Trust as an antecedent to knowledge sharing in virtual communities of practice

2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishe

Comparing the Performance of Alternative Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity Models in Modelling Nigeria Crude Oil Production Volatility Series

Communication in Physical Sciences 2019, 4(2): 87-94 Authors: A. E. Usoro, C. E. Awakessien and C. O. Omekara  There is no gainsaying the fact that crude oil production remains a major factor to the Nigeria economic growth given its significant contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product. Preponderance of the researches in the oil sector dwell more on oil prices, with less focus on the volatility of crude oil production. What cannot be overemphasized in oil sector is the production volatility effect which is mostly caused by unstable production quantity due to certain nation’s economic, social, political factors. In this paper, volatility of crude oil production was considered, and different Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) models were fitted to Nigeria crude oil production volatility series. Data for the work were monthly crude oil quantity data from January 2010 to August 2019 (NNPC ASB) from which the crude oil production volatility was measured. The suggested GARCH models included GARCH (0,1), GARCH (0,2), GARCH (1,1), GARCH (1,2), GARCH (2,1) and GARCH (2,2). Using Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) and Schwarz’s Information Criterion (SIC), GARCH (1,2) and GARCH(2,1) competed favourably. The MSE of forecast revealed GARCH (2,1) to perform better for the forecast of crude oil production volatility. Further findings will reveal other alternative models as the crude oil production pattern changesin the future

Intrapreneurial Leadership and Sustainability of Federal Universities in South-South Region Nigeria

The study surveys contributions of intrapreneurial leadership to institutional sustainability particularly, federal universities in the south-south region, Nigeria. Institutional leadership and visionary leadership are both consonant to this study. Descriptive statistics and multiple regressions were used in analyzing the data obtained, aided with statistical package for social science. Obviously, federal universities with more academic programmes enjoyed increase in internally generated revenue (IGR) through fee and other charges. There appeared clear indications that universities with some unique programmes are favoured by donators and sponsors. Internally generated revenues by the universities do not necessarily result from so much diversified investments even though those ventures have their revenue contributions. Federal government should inject more funds into infrastructural development in both physical and human forms with more programmes introduced into universities to achieve the objectives, which gave birth to them. The various ventures entered into by the leadership (intrapreneurship) of the universities should be devoid of personal and political sentiments both in the appointment of management teams and financial prudency. Consequently, succeeding administrations should make effort to improve on the vision of inherited venture projects. University managers and administrators should work harder in sourcing for more funds through donors and collaborations while they remain resolutely focused without getting funds diverted

Abnormal ECG Findings in Athletes: Clinical Evaluation and Considerations.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pre-participation cardiovascular evaluation with electrocardiography is normal practice for most sporting bodies. Awareness about sudden cardiac death in athletes and recognizing how screening can help identify vulnerable athletes have empowered different sporting disciplines to invest in the wellbeing of their athletes. RECENT FINDINGS: Discerning physiological electrical alterations due to athletic training from those representing cardiac pathology may be challenging. The mode of investigation of affected athletes is dependent on the electrical anomaly and the disease(s) in question. This review will highlight specific pathological ECG patterns that warrant assessment and surveillance, together with an in-depth review of the recommended algorithm for evaluation

Determinants of Adolescent Childbearing in Oghara Kingdom, Delta State, Nigeria

Teenage pregnancy is an important health and Social problem in Nigeria. The study investigated the prevalence rate and the socio-economic factors that place adolescents at the high risk of early pregnancy in Oghara Kingdom. The respondents were 400 teenagers under 19years of age randomly selected from some villages in the two sub-clans of the kingdom. A structured interview schedule was used to obtain information used in the study. Frequencies, percentages and chi-square tests were used to analyse the data. The results of the study showed that the rate of teenage pregnancy in the study area was fairly high (66.2 percent). A large majority (87.3 percent) of the teenage pregnancies in the study area were unintended. Chi-square tests revealed associations between teenage pregnancy and respondents’ education, sexual initiation, use of family planning, parents’ wealth quintiles, wealth quintile of the person responsible for the pregnancy and place of abode before the pregnancy. Keywords: Teenage pregnancy, Oghara Kingdom, Socio-economic factors, Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/55-03 Publication date: January 31st 202

Assessing Communities of Practice in health policy : A conceptual framework as a first step towards empirical research

Peer reviewe

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, CORPORATE STRATEGY AND CORPORATE PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE FROM THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LISTED ON THE NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

The study aimed at proving that corporate governance structures should work in tandem with other stakeholders of the company to fashion a robust corporate strategy for effective corporate performance. Undoubtedly, in most situations board squabble, ineptitude, inconsistent tenure of office during which members engage in arbitrage opportunities and rent seeking activities constitute the bane of achievement of corporate prime objectives. The study availed itself of the secondary data from Nigerian Stock Exchange Fact book where thirty three (33) out of forty eight (48) financial institutions were selected, tabulated and analyzed using Ordinary Least Squared (OLS) rule. A multiple regression model was applied in the analysis of the data. The result provided sufficient evidence of relationship between corporate governance and firm performance. It concluded that a talented board is a corner stone of an effective corporate governance system. Key words: Corporate governance, corporate strategy, corporate performance, earnings management

Control of a dc motor using fuzzy logic control algorithm

This study sought to establish the impact of a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) and a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller in the control performance of an industrial type DC motor using MATLAB. The fuzzy logic controller was developed on the basis of Mamdani type fuzzy inference system (FIS). The centroid method of defuzzification was also adopted. A choice of seven membership functions was designed for the error and change in error inputs alongside the output, hence a resultant of 49 rules was achieved for the fuzzy controller. Simulations for the PID controller and with the fuzzy controller were obtained at no load and for a selected reference speed of 1200 rpm. The simulations were further repeated for a load torque of 7Nm with the same reference speed. The simulated results were compared. Based on the findings, it was observed that the fuzzy speed controlled DC motors perform better than the PID speed controlled DC motors in terms of its faster settling time, absence of an overshoot and its sensitivity to applied load. Sequel to the foregoing findings, the researchers concluded that fuzzy logic controllers should be readily implemented in our local industries to enhance precision and improve performance in operations involving DC motors.Keywords: DC motor, Fuzzy logic, Rule base, PID Controller, Fuzzificatio

Adiponectin and cardiovascular risk factors in relation with glycemic control in type 2 diabetics

Background: Adiponectin has been associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in Type 2 diabetes, though the mechanism of association is still uncertain. The adiponectin levels and lipid profile in relation to glycemic control were investigated in type 2 diabetics.Methods: Forty two diabetic subjects (35-64 years) and 33 age-matched non-diabetic subjects were recruited into this case control study. Socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric indices and blood pressure were obtained. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein, (HDL), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were estimated using colorimetric methods, atherogenic index (AI) was calculated, while serum adiponectin was determined by ELISA method. Results: Adiponectin levels of type 2 diabetics were not significantly different from the non-diabetics studied (p>0.05).  Higher TG levels were observed in diabetics with poor glycemic control compared with those with good glycemic control (p0.05). Conclusion: Type 2 diabetics do not have lower adiponectin levels. Gender, duration of diabetes and glycemic control does not seem to exert any influence on adiponectin levels in type 2 diabetes. Adiponectin may be associated with reduced risk of atherosclerosis through its effects on HDL cholesterol metabolism.

Community perspectives on cultural practices and belief systems influencing alcohol and drug use: a qualitative study in Anaang Community, Nigeria

Alcohol and drug use are socially sewn into cultural practices and belief systems in societies. This has been the case with Anaang community. This qualitative study examined narratives in a natural setting to gain insights on cultural practices relating to alcohol and drug use in Anaang society. The methods of study were participant observation and in-depth interview with 80 participants. The study found that some cultural activities harbour causal factors to alcohol use. Majority of participants reported using alcohol in conformity with societal norms and values. Participants differed in opinion concerning drug use. Some confessed using drugs out of personal conviction. Conversely, a good proportion of participants believed that cultural practices and belief system have either overtly or covertly lured them into drug use. Participants unanimously identified low literacy rates, ignorance and lack of effective regulatory mechanism as precursors to alcohol and drug use in local communities. This study mediated through Anaang cultural practices and belief system to derive informed insights that are needful for designing culture-sensitive-programme of preventive intervention for alcohol and drug use in local communities in Nigeria