The Role of Physiologists in Health Care Delivery Through Exercise

No Abstract

Implementation of A Collaborative E-Learning Environment On A Linux Thin-Client System

The advances in electronic technology have created opportunities for new instructional designs to be developed. Since Knowledge is expanding at a tremendous rate, these designs make it easy to impact the necessary knowledge (both practical) on people to enable them survive in a competitive environment. The Collaborative E-Learning Environment as an important group learning mode sets a goal of convenience and an adaptation into our technologically advanced society. It emphasizes the communication and information sharing among group members. Implementing this collaborative e-learning environment on a Linux thin-client system makes it possible for this environment to be available in most schools and companies because the Linux thin-clients are less expensive than other conventional computing systems. Developing a Collaborative E-Learning Environment on a Linux Thin-Client System provides a means of delivering an improved quality of education in our society. This paper involves the setting-up of Linux Thin-Client system, installing the appropriate applications necessary for this environment, and developing the interactive portal that will enable registered users to have access to the appropriate collaborative tools. Keywords: Bandwidth, Collaborative learning, E-learning, Linux, Thin-clien

Determination of systolic blood pressure recovery time after exercise in apparently healthy, normotensive, non-athletic adults and the effects of age, gender, and exercise intensity

The aim of this study was to determine in statistical terms, the systolic blood pressure recovery time (SBPRT) and the effects of age, gender and exercise intensity in a large sample of apparently healthy non-athletic adults (n=597, aged 18-68). Subjects performed mild, moderate, and severe ergometer exercise tests. Blood pressure was measured before exercise (after 10 and 15 minutes of rest), during exercise (at 2-minute intervals) and at every minute of post-exercise recovery until systolic blood pressure (SBP) returned to baseline. The present findings indicate that the average values of SBPRT were between 5 and 7 minutes regardless of age, gender or exercise intensity. Systolic blood pressure recovery time increased with each age group (p\u3c0.001) in all the exercise intensities. Young and middle-aged men indicated higher SBPRT than females (p\u3c0.001) in mild and moderate exercise regimens. In men, SBPRT appeared to decrease with increase in exercise intensity (p\u3c0.001) but indicated no significant differences amongst the exercise intensities in women. The present study therefore indicated mean SBPRT values that were consistent with previously reported values and which indicated age and gender effects following three exercise intensities of cycle ergometer. The reported data will help clinicians to define post-exercise SBP responses in statistical terms stratified by age, gender and exercise intensity in future investigations and during clinical assessment of individuals

Studying the Influence of Board Size on the Financial Performance of Selected Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria

This study examined the effect of board size on financial performance (proxied by both economic value added (EVA) and return on assets (ROA) of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria using publicly listed firms.  The study investigated the extent and nature of the relationship between board size and profitability of publicly listed manufacturing firms; and nature and extent of the relationship between board size and firm size of same firms. The study adopts quantitative panel methodology in analyzing secondary (panel) data collected and collated from the audited financial statements of 46 quoted manufacturing firms drawn from 95 subsectors of (NSE) for the twelve year period (2003-2014). It revealed that manufacturing firms with smaller board size are more viable than those with larger board size.  It also reported that firms within the sector with larger boards recorded lesser profits in contrast.  The implication of the findings can be deduced from the problem associated with free rider syndrome characteristic of chief executive officer dualizing as managing director for firms in Nigeria.  Further, stricter regulating of corporate institutions is imperative because of the significant role that these institutions play in the stock markets and negative repercussions that are experienced when their risk-taking is not properly regulated.  The study, recommends, among others, that firms seeking some improvement in their performance should constitute smaller sized boards of directors composed of few independent directors.  Moreover, there may be a need to revisit regulation with respect to constituting board size which would balance the interest of executives and shareholders. Key words: Board size, Financial Performance, Quoted Manufacturing Firm

Age-Related Differences in Systolic Blood Pressure Recovery after a Maximal-Effort Exercise Test in Non-Athletic Adults

The present study investigated the rate of systolic blood pressure recovery (SBPR) amongst three male age groups. Ninety-six apparently healthy, non-athletic adult males (48 young [23.91±4.58 years], 32 middle-aged [41.78±5.98 years] and 16 elderly [62.87±2.57 years]) participated in the study. Subjects performed a maximal-effort ergometer exercise test. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was measured during the exercise protocol; heart rate (HR) and SBP were measured before exercise (after 10 and 15 minutes of rest), during exercise (at 2-minute intervals), and at the first minute of post-exercise recovery and subsequently at 2-minute intervals until the recovery of SBP. Results showed that third-minute SBP ratio relative to 1 minute of recovery (SBPRy) was significantly lower (p\u3c0.01; p\u3c0.001) in the young (0.87± 0.06) when compared to middle aged (0.91 ± 0.05) and elderly adults (0.93 ± 0.04). Using bivariate correlation analysis, VO2max and %HR decline at 1 minute and 3 minutes of recovery, correlated with SBPRy in all age groups but after controlling for their confounders, only %HR decline in 3 min remained significantly correlated with SBPR in all the age groups. This study therefore showed age differences in SBPR after exercise with younger adults indicating faster recovery than older adults. After controlling for factors influencing SBPR, %HR decline in 3 min of recovery appeared to be a stronger contributor to age differences in SBPR than %HR decline in 1 min and VO2max. The reported data indicate the need to take age into account when interpreting SBPR after exercise during physical assessment of healthy individuals

An Empirical Analysis of Inflationary Impacts on Profitability and Value of Selected Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria

The study investigated the nature of the relationship between inflation and the value of firms in the manufacturing sector of a developing economy like Nigeria. It also tried to discern the nature of the relationships between inflation and profitability (proxied by return on assets) and economic value added and return on assets. The study employed secondary data collated from the audited financial statements of the sampled firms. These were analyzed using multiple regressions and analysis of variance. Results indicate a strong negative relationship between inflation and firm value and an insignificant negative relationship between inflation and return on assets (proxy for profitability). Further, the relationship between return on assets and economic value added is insignificant. Inflation, even at low level, seriously understates the true value of the firm. The implication of the findings is deducible from the fact that accurate estimation of the real value of the firm necessitates incorporating inflation element to arrive at the value of investments in fixed assets and other long term investments. It also highlights the fact that most business failures are caused by unwise investments in fixed assets that could easily have been detected if inflation rate is incorporated to get at the real cost of investible funds. Keywords: Inflation, Return on Assets, Firm Valuation, Manufacturing Firm

Effectiveness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Enhancing Accountability in the Nigerian Public Sector

The study is aimed at identifying strategies and measures that will strengthen the effectiveness of the commission in their fight against corruption in the Nigerian public sector to ensure accountability and transparency. The research adopted content analytical method and revealed that lack of societal cooperation, poor staff training, pre-bargaining and systemic disorder affect the effectiveness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in their fight against corruption in the Nigerian public sector. The implication of the findings is that, it will be difficult for the government to succeed in the fight against corruption in Nigeria if the identified problems are not addressed. The study, suggests, that concerned and enlightened individuals should collaborate with the EFCC to get rid of corruption in Nigeria. Further, the government should adopt appropriate measures no matter how bitter, to root-out these causes of corruption if Nigeria is really serious about the fight against corruption. Government should ensure that the public sector officials discharge their duties in compliance with the code of conduct guiding the public sector. Key words: Effectiveness, EFCC, Accountability, Public Secto

Relationship Between Sexual Harassment And Psychological Adjustment Of Undergraduates Of Enugu State University Of Science And Technology Enugu Nigeria

The study sought to find out the relationship between sexual harassment and psychological adjustment of undergraduates of Enugu State University of Science and Technology Enugu Nigeria. Three research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. The subject of the study was 614 undergraduates composed using a screening instrument adopted from American Association of university women sexual harassment scale 1993. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire developed by the researchers titled sexual harassment and psychological Adjustment questionnaire (SHPAQ). In analyzing the data, both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Results showed that undergraduates experienced moderate level of sexual harassment with a low level of psychological adjustment. Also, the result showed that sexual harassment relates negatively with psychological adjustment of undergraduates. Based on the findings recommendations were made. Key words: sexual, Harassment, psychological, Adjustment

Mud rotary drilling in Southern Nigeria: Potential adverse effects of its by-products on the environment

Boreholes are the major sources of potable water for households, communities, institutions and industries in Nigeria and the number of these boreholes continues to rise and does not show any sign of abatement. Among the current methods used for drilling boreholes, mud rotary drilling has been consistently chosen due to its low cost and efficient operation. However, no attempt has been made to assess the effects of the drilling process and the potential impact of its by-products on the environment. This work assesses the concentrations of heavy metal constituents of mud effluent collected from five well sites made of mud rotary drilling (Oraeri community in Anambra State, Yenegoa in Bayelsa State, Forcados Island in Delta State, Ohaji Egbema in Imo State, and Ndoni LGA in Rivers State) in Southern Nigeria and the impact of its by-products where they are indiscriminately disposed during and after drilling activities. The Mud effluent collected from all the sites were analyzed for metals (Manganese, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, chromium, arsenic, mercury, and iron) using atomic absorption spectrophotometery (AAS) method. The mud effluents from the wells in all the sites have concentrations in the range of Manganese (114 to 314 mg/kg), Copper (73 to 96 mg/kg), Lead (16 to 36 mg/kg), Nickel (36 to 70 mg/kg), Zinc (4 to 79.51 mg/kg), Chromium (320 to 423 mg/kg), Arsenic (2 to 3.2 mg/kg), Mercury (Trace to 2.93 mg/kg) and Iron (14 to 229.3 mg/kg) in that order. The study also highlights the possible methods of managing the drilling mud effluent and the best practices for disposing the waste materials

Phonological Interference in the Spoken English Performance of the Izon Speaker in Nigeria: A Product of Systemic and Interlanguage Factors.

This paper sets out to examine the phonological interference in the spoken English performance of the Izon speaker. It emphasizes that the level of interference is not just as a result of the systemic differences that exist between both language systems (Izon and English) but also as a result of the interlanguage factors such as the level of the individual’s interaction in and with the L1, his level of education and access to oral English lessons while in school. The research reveals some troublesome contrasts in the two languages. The three factors that determine the level of interference are: the level of immersion of the individual in Izon; the level of the individual’s education; the individual’s oral English education exposure. The English language teacher has to be aware of these factors and pay particular attention to the differences in the phonological systems of the first language (L1) and the second language (L2) which can cause interference.Keywords: Mother-tongue, First language, Second language, Interlanguage, and Immersion