the soils and do not burn biomass, fertilize soils with NPK and organic fertilizers, do wash elements of Na and H and break down shallow spodic horizons, make terraces and mix mineral subsoils to BRIS soil to improve CEC. Keywords: Assessment, Evaluation, Bris Soil Series, Physiography, Maize, Terengganu,

BRIS Soil Suitability Assessment on Sweet Potato in Merang- Terengganu Region of Malaysia

The research objectives focus on the evaluation of the physical properties of BRIS soil; to investigate the limiting factors for sweet potato crop; also to create the awareness of the farmers as to the fertility and soil characteristics for better sweet potato production and the effort to increase sweet potato crop production. Soil fertility status of soil series are classified as very low to low, except Base Saturation because the soils are strongly influenced by sea movement. Soil fertility status of soil series are classified as very low to low, except Base Saturation because the soils are strongly influenced by sea movement. However, Baging and Rhu Tapai soil suitability in terms of nutrient where mostly M/nU/d, with SU at the slope; for Rudua and Jambu they are mostly S with no trace of some soil criteria. However the needed efforts required in improving the soil capability from actual to potential soil suitability for sweet potato cultivation can be seen in the agronomic requirement table above. Hence, cover the soils with mulch, make sprinkle irrigation, make dam for water holding and retention, give and maintain organic matters in the soils and do not burn biomass, fertilize soils with NPK and organic fertilizers. Keywords: Suitability, assessment, Bris soil series, Soil Profile, Terenggan

The role of women in the fishing community of Doma Dam, Nasarawa State

The study was carried out to assess the role of women in the fishing activities around the Doma dam fishing community in Nigeria. The study reveals that women participate in all fishing activities and play significant role in family income generation from gear construction, fish catch, transportation, processing to marketing of the fish and fish products. Some limitations were identified in women participation such as some cultural practices, denial to participate in decision making, poor infrastructure and lack of organised markets. Women should be encouraged to freely participate and make decision so as to enhance their finances as it will translate to enhancing the family income

Critical Failure Factors in Selling Shoplots towards Sustainability of New Township Development

The focus of this research is to identify the critical factors of shop houses sale failure in Nilai New Township. The critical factors of sale failure of commercial property types, shop houses in new township need to be discover as reported by Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) showed 5,931 units of shop houses in Malaysia is currently completed but remained unsold where Johor was recorded as the highest with unsold units followed by Negeri Sembilan. Thus Nilai New towship is chosen as research sample for unsold shop houses units due to its strategic location which is near to KLIA, International Sepang Circuit, educational instituitions and surrounded by housing scheme but yet still has numbers of unsold units. Data was gathered from survey question between developers, local authority, purchasers/tenant and local residents.. Generally, the factors of sale failure are economy, demography, politic, location and access, public and basic facilities, financial loan, physical of product, current stock of shop houses upon completion, future potential of subsale and rental, developer’s background, promotion and marketing, speculation and time