Archives-September 2017

The effect of traffic density on soil along Nwanga-Ekoi- Mfamosing road Cross River State, Nigeria, was carried out. The spatial variability of pollutant concentration in high traffic density areas exerts an importance influence on some road deposited sediment characteristics due to activities of people and vehicles. The movement of vehicles from one point to another may spread contaminants on the soil. The main processes of the movement of vehicles can spread contaminants on the soil which may include wearing of car parts (Exhaust pipes, tires, brakes, engines block, leaking of oil and corrosion metal parts). These processes may release heavy metals on the surface of the soil along roadsides. The heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and paired sampled T-test method were used for the statistical analysis of soil along High Traffic Density (HTD) and Low Traffic Density (LTD) sites. The results from AAS revealed that heavy metals concentration in HTD were Calcium 0.041, Copper 0.037, Iron 0.037, Manganese 0.086, Nickel 0.033, Lead 0.207 and Zinc 0.11 respectively. Heavy metals concentration in LTD were Calcium 0.007, Copper 0.008, Iron 0.007, Manganese 0.007, Nickel 0.005, Lead 0.003 and Zinc 0.003 respectively. The result for the ANOVA analysis shows significant difference of (F=9.1, p<0.05) between HTD sites and LTD sites. The paired sample t-test also indicates significant difference of (t6=2.9, p<0.05).This implies that heavy metals concentration in HTD sites were higher than heavy metals concentration in LTD sites. Therefore, high traffic density sites increases soil heavy metals concentration along roadside.

An assessment of the impacts of climate variables on water yield in Ujama Okpauku River, Yala LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria was carried out. The interplay of climatic variables particularly rainfall (its intensity, duration, area distribution and frequency of occurrence temperature, human activities (deforestation, irrigation, farming, urbanization), and catchment characteristics (basin size, shape, slope and elevation) determines the quality of water yield in a river. The rotated component matrix and regression coefficient method was used to analyze the climate variables. The model summary explained (R=83.4%), (R2=69.5%) and (Adjusted R2= 55.4%) respectively. The component matrix loads strongly on the following components rainfall 0.86, sunlight 0.88 and temperature 0.76 respectively. Components matrix i have positive regression coefficient on the following factors rainfall 0.002, temperature 0.30, and sunlight 1.68. This suggest that, water level is expected to be higher in every unite increase in the rainfall, temperature and sunlight. Similarly the component matrix loads strongly on the following components, year 0.95, wind speed 0.88 and evaporation 0.61 respectively. Components matrix ii have negative regression coefficient on the following factors year -0.92, wind speed -0.12 and evaporation -0.16 respectively. This implies that water yield is expected to be low in every unite increase in the years, wind speed and evaporation. The wind speed, evaporation and length of years were contributing factors for the low water yield in Ujama Okpauku River, Yala LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria. The study recommends a massive afforestation around Ujama Okpauku River course and restriction of farming activities along and around the river course to reduce evapo-transpiration, erosion, flood rates and boast water yield in the catchment area.

This study focuses on some environmental effect of gas flaring on both soil pH and pH value of rain water in River State, Nigeria. Samples at different proximities from the gas flare locations were recorded. Measurements and experimentations were carried out. Parameters studied at each location included Rain-water pH and soil pH measurement. Result shows a trend as all the parameters considered showed a clear difference away from the flare point in all the stations such as the pH changing from Extreme acid (3.6 - 4.5) to Moderately alkaline (7.9 - 8.5) away from the flare points. The values of all parameters under investigation were above acceptable limit. These show clearly that the inhabitants of these communities are highly polluted. This research recommends that gas flaring should be stopped and that the flared gas should be channeled to meeting the ever increasing demand for energy in the Nigerian sector economy and Nigeria should embrace environmental laws and policies in order to adapt to the changing environment.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare disease accountable for giving a heart failure, which affects women in the last month of pregnancy or within the first 5 postpartum months. Early signs and symptoms of heart failure may not be seen, they are often considered as a normal part of pregnancy. When such symptoms and signs are not diagnosed or managed accurately, the consequences can be deleterious for the patient. We are going to briefly report a case of a 28-years-old woman, without any preexisting structural heart disease. The woman, after 3 months of vaginal delivery following normal pregnancy, was admitted for cardiogenic shock and distal lower Limb Necrosis secondary to peripartum cardiomyopathy. Such complications are uncommon, and the management was not easily accepted by the patient.

A baptism ritual is the event at which an infant, an adolescent or an adult is given a name. Christening a newborn is considered to be sanctified and therefore is an important Hindu convention. Naming ceremonies differs according to religion and culture. In Bengal the paternal aunt has the honour of naming her brother’s child. Jhumpa Lahiri is a celebrated expatriate writer who has exclusively dealt with the concept of Nomenclature in her novel ‘The Name Sake’. It reflects the emotional side of Bengali family “The Ganguli’s” and through the protagonist “Gogol”. This paper unleashes the importance of classification of name and the various emotional perspectives in the novel. Gogol Ganguli suffers as a consequence of his namesake. The practice of Daknaam and Bhalonaam is an exclusive practice dealt in the Bengali communities which is tinted in the novel to a great extent. The aim of this paper is to trace the psychological trauma of Gogol Ganguli who was torn between two cultures and nearly lost his identity in a foreign land due to his absurd name Gogol in Jhumpa Lahiri’s ‘The Name Sake’.

The Government reform agenda, was to try and address how GoEs can attain self-sufficiency to ease the burden of overreliance on subsidies, through introduction of new government guidelines, policies and strategies designed at improving their financial sustainability. However reviews have shown that despites all these improvements, the GoEs often do not operate optimally for sustainability, attributing to either internal or external factors. Even though various studies have been done on financial sustainability, limited research have been carried out on financial sustainability of GoEs hence there is limited information on GoEs in the MOALF. This study sought to identify financial sustainability basics. The study focused on resource utilization as a determinant. A causal research design was adopted and with 27 organizations responding positively, giving a sample size of 134. The study used both primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires and interview guides. The secondary data involved review of published information on Financial Statements of GoEs in MOALF. Data was obtained for a period of 7 years from 2009/2010 to 2014/15 financial years and analyzed using SPPS version 21 statistical software, fitted into a multi linear regression model and t-statistic. From the study it was evident that, management of working capital was key factor that influenced financial sustainability of the GoEs. Working capital had a positive correlated to financial sustainability with investment opportunities being inversely related to financial suitability hence lack of proper policies on Investment and strategies affects financial sustainability. The study recommends that prioritized resource utilization should be given more emphasis as a means to ensure that institutional goals are set in line with the availability of funds. There should be proper projects evaluation and prioritization before allocation of resources is done to the most profitable project, bottom up resource management should be adopted, thereby keeping expenditure within the approved levels is also key. GoEs should endeavour to adopt hybrid model of management that incorporates both public and private interface. Policies on investment should be developed, Investment in green finance and adoption of climatic finance that significantly reduce effects on the environment enhancing sustainability. They should also adopt a holistic evaluation model not limited to financial evaluation through innovative accounting that encompassing the key goals and objectives of their existence and adoption of risk assessment framework. The Ministry should set limits with the set frameworks for the Key ratios used to measure Financial Sustainability.

Capital structure plays acritical role in determining the performance of a firm. The study investigated the effect between capital structure and financial performance of SMEs in hotel sector in Mombasa County and environs in Kenya. The study used profitability and liquidity as a measure of performance. SPSS software was used to analyze and generate reports for the study. Regression analysis, correlation coefficient, ANOVA, Chi-square tools and instruments were used. Regression coefficient showed B-0.021, beta -0.017n, t- 0.289 p- value 0.773. Therefore capital structure negatively and significantly affects the financial performance of SMES

Differential Item Functioning (DIF) is a statistical method that determines if test measurements distinguish abilities by comparing two sub-population outcomes on an item. The Logistic Regression (LR) statistic provides an effect size measure that can give the magnitude of DIF. The purpose of the study was to investigate through simulation the effects of sample size, ability distribution and test length on the Effect Size (ES) of DIF and their influence on detection of DIF using LR method. A Factorial research design was used in the study. The population of the study consisted of 2000 examinee responses. A stratified random sampling technique was used with the stratifying criteria as the reference (r) and focal (f) groups. A small sample size (60r/60f) and a large sample size (1000r/1000f) were established. WinGen3 statistical software was used to generate dichotomous item response data which was replicated 1000 times. The findings of the study showed that whereas sample size and ability distribution had significant effects on the ES of DIF items when LR was used, test length had no statistically significant effect on the ES of DIF items. However, the number of DIF detections using LR statistic increased with test length regardless of the nature of Ability Distribution, The findings of the study are of great significance to teachers, educational policy makers, test developers and test users.

Pleomorphic Adenoma (PA) also called as benign mixed tumour is the most common tumour of salivary glands. Intraoral presentation of tumour is comparatively rare with more chances of malignancy. Wide surgical excision with adequate margins is the most preferred mode of management. Histopathological analysis is essential for confirmatory diagnosis. A 62 year old female patient reported with chief complaint of a growth on right side of the throat since 6 years. Growth has gradually increased in size, painless but has difficulty in swallowing because of the same. Examination revealed a growth in relation to junction of hard and soft palate mostly on right side which is firm in consistency and non tender. Growth was excised with primary closure under General anesthesia. Histopathology confirmed the case to be pleomorphic adenoma.Pleomorphic adenoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of palatal swellings. As the lesion has a tendency for malignancy, careful evaluation of history, examination, histology and follow up is advised.

Life Skills-Based Education (LSE) is a subject newly incepted into the new curriculum Kenyan High school curriculum. The subject is meant to enhance the learner’s holistic growth in aspects such as their relationships with others, understanding of self and critical thinking in decision making. This study was set to investigate the challenges faced by teacher counselors in the teaching of Life Skills-Based Education in Kakamega County. The objectives of the study were; to establish teachers’ personal capability in handling the teaching of Life Skills-Based Education, and to establish the challenges facing the teaching of Life Skills-Based Education. The study sampled 27 high schools from the county. The study design was a descriptive survey. Data collection was made possible by the use of questionnaires and document analysis. Data was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics and was presented by way of pie chart and tables. The findings of the study indicated that indeed teacher counsellors faced a number of challenges such as lack of adequate training, less time allocation for syllabus coverage, heavy workload in other teaching subjects and inadequate teaching and learning materials. The study recommended that the government organize to build capacity for the build Life Skills-Based Education teachers, employ more teachers to ease workload and put in evaluative measures for the subject so that it is taken seriously by both the teachers and the students.