Authors:Abdirizak Garo Guyo, Hong Yu, Joseph Muthiani, Richard Mbaraka Kembero Abstract: Alcohol drinking among young people is a major global public health concern. The situation has been aggravated further by the advent of the internet and subsequent development of social media as a tool for online alcohol marketing. This exploratory study sought to find out the prevalence of alcohol advertisements on social media and its possible influence on alcohol drinking among college students in Kenya. Based on a field survey conducted in Nairobi, (N=70), this study has established that that there was heavy presence of alcohol advertisements on social media scene in Kenya. Although statistically, there was huge gender disparity, the final results showed that there was significant association between alcohol ads on social media and college student’s possible alcohol drinking habits This study concludes that there is need for the stakeholders in public health promotions to formulate policies aimed at mitigating against the challenges posed by unrestricted access to online alcohol ads by the youth in order to prevent them from being lured into early alcohol drinking by the alcoholic beverage makers.Keywords: alcohol abuse; influence; online ads; youth; Kenya PubDate: 2018-11-20 Issue No:Vol. 7, No. 2 (2018)
Authors:Manojit Chatterjee Abstract: The Global Malarial Action Plan (GMAP) addresses different measures towards achieving complete elimination of malaria, the most dangerous vector-borne disease. Present efforts for prevention and treatment of malaria in Cape Coast, a small town in southern Ghana, has achieved significant improvement from the past in controlling both the morbidity and mortality rates through various approaches. However, the current efforts and methodology in proceeding towards elimination of malaria presents many unanswered questions in terms of its level of sustainability. This report provides an overview of the current strategies implemented and addresses multifactorial issues that impede the control and eradication of malaria in Cape Coast. In addition, the effectiveness and sustainability of these strategies to achieve such intended goals have been evaluated. This study was conducted within Cape Coast, Ghana among 2 rural villages, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and the general populous. Data collection involved face-to-face interviews of 55 individuals residing in Cape Coast, as well as, the use of hospital records on malaria. The paper concludes by indicating that more funding in infrastructure, as well as, serious advancement in public action is essential for improved malarial control and complete elimination of the disease.Keywords: DDT: Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, GMAP: Global Malaria Action Plan, IRS: Indoor residual spraying (insecticide), ITN: Insecticide-treated nets, LBW: Low birth weight, LLIN: Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, LSM: Larval Source Management, NHIS: National Health Insurance Scheme, Pf: Plasmodium Falciparum, WHO: World Health Organization PubDate: 2018-11-20 Issue No:Vol. 7, No. 2 (2018)
Authors:Monica Omoye Aneni, Essien Antigha Abstract: Heterosis or hybrid vigour is an increase in the yield of a hybrid animal over those of its parents; and consanguinity, the quality of being descended from the same ancestor as another person; have been discussed independently by scholars. However, this study attempts a side by side investigation of heterosis and consanguinity as they affect livestock and human populations in antiquity and Nigeria, with a view to understanding how these cultures/strategies can positively or negatively affect the progress and prosperity of a society. The social development theory is adopted to further present an expansionary view on how society can grow and prosper with regard to these themes. The argument that heterosis or exogamy is more advantageous than consanguinity for the growth of a society is put forward in the discourse. Further studies may examine excessiveness in heterosis with regard to human development even in antiquity and Nigeria.Keywords: Heterosis, consanguinity, livestock and human populations, antiquity, Nigeria PubDate: 2018-11-20 Issue No:Vol. 7, No. 2 (2018)
Authors:G.H. Ntat, S Ojoy, Y.M. Suleiman Abstract: Rainfall variability in terms of amount, distribution (spatial, seasonal and diurnal), intensity and frequency of rainy days influence crop production and yield. This paper examined rainfall temporal trend inter-annual and spatial distribution and the implication of mean annual rainfall on maize and rice yield in North – Central Geopolitical Region of Nigeria. Daily rainfall records of thirty years period (1987 – 2016) at six stations in the region, namely; Abuja, Ilorin, Jos, Lokoja, Makurdi and Minna were obtained from the archive of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Abuja and maize and rice yield for the period 1994 – 2016 obtained from the Bureau of Statistics of Nigeria were used for the study. The rainfall data were subjected to statistical analysis using descriptive analysis. Mann-Kendal test and Kriging method were used for the spatio–temporal rainfall distribution while the impact of rainfall amount on maize and rice yields was investigated using regression analysis. The annual rainfall amount experienced in study area was between 1100 mm and 1700 mm. Out of the six stations studied; only Abuja indicated statistically significant increased trend while the other five stations in the region showed no significant trend. Rainfall distribution in the region is largely influence by the Jos Plateau rather than Latitudes or Longitude. Generally, rainfall influences maize and rice yield positively but at varying degree from station to stationKeywords: Rainfall variability, Trend, Distribution, Impact PubDate: 2018-11-20 Issue No:Vol. 7, No. 2 (2018)
Authors:Dickson E.A. Omorogbe, Wilfred A. Iguodala Abstract: Supplier Selection is a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) Problem. It requires the evaluation of both qualitative and quantitative factors. Selecting the best supplier among several alternatives is an enormous task for decision makers (DMs) and procurement managers (PMs). Since no single supplier can excel in all the attributes required by DMs. this paper adopted both the quantitative and qualitative factors in the selection process. Also, this paper applied the AHP approach in the selection of stationery suppliers using real life data from selected universities in Benin City.Keywords: Analytical Hierarchy process, stationary, multi-criteria decision making PubDate: 2018-11-20 Issue No:Vol. 7, No. 2 (2018)
Authors:David Oluwasegun Olawole Abstract: The changes in methodology and ideological implementation of User Experience (UX) and Human Computer Interaction (HCI) in the 21st century shift focus from traditional analogue process management to digital process management of organisations’ data and content. In instance of a university interactive web portal whereby institutions provide parties with access to data and information on the university portal. A focus shift from HCI design to UX design for improved peoples’ experience when navigating the institutions portal. A focus on understanding the relationship between UX and HCI as a phenomenon, considering the analogy of interactive organisation (institution, company, government) portal. Need for system developers to adopt UX evaluation, a methodology to ensure effective usability, accessibility and efficiency of a designed system. The nature of the study has its’ background in HCI. HCI relate to the mental (cognitive), technology and affective factors that influence the way people use computer for interaction in a computer-supported collaborative work/learn (CSCW/L) environment. The objective of this study is to ascertain at what point or put succinctly, what stage of system development does a system developer commits to user experience evaluation methods (UXEMs)'Keywords: Human Computer Interaction, User Experience, User Evaluation Method PubDate: 2018-11-20 Issue No:Vol. 7, No. 2 (2018)
Authors:Hamadu Dallah, Ismail Adeleke Abstract: Stock Market prediction has been one of the active research areas that have enjoyed attention in the fields of actuarial science and quantitative finance. This article investigates the Markovian characteristics of the Nigeria Stock Market using weekly data on All Share Index (ASI) market, 30- Index and five sub-sectors of Nigerian stock exchange from October 4, 2013 to September 30, 2016. The Chapman-Kolmogorov’s principles of handling transition probabilities and limiting distributions methods were employed for predicting future market behaviour. The findings suggest that compounded returns of the indices for the sectors and the market are highly volatile. The long-run distribution forecasts established that the market converged to stationarity after six weeks, while industrial sector has the shortest stationarity step period of five weeks. It is also observed that it will take about 31 weeks for the market and the 30-Index to reach the best return state, while about 78 weeks period is required to revert to the worst performing state. Further analysis findings of the mean return time suggest that it will take only about two weeks period for the indices returns of the market and the sectors under study to transit to the average state irrespective of the current state. Generally, the findings established the volatile nature of the market and its rapid tendency for deterioration. Finally, it is important to note that the 30-Index and ASI exhibit similar Markovian characteristics. It is pertinent to ensure strict compliance of the 30-Index stocks to the regulatory risk management frameworks for the robustness and sustainability of the market.Keywords: Markov Process, Nigeria Stock Market, All Share Index, limiting distribution, Mean return and First Passage time, Prediction PubDate: 2018-11-20 Issue No:Vol. 7, No. 2 (2018)
Authors:Akin Babatunde Adeoye, Abdulrahman Musa, Oluwaseyi Joseph Afolabi Abstract: Mobility and accessibility provided by the transport system have been playing a major role in shaping countries, influencing the location of social and economic activity, the form and size of cities, and the style and pace of life by facilitating trade, permitting access to people and resources, and enabling greater economies of scale, worldwide and throughout history. This study examined the challenges, prospect and opportunities of air transport operation in Nigeria. Data was obtained from the administration of questionnaires to 170 aviation workers at Muritala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, who were randomly selected. Simple descriptive statistics, Chi-Square and Analysis of variance were employed. The findings show that private investment is critical to sustainable air transport infrastructure in Nigeria. Based on available facts and figure, it can be concluded that government should create an enabling environment for the airlines and come up with maintenance, repair and overhaul policy, as well as address the foreign exchange challenge facing airlines in Nigeria.Keywords: Infrastructure, Operation, Enabling Environment, Transport, Aviation PubDate: 2018-11-20 Issue No:Vol. 7, No. 2 (2018)
Authors:M.G. Gebreslassie, K.G. Gebrelibanos, S Belay Abstract: Energy is one of the major inputs for the economic development of any country, thus lack of efficient and effective utilization of energy is a major concern in high-energy consuming industries such as the cement industries. The objective of this research is therefore to conduct energy auditing in Messobo Cement Factory to quantify the energy losses in the system and to identify potential areas for improvement. On site measurements of the material and energy flows was conducted using Infrared thermometer, Thermocouples and Pitot static probe with manometer. Based on the energy analysis performed, the most energy intensive process is found to be the pyre system (burning). The specific heat consumption has been found to be 844.5 kcal/kg-cl with around 45.83 % system efficiency. The major heat losses for the processes occurred in pre - heater exhaust gases and grate cooler vent air that accounted as 176.7 kcal /kg-cl and 199.3 kcal/kg-cl respectively. Comparison of the specific heat consumption with the standard specific heat consumption of the technology under study (730-780 kcal/kg-cl) showed about 64.5 kcal/kg-cl more energy consumption in the kiln system. This indicates that there is a need to improve the energy consumption by applying proper energy saving techniques.Keywords: Rotary Kiln; Heat balance; Auditing; Efficiency PubDate: 2018-11-20 Issue No:Vol. 7, No. 2 (2018)
Authors:Tamunosiki V. Ogan Abstract: Axiology or Theory of Value is a branch of Philosophy which has in its own way, elicited profound interest and polemic This interest in axiology became quite profound in the 19th and 20th centuries However, Risieri Frondizi makes us to understand that Alexius Von Meinong was not the initiator of this branch of Philosophy as held by some authors. Just like any other branch of Philosophy, axiology is polarized into two dominant Philosophical views, namely: the objectivist view, and the subjectivist view. The objectivists hold the cognition of value to be Independent of both object and subject, as well as having empirical provability. The subjectivist on the other hand, holds value to be dependent on both object and the feelings of the subject concerned. This work attempted a detailed exposition of Max Scheler’s axiology. Scheler, it should be noted, is an objectivist; he is of Husserl’s phenomenological persuasion or tradition. Scheler’s input in axiology is epitomized in his Emotional Intuitionism postulation. This work then, featured an analysed critique of Scheler’s position, based on his views as put forward by R. Frondizi in his book What is value: An introduction to axiology.Keywords: emotional institutionalism, axiology, theory of value, phenomenological disposition PubDate: 2018-11-20 Issue No:Vol. 7, No. 2 (2018)
Authors:C.E. Omokhua, A.U. Nwanekezi Abstract: This study investigated the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) for Social Studies teaching in Upper Basic Schools in Edo State Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. Four Objectives and four research questions guided the study. The population for the study was Social Studies teachers in Upper Basic Schools in Edo State. A sample size of 300 Social Studies teachers was purposively selected for the study, representing 48.39% of the population. A 32-item questionnaire was used as instrument, which was validated by two experts’ in the field of measurement and evaluation. Test retest method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument, 0.85 reliability coefficient index was obtained using Pearson Product Moment Correlation formula. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the research questions. The first finding was that ICT facilities are available for integration into teaching of Social Studies to a low extent. Secondary, ICT facilities are utilized for lesson delivery by Social Studies teachers on a low extent. Effort should be made by government to provide ICT facilities, monitor and organize workshops/seminars for Social Studies Teachers and address the challenges facing ICT facilities utilization in Edo State to facilitate its integration. These will go a long way to ensure effective teaching delivery of Social Studies in Upper Basic Schools in Edo State.Keywords: integration, information and communication technology, Social Studies PubDate: 2018-11-20 Issue No:Vol. 7, No. 2 (2018)
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