A One Step Method for the Solution of General Second Order Ordinary Differential Equations

In this paper, an implicit one step method for the numerical solution of second order initial value problems of ordinary differential equations has been developed by collocation and interpolation technique. The introduction of an o step point guaranteed the zero stability and consistency of the method. The implicit method developed was implemented as a block which gave simultaneous solutions, as well as their rst derivatives, at both o step and the step point. A comparison of our method to the predictor-corrector method after solving some sample problems reveals that our method performs better

Poverty and Inequality Nexus: Illustrations with Nigerian Data

The main aim of this paper is to explore the link between poverty and inequality. In developing countries, there is a general consensus that high inequality can dampen significantly the impact of economic performance on poverty. In this paper, we propose a new theoretical framework that links poverty and inequality. We also show between and within group inequalities, as well as inequality in income sources, can contribute to total poverty. The methodology of the paper is illustrated using the 2004 Nigerian national living standard survey.Poverty, Inequality

Poverty reduction efforts in Nigeria 1996 – 2004: a micro level analysis of the relative importance of income growth and redistribution.

A common narrative on Africa’s development process is that specific country policies of income growth and redistribution are necessary for poverty reduction. For growth theoreticians, economic growth must be pursued while for political economists, redistribution is necessary to cushion the detrimental effect of reform policies. These views appear to converge in the many policies and programmes implemented over the years by the Nigerian government. In light of this, we accounted for the effect of these variables using two recent national household survey data sets collected by the National Bureau of statistics in 1996 and 2004 upon which we applied three commonly used poverty indices(FGT) and the Shapely decomposition analytical framework. For robustness, we carried out complementary analysis using the stochastic dominance test and growth incidence curve. Results showed that for the whole country, rural and urban areas respectively, income growth component accounted for -16%, -10% and -10%, while the redistribution component represented -5%, -7% and -4%, suggesting on the average a poverty reducing role. However, a more disaggregated pattern of changes in per capita income reveal that the poor did not benefit much.Income growth, distributional shift, poverty, household, pro-poor growth

Modified Block Method for the Direct Solution of Second Order Ordinary Differential Equations

The direct solution of general second order ordinary differential equations is considered in this paper. The method is based on the collocation and interpolation of the power series approximate solution to generate a continuous linear multistep method. We modified the existing block method in order to accommodate the general nth order ordinary differential equation. The method was found to be efficient when tested on second order ordinary differential equation

Demand for abortion and post abortion care in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: While induced abortion is considered to be illegal and socially unacceptable in Nigeria, it is still practiced by many women in the country. Poor family planning and unsafe abortion practices have daunting effects on maternal health. For instance, Nigeria is on the verge of not meeting the Millennium development goals on maternal health due to high maternal mortality ratio, estimated to be about 630 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Recent evidences have shown that a major factor in this trend is the high incidence of abortion in the country. The objective of this paper is, therefore, to investigate the factors determining the demand for abortion and post-abortion care in Ibadan city of Nigeria. Methods: The study employed data from a hospital-based/exploratory survey carried out between March to September 2010. Closed ended questionnaires were administered to a sample of 384 women of reproductive age from three hospitals within the Ibadan metropolis in South West Nigeria. However, only 308 valid responses were received and analysed. A probit model was fitted to determine the socioeconomic factors that influence demand for abortion and post-abortion care. Results: The results showed that 62% of respondents demanded for abortion while 52.3% of those that demanded for abortion received post-abortion care. The findings again showed that income was a significant determinant of abortion and post-abortion care demand. Women with higher income were more likely to demand abortion and post-abortion care. Married women were found to be less likely to demand for abortion and post-abortion care. Older women were significantly less likely to demand for abortion and post-abortion care. Mothers' education was only statistically significant in determining abortion demand but not post-abortion care demand. Conclusion: The findings suggest that while abortion is illegal in Nigeria, some women in the Ibadan city do abort unwanted pregnancies. The consequence of this in the absence of proper post-abortion care is daunting. There is the need for policymakers to intensify public education against indiscriminate abortion and to reduce unwanted pregnancies. In effect, there is need for effective alternative family planning methods. This is likely to reduce the demand for abortion. Further, with income found as a major constraint, post abortion services should be made accessible to both the rich and poor alike so as to prevent unnecessary maternal deaths as a result of abortion related complications

Determinants of Economic Growth Differential in Rural Nigeria

Increasing income inequality and poverty continue to be the most challenging economic problem facing most developing countries including Nigeria. It has been observed that inequality in Nigeria is mainly through income differential. Mean earnings also differ greatly across groups defined by occupation, gender, education, experience, and other observed traits. The paper explores the extent to which a set of factors determine income growth differential in rural Nigeria between 1996 and 2004 using the National Consumer Survey data of 1996 and 2003/2004 National Living Standard Survey dataset. The two periods have sample sizes of 11,577 and 22,000 respectively. Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition approach was used to estimate the contribution of selected factors to the growth differential between the two periods. From the decomposition results, the key determinants of growth for both periods respectively were: age of household head (0.011, 0.199); house unit type (0.038, 0.032); education status (0.129, 0.141); and weekly hours of work (0.183×10-4, 0.002). Others were Gender, (-0.117, -0.213); and household size (-0.044, -0.140). [Adigun Grace Toyin, Awoyemi Taiwo Timothy, Omonona Bolarin T. Determinants of Economic Growth Differential in Rural Nigeria. New York Science Journal 2011;4(4):50-58]. (ISSN: 1554-0200). http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork. Keywords: Growth, Inequality, Per Capita Expenditure, Rural Nigeria, Oaxaca-Blinder Decomposition

One-Step Implicit Hybrid Block Method for The Direct Solution of General Second Order Ordinary Differential Equations

A one-step implicit hybrid block solution method for initial value problems of general second order ordinary differential equations has been studied in this paper. The onestep method is augmented by the inclusion of off step points to enable the multistep procedure. This guaranteed zero stability as well as consistency of the resulting method. The convergence and weak stability properties of the new method have been established. Results from the new method compared with those obtained from existing methods show that the new method gives better accuracy

Peak particle velocity data acquisition for monitoring blast induced earthquakes in quarry sites

The peak particle velocity datasets recorded during quarry blasts in the neighborhood villages and towns in Ibadan and Abeokuta were processed and analyzed in order to recommend a safe blast design for each of the quarries. The minimum peak particle velocity of 48.27 mm/s was recorded near the foundation of the nearest residence at the shot to monitored distance of 500m. The tendency of ground vibration emanating from the quarry sites to cause damage to the structures in the nearby dwelling areas is very high. The peak particle velocity datasets recorded were not within the safe limit. Therefore the peak particle velocity that will not exceed 35 mm/s is recommended for a safe blast design