Forecasting the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product in Correspondence to Crude Price Fluctuations

The study aims to find a long-run empirical correlation between crude prices and the Nigerian Economy. Therefore, the Independent Variable for the study is the natural log of crude prices and the Dependent Variable would be the economic activity in Nigeria (Operationalized using the natural log of GDP). The research explores the Vector Autoregression Model (VAR Model), Serial Correlation LM Test, VAR Granger Causality/Block Exogeneity Wald Tests, Forecast Error Variance Decomposition (FEVD), and the Impulse Response Functions (IRFs). The time period of the study was from 1998 to 2008 (annual statistics were used), and the findings from the Augmented Dickey-Fuller Unit Root Test indicates that lngdp is stationary for an optimal maximum lag of 1 in 1st Level, including Intercept in the test equation. Furthermore, lngdp is found to have a causal impact on lncp. This finding is complemented by the findings of FEVD and the IRFs. The empirical analyses show that the lngdp is a strong determining factor of the lncp fluctuations and directly influences forecasts of the same, ceteris paribus. In the final analysis, the the researchers recommend that the Central Bank of Nigeria, while making policies relating to economic growth, should involve indicators of external commodity markets and should diversify from an oil-dependent economy to an economy which would be less susceptible to Dutch Disease. Keywords:Statistical Analysis; Econometrics; Forecast Error Variance Decomposition; Impulse Response Functions DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/12-22-11 Publication date: November 30th 202

Orange Sorting by Applying Pattern Recognition on Colour Image

AbstractManual sorting/grading of oranges is done at wholesale markets/ food processing factories based upon its maturity, size, quality and breeds. With an aim to replace the manual sorting system, this paper proposes the research work for automated grading of Oranges using pattern recognition techniques applied on a single color image of the fruit. This research is carried out on 160 Orange fruits collected from varied geographical locations in Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra. System designed can automatically classify an Orange fruit from this region, given its single color image of 640 × 480 pixel resolution, taken inside a special box designed with 430 lux intensity light inside it, by a digital camera. Only 4 features are used to classify oranges into 4 different classes according to the maturity level and 3 different classes as per size of oranges. In this paper two novel techniques based on Pattern Recognition are proposed – Edited Multi Seed Nearest Neighbor Technique and Linear Regression based technique; although Nearest Neighbor Prototype technique is also deployed. Linear Regression based technique can explicitly predict the maturity of the unknown orange fruit, enabling classification into multiple classes with desired lifespan. Experimental results indicate success rate up to 90% and 98%

Parental Help-seeking Intentions for Childhood Adhd in Asian Indian American Parents: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Background: Pediatric attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent, impairing disorder with significant public health burden. Unfortunately, there is considerable delay to treatment and a low rate of lifetime treatment contact for individuals with ADHD, especially among ethnic minorities. The Asian Indian American (AIA) population, one of the fastest growing minority populations in the United States, has been ignored completely in ADHD help-seeking research. To fill this void, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework was used to examine how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control affect help-seeking intentions for ADHD in AIAs. Method: 191 parents (53% AIA) of children aged 5-12 years at risk for ADHD yet who have not sought treatment for their child\u27s elevated ADHD symptoms, were recruited from advertising on social media websites and snowball methods. Parents completed an online survey to assess their (a) recognition of ADHD, (b) knowledge of ADHD etiology, (c) attitudes towards ADHD treatment, (d) subjective norms regarding ADHD treatment, (e) perceived control over their ADHD help-seeking behavior, and (f) intention to seek help for their child\u27s elevated ADHD symptoms. Results: Perceived behavioral control independently predicted intention to seek help, and this association was moderated by ethnicity. European American parents\u27 help seeking intentions were more impacted by their perceived behavioral control over possible obstacles. Subjective norms and attitudes were not significantly associated with intention to seek help. AIA parents endorsed lower levels of biopsychosocial etiology beliefs and were less likely to recognize ADHD compared to European American parents. Conclusions: Perceived behavioral control may be more impactful for European American parents than AIA parents. Perceived behavioral control was positively associated with help-seeking in European American parents. AIA parents demonstrated negative associations between all TPB variables and help-seeking intentions, indicating that the TPB or its measure may not adequately address factors affecting help-seeking intentions among AIAs

Effects of Internals Configurations on Heat Transfer and Hydrodynamics in Bubble Columns - With and Without Solid Particles

Internals of different types are required in a number of industrial applications of bubble columns to achieve the desired mixing or to remove the heat of reaction to maintain desired temperature and isothermal conditions of operation. Some of these applications include Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, methanol synthesis, and production of dimethyl ether (DME). The presence of internals however can alter the column hydrodynamics and mixing patterns which could influence reactor performance. A fast response probe capable of capturing bubble dynamics, as well as detecting flow direction is used to study the effect of internals on local heat transfer and column hydrodynamics in a bubble column with and without solid particles. It captured the temporal variations in heat transfer coefficients due to changes in local hydrodynamic conditions. Measurements obtained in presence of different configurations and combinations of internals are compared with those without internals to elucidate the effects of internals design and configurations. Comparisons are based on average values and fluctuating component of local temporal variations of the heat transfer coefficient obtained with the fast response probe. The average gas holdup, center line liquid, and bubble rise velocities obtained with and without internals are also compared. The observed differences are discussed based on the insights provided by these comparisons. The heat transfer coefficient and gas holdup increases in presence of internals. Relationships between local heat transfer measurements and hydrodynamic conditions with internals are shown and discussed. The observed increase in heat transfer coefficients with scale can be related to increase in liquid circulation velocity with column diameter, which in turn is related to an increase in large bubbles rise velocity

Measurements of natural and artificial point discharge

Assuming spherical symmetry, an approximate form of the current voltage relationship has been derived for a single point and the constants involved verified experimentally in the laboratory, under controlled conditions. When a single point was replaced by a multiple-point system the total point-discharge current through the latter was found to be a function of the point separation and the clearance of the points from the H.T. plate. The current through a system of multiple-points of different starting voltages obeyed an approximate cube law, later derived theoretically, similar to the case of trees and small plants. The fraction of the point - discharge current in a living tree bypassed through a low resistance galvanometer has been found to increase with total point-discharge current, because the impedance of the tree in between the two electrodes increases and the reactance of the bypassing circuit decreases. Resistance of the tree was found to increase with time after application of the voltage and also to increase with decreasing voltage when measurements were made of steady currents; no such effect was observed with instantaneous currents. The effect of the wind on the point-discharge current through a single well as multiple-point system has been studied. The relation between the point-discharge current, point voltage and wind speed has been derived empirically, using a method of multiple regression analysis. The quantity of charge per pulse, as calculated from the ratio of the average current end frequency of the pulses, was always found to be greater than that calculated by integrating the pulse over the time of decay. When a wind was applied parallel to the electron current, the quantity of charge per pulse increased linearly at first and then reached a saturation stage; a very high wind was however needed to get any noticeable effect

Case of peritoneal tuberculosis in third trimester of pregnancy

Tuberculous peritonitis is one of the least common forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculous peritonitis in pregnancy is a diagnostic challenge, especially in the absence of lung involvement. We report a case of peritoneal tuberculosis in a 32-Year-old female, a G2A1 with 30 weeks’ gestation came with chief complaint of profuse clear discharge from the umbilicus. USG abdomen and pelvis was suggestive of 1 cm sized wide hypoechoic track in the umbilical region likely communicating with anterior uterine wall, while MRI Fistulogram was suggestive of Oedematous sinus tract in the cutaneous and subcutaneous plane of the periumbilical anterior abdominal wall with no obvious extension beyond the rectus sheath. Anti-tubercular treatment was started for the patient immediately upon diagnosis. The flow of clear discharge ceased within 2 days and the symptoms resolved in 2 weeks. This case is being presented for the rarity of its occurrence specifically in pregnancy

Defense Mechanisms of Gingiva

Defense is resisting an attack; there are numerous protective mechanisms that work in the oral cavity against various insults. Gingiva is constantly subjected to a wide array of mechanical,  chemical and antigenic challenges — some of which are transient and others permanent. This review will discuss how the gingiva prepares and safeguards itself via diverse defense mechanisms in the face of this challenging environment