This study examines
the macroeconomic determinants of stock returns in Nigeria over the period
1985-2016 using the ARDL approach to cointegration and error correction
model. Our findings have shown that GDP
is not significant both in the short and long run, while, Interest rate and
money supply exert position positive and significant influence on stock market
returns while inflation negatively affects stock market returns in Nigeria. Our
findings have shown that GDP significant both in the short and long run, while,
Interest rate and money supply positively influence stock market returns while
inflation negatively affects stock market returns in Nigeria. It was also found
that these macroeconomic variables significantly affect stock market returns in
Nigeria. The results in general highlight the need government and monetary
authorities to provide policies that will ensure sustained economic growth and
development. CBN should continue its policy target on economic activities and
investment.
Friday, August 30, 2019
PERTINENCE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF COCOA PRODUCTION IN SANTCHOU, CAMEROON
The importance of
social capital is another new stylized fact in promoting agriculture. The study
has as objective to examine the impact of social capital in the enhancement of
cocoa production and to determine the challenges faced by cocoa producers in
Santchou. Methodologically, we have constructed a social capital index through
the application of Multiple Correspondence Analyses using primary data
collected within the Santchou cocoa zone and the probit model is used for
regression estimates. The result revealed a strong correlation between social
capital and cocoa production, while the level of education, sex, marital
status, financial status, experience in faming, household size and agricultural
training are strongly corroborating with the determinants of social capital. In
addition, farm size, level of education, application of farm inputs (pesticides
and fertilizers), modern equipment, climate change, access to credit and land
tenure system were observed to be the major challenges faced by cocoa farmers
in Santchou. We suggest that cocoa farmer’s social network should be improved
to enable them easily get assistant when necessary.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF KIGALI CITY: A CASE STUDY OF RWANDA FEDERATION TRANSPORT COOPERATIVE (RFTC)
The study was to
establish the contribution of public transport services to the development of
Kigali city. Glossily, the transport sector plays an important role in the
economic development of a country, the transport network drives other sectors
such as agriculture, trade or business sector and all other service sector.
Though research transport services has been found to create employment, income,
revenue, increase tax and infrastructure development as well as improve
wellbeing of the people. The problem was that transport services does not offer
the expected services and benefits in Kigali city and its economic contribution
is not recognized by the local community. The specific objectives included to
find out transport services contribution to economic development, to find out
the factors that limit the contribution and the solution to the problems.
Pearson correlations test indicates a positive and very high relationship
between variables of this study. The researcher concluded that transport is an
important element of economic development and several factors influence
transport which also affects economic development. It was recommended that RFTC
should bring modern busses for better transport and satisfaction of passengers.
RFTC should also train drivers and conductors to improve professionalism
service to passengers.
Saturday, August 24, 2019
ISOLATION AND DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF SODIUM HYDROGEN ANTIPORTER (NHX1) GENES IN Leucas aspera
Leucas aspera is a
medicinal plant well known for its traditional uses such as antipyretic and
insecticide. It is commonly known as Thumbai or Thumba and distributed
throughout India from the Himalayas down to Srilanka. Soil salinity is an
adverse environmental problem affecting agriculture and over 800 million
hectares of the world land is affected by salt stress. To study the effect of
salt stress on L. aspera, one month old seedlings were subjected to salt
stress. The study showed a significant reduction of chlorophyll content after
72 hours of treatment with 150 mM and higher salt concentrations. Vacuolar
Na+/H+ exchanger (NHX1) is one of the key gene playing a vital role in salt
tolerance. Bioinformatic tools were used to identify conserved regions of NHX1
and to design degenerate primers. The NHX1 gene homologue was isolated and
sequenced from L. aspera and submitted to NCBI (National Center for
Biotechnology Information) database. The real time PCR based expression study
showed significant upregulated expression of NHX1 after the plant subjected to
salt stress up to 12 hours but a reduction in expression was observed after 24
hours.
THE PREDICTIVE VALUE OF TOTAL WHITE CELL COUNT AND ABSOLUTE NEUTROPHIL COUNT AS MARKERS OF EARLY NEONATAL SEPSIS IN A TERTIARY NEONATAL UNIT IN SUDAN
Background
and Objectives: Neonatal sepsis
remains an important cause of neonatal mortality in developing countries. The
main objectives of this study were to evaluate the role of total white blood
cell count and absolute neutrophil count in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.
Methods: This was a prospective, hospital-based
study conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit at Soba University Hospital
in Khartoum, Sudan, from January to
June 2018. 90 babies were included in the
study. Data was collected using a specifically designed questionnaire including
maternal and neonatal data. .Chi square test was used to study the correlation
between risk factors for sepsis and absolute neutrophil count. P value was set
at 0.05 level of significance.
Results: The main results showed that 14 babies
(15.6%) had TWBCS less than 5000/ mm3, 69 babies (76.6%) had TWBCS between
5000-20000 /mm3 and 7 babies (7.8%) had TWBCS more than 20000 /mm3. 81(90%) had ANC more than 1800 mm3, 6 (6.7%)
had ANC between 500-1000 /mm3, 3(3.3%) had ANC between less than 500 /mm3.The
study showed that 71 babies (78.9%) had positive CRP. All babies included in
the study had positive blood culture. Correlation between ANC and risk factors
for sepsis showed that there was significant correlation between ANC and
gestational age, mode of delivery, low Apgar score and UTI in the third
trimester (P values = 0.020, 0.030, 0.036 and 0.020 respectively). The study
showed that there was significant correlation between ANC and blood culture (p
value = 0.00).
Conclusion: Total white cell count and absolute
neutrphil count, being easily measurable and more affordable, can be
conveniently used as good markers for the diagnosis of early neonatal sepsis
especially in low resource setting.
CAN Camellia japonica GROW IN VIETNAM? SEED GERMINATION AND INITIAL GROWTH
Camellia japonica L.
is an evergreen tree, belonging to family Theaceae. The species naturally
distributes in China, Taiwan, Korea, and southern Japan. It has been widely
planted for ornamenting purpose. Also, C. japonica oil has been extracted and
used for healthcare. In this study, seed germination and initial seedling
growth of C. japonica were experimented in Hanoi, Vietnam.Seeds were collected
in January in Kyoto, Japan and transported to Vietnam. Seeds were stored in
normal room conditions until the experiment in February. Pre-sowing treatment
was conducted by soaking in 50-55oC ordinary water until reaching normal
temperature. Treated seeds were then sown in wet sandy bed for germination.
Germinated seeds were then transplanted to forested-soil pots and tended
normally by watering twice a day without fertilization and pest/disease
control. The results indicated that the first seed germinated was recorded 3
weeks after experimenting, and germination ended in 2 weeks from the first
germination. Most seeds germinated in the duration of 5th day to 10th day after
the first germination. The germination rate was 62.5% and seedling survival
rate was 96.8% at 4 months of growth. Seedlings of 4 months old had an average
height of 15.9 cm, diameter at the stump of 2.1 mm, the taproot of 11.4 cm
long, and average 10.6 leaves/seedling. It is possible to grow C. japonica in
Vietnam. However, further study should be conducted in the field conditions.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Determination Of Chemical And Gross Organic Pollutant Levels In Leachates From Approved Waste Dumpsites, Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria
This study was aimed at the determination of
chemical and gross organic pollutants levels in leachates from some selected
and government approved dumpsites in Port Harcourt metropolis. Leachates from
the 3-selected dumpsites were analyzed and compared with the seasons, controls
and established standards using descriptive statistical designs. Integrated
samples were collected during both wet and dry seasons and analyzed for DO,
BOD, ORP, Salinity and pH. The use of 2-way ANOVA, t-test, graphs and mean
variation were applied to explain trend and variations. The results show that
there was no significant difference in temporal dimension (seasonally) but high
level spatial variation (stations) in most parameters occurred. Most chemical/
gross organic pollutants showed higher level concentrations during the dry
season. Though some of the parameters were relatively low compared to standard
limits; the study revealed that these dumpsites remain major polluting sources
to the surrounding surface and ground water regimes. In order to recover these
dumpsites from acute contamination, state government should ensure the use
active remediation processes and treatment to reduce the effects of pollution
to the ecosystem.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)