Socio-Cultural Practices Harmful on Female Reproductive Health: A Case Against Female Genital Mutilation

About 115 to 130 million girls and young women have experienced FGM/C, otherwise referred to as Female Genital Mutilation/cutting and an additional three million are at risk each year. It is one of the most political areas of women’s health. The practice of FGM/C harms the physical, psychological, reproductive and sexual health of women and is a violation of women’s fundamental human rights. The federal government of Nigeria in 2015 enacted the Violence against Person’s Prohibition Act which made provisions criminalising FGM. However the VAPP Act is only applicable in the Federal Capital Territory because it is a matter provided for under the concurrent legislative list. Hence, other states of the federation are expected to pass the same law to become applicable within their states. The main objective of this study is to ascertain, the extent to which FGM is harmful to female reproductive health and ascertain the effectiveness of the VAPP Act, the Constitution and other health policies of government in the eradication of FGM. Despite the VAPP Act which criminalised the offence of FGM there is still a high level of ignorance amongst practitioners. Apart from the violation of the right against torture and the dignity of the human person the study found that there are other dangers associated with the practice varying from danger to physical health resulting from unhygienic and unskilled procedures. Other lifelong effects can result in infertility, since the procedure can limit sexuality and childbearing capacity. Keywords: Female Genital Mutilation, Reproductive Health DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/100-07 Publication date:August 31st 202

The Witbank junior coal miners: a blue print for success in the South African coal industry

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. Johannesburg, 2018In 1998, the HDSA Act was promulgated with a view to economically empower black owned business entities including junior coal mining companies. However, many Witbank junior coal miners continue to struggle to establish themselves and to compete sustainably with their larger and more established counterparts in the South African coal mining industry. It is therefore still unclear as to what level of success has been achieved in light of this Act. Numerous challenges continue to face every junior coal mining operation, including knowledge and skills gaps, limited access to funding, barriers to entry, poor access to reliable coal geological data and knowledgeable service providers, difficult compliance to mining legislation and unpredictable coal market volatility. A further challenge is the threat of reduction in coal usage as a source of power generation, this as a result of strong global and national initiatives to use alternative energy sources in the form of renewables. However, as long as coal remains a key commodity for industry, power generation and export, which is considered to be well into the next 2 to three decades if not longer, the Witbank junior coal miners have the potential to achieve considerably higher levels of success in their operations, marketing and earning capacity than is currently the case. Investigations undertaken in this study have found that, by taking certain steps, even the smallest mining entity would be enabled to compete more effectively in the coal industry. It is proposed that an in-depth knowledge of the coal industry coupled with industry-specific technological innovations and skills, business management models and the consolidation of the junior coal sector through cooperatives could see junior coal miner assets sustainably upgraded into more profitable business ventures. In order to address the many issues facing initiation, start-up and early operation of an emerging or junior coal mine, a protocol was developed during the course of this study in which a number of key aspects are addressed. These have been laid out in a manner easily understood and achievable by even the smallest coal mining operator. These aspects include the technical and business side of small scale coal mining, including the benefits of single owner-operated versus cooperative operations. Matters such as safety health and environmental legislations which are essential to all mining operations are applied to the smaller scale operators.MT 201

Evaluation of Dacryodes edulis (native pear) seed biomass for Pb (II) sorption from aqueous solution

Dacryodes edulis (Native pear) seed is herein evaluated as a promising biomass for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solution. The Pb(II) adsorption onto Dacryodes edulis seed biomass was influenced by the solution pH, time, biomass dose and initial adsorbate concentration. The Freundlich model fitted better than the Langmuir model which also gave a good fit when the experimental data were represented on both isotherm models. The kinetic data clearly established the pseudo – second order model as a more appropriate model for describing the Pb(II) ion sorption onto pulverized seed of Dacryodes edulis. This investigation shows that at pH 5, biomass concentration, 50 mg/L; temperature 28 oC and contact time 90 minutes, a Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity of 10.42 mg/g was obtained. This is an indication that the native peer seed is an efficient biosorbent for Pb(II) ions removal from aqueous environment.Keywords: Dacryodes edulis, kinetics, isotherms, uptake and adsorption efficienc

Establishing Gender Sensitive Witness and Victim Protection Measures in Complex Criminal Cases

The justice system relies heavily on evidence to establish the commission of a crime. In most complex criminal cases such as human trafficking and terrorism this evidence are not readily or easily accessible for a number of factors. One of such reason is that most times victims may be dead and so cannot give oral testimony of what happened to them. Other reasons that were the victim or witnesses of complex crimes are children or women they are usually vulnerable and are over taken with fear of what may happen to them or members of their family if they reveal the truth of what they know. For this reason, it is difficult for them to step out to give evidence to the police not to talk of give oral testimony in the open court of what they witnessed. Where in the cause of an investigation of a crime the police however stumbles into human evidence who witnessed the commission of a crime or is a victim it is the duty of both the investigator and the prosecutor to protect such vital witness knowing how sensitive and vital their evidence would help to bring about closure on the perpetuators of the crime. This paper identifies the challenges of witnesses and victims of complex crimes, in supporting the justice system by giving evidence of the commission of a crime without being protected by the State. For this reason, the paper proffers solutions on witness protection measures that can be made available to them. Keywords: Victim, witness, vulnerable witness DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/112-11 Publication date:August 31st 202

A Cashless Policy and Economic Development in Nigeria

A cashless economy is an environment in which money is spent without being physically carried from one place to another. It is meant to be an economic setting where services and goods are paid for via electronic which includes credit cards, bank transfer and Cheques, with no bill or money handed from one person to another. The cashless policy was introduced in January 2012, the robust interest which the policy has generated is surprising considering the effects on the business environment and particularly lives of ordinary Nigerians. The study showed that cashless policy reduces the movement of cash through usage of ATM, fund transfer, mobile banking. It helps financial transactions to be done without delay, it reduces money laundering. The study indicated that there is a very weak positive relationship between cash movement, joint effect of delivery of financial transactions and cashless policy (R= 0.245) and the model is not significant. However, for the relationship between internet availability, cashless policy and cash movement, the relationship between cash movement, the joint effect of internet availability and cashless policy is also weak ( R = 0.295 ). The model is also significant. The policy is faced with challenges ranging from erratic power supply, electronic fraud, lack of adequate sensitization, poor internet services, high rate of illiteracy and computerization. The benefits include but not limited to reduction in revenue leakages, it helps to reduce cash related crimes, the cost of handling cash is reduced to the barest minimu

The Audit Expectation Gap Problem In Nigeria “The Perception Of Some Selected Stake-Holder Groups”

The purpose of this study is to highlight factors contributing to audit expectation gap problem in Nigeria. The audit expectation gap is the difference in perception between auditors and users of audited financial statement concerning the nature of auditing. Unfortunately, there have been criticisms of the auditor by the public from which opinions have emerged over the years due to business failures. It seems the users have a different idea of what auditing should be. This is what has led to the audit expectation gap. The factors contributing to this gap that are of particular concern to the researcher in this study are uncertainty about the responsibilities of external auditors, uncertainty about the extent to which audit report may be used in making investment decisions, audit report messages and independent of auditors. This study adopts a survey research design. Even though the study covers the business landscape of Nigeria, a sample size of two hundred (200) persons made up of fifty (50) persons each of auditors, accountant in business, banker and investors/shareholder were selected conveniently as time permitted from some accounting firms, bank, investment houses and companies in Lagos, Enugu and Abuja. The research instrument used was the questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using cross-sectional chi-square analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significant factors that create expectation gap in Nigeria and other findings will be presented. Keywords: Audit expectation gap, communication gap, Nigerian problem

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NEURO- FUZZY AND SIMPLEX OPTIMIZATION MODEL FOR CONGESTION CONTROL IN ATM NETWORK.

Congestion always occurred when the transmission rate increased the data handling capacity of the network. Congestion normally arises when the network resources are not managed efficiently. Therefore if the source delivers at a speed higher then service rate queue, the queue size will be higher. Also if the queue size is finite, then the packet will observed delay. MATLAB Software was used to carry out simulations to develop Congestion control optimization Scheme for ATM Network with the aims to reducing the congestion of Enugu ATM Network. The results of the research reveal the minimization of congestion application model for Enugu ATM using optimization and Neuro-fuzzy. The result shows that congestion control model with Optimization and Neuro-fuzzy were 0.00003153 and 0.00002098 respectively. The ATM Congestion was reduced by 0.0000105, which is 18.2% decrease after Neuro-fuzzy controller was used. The results show the application of Neuro-fuzzy model which can use to control and minimized the ATM Congestion of Enugu ATM Network. The result shows that when Neuro-fuzzy is applied the congestion and the packet queue length in the buffer will be minimized. Key words: Congestion, MATLAB, Optimization, Neuro-fuzzy, ATM DOI: 10.7176/CTI/10-05 Publication date:July 31st 2020

Application of Fuzzy Logic Temperature Controller for Water Bottle Industry

The mathematical modeling involves convectional controller which affect the performance non-Linear and complex control system of the Bottle water industry. The system instability can be overcome by using intelligent controller to control and Monitor water temperature within a specific period of time in order to avoid overshoot and absolute error, with better temperature tracking capability. However, most industry does not have accurate and reliable monitoring mechanism capable of sensing when the water Temperature increases. The fuzzy Logic is used to control the Temperature of Bottle water at difference time of operation. This operational failure can be overcome by designing a model that will monitor and control the water temperature process thereby improving temperature control in water bottle industry using Fuzzy Logic Controller. MATLAB Software was used to carry out simulations to develop Temperature control in Bottle water industry with aims of improving operational mechanism of the industry. This model can then be trained with result gotten from the mathematical model in order to monitor and control the Water Temperature. The result showed that Bottle water Temperature with and without Fuzzy Logic Controller were 850C and 650C respectively. The Temperature increased by 200C. With these results, it shows that using fuzzy Logic Controller gives a better result than when fuzzy logic is not used. Keywords: Fuzzy Logic, Temperature, Control, MATLAB, Monitor. DOI: 10.7176/CEIS/10-2-02 Publication date:March 31st 201

Exposure to Insecticide Mixture of Cypermethrin and Dichlorvos Induced Neurodegeneration by Reducing Antioxidant Capacity in Striatum

To evaluate the effect of cypermethrin (CP) and dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate, DDVP) on the striatum of adult Wistar rats. Thirty-two animals were grouped into 4; group A (control) inhaled fresh air, and groups B, C, and D were exposed to a formulation of 5 mm-1 (4.4 ppm) of dichlorvos and 10 mm-1 (8.7 ppm) of cypermethrin insecticide for 2hrs/day, 3hrs/day and 4hrs/day respectively. We utilized the wire suspension test to demonstrate the neurobehavioral changes across the four groups of animals to identify the animal groups that have lost their motor function. Following the neurobehavioral test, the animals were weighed, anesthesized and dissected for brain tissue harvesting. Half of the brain tissue was frozen for biochemical analysis while the other part was fixed in 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin for two days and grossed to isolate the brain tissue of interest for histopathology. The results from the neurobehavioral studies show a significant decrease in motor function of the experimental groups. There was a significant elevation in the malondialdehyde and glucose levels of all the exposed groups, while their various antioxidant levels decreased significantly (p<0.05). Histopathological features were observed across the exposed groups ranging from the presence of vacuolated neuronal cells, neuronal cell shrinkage, and chromatolysis, which characterize the neurodegenerative effect of cypermethrin and dichlorvos on the striatum. This study indicates that a combined administration of cypermethrin and dichlorvos exerts a neurodegenerative effect on the striatum of adult Wistar rats

Lassa fever outcomes and prognostic factors in Nigeria (LASCOPE): a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever endemic in parts of west Africa. New treatments are needed to decrease mortality, but pretrial reference data on the disease characteristics are scarce. We aimed to document baseline characteristics and outcomes for patients hospitalised with Lassa fever in Nigeria. METHODS: We did a prospective cohort study (LASCOPE) at the Federal Medical Centre in Owo, Nigeria. All patients admitted with confirmed Lassa fever were invited to participate and asked to give informed consent. Patients of all ages, including newborn infants, were eligible for inclusion, as were pregnant women. All participants received standard supportive care and intravenous ribavirin according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control guidelines and underwent systematic biological monitoring for 30 days. Patients' characteristics, care received, mortality, and associated factors were recorded using standard WHO forms. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression models to investigate an association between baseline characteristics and mortality at day 30. FINDINGS: Between April 5, 2018, and March 15, 2020, 534 patients with confirmed Lassa fever were admitted to hospital, of whom 510 (96%) gave consent and were included in the analysis. The cohort included 258 (51%) male patients, 252 (49%) female patients, 426 (84%) adults, and 84 (16%) children (younger than 18 years). The median time between first symptoms and hospital admission was 8 days (IQR 7-13). At baseline, 176 (38%) of 466 patients had a Lassa fever RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) lower than 30. From admission to end of follow-up, 120 (25%) of 484 reached a National Early Warning Score (second version; NEWS2) of 7 or higher, 67 (14%) of 495 reached a Kidney Disease-Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) stage of 2 or higher, and 41 (8%) of 510 underwent dialysis. All patients received ribavirin for a median of 10 days (IQR 9-13). 62 (12%) patients died (57 [13%] adults and five [6%] children). The median time to death was 3 days (1-6). The baseline factors independently associated with mortality were the following: age 45 years or older (adjusted odds ratio 16·30, 95% CI 5·31-50·30), NEWS2 of 7 or higher (4·79, 1·75-13·10), KDIGO grade 2 or higher (7·52, 2·66-21·20), plasma alanine aminotransferase 3 or more times the upper limit of normal (4·96, 1·69-14·60), and Lassa fever RT-PCR Ct value lower than 30 (4·65, 1·50-14·50). INTERPRETATION: Our findings comprehensively document clinical and biological characteristics of patients with Lassa fever and their relationship with mortality, providing prospective estimates that could be useful for designing future therapeutic trials. Such trials comparing new Lassa fever treatments to a standard of care should take no more than 15% as the reference mortality rate and consider adopting a combination of mortality and need for dialysis as the primary endpoint. FUNDING: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Oxford, EU, UK Department for International Development, Wellcome Trust, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Agence Nationale de Recherches sur le SIDA et les hépatites virales, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development