Seminar Users in the Arabic Twitter Sphere

We introduce the notion of "seminar users", who are social media users engaged in propaganda in support of a political entity. We develop a framework that can identify such users with 84.4% precision and 76.1% recall. While our dataset is from the Arab region, omitting language-specific features has only a minor impact on classification performance, and thus, our approach could work for detecting seminar users in other parts of the world and in other languages. We further explored a controversial political topic to observe the prevalence and potential potency of such users. In our case study, we found that 25% of the users engaged in the topic are in fact seminar users and their tweets make nearly a third of the on-topic tweets. Moreover, they are often successful in affecting mainstream discourse with coordinated hashtag campaigns.Comment: to appear in SocInfo 201

UHMWPE/SBA-15 nanocomposites synthesized by in situ polymerization

Different nanocomposites have been attained by in situ polymerization based on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and mesoporous SBA-15, this silica being used for immobilization of the FI catalyst bis [N-(3-tert-butylsalicylidene)-2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoroanilinato] titanium (IV) dichloride and as filler as well. Two distinct approaches have been selected for supporting the FI catalyst on the SBA-15 prior polymerization. A study on polymerization activity of this catalyst has been performed under homogenous conditions and upon heterogenization. A study of the effect of presence of mesoporous particles and of the immobilization method is also carried out. Moreover, the thermal characterization, phase transitions and mechanical response of some pristine UHMWPEs and UHMWPE/SBA-15 materials have been carried out. Relationships with variations on molar mass, impregnation method of catalyst and final SBA-15 content have been established

Young Men’s Perceptions of Teenage Pregnancy

The purpose of the qualitative study was to understand the perceptions and experiences of young men who lived in a county of Texas regarding teenage pregnancy. Face-to-face audio-taped interviews were conducted with 20 young men between ages 18 and 21. Five major themes and one subtheme were uncovered from the interview: unplanned pregnancy/attitude to unprotected sex, being a father at an early age, wanting sex education in the school curriculum, advice for other young men, and desiring parent’s role in sex education. The sub-theme was early childhood education to start at home. The findings of this study demonstrate that young men, like young women, have concerns about teenage pregnancy, contraceptive use, sex education, parent roles, media, and peer influence on teenagers’ sexual decision making. Knowledge about men’s developmental stages could mean a better understanding of young men’s behavior, attitude, and perception about teenage pregnancy. Involving young men in pregnancy prevention programs could improve understanding of the social psychology of men’s development stages and perceive their sexual relationships

1976 Universal Primary Education and Schooling Attainment in Nigeria

This study examines causal impact of 1976 Universal Primary Education (UPE) on individual schooling attainment in the Nigeria. This study exploits the quasi-natural experiment offered by the large-scale government investment in Universal Primary Education between 1976 and 1981 to confront the identification problems associated with this kind of study. Results from the Differences-in-Differences technique established that the UPE programme had positive and statistically significant impact on schooling attainment of beneficiaries. After controlling for all a large number of variables in the DID framework, exposure to UPE programme increases schooling attainment by 0.15 year. A formal test does not suggest that omitted variables might be influencing schooling outcomes

The Socio-Economic Dimensions of Human Capital Investment in Nigeria

This study evaluates the contemporary socio-economic effects of 1976 large-scale construction of over 21,000 new primary schools by the federal government of Nigeria and the considerable investments in human capital by early Christian missionaries between 1843 and 1925. Both OLS and Instrumental Variable (IV) methods were adopted as identification strategies in combination with research design methods such as Differences-in-Differences (DID) and Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) techniques. Exposure to UPE programme raised schooling attainment by 0.94 year or by 16.7 percent. Furthermore, study established the UPE had considerable impact on individual and social wellbeing. OLS results show that a year of education increases well-being by 5.5 per cent. On the average, IV results show that a year of schooling increases wellbeing by 30 percent, which is nearly six times the magnitude of OLS estimate. OLS externality results show LGA average year of schooling generate 7.75 percent and LGA average year of primary schooling generates 18.14 percent. It is 16.95 percent for LGA average year of secondary schooling and 20.58 percent for LGA year of tertiary education. Econometric test of selection on both observed and unobserved variables indicate that OLS results are not driven by omitted variable bias. Our IV results reveal the UPE programme has significant labour market consequences. OLS and IV results indicate that UPE had significant social benefits. Our estimates are robust to a number of tests such as specification test, exogeneity or over-identification test, falsification tests, addition of a number of control variables, state fixed effects and cohort fixed effects. Inter-personal interactions and the availability of public goods are important sources of schooling externalities. In the third part of this work, we explore the empirical relationship between contemporary housing quality and long term indicator of missionary human capital investment. Though the study will encourage massive public sector investment in education to enhance private and social benefits, complementary policies that foster investments in physical infrastructure and social harmony will be maximise public sector social returns to schooling investment

Phytoremediation potential of two maize varieties cultivated on metal-particulate-contaminated soil

Arbitrary cultivation of vacant land, even within the periphery of cottage industries in devel­oping countries, particularly in Nigeria, is on the increase. Two maize varieties [ART98/SW1 (protein) and BR-9928-DMR-SR-Y (non-protein)] were planted within the vicinity of a metal recycling plant in Ile-Ife, Nigeria to assess the metal removal potentials of these maize cultivars. The experiment was conducted in two locations, each per maize variety and laid out in a ran­domised complete block design. Two biochars produced from maize stover and Milicia exelsa, each at 10 t ha-1 were used as soil amendments. Metal uptake by the two maize varieties was in the order: root > shoot > grain, with protein maize having higher bioconcentration factors: Fe 86.82, Zn 1.19, Cu 4.53, Mn 2.42 and Pb 0.15, and hence, a pathway through which animals, including humans could ingest these metals. It was concluded that maize crop is a bioaccumu­lator of metals in soil, and protein maize cultivar removes more metals than non-protein maize. Keywords: Biochar; farm waste; heavy metal; maize; particulate matter; remediatio

Financial Illiteracy of Nigerian Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Houston

Financial literacy is an essential determinant of entrepreneurial success as it helps entrepreneurs to access credit and make rational financial decisions. However, financial literacy remains low especially among immigrant communities, who form the bulk of the low-income earners in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore the financial literacy of Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurs living in Houston, Texas, in order to sustain growth in their business by successfully using the U.S credit system. The research question for the study examined the actions Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurs in Houston need to take to be financially literate and navigate the U.S. credit system. The study was based on the rational choice theory. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from a purposive sample of 18 Nigerian entrepreneurs with businesses in Houston, Texas. Data analysis was conducted through hand-coding and validated with QSR Nvivo software. The results from the study indicated that credit rating, credit information, collateral, credit unions, networking, state government support, and a good business financial plan are important effective strategies for the Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurs to enhance their overall level of financial literacy with a view to promote business sustainability. The results of this study may contribute to positive social change by helping Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurs to obtain a more in-depth understanding of the U.S. credit system, encourage Nigerian immigrant entrepreneurs to share financial literacy strategies, and advance research on the relationship between the U.S. credit system and business sustainability