Effect of Stock Market Deregulation on Stock Market Performance in Nigeria (1986 - 2018)

The aim of this study is to empirically investigate the effect of Stock Market Deregulation on Stock Market Performance in Nigeria. The study used secondary data from the Statistical Bulletin of Central Bank of Nigeria. Ex-post factor research designs was adopted for this study. The study is designed to cover thirty two years, from 1986 to 2018. The study relied on data from Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin, covering thirty one years from 1986 to 2018. Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square regression model has been constructed, the goodness of fit of the model is confirmed using R-squared. The statistical significance of the estimated parameters is checked by an F-test of the overall fit, followed by the probability value of the individual parameters. Interpretations of these diagnostic tests rest heavily on the model assumptions. The results of the multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity provides the robustness check for the mode of the study. The hypotheses formulated was tested by means of the probability values of estimates of regression analysis. Thus, from the random sample from the population, we estimate the population parameters and obtain the sample linear regression model. The result of the regression analysis revealed that stock market deregulation proxied by equities (EQUI) has negative and statistically insignificant effect on stock market performance in Nigeria. A 1 percent increase in equity will reduce stock market performance by 29.0%. Also the result indicates that interest rate has a negative and statistically insignificant effect on stock market performance in Nigeria. On the other hand, exchange rate was found to have positive but statistically significant (p<0.05) effect on stock market performance in Nigeria. The value of the R-squared (0.714) indicates that about 51.4% of the total variation in the dependent variable is explained by the independent variables. It was concluded that further deregulation of the market will weaken the market and therefore should be avoided. It was recommended among that evolvement of policies that will bring down the rate of exchange and interest rate in the view of making the naira valuable relative to the dollar and making the cost of capital affordable

Rapid formation of phase-clean 110 K (Bi-2223) powders derived via freeze-drying process

This invention relates to an improved process of preparing Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (BSCCO) powders, and more particularly, to a process for preparing BSCCO powders that utilize freeze-drying. The process generally includes splat freezing a nitrate solution of Bi, Pb, Sr, Ca, and Cu to form flakes of the solution; grinding the flakes to form a powder; freeze-drying the frozen powder; heating the powder to form dry green precursor powders; denitrating the powders; and heating the powders to form phase-clean Bi-2223 powders

Effect of lead content on the formation of the 2223 phase

Freeze-dried powders have been used for the formation of the high Tc (110 K) superconducting phase in the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system. Effects of lead content and oxygen partial pressure were investigated. It was shown that lead content and oxygen partial pressure were affecting liquid phase formation. Lead content affected the dissolution of the 2212 phase into the liquid phase from which the 2223 high Tc superconducting phase forms. Powder reacted as pellet with Bi{sub 1.8}Pb{sub 0.4}Sr{sub 2.0}Ca{sub 2.0}Cu{sub 3.0}O{sub x} composition shows essentially phase pure 2223 after 12 hrs at 845{degrees} C in 7%O{sub 2}

Recent advances in processing of Ag-clad Bi-2223 superconductors

Enhancements in the transport current properties of long lengths of multifilament Ag-sheathed (Bi,Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} (Bi-2223) superconducting tapes were made as a function of increased packing density of precursor powder, improved mechanical deformation, and adjusted cooling rate. Improved processing parameters had a pronounced effect on the transport critical current (I{sub c}) of the superconducting tapes, at 77 K and zero applied magnetic field, an I{sub c} of 60 A was obtained in short length samples (4 cm), an I{sub c} of 54 A in a 164 m length, and 18 A in a 1,260 m length. These enhancements were based on the increase in packing density accompanied with improved mechanical deformation and cooling schedule. Maximum critical current values were two to three times higher in slow-cooled tapes than in fast-cooled tapes

Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with reproductive and metabolic abnormalities. The aim of this study was to analyse risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in PCOS, to define individual risk factors and assess their ability to predict risk. Methods: Fifty-four young women with PCOS (22 obese and 32 normal weight) were compared to 46 respective controls (17 obese and 29 normal weight). Anthropometric parameters, lipid status parameters, inflammation markers, concentrations of glucose, transaminases, sex and anterior pituitary hormones, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and androgens were measured. Cardiovascular Risk Score (CVRS), indices for identifying Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and the Index of Central Obesity (ICO) were calculated. Results: Significantly higher CVRS values (p lt 0.05) were found in obese PCOS women compared to normal weight control and normal weight PCOS groups. Anthropometric parameters, lipid status parameters and fibrinogen (p lt 0.001, p lt 0.01) were higher in women with higher CVRS. The most significant CVRS predictors in all PCOS women were SHBG, androstenedione, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS). ICO and all NAFLD indices exhibited significant positive correlation with CVRS and a model consisting of these indices provided good diagnostic accuracy (AUC> 0.8) in identifying patients with increased cardiovascular risk (CVR). Conclusions: Obesity is a higher risk for developing CVD than PCOS alone. Anthropometric parameters, lipid parameters, fibrinogen, NAFLD indices and ICO increase CVR in PCOS women. For the prediction of CVR in PCOS, we suggest a combination of NAFLD indices and ICO

Processing and characterization of Ag-clad Bi-2223 superconductors

Practical applications of high-temperature superconductors will be governed by their current transport and mechanical characteristics. With careful control of the processing parameters high-quality long- length mono- and multifilament Bi-2223 conductors have been fabricated by the powder-in-tube technique. A critical current density (Jc) of up to 1.2 x 104 A cm{sup -2} has been observed at 77 K in a 1260-m-long multifilament conductor containing 37 monocore filaments. A high-temperature superconducting magnet and a prototype transformer were fabricated and characterized from such long-length conductors. Efforts further improve the current characteristics of the Bi-2223 tapes resulted in the development of the wire-in-tube technique. A Jc value >105 A cm{sup -2} at 77 K and in self field have been obtained in a Bi-2223 tape fabricated by the wire- in-tube method. Extensive studies on the in-situ strain characteristics of the mono- and multifilament conductors have been conducted. Multilayer silver/superconductor composite tapes, fabricated by a novel chemical etching technique, were also observed to exhibit improved strain tolerance characteristics

Membrane lipid interactions in intestinal ischemia/reperfusion-induced Injury

Ischemia, lack of blood flow, and reperfusion, return of blood flow, is a common phenomenon affecting millions of Americans each year. Roughly 30,000 Americans per year experience intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR), which is associated with a high mortality rate. Previous studies of the intestine established a role for neutrophils, eicosanoids, the complement system and naturally occurring antibodies in IR-induced pathology. Furthermore, data indicate involvement of a lipid or lipid-like moiety in mediating IR-induced damage. It has been proposed that exposure of neo-antigens are recognized by antibodies, triggering action of the complement cascade. While it is evident that the pathophysiology of IR-induced injury is complex and multi-factorial, we focus this review on the involvement of eicosanoids, phospholipids and neo-antigens in the early pathogenesis. Lipid changes occurring in response to IR, neo-antigens exposed and the role of a phospholipid transporter, phospholipid scramblase 1 will be discussed