INSECURITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Insecurity has become a significant topic of discussion worldwide, with an increasing number of terror-related incidents being reported on various media platforms. Nigeria has been identified as a country plagued by terrorism, with kidnappings, banditry, protests, drug-related crimes, and social unrest affecting the country's stability. Two specific objectives guided the study, and 323 SMEs were surveyed using Cochran's formula to arrive at a representative sample. The study adopted a quantitative research design and employed Pearson's Product Moment Correlation to analyse the data obtained through the survey. The results indicated that drug or substance abuse had a significant impact on how SMEs engage their employees in Anambra State. Based on this finding, social media propaganda negatively affects SMEs' information management capabilities in the state. The study concluded that insecurity adversely affects Anambra state's business environment, thereby impacting the operations of SMEs. The study recommends that SMEs acquire business software and tools for event analysis and predicting future events

The Utilization of Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials in Chemical Engineering

Nanotechnology have witnessed application in almost all areas of chemical engineering from Quantum engineering to biosynthesis and biotechnology. It has improved the resonance properties of metals, semiconductors and quantum dots used for sensing and imaging applications. The greatest impact is in the area of biomedicals where neurodegenerative diseases such as cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and brain tumors are now addressed with great success. In filtration technology, nanomaterials are now used for onsite dictation and removal of heavy metals. Better performance have been discovered regarding nanomaterials for removing water vapor in the atmosphere as nano-hydroxyapatite can now replace silica gel for water vapour absorption. Even the processes leading up to production of nanomaterials are now modified with microorganisms to synthesize nanomaterials such as silver synthesized via H. Leucopus mediated bioreduction. Materials can now be synthesized down to atomic or molecular level through controlled deposition of the precursor material on the substrate. Size conversion of molecules, surface motif exchanges, ligand technology and polymer technology have witnessed turn around all because of nanotechnology. Organic pollutant known as non-biodegradables, can now be degraded excellently using TiO2 functionalized nanoporous anodized alumina in the presence of UV and visible light. Battery storage capacity have been greatly improved by doping of the electrodes with nanoparticles such that the volume changes during charge and discharge operations are reduced. In the end of this preview, a concise presentation of areas for further research was made to further accelerate research in this area. On battery technology and electrochemistry, a novel ternary composite of graphene, MoS2 nanosheets and a small amount (1wt %) of silver nanoclusters (NCs; MoS2/G/Ag) have been discovered with storage capacity as high as 1308 mAhg¬ 1 (at 5Ag-1 well above the traditional binary system with only MoS2/Ag. Other quantitative results of exploit of nanotechnology are littered in this review

A Paradigm Shift From Tradition To Modernity In Nollywoodas Projection Of African Narratives

The Nollywood movie industry since its inception in the early nineties has progressively projected the African cultural heritage to other parts of the world This encompasses both good and bad aspects of the culture Today many Africans in Diaspora tend to feel at home whenever they watch any of the Nollywood movies just like the Hollywood and Bollywood project the American and Indian weltanshuung respectively Interestingly there has been a consistent transformation of the Hollywood and Bollywood from the traditional to the postmodern stages This is not applicable to the Nollywood Industry The paper therefore argues that there should be a paradigmatic shift of Nollywood movies from tradition to modernity since virtually all the African Narratives being projected by the industry hitherto are not only pristine and anarchronistic but also fall short of the existing realities of the African way of life This has impacted negatively on the socio-cultural development of Africa and in particular portray some Nigerian ethnic groups as uncivilized and backwar

Disruptive Technology and Accounting Education in Nigeria Federal Universities: Issues, Challenges, and Way Forward

 This study aims to examine the effect of Disruptive Technology on accounting education in Nigeria Federal universities. The dimension of Disruptive Technology is Electronic Learning (e-Learning) while the measures of accounting education are quality accounting education and reduction in loss of academic time in teaching and learning of accounting. The study explored the perceptions of Accounting Students and Lecturers on Disruptive Technology and accounting education amidst issues and challenges of paucity of funds, incessant shutdown of academic activities caused by industrial actions by various staff unions and lockdowns caused by pandemics such as COVID-19. It used Expansive Learning theory as its theoretical underpinning and adopted exploratory qualitative research design. Data were collected through Online Survey questionnaire which was distributed and collated in April, 2022. Descriptive Statistics was used in data analysis. The results show that accounting students and lecturers are favorably disposed to the adoption of e-Learning in teaching and learning of accounting. The findings also support that e-Learning will improve the quality of accounting education and help reduce loss of academic time in teaching and learning of accounting during periods of industrial actions and lockdowns when adopted. The study concludes that e-Learning has a positive influence on accounting education in Nigeria Federal Universities. Therefore, recommends that Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC) should formulate guidelines on the use of e-Learning. Federal Government should provide adequate funds for Federal Universities for improved staff remunerations and welfare to avoid incessant strike actions; boost infrastructural requirements and course material developments needed for e-learning. Keywords: Disruptive Technology, e-Learning, Accounting education and Nigeria Federal Universities

Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Biolubricant Production from Lard Oil Using EG and TMP

This study presents the kinetics and thermodynamics correlation of biolubricants derived from lard oil-based stock using ethylene glycol (EG) and trimethylolpropane (TMP). Kinetic data fitting for LOBLEG to both first and second-order kinetic rate laws showed that the R^2 value for the first-order model were higher than that for the second-order model. This implies that the kinetic data for LOBLEG follows a simpler kinetic behavior that can be easily modeled. In contrast, in LOBLTMP, the R^2 value of the second-order model was higher, indicating a better fit. In terms of thermodynamics, it was observed that the reaction process for LOBLEG was endothermic, with an ∆H value of 54.9 kJ/mol, while for LOBLTMP, it was exothermic with an ∆H value of -91.5 kJ/mol. Furthermore, the kinetic data for LOBLEG did not align with the Michaelis-Menten rate law, as indicated by an R^2 value of 0.81, in contrast to the R^2 value of 0.95 obtained for LOBLTMP which agrees closely with the kinetic reaction to produce LOBLTMP. These findings suggest that LOBLTMP exhibits a more temperature-driven reaction rate than LOBLEG, while the latter showed a higher energy-saving capacity due to lower activation energy. Thus, both routes offer means through which environmentally friendly lubricants can be produced and data provided here could be used to design reactors that can produce biolubricants.&nbsp

Why do women invest in pre-pregnancy health and care? A qualitative investigation with women attending maternity services

Background Despite the importance attributed to good pre-pregnancy care and its potential to improve pregnancy and child health outcomes, relatively little is known about why women invest in pre-pregnancy health and care. We sought to gain insight into why women invested in pre-pregnancy health and care. Methods We carried out 20 qualitative in-depth interviews with pregnant or recently pregnant women who were drawn from a survey of antenatal clinic attendees in London, UK. Interviewees were purposively sampled to include high and low investors in pre-pregnancy health and care, with variation in age, partnership status, ethnicity and pre-existing medical conditions. Data analysis was conducted using the Framework method. Results We identified three groups in relation to pre-pregnancy health and care: 1) The “prepared” group, who had high levels of pregnancy planning and mostly positive attitudes to micronutrient supplementation outside of pregnancy, carried out pre-pregnancy activities such as taking folic acid and making changes to diet and lifestyle. 2) The “poor knowledge” group, who also had high levels of pregnancy planning, did not carry out pre-pregnancy activities and described themselves as having poor knowledge. Elsewhere in their interviews they expressed a strong dislike of micronutrient supplementation. 3) The “absent pre-pregnancy period” group, had the lowest levels of pregnancy planning and also expressed anti-supplement views. Even discussing the pre-pregnancy period with this group was difficult as responses to questions quickly shifted to focus on pregnancy itself. Knowledge of folic acid was poor in all groups. Conclusion Different pre-pregnancy care approaches are likely to be needed for each of the groups. Among the “prepared” group, who were proactive and receptive to health messages, greater availability of information and better response from health professionals could improve the range of pre-pregnancy activities carried out. Among the “poor knowledge” group, better response from health professionals might yield greater uptake of pre-pregnancy information. A different, general health strategy might be more appropriate for the “absent pre-pregnancy period” group. The fact that general attitudes to micronutrient supplementation were closely related to whether or not women invested in pre-pregnancy health and care was an unanticipated finding and warrants further investigation.This report is independent research commissioned and funded by the Department of Health Policy Research Programme Pre-Pregnancy Health and Care in England: Exploring Implementation and Public Health Impact, 006/0068

Prevalence and clinical profile of glaucoma patients in rural Nigeria : a hospital based study

Purpose To determine the prevalence and clinical presentation of participants with glaucoma attending a public eye care facility in Nigeria. Method Hospital based retrospective study of glaucoma participants aged 50 years and above seen over a 5-year period. Descriptive statistics summarized the demographic, clinical characteristics and treatment of the participants and determined the association of variables with gender and age. Prevalence of the glaucoma by type, and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were also calculated. Result Of the 5482 case files that were reviewed, 995 (18.15%, 95% Cl 17.15–19.19%) had glaucoma particularly primary open angle glaucoma (11.55%, 95%CI 10.73–12.42%) and were mostly females (564, 56.7%) aged 69 ± 12 years (range, 50–103 years). In contrast to other glaucoma types, the prevalence of primary angle closure glaucoma (3.68, 95%CI 3.22–4.22) increased by 15% over 5 years. The mean intraocular pressure ranged from 15–50 mmHg but higher in females than males (27.8 ± 6.1mmHg versus 26.6 ± 6.0 mmHg, P [removed]0.05). On presentation, the glaucoma hemi field test (GHFT) was outside the normal limits in 45.5% and 54.5% of males and females, respectively. The type of visual field defect was associated with glaucoma type (P = 0.047). Arcuate scotoma was most common (35.5%) across glaucoma types, paracentral scotoma more common in Secondary glaucoma while Seidel scotoma was highest in NTG (19.3%). Beta-blocker was the mainstay of management (42.2%) but more likely to be prescribed to males while more females received carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Conclusions The high prevalence of glaucoma in older people remains a public health problem in Nigeria. The fact that about half of the participants presented with visual field defect suggests there is a need for public health messages to emphasize on early glaucoma screening, detection and management

Short-Term Effects of Screening for Cardiovascular Risk in the Deaf Community: A Pilot Study

There is limited information on the risk of cardiovascular disease amongst the Deaf community. Given that the access of Deaf people to mainstream health promotion is likely to be hindered by language barriers, we were interested to assess the short-term impact of cardiovascular health promotion within this group. Using a pilot study we investigated changes in cardiovascular risk factors amongst Deaf people identified to be at high cardiovascular risk, who received standard health promotion by a medical team specializing in cardiovascular health promotion. The short-term impact of cardiovascular health promotion in this group did not reduce estimates of cardiovascular risk. The reasons for this are likely to relate to the design and delivery of health promotion to Deaf people, which deserves further study