On twisted forms and relative algebraic K-theory

This paper introduces a new approach to the study of certain aspects of Galois module theory by combining ideas arising from the study of the Galois structure of torsors of finite group schemes with techniques coming from relative algebraic $K$-theory.Comment: Final version. To appear in the Proceedings of the London Mathematical Societ

Quasi-exact Treatment of the Relativistic Generalized Isotonic Oscillator

We investigate the pseudospin symmetry case of a spin-1/2 particle governed by the generalized isotonic oscillator, by presenting quasi exact polynomial solutions to Dirac equation with pseudospin symmetry vector and scalar potentials. The resulting equation is found to be quasi-exactly solvable owing to the existence of a hidden $sl(2)$ algebraic structure. A systematic and closed form solution to the basic equation is obtained using the Bethe ansatz method. Analytic expression for the energy is obtain and the wavefunction is derived in terms of the roots to a set of Bethe ansatz equations

Impact of Digital Revolution on the Structure of Nigerian Banks

The study examined the extent to which digital revolution has affected the organizational structure of Nigerian banks. Twenty-five banks were selected for the study in south-western Nigeria. Interview was conducted for middle and top level managers and questionnaire was developed and administered to the other staff using a five-point Likert scale to determine the attitudes and opinions of the staff on the effects of digital revolution on the organizational structure of the banks. The mean was used as an indicator of central tendency for quantitative variables that have frequency distributions in the study. The study found that standard operating procedures, politics, culture, surrounding environment and management decisions were all affected by digital revolution. It affected the organizational balance of rights, privileges, obligations, responsibilities, and feelings that have been established over a long period of time. The revolution brought structural changes in the line and unit of command, the principles of span of control, unity of command, and scalar principle of graded chain of superiors in the studied banks. It encouraged flat organizations as decision making became more decentralized. It also altered the required skill and increased the perceived advantage of workers with computer engineering background. Authority relied on knowledge and competence and not on mere formal position The study concluded that digital revolution has changed the course of history in the banking industry leaving far reaching effects and implications on both the organizational and industrial structure. It is imperative for banks and their staff to effect proper restructuring that will facilitate optimal utilization of the benefits provided by the revolution.Digital Revolution, ICT, e-Commerce, Organizational Structure, Nigerian Banks

Dirac Equation with Spin Symmetry for the Modified P\"oschl-Teller Potential in DD-dimensions

We present solutions of the Dirac equation with spin symmetry for vector and scalar modified P\"oschl-Teller potential within framework of an approximation of the centrifugal term. The relativistic energy spectrum is obtained using the Nikiforov-Uvarov method and the two-component spinor wavefunctions are obtain are in terms of the Jacobi polynomials. It is found that there exist only positive-energy states for bound states under spin symmetry, and the energy levels increase with the dimension and the potential range parameter $\alpha$.Comment: 9 pages and 1tabl

Comparative Microbiological and Physicochemical analysis of Domestic and Industrial wastewater in Ado-Odo Ota LGA, Ogun State, Nigeria

Wastewater from industrial and domestic sources flows into major bodies of water where people drink and bathe, resulting in a high incidence of severe water-borne infections. This study aims to compare the microbiological and physicochemical parameters of domestic and industrial wastewater in Ado-Odo LGA, Ogun State, Nigeria. Microorganisms were isolated from collected wastewater samples and were phenotypically identified using standard microbiological methods. Antimicrobial Sensitivity testing was carried out using Kirby Bauer`s disk diffusion technique. The physicochemical analysis of the water samples was also determined using standard analytical methods. A total of nineteen microorganisms were isolated from the samples collected with the predominant organism isolated from the two sources being Escherichia coli. The microorganisms isolated from the industrial wastewater sample were Citrobacter freundii (37.5%), Escherichia coli  (37.5%), and Proteus vulgaris (25.0%) while those isolated from the domestic wastewater sample were Klebsiella oxytoca (18.18%), Escherichia coli (45.45%), Proteus vulgaris (9.09%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (9.09%) and Staphylococcus aureus (18.18%). The physicochemical analysis conducted indicated that there were lower levels of impurities in industrial wastewater pH (4.1 ± 0.14), Electrical conductivity (479 ± 1.41), Total Dissolved Solids (223.5 ± 3.53), and Chloride content (168.12) compared to the domestic wastewater with pH (8.05 ± 0.07), Electrical Conductivity (1928± 4.24), Total Dissolved Solids (765.5 ± 0.70) and Chloride content (238.224) which suggests that industrial wastewater has been subjected to series of chemical and biological processes. The presence of Escherichia coli in higher levels in domestic wastewater indicates fecal contamination which is a major public health challenge since this wastewater leaks into various water bodies

A Review of Plant Growth Substances: Their Forms, Structures, Synthesis and Functions

Plant growth substances are compounds, either natural or synthetic that modifies or controls through physiological action, the growth and maturation of plants. If the compound is produced within the plant, it is called a plant hormone or phytohormone. In general, it is accepted that there are five major classes of plant hormones. They are Auxins (IAA), Cytokinins, Gibberellins, Ethylene and Abscisic Acid. However, there are still many plant growth substances that cannot be grouped under these classes, though they also perform similar functions, inhibiting or promoting plant growth. These substances include Brassinosteroids (Brassins), Salicylic Acid, Jasmonic Acid, Fusicoccin, Batasins, Strigolactones, Growth stimulants (e.g. Hymexazol and Pyripropanol), Defoliants (e.g. Calcium Cyanamide, Dimethipin). Researchers are still working on the biosynthetic pathways of some of these substances. Plant growth substances are very useful in agriculture in both low and high concentrations. They affect seed growth, time of flowering, the sex of flowers, senescence of leaves and fruits, leaf formation, stem growth, fruit development and ripening, plant longevity, and even plant death. Some synthetic regulators are also used as herbicides and pesticides. Therefore, attention should be paid to the production and synthesis of these substances so that they affect plants in a way that would favour yield

Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals by Moringa Oleifera in Automobile Workshops from three Selected Local Governments Area, Ibadan, Nigeria

Plants accumulate minerals essential for their growth from the environment alongside with heavy metals from contaminated areas.This study investigated bioaccumulation of heavy metals by Moringa oleifera in automobile workshops in three selected local government areas in Ibadan. This was done with a view to determining the concentration and type of heavy metals accumulated in the tissues of Moringa oleifera grown around automobile workshops. Barks, leaves and seeds of M. oleifera were collected from three automobile workshops in each of the local government area and from a control site. The samples were dried, ground and analyzed for heavy metals content (Cu, As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn and Zn) using ICP-MS. The mean level of heavy metals obtained ranged from 0.018 ± 0.001 to 0.356 ± 0.021 in the leaves, 0.012 ± 0.001 to 0.255 ± 0.016 in the seed and 0.048 ± 0.003 to 0.989 ± 0.003 in the bark. The concentration of heavy metals recorded followed the trend of Cu > Zn > Mn > Pb > Cr > As > in the leaves; Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr = Mn > As in the seeds and Zn > Cu > Mn > Pb > Cr > As> in the barks. The overall concentration of heavy metals bioaccumulated by this plant follows the trend; bark > leaves > seeds. The increase in the concentrations of heavy metals observed in the barks, leaves and seeds of M. oleifera collected from automobile workshops to that of control site indicated the impact of mechanical activities in introducing trace metals to the environment.The study further suggested that Moringa olifera in polluted sites may accumulate trace metals in any of its parts; hence care should be taken when harvesting the plant for medicinal purpose

THE INFLUENCE OF TYPE OF CUTTING AND GROWING MEDIUM ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF SCORPION ORCHID (Arachnis maingayi) Hook.f. Schltr

Orchids are of importance primarily for their horticultural appeal and accounts for 8% of the world floricultural trade. Scorpion orchid (Arachnis maingayi Hook) is highly prized for its beautiful long lasting flowers, but it is under-exploited in many countries including Nigeria. There is the need to determine the best type of cutting and growing medium protocols for commercial production of this species. Seven homogenous growing media (sawdust, topsoil, charcoal, coconut husk, wood shavings, maize cobs and rice husk) and two types of cutting (apical and non-apical) were compared in a factorial experiment laid out in Completely Randomized Design with six replications at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria between 2010 and 2012. Data collected on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot dry weight, days to spiking, length and number of spike, size and number of florets were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey’s HSD at p ≤ 0.05 to separate treatment means. Apical cuttings were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) superior to non-apical cuttings in terms of all parameters assessed except floret diameter which was statistically similar. For growing medium, dry matter accumulation and spike yield were in the order of charcoal > rice husk > maize cob > topsoil > wood shavings > coconut husk. Apical cuttings planted in charcoal or rice husk gave the best results relative to other media. Thus, apical cutting is the best propagating technique and charcoal or rice husk is the best growing medium for scorpion orchid cultivation. &nbsp

Provision of relapse prevention interventions in UK NHS Stop Smoking Services: a survey

Background UK NHS Stop Smoking Services provide cost effective smoking cessation interventions but, as yet, there has been no assessment of their provision of relapse prevention interventions. Methods Electronic questionnaire survey of 185 UK Stop Smoking Services Managers. Results Ninety six Stop Smoking Service managers returned completed questionnaires (52% response rate). Of these, 58.3% (n = 56) ran NHS Stop Smoking Services which provided relapse prevention interventions for clients with the most commonly provided interventions being behavioural support: telephone (77%), group (73%), and individual (54%). Just under half (48%, n = 27) offered nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), 21.4% (n = 12) bupropion; 19.6% (n = 11) varenicline. Over 80% of those providing relapse prevention interventions do so for over six months. Nearly two thirds of all respondents thought it was likely that they would either continue to provide or commence provision of relapse prevention interventions in their services. Of the remaining respondents, 66.7% (n = 22) believed that the government focus on four-week quit rates, and 42.9% (14 services) believed that inadequate funding for provision of relapse prevention interventions, were major barriers to introducing these interventions into routine care. Conclusions Just over half of UK managers of NHS Stop Smoking Services who responded to the questionnaire reported that, in their services, relapse prevention interventions were currently provided for clients, despite, at that time, there being a weak evidence base for their effectiveness. The most commonly provided relapse prevention interventions were those for which there was least evidence. If these interventions are found to be effective, barriers would need to be removed before they would become part of routine care

The su(1,1) dynamical algebra from the Schr\"odinger ladder operators for N-dimensional systems: hydrogen atom, Mie-type potential, harmonic oscillator and pseudo-harmonic oscillator

We apply the Schr\"odinger factorization to construct the ladder operators for hydrogen atom, Mie-type potential, harmonic oscillator and pseudo-harmonic oscillator in arbitrary dimensions. By generalizing these operators we show that the dynamical algebra for these problems is the $su(1,1)$ Lie algebra.Comment: 10 page